Fan-Fiction: The New/Old Trend in Creative Ideas and Publishing.

 What Do the Books Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey Have in Common? Alot, Thanks to

                                                           Fanfic.

 

 

There is a new game in the literary circle and it is called Fan-Fiction, aka fanfic, where characters from popular books, television shows and hit movies are rewritten into new storylines by amature writers and authors and then published into ebooks.  There is only one  tricky rule: Anything goes except  stepping over the  thin copyright line. If you win at the game, there is big money to be made—just ask E.L. James, author of the blockbuster-bestseller book, 50 Shades of Grey.

 

“This is like reading a very kinky adult version of  the Twilight Saga with Bella and Edward,” I said to my husband after finishing another chapter of Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James. That’s because it is a fan fiction revamp of Twilight.

 

Fan-fiction is the rewrite of characters from hit movies, books and computer games into new literary product.  A perfect example would be taking the Harry Potter series, resetting it in the New England state of Maine with all the young wizard’s adult friends renamed and working as teachers at a local High School,. But no they are out to save the world from author Steven King’s characters in The Stand.  Next,  mix that with  more obvious similarities to some spooky characters from other authors and you could have a new literary hit scouted out and published by a big publishing company.  

 

Sound unlikely? Not in the shadow world of fan-fiction, where no character is safe from a makeover and rewrite by amature authors bent on taking popular books, movies, television shows and even video games to new hights and in unlikely and sometimes disturbing directions; hence Fifty Shades of Grey—Twilight with an adult S&M twist.

 

Fanfic is a way for fans to continue the stories they love, and the genre is exploding with millions of free works based on:

·         The Lord of the Rings

·         Buffy the Vampire slayer

·         Glee

·         Charlott’s Web

·         Star Treck

·         Shakespere, to name just a few.

 

So what is fanfic, how does it work, where is it,  and who are the people behind it?

Check back tomorrow for part two of this 4-part series on Fan-fiction, the New/Old Trend in Ideas, Creative Ideas and Publishing.

 

 

Part II of  Fifty Shades of Grey vs Twilight

 

Fan fiction vocabulary, people and places:

 

• Fanfic—fan-fiction; the rewrite of characters in hit movies, books and computer

               games to create an extensive of the old ended series or game.

  

• Drabble—short story in the fan fic realm

 

• The Writer’s Coffee Shop- published 32 e-books in 2011—mostly from writers

                                                       who got their start in the fan-fic world.

 

• Omnific— publishes writers who have received significant numbes of

                             reviews from satisfied readers on its fan-fic site and pays them a

     percentage of of sales  as opposed to a traditional advance.

 

 

• Elizabeth Harper, founder of the e-book publisher Omnific Publishing.

 

 

• Twilighted.net—created by Elizabeth Harper and devoted to the fanfic vampire genre with more than 2000,000 postings about the Twilight Series.

 

 

Recient Top Successful Works from Fan-fic

 

• 50 Shades of Grey
• Gabriel’s Inferno  

 

 

How are Twilight and Shades of Grey similar? Oh, let me count the obvious ways:

 

I.)                 Plot

 

1.      Preditor vs prey

 

2.      The love tringle

 

3.      Obsession with food

 

4.      “Shocking” first touch

 

5.      Stalker & Stalkee: Like Edward and Bella, Mr. Grey always knows where Ana is, appears unexpectedly to “save her,” then guards her throughout the night without sexually touching her, because like Edward, he doesn’t like to be touched.  This closeness in proximity but not physicality establishes a bond between them and sets the stage for their relationship.

 

6.      Bella/Ana is isolated from her family and friends by Edward’s/Grey’s secet dangerously demented life.

 

Tomorrow in Part III  I will cover Juxtapisitions and similarities between the main characters of 50 Shades of Grey and Twilight Saga.

 

 

 

Part III of  Fifty Shades of Grey vs Twilight

 

The juxtaposition and similarities between the main chracters.

 

1.      The comparisons below are interchangeable between Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey.

 

2.      Like Edward Collins, Chrstian Grey and his two siblings are adopted by a physician, his family is a pillar of society, he  lives in the lap of luxury and no one has a clue as to his true self.

