here comes the fun cooker!

[quarterturn]

So hayyyy, I'm not dead. I kind of felt like it for a while, though! /o\ Chest cold or bronchitis, I have no idea because I'm a stubborn ass who didn't go to the doctor, but it's starting to dissipate, so that's a win.

I have a question for fandomers at large: What's the etiquette on writing something that's already been written? A story idea, or an AU, whatever. There are a lot of times I'll go, "OH. YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BE AWESOME? A (INSERT MOVIE AU HERE)!" And I'll start writing it and really like it, and then I stumble upon a completed story or someone who's had the same idea, and it kind of makes me think I shouldn't do it. Is it bad manners?

I started my BBB, which is a Dead Like Me AU, a few months ago, and recently a DLM AU popped up on bandslashmania, and there's also someone else writing a DLM AU for BBB (which I discovered while reading bigbangwtf). The pairings and central focus are completely different (the posted story was Brendon/Gabe, I think, and the other BBB is going to be Panic-centric, while mine is MCR), but it still makes me kind of cringe and wonder if I should pick something else. I may also be completely over-thinking things. Feel free to say so!

How are you, bbs? Doing anything fun for the holiday? I'm doing the traditional Avoid My Family thing, minus an Easter egg hunt later in the day, during which I will steal as much chocolate as possible and then barricade myself in my room and eat it all.

I feel like making a poll, so here's a poll!

[Poll #1382141]

eta. Every time I glance at my post subject my brain turns it into "here comes the hot stepper" and so now I've got that stuck in my head, except I'm singing "here comes the fun cooker" to the tune. JUST THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW.

Comments

[beatzz.livejournal.com]

I just thought you should know, I am Twitterstalking you now.

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

Is it really stalking if I like it, though? :DDD

[seratonation.livejournal.com]

i try not to be bothered by it, coz even if its been done, your version will be completely different, even f teh couple were teh same or whatever, your writing style is unique and therefore makes all the difference.

i once had a freak out when i realised my baby monster, well i had started writing itm roadtrip fic, and suddenly everyone was writig them. but the important thing is, they do different things, get different experiances etc. the bog frea out came when a BNF wrote a scene that o had written montha ago, and she had done it so much better D: i couldnt continue with teh fics for weeks. but you gotta get over it.

even yoga fic, 2 weeks before i post, final editing stages, and i realise thres a yoga verse out there already. panic, different couple though, but same story, just mixed up a bit. but no. its your fic you should post t because you want to, because ou wrote it.

not bad manners either.

(all in which means wriiiiiiiiite eeeeeeeeeeeet)

cant vote in the poll, im a mixer not a writer for bbb (20,000 words by end of april was scary)

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

the important thing is, they do different things, get different experiances etc.

This is very true. Like you said, though, my big fear is that someone will do it better. Not that I have any problem with someone doing it better, that just means there's awesome fic for me to read, but I didn't read the one that was posted (lol I have the worst fear of accidentally plagiarizing) and obviously I won't be able to read the other BBB one until I have to post mine, too. I guess I can just hope that mine is decent, and that the other one posted is awesome so I have more to read. :D

That's great that you're mixing! I'm so psyched to get a mix, I can't lie, that's a big motivator in wanting to finish. :D

[maryangel200.livejournal.com]

I think you shouldn't worry too much. I mean, 2 AUs will never be exactly the same. Especially since yours will be MCR (meaning I'll read yours only LOL).


I never had a Cadbury cream egg. :/

I want moar MCR in BBB, moar Frank/Gerard, moar Frank/Frank. LOL MOAR FRANK! (that's my motto)

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

I keep telling myself that they'll be different enough that it'll be ok, so hopefully that's true! (:DDD I HOPE YOU LIKE IT, BB!)

WHAAAAAAAAAAT. This is unacceptable. I'm going grocery shopping today and I am buying you some Cadbury Cream Eggs, hokai, because no one should be denied their tasty goodness. HAVE YOU HAD PEEPS?

Oh man, me too! I have been craving some epic MCR fic like crazy lately, but I'm trying to refrain from reading much fic until after I'm done with my BBB. So after BBB, I'm going to go on a massive binge (I have so many of yours bookmarked to read, lol, you are like a fic-writing MACHINE.) PLZ TELL ME MOAR ABOUT THESE FRANK/FRANK IDEAS OF YOURS.

[lydiatomorrow.livejournal.com]

Hai there! \o/
Also: I have no idea.
Have a generic answer: DON'T WORRY, JUST DO IT.

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

Hai bb! What's new?

I LIKE YOUR ANSWER AND WILL PROBABLY ADHERE TO IT.

[inpurity.livejournal.com]

MISSED YOU!
You get better, you.


You are very precious.

My BBB word count = 0 at this day
My BBB word count by the end of tomorrow = 20k (I am not even kidding)

I have an idea that I love but I am struggling with the ending:
1)hopeful and happy-ish
2)total lack of hope and realistic.

What do you think?

