Poppies in the field

[imperfectly_green]

Yes, that's right. I was having a conversation with someone about Arabian Nights, which eventually got to the fact that the only versions I knew of many of the stories were the G-rated ones.
And about the comment about fanfiction...sometimes that's what books like these seem to be. True, there is a lot of substance, a lot of originality, but aren't, say, Wicked and Confessions of An Ugly Stepsister both different takes on familiar tales, writing with, possibly, a "twisted perspective?" Maguire's works find more depth in stories known for simple innocence, and I'm not trying to underrate that, but, if one thinks about it, it seems like a fanfiction in itself. Though maybe they should be put in some kind of a different catagory because of how far they reach beyond the boundaries of the original tale.
And would that mean that some of us authors of Wicked fanfic be writing fanfics on a fanfic?
I don't think I'm making sense anymore, I'd better quit while I'm behind. Just a thought, though, I'm not trying to degrade Maguire's novels!

[Cho]

I wouldn't exactly categorize Maguire's stories as "fanfiction"... maybe because his books are so well thought out (over thought, perhaps? lol) but yeah.. they just seem to stand on their own as their own stories... even though they're based on other stories.

Maguire's stories were very unpredictable as far as plot while most "fanfiction" is totally predictable... some of it even sounds the same. I guess that would be the main difference for me.

[stars in the sky]

Cho said:

I wouldn't exactly categorize Maguire's stories as "fanfiction"... maybe because his books are so well thought out (over thought, perhaps? lol) but yeah.. they just seem to stand on their own as their own stories... even though they're based on other stories.

Maguire's stories were very unpredictable as far as plot while most "fanfiction" is totally predictable... some of it even sounds the same. I guess that would be the main difference for me.

If you think that, then you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction.

[imperfectly_green]

stars said:

If you think that, then you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction.

I agree...there are fanfictions that are similar to the original story, but there are also some deep and unique ones.
So would Maguire's stories be "stories based on other stories," then?
But to comment on what Cho said...it would be interesting to have someone who had never heard of the Wizard of Oz in the first place read Wicked and see what they think. Would the story just be another original story to them, or would it be set apart because of it's depth and viewpoint?
In my mind, part of Wicked's magic is that we have the Wizard of Oz to contrast it to. Would the book seem the same if we didn't?

[ElphieandFiyero]

I don't think the Gregory Magiure books would be classified as fanfiction. They are going deeper into the orginal books, giving them backstories. As the ad says 'So much happened before Dorothy droppped in.' they are much more deep and thought out.

[StageFiyero]

I agree and disagree.

Are you saying that fanfiction can't be well thought out? I've seen fanfiction stories that are even more thought out than some of Maguire's books. Some of those stories are even based on Maguire's books. And although I do believe Maguire's books would be classified as fanfiction, I don't think they should be labeled as being fanfiction. Fanfiction is something written for enjoyment, for the sake of boredom, usually posted on the internet or kept limited to the author's own eyes. Maguire's books go far beyond the limits of fanfiction.

[stars in the sky]

I'd think Maguire's books are a very advanced form of fanfiction, the kind of thing we like to call novels based on another source. Wicked and the like definitely share their roots with the stuff over in the Library.

As to the other point that's being made, I think Wicked could stand on its own as a book, but it would just be a somewhat depressing story of girl with an unusual complexion. I don't think the musical could, though, because a lot of its magic, especially in Act II, depends on the viewer's having seen the film. And frankly, the whole idea of a green girl and all wouldn't be nearly as interesting if we didn't have the original WoZ to contrast against.

[Cate]

Trust me, Fanfiction can be VERY thought out...

*looks at her files of over a year's worth of work asnd adds in the countless links*

I think GM writes a form of fanfiction, but it is VERY advanced - sort of like Susan Kay's Phantom. Books like this have been around for a while but GM seems to have made them much more popular.

[Cho]

stars said:

If you think that, then you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction.

let me clarify what i was trying to say:

when i said this...

" Maguire's stories were very unpredictable as far as plot while most "fanfiction" is totally predictable... some of it even sounds the same. I guess that would be the main difference for me. "

...i wasn't saying that maguire's stories were predictable and could be classified as regular "fanfiction"; i was saying that his stories stand alone, completely original. (in my opinion) but hey, to each his own...

[imperfectly_green]

I'm not sure, but I think that the comment *If you think that, you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction* was not referring to Maguire's novels, but to how the generalization that fanfiction is always predictable and unoriginal doesn't always apply, and in fact is a bit of a stereotype. At least, that was what I took from it.

[StageFiyero]

imperfectly_green said:

I'm not sure, but I think that the comment *If you think that, you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction* was not referring to Maguire's novels, but to how the generalization that fanfiction is always predictable and unoriginal doesn't always apply, and in fact is a bit of a stereotype. At least, that was what I took from it.

Yes, I believe you're right.

[Cho]

imperfectly_green said:

I'm not sure, but I think that the comment *If you think that, you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction* was not referring to Maguire's novels, but to how the generalization that fanfiction is always predictable and unoriginal doesn't always apply, and in fact is a bit of a stereotype. At least, that was what I took from it.

ohh i see. thanks for clarifying

that being said, let me clarify that i was *not*at all dissing fanfiction!! i love the stuff.. hehe. there are some really good stories out there... and on this board too.

[stars in the sky]

imperfectly_green said:

I'm not sure, but I think that the comment *If you think that, you've missed out on that rare piece of stunningly good fanfiction* was not referring to Maguire's novels, but to how the generalization that fanfiction is always predictable and unoriginal doesn't always apply, and in fact is a bit of a stereotype. At least, that was what I took from it.

For the record, that was what I meant.

[Cho]

stars said:

For the record, that was what I meant.