 

3.      Like Bella, Ana comes from a working class/broken home where the mother is passive/submissive to a new husband and she is making her way through life a bit lost.

 

4.      Mr. Handsome-moody-control-freak vs Miss not-a-clue-until-it’s-too-late despite many verbal warnings.

 

5.      Grey/Edward: Mr Confident-Blond-Hair and Perfect-Body  Grey loves (in his own special/twisted way)  Ana/Bella: Miss Skinny Brunette who doubts her self worth.

 

6.      Mr. Worldly Wealthy Most-elegable-Batchelor Perfectionist who loves classical music and excels at the piano vs Miss Klutzy Small-town Virgin-Next-Door instrumentally challenged but loves his choices of  music.

 

7.      Mr. Only-the-best-in-conservative-cars-and-clothes vs Miss Jeans-and-no-make-up, who drives a hand-me-down beat-up old car that she loves.

 

8.      Secrets: Teenage Edward swears Bella to silence, while Businessman Grey wants a signed nondisclosure agreement/contract.

 

9.      And finially, rather than throwing Anastasi (Ana) on his back like Edward (never Eddie) does Bella, to fly through the local treetops, Christian, (never Chris)  throws her into his helicopter and flies through the city highrises.

 

And the list goes on….

 

How can Fanfic be done without copywrite issues? Very carefully according to the Fanfic website.

 

Fanfiction.net  is the largest website devoted to the fanfic vampire genre with more than 2000,000 postings about the Twilight Series including Twilighted.net—created by Elizabeth Harper, founder of the e-book publisher Omnific Publishing. Twilighted was created to give Twilight fan writers a larger audience and that brings us back to Fifty Shades of Grey and copywright issues.

 

            The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy grew out of a Twilight fanfic piece written by E.L. James origionlly titled Master of the Universey. It was  first published as an ebook by the Writer’s Coffee Shop. Fifty Shades was later acquired by Vintage, a Random House imprint, sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and the rest is history.

 

In part IV, I will address the serious issues to consider when writing fanfic for publication.

 

                               Part IV of  Fifty Shades of Grey vs Twilight

 

Here are 3 serious issues to consider when writing fanfic for publication:

 

·         Editing a story that origionated as a fanfic posting poses new copywright challenges that requires close attention given to the fan-fiction elements.

 

·         When it comes to copyrighted issues, there is very fine but defined line that must not be crossed. It is illegal to profit from copyrighted literary works. However, there is a loophole.

 

·         The mjoriety of unpublished fan fiction is posted free of chrge nd qualifies as fair use under copyright law, providing the creator does not try to profit from it.

 

How are Fanfics edited to void copyright issues?

 

·         Anything that could be seen as a characteristic of the work from which it originated must be removed.

 

·          direct quotes and obvious  physical atributes like Edward’s signature messy hair in Twilight.  Mr. Grey’s hair is almost never out of place and although his warnings concerning friendships with his victims are much like Edward’s, they are not direct quotes.  

 

E.L. James has not been slapped with  a copyright lawsuite despite obvious similarities to Twilight so she must have a fantastic fan-fic editor who know is aware of the copyright fine line.  

 

Literary Work Knock-offs: How to stay legally safe while walking the “fine” line.

 

FinFic e-books appear to be to literary work what knock-offs are to the fashion industry—close but within the 20% mark of being different enough to still be legal. The idea itself is as old as the hills. Pair a successful pattern with new material and fasten shinier buttons. The only thing missing is the original spark of imagination. It is a concept  used by many companies in the business industry and exemplified by a  TV comercial that states, “We don’t make your cars. We make your cars run better.” Fan-fic on wheels.

 

Anyone with a drop of artstic and sewing skill could sketch a designer dress from a fashion magazine, sew it and wear it. Yet, they could could not sell it without  making obvious changes such as removing trademark symbols like the double intertwined Cs for Chanel or the LV of Louis Vuitton.   

