Fan Fic Writers: Giving Love a Bad Name?
That's the question posed by Elizabeth Coffee in her most recent JBJ post on Yahoo's Associated Content:
You may as well admit it: you've read some of it. With titles like "Just the Three of Us" and "A Jon and Richie Sandwich," how can you not be at least a little intrigued? And there's enough of it out there that one could spend all of her upcoming spring vacation just reading this genre if she so desired. Hmmm, there's a thought.I had to answer, and of course, ran off at the
Where should one start?
Probably the best place is the Bon Jovi Fan Fiction Directory maintained by The Goddess Hathor. (Google it.) That site provides links to many stories on the web, not only about JBJ but also about other band members. At present on the list provided at that site, Jon is represented as the focal character in at least one hundred stories of varying lengths. Richie Sambora is represented as the focal character in about four dozen; David Bryan is represented as the focal character in eight; and even Tico is represented as the focal character in one. Several other stories on the list represent a combination of Bon Jovi band members as focal characters.
...[T]his writer can not vouch for the literary merit of the stories--maybe another day for that...
If you look hard and long enough, you'll find what you're looking for, anything from the saccharine to the . . . not.
Does Bon Jovi fan fiction give love a bad name? You decide.
Obviously, I don't think that FF gives love a bad name :) As a FanFic author (of everything from saccharine to decidedly 'not') and hostess of the directory blog, I think it's a great outlet for folks to safely live out their fantasies. It's like people watching -- you sit in a bistro with your Latte and watch the world go by, wondering "what's she doing" or "where is he going". We sit there and wonder "what would happen if xxx happened when the tour is over?" And we answer the questions. In writing. And blog them.So, what do you think? Any opinions? Don't worry about hurting my feelings -- I know that fan fiction isn't everyone's cup of tea.
We write mostly for ourselves. Sure, we like to share our stories with other like-minded individuals, but mostly, we write because we HAVE to write, and we write about these guys because they provide good fodder. C'mon, a wealthy, gorgeous leading man who loves his kids and has a fantastic job that allows for world-wide travel? That describes all four prinicpals in the band (IMO). Does it get any better than that?
As for the literary merit -- c'mon, it's fan fiction, not Clancy or King or Scottoline or Grisham or La Nora or even Jackie Collins. Yes, some of the writers represented on the FF Directory are amazing artists, and should be publishing romance novels in the real world. Others are trying out their writing chops for the first time. Yet others are writing in English when that isn't her first language!
You don't have to love it -- you don't even have to like it. The 'X' in the corner of the web page works for everyone.
BUT, if you like romance stories/erotica/chick lit, and like Bon Jovi, I encourage you to come on over and click a while.
~ Hath
PS: Thanks to Bay for sending me the link to this article.
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17 comments:
Personally, I have loved fanfiction for years. Literally, years. I just happened across the Bon Jovi versions a year or so ago, and right then I was hooked. Myself, I have only been a fan since I heard Who Says You Can't Go Home on the radio, and being hopelessly devoted to Country Music, I wanted to know who the newcomer was. That's when I discovered the wonder of Jovi.
Now. I'm not a avid follower of the band, I can't afford to run from town to town to see them as much as I'd love to. But there are these little thoughts in my head that question what their life is really like. What they actually do in their spare time. And that's where fanfiction comes in really handy, it provides a little outlet (even though its fiction) to what their lives may be like.
I know they aren't true, and being a new author myself, it's quite easy to get into the story, and when you get into a story it sometimes takes out the monotony of everyday life. Something to look forward to, checking your google reader at least twice a day to see if any of your favourite stories have been updated, then practically jumping for joy when you find they have.
As an added bonus, you get to read other people's works of art, and see how their minds work. Its a win win for everyone :)
So I think that the fanfiction world is good. Plus, as you said, Hath, its a safe way to let out the fantasies!
Thank you, Hath, and all the authors for writing what you do; it seriously helps get your mind away from everything thats happening in our lives :)
Well said Hath!
I tried to comment, but was blocked! They wanted my info and to create an account... NOPE! not happening ;)
Never stop....please! I love reading your stories. Thank you for all so far and in advance for the ones to come!
I believe (for whatever it's worth) that you ably defended the 'genre' with your trademark Hath wit and wisdom.
I'm just hoping that my favorite authors are responding to that article with a big ole 'Pfffft!'
Hath,
I for one can say that no one is giving this band a bad name. I am thrilled that every writer is willing to share there stories with us. I have loved the storylines and who doesn't have fantasities, and when they include the men you love to love well BONUS!!! and as you stated you dont want to read there is always the sweet "exit" button! Just saying.Some people just dont know what to do unless they are causing conflict.... Keep the stories coming girls
Very well written response (as if we expected anything less)! The wonderful ladies who write and post are amazing. They are putting into words what any woman who has a pulse has thought at some point in time about Bon Jovi or any other star they happen to like. Personally, I can't think of any better subject matter for these types of stories. IMHO Bon Jovi is the only group in which all of the members are the stuff dreams are made of! Back to the point--if you don't like it close it and find something else you do like. Sharing your thoughts with the world is no different than thinking said thoughts it just takes more courage to say them or put them on "paper" for consumption by others. Keep it up! We love it!
Fanfiction doesn't give anything a 'bad name'. It doesn't really do anything. It just is.
You're right that most writers write for themselves, and I should hope so. For those who like this, fine. For me, I tried reading fanfiction. Most of it is so bad on so many levels but the easy solution is to ignore it.
