I wonder if fans are inherently more likely to call for sequels than people of a non-fannish bent. A lot (a majority, even) of fannish writing springs from unresolved emotional tension in canon, and the readers'/viewers' desire to see that tension resolved. It seems to me that there's probably an unwritten (and perhaps unfair) expectation of emotional resolution somewhere in the very definition of "fanfiction."
Sophisticated writers are likely to look for issues within canon (or within society) that stretch beyond "a and b have tension, must get them to fuck now," even if they use that tension as a medium for the story they want to tell. I think that confuses some readers, especially those who are just in it for the catharsis. I've noticed a lot of WIPs and calls for sequels on fanfiction.net and in circles where there are a lot of younger writers/readers, because those circles are more likely to cater directly to that desire for emotional resolution. Actually, I suspect that it's mostly younger readers in general who call for sequels, although I've admittedly committed this sin myself for the first time within the past month. (And I am duly ashamed, because I knew that the story in question was a stand-alone; I just fell in love with the writer's endearing portrayal of a relatively minor character, and knew I'd never find him anywhere else unless the writer chose to write more of him).
Anyway, yes, calls for sequels are annoying, but on the other hand they tell you that someone's found an emotional investment in your characters, and you therefore must be doing something right. Anyone who's writing characters that no one can sympathize with or find emotional investment in is neglecting a huge part of what it means to be a writer.
P.S. Sirius and Dr. Strangelove are now irreversibly connected in my head thanks to "No Happy Memories," which I discovered a few days ago.
P.P.S. I will not make a joke about the six-letter s-word. I will not make a joke...
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2003-08-19 12:09 pm (UTC)Sophisticated writers are likely to look for issues within canon (or within society) that stretch beyond "a and b have tension, must get them to fuck now," even if they use that tension as a medium for the story they want to tell. I think that confuses some readers, especially those who are just in it for the catharsis. I've noticed a lot of WIPs and calls for sequels on fanfiction.net and in circles where there are a lot of younger writers/readers, because those circles are more likely to cater directly to that desire for emotional resolution. Actually, I suspect that it's mostly younger readers in general who call for sequels, although I've admittedly committed this sin myself for the first time within the past month. (And I am duly ashamed, because I knew that the story in question was a stand-alone; I just fell in love with the writer's endearing portrayal of a relatively minor character, and knew I'd never find him anywhere else unless the writer chose to write more of him).
Anyway, yes, calls for sequels are annoying, but on the other hand they tell you that someone's found an emotional investment in your characters, and you therefore must be doing something right. Anyone who's writing characters that no one can sympathize with or find emotional investment in is neglecting a huge part of what it means to be a writer.
P.S. Sirius and Dr. Strangelove are now irreversibly connected in my head thanks to "No Happy Memories," which I discovered a few days ago.
P.P.S. I will not make a joke about the six-letter s-word. I will not make a joke...