alt.tv.x-files.creative Interview with Lee Burwasser
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| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | not specifically titled as such |
| Interviewer: | Dee |
| Interviewee: | Lee Burwasser |
| Date(s): | November 29, 2000 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | The X-Files |
| External Links: | original post is here |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
In 2000, a fan named Dee asked fanfic writers about their thoughts about writing, specifically feedback.
The excerpts below are from that series of answers.
The original post:
I'd like to direct this questions to fanfic writers: What motivates you to write a story? Do you write a fic because you have a story to tell? Would you write a story for yourself? for an intended audience? Would you write a fic if you didn't think anyone else would read it? The reason I am asking these questions is because I am puzzled by the strong reactions to reader's comments. Does it really matter? Unless you are accused of something horrible, like plagiarism, do the negative/unfavourable comments really matter? I am posting this not incite a riot, I am genuinely interested in what motivates a fic writer to write. [1]
Some of Lee Burwasser's Responses
What motivates you to write a story? The commonest motivation for fanwriters is: "*I* could write a better story/episode than *that*!" The oldest motivation is a desire for further adventures of Whoever.
...do I taylor my work for my market: Only in the sense of delivery, so to speak. Are they old enough for rough language? Are they SF fans who can be expected to know about nanomachines or cloning, or media fans who need more explanation? Will they recognise an historical reference? a literary reference? a movie reference? Et cetera.
Craftsmanship requires critical analysis, whether it's fiction or cabinet-making. Now, flames and substanceless reactions do not matter, but the would-be writer who complains about being told what s/he did wrong and how to do it right is a childish fool. Even if the critic is 'way off-target, thinking about why s/he got that mistaken impression is an aid to craftsmanship. And until you master the craftsmanship, "creativity" will only create a mess....Once more paraphrasing the late James Blish: There is no such thing as negative criticism. If someone tells you what you did wrong and how to do it right, it's not negative. If someone does NOT tell you what you did wrong and how to do it right, it's not criticism; it's just abuse. To which I would add: If someone confesses not knowing why your work seems wrong, or not knowing how to put it right, it's still not criticism, but it's not abuse, either. It's a reaction. If it gets you thinking critically yourself, it's useful.