sorta a bookmarking post while I think about this

[asimplechord]

I'm reading The Audience As Editor in Fan Fiction and Fan Communities in the Age of the Internet right now, and this bit caught my eye:

[...]beta reading represents a further refutation of the idea that individuals or groups can claim sole intellectual ownership over the texts and images that combine to form a shared frame of reference for a diverse and international community.

So as cheerleaders, aides, and editors, we are turning storytelling back into a folkloric, community-owned endeavor?

Gotta think about this.

Opinions?

Comments

[angela-snape.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting take on things.

I do not write fanfiction - I am not sure I ever will, but I won't say never at this point in time. I have, however, recently started beta-ing for a couple of writers here, and while I am pleased when I see that an author has taken into account my plot-related suggestions, I don't feel ownership over the story itself.

I see the role of the beta as editor and sounding board, but not really part of the creative team, per se.