Taped by discothequey and a general fic question

[writerlyways.livejournal.com]

Does anyone have a copy of Taped by discothequey? It's the one that's written in the form of a transcribed video tape. I've found much of her work, but unfortunately, not this one.

On a semi-related note [mods, please delete/modify/have me do so if this is against the rules], I was wondering what the "rules" are concerning currently inactive fic authors and the rights to their work. Specifically, when she was still around, I read disco's Particles and what was posted of the abandoned sequel, and I fell in love with that world, particularly Gus and the baby. The other day, I found myself sitting down and writing, and I wrote half a one-shot about Gus in high school before I realized that I was writing disco's Gus, with his tenderheartedness, extreme heterosexuality, and his relationship with Brian. I just stopped because I felt like I was crossing a line. But I wanted to finish it though, so I thought I'd go back and modify his character, but then it felt less genuine because I realized that disco's Gus has become the canonical teenage Gus for me.

What's the general consensus about situations such as this? I'm speaking specifically concerning authors who are no longer writing and the worlds they have created. Are their worlds completely off-limits, or can others play with them? I don't mean literally going in and taking plots, finishing their unfinished stories, or writing fics from their 'verse, but gathering inspiration from what they've written and using it to write your own fic, ie: the Gus I've written in a story all my own is very similar personality-wise to discothequey's Gus. Also, what about borrowing themes (Brian and Justin have a baby or Brian gets amnesia or Justin is a hustler, etc.) At what level does inspiration become stealing?

edited to add more detail

Comments

Fanfic of Fanfic

[mysid.livejournal.com]

You're taking someone else's characters and fictional world, and writing your own stories about them. In other words, you're writing fanfic. Whether your inspiration is the original canon, or someone else's fanfic based on canon, it's still fanfic.

If we start saying, "You can't do that!" we're all screwed. (And not in a positive life affirming way.)

Do what you'd do if you were writing fanfic based on original canon instead--ackowledge that the characters/world are someone else's creation, and that the story is what your imagination dreamed up about them. As long as you give discothequey credit where credit is due, you aren't stealing from her, you are being inspired by her.

Re: Fanfic of Fanfic

[mander3-swish.livejournal.com]

ITA.
cheers.

Re: Fanfic of Fanfic

[writerlyways.livejournal.com]

This is what I tend to think, but again, there are gray areas and such and I wasn't sure how others felt about it or if my thoughts were...uncouth. The Gus I've written dates a lot of girls, is dramatic as hell, is incredibly emotional, and has a very informal, irreverent, and yet on the base level totally loving father-son relationship with Brian. All of those qualities are in disco's Gus. The story is totally my own, and it's not a continuation of any of her fics, but the Gus is, albeit unintentionally, "inspired" by her Gus.

Thanks so much! :)