The one thing that initially made me want to read fanfic was the love of the people who inspire it. So, if one likes Bon Jovi, reading about the guys you like would be a huge incentive. Except the authors elbow into the stories enough of their beliefs, delusions, inanities that the people they write about have nothing to do with the people you like to begin with. The AU stuff where the circumstances may be very different but nothing else, I can sort of handle.
The AU stuff where everything is changed? Why bother?
'Oh look how inventive and creative I am- in my story, Richie doesn't play the guitar but the bongos!!'
How can one expect to draw readers in if they are changing the very basis of the connection we have with these people?
You said it so perfectly Hath, as always. You're completely right when you say we write for ourselves, and I am just glad that others seem to enjoy reading it. FanFic is an outlet and a break from the boring reality that is normal life. Quite honestly I would go insane if I didn't write, even if it never sees the light of day, and why not write about what you know? It keeps my mind working and challenges me to improve each time.
If people don't want to read it then they can hit the X.
I'll just ditto what Amanda said, as it is almost exactly what I wanted to write, anyway. My friend, A, turned me on to Fan Fic and I've been hooked ever since. It is so... much better than those cheesy fiction romance books that one can purchase in most stores. I also have tremendous respect for anyone that writes well because when God was handing out that particular gene/talent - he obviously passed me by. But, God, I love reading the Fan Fic. Sometimes, it's the only thing that gets me thru the night. Enough said. Except, I would like to thank all of you that write Fan Fiction, thank you for sharing your talent and your hard work! It's My Life and I love it all. If someone does not feel the same way - as others have mentioned - hit the X and move on. Having said that, it is your loss, only because, you have not got a clue as to what you are missing! Fan Fiction is just magical.
what about the guys? have they ever said anything about fanfics? I would like to know how they feel about it, just out of curiosity...
I'm sure Jon and co have no time for that.
duh! but they must know these stories existe AT LEAST
Dang, there's been a lot of hot button topics lately, huh? What's what THAT? Moon in retrograde or something?
Ok...I rarely talk about (but sometimes read) fan fiction. Like any kind of artistic product, you pick and choose what you read/listen to/attend/etc. There are some ridiculously talented writers out there ... and some that are ... well ... let's just say, still developing. LOL
Ultimately, fans choose to express their 'fandom' in different ways. And is it really anybody's place to judge that? I choose to do a blog ... I go to a lot of concerts. I write about them - the good and the bad of it. I have gotten bashed many a time. Nobody says you HAVE to read everything out there. Don't like it? Don't read it. Simple.
I give credit to anyone who makes the time to write, blog, whatever on a regular basis. We are all busy. We all have jobs and families and laundry, etc. We all have things other than Bon Jovi that we enjoy.
So, kudos to the ladies who keep us laughing (some of those stories have some PRICELESS lines in them) and keep us dreaming. Rock on!
My first fan fic was that same as a lot of us "The Layover". I am friends with the writer and have been begging for a sequel!!! But, I am totally addicted to it. I do not like the slasher versions (not into a JBJ/RS love affair, not our man RS! LOL) but I don't read those. I agree with you Hath, if people don't like it there is an X in the upper right hand corner of their page. I am and always will be a gutter girl.
Wow! I'm addicted since November 2010, before that I could even dreamed of such stories. Sure I had some of my own, in my head (who wouldn't dream of spending a night with one of the boys;))! But apart of the fantasies being there at the touch of a button, what is the most amazing for me is the talent being displayed here and there! You, WRITERS, have so much talent and are so generous for sharing YOUR stories with us readers, that I cannot find the words to start to express my gratitude and thankfulness. English is my second language so I get to practice the language, I don't need to buy fiction books
anymore and my imagination and my relationship are going wild! Also, when BJ's tour is over, we will still have the Guys be part of our lives because of your stories Like everyone before me said, if it's not YOUR CUP
OF "COFFEE", go away and don't bash on people who work their ass off and didn't ask you anything! Have to go, got a lot of reading to do ;) Keep up the great work everyone, we need you!
I don't get how straight women write. I just dont get it. I read some fanfics years ago, and then read that Layover story when everyone made a big deal about it. I repeatedly see women writing from the point of view of how they 'feel' rather than concentrating on the guy who is the whole point of the fanfic. Why would I, as a straight woman, care about some chick's nipples? Seriously, I don't get it, and that is the one thing that's completely ruined the only thing fanfic is really worth reading for- the smut.
If there are writers out there who don't repeatedly do that, you're elusive, but props to you.
I would just like to clarify something that I wrote, above, and that is - there is nothing wrong with those "cheesy fiction romance books" that anyone can purchase, in most stores. Some of them are quite good. Some of them are excellent. Just like the Fan Fic stories. I don't have the time to read, as much as I would like to, but I do enjoy romantic stories, and I think that Fan Fic is full of treasures, that I feel both grateful and fortunate, to be able to add to my reading library. BTW, my first Fan Fic read was also - "The Layover" - (as others have mentioned) - I even made a soundtrack for that one! I'll never forget it - just as I will never forget my first Bon Jovi concert! Thank you again, to all of the very talented writers out there. (I especially love it when music is added to the story lines.) Not all things in life, should be taken so --- seriously. Just relax, sit back, and enjoy some magical moments. Soak it up, take a deep breath, and take it all in. Life is much too short for anything else. :)
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