my two cents - for what it's worth

[floatingleaf]

Okay... let me just try to get some things off my chest. First of all, I really don't want to 'take sides' or judge anyone. I've seen enough of that on LJ in the past few years. I wasn't eager to judge or condemn even when the controversy revolved around people I didn't really care about - I'm just not comfortable passing judgement on someone because they're human and may have made a mistake. Period. And when it comes to those I call friends, it's even more difficult. To put it as simply as possible: I don't judge my friends. I support them. Regardless of whether I agree with what they do, or whether I would have done the same. Does that mean I have double standards?... Maybe. I don't know. All I know is that I always try to understand everyone's viewpoint in any situation, and sometimes I agree with two opposing sides, in a way - or at least see what put them in the place they're in, so to speak. I guess that might be synonymous with a lack of moral spine in the eyes of some people... but that's how I feel, and there's not much I can do about it. I also don't presume to tell others what they should/shouldn't do, or give advice I was never asked for. Even though I sometimes feel bad later about not having done it when it might have made a difference. Anyway... I was a little concerned about a certain controversial novel being published, but mainly because I feared the author might get in trouble. But then, I guess I just assumed she knew what she was doing, and who was I to question someone with so much more writing/publishing experience than I could ever hope to attain. I honestly didn't even know the book was pulled so soon after it came out. I do own a copy, which I bought mainly because I knew that the online version wasn't available anymore. And like some other people in this fandom, I was perfectly happy with the 'original' Viggorli version, regardless of how closely it resembled its famous literary source. Frankly, I didn't feel like re-reading this particular classic, only to see how far the analogies go. I wanted to be able to imagine my favorite pairing in place of the original characters - and the story fulfilled that wish. I also didn't feel deceived in any way, either then or now, because I knew what book it was based on and I didn't really care how much - or how little - paraphrasing was involved. I thought that was one of the great things about being involved in an online fandom - the possibility to 'slashify' any classic love story you like, and perv over it with your fellow enthusiasts, not having to worry about copyright issues etc., because it's not about money here. It's about love, and fulfilling secret fantasies in a relaxed, friendly environment. It appears I am only beginning to see how very wrong I was. But that's a whole another issue. As for publishing said fantasies, I realize that can be quite risky for a number of reasons - but I don't believe, in this case at least, that it was done with the intention of deceiving anyone either. All I see here is a giant misunderstanding, all the more painful because I sort of get why non-fandom people - or even some fandom people - would approach it the way they did. If it was about someone I didn't personally know or trust in their good intentions, I might have felt offended too. As it is, I just feel sad and hollow, and not quite ready to process the knowledge that at least three of my favorite LJ-friends & authors won't be posting here anymore. I know I can still keep in touch with them through other means... but LJ was my 'platform of choice', so to speak, and from now on it just won't be the same. I know change is an integral part of life... but I just can't go all stoic about it at the moment. I'll get over it at some point, I suppose - but right now it hurts.:(

Comments

[crowdaughter.livejournal.com]

Let me just say WORD to most of what you said here.

I thought that was one of the great things about being involved in an online fandom - the possibility to 'slashify' any classic love story you like, and perv over it with your fellow enthusiasts, not having to worry about copyright issues etc., because it's not about money here. It's about love, and fulfilling secret fantasies in a relaxed, friendly environment. It appears I am only beginning to see how very wrong I was.

Yea, the fandom seems suddenly awfully concerned with originality. Hello? It is writing FANFIC, meaning using copyrighted work of others without permission. By the very definition, it is not completely original. And Namarie never, ever said or claimed that she invented the plot, otr the style, or the scenes, or the images. She made it very clear that she wanted to stay as close to the original as possible *because that was what made her fic so enjoyable*.

It may not have been the best idea to publish the book for money, and maybe that decision was a mistake. But that does not make Namarie a plagiarist. It makes her someone who made a bad decision at one point. Every person whio read and enjoyed the online version knew exactly what they were getting, because namarie *told them so*.

Right now, all this is just a major case of *headdesk* for me.

And let's hope like hell they won't come after everyone else in the fandom who dares to quote or lift lines and descriptions from the books and movies they base their fanfic on, even while giving proper credit.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

let's hope like hell they won't come after everyone else in the fandom

Indeed, let's hope and pray, because it definitely doesn't feel like the safe place it used to be anymore.:(

Not that I fear much for myself, because I'm way too small a fish in the fanfic pond to warrant anyone's attention... but I worry about friends and other admired authors who might be an easy target. *sigh*

[akashaelfwitch.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*
Hey girlie...Ive been hiding myself
I worry about some of the fics of others and my own that are inspired or based on or an adapation of...such and such...(have to make sure I cover all my bases)

Youre right, it doesnt feel safe here anymore...and I agree with you about wanting to read a slashy version with our VO couple in the midst of it...that is fun to me...not all this bickering...

it truly sickens me

*hugs*

Regardless, we are friends...

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

It just makes me very sad that there was so much hurt involved for so many, and that at some point people on BOTH sides of the conflict started to just get verbally aggressive and mean towards each other. That certainly did not help anyone, and I'm sure it broke N.'s heart even more. She's always been such a great unifying force in our fandom - not a dividing one, you know... *blinks back tears*

Regardless, we are friends...

Of course we are. *hugs you back*

And I am going to strive to remain friends with other people with whom I had a positive connection before, regardless of where they stood on this matter - as long as they managed to express their views with kindness and respect towards their opponents. Because in the end, that's what really matters to me - being able to agree to disagree, instead of turning one's back on common sense and kicking up dirt into the sky. *nods*

[akashaelfwitch.livejournal.com]

I cannot wait to see you on Sunday...
*hugs*