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[Pengi]

So I just read an article about this 50 Shades of Grey by EL James. First up, I'll be the first to admit I'm reading it. I started reading it based on a rave from an employee at our local Books a Million, and I'm most definitely not usually into the whole romantic-erotica genre, but my interest was peaked because I'd heard somewhere that it had started off as fan fiction. Yeah, it's based on Twilight, but still. It got me to thinking. Do you guys think that maybe the incredible popularity of 50 Shades will give more or less credibility to us as fan fiction writers, and even more do you think we have any EL James (not necessary erotica) among our ranks, in our story library?

[Pengi]

I just want to specify also: I personally think that the book is really iffy on the author's actual writing ability. I feel like there are WAY, WAY, WAAAYYY better writers on this site with more original storylines than this story has. Even before I realized it was Twilight fan fiction for certain, I was thinking that she ripped the story right out of Twilight and kept waiting for Christian to reveal his vampiresque ways. I seriously think we've got some great talent here on AC. I'm just wondering more or less what you guys think about A) the idea of publishing an altered fan-fiction in it's relatively original state... B) ...if it makes fan fic writers look more credible... C) ...or more pathetic... D) ....and why?

[simple sue]

I know of an romance/erotica writer that started out in the fanfic field.   Granted,she didn't continue using the same stories but we all have to start somewhere and sometimes it's just a fluke when something blows up like this. I, myself, discovered it through the world of Twitter. I'm just waiting for my books to arrive

[julilly]

So funny you started this thread because last night I was thinking about starting one lol

I only learned the other day that 50 Shades started out as fanfic. I then decided I needed to read it. You are right Hannah in that the author isn't the greatest author alive, but if you look at the romance/erotica genre it doesn't have an incredibly high standard for literary genius. There are things she kept doing that really bugged me like the really high-brow dialogue with words no one would ever use, the fact that she points out the time of year all the time (i.e. It was a warm Sunday in May) and the first couple of chapters end really abruptly. Her writing does get better though and I have to admit she's a better writer than Stephanie Meier!

The book wasn't as smutty as I had expected since the media was calling it "mommy porn". It took almost 80 pages before there was any nudity, so to speak.

What really bugged me, and maybe it's only because I knew going into it, was that it was so OBVIOUSLY Twilight fanfic. Yes, there are no vampires and it was AU fanfic to start but there keep being these moments that are clearly ripped out of Twilight. It's much worse in the first book than the second.

Although it brings to light that there is publishable fanfic out there will it not also bring to light that this woman essentially stole someone else's characters and is now profiting off them? Or, because it's alternate universe, is the distance enough?

[mare]

I certainly hope not because I'm not sure if want people thinking all fanfic is patterned after smut or Twilight. I really can't say much about the book because I haven't read it and don't ever plan to but I saw the author on an interview where she basically said her writing wasn't important to her, she was just living out her fantasy. Uh, no thanks lol

[Carter-Orange]

I started reading the book and abandoned it as I hated it! 

I knew it was Twilight fanfiction before I read it, and I have to say, there are much better Twilight fanfics on the site she originally posted it on, as I've read some Twilight stuff in the past which I preferred to Stephenie Meyer's books.

What I hated about the book was that Ana is pathetic and totally unbelievable as a college student just about to graduate.  Her inner goddess pisses me off and so does her never ending lip biting.  Christian is a perverted control freak who does nothing to make me like him.  I've been reading a blog by an author recapping it and I have to say, her blogs are very amusing

I have nothing against fanfics being turned into original fiction, and would love to see some of the very talented writers on AC turn their stories into original fiction.  I often mention Song For The Undead as one of the stories I'd love to see made into a movie and original fiction.

I just hate 50 Shades and am glad I downloaded it for free and didn't waste any of my hard earned cash on it!  I even have the Twilight version on my computer too if anyone wants either of them.

[colorguard_diva]

Personally, I just think it comes down to what you like to read. It's not a story for everyone, but then again neither is Moby Dick. I don't think it was written to become a literary classic. To me, it's just a book I can read for fun and not worry about every little nuance of writing, including style, wording, etc. I never gotten thru twilight so I can't compare. I  did enjoy 50 Shades. Then again, there are literary classic I just didn't like. It just comes down to what you like to read.

[Carter-Orange]

Oh yeah, I know it all comes down to what people like to read.  I just didn't like the characters in 50 Shades, or the idea of signing up for that kind of thing just based off Christian's looks.

[julilly]

I think it goes without saying that different people have different tastes. I think we can all agree on that without needing to reiterate it given how many genres of literature exist. As this is the fanfic discussion board I believe the question is more about the link between the book and it's fanfic beginnings and less about whether or not any of us liked it.

Like I said in my post I'm sort of torn. There are really glaring parallels between the book and twilight. You can tell she just changed the names of people/places but kept the general premise of characters/backgrounds. Considering there is now a movie in the works and this book has made big bucks does that raise any flags for Stephanie Meyer do you think? Would it be riskier to publish movie fanfic rather than real person fic?

[Carter-Orange]

Yes, you can tell she just changed the names/places but it still seems very Twilight-ish in parts (from what I read).

I don't see anything wrong with publishing fanfic as long as the story and characters aren't basically the same as the original book/movie like they are in 50 Shades.  I think it's a rip off of Stephenie Meyer's work.  But then again, didn't she have some issues with being accused of plagiarising too?  I don't know!

[mare]

As someone who a little experience on this topic, I feel like if I had Mel having sex with her brothers instead of killing herself i'd be a multimillionai re lol

I think it's much safer to change real life fics than tv or movie ones. I'm kind of surprised Stephenie hasn't gone after her yet. They can try to out crappy write each other lol although I have no clue if that 50 Shades chick is a crappy writer. I know the other one is. My opinion of course lol

[julilly]

There's always time for a few revisions, Mare! lol

[mare]

Maybe the sequel lol

[Carter-Orange]

As someone who a little experience on this topic, I feel like if I had Mel having sex with her brothers instead of killing herself i'd be a multimillionai re lol

I think it's much safer to change real life fics than tv or movie ones. I'm kind of surprised Stephenie hasn't gone after her yet. They can try to out crappy write each other lol although I have no clue if that 50 Shades chick is a crappy writer. I know the other one is. My opinion of course lol

Aww, I loved Mel's Tree

My opinion is that E L James is not that great a writer, but I didn't even get halfway through the book before I stopped.  It might have improved, but I wasn't prepared to waste any more time on Bella...I mean Ana and her stupid inner goddess.  Sorry to anyone who loved the books.

[julilly]

It's sort of left me wondering how many other successful books out there were adapted from fanfic!