| From Fanfic to Published Novels |
|
|
| Written by Rosy Thornton | |
| Friday, 22 September 2006 | |
|
If anyone on this site has even heard of fan fiction (or ‘fanfic’), then your image of it is probably nerdy blokes writing imagined follow-ups to Star Trek and Dr Who on the internet instead of having a life. Well, you wouldn’t be far wrong… except that Russell T. Davies started by writing Dr Who fanfic and ended up getting a life – as scriptwriter at the BBC for the hugely acclaimed recent revival of Dr Who! But the murky world of internet fanfic is not inhabited exclusively by sci-fi geeks. Did you know, for example, that there are dozens of women on both sides of the Atlantic posting sequels to Jane Austen novels? Or that successful teen and chick lit author Meg Cabot used to write fanfic inspired by Anne McCaffrey’s fantasy novels (complete with dragons)? Whatever your particular obsession, posting your work chapter by chapter on a webiste for fellow fanatics is a wonderful introduction to creative writing, and to writing for an audience. Out there, ready and waiting, is a group of people addicted to the same book, film or television series as you – and just dying to read your take on their favourite characters. There they are, ready to provide appreciation and feedback of the kind which it is so hard to get within a sniff of from any publisher or literary agent these days - and preventing the budding author from needing to bore stupid their real life family and friends. This autumn, two brand new chick fic writers are going into print, having come up through the fanfic breeding ground. Neither Phillipa Ashley nor Rosy Thornton had ever written a word of fiction when they switched on the BBC’s classic drama North and South in November 2004. Along with a large proportion of the nation’s women they watched spellbound. Sunday evenings had not been so eagerly awaited since the BBC’s epoch-making adaptation of Pride and Prejudice a decade earlier. Leading actor Richard Armitage, who played smouldering northern mill owner John Thornton, attracted a following almost to match that of Colin Firth as Darcy ten years before. Phillipa and Rosy joined other women in raving about the series – and its sexy hero! -on the BBC website, and when BBC cuts saw the closure of that discussion-board they joined other, independent sites devoted to the book and its hero. Both women began to post stories on the web. Phillipa had the original idea of placing a version of Gaskell’s novel in the present day (North and South 2005); Rosy, following the example of several others who were already doing so, began to write a continuation of the North and South story in its original Victorian setting (Roses and Thorns). Both women were overwhelmed by the warm and generous response which their work received from readers. Both were encouraged to go on writing. Fanfic is such a fantastic training exercise for any writer. The characters and settings are there, even the seeds of the plot are there: all the author has to do is pick up the threads and run with them. Having gained confidence in this way, Phillipa and Rosy both went on to try their hand at a wholly original story. Both completed their first independent novel in 2005; each found a literary agent prepared to represent them and, by a bizarre twist of fate, both landed two-book deals with the same major publisher, Hodder Headline, within two weeks of each other in March 2006. Phillipa Ashley’s first novel Decent Exposure is to be published in Headline’s new Little Black Dress series on 2 October. A sharply witty romantic comedy, it tells how PR consultant Emma Tremayne seeks to raise money and publicity for a Cumbrian mountain rescue team by means of a nude calendar – falling as she does so for ‘Mr July’ Will Tennant. Like North and South it is the story of a bright southern girl being forced to travel north, and finding a culture shock and unexpected love in the process. Rosy Thornton’s More Than Love Letters will be published in hardback by Headline Review on 6 November, to be followed by a paperback edition in April 2007. Also a romantic comedy, with a satirical edge, its homage to Mrs. Gaskell’s novel is very evident. The main female character, a vicar’s daughter, is named after North and South heroine Margaret – and it is also no coincidence that the book’s romantic hero is called Richard! These two new novelists (both now well ahead with writing their second novel for publication, alongside their busy day jobs) have become firm friends through their fanfic community and their shared interest in writing. And they owe their inspiration to the BBC, Richard Armitage and North and South. Links: http://phillipa-ashley.com http://www.littleblackdressbooks.co.uk/comingsoon.html http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7-1411385,00.html Amazon.co.uk On fanfic generally: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115836001321164886-Y0O1DfzuHNEO_UgGUIHFskuFTzM_20061015.html?mod=tff_main_tff_ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1068-2067038,00.html http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?action=info&ring=janeaustenfanfiction |
|
| Last Updated ( Friday, 22 September 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
