Lois’s answer to “Was <i>Shards of Honor</i> ever a <i>Star Trek</i> fanfic? (I am asking this myself because it k…” > Likes and Comments
48 likes · Like
It's so sad that people keep asking that! Have you always had to answer this stupid question (which I, shall we say, somehow feel male sci-fi authors probably don't have to answer nearly as much) the entire time, or have you noticed an uptick in the last 5 years or so (i.e. since "Fifty Shades" came out initially as Twilight fanfic)?
It has been a pretty continuous low-level irritation. I note the Internet does not seem to handle nuance very well.
And, yes, there is often a noticeable difference between how male SF writers who dabble in Star Trek are described (they're said to be writing science fiction) compared to female writers who do the same (who are described as writing fanfic.)
Ta, L.
I'd not heard the fanfic rumor but am delighted with the background on the story's genesis. Thank you for posting this.
This rumor may have its seeds with Barbara Hambly.
At a con many years ago Barbara said that she had originally written "Ishmael" as a fanfic story. Once she was a published author and they wanted another book, she dusted it off and sent it in. She was pretty amused.
I think that kind of thing captures the hopeful imagination of many unpublished writers and writers of fanfic.
Couple that with the fact that you did write fanfic (I have proof...,evil laugh...) It is easy to see how the concept could morph to other authors.
Laureen
back to top
date
newest »

message 1:
by
Mai-Anh
(new)
May 01, 2016 02:26PM

reply
|
flag

And, yes, there is often a noticeable difference between how male SF writers who dabble in Star Trek are described (they're said to be writing science fiction) compared to female writers who do the same (who are described as writing fanfic.)
Ta, L.


At a con many years ago Barbara said that she had originally written "Ishmael" as a fanfic story. Once she was a published author and they wanted another book, she dusted it off and sent it in. She was pretty amused.
I think that kind of thing captures the hopeful imagination of many unpublished writers and writers of fanfic.
Couple that with the fact that you did write fanfic (I have proof...,evil laugh...) It is easy to see how the concept could morph to other authors.
Laureen