Retronauts Episode 453: Fan Fiction
Original Podcast: Do Not Steal
Pitfall Harry cautiously descended the ladder, unsure of what lay in wait underground for him. He knew what was on the surface: Three hungry crocodiles resting comfortably in a pond, with Harry's only option to advance being to leap from hungry mouth to mouth on that brief moment they snapped shut. Regardless of the threat level, anything subterranean had to be better than that.
Or so he thought, when a scorpion the size of a housecat came scuttling towards him. Harry only had enough time to look the venomous nightcrawler in the eyes and think to himself, "Dammit, the last thing I need in my life right now is my ex-girlfriend."
…sorry folks, that's as far as I'm willing to explore that particular scenario (at least in public), but I had to share at least a tidbit of original writing for this episode dedicated to the topic of fanfiction. Often treated as the butt of jokes, penning stories about characters everyone already knows is as ancient a practice as the act of writing those famous stories in the first place.
This week on Retronauts, put aside your prejudices and listen to professional authors Nadia Oxford, Laura Mauro, and Sarah Blair as they recount what spicy stores got them into writing in the first place and why fanfiction is more important today than ever before. If I don't ship Pitfall Harry and a scorpion, who else is gonna do it?
Description: Fanfiction has long been associated with theft, creative bankruptcy, poor writing, and Cloud and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy 7 entangled in a forever-embrace. Join Nadia Oxford and authors Laura Mauro and Sarah Blair as they explain its benefits, too.
Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get exclusive episodes every month, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
MP3, 36 MB | 1:10:54 Direct download Retronauts on iTunes Retronauts at Libsyn
Artwork for this episode by Nick Wanserski and editing thanks go to Greg Leahy.
