(no subject)

[ldhenson]

If there's one major disadvantage to being as slow a fic writer as I am, it's that you run the risk of being scooped (perfectly legitimately of course) by other fics. I've just gone through and scuttled a number of plot elements in my notes because what's been posted this past week turned out to be a bit too similar, and I haven't even read all the new stuff. What's left of my fic looks a bit gutted, as the entire middle third is now kaput.

Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted the fandom is taking off; I just wish the hamsters powering the wheels in my brain ran a little faster :-)

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/solo____/]

That really bothers me, when a writer I like says that. I mean, I can understand it, from the writer's own point of view. But as a reader, I feel that reading about a particular plot element in one writer's story doesn't mean I wouldn't like to read it (maybe even more) in a different writer's story, maybe somebody whose style I like better. I can't even count the number of times I've seen a plot done in a mediocre or downright terrible way and thought "I wish XYZ had done this / would do this: she'd do it so much better!"

And the thought that a writer as good as you might be letting other treatments of the same plot elements stop them from putting them a story is... very upsetting!

[ldhenson.livejournal.com]

You know, I hadn't really thought of it that way. Now that you mention it, I've come across that as a reader myself: wondering what a different take on something would be. Even if the original were well-done, another writer could still put a fresh spin on it. But I think I'm wary, too, of looking like I ripped someone else's ideas off. But perhaps as long as one doesn't repeat crucial elements like plot twists, etc....?

And the thought that a writer as good as you might be letting other treatments of the same plot elements stop them from putting them a story is... very upsetting!

Aw, thank you.