Questions asked (and answered) in this FAQ are:
- What is alt.fan.eddings.creative for?
- How does it relate to alt.fan.eddings?
- What is fanfic?
- Are there a set of guidelines for writing Eddings fanfic?
- Is there an archive of current fanfic?
- My newsserver doesn't carry alt.fan.eddings.creative! What can I do?
- Are there suggestions on how to give feedback on posted fanfic?
- Are there any other recommendations?
- Who maintains this FAQ?
Answers:
(1) What is alt.fan.eddings.creative for?
alt.fan.eddings.creative (afec for short) is a newsgroup devoted to
fanfic (see question 3) derived from the stories of David and Leigh
Eddings.
To know more about David and Leigh Eddings (D&LE), read the afe FAQ.
(2) How does it relate to alt.fan.eddings?
alt.fan.eddings (afe) is a newsgroup for discussing the stories of
David Eddings. There is obviously some crossover between the two
groups (the regular posters to afec are also normally regulars in
afe). Please note that afe is *not* for fanfic; this doesn't mean that
you'll get flamed mightily for posting it to afe, but it should really
go to afec instead. Similarly, afec is not really for banter and chat;
it's supposed to be a very on-topic group, for postings and discussion
of Eddings fanfic. AFE has a fairly high volume of banter and chat as
well as on topic stuff, so if that's what you're looking for, go there;
please try and keep it out of AFEC.
(3) What is fanfic?
Fanfic (short for fan-fiction) is writings which are set in the worlds
of, using the characters of, or otherwise derived from some published
work. This includes short stories, long stories :-) and filks (songs
adapted in some way, often amusingly, to fit in with the chosen
milieu).
(4) Are there a set of guidelines for writing Eddings fanfic?
There aren't really; AFEC is a convenient place to post such fanfic,
not a censorship board. However, it would be nice if stories fitted in
with one another, otherwise we end up with a great deal of confusion
and inconsistency: this means reading all the other stories (which you
should do anyway, because they're good :-) before writing your own.
Repeat: this is not a *rule*, just a suggestion.
(5) Is there an archive of current fanfic?
The AFEC Fanfic archives are at
http://www.kryogenix.org/afe/fanfic.shtml
A collection of Eddings-related filks are archived at
http://cameodesign.hypermart.net/filk.htm
(6)My newsserver doesn't carry alt.fan.eddings.creative! What can I do?
Unfortunately, afec is not as well propagated as we might hope. Your
first course of action is to ask your ISP if they can add it to their
newsfeed -- this is often successful.
(7) Are there suggestions on how to give feedback on posted fanfic?
There are indeed. These basically revolve around Usenet and general
etiquette; that is to say, constructive criticism is welcomed by
authors, but pointless flames and cries of "what utter cr*p" are not.
Remember that someone put in a fair amount of time and effort to write
a piece of fanfic; if you don't agree with something someone's written,
then count to ten, and *then* post calmly explaining why. If you just
don't like a piece of fanfic and want to post to the group saying just
that, don't bother. Save it for email, or send it to /dev/null.
(8) Are there any other recommendations?
Just one - if you want to comment on a piece of fanfic, *please* don't
quote the whole thing in your reply. This does nothing but annoy people.
It's part of general Usenet etiquette, but it's particularly important in
AFEC where the posts are rather lengthy :-)
(9) Who maintains this FAQ?
The FAQ maintainer is Aquarius. Communicate any questions, additions,
problems, disagreements and five-pound-notes to him at
aquarius@kryogenix.org
The latest copy of this FAQ can be found at the Fanfic Archives.