on being a fan(girl/grrl)

There's a comment thread at Dear Author on the Cassie Edwards mess that has generated some really thoughtful posts not only on plagiarism, but on (1) editorial responsibility, (2) seeing authors as separate from their work (if/when it should happen, and if/when does it affect one's interest in their new books), (3) how the behavior of some fans affects/silences others, and other charged topics. Nora Roberts herself responds to several comments.

[And in this thread, Roberts clarifies her stance on fanfic (she doesn't want to see it on the fansite she visits every day but elsewhere is fine). I don't happen to harbor any urges to play in her universes (even though I reread several of her trilogies every year or so), but it's nonetheless cheering to find her views are similar to Bujold's on this issue.]