 

WalMart has jeans that are very similar in color, style and stitching  to expensive designer jean labels, but they don’t cross that “within 20% similarity copyright line.” However, street venders carrying  Louis Vuitton and Chanel  “hard to distinguish copies” could be closed down, their products confiscated and face a heafty fine.  They crossed the fine line. The same rules hold true in the literary world.

 

Fanfic may or may not be ethical,(another fine line)  but it is legal.  That may a difficult fact to swallow if your original idea is being simulated and sold by others. Perhaps it will help to remember an old saying that states; emulation is the height of being complimented.    

   

What are the advantages to this new twist in publishing that thumbs its nose at the traditional indestry where great but unsolicited manuscripts rarely make it through the door? It cuts out the middleman like agents and…

 

 Fan-fic democratizes the literary process and lets the reader decide.

             

Bio: Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos is an author, radio host & Patheos blogger. To learn more, follow her @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/SURVIVING-CANCERLAND-The-Psychic-Aspects-of-Healing/142803307934?ref=hl& listen to her  4 radio shows from her website @  www.survivingcancerland.com

 

Life Is A Game of Cards: What's In Your Hand?

 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodymindandspiritnetwork/2012/10/31/beyond-the-5-senses

            Our guest today on the 5 Senses is Suzanne Strisower. She will be doing Rune readings for the 1st hour with Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos who will be connecting callers with their personal Tarot Card based on their birthdate. Suzanne and Kathleen will validate each of the readings using a different techniques and methods. Suzanne Strisower was born to ‘speak into people’s hearts and souls’. Her life purpose is to help people heal and open their connection to their divine source. A certified coach and Rune expert, Strisower has pioneered a transformational method to guide people to their purpose in life and to help people quickly release outdated thoughts.

 

            There is some evidence that, in addition to being a writing system, runes historically served purposes of magic. Tarot Cards and Runes share lineage in the House of Magic and the Family Tree called Divination. Tarot and Runes are cousins. This is the case from earliest epigraphic evidence of the Roman to Germanic Iron Age, with non-linguistic inscriptions and the alu word. An erilaz was the name for a person versed in runes, including their magic applications.

 

            In medieval sources, notably the Poetic Edda, the Sigrdrífumál mentions "victory runes" Cups in the world of Tarot, to be carved on a sword, as in the Tarot Card suit of Swords.

            The Four Elements: To the ancient Greeks, everything was part earth, air, fire and water, though in different proportions. Alchemists adopted these elements, and made symbols to represent them. Both Tarot and Runes use elements.

 

            In early modern and modern times, related folklore and superstition is recorded in the form of the Icelandic magical staves, as in the Wands of the Tarot Cards. In the early 20th century, Germanic mysticism coins, Pentacles in Tarot Cards, were new forms of "runic magic", some of which were continued or developed further by contemporary adherents of Germanic Neopaganism. Modern systems of runic divination are based on Hermeticism, classical Occultism, and the I Ching.

            In this one-of-a-kind-radio divination session, Suzanne and I bring these awesome cousins, Tarot and Runes, together for profound readings with depth and validation.

            Each radio show begins with a protection blessing. If you are reading this blog you may do the same by cocooning yourself in protective mirrored light that only allows that which is of the highest and best to enter into any mystical information. Everything else is reflected back from whence it came. We wish it so and therefore it is. 

            This blog is my Tarot Card readings according to caller’s birthdays. They are identified by their area code, birthdate, and in some cases their name. How many personality traits, life challenges and solutions do you share with others? If you share their birthdate, you may be reading about yourself.

 

Caller1) Dee- DOB= March 22= Ace of Diamonds= ace of Pentacles

Tarot:

People who are Pentacles are practical and down-to-earth. Pentacles deal with health, wealth and the physical realm of life. Their color is Green and their season is Fall. Green and Fall play an intricate part in their lives, often without them realizing it. An example: they may or may not like to wear the color green, but Green is the color of money.

People who are Aces= are number 1s=  leaders. They are ambitious, energetic, and easily initiate new projects. The number one is the beginning, the Universal Force and individuality such as a boss. One is the power of mastership.

