Author Topic: Voices  (Read 31126 times)

Segev

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Re: Voices
« Reply #60 on: October 31, 2012, 03:28:56 PM »
Thanks for the story/explanation. I figured there were Very Good Reasons; I was just curious what they were because, well, I like understanding things. ^^
I still can't read fanfic of my own oeuvre, which makes me sad.  But as the lawsuits against Stephen King and Jo Rowling have proved, you have to be able to rigorously prove you never saw someone else's unpublished stuff when they sue you for "stealing their idea."  But I am very, very glad that people can write their fanfic and share it now. 
...this is tragic.

Is there no way you can structure the Creative Commons license you use such that fanfic authors automatically release all material they use that includes your work in such a way that you are legally free and clear to use it, perhaps considered to "hold a non-exclusive but irrevocable license" to any "original ideas" expressed in fanfic using your work?

That would, if there aren't still more legal issues of which I'm unaware (and yes, I know there probably are), mean any fanfic writer who tried to turn around and demand "full collaboration" rights would have to either open themselves up to counter-suit for violating your IP by using it without a license, or acknowledge that they used the license you gave out and thus you have full right to use their work however you want.

There are other writers who don't want anyone messing with their world and characters (some have even described a feeling like "being raped" when they discovered there was fanfic about their stuff.  On the one hand, I kind of sympathize...but there is no way short of inventing mind control that any writer is ever going to be able to control what happens to his book, world, or characters once the manuscript leaves his hands.  So IMHO, I think you ought to just pull on your adult pants, face up to that, and wave goodbye to your book as it heads out into the world.  You did your best by it, you tried to make things clear, you gave it the best start in life that you could, but it's on its own now, and you can either make yourself crazy by trying and failing to keep control, or you can do the smart thing and go on to the next book.
I can somewhat understand this, too. I imagine it's at least a bit uncomfortable for Ms. Rowling to hear about/see/read/whatever fanfics involving her characters engaged in...shall we say morally questionable and perhaps pornographic activities?

Especially the authors who consider their characters in some way to be "family." I mean, we get up in arms over some of the ways family members of prominent public figures get treated just by the media, let alone if "fanfic" authors were to write them into morally-objectionable or horrific situations.

(I'm reminded of a Supernatural sequence of episodes wherein the main characters discovered that their in-universe exploits were the subject of an in-universe novel series, and that a fanfic authoress enjoyed writing sexually explicit versions of "brotherly love." They were rather creeped out.)

Anyway. All I'm saying is, I can understand this concern of some authors, but yeah, the only mature way to handle it is to accept it will happen and move on, ignoring it to the best of your ability. Console yourself that it's not canon.

Victoria Victrix

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Re: Voices
« Reply #61 on: November 01, 2012, 02:45:19 AM »
I have been debating the various options I have in writing the third part of this series. I will not be getting into specifics, but I believe it is time that I put my education to its fullest use.

I hold in my hands the weight of more than five thousand years of culture and history. And I am more then willing to throw it.

Some of this is theoretical original research that I've been working on for the better part of a decade, and other parts are simple curiosity.

I am sure that you will find the results promise to be quite.... explosive.

This sounds like something Jim Duncan would link to and quote.
I will go down with this ship.  I won't put my hands up in surrender.  There will be no white flag above my door.  I'm in love, and always will be.  Dido

Rotten Luck

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Re: Voices
« Reply #62 on: November 01, 2012, 02:50:04 AM »
Rest assured I would never write fan fiction.  I feel it's to much like trying to improve a master piece only the original Artiest can give it justice.  Sure I can write something but be just as easy to change names and locations if the Story I write as a Fanfic can stand on it's own then why write the fan fic at all.

One way or another... Heroes will fly again!

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #63 on: November 01, 2012, 02:59:06 AM »
This sounds like something Jim Duncan would link to and quote.

Yes, I expect collating my notes and thoughts will take until at least the weekend. If you take a look at the "About" page on my blog, one of the things it explicitly states is the reason why I chose the name Missing Worlds. I'll reproduce it here:

Quote from: Missing Worlds
The name Missing Worlds is intended to evoke a sense of mystery and curiosity, for every book, and every film, contains within it an entire narrative world. Due to the increasingly fast pace of North American society, many people simply do not have the time to read, or otherwise indulge in entertainment media. In short, people are missing out on these worlds.