PS. LOVE YOU

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

MISSED YOU TOO, BB! And I'm definitely trying, I've been through so much cold medication in the past week it's not even funny. :(

Holy crap, Laila, that's insane! I have no doubt that you'll be able to do it, though. I'm so excited to read it! I am the worst person to ask that question, because I'm constantly bitching about the fact that there aren't more fics that end realistically, sad or hopeless or even just kind of open-ended, but then I'm a complete sucker for happy endings, even if they're not the most realistic. So I guess just go with the one that feels most natural? I will love it regardless, I'm sure.

PS LOVE YOU TOO. ♥

[inpurity.livejournal.com]

About the rewriting of tv shows/movies/books....
I have mixed feelings about that, because I hate when all they do is just change the names of the characters and replace them with bandom guys/girls. I find that lazy and pointless, if I wanted something like Pride and Prejudice I would read the original, I am sorry I don't care how good they are, they are not Jane Austen.
But then again, some writers are able to breathe new life into something that has already been done, just be very careful not yto limit yourself at a mere re-writing.

If someone can do it, I think is you. Just keep it original.
LOVES

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, I'm totally with you on that. I really can't get into fics that just seem like they've replaced the original names with bandom names, or follow the exact same plot or have the exact same dialogue. It just seems really pointless. When I write AUs I try to wait a while after I've watched the movie/show so I don't have an exact recollection of it, just more of the idea, and base the fic around the concept, not the actual plot or anything, and I don't try to fit characters to their original counterparts. I guess it's more of a 'based in the same universe as', you know?

♥

[spfizz.livejournal.com]

I'LL CADBURY CREAM EGG YOUR MOM.

In other news, I think you're over thinking things. No two AU's are going to be exactly the same, even moreso since your focus is on different bands. Can't WAIT to read yours, by the way. :D

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

TOO BAD I ALREADY PEEPED YOUR MOM.

I definitely think I'm over-thinking things. I DO THAT SOMETIMES, IT'S A BAD HABIT.

Thanks, bb! \o/

[imortalitybites.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you're getting better!
And just to reinforce the general opinion: just do it. They'll be different no matter what.

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And thank you for the encouragement, I'm definitely bolstered by my flist's enthusiasm about it. \o/

[kros-21.livejournal.com]

just wanted to say HAPPY EASTER BB! :D

*hugs*

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

Happy Easter to you, too, darling! I hope it's a wonderful one for you! *smish*

[nokomis305.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't worry about it. Mainly because no two AUs are the same, even when using the same jumping-off point, and also because there can never be enough Dead Like Me AUs OR MCR fic, so it's a DOUBLE-WIN. You know.

Also this poll reminded me I need to get off my ass and finish my BBB. (Whyyy am I so impatient that I just HAD to post 67k of fic LAST WEEK? That could have been my backup plan!)

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

This is very, very true, and tbh I can't wait to read the other DLM AU, so hopefully people will just be like YAY TWO DLM AUS TO READ and not like BOO TOO MANY.

INORITE, YOU ARE NUTS, LADY. But on the other hand, wayyyyy more fic from you for everybody else, so we all win! \o/

[such-jaunt.livejournal.com]

Happy Easter, hope you have fun on your egg hunt :D xx

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

Happy Easter to you, too, bb! Are you guys doing anything? I'm sure we will have fun, there is CHOCOLATE to be had, that makes everything fun. :D

[26days.livejournal.com]

i actually changed what i intended to write for my bbb 'cause i saw a pete/patrick story based on the same movie, so. it's mostly because i suck as a writer and i didn't want to be compared, i guess. but, yeah. idk. i am actually not writing anything anymore, but i did sign up for mixing, and i'm really excited! :D

idk why i answered BN/TBS/SR in your poll. i'm actually more excited for the used! and mcr, obv. i think i'm on a TBS hype rn.

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

I'm really wary about getting compared, too, but on the other hand, it might actually be a good thing to hear what people liked about a different DLM AU as compared to mine, so I know what to work on in the future. That's too bad you're not writing anymore, but I am so psyched about the mixes, for real. I sort of just want to hoard all the mixers for myself!

I'm actually really excited to see if there's any Used fic in this BBB, too, there's definitely not enough epic Used fic out there. :(

[cool-rain-kiss.livejournal.com]

I know the comparison isn't exactly right, but think of it this way: if it was bad manners to only write one version of an AU, then we would not have as many "here they are! on a bus! there's probably porn!" stories out there. Just write what you wanna write. I know for a fact one of my flisters is writing a film noir AU, and I am too (in theory. in that, I haven't started yet), but the pairings and bands are totally different, so pffffft.

