This is not a chapter or a rant. I think people tend to dismiss rants. I wrote this in defense of myself and other writers that work diligently to bring our readers quality updates.
I read a lot of Aug fan-fic stories. In fact, that’s the only reason I know about Wattpad. I googled his name and in the search was someone’s story on Wattpad. I clicked it, read it, and have been hooked ever since. That was in April. So I’m really a newbie.
But anyway, it has come to my attention that like how a lot of people lurk on Aug twitter, a lot of people lurk in other people’s fan fic stories. Sometimes they comment and sometimes they vote. Sometimes they don’t. All in all, every time you post an update, they read it. And they do solely with the purpose of not necessarily of enjoying the story, but reading your comments seeing how people react to your story. And biting ideas for them to use. They think that because it’s successful for you, it’ll be successful for them.
I brushed it off at first, but it’s beginning to be too much.
I understand when you’re writing about the same person, some things will overlap. If you’re reading an Aug story, you’re probably going to see his nieces. You’re going to see his mama. You might hear about Mel, his past in the streets, and little things he says in interviews and stuff. I get that.
But its down right unoriginal to bite someone else’s scenarios and characteristics, especially if they don’t fit into the context of your story. The August in my story, is not going to be the same as the August in a story where Aug is let’s say in the streets. A college educated Aug like he is in my story, is not going to be the same as a cold-blooded killer Aug. It WILL NOT WORK! The context are totally different.
The relationship between Aug and Amber, is NOT going to be the same as let’s say, the relationship between Aug and somebody his age. He would not react the same to someone who is more established like Amber is (a professional woman), as opposed to if he was dealing with someone his age, and he was the primary bread winner. There is a different dynamic at play.
Imagine Aug in a relationship with Keke Palmer vs. Aug in a relationship with Kerry Washington. It’s not going to be the same. So when you bite other people’s relationship dynamics, it doesn’t work because you’re not taking this into consideration.
I read some stories like, “yo are you kidding me. You literally ripped that off from my dawg.”
It is the greatest form of disrespect to do this to people’s stories, and it shows you have no imagination or creative prowess. I am sick of reading poor imitations of other aug fan-fic writers. Stop trying to be like everybody else, and find what work s for you.
You know when I was inspired to write a story? And I always tell her this. After I read King Lina’s Taken. I stayed up ALL night reading that story, knowing damn well, I had work the next morning. But her portrayal of Aug to me was that captivating.
But you know what, you would NEVER know from reading my story because I don’t try to be her. I couldn’t if I tried. I know nothing about the hood, in fact, I would really be considered a square. So I write from MY square perspective. And as a result, both stories are great. And I would argue her’s is greater.
When I see an author using an idea I originally had in mind, I abandon it all together. Because I don’t want to give my readers some puke (that’s what biting other people’s stuff is- throwing up chapters of someone else’s story) .
I had the last scene in Paris already written, but I read one of my home-girls stories and they used the idea I wanted to use. So I was like damn, I don’t want to use that. So I scratched that, and literally forced myself to delve deeper into my imagination, and I came up with Chapter 32.
The key to good writing, is finding your lane and sticking to it. Emotion is my lane. It works for me. I don’t know how to write a street Aug. But some writers do and it works for them perfectly. Some writers got a laid back chill Aug, and I love that shit. I’m like yes! Some writers got an absolutely hilarious Aug and I love that too.
Like Aug says about coming into the game and people wanting him to be like every other R & B nigga. He said, listen. “They be like be Chris Brown. Be Beyonce. Nigga No. I’m me. They doing a fine job at being who they are, that’s why they’re where they at. “
Remember that lurkers as you continue to rip other people’s ideas. Instead yo, just push your imagination. And if you need help developing YOUR OWN voice, just inbox me. I have never turned anyone a way for help.
In fact, when I read people’s stories I like and it’s something I want to know how to do, I don’t’ rip their stuff, I inbox them and ask them their process for coming up with that. And no one has ever turned me away. Usually they are open, and I add knowledge to what they give me, and come up with my own stuff.
Sorry to take up your time with this, but I had to let it be known. I should have a real update, tonight or tomorrow.
Love you guys! Keep the prayers up for Aug. He going through it, but like my home girl 2wiceMob said yesterday during our little convo “he ain’t got nothing to worry about.”
