A question for you fanfic authors..

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:19 pm

I've been going through my notes recently, trying to cobble a more cohesive storyline from the bones of various alternate universes and 'how do the Armada toys fit in with Beast Wars' type story fragments. Which got me to wondering, should I use one of the established continuities (cartoon, Dreamwave comics, etc) as a 'baseline' continuity from which to work? Do any of you guys do this, or just have your own little alternate universe carved out?

I ask mainly because I have an origin story of sorts that explains why the Transformers are mostly humanoid and have human-sized cockpits, while most of my fic stems from a more cartoon-based universe. Any thoughts, opinions, and/or ideas would be welcome.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:32 pm

I work mostly from the Marvel continuity. If anything need be applied to it I tend to retcon it as one of those "this happened however just didn't make an issue" mentalities. I usually don't touch the timeline itself and just work from gaps to "prior to everything published" stories or "after what's known and happened" lines of thinking.

Make sure to make your story available once finished (unless you're trying to get said story published of course) so we can read it!

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:51 pm

Same as SC - I try and take what's happened and work from that, rather than fly in the face of continuity. But if it's in the way then - fine, I'll break continuity.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:56 pm

As long as you don't interfere with TF canon too much you should be okay to mess about with events a bit.
Bring it on.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:39 pm

Interpolation good. Extrapolation good. Keeping to one's own principles good.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:26 am

Thanks for the input, y'all. I think one of the reasons my stuff is more cartoon-based is that the events of TFTM make a good nexus from which to derive alternate realities. Of course, "continuity" is a term that can be applied loosely at best to both the cartoon and the comics (at least IMO in regards to the US run, as I'm not familiar with the UK stuff).

And yes, I hope to have something posted before too long for your reading enjoyment!

jboyler · Post by **jboyler** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:52 am

I don't bother with continuities. I just pick characters I like and/or fit my story and run with it. If you worry too much about continuity it restricts your freedom and makes your story bland.

-J

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:15 pm

jboyler wrote:I don't bother with continuities. I just pick characters I like and/or fit my story and run with it. If you worry too much about continuity it restricts your freedom and makes your story bland.

Continuites only ever cause problems if you're going to use the major events in TF lore in your story. A lot of times you can write freely without crashing into difficulties. Still, there are lots of nice stories out there that skillfully interweave with what's gone before. Sometimes, getting around a continuity problem can create very clever twists.

TransFans.co.uk

A question for you fanfic authors..

Re: A question for you fanfic authors..