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

This is trufax. I guess I just always felt like a common trope like bus sex or whatever was kind of expected to be done over and over again because there's so many different ways to do it, but specific AUs were kind of frowned on having multiples. But there's probably just as many different ways to do specific AUs as there are other kinds of stories, so I am worrying about nothing and being a total neurotic mess AWESOME. :D

START THAT FILM NOIR FIC. >:(

[mwestbelle.livejournal.com]

I am working on the third incarnation of my BBB, so I get the need to switchadoo, although I've been changing mostly because I'm a fickle bitch and I just get bored 9___9 I have about as much done on this one as I did on my original one (the intermediate idea only ever got about 1k) and I would be further if I wasn't a horrible procrastinator :( I should be writing it right now :(

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

I am the exact same way, bb. :( I actually have four different stories started for BBB, with the same amount on every one, and I just keep switching back and forth as I get bored with one. I figure eventually one of them will get finished. :D

GO WRITE RIGHT NOW, I MEAN IT. >:(

[schneestern.livejournal.com]

How is there not an option that I'm looking forward to seeing fic ABOUT ALL BANDOM BANDS? Gross oversight, Jess.

Also, you make me sad because I don't have Cadbury Cream Eggs right now and the church bells are driving me bonkers. Sigh, sigh, sigh. My life so hard.

And: HAI ILUR STUPID FACE! \o/

[schneestern.livejournal.com]

PS.: Reading over everyone's comments I wish to change my opinion expressed in the mail to you: FUCK EVERYONE ELSE WRITE THE DLM AU ANYWAY.

I am such a bad friend with my other advice LOL

[candidlily.livejournal.com]

I think I've officially thrown in the towel for bbb, but I have operated under the illusion of "but I could if I just stayed awake for like 50 hours and wrote and if this idea did this thing." But now I think it's a little too close to make it, regardless.

So I think you should keep going! Because I bet you're is the most awesome! :DDD

I will make lots of sad faces if there is no empires fic in this bbb. LOTS OF ;____;. But hopefully there will be lots of MCR and some empires and you and I both will be happy! :D

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

:(((((( STAYING AWAKE FOR FIFTY HOURS IS DOABLE. RIGHT? RIGHT? :( That makes me totally sad, but I get where you're coming from. I'm really going to be coming in under the wire on mine.

ME TOO. There has to be at least one empires fic, right?

[snarkyrainbow.livejournal.com]

I'm so stoked for your story. I saw that other one and it's not that big a deal.

Please come live in my room. It's big enough. I have chocolate.

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

\o/

I would if I could, and I mean that in all honesty. Would it be weird if I just set up a blanket fort in your living room and lived there? I'd invite you in often and we could share chocolate and ghost stories.

[atomichatred82.livejournal.com]

I AM NOT ALONE!!!!! \o/

There is NO WAY I am pulling out of this one, but it will be a sprint to the finish line. *cracks fingers*

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

FOR REAL, FOR REAL, IT'S GONNA BE A CLOSE ONE. I'm at like 7k right now, so that is a lot of words left to be written. I HAVE FAITH WE WILL OVERCOME.

[revii.livejournal.com]

I think you shouldn't let it bother you too much. Like, it's definitely not bad manners because you had the idea before you even found out they did too, and if you had never come across the story then you would have surely posted ypurs. Plus, you can tell from the characters each of you are going to use that they're going to be two really different versions. Oh, and I'm going to be totally selfish here and say, I WOULD SO READ YOUR STORY OVER ANY OF THE OTHERS SO PLEASE DO POST IT BECAUSE I NEED THAT SHIT IN MY LIIIIFE.

That, pretty much.

Enjoy your chocolate! ♥

[quarterturn.livejournal.com]

I pretty much agree with everything you said, really. If it was the same band I might be more wary, but with completely different central characters it's bound to be way different, so people will just get two DLM AUs to read! \o/

I WILLLLL BELIEVE ME. :D

[imconfusedotcom.livejournal.com]

personally, i would like to see more beard sex between bob and bob. i've requested this before. where bob has a doppelganger, and he's all OH, YOUR BEARD IS SO ROUGH AND MANLY and they rub cheeks in some hot friction action.


also; i've given up on bbb. i'm contemplating sending in a drawing of two stick men fondling happily.

[astaria51.livejournal.com]

1. Overthinking!

2. I'm an artist/fanmixer for BBB, so I'm still involved but ...none of these answers apply :O

[idktbh.livejournal.com]

*hyperventilates*
omfg bbb ;__;
I STILL HAVE TO FINISH THAT SHIT AND AND I NEED TO UNSIGN MYSELF FROM THE ART SECTION OF BBB ;________;

[beckytheelf.livejournal.com]

DOOD...I totes thought you died on us. XP
DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN. *pokes hard*
And thanks to you crazy bandom beotches, I'm now reading it. I'm not sure whether to stop speaking to you guys or love you more. HMMM.
=P
Also, avoiding your family=FTMFW.
Also, (I love that word), Happy Easter!!!

[tuesdaysgone.livejournal.com]

I miss you lots and lots. And lots. And possibly lots.

I feel like death warmed over atm. Ugh. Totally feeling you on that score.

I am so looking forward to epic bandom fics, omnomnom.

[anothersadsong.livejournal.com]

i'm totally singing 'here comes the fun cooker' in my head RIGHT NOW. you evil enabler. *grins*

also, i think you should go for the dead like me au. if it's not blatantly plagiarizing the other author, i think you'll be fine.

♥