Writing for others: thoughts?

[Incinermyn]

I know this topic doesn't have much relevance of Pokecommunity, considering how works involving others' ideas aren't rightly allowed on PC (even with permission iirc). On other sites, however, I've found that there are a substantial number of people who actually do want others to write using their ideas, characters, etc., be it either paid work as part of a commission or simply stories they request from people open to doing them for free (I know some may not like that sound of that, but I've actually found it a very fulfilling pastime as of late, albeit most of the stuff I've been asked to write is Pokémon fanfics as I usually do). However, I was wondering this: what is the general opinion of doing writings for others whom have ideas but (admittedly) lack the skills to write fiction themselves? I used to snub it a while, but lately I've been finding it rather exhilarating and a good inspiration for my own fictions that I'd otherwise put off to the side. I've actually been given the creative freedom to modify ideas as necessary, but for the most part, I've left things be when I could as I don't like deviating too much from requesters' ideas.

 

[ShivaDF]

I don't know about a "general opinion," but in my opinion, why not write for others? Unless you think it's selling out or that you'll get disillusioned; however, this concept of "write for yourself, not for others" seems pretty stupid (at least to me). After all, I think most writers who post their work on a fanfiction site, for instance, do so with the hope that somebody other than him-or-herself will enjoy it.

As you mentioned, writing to fulfill others' requests can also spark ideas. Just because you write for others that doesn't mean that your work will suddenly turn into oatmeal that only meets the literary chart's criteria.

Obviously, I don't think that writing for others is for everybody, but I don't really understand why people would claim it's bad or something.

 

[Incinermyn]

I don't know about a "general opinion," but in my opinion, why not write for others? Unless you think it's selling out or that you'll get disillusioned; however, this concept of "write for yourself, not for others" seems pretty stupid (at least to me). After all, I think most writers who post their work on a fanfiction site, for instance, do so with the hope that somebody other than him-or-herself will enjoy it.

To be honest, I used to think that exactly. I used to feel like it'd be a huge waste of my talent to just shell out my writings to any wayward reader who asks if I'd write things for them. I mean, I've written some longwinded fanfics too, which I ultimately got tired of and quit months ago. In that time, I realized that the reason I was bored was because I couldn't exercise my ideas any further, thus I opened up to writing for others instead.

As you mentioned, writing to fulfill others' requests can also spark ideas. Just because you write for others that doesn't mean that your work will suddenly turn into oatmeal that only meets the literary chart's criteria.

That's sort of what my current fear is. I mean, I take a lot of time to write out even simplistic requests, and admittedly I've actually had to turn at least one down because it was way out of my comfort zone. It's not like I'm getting tons of "likes" or "favorites" on the other sites I post on, though I have noticed I've gotten more from the stuff I've been cranking out lately than I ever did with my regular fanfics (in part due to the specialized themes I've been writing probably, but that's beside the point). Also, I don't like the whole notion of "false confidence" that comes from a little notoriety. I'm deeply aware of the level I write being good, but I don't like suddenly getting good critiques and then suddenly have my works turn out sourly because I get too into things... >.>

Obviously, I don't think that writing for others is for everybody, but I don't really understand why people would claim it's bad or something.

Well, I have asked people's opinions about it on other places, and the turnout was actually quite negative. A few even said it was a "general waste of talent." But then, that was a bit before I actually started taking requests on my own and my opinion changed immediately.

 

[ShivaDF]

I mean, I've written some longwinded fanfics too, which I ultimately got tired of and quit months ago.

That happened to be too... at 40k words. I feel your pain. =_=

In that time, I realized that the reason I was bored was because I couldn't exercise my ideas any further, thus I opened up to writing for others instead.

Sounds like good logic to me. After all, writing is a form of communication, which some people forget. Hence those writers who make their work extra inscrutable just so people ask them what their work means.

That's sort of what my current fear is. I mean, I take a lot of time to write out even simplistic requests, and admittedly I've actually had to turn at least one down because it was way out of my comfort zone. It's not like I'm getting tons of "likes" or "favorites" on the other sites I post on, though I have noticed I've gotten more from the stuff I've been cranking out lately than I ever did with my regular fanfics (in part due to the specialized themes I've been writing probably, but that's beside the point). Also, I don't like the whole notion of "false confidence" that comes from a little notoriety. I'm deeply aware of the level I write being good, but I don't like suddenly getting good critiques and then suddenly have my works turn out sourly because I get too into things... >.>

I can't tell you that you shouldn't worry, since these are real problems that writers face. However, I suggest doing this:

Step 1) Write some short things entirely for yourself.
Step 2) Write an equivalent number of short things that others requested (make sure this in in the same time frame).
Step 3) Compare these and draw a conclusion.
Step 4) After drawing your conclusion, look back at old works that you wrote entirely for yourself and see how those compare.
Step 5) If the results are good results, then great! No need to worry, your reputation isn't defining you, or it is and that's actually okay! If the results are bad results, take some time to write a few more things only for yourself.

Well, I have asked people's opinions about it on other places, and the turnout was actually quite negative. A few even said it was a "general waste of talent." But then, that was a bit before I actually started taking requests on my own and my opinion changed immediately.

Hmmm. I sense hypocrisy.

