The conclusion of a novel doesn't usually leave as much room for imaginative play as does the conclusion of a television series.
For me, this is the biggest reason I don't find myself drawn to literary fanfic. I've read pieces here and there, but all too often I see the story as complete and am okay with it that way. Even LoTR feels complete for me -- it *is* epic and there are areas and characters to be explored, but I just don't necessarily feel the need to go beyond what Tolkien laid out.
Perhaps that is why HP is the one literary fandom (does that make sense?) where I've read the most -- in almost every way, the story is *not* complete. There are characters to be explored and storylines to be written about -- a future that hasn't yet been formed because Rowling is still in the process of drawing it herself.
And this brings me back to fanfic based on episodic television... I think you've stated above exactly why it feels so natural to write fanfic for a tv show. The story is spinning in multiple directions, there is no clear "end" and there are numerous opportunities to expand on characters or plot threads without feeling like you are playing with a story that is complete or a vision that can't be (or won't be) altered.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-01-22 05:40 pm (UTC)For me, this is the biggest reason I don't find myself drawn to literary fanfic. I've read pieces here and there, but all too often I see the story as complete and am okay with it that way. Even LoTR feels complete for me -- it *is* epic and there are areas and characters to be explored, but I just don't necessarily feel the need to go beyond what Tolkien laid out.
Perhaps that is why HP is the one literary fandom (does that make sense?) where I've read the most -- in almost every way, the story is *not* complete. There are characters to be explored and storylines to be written about -- a future that hasn't yet been formed because Rowling is still in the process of drawing it herself.
And this brings me back to fanfic based on episodic television... I think you've stated above exactly why it feels so natural to write fanfic for a tv show. The story is spinning in multiple directions, there is no clear "end" and there are numerous opportunities to expand on characters or plot threads without feeling like you are playing with a story that is complete or a vision that can't be (or won't be) altered.
Thanks for the thoughts!