Translating and archiving

[kellifer]

I've gotten a lot of messages about this lately so just thought I would put a little explanation here to kind of put my scattered thoughts into one place.

I've decided that I'm not really comfortable with others translating my fic or archiving my stories outside my LJ. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate the offer, I'm just not entirely comfortable with versions of my stories on the internet where I can't be sure what's going on with them. Also, the first couple of times I said yes to translations and I've requested that they provide me with a link to the translated story when it's done, it hasn't happened. The person may have decided not to go ahead with it or what have you but each time I have simply never heard from them again.

I pretty much abandoned the website idea because I didn't feel like I had enough "control". I do well in the job I do in RL because I'm a control freak in certain aspects of my life.

I'm usually fine with podfic or PDF versions of the stories. I almost always say yes to those. Likewise, art or followups or stories in a verse of mine are mostly okay (as long as it's not an active verse I'm still writing of course - but even then, if you want to go another way and you give me a heads up I'm usually fine with it) because most people are ultra-cool about contacting me about those things and I like to think of this big ol' fandom thing as a sandbox where anyone is free to play. I'm also super flattered that someone would like something of mine enough to want to contribute/continue it.

Honestly, if you're going to do pdf conversions just to pass to friends, I'm totally okay with that too.

So there it is. I'm a people-pleaser by nature who has a hard time saying no to anything so I tend to really sweat it whenever I get a request to either archive or post a translation of my fic. I just wanted to articulate the 'no' in a way that doesn't have me umm-ing and ah-ing and being otherwise incoherent about it.

Comments

[deirdre-c.livejournal.com]

Darlin', you should do what makes you happy and comfortable and never feel like you need to apologize. You don't owe anyone out here anything, you know?

It's your world and we're all just living in it! <333

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

I definitely know I'm being silly but I get all flushed and sweaty when I have to say no anything... hehehee...

I just thought having a handy post I could point people to would save me a lot of the stressing.

*hugs you tightly*

[too-rational.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling you've got yourself all twisted into knots about this thing, and honestly? It's not a big deal. Really-- they're your fics, and it's your private and professional life, and you can do whatever the hell you want to. Even forbid all and any playing in your playground, if you want. If people can't and won't accept that, it's their problem. K?

Breathe, relax -- it's just fine. =)

*hugs tight*

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon! I know I'm being silly but I mostly wanted to get this out there in just one place so I could point people in this direction if I get further requests. :)

[too-rational.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. =) And I've come to find that having disclaimers and big-lettered banners proclaiming some of the more important opinions and beliefs and policies when dealing with people and events is an incredibly good idea. Lay it all out there, and whoever doesn't like it, there's the door, thank you for visiting. If you're polite and intelligent enough to be able to agree to disagree, please, do stay; I'm happy to have you, yay for diversity and debate. Cookies are on the table to your right. ^_~

[surreallis.livejournal.com]

I don't blame you at all, bb. The one time someone asked me if they could translate a fic, they could barely speak enough English to phrase the question, and I just thought, how can you properly translate a fic when you barely know one of the languages? I mean, it was incredibly nice of them to ask, because God knows I'd have no idea if they actually just did it, but still.

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

I definitely realise that more than likely people have done it without checking first but I can't really control those. I just hope now that I've put this out there people know how I feel about it. :)

[doctor-dorothy.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you on this -- translations really alter the story; certainly, often in wonderful ways, but not always in ways the author would agree with. I once examined three entirely legitimate translations of a Russian poem -- they were all well done, but they were three entirely different poems. I think the author should always have some control over that process, or else be entirely comfortable with letting someone make something new of his or her story.

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

whew. glad to know I am not alone at not getting those followup links for translations