A new essay

[dreamflower]

I just got through posting a new essay at Many Paths to Tread.

Characterization in Fanfic: Using Canon as the DNA for Your Characters

I'm hoping to write a few more such essays. I think that fan fiction is by its very nature a somewhat different creative process than conventional fiction.

Drop by and see what you think.

Comments

[longcleeve.livejournal.com]

Very interesting to read. There is so much more to fanfiction than people assume.

[shirebound]

I really enjoyed that. New and old writers alike can relate to everything you say.

[dreamflower]

Thank you!

Yes, there is. Fan fiction is not at all like most conventional fiction. It does have a lot in common with historical fiction. The characters and setting already exist, and the writer needs to do the research in order to make the character ring true.

[dreamflower]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! It really is important that a reader believe she is really writing about Middle-earth, and attention to character is one way to do that.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

That's really awesome, DF! I find it important to distinguish between when I am doing fully canon and when I'm being a little silly but no matter what, I want Frodo to be Frodo, whatever circumstance I'm putting him in, lol! :))

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

*blushes like a mad blushing girl* Thank you so much for the kind words!

[dreamflower]

I want Frodo to be Frodo, whatever circumstance I'm putting him in, lol! :))

And that's the Frodo you want to read about as well! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping it will be helpful to new writers!

[dreamflower]

*grin* I wanted a really good example of a well-constructed OC who fits right into Middle-earth. Your Mag certainly comes to mind right away!

[longcleeve.livejournal.com]

That's true it does. I always find it fascinating how in various fandoms, characters that had such a small part to play in the actual canon movie/book/etc., can somehow be portrayed similarly throughout the majority of fanfics. I often wondered how much of that resulted from authors reading each others' works and ideas sticking, and how much came from subtleties in the original work that people pick up on, perhaps even subconsciously at first.