Why do you like fanfiction?
 

I teach high school and am working on a podcast for my students about fanfiction. I love your input! Please tell me why you like writing/reading fanfiction!

You can write a response here, or you can call the number below and leave a message. I'll be able to pull the message and include it in my podcast.

I have a couple of friends that write fanfiction and have always been interested in why people like it. What do you say to people who don't like it or think it's silly to continue on with a story? What do you think authors/creators think of all the fanfiction out there?

If you'd like to call and leave a message:
Please call 888-654-2278 then dial 1250

Thanks for your help and input!

Hi there :wave:

I'm one of the moderators of this board, and I'm also a teacher ;)

I think your questions are really interesting :nod: Before I started to read fanfiction, let alone write it, I thought it was a pretty strange thing :lol: But I think that the people who get into it just find it a fun thing to be part of. It's cool to read stories about favourite fictional characters (and sometimes real people) that allow the reader to go beyond reality or what has actually happened on a TV show or in a movie. It's a chance to see your favourite couple get together, when they may not be together in actuality. Stories can take the characters into new settings, new experiences, new relationships, that are fun to read about. For writing fanfiction, I think many people find it a more comfortable way to ease into their own original writing, or to supplement it. It's fun to play around with the characters (including real people) and put them in new situations, different relationships, etc.beyond what is considered cannon. It's also a lot of fun to be part of a fandom and community of readers/writers that become an audience for your work. Comments that people can leave on sites, including Live Journal or FanFiction.net, are immediate and can be a great way to receive criticism or encouragement.

Feel free to peruse the range of threads that we have on the board, and see comments that people have made about reading/writing fic, in general, and in specific fandoms :D

I tell people who don't like it 'to each his own'. I don't insist that they should like it but I deny their idea that fanfiction is a waste of time. How is a story that can bring a smile to my face, laughter, tears, or anger a waste of time? Maybe I should spend more time on the Internet connecting to people through Facebook or MySpace like some of my other friends but I do feel connected when I comment on somebody's work or otherwise show my appreciation by adding them to my favorites.

I started reading fanfiction at age fourteen when I started watching Dawson's Creek and looked at some of the fansites for the show. I wrote my first fanfiction at fifteen. It was terrible but hearing the comments and commenting on the stories of others made me feel others appreciated the same things I found wonderful in that show. That goes for my other favorite shows, books, movies, etc. I wasn't alone in feeling that Nancy/Frank is great or that Neville is awesome and should be paired with as many people, male or female, as humanly possible.

Fanfiction is a way of expressing what you like or don't like about your favorite worlds, a way of "fixing" what you don't like and enhancing what you do like. I know of some writers who found their start in fanfiction and now have books and series of their own. Without the feedback they got from their start as writers would they have been as likely to become published? We'll never know but I do know that encouragement and critique and feedback can help one become a better writer.

I changed my major from Psychology to Creative Writing halfway through college and now am going to graduate with my BA (delayed graduation a semester so my parents could see my commencement). Without fanfiction I would never have gotten any experience in writing. Sure, most of my fanfiction was terrible but it gave me a glimpse into the world of writing and I furthered it by writing my own original stories, by writing dozens upon dozens of poems.

Most creators/writers tolerate or ignore fanfiction. They generally don't read it because of the issue that if they do, a fanfiction author could accuse the author/creator of copying their idea. Some creators/authors send cease and desist letters but these are in the minority. Anne Rice, the creators of the Archie comic books are some of these that do not allow fanfiction based on their work.

I honestly cant explain my obsession with fanfiction...especially since I was writing fanficy stuff as far back as elementary school...without even ever hearing of the word fanfiction...in fact, I dont think fanfiction was even invented when I started writing it! :rotfl:

I must say that fanfiction has also helped me become a better writer. I enjoy writing fanfiction more than the stuff I had to do for my college writing classes (doesnt anyone? :lol:). I mean I do have original fiction ideas but I'm too scared to actually use them for class so I just use them for fictionpress (ffnet's original fiction counterpart) or I dont write them at all. My English prof didnt even know what fanfiction was when I told him that's all I wrote. I only write fanfiction when I got a plot idea for a story in my head and it doesnt go away. The bigger the plot bunny...the easier it is to write IMO. I dont think you can just sit at a computer and just wait for an idea to emerge. You can try...but it wont be an easy ride.

As for what you like or dont like about certain worlds...well I guess it could be that. Sometimes I will write stuff that I kind should be canon but I'm fully aware of when my stories and characters get ridiculous. You'll also find that some fanfiction is just an author analysis of a certain scene, situation, or event in a story.

As far as what other people think...about 90% of fanfiction out there is romance. And you find a wide variety of fanfiction for all ships that a fan can go nuts for. It's not that people will think that fanfiction is stupid or not for them. Fanfiction, is basically nerd stuff...I'm not ashamed to admit it. :D If you waste your life at fanfic sites like I do...well, it's basically your world and not everyone else's. I'm too shy to share my fanfic frenzy with ANYONE I know. Most of my old peers that do write fanfiction dont write the same kind I do so I couldn't really relate. Like I said, it's mostly romance stuff for a certain ship. If it's a fluff romance, chances are it's likely to be more popular (even if the writing is awful).

Fanfiction is a fun activity for improving your writing every step of the way. My concern is that there's this idea that people who are fanfiction writers really don't become anything more than that even when they want to pursue becoming actual authors, script writers and the like. I hope that's not true but I can see how Fanfiction writing can be somewhat of a curse. Still fanfiction writing is a young concept write now. More and more people are getting into it so we'll see how many of us actually break out and become real writers.

So far I have yet to hear of any famous writers who did fanfiction in the past. But I could be wrong! :shrug:

Cassandra Claire is one I've heard. She used to be in HP fandom as a BNF, a rather controversial figure towards the end. I've vaguely heard of others. :)

Cassandra Clare - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

On the NYT bestsellers list in the top ten at least once. Maybe not Twilight or HP-type fame but a little bit of something

This is a great comment :nod: I know for myself that I just play around with writing, but having people who actually read my stories and give me feedback on it, and enjoy what I write, definitely gives me the confidence to write more, and to look ahead to one day writing something original and more substantial.

Why I love to read and write fanfiction
 

Sorry if it is a bit long, but I really put much thought into the question and answer.

Why do I like or should I say love to read and write fan fiction? Hmm that seems to be a very good question to ask a writer. That seems to be one of those “Million dollar questions” that gets them seriously thinking as to the reasons behind why they share or do their craft. So I guess going back to the question at hand why do I love to read and write fan fiction?

I guess I can start by answering the question as to why I love to write is because it’s one of my favorite talented gifts I was given at birth. I’m very creative and I guess I love to share my creativity with friends family or anyone who wants to read what I have written. Writing can temporary make me forget the hectic stress of my job in retail, miner every day problems and sometimes is a good distraction from problems. It’s a good escape from reality a great vacation where it does not cost a thing. You can go somewhere without losing a fortune in order to get there.

It’s something I enjoy doing while I am bored and want to keep my brain active to know it’s still in working order. I love to see a story that is playing or acting out in my head like a movie trailer or movie come to life on paper and to share with others. I love to be able to entertain