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

Taped

[darlingal67.livejournal.com]

I'd love to read Taped if you have it. Could you email it to me? Or send via messaging? Thanks.