Character Short Stories

[Druid]

I know I've asked this before, but I never get any real straight answers.

How do people feel about other forum goers writing fan fictions/short stories about their characters? Do you think they should ask first or should this be a place of creative freedom where they are allowed to write as inspired and post it in the heroic tale's section?

I ask because I used to do short stories for people on request, but I got too many request at once and had to shut down. Now I am interested in doing it again, but I'd rather just write as I feel inspired to do so and would like to know how the owners of those heroes feel about someone else writing about them?

Please post your responses and concerns below.

[The Icy One]

I probably wouldn't ask.. unless I really thought the person might be offended by any happenings, but I don't write much bad.. often. If you ever feel like using any of mine, feel free.. >>

[Impact]

I'd probably just run the idea across them to let them know that you (or anyone else) planned on using their character. I would think that most would be flattered by something like that so they probably wouldn't have much of a problem with it, with you telling them in advance and all.

[coldcut]

Whenever I've done anything like that, I've never really asked unless I felt like that person had significant future aspirations for that character, or if I felt I was treading the line on what that character would or wouldn't do.

Then again, I'm an arrogant SOB who believes that anything I do will be true enough to the original character that I don't have to worry.

[AfterglowNoMore]

I don't generally mind if someone uses one or more of my characters, as long as they ask. I have very odd relationships amongst some of my characters that might need some explaning to people. But as long as someone asks, I'm normally pretty trusting that they will do the character justice.

[Morcalivan7]

As long as the person isn't using the character as the main focus, like a backround or supporting role, then it probably wouldn't matter.

[Esbat]

More often than not I don't think people will mind at all... often times I haven't asked anyone if I could do art of their chara and I do it anyways if they don't like it, like my bastid grandfather says, "Screw 'em." :chuckle:

[Poison]

Since I suck at writing, I appreciate others doing so for me. If it's a supporting role, as long as their behavior and way to talk is true to their nature, it's cool. If someone writes a piece focused on one of mine, I'd like to be asked, just to make sure the story fits them.

[Esbat]

... and sunlight gleams off the muzzle of the Malta operative's heavy pistol. Poison cast his gaze sideways to the Freak Tank that menacingly clacked his anvil sized fists together. He wasn't gonna get of this without losing something.

Limbs.

Respect.

Or maybe clothes.

A police drone hovered in from nowehere and dropped a disco ball and an explosion of light lit up the street. A pole rose from the ashphalt and Poison, taking advantage of the situation, struck a key on his belt and Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" blazed to life and filled the street with 80's music.

He was going to have to strip... and they were going to like it.

[Stan Walker]

I would tend to agreee with Poison as long as the character is staying true to form i dont think anyone would have a problem with you using thier character. It is also flattering but when in doubt i would say the rule of thumb is just ask :)

[Poison]

Esbat, I would have laughed even more if he had started to dance disco. Something hilarious about P doing the disco inferno. :lol:

[Quakester]

I love having stories written about my characters as long as they stay true to the original concept.

[Remianen]

I don't generally mind if someone uses one or more of my characters, as long as they ask. I have very odd relationships amongst some of my characters that might need some explaning to people. But as long as someone asks, I'm normally pretty trusting that they will do the character justice.

I would largely agree with this. Each of my characters has a very unique personality based on their heritage and experiences. They're also mostly based on women currently or formerly in my life (for better or worse). There is a great deal of depth that goes with having the triple-whammy (being a woman, being Hispanic, and being super-powered in American society). I don't see Paragon City as the utopia that some do so I portray it with a real-life bent in the various stories I've written about my characters.

I wouldn't mind their use if asked in advance and allowed to (try to) explain each of their personas in at least a general sense.

[Xanatos]

If you want to write abotu my characters feel free to. As with everyoen else here - I can't imagine there being a problem with it as long as you stay true to the character :)

[Fantasmo]

I feel the same. As long as you stay true to that character, I wouldn't see a problem. Feel free to write about any of my characters.
I know you are familiar with The Emerald Idol, so I think you would know how to write about him for sure. :)

[Masked Revenger]

Pretty much what everyone else has said. If you're just useing the character as a camieo or background character, no biggie. But, if the character is going to play a large part in the story or be the focus of the story, I'd appreciate it if you asked first. I'm not likely to say no, I just appreciate the respect. :)

Chris

[Tsarmina]

None of my chars are overly complicated, most don't even have an origin. I don't mind anyone useing them in a writing. Even an alterverse version of a char would be interesting.

[Magna Harrier]

Yeah, as long as you run it by them, and stay somewhat true to character, I doubt anyone would mind at all. Most roleplayers are vain beasts, so I imagine most would be thrilled. There's obviously going to be a minor change or two.... everyone views their guy/gal as the ultimate badass/whatnot, and folks have to be written a bit differently at times, as they're not always going to be the center of attention in a multiperson story.

[Jade_Dragon]

It's probably a good idea to ask, but probably the best use of me (and it was me, not a character :D) in a fic was used without my permission, and it was absolutely hilarious. It was really more of a spur of the moment thing, worked into the conversation, and it probably wouldn't have worked if it hadn't come by surprise.

Doubtless if you misuse my characters, I will let you know after the fact. :D But you're welcome to use them anyway. Jade Dragon and Blue Diamond's personalities are VERY well documented, in my story about them, while you can pretty much figure out what Sandy's about from reading the fanfic "The Experiment" that she was based on. Bloodwolf is the only character I haven't written a lot about, but in all honesty, you could use Steppenwolf from "The Experiment" and it would be right on target. Just make him a bit more obsessive and violent.

[Jade_Dragon]

Yeah, as long as you run it by them, and stay somewhat true to character, I doubt anyone would mind at all. Most roleplayers are vain beasts, so I imagine most would be thrilled. There's obviously going to be a minor change or two.... everyone views their guy/gal as the ultimate badass/whatnot, and folks have to be written a bit differently at times, as they're not always going to be the center of attention in a multiperson story.

Actually, that would probably be the first thing I would look at in someone else's use of my characters. I DON'T like my characters to be perfect, and I try to make sure that they all have some kind of hangup. Jade Dragon is the closest to a "perfect" character I have, but even he has his flaws. (I had a reviewer tell me he seemed too much in control for the first half of the story, so I intentionally put more emphasis on his inexperience, as he became more in over his head, in the second half)

[D'Arkaine]

I think if the characters are kept...well...in character for them it would be cool. Running ideas by the originator for characters that will play a major role in a story would be best.

I have seen what happens when someone starts something (an RP event to an ongoing story) without getting the others permission. *shudders* The main complaint was that the story wasn't incharacter for that hero and permission was never asked.

[Akamaz]

I gotta agree with "d" there^ ask first if it's gonna be in a a main role, if it's supporting cast just keep em in character

BTW drood, if you ever wanna write about any of my characters, go right ahead,

In the Twilight War journals, Twilight and i worked together to come up withthe parts that my character Mikoto is involved with, so that may be best... keep the "owner" of that character appraised of the story, and if they say somethig wouldn't fit, then be accepting of the changes they request.... (unless it's something silly like lvl 8 mikoto beating up police drones or something.... not that that never happens :)