People who are Ace of Penticles= Beginning Material Comforts and Gains. You are one of the royal cards which means you are an evolved soul. You have learned to play the game of Pentacles in previous lives and have brought that knowledge back with you into this one. You are always striving for more comfort and gain but in this life you are finally BEGINNING to see the labors of your hard work. You have the potential for success in your new enterprises.

Runes chosen for Dee :

A blank rune= You must start creating by doodling on paper or journaling. Let your consciousness ground you.

The Rainbow of Light= Each color of the rainbow is each chakra.

Fire Rune and Outcome Ruin=air= human consciousness

****

Caller 2) Chris of Curious Times (Radio show on Fridays @0pm EST ) knows her card

            4 of Swords= Change for the better

People who are Swords live their lives overcoming and moving through conflict. The suite of swords deals with thought, challenge and observation. Their season is Winter and their color is Indigo Blue.

People who are 4s= symbolic of humans in the earth, it is the number of seasons and balance and stability on the earth plane.     

Question= “Is my stalker going to leave me anytime soon?”

Answer=

Tarot= Major Arcana NOW card= 8 Strength= Virtue triumphs= Be steadfast and true to yourself and your stalker will get bored with you and go somewhere else. You are the light that has attracted a moth.

 Runes=

1)      self-alighting butterfly looking for nector.

2)      Now=Rooted Tree (earth)

3)      Your future=Sun on Horizon= (fire) You envision your future- walking into the future.

****

Caller 3)  MyQ Sharon knows her Persnal Tarot Card is Ace of Diamonds= Ace of Cups

            She has a Question= “What new adventures are coming my way?”

Answer:

Tarot= Card 5 Major Arcana= Hierophant= You are going to have challenges that will require using moral law (be true to your beliefs) mixed with Spiritual Guidance for balance that goes beyond your imagination.

Rune=

1)      Symbol side down ( your subconscious) Floating feather= air rune of angels=messenger. Time for you to listen to the messages around you through animals and nature.

2)      Present= symbol side down again, vessel= water=Greek Urn= depends on our balance. Wake up your new adventure.

“How can I do this in balance for myself?

3)      Air Rune=elemental air= open your spirit

****

Caller 4= Tosha= DOB= June 22^nd =8 of Clubs= 8 of Wands

Tarot:

People who are Wands are also known as Rods and Staves. It is the Tarot Suite that symbolizes creativity, action and passion. Their color is Yellow and their season is Spring, which somehow plays into their life.  Wands are energy and growth through rebirth or new beginnings cards. This means that they are constantly going through periods of challenge followed by periods of quiet. I think of the Wands People as the Bears of the Tarot cards. They go through a period of growth (little leaves on the wands) then into stasis or hibernation.

People who are 8s are goal oriented and strong.  They are very determined people who work hard, are good with money, realistic and dependable.

People who are 8 of Wands are the arrows who hit their intended targets or goals. The 8 of Wands is one f the few cards that does not have people in it. The card shows 8 wands flying through the air like arrows. The 8 of Wands is always moving toward their goal. When they reach it they hit the ground, rest, and then start again. Growth, stasis, growth, stasis….

Rune:

1)      Dreamer( symbol side down= subconscious) alighting butterfly= What is coming through in your dreams? You want to create but don’t know what it is.

2)      Vessel=water= you don’t know what to do with your energy

3)      Teardrop= water is not a large wave overtaking you but wake up that inner world and have conscious power.

****

Caller 5) 714 Carlos of San Marco= knows his Tarot Card is 3 of Cups= Good fortune Card

Tarot:

Question: “What is going on in my life right now? “

Answer: “Major Arcana # 16= the tower= The Sh#! Hits the Fan card.

 Carlos, you have been ignoring some challenges hoping they will solve themselves or go away and they have grown to the point that they are going to cause a real disruption. The truth is going to surface. Deal with it.

Rune:

1.)    Chrystal Charging (like the tower) –co-creative in realm of diva. Your energy is not directed so it comes back at you.

2.)    Spiral upward= wake up. You are in denial. Wake up to the external pressure being brought on you. Open up and explore the things that are not right.

3.)    Rainbows of Light= Something wonderful will happen when you set up your boundaries and take your power to the next level.