Also, sometimes you need to ignore criticism, even if it appears constructive. If criticism slows your writing process to a halt, you can always finish something and then edit it later.

 

[Phantom1]

I don't see why if you ask permission to use someone's ideas and they give you the go ahead for there to be any reason not to use them. You have permission from the author after all. Actually, I know for a lot of writers it'd be an honor to have their work looked so highly upon by others.

But to say that someone lacks skill... it's a bit insulting. I'd advise if that's really the reason why you want to use their ideas, that you either keep that tidbit to yourself, or just stay out of it. Honestly, you seem to be speaking pretty highly of yourself, though. You are rather cocky to insult other writers and then you pat your own back. After taking at a few glances at the fics linked in your sig, I see already grammatical errors and the common mistakes evident of a beginner. Don't be quick to judge others.

Anyways, with permission, I don't see a reason to deny it.

Besides, isn't that what all fanfiction is? Taking others writing ideas, their characters, their worlds, their PLOT and writing in it? I don't see anyone here asking Nintendo if it's okay to use Pokémon.

 

[Incinermyn]

But to say that someone lacks skill... it's a bit insulting. I'd advise if that's really the reason why you want to use their ideas, that you either keep that tidbit to yourself, or just stay out of it. Honestly, you seem to be speaking pretty highly of yourself, though. You are rather cocky to insult other writers and then you pat your own back. After taking at a few glances at the fics linked in your sig, I see already grammatical errors and the common mistakes evident of a beginner. Don't be quick to judge others.

Oh, sorry... When I say that, the people came to me and actually told me that they lack the skills themselves to write proper fiction. It had nothing with me thinking they didn't have the skills. Generally, the ones who have been asking me to write for them lately haven't really done any writing themselves whatsoever.

On a side note, those stories are very old and haven't been revised in ages...

 

[bobandbill]

I know this topic doesn't have much relevance of Pokecommunity, considering how works involving others' ideas aren't rightly allowed on PC (even with permission iirc).

But that would be fine. If the person who came up with the idea is fine with someone else using them, they're free to take that idea, write a story and post it here. We even have had threads here for people to post ideas they have for stories that they don't want to write themselves.

What really should matter is whether you enjoy writing, and to some extent too if other people also enjoy it. If someone else has an idea that you come across that inspires you, and makes you feel that it would be really interesting and fun to go after, then that's to your benefit. A 'waste of talent' doesn't make sense to me, because I feel you're already more likely to do better with something that geniuely interests you. And if someone else came up with the idea, then it's not just a good idea to yourself as well.

Heck, writing fanfiction can be called (and has been called) a 'waste of talent' by people. The same goes for fanart. But that's ignoring our appreciation and joy for the canon content and what we create from it. Surely creating something of worth, even if the inspiration comes from someone else, should be celebrated.


Incidentally, I've written a story based on someone else's idea just the once; only a short one. There was an online fundraiser where someone could buy your services to write something, $1 = 100 words on a prompt they wanted (but you could specify what you'd be willing to write), with said money then going to charity. I feel that turned out alright, and it was a neat experience.

 

[Incinermyn]

But that would be fine. If the person who came up with the idea is fine with someone else using them, they're free to take that idea, write a story and post it here. We even have had threads here for people to post ideas they have for stories that they don't want to write themselves.

Well, that's news to me... >.> Then that also shows how little I've really been here until lately (or even lately?). In any case, I got permission from one of my requests to post the fic I wrote for him and just did so.

What really should matter is whether you enjoy writing, and to some extent too if other people also enjoy it. If someone else has an idea that you come across that inspires you, and makes you feel that it would be really interesting and fun to go after, then that's to your benefit. A 'waste of talent' doesn't make sense to me, because I feel you're already more likely to do better with something that geniuely interests you. And if someone else came up with the idea, then it's not just a good idea to yourself as well.

Heck, writing fanfiction can be called (and has been called) a 'waste of talent' by people. The same goes for fanart. But that's ignoring our appreciation and joy for the canon content and what we create from it. Surely creating something of worth, even if the inspiration comes from someone else, should be celebrated.

I've found that a lot of people, both in real life and online, tend to be really nasty about the topic of writing for others for whatever reason. I really used to get upset when people would tell me I was wasting my talents on fanfics when I used to do a lot of writing in general, not just them.

Incidentally, I've written a story based on someone else's idea just the once; only a short one. There was an online fundraiser where someone could buy your services to write something, $1 = 100 words on a prompt they wanted (but you could specify what you'd be willing to write), with said money then going to charity. I feel that turned out alright, and it was a neat experience.

Oh? Wow, I never knew they did such things. That actually sounds like a really good way to raise money, more so than most fundraisers do anyways.

 

[bobandbill]

Well, that's news to me... >.> Then that also shows how little I've really been here until lately (or even lately?). In any case, I got permission from one of my requests to post the fic I wrote for him and just did so.

Well, to be fair it was a thread a while back, so it's understandable to have missed it, or forgotten about.

I've found that a lot of people, both in real life and online, tend to be really nasty about the topic of writing for others for whatever reason. I really used to get upset when people would tell me I was wasting my talents on fanfics when I used to do a lot of writing in general, not just them.

Sorry to hear that then. If people get angry or whatnot about you writing stories based on an idea someone else had, then it's rather narrow minded imo.