All of this goes out the window when discussing cracktastic stuff/pairings, some of which I'll admit to actually enjoying. Again, one can draw parallels to dance music where you do something completely off-the-wall that still somehow manages to work. Just as you have to ask yourself, "Why did I react that way to hearing someone play that?" or "Why did I find that so funny?", I find that crack (at least the crack I've enjoyed) has been the stuff that forces me to analyze precisely *why* I'm either frantically trying to bleach my brain or laughing hysterically. The *really good* stuff forces you to figure out just what about that particular scenario is so troubling/unlikely, and in doing so, you acquire heightened insight into the original characters and the tradition on which everything is based.
It's the middle ground that I have trouble with, the "I like these two characters and it would be *totally awesome* if they fell in love, so that's what I'm going to write"; the "I'm going to do something no one's done before: 'Character X in Time Period Y'", or what-have-you; the "I want to have adventures, too, so I'll insert myself into this storyline". I mean, if writing that sort of thing makes that person happy, I say go for it, but the lack of respect/forethought shown for the source material bugs me. If you're creating for yourself, it's one thing, but if you present your work for public consumption, you should keep in mind that this is also art and that there should be an overarching point that can affect people other than yourself. Just as in playing for a dance, you should ask yourself whether doing something strange and out of the ordinary is really a good idea; are you klezmer-izing a contra tune because you think it's a good idea for the dancers to experience something new and you think they'll get something out of it, or are you doing it because you like klezmer tunes?
...and, after having looked at the clock and noticed that I've been in the process of writing this (off and on) for 3 hours, I think I'll try to wrap up by saying that I didn't really intend to be as argumentative as this came out. I think it's just that we approach this confluence of musical creativity and fandom from opposite sides; you emphasize the creative aspect and the inspirational drive, while I focus on the history and trying to ensure that the original work/style doesn't get lost in the outburst of creativity and interpretation.
I hit the character limit. Woohoo! So, Part the Second.
It's the middle ground that I have trouble with, the "I like these two characters and it would be *totally awesome* if they fell in love, so that's what I'm going to write"; the "I'm going to do something no one's done before: 'Character X in Time Period Y'", or what-have-you; the "I want to have adventures, too, so I'll insert myself into this storyline". I mean, if writing that sort of thing makes that person happy, I say go for it, but the lack of respect/forethought shown for the source material bugs me. If you're creating for yourself, it's one thing, but if you present your work for public consumption, you should keep in mind that this is also art and that there should be an overarching point that can affect people other than yourself. Just as in playing for a dance, you should ask yourself whether doing something strange and out of the ordinary is really a good idea; are you klezmer-izing a contra tune because you think it's a good idea for the dancers to experience something new and you think they'll get something out of it, or are you doing it because you like klezmer tunes?
...and, after having looked at the clock and noticed that I've been in the process of writing this (off and on) for 3 hours, I think I'll try to wrap up by saying that I didn't really intend to be as argumentative as this came out. I think it's just that we approach this confluence of musical creativity and fandom from opposite sides; you emphasize the creative aspect and the inspirational drive, while I focus on the history and trying to ensure that the original work/style doesn't get lost in the outburst of creativity and interpretation.