This is a fascinating post. I've thought about it quite recently when discussing the difference between canonical and AU fanfiction, and - their stuff sounds really boring - I came to the same conclusion. There are exceptions, of course.
You're not really talking about how JKR writes here, but I wanted to tell someone about this: I came across a post (http://www.livejournal.com/users/soaringdragon42/341612.html) in which a person complains that their (NaNoWriMo) characters have gone out of control, obsessing about each other so that the poster might end up writing porn without actual plot development. They say:
I feel like I'm writing a fan-fic for my own story WHICH I HAVEN'T EVEN WRITTEN YET! >_<
But hey, if Rowling can do it, why can't I?
I was amused and intrigued about the comment of Rowling doing that, but it wasn't explored in comments. The post was metaquoted (http://www.livejournal.com/community/metaquotes/4227063.html), but instead of pondering about Rowling, everyone started to talk about how their characters are out of line too.
Is this a common estimate of Rowling's work? The concept of orig fic being fanfiction instead of canon is new to me, but I like it. Apparently the poster means Rowling went overboard with romance; elsewhere, the OOCness of her characters has been discussed. On the other hand, I don't know if orig fic being accused of reading like fanfiction is a very good way to address continuity and consistency problems of characters and mood - as if the division between pro and fanfic would also indicate how good the writing is; it would account for altering the universe but only negatively.
However, since fanfiction often is about romance, calling the books that could also mean a sort of indulgence in something, disrupting the balance of the situation the book or the series started with or just delicate sensibilities. I recall at least one series of books which ended in such a horrible joy and happiness for all creatures everywhere that it didn't seem realistic anymore, either in this or the books' universe.
no subject
You're not really talking about how JKR writes here, but I wanted to tell someone about this: I came across a post (http://www.livejournal.com/users/soaringdragon42/341612.html) in which a person complains that their (NaNoWriMo) characters have gone out of control, obsessing about each other so that the poster might end up writing porn without actual plot development. They say:
I feel like I'm writing a fan-fic for my own story WHICH I HAVEN'T EVEN WRITTEN YET! >_<
But hey, if Rowling can do it, why can't I?
I was amused and intrigued about the comment of Rowling doing that, but it wasn't explored in comments. The post was metaquoted (http://www.livejournal.com/community/metaquotes/4227063.html), but instead of pondering about Rowling, everyone started to talk about how their characters are out of line too.
Is this a common estimate of Rowling's work? The concept of orig fic being fanfiction instead of canon is new to me, but I like it. Apparently the poster means Rowling went overboard with romance; elsewhere, the OOCness of her characters has been discussed. On the other hand, I don't know if orig fic being accused of reading like fanfiction is a very good way to address continuity and consistency problems of characters and mood - as if the division between pro and fanfic would also indicate how good the writing is; it would account for altering the universe but only negatively.
However, since fanfiction often is about romance, calling the books that could also mean a sort of indulgence in something, disrupting the balance of the situation the book or the series started with or just delicate sensibilities. I recall at least one series of books which ended in such a horrible joy and happiness for all creatures everywhere that it didn't seem realistic anymore, either in this or the books' universe.