[HPforGrownups] Re: Fanfiction/speculation

[Calypso8604 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 31310

In a message dated 12/11/2001 1:49:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
cindysphynx at home.com writes:


> But fanfic seems to go one step further -- the writer is allowed to 
> start with canon, but then change *huge* things.  It is harder, I 
> think, to evaluate whether this or that character would do this or 
> that in a fanfic because I see it as an extra step removed from 
> canon.  Facts and characters have been added, so how could one even 
> really conclude whether the fanfic is true to canon?  


Good fanfiction takes Canon facts and fills in the details. Yes, there are 
those fics that change a huge fact but generally the better writing does not.

 And much of the fanfiction you see now is about a miniscule concept found in 
Canon and elaborated on into a story. For example, take the Founders. We 
don't know much about them and probably will never know much about them 
besides Godric and Salazar's rivalry. Fanfiction can take those few facts and 
make an incredible story about the four greatest witches and wizards of the 
time. Another example would be taking a minor character, such as Madam Pince 
and tell their story, something that is unlikely  to be touched upon in Canon.

I myself avoided FanFiction for a very long time because I was worried it 
would mess up my perception of the actual books when I read them. But I 
finally read a short fic and continued reading more, and thankfully it hasn't 
ruined the magic of JKR's books at all.

I conclude my short and generally pointless rambling with words often heard 
from my Uncle; Don't knock it, until you've tried it!


Calypso


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