The "then make your own" argument

[scarfman]

I have a hard time relating to people who object when their criticism of fanfiction is rebutted, "Then make your own." This is because my response is to make my own. But apparently the same rebuttal has started to come up in criticism of professional comics these days, and I can offer a counterargument for that.

If you're criticising professional comics these days, and someone rebuts, "Then make your own," I suggest a response something along the lines of:

"If you don't like the plumbing job you've had, do you respond by doing it yourself? The auto repairs? The surgery? The people who are turning this work out are trained and/or experienced specialists being paid for it, and I'm not meant to have to do it myself in order to have a satisfactory job done of it."

Comments

[hergrace.livejournal.com]

The old form of this rebuttal is: "I may not be able to lay eggs, but I'm a better judge of an omelet than any chicken."

[daibhid-c.livejournal.com]

Also, it's easier to write your own fanfic than to write your own comics, because all you need for the former is an internet connection, whereas for the latter you need an artist (if, like me, you can't draw) and a contract with DC/Marvel/Image...

In fact "Why don't you make your own?" in regard to pro fiction (comics or otherwise) seems a lot like a more subtle version of "If you know so much about it, how come you haven't been published?"

(As far as fanfic goes, I do make my own. But I prefer reading other people's, because I already know how my stories go, and -- even worse when it comes to appreciating something creative -- exactly why.)

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

I'm amused by the idea that you need an internet connection to write fanfic.

[daibhid-c.livejournal.com]

Yeah, okay, all you need to write fanfic that people will see is an internet connection or the address of a paper fanzine. But yes, you can write fanfic for your own amusement with just a pencil, or even in your head.

[raven-mcbain.livejournal.com]

I agree