Oh good grief.

[prog]

Whether it's Bradbury saying something cranky or Rowling saying something saucy, the author's interpretation of their own story or characters is worth no more than any other reader's take-away.

I mean, it's definitely worth talking about, and if you find yourself agreeing with the author about it, that's cool. But to then go on and say "Aha, this definitively means that Character X had Attribute Y", I say poopie upon you.

If I ever design a yuk-yuk T-shirt (besides the Volity ones) it will be themed around the slogan AUTHORIAL INTENT IS FOR SUCKERS or something.

Comments

[mrmorse.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and I totally think unauthorized sequels are as valid as authorized ones. The only question in my mind is whether the sequel is good.

[aspartaimee.livejournal.com]

this is where it gets fuzzy for me. because at a certain point, the story should end, and authors should write their own, original work otherwise it's kind of cheating. maybe it's the money to be made by continuing the adventures of beloved characters, maybe it's a public demand issue, maybe it's both, but there are a lot of sequels or continuations that shouldn't happen, authorized or not.

so i agree to a certain extent that quality is a big issue, but my first inclination is to be disdainful and not bother reading them. nearly every time i cave and read something, i am disappointed. let the story end and move on.

franchise examples:
the star trek and star wars books
they all have different authors but adhere to strict rules of the franchise universe.

author name examples:
francine pascal, sweet valley high
james patterson's weird YA fiction
carolyn keene, nancy drew
the author is the franchise, and the name is what sells it, but they have different authors who will never be acknowledged for that work.

examples of kids who can't do anything else but capitalize on their parents' thing:
brian herbert
felix francis
christopher tolkein

some people who continue beloved stories - authorized or no
pride and prejudice has a billion
alexandra ripley is authorized by the Mitchell estate, but there are a few gone with the wind prequels and sequels that are not
that beaver who ruined harriet the spy
the little house prequels

examples of authors who do retellings:
gregory macguire
frank beddor
helen fielding