I was thinking about this. I only write fanfic when people dare me to or if it is for h_e. I think for me, it comes down to a reluctance to put too much effort or attachment into something that can never be totally mine.
I don't believe creators have the right to completely forbid others from writing fanfic, any more then they can stop people from speculating or talking to each other about their book/show/whatever. Because at heart, fanfic is like an extended conversation about the original work. But creators very much do have the right to say they don't want to see or hear about people writing fanfic of their things, and I hate the sense of entitlement that leads some fans to believe they are doing a better job then the original writer and so they deserve all the appreciation and/or money.
Generally, the fanfic I really like is canon compliant and fills in emotional loose ends or backstory. I am very nitpicky about the character voice being consistent with the 'real' story, so that's probably the #1 reason I stop reading fics. I don't think retelling a story in a way that breaks the original story is bad - in theory, I really like the whole 'That book was a lie, let me tell you what really happened,' theme, and I like what-if type AUs. But those are even harder to do well, at least if they're completely serious, because you have to acknowledge the original story while selling the changes. ( I've realized the main reason Wicked the musical is so much better then the book is because while it's not outright parody, the musical admits the ridiculousness of it's own premise. The book doesn't.)
no subject
I don't believe creators have the right to completely forbid others from writing fanfic, any more then they can stop people from speculating or talking to each other about their book/show/whatever. Because at heart, fanfic is like an extended conversation about the original work. But creators very much do have the right to say they don't want to see or hear about people writing fanfic of their things, and I hate the sense of entitlement that leads some fans to believe they are doing a better job then the original writer and so they deserve all the appreciation and/or money.
Generally, the fanfic I really like is canon compliant and fills in emotional loose ends or backstory. I am very nitpicky about the character voice being consistent with the 'real' story, so that's probably the #1 reason I stop reading fics. I don't think retelling a story in a way that breaks the original story is bad - in theory, I really like the whole 'That book was a lie, let me tell you what really happened,' theme, and I like what-if type AUs. But those are even harder to do well, at least if they're completely serious, because you have to acknowledge the original story while selling the changes. ( I've realized the main reason Wicked the musical is so much better then the book is because while it's not outright parody, the musical admits the ridiculousness of it's own premise. The book doesn't.)