I did a crazy thing on Friday and submitted a proposal to present a paper at a romance conference. A day later now, I'm thinking I'm mad to do that. Maybe the organiser won't accept me. Here is the nutty proposal:
Is Modern Fan Fiction Killing Classic Romances?
Some academic and media judge modern fan fiction as “belittling” classic romances such as Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. They deem modern fan fiction as “too low” for the citizen media tend to sexualise and trivialise these great historical romances.
This paper explores the emergence of modern fan fiction and its impact on people’s views on classic romances.
Using Jane Austen’s fan fiction (JAFF) as an example, the paper will examine the socio-economic background of writers and readers, types of romances written, levels of creativity, gender equality and the sexualisation of fan fiction romance.
Drawing on primary research from the world of JAFF, this paper will prove that instead of killing classic romances, fan fiction encourage modern men and women to learn about and fall in love with classic romances once again.
I think it sounds like a really good presentation. I'm assuming you've already done the work to arrive at your conclusion, yes?
ReplyDeleteGayle Carline
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
Sounds like a terrific presentation. What conference is this for?
ReplyDeleteKate
I don't think you're mad - lol. Sounds pretty good to me. :)
ReplyDeleteMarvin D Wilson
http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/
http://tiedyedtirades.blogspot.com/
Enid, I'd like a definition of "fan fiction." Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour piece sounds like a positive move to encourage readers to learn more about the classics as well as fan fiction. Excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteGayle, I haven't done the actual research yet but from my experience in the past 4 years living in JAFF world, I can say that for sure. I'll see if I get accepted before I write.
ReplyDeleteAnd Karen, Fan fiction (alternately referred to as fanfiction, fanfic, FF, fanon, or fic) is a broadly-defined term for stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creator. (from wikipedia).
So we use Jane Austen's characters and plots and create our own stories.
I have to admit I'm not a fan of romance novels, but I do like Jane Austen and I love your historical take on the whole presentation. I'd go to the conference just to hear you speak!
ReplyDeleteK.B. The conference is in Australia. I think the beach is better than my speech.
ReplyDelete