Hadn't forgotten this discussion yet - I've just been a bit busy, and am still trying to catch up. (I guess that's also an answer to your older question: nope, I'm not a natural at writing - I do it veeerrry sloooowwwly :) )
But it fulfills a need in me, the entertainment and value to others is secondary (although very important).
It's certainly about fulfilling a need in me, too, as I couldn't imagine writing something I don't feel like writing simply because someone is "expecting" me to. That's just the writing part, though; posting fic is something else entirely. Maybe that will change after I've written some more, but right now I'm still self-conscious enough about it that it matters very much to me what people think. If I suspected people wouldn't like a particular story, I wouldn't post it; and posting something without at least a quick beta still makes me feel uncomfortable. Not that I think that's how I should feel about it; in fact, I admire you endlessly for being able to say "this is my fic, I'm posting it, and what people think about it is secondary" - but I can't. Not yet, at least. And there are also stories I write purely for myself, that I know beforehand I'm never going to make public. Have you got these as well, or do you have the courage to post everything?
Cliches, categories, what is and isn't "done"... Well, I guess there's a reason for the categories, and why some of them are considered bad - but like with any rule, there are (sometimes many) exceptions, and I don't see why a decent writer shouldn't be able to write a good fic that's considered "cliche". And some of the fuss about things being "not done" I think is just fannish snobbishness.
Is angst supposed to be a cliche, too? Because - well, what's left, then, if fluff, crackfic and pwop are already clichés as well? :) As for the definition of angst: there's a tough question to answer! I have no idea what it means officially - not quite drama/tragedy, I guess, though what the difference is I couldn't say. I usually take it to mean putting your characters through emotionally intense situations; but as I've understood, some people assume that angst has to be excessive by definition? What's your interpretation?
Kissfic I love, love, love. Because it tends to be compact, and sweet, and sometimes angsty, and allows for great character exploration and intimacy without having to take it towards the sexual. And J/D dinnerfic: yes, totally! Just like for Londo and G'Kar there should be a category called snarkfic. :)
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But it fulfills a need in me, the entertainment and value to others is secondary (although very important).
It's certainly about fulfilling a need in me, too, as I couldn't imagine writing something I don't feel like writing simply because someone is "expecting" me to. That's just the writing part, though; posting fic is something else entirely. Maybe that will change after I've written some more, but right now I'm still self-conscious enough about it that it matters very much to me what people think. If I suspected people wouldn't like a particular story, I wouldn't post it; and posting something without at least a quick beta still makes me feel uncomfortable. Not that I think that's how I should feel about it; in fact, I admire you endlessly for being able to say "this is my fic, I'm posting it, and what people think about it is secondary" - but I can't. Not yet, at least. And there are also stories I write purely for myself, that I know beforehand I'm never going to make public. Have you got these as well, or do you have the courage to post everything?
Cliches, categories, what is and isn't "done"... Well, I guess there's a reason for the categories, and why some of them are considered bad - but like with any rule, there are (sometimes many) exceptions, and I don't see why a decent writer shouldn't be able to write a good fic that's considered "cliche". And some of the fuss about things being "not done" I think is just fannish snobbishness.
Is angst supposed to be a cliche, too? Because - well, what's left, then, if fluff, crackfic and pwop are already clichés as well? :) As for the definition of angst: there's a tough question to answer! I have no idea what it means officially - not quite drama/tragedy, I guess, though what the difference is I couldn't say. I usually take it to mean putting your characters through emotionally intense situations; but as I've understood, some people assume that angst has to be excessive by definition? What's your interpretation?
Kissfic I love, love, love. Because it tends to be compact, and sweet, and sometimes angsty, and allows for great character exploration and intimacy without having to take it towards the sexual. And J/D dinnerfic: yes, totally! Just like for Londo and G'Kar there should be a category called snarkfic. :)
The quote is very lovely, and very true.