Opinions Wanted: reviewing former fan fic authors

[slyprentice]

I'm looking for a second opinion in regards to reviewing a book from an author who used to write fan fiction: is it poor form to mention that the author used to write fan fiction? Or that the novel that you're reviewing used to be a fic?

The reason I ask is because I just finished the second book in my 100 book challenge - The Lost Temple by Stevie Woods (the second book in the Tomcat series) - and the entire series used to be fic. In fact, other than the names of the characters, nothing much has been changed and I'd like reference that (and a few other things) in my review but then I thought that might be bad form of me.

Any thoughts on this?

Comments

[tinnean.livejournal.com]

I've done that a couple of times, but to simply change the names and nothing else? Doesn't work for me. So much more begs to be added, and not to strikes me as -- I don't want to say lazy, but if you've got this whole new world and don't take advantage of it?

I started with Mind Fuck, went to Mann of My Dreams when I made it original, and from there sequed to Spy vs. Spook. While the basic premise is still there, I'd like to think that anyone who bought it would be pleased with the additions and changes.

That's no help to you, is it? I'm sorry.

[slyprentice.livejournal.com]

Don't apologize! I'm just glad someone responded. :)

I've done that a couple of times, but to simply change the names and nothing else? Doesn't work for me.

In this particular case and as a reader, it doesn't work for me either. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the fan fiction series this was pulled from - in fact, I recced it on epic_recs before it was pulled offline (my own version of a stamp of approval) - but a lot of the things that worked for it as a fic just don't work for it as an original series and vice versa. But, that said, I'm wondering if it would be in bad taste to mention the fact that it used to be a fic in my review because I don't want anyone to think I'm complaining about it because it used to be a fic (this is about as far from the truth as you can get; I just want to reference why/how it works and how it doesn't).

I started with Mind Fuck, went to Mann of My Dreams when I made it original, and from there sequed to Spy vs. Spook. While the basic premise is still there, I'd like to think that anyone who bought it would be pleased with the additions and changes.

Speaking as a loyal fan of your writing, I definitely appreciate the changes and tweaks you make to keep things fresh. I just wish more authors who adapt their fics into original works would realize that sometimes you have to do the tweaking to get the most from the story/characters. If Stevie had, I think this series would have gone to the top of my favorites pile...and that makes me a bit sad. :(

[mneiai.livejournal.com]

Hey, coming in late, but I think it's entirely appropriate, especially since the actual book itself used to be a fic. I read even professional reviews all the time where people bring up an author's fanfic writing past. Maybe if it was completely unrelated to the book and the author had made a note to disavowal fanfic...but obviously this isn't the case lol

[slyprentice.livejournal.com]

lol, it's definitely not the case here. The author actually still has fan fic up at a rather large and well known archive but I didn't want to seem like I was getting tetchy with the author over it. I just liked the story (well, the entire series, really) better as its fanfic-self than as an original series.

[mneiai.livejournal.com]

I think you're definitely safe to mention it, then. And I think a lot of people will understand--when people turn fanfic into original work it's rarely if ever as good, because they're missing all of the character development and the readers' relationship with the characters/events. Not to mention most people are willing to give fanfic a little more slack, since it's just amateur, for-fun work.

[slyprentice.livejournal.com]

...they're missing all of the character development and the readers' relationship with the characters/events.

This was exactly what happened with this series. In the fanfic, I completely understood and believed where the characters were coming from and the connection(s) they had throughout the series. All of that was lost when the author turned it into an original work because he/she didn't bother to flesh out the (now original) characters. Even so, it was a good lighthearted read so all was not lost. :)