Razorbeast's characterisation

[Gomess]

something inherently derivative

a solid abstract for a revised BW series

fanfic about a show from 10+ years ago

I see no difference between these three examples. Any BW story is going to be "derivative" to an extent, and the only thing that makes it fanfic is if it isn't officially licensed. But if I write a story, and later decide I'd like to pitch the concept, I'd use the story itself as the basis for the pitch, as I have done with magazines before. They're not mutually exclusive options.

I will take issue with the third example, though; obviously they're going to see it as a 10+ year-old property, but I think I made it clear my story would have *nothing* to do with the show.

Besides which, my actual point: I've written pitches, I've done contract work ever since I finished uni, and now I'd just like to write a fun story for fun. Some people get loaded, some play football; I write. And for all you know, you might *hate* my ideas for the BW story, so you'd be better disposed sending them your own pitch, in which I wholeheartedly support you.

[Dominic]

You also know what the word "fanfic" means and implies. I am using that definition of it. Along similar lines, I am not going to say that writing fanfic makes somebody a writer. (I have real issues with people billing themselves as something other than their profession.)

The less your fanfic actually has to do with the legitimate property, the more it raises the question of why you are not just writing something new.

Right now, I am trying to get a couple of wrestling angles up and running. That is currently my "thing". And, I am more than happy with official TF content right now, and have little practical incentive to lobby IDW, even if I would ilke a good BW series to come out. (Even then, I want to read it, not write it.)

Dom
-has to admit that some of Gomess' ideas are kind of cringe worthy.

[Gomess]

You also know what the word "fanfic" means and implies.

I know what it means, as expressed in my previous post. What it implies is irrelevant in this case. I haven't actually used the word to refer to my own work; you brought it up, to use it in a purely derogatory fashion.

I am more than happy with official TF content right now, and have little practical incentive to lobby IDW, even if I would ilke a good BW series to come out.

So, in short, you think I should write a pitch for IDW because otherwise I'm wasting my time, but you wouldn't be interested in helping, and actually don't care at all...? Glad we got that sorted. =/

has to admit that some of Gomess' ideas are kind of cringe worthy.

Being as I've never actually discussed any of my fiction on this board, I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion. Maybe I did a few years ago, but believe it or not, I don't write the same as I used to. Unless of course you're conflating my *beliefs* with my *story ideas*, which is like refusing to cook a recipe someone's given you because disapprove of how often they bathe.

[Ursus mellifera]

(I have real issues with people billing themselves as something other than their profession.)

I am truly and deeply disturbed by this.

[Dominic]

I am just bothered by people who bill themselves as writers/artists/producers when they do not actually do these things in any meaningful way.

This past weekend, I handled the main camera at a wrestling event. I am not a camera man. (One impromptu gig does not qualify me as a camera man.)

So, in short, you think I should write a pitch for IDW because otherwise I'm wasting my time, but you wouldn't be interested in helping, and actually don't care at all...? Glad we got that sorted. =/

I am not making the pitch because I do not really have the time or energy to put into it. And, as stated above and elsewhere, for the better part of the last decade, there has been plenty of official legitimate content coming out. If nothing else, it would probably be hard to convince Hasbro and IDW of the need for more TF content, especially relating to BW when the last BW attempt was so badly received.

But, if you are going to put in the time and effort to research BW before writing a fanfic, you might as well put in the time and effort to develop and pitch the idea at IDW. You will get more return on your effort.

Being as I've never actually discussed any of my fiction on this board, I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion.

You have made reference to story ideas here.


Dom
-does not feel like combing through pages of old posts.

[Gomess]

does not feel like combing through pages of old posts

If you can't actually remember an example, then you forfeit the right to call any of my ideas "cringeworthy". That was dickish.

You will get more return on your effort.

And this is where we differ on the creative process. I get enough "return" when I get paid for work. I don't write fun stories for "return", and this really doesn't qualify as research in my book. This is just asking you guys some questions. I don't think the bandwidth broke a sweat, and I even cooked my dinner while I was waiting for replies. Nothing wasted.

[Onslaught Six]

For a while there a few years back I was actively working on a level pack for Doom 2. (It was a little more extensive than that, but for the sake of argument.) Realistically I was doing this because I was having fun developing my own levels and simply creating something, even if it never went properly finished and I only ever released a level or two. I didn't really bill myself as a level designer but I was doing that.

Dom, how do you feel on me labelling myself a musician? It's not my day job, no, but it's what I'm attempting to do, and I'd like to think I'm at least vaguely competant at it.

[Dominic]

You are also trying to produce something with your efforts though. Most, (likely all), of the wrestlers I know do not support themselves purely through ring work. As I understand it, they usually make really good beer/pizza money. But, they put in an huge amount of training and other effort to building their skills. And, most of them make no bones about wanting to wrestle for larger (better paying) promotions.

Musicians would be much the same. You are in the business, though not necessarily cleaning up in it.

Writing fanfic is more like playing at a business. (The analogy is not perfect. But, you get the idea.)

If you can't actually remember an example, then you forfeit the right to call any of my ideas "cringeworthy". That was dickish.

Mostly it is your pre-UT fixation and the idea that TF has to be a certain way (on Earth, with alternate modes for stealth only). (And, you pointed out that I might well not like it if your story became official...)


Dom
-not billed as a pro wrestler.

[Gomess]

Writing fanfic is more like playing at a business. (The analogy is not perfect. But, you get the idea.)

Nah, we just plain disagree on this. I write for a living, *and* I write for a hobby. Not sure how you can't understand that.

Mostly it is your pre-UT fixation

Yeah, 'cos that's what I know. Should I really be called cringeworthy because I've had more important things to do since 2001, and have no desire to sit on my ass and watch four-or-so TF series on the internet? Come on. I hardly shove it down your throat, I just know what I like and like what I know, like anyone. Surely I don't *have* to like every iteration of TF? Aren't I allowed to go off it at certain points?

the idea that TF has to be a certain way (on Earth, with alternate modes for stealth only)

Selective memory much? That's what I *like*. What I *prefer*. That by no means translates to "TRANSFORMERS SHOULD ALWAYS BE THIS WAY." I've mentioned numerous times how much I like Headmasters and BW2 (come on, I was KNOWN as the Japanese BW Guy for a while back on BWTF), which have sod all to do with blending into modern-day Earth. You're taking a thread and weaving a dicksweater here.

And, you pointed out that I might well not like it if your story became official

Well, yeah. Obviously, right? There's an equal chance you might *love* it. The point of my statement was that you were seemingly trying to encourage me to pitch to IDW on the assumption that that would be more worthwhile than writing for myself. At least if I write for free, and you don't like it, then a little less of everyone's time and money has been wasted.

[Dominic]

Nah, we just plain disagree on this. I write for a living, *and* I write for a hobby. Not sure how you can't understand that.

I understand it. But, why write fanfic? When I do put pen to paper, (or more honestly, hands to keyboard), I am generally writing a correspondence, something otherwise required of me, or something that I hope will lead to something. (I spent a stupid amount of time on my Grant Morrison wrestling character, in the hopes that it might go someplace.)

Yeah, 'cos that's what I know. Should I really be called cringeworthy because I've had more important things to do since 2001, and have no desire to sit on my ass and watch four-or-so TF series on the internet? Come on. I hardly shove it down your throat, I just know what I like and like what I know, like anyone. Surely I don't *have* to like every iteration of TF? Aren't I allowed to go off it at certain points?

You are taking that way to hard.

No, you are not obligated to follow or like TF at all times. (How interested am I in the movies?)


Dom
-dicksweater?