Posting original writing on blogs - good or bad?

[mary_j_59]

Hi, everyone! A question below for writers - amateur, aspiring and pro:

[Poll #1671093]

You see, I've read in several places now that publishers, editors, etc, frown on posting snippets of works in progress. But I don't know - it doesn't seem harmful to me, provided the snippets are (1) short, and (2) fairly polished. I know that I have been dying to read R.J. Anderson's Ultraviolet for years, ever since she posted a first chapter for comments! I also know that some writers who are now published developed a fanbase by publishing fanfic on their journals, as well as on archives. In some cases, publishers have asked them to take their writing down, and they have done so.

I know this is a tricky question, because, legally, putting something up on your blog can be seen as publishing it. So - what do you think?

Comments

[puckling.livejournal.com]

Well, I mean, I sincerely doubt that even if I wanted to get my Colin/Bradley fic published that I could, so I suppose that maybe I should have clicked "Um-do you mean fanfic?" but I knew that you were not asking questions about fanfic.

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think it's quite legitimate to talk about fanfic, Puckling - especially since some fanfic has actually been published! (I'm thinking of Star Trek: The New Voyages, a book my brother and I read in the 1970s, and also of all those Star Wars and Trek books. How are they not fanfic, really?) It's also puzzling to me that some authors, after getting published, take down their fanfic. But it's true I was mostly talking about original stuff. Thanks for your response!

[puckling.livejournal.com]

Well I definitely agree that fanfic is totally legit! :D But for the most part I would say the examples that you brought up are exceptions: people don't write fanfic expecting it to be published professionally. So with regards to putting fanfic on one's personal lj or blog, it wouldn't be a consideration regarding publishing, from what I've seen at least.

It's also puzzling to me that some authors, after getting published, take down their fanfic.

I can understand the whole..."I want my fannish internet activities separate from my rl ones" attitude, and if you want to promote your published fic to a base you built through fannish writing, then I guess taking down fannish writing is one way to go while still holding on to your original base. Personally speaking I'd just maintain two IDs, but that's me. Also I totally wrote a paper of three case studies on the topic. It was probably one of my favorite things I've ever done for academia.

[sionna-raven.livejournal.com]

I know of three or four people from greyhound rescues who started writing about their work and experiences online; diaries, essays, poems.
They later were asked to put those bits together in a book (German publishing system is very different from the US) and immediately took down everything. Obviously, since their blog contained raw drafts of then to be published book.
I personally don't think I would post something I wrote to be published, but I see no problem to post original stuff I wrote for fun.

[anne-arthur.livejournal.com]

Well, I think I'd agree with Puckling about the fanfic that gets published being very much in the minority. And, to be honest, I don't really know that I want the hassle of trying to get published. I write because it's fun, and because making up stories is part of who I am - and I post it on LIvejournal to give me an incentive to work the story out properly, and to make it at least semi-respectable - and because of the pleasure of having it praised by other people, and of reading other people's takes on the same fandom. But just occasionally I do wonder if I'm being very stupid!

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

You certainly aren't! I love your fanfic, and am very impressed by the novel-in-progress. And I think the most important thing about writing is that it should be a journey, and one that brings the writer and others joy. My two cents, of course! BTW, are we going to see any more of Leo and Margaret (hope I've got the names right - Mr. and Mrs. Prince.) I liked them!

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

I think that sort of thing can happen in the U.S., as well, but I'm getting the impression it would be unusual. Good for your friends!

The reason for this post in the first place is that I have got a little original stuff up which is a short segment from a novel I hope to publish. It's rather less than 2 0r 3 percent of the finished novel, so I really don't think it will be a problem - and, if an agent or publisher tells me I must lock it or take it down, I will of course do so. The consensus I'm getting in this poll is that it's best not to put up anything original if you hope to publish it later. I did not know that at the time I posted my first chapters. At that time, I hadn't yet decided to work for publication.

Oh, well.

[anne-arthur.livejournal.com]

'It should be a journey, and one that brings the writer and others joy' - exactly! And I hope I'll have some more about Leo and Mary (how could you forget that name?) soon!