****

Caller 6) Jovia= DOB= June 21= 9 of Clubs= 9 of Wands

Tarot:

People who are Wands are energy and growth through rebirth or new beginnings cards. They are also known as Rods and Staves. It is the Tarot Suite that symbolizes creativity, action and passion. Their life is filled with the color Yellow and the season Spring.  They are constantly going through periods of challenge followed by periods of quiet. I think of the Wands People as the Bears of the Tarot cards. They go through a period of growth (little leaves on the wands) then into stasis or hibernation.

People who are 9s are attracted to literature, art, music and the stage. They need to work on balance. The number 9 is the Universal Mind, that which brings things to an end and prepares for a new beginning. You are always prepring for new beginnings.

People who are 9s of Wands are the Pause In Your Struggle Card.  You, more than most other wands spend much of your time daydreaming about new adventures or challenges. You organize the steps in your mind so you have to spend very little time organizing them and completing them on the earth plane. And this gives you more time to spend in your head and dreams. You need to spend less time in your head for a balance of body and mind. Collect data for your new change.

Rune:

1.)    Balance star= a above so below. Bring balance into life. Consult the angels through dreams and meditation. Do  list of Pro & Con of challenges.

2.)    Transition in realm of Deva-= hard to make decisions. It is shifting in transition.

3.)    Rooted Tree= (grounded being) fruitful=

 

After the reading, Jovia shares with us that she is being interviewed for a job in Miami by a mutual health company and she is worried about the dangerous areas.

 

Rune: 1.)   If you say no to this job but be true to self, you will make the right decision.  

****

Join us next Wednesday, Nov 7^th 2012 for our guest Lee Beard, producer with Wake Up Women.

 

Caller1) Dee- DOB= March 22= Ace of Diamonds= ace of Pentacles

Tarot:

People who are Pentacles are practical and down-to-earth. Pentacles deal with health, wealth and the physical realm of life. Their color is Green and their season is Fall. Green and Fall play an intricate part in their lives, often without them realizing it. An example: they may or may not like to wear the color green, but Green is the color of money.

People who are Aces= are number 1s=  leaders. They are ambitious, energetic, and easily initiate new projects. The number one is the beginning, the Universal Force and individuality such as a boss. One is the power of mastership.

People who are Ace of Penticles= Beginning Material Comforts and Gains. You are one of the royal cards which means you are an evolved soul. You have learned to play the game of Pentacles in previous lives and have brought that knowledge back with you into this one. You are always striving for more comfort and gain but in this life you are finally BEGINNING to see the labors of your hard work. You have the potential for success in your new enterprises.

Runes chosen for Dee :

A blank rune= You must start creating by doodling on paper or journaling. Let your consciousness ground you.

The Rainbow of Light= Each color of the rainbow is each chakra.

Fire Rune and Outcome Ruin=air= human consciousness

****

Caller 2) Chris of Curious Times (Radio show on Fridays @0pm EST ) knows her card

            4 of Swords= Change for the better

People who are Swords live their lives overcoming and moving through conflict. The suite of swords deals with thought, challenge and observation. Their season is Winter and their color is Indigo Blue.

People who are 4s= symbolic of humans in the earth, it is the number of seasons and balance and stability on the earth plane.     

Question= “Is my stalker going to leave me anytime soon?”

Answer=

Tarot= Major Arcana NOW card= 8 Strength= Virtue triumphs= Be steadfast and true to yourself and your stalker will get bored with you and go somewhere else. You are the light that has attracted a moth.

 Runes=

1)      self-alighting butterfly looking for nector.

2)      Now=Rooted Tree (earth)

3)      Your future=Sun on Horizon= (fire) You envision your future- walking into the future.

****

Caller 3)  MyQ Sharon knows her Persnal Tarot Card is Ace of Diamonds= Ace of Cups

            She has a Question= “What new adventures are coming my way?”

Answer:

Tarot= Card 5 Major Arcana= Hierophant= You are going to have challenges that will require using moral law (be true to your beliefs) mixed with Spiritual Guidance for balance that goes beyond your imagination.

