So, what, did my old fic create a meme?

[bktheirregular]

Got an email today from someone via the Twisting the Hellmouth archive, asking ... well, saying ... well ... here's what they told me.

You have been sent a message from [redacted] at Twisting The Hellmouth:

Hi,

I've seen this term used in many stories on TtH and FF.Net so I thought it was from Canon. I started to use it in my story until I realized that it's not from the show. I have tried to change all the references to it in my story.

After running many searches and contacting different authors, I have discovered they think Tarithna came from you.

Thus, may I have your permission to use Tarithna in my story?

Thank you for your story and your ideas.

I think I'm one part annoyed (not sure why), one part flattered, and three parts Mal Reynolds going "huh". Especially since I basically pulled the term "Tarith'na" out of my ear when I needed a Jaffa word. (And how could anyone think that a Jaffa term for a vampire slayer would be canon?)

I'm tempted to respond, "Sure, so long as you do your homework, check your sources, run your story past critical beta-readers instead of a cheerleading squad." But that might be too snarky.

And should I be a wet blanket to someone who's trying to be creative, when it's been over a year since I did much of any creative writing?

Comments

[uninvitedcat.livejournal.com]

Hey, at least the author has taken the time and effort to track you down and ask!

[bktheirregular]

Yeah, that's a point.

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

Not having your personal stake in it, I'm 100% Mal going "huh?" Since I'm having trouble picturing under what non-crossover circumstances such a term would be used.

I guess maybe people picked it up as a cool word and missed the part where it belongs to, y'know, aliens from another fandom? Or didn't care?

Or possibly she just thinks it's cool and is making up the part about having seen it many places? I'm actually quite curious now.

[bktheirregular]

I typed "Tarithna" into Google and came up with about a page and a half of hits. Then I added the apostrophe, and only then did "The Scarab" turn up. I know at least one person grabbed the concept - I suppose if you're crossing Buffy and Stargate, the idea of a Jaffa Slayer was bound to be picked up sometime - and it may have just snowballed from there...

[sroni.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's... special.

The idea that it's CANONICAL, I mean.

I am a firm believer that stupid people should be lynched. :D

No, not really. (Particularly since I just tried to spell "believer" "beliefer". *head desks*) But idiots annoy me. Especially when you know the person, and they're not really an idiot- they just don't take the time to think.