RE: Essay: The Decline of B/W Fan Fiction

["Christeen Demons" <Shyfox30@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well...I wasn't going to respond on this topic because, for one, I really 
don't think there is a decline...maybe a growing pain, but no real decline. 
People keep commenting on Willow's 'Darkness'. Well, I don't see it...I see 
a woman...a human woman, making a whole heck of a lot of mistakes...and 
also...as Joss just showed us, someone who's horribly addicted to magic. It 
could be anything, alcohol, drugs, with our Will, it's magic. I also know 
that cycle will not be easy to break, and she'll probably backstep a few 
times. But I think, for us, is that it forces us to see her differently and 
that brings about change. But that happens with every show...and in a way, 
I think it's good because it keeps it new and interesting and gives us 
different things to do with the character. I mean, how boring would the 
Xenaverse have been if Gabrielle had stayed the innocent little runaway from 
Poteidiea? But instead, we got to grow as Gabrielle grew from being the 
bard, the amazon, and in the end, the warrior. I was in the Xenaverse from 
the beginning...I saw it go through a lot of changes...and those saying that 
it's dead, haven't been reading the virtual season seven. But that's 
another topic altogether. And I'm rambling...like a listdad I know.BG

So, why did I decide to jump in? Because people have been throwing my name 
around a lot, and it's bound to capture my attention sooner or later. But 
this...in particular...caught my attention...sorry Carol.:-)

> My two cents worth:
>
> I am afraid to write for this list. Flat out scared to death. I will never 
> >be as good a writer as Slyfox. A woman who I admire and envy. Her style 
> and >text rock.

To anyone who's listening, or reading as the case may be, please, please, 
please don't use me as a template, or someone to set standards by, because 
that is not what I want. Everyone writes differently, everyone has 
different styles, and different tastes, and that's the way it should be. 
That's why I find reading someone else's work as enjoyable as writing 
something myself. Because it's different. Its new, it's fresh. I may not 
take the time to comment on every story that comes through my mailbox, I 
belong to five...no six lists...and I simply don't have the time...but when 
I truly enjoy something, I will let you know.

I personally, don't write for feedback. Yes, I love getting it. I love 
every "good job" or I really liked this part because..., and I especially 
like the 'wow, that was good, when's the next part?" I always chuckle over 
those.:-) But I don't write for them...I made that mistake a long time 
ago...and you do get discouraged when the feedback dries up, as it 
eventually does from time to time, making you wonder if you really should 
write...if that's all you're writing for you will be disappointed once in a 
while. Now, I write because I simply can't stop myself from doing it...it's 
like a craving...an addiction. If I don't write, I'll explode from all the 
ideas that cram their way into my head. That simple. And I'm thrilled when 
people enjoy what I've written. Let's me know that they enjoyed it as much 
as I did. Mutually benefitial.

On the topic of beta readers, they are great people...most of them...but do 
pick wisely. I trust my beta readers, yes I do use them.:-) I do slip up, 
and it's nice to have my beta readers catch them for me...but it is 
important that you keep in mind what you want your story to be and how you 
want it to look. The beta readers are there to offer suggestions, pick up 
spelling and grammer mistakes, plot inconsistencies and basically give you a 
shoulder to lean on while writing, but that is it. Do not let them change 
your story into what they think it should be...because that's pretty much 
like robbing your creative energy for they're own use.

And whoever did that to Carol...she didn't name names, but you know who you 
are...and I'm talking to you...wrong, wrong wrong...I can not begin to say 
how wrong that is. If I, or anyone else, catches on to anyone stealing 
stories and putting their names on it, or stealing names for that matter, we 
will black ball you. That is a serious offence in the fan fiction 
community...and we will not tolerate it. Nuff said.

While I do wish Pat would come back to the B/W fold, and that Pink Rabbit 
would write more 'Wither thou goest', hint hint, Pink Rabbit, if you're 
listening...I really love the Star gate series.:-) But I would like another 
helping of your B/W story.BG And Kimber...well, Kimber's got her head in 
the clouds again...and Shadow's out hunting the cave Slayer so she can make 
the Cave slayer and the cute little redhead mate. And Sammy's off at 
war...basically, we are missing a few members...and we'd love to be graced 
with their prescence, but it's up to us to keep our heads afloat until they 
get back. And I might have mighty wings, but the Archangel can't carry the 
list on her own...so get writing people...or do I have to issue a 
challenge?BEG And don't think I won't...who do you think got Sammy to 
create the woods outback in the first place...started with a little 
challenge from Shadow and you know who...So, I think I've been long winded 
enough.:-) I'll let you get back to the regularly featured fan fiction.:-)

Shyfox


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