To basically define just what it is that I am going to be doing, I am going to take a page from Robert J. Sawyer's handbook and talk of what makes City of Heroes both "grandly cosmic" and "profoundly human." I will talk of why some stories have lasting power, why learning is a weapon, and most importantly, the importance of how City of Heroes helped us all to seek a better world.

This will be very.... difficult. I will quote Gilgamesh, I will quote Tolkien. I will even quote the original writings of Hippocrates himself, if I must. The simple point of the matter is that the City of Heroes has been a *home* for many of us, and a medicine for others. A gateway to make our lives richer, and a means by which we could connect to something more noble than ourselves. A spark of divinity, if one chooses to believe in that possibility. If not, then merely a spark of hope... a hope that everything will work out in the end. I will, in essence, talk of why we have had heroes for as long as we have been human.

But, of course, as a best-selling author, you know the rules of Story better than I.... and why it is important for people to believe in their *own* narrative.
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Ironwolf

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Re: Voices
« Reply #64 on: November 01, 2012, 03:16:42 AM »
Here is a quote that I actually try to live by:

Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the persuit of evil.

David Gemmel from Druss the Legend

Rotten Luck

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Re: Voices
« Reply #65 on: November 01, 2012, 03:30:44 AM »
I live by "Never underestimate the stupidity of others.  Even the smartest of us would do something dumb."  This can be taken many ways, mine is that thought a person can be smart from time to time they will do something stupid.  A moment of distraction, or just lack of knowledge could lead to a stupid moment.  For example closing one of the most popular Superhero MMO...
One way or another... Heroes will fly again!

healix

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Re: Voices
« Reply #66 on: November 01, 2012, 03:33:45 AM »
There is something to be learned from a rainstorm.
When meeting with a sudden shower,
you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road.
But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet.
When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed,
though you still get the same soaking.
This understanding extends to everything.
Listen to the 'mustn'ts'. Listen to the 'don'ts'. Listen to the 'shouldn'ts', the 'impossibles', the 'won'ts'. Listen to the 'you'll never haves', then listen close to me... Anything can happen . Anything can be.

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #67 on: November 05, 2012, 10:24:27 PM »
« Last Edit: November 05, 2012, 10:42:10 PM by Terwyn »
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com

Mentalshock

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Re: Voices
« Reply #68 on: November 06, 2012, 04:43:22 AM »
Save that for Part IV.

Victoria Victrix

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Re: Voices
« Reply #69 on: November 06, 2012, 05:06:48 AM »
I'd say this needs to be a series that takes as long as it takes.
I will go down with this ship.  I won't put my hands up in surrender.  There will be no white flag above my door.  I'm in love, and always will be.  Dido

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #70 on: November 06, 2012, 05:13:17 AM »
I'd say this needs to be a series that takes as long as it takes.

That was my precise intention. If I do it once per week, I can probably run it until March.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #71 on: November 06, 2012, 05:55:27 AM »
« Last Edit: November 06, 2012, 06:55:23 AM by Terwyn »
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #72 on: November 09, 2012, 06:10:40 PM »
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #73 on: November 09, 2012, 08:11:09 PM »
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com

Ammon

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Re: Voices
« Reply #74 on: November 10, 2012, 12:29:30 AM »
I'll add a few points of suggestions a little later, when I have more time (will try to do so within the next 48 hrs).  However, the very first thing that leaps out at me as a marketer is to think "What is the author trying to achieve with this?".

It really helps in any kind of article to have a clear idea of what you want your article to elicit from the reader.  Obvious goals can vary from subscribing to future news or further info, through to following a specific action be that making a comment, clicking a link, or referring others to the post.  I'd strongly suggest thinking a little about what you'd like the reader to do after reading the article, and then 'sell' that action somewhat, lead them to it, and finish on a call to action.

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #75 on: November 10, 2012, 12:46:50 AM »
I'll add a few points of suggestions a little later, when I have more time (will try to do so within the next 48 hrs).  However, the very first thing that leaps out at me as a marketer is to think "What is the author trying to achieve with this?".

