Crossposted from LJ, or "Hey, I'm finally using my IJ for something!"
So I've finally started working on the final paper for that Independent Study fanfiction thing I think I mentioned a while back. And it should be pretty easy. It just involves writing about the answers to these questions:

1. What is the nature of fiction?
2. Who is the authority of a work of fiction, if any?
-Does a story really belong to its author?
3. How can fiction change?
-What are the ramifications of changing a story?
-What is the philosophical stance of changing a story?
4. What is the status of published fiction (books, etc.) vs. "unpublished" fiction (online fic)?
5. Is fanfiction really a new genre, or just a new name for a trend that is centuries old?
6. How do you feel about self-insertion in fanfiction?
7. What are the goals of fanfiction?

So, if any of the writers on my flist could answer some or all of these, that would be wonderful. I'd like to get a variety of opinions.

Thanks! *goes off to re-read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead*