Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
A tangential aside, since whether or not it's easier or harder is not the point at all, but I'm not buying the "harder" argument for one second.
Good writing is good writing and it may be hard no matter what, but starting with a successful, popular idea does nothing but make it easier.
Like in TV, comparatively lots of writers write or contribute to episodes of successful series, but far fewer create a successful, popular show that goes on to employee those episode writers, and generate fan fic.
[snip]
ApK
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I don't necessarily agree with the statement that a popular, sucessful idea makes it easier. I believe it can actually make it harder, especially because the ir a large number of writers who come in to write an episode of show, and have no interest or knowledge of a character and a story arc that came before. They come in and write their one-off story, and the audience goes, No, [character] would NEVER do that/act that way! Hence what in fanfiction would be known as OOC - Out Of Character - behavior, going against what was established previously. It's been a long time since I've seen it last, but I think Star Trek Voyager had this a lot; I certainly remember facepalming while watching some episodes. I like consistency in a character, as my viewing habits are very character driven - all my favorite shows had a large number of characters interacting regularly, such as Homicide: Life on the Street and Firefly, to name just a couple. Plot is welcome, but is not why I watch something. Maybe it's my own bias showing, but it seems to me a lot of fanfiction writers feel the same.