Do you even draw yourself? Have a solid knowledge of art history and that most masterpieces are derivative works to begin with (Bible scenes, mythology...)?
No, I do not draw. Nor do I play music. That doesn't mean I can't have an informed opinion about whether or not the vast majority of karaoke singers are any good (hint: I side with mostly "not"). Entertaining, sure. Fun for people who are into it, probably. But actually good music?
And unless you think it's just me, check out this quote from the G.I.
I believe it was T. S. Eliot who said, "Bad writers borrow. Good writers steal." The distinction, as I see it, is that borrowing (imitation) preserves the character of the thing borrowed in an obviously recognizable form, while stealing transforms the thing stolen until it appears to belong exclusively to the thief. Tolkien's work is heavily based on such things as "Beowulf" and the Elder Eddas; but people reading LOTR don't experience it as, "Oh, here's another retelling of 'Beowulf,' or, here's another version of the 'ring' saga." If readers ever become aware of such things at all, they do so upon reflection, upon re-reading, upon study. No matter how many older sources Tolkien drew upon, he made them uniquely his own when he wrote LOTR. In contrast, it's impossible to read Brooks' "Sword of Shannara" *without* thinking, "Oh, here's a retelling of LOTR."
I hope that's clear.
So: If I became aware that another writer had stolen from my work, I would feel both pride and humility. If I became aware that another writer had *borrowed* from my work, I would feel disgust and pity. Fortunately I'm spared such reactions. I read too slowly--and therefore I'm forced to read very selectively. The moment I suspect *any* author of *borrowing* from *anyone*, I toss the book aside and read something else.
While Donaldson has no problem with fan fic, I don't see him mentioning anywhere that he likes it. In fact, he says there are probably more rewarding uses of someone's time than creating it.
As for not being American, I don't see that it matters. For one, if I was writing on a (Norse, Swedish? Sorry, memory fails) board, I'd try to fit in with that mode of communication. As a former linguist who is fluent in two languages and knowledgeable of three others, I know a thing or two about other cultures (in fact, I even have an award from the University of California for "superior understanding of a foreign culture and language"). I don't think your entire culture is as sensitive as you're suggesting, nor is the sentiment you expressed not often found in American thought, where everyone is "special," every input "valuable," and we're all unique, beautiful snowflakes.
...but everything you pour into the piece in progress stems from your inspiration and passions, from your persona. All linked together. Very inadvisable to begin deriding someone's...products without even bothering to take a look at them first. That way, you're directly telling the person that they're a third-grade citizen in your regard.
First, I didn't deride anyone's (specifically "one." Chances are it's crap, but it's just a chance, not a certainty) products, just the medium. If you're going to have a debate rather than stomp your foot and say how angry you are and rude everyone else is, keeping these distinctions clear is important. It's entirely possible you created the most original, stunning fan art of all time, but I wouldn't know. Even then, I would say that description is damning faint praise, because if you have to prefix it, does it really stand on its own as art?
Second, this is where I get confused. If your work is so special, personally meaningful, and yet fragile to unreceptive opinions, why send it out in the first place? And if it's not praise that you want, who cares what some nobody on an internet backwater things about its origin? As I alluded to earlier, do we all have to nod and tsk respectfully over the finer points of slash fic, furriedom, or cat video addictions simply because a member or potential prospective members are into it? Or do we just accept that some people ain't into that kind of thing and respect the fact that people have differences of opinion on what constitutes worthwhile expenditure of effort. I vote for the latter.
And thanks, Ananda?
I guess I should poke my head in and take a look around, huh?
