Story 98: "Untitled Random Case File #4664" by Jess Mabe

[wendelah1]

Continuing my unofficial boycott of all things serious, I bring you something different, courtesy of a timely nomination by infinitlight. This metafic by Jess Mabe is clever, funny, and offers some interesting observations about writing fan fiction. She rates the fic "R" for Raunchy "but no actual sex was harmed in the making of this story." Damn, even her liner notes make me laugh.

Although the author has left the fandom, and has no working email address, at least none that I am aware of, we would love to know what you think of her story. Please leave us suggestions for next time, too. Humor is especially appreciated by the management at this time.


Untitled Random Case File #4664

Comments

[amyhit.livejournal.com]

First off, infinitlight, everything you've just said about fanfic is absolutely charming and lovely, and i couldn't agree more. for all of the reasons you've highlighted, fanfic has been a fulfilling and fabulous source of interest and entertainment for me for years, and frankly, i feel i would be a significantly different person, conceptually, were it not for fanfic. and reading what you have to say makes me wonder (delightedly) how many others could say the same.

Even when stories like this don't work for me, I respect the writer for trying to do something new

i think this is the camp i fall into. i read this fic a while ago, and i'm not sure if i'll reread it so as to be able to discuss it properly, because while it tickled me, it didn't thrill me. i tend to be much more sensitive to the absurdity and clumsiness of humor than to it's complexities and charms. even so, i feel that fics like this are a more profound testament to how solid and prescient fandom and fanfic is/are than is commonly recognized.

the simple fact of the existence of fics like this indicates how vital, creative, divergent, and expansive fandom is. if straight-up meta is the history and science of fandom, then meta-fiction strikes me as being fandom's philosophy. and is awesome. *g*

[wendelah1]

I'm sorry you've decided not to reread this. I'm interested in your reaction to it as a fan fiction writer, not just a reader. I was hoping more of the writers who I know lurk here would come out of their shells and expound on this gutsy, funny story.