Thoroughly mixed feelings

[jhetley]

Another item in today's mail: appears that a high school English teacher in New York asked the students to write a story in some favorite author's style. I have received a copy of one result from the student, a pre-story to SUMMER COUNTRY involving Brian Albion and the Gurkhas...

No, I haven't read it yet. Not sure I dare.

Comments

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

No... teacher said to write in the style of and the student either thought that meant write in the same universe (fanfic) or couldn't write in Jim's style without writing in the same universe.

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

D'oh. You're right. My brain zeroed in on the pre-story bit, and completely blanked the rest...

Apparently I'm still recovering from the holidays.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about that. See my reply to Jim Hines about the letter's wording.

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't surprise me either way, really. I know my own English degree included a grand total of nothing when it came to understanding copyright issues...

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

So ... is it good enough to be worth offering him a co-authorship deal on it? :)

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

It isn't bad*, and she doesn't do anything atrocious to Brian. Not really a story, though, more of an incident. No conflict-crisis-resolution pyramid, not enough space for atmosphere or character development...



*For 10th grade English values of bad, which can constitute an atrocity and an abomination.