Rune=

1)      Symbol side down ( your subconscious) Floating feather= air rune of angels=messenger. Time for you to listen to the messages around you through animals and nature.

2)      Present= symbol side down again, vessel= water=Greek Urn= depends on our balance. Wake up your new adventure.

“How can I do this in balance for myself?

3)      Air Rune=elemental air= open your spirit

****

Caller 4= Tosha= DOB= June 22^nd =8 of Clubs= 8 of Wands

Tarot:

People who are Wands are also known as Rods and Staves. It is the Tarot Suite that symbolizes creativity, action and passion. Their color is Yellow and their season is Spring, which somehow plays into their life.  Wands are energy and growth through rebirth or new beginnings cards. This means that they are constantly going through periods of challenge followed by periods of quiet. I think of the Wands People as the Bears of the Tarot cards. They go through a period of growth (little leaves on the wands) then into stasis or hibernation.

People who are 8s are goal oriented and strong.  They are very determined people who work hard, are good with money, realistic and dependable.

People who are 8 of Wands are the arrows who hit their intended targets or goals. The 8 of Wands is one f the few cards that does not have people in it. The card shows 8 wands flying through the air like arrows. The 8 of Wands is always moving toward their goal. When they reach it they hit the ground, rest, and then start again. Growth, stasis, growth, stasis….

Rune:

1)      Dreamer( symbol side down= subconscious) alighting butterfly= What is coming through in your dreams? You want to create but don’t know what it is.

2)      Vessel=water= you don’t know what to do with your energy

3)      Teardrop= water is not a large wave overtaking you but wake up that inner world and have conscious power.

****

Caller 5) 714 Carlos of San Marco= knows his Tarot Card is 3 of Cups= Good fortune Card

Tarot:

Question: “What is going on in my life right now? “

Answer: “Major Arcana # 16= the tower= The Sh#! Hits the Fan card.

 Carlos, you have been ignoring some challenges hoping they will solve themselves or go away and they have grown to the point that they are going to cause a real disruption. The truth is going to surface. Deal with it.

Rune:

1.)    Chrystal Charging (like the tower) –co-creative in realm of diva. Your energy is not directed so it comes back at you.

2.)    Spiral upward= wake up. You are in denial. Wake up to the external pressure being brought on you. Open up and explore the things that are not right.

3.)    Rainbows of Light= Something wonderful will happen when you set up your boundaries and take your power to the next level.

****

Caller 6) Jovia= DOB= June 21= 9 of Clubs= 9 of Wands

Tarot:

People who are Wands are energy and growth through rebirth or new beginnings cards. They are also known as Rods and Staves. It is the Tarot Suite that symbolizes creativity, action and passion. Their life is filled with the color Yellow and the season Spring.  They are constantly going through periods of challenge followed by periods of quiet. I think of the Wands People as the Bears of the Tarot cards. They go through a period of growth (little leaves on the wands) then into stasis or hibernation.

People who are 9s are attracted to literature, art, music and the stage. They need to work on balance. The number 9 is the Universal Mind, that which brings things to an end and prepares for a new beginning. You are always prepring for new beginnings.

People who are 9s of Wands are the Pause In Your Struggle Card.  You, more than most other wands spend much of your time daydreaming about new adventures or challenges. You organize the steps in your mind so you have to spend very little time organizing them and completing them on the earth plane. And this gives you more time to spend in your head and dreams. You need to spend less time in your head for a balance of body and mind. Collect data for your new change.

Rune:

1.)    Balance star= a above so below. Bring balance into life. Consult the angels through dreams and meditation. Do  list of Pro & Con of challenges.

2.)    Transition in realm of Deva-= hard to make decisions. It is shifting in transition.

3.)    Rooted Tree= (grounded being) fruitful=

 

After the reading, Jovia shares with us that she is being interviewed for a job in Miami by a mutual health company and she is worried about the dangerous areas.

 

Rune: 1.)   If you say no to this job but be true to self, you will make the right decision.  

****

Join us next Wednesday, Nov 7^th 2012 for our guest Lee Beard, producer with Wake Up Women.