It really helps in any kind of article to have a clear idea of what you want your article to elicit from the reader.  Obvious goals can vary from subscribing to future news or further info, through to following a specific action be that making a comment, clicking a link, or referring others to the post.  I'd strongly suggest thinking a little about what you'd like the reader to do after reading the article, and then 'sell' that action somewhat, lead them to it, and finish on a call to action.

I recently graduated from a marketing program in June '11, so I'm aware of that particular aspect. However, since this is only the first draft and was written in a primarily flow-of-thought method, I haven't been looking at it from that particular perspective. So far my only goal has been to record and distribute information, as I have been building up to the general call to action with the entire series.

I suppose it would be greatly more effective to engage in consistent repetition as opposed to trying to build momentum through mass quantity. I have, after all, grown to greatly value quality over quantity, since high quality arguments are vastly more unique and more effective than simply dominating the podium through noise. I'll definitely put thought into it over the weekend.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com

Atlantea

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Re: Voices
« Reply #76 on: November 10, 2012, 02:36:24 AM »
I believe the words of Sir Winston are most apt here:

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack!

- Sir Winston Churchill



The only thing in question here is - what is the specific point? You've already "set the stage" with the other articles - this one has to be the "tremendous whack!" You've been setting up the story for people who may not have heard about City of Heroes, much less played it.

Gamers you can assume have a good chance of knowing the most basic facts, and the article expands on them from our side (since NCSoft isn't interested in telling their side) So you've done a good job at both general and specific set up. You've painted the picture of our community. What's at stake. You've described as best we can, given the limited information we have available, what NCSoft has done.

NCSoft could close those other games with the "fig leaf" of "they weren't profitable" or they were losing money, and even gamers with no business sense whatsoever can understand that reasoning. But this time things are far different.

Whether it was a million, 2 million, or 10 million dollars - the simple fact remains - City of Heroes was in the black and had NEVER lost money based on it's own sales and subscriptions. So right from the start - that fig leaf is GONE.

CoH had 8 years to develop a tight community. Something else those other games never had the chance or time to develop.

NCSoft did not take those simple facts into account. They apparently simply followed their old pattern of closing down a game when they thought the time was right for whatever inscrutable reasons they have failed to communicate. But given the above, that was a monumental error.

Whether it was from incompetence or sheer bloody-mindedness no longer matters. The deed is done, and the consequences must follow. Both to us and to them. The consequences to us are more than clear. They are inescapable.

The consequences to NCSoft - that's where we have our power and our say.


The biggest consequence of all is losing trust. Most companies dread losing trust - for without trust, money dries up.

Trust of the customer.

Trust from Development Studios that are looking for a company to join in order to see their vision turned to reality.

Trust in dealings with other businesses.

And all it takes for them to pay the consequences is for enough people to know what they have done. That's all. We can suggest a boycott (which you deftly refer to Starburst having done without actually calling for it in the article). But ultimately it comes down to a simple choice.

As a gamer, do you trust this company with your money?

As a Game Developing Studio, would you want these people to own you and your IP?

As a business, would you want to deal with people who seemingly make nonsensical decisions in a market they don't understand and are too prideful to admit it or change their views? Do you want to do business with a company and CEO who don't make decisions based on an easily understandable criteria? And who won't communicate with their studios or customers?

Don't even say - "They don't get my money."  Just ask those questions at the end or something like them and let the readers draw their own conclusions.


The "tremendous WHACK" should be a simple question posed to the gaming industry as a whole, gamers, developers and businessmen at the tops of that industry all rolled into one.

Do you TRUST NCSoft?


Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #77 on: November 10, 2012, 02:40:31 AM »
Actually, this one isn't intended to be the last one just yet.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

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Atlantea

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Re: Voices
« Reply #78 on: November 10, 2012, 02:42:04 AM »
Ah ok. How many more do you think you've got to go?

I hope my thoughts are still useful nevertheless.

Terwyn

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Re: Voices
« Reply #79 on: November 10, 2012, 02:57:42 AM »
Ah ok. How many more do you think you've got to go?

I hope my thoughts are still useful nevertheless.

I can certainly keep this up indefinitely. Enough to make a big headache for NCSoft, at least.

The catch is to avoid repeating myself unnecessarily.

I have a voice, therefore I have a right to be heard.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- Albert Einstein

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com