Really, Truly "It"

Listen, I know everybody's really bored with the subject, but IMHO, this is what it's all about: You know how you, as a fan and/or fanfic writer, are upset by the implication that all your hard work amounts to nothing, is meaningless and infinitely dismissable? That's how I, as a professional writer, feel about my work. Which is why--laying insulting/inappropriate metaphors aside for a moment, and legal B.S., and whether or not you think whatever opinion I hold is "right", given the reasons I say I hold it--I will never respond well to an "argument" which essentially boils down to: But I can do whatever I want and you can't stop me, so STFU. And also, you ain't all THAT.

No? Well, maybe not. But to quote the big JHVH itself, I am what I am; in this case, originator of the source material in question. And when you claim to "love" the source material yet behave contemptuously towards the originator? Bad form, ladies. Bad, bad form.

If you "love" the creation, then creators are worthy of your respect, full fucking stop. Not a debate. Not a discussion. And would you talk shit about someone you respect the way you're now talking shit about George R.R. Martin, let alone Diana Gabaldon? Bitches, please.

Or, put another way: Once you start in with the infantilizing crapola--"Oh, she's throwing her toys out of the pram!" "Hey, look who's lying face-down on the floor kicking their heels up, crying MINE MINE MINE!"--the "But I do it for love!" argument pretty much doesn't float anymore, anywhere but inside your crazy tinfoil head. Don't like the metaphor? Fuckin' deal. We're all adults here--supposedly.

And yes, you'll notice comments are off permanently, at this point. I have no interest in drawing a Perfect Storm, thank you. But it does amuse me that if you read back, my own policy on this issue remains basically pro, rather than con; I won't ask, please don't tell. Do what you want otherwise.

It's the rudeness, though!, you all cry, in unison. THAT's why [some people get dogpiled]! Yeah, well--right back at'cha. You want to know why I'm so pissed off, to the point where I'm beginning to wonder if I can even call myself a damn fan anymore? It's the fucking RUDENESS.

Freelance Culture vs. Remix Culture

And there's this, too, as I think more about it:

My parents are both actors. My Dad's also a writer. My Mom's directed, assistant directed, done various bits of backstage business, taught...so I grew up in freelance culture, where yes, you do what you love FOR love, and you'd be doing it anyhow--often working the day-job, sometimes two--but what you aspire to is to do what you love and be PAID for it. Because money means you can serve your craft the way it should be served, AND pay your friggin' bills.

Actors laugh at the cult of the glorified amateur, sad to say. And I think that--much like being raised Catholic, or what have you--more than a bit of that mindset has rubbed off on me, over the years.

To be essentially told this is an evil way to think, therefore, and that I should be proud and happy to break my creative back just for the strokes? No, ma'am. I'd like the strokes, obviously; without an audience, as an artist, I might as well not exist. But I do exist, and I need food, and shelter, and my kid needs shoes/therapy. And while I can pay for all those with an asshole job, I'd actually sort of like to get at least a bit of said gelt from the people who purport to "love" me (or at least my work).

You say your work is work, right? So is mine. You can choose to do it for nothing, but I don't. Both are equally valid choices.

Forgive me, though--having lived a childhood paid for with voice-work and bad Canadian TV--if I really do see my choice as being the more practical one.

("You" in this case being them, not you. Probably.;))