GUEST POST: Brynn Stein, Author of 'Waiting for Patrick'
In Defense of Fanfiction
A big thank you to Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter for allowing me to stop by today and talk to you about fanfiction.
I make no secret of the fact that I write (or used to write) fanfiction. At one point, it was the only way to get all of these stories out of my head. I’ve been writing fanfiction since before I knew what it was called. And for a long while, I thought that was all my writing would ever be. Not that I think fanfiction is ‘less’ than published original work, but because, for me at least, it was more accessible and easier to share. I had not thought I would ever be a published writer and truthfully, probably wouldn’t be if not for fanfiction.
I met many other authors while writing fanfiction and it was one of those wonderful people (who had become a good friend) who encouraged me to file off the remaining serial numbers of one of my fics and submit the manuscript to Dreamspinner. The rest is history. <G>
I tended to write AUs anyway, which was just this side of original. But I have no problem with people who write fanfictions that aren’t AU. Indeed, I’ve written some. I think fanfiction is a great way to practice the craft, and it provides an easy way to get feedback about your writing skills, as well as network with other writers. There aren’t a lot of people in my real life who understand my love of writing. Fanfiction provided me with a great support group.
Obviously, there are drawbacks to fanfiction. We’re playing in someone else’s sandbox, so can’t make any money off the fanfiction. But, I find that most fanfiction writers (and indeed, the majority of writers I know in general) aren’t in it for the money, but for the pure love of writing.
Fanfiction writers take precautions to make sure no one thinks we’re trying to claim ownership of someone else’s intellectual property, by putting disclaimers on every fan fiction we write. And most of the fan authors I know are very careful not to play in the sandbox of authors or producers who have asked us not to. There are lists online of authors who don’t mind fanfiction about their works, and those who would prefer people not play with their characters.
There are also lists of creators who have banned fanwork on various levels.
Nonpublished writers are not the only ones who write fanfiction either. Here’s a list of famous authors who write fanfiction.
I guess, it all comes down to respect. As with so many things in life, when there is no respect, trouble happens. But, as I see it, as long as fanfiction writers respect the wishes of the true owners of the characters, shows, books, etc, fanfiction can be a wonderful way to network with other authors and practice the craft.
Title: Waiting for Patrick
Author: Brynn Stein
Published: September 16, 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer/Bree Archer Designs
Genre: Erotic Romance; Contemporary Romance
Length: 280 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Paranormal: Ghosts
BLURB:
Architect Elliot Graham has bought and restored dozens of historic homes to their original splendor. As in his personal life, he loves them and leaves them, selling them off without looking back. But there’s something about the old plantation house he finds in South Carolina—a connection he can’t explain. He feels as though he recognizes the house, as if within its crumbling walls he might find something he doesn’t even realize he’s lost.
Ben Myers had promised his lover and soul mate, Patrick, that he would wait for his return. Ben has kept his word ever since Patrick left him to wait at the plantation house—during the Civil War. For the first time in many long years, Ben is no longer alone, and he reaches out to Elliot in dreams. Elliot tries to convince Ben that Patrick isn’t coming back, but Ben’s devotion is about to change not only his lonely existence, but Elliot’s life as well.
ARe; Kobo; Google Play; Amazon
Brynn has always loved to write about strong male characters and their close friendships. When she found the world of m/m fiction, she fell in love. Finally, a way to bring those strong male characters together and let those emotional connections spill over into deeper relationships. Sometimes her characters go through the emotional wringer, but they always have each other.
Brynn lives in Virginia near her two grown daughters who support her writing and sometimes act as proof readers. Both of her daughters are also aspiring writers and hopefully it'll just be a matter of time before they have their own author's biography.
