Animation Source Forums

Okay, let me preface this post with two points:

1. I'm definitely NOT looking to start a flame war or even an argument. So if, after reading this, you're thinking of spouting off because you don't like my post, or you think I'm attacking a specific writer (which I'm NOT), DON'T, because I am NOT interested in dealing with it. And I will advise the mods of troublemakers.

2. The question in the title was largely rhetorical. Meaning I'm not looking for an answer to that. I already know, based on what I'm posting here, and what I've read and seen on the site, who really cares about the characters, and who doesn't...based on what they write in fan fictions, and what they draw.

Now then...

Here's a NON-rhetorical question: are there ANY fan fiction writers out there who feel the way I do about integrity, accuracy, commitment to the original characters and their design, and morality?

I have seen so MANY fan fictions which feature things like incest, sodomy, pederasty, gratuitous violence, offensive and foul language, immorality, "evil", and so on, that it is sickening, and it is offensive. Doubly so when the writers MIS-use the original Balto characters (or original characters from other settings) to fulfill their desires to tell a compelling or entertaining story...or else (and this is clearly a call for help and a sign of a problem of SOME kind) simply to elicit a response (even if that response is revulsion, anger and/or shock).

Of course, I've seen the counter arguments..."Hey, there are warnings on most of these"; "if you don't like the subject, don't read it"; "sheesh - it's JUST fan fiction". And a myriad of other things which essentially translate as "get a life - loser".

People who advocate this kind of "writing" might call me a prude. They might say I'm stifling creativity with my "narrow-minded" opinions (or worse, they might take the all-too-typical route now and say that I'm either a homophobe or that I have an axe to grind with certain members...neither of which is true). I've seen those kinds of attacks thrown at others who were willing to stand up in defense of the kind of writing which keeps the original characters PURE, and free of the kind of writing so often seen here. And they get MERCILESSLY ganged up on and attacked when they criticize that kind of "writing". How our world society and culture have deteriorated and darkened, that we have sunk to such levels!

So I wonder whether or not there are ANY members of Balto Source, whether or not they are fan fiction writers or just those who love to read fan fictions, who really care about staying true to the original characters, and not violating their purity, their parameters, and so on. Or even just their own characters, but without all the trash writing. I know there are at least a FEW out there. I am one. And I have talked to at least a few others who said they are of the same mind, and find great comfort in the fact that I have been writing stuff that, so far, makes the characters come alive for them...that they can FEEL the characters in the writing. That is a great source of pride for me, that I receive such high praise! And it shows that someone need not necessarily be a prude, or a homophobe, or a Christian fundamentalist (none of which fits me at all) just to appreciate GOOD and DECENT writing!

RHETORICAL FINISH: (I am not seeking an answer to this either, because, as I said, I am totally disinterested in a debate, argument, or flame war.) What happened to writing a good romantic story (without incest, sodomy, pederasty or sexual violence)? Whatever happened to writing a good adventure (without gratuitous violence...evil themes...foul language, etc.)?

I care about them, but i tolerate much... If I don't like a fic... well... I don't like it... that's all.



O.o umm... where do you read these fanfics... are you sure you did not accidently go to an adult site? o.O

Well... foul language... mhh... look at the streets... but you are right.
I think it is okay, if there is not too much of it... And an evil character wouldn't speak like "Could you move aside, please, so I can kill this grey dog there?" (Just an example ^^)

Well... at all you are right... but I tolerate much (but not all =P)

To start off, I am definitely going to fan fictions on Balto Source.

Regardless of the question of looking at the streets (though I understand what you're saying about society in general), there is so much attention paid to the fact that Balto Source is supposed to be a place for ALL...including children. Profanity, flaming, aggression, bullying and malicious teasing is not allowed in the forums, the shoutbox, and in articles. So why is it tolerated in the fan fiction section? Because authors add disclaimers? I don't accept that. I tolerate much less. And it's not about simply "not reading" if I don't like them. I get to a point in some of them (even if they DO have disclaimers, just so I can see how bad they really are), and then I stop. And form a conclusion based on the writer's proclivities. Doesn't mean the writers are BAD PEOPLE, but they sure are doing bad things when they write that kind of stuff (I wanted to say "tripe", but I KNOW that will spark off some of the emotionally-insecure ones to want to flame as a result of it).

Well, personally I always try and write stories where the characters are original, and I've been apraised for my "keeping the characters true" attitude."

I don't even read stories where the first line is a slurry of cursing, or where Balto has a sudden urge to sadomize. Come on people, all three Balto movies were rated G. Is there any need to have cursing at all? It's still possible to make an evil character sound evil without having them swear to the skies above.

Another thing is when people make original characters evil. This is just a big turn off for me to read the story. I personally feel it's okay when someone brings new evil characters into the story and has them interact with the originals. These I always find interesting.

So before I ramble on for to long I just want to summarize up everything i said: keep the original characters as true to themselves as you can, cut the swearing right out; you can still have an evil character without cussing, and if you got to have an evil sadomizing wolf who has trouble with the ladies, try making him another character who comes into the original story characters.

Maybe we need an other sub-forum for the "bad fanfics" and all others can be posted on the normal one... If it is possible steet could put a password on it... and only the people that are old enough will get it....

but there is the problem: how to check the real age?

On that way the bad fanfics could be seperated from the "good fics".

Well said. Thank you.

That is an interesting suggestion. And I am sure it would solve the concerns people like me have. You're right of course...there really is no certain way to check ages. But it would be another step in the right direction.

Fox's idea sounds pretty good. But it is impossible to get a person's age. What might be better is to have a specific signup sheet for a spot where all these fanfics can go. So in order to read them you have to read some sheet saying that 'all fics within this site are rated R or above and are intended for mature audiences,' and then you have to agree to the disclaimer or something along those lines. What does everybody think?

Well... yes... that would be a good way, too...

That would be good. If nothing else, it would provide a way of proving the person acknowledged that they were adults (or of the minimum age set by the administrator). Just allowing them to confirm, without a sign-up, invites dishonesty. Of course, nothing is full-proof. But again, it is a step in the right direction. And a disclaimer would cover the site and the administrator.

I am glad you made this topic, anyway what I think is that people do care about the characters, they do care about all of what you are asking but what they have done is made it fresh, it may not always be too others likeing but I think that if all balto fanfictions were strictly and completely based on normal Balto, then well it would get...stale...people use their imagination too create a new image, a different one, after all balto we must remember is just a cartoon regadless of wetehr or not its based on a true story, and as for foul language I have never really heard serious swear words and a mild swear word now and then is perfectly exceptable.

Anyway thats my view.

You've been respectful in your reply (except for that last line), so I will do the same back.

I DON'T hate anyone (even those few I've had rather heated and passionate arguments and flame wars with, believe it or not) because of what they write. But I do think that writing that stuff is unnecessary and inappropriate.

So what about the Balto fans who don't want to see a "G" movie? There are other more "adult" cartoons out there. And there are those with "PG" ratings. Balto and its sequels were never designed to be that. But turning "G-rated" characters into "R" or even "X-rated" characters is beneath contempt. And those who defend the right to do that are only playing into the modern abrasive liberal mindset (so common among kids and teenagers nowadays) of "WHATEVAH! WHATEVAH! I'll do what I WANT!" (That's "whatever" by the way...I was exaggerating the stupid accent that goes along with the attitude.) There are NO standards anymore. Just "Don't tell ME I can't do that! Back off!" It's the collapse of morality...and bad ego run amuck.

I think it was unnecessary for you to throw that last sentence at me. I never said anyone should "sit in a dark corner because [I] said [you] were corrupting Balto". That's an exaggeration, and in fact, it's putting words in my mouth. I indicated that writing fictions that take the original characters OUT of character...making them sleazy, or sexually-deviant, or violent, or "evil" is WRONG. Which it IS. Writing a "G" or even "PG-rated" fiction about any original character is definitely NOT a re-telling of the three movies. It's simply being respectful to the original characters. You can place those characters in any fictional situation, and keep it to a "G" or "PG" rating.

And the suggestion (from earlier today) of separating the fan fictions into a more "adult" section, and the usual "G" and "PG" ratings holds great merit. As I see it, the only reason someone would resist that is because they're selfish and morally-bankrupt.

HA HA HA! lol I'm sorry but I notice this too you might call me one of those you disrespects the characters of Balto, so call me loser weak minded, retarded, dumb, stupid, and other things I don't care! It's called FAN Fiction for a reason!!!! In truth some teens made fanctions which were a lot like wise mine and other people types and they became animes by there fanfics, BUT OF COURSE! I DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME OR ANYONE! THAT WAS RARE! So call me Mr. Loser if you like I won't mind I try to stick to the characters at least if they were in that situation! You can't keep making remake after remake after remake! that gets dull! But I do agree with the gay, and family on family thing that is wrong on every level! But you have to respect which you are, I'm not saying your attacking anyone. But some such as me is offended saying that our fan writing is peice *%$#! That is the opionion I got from this topic and some others might feel. That's what I drew from this. That's what I'm saying I don't like it, this does seem like your saying our writing is $%*! It's FAn fiction I under stand your point compltely I have shows that I've seen I see others fanfiction and it doesn't seem like that would ever happen, or the characters are different and do things that they wouldn't do that you know that they wouldn't do. I'm sorry I know your not trying to start anything, but I'm offended by this topic I know that wasn't the point but that how I felt from this topic, you could have worded it so it didn't seem like that was your point saying that most of the writers work is $%*! I don't mean to be like that but that's what I felt from this topic, I know how you feel, I been their but you could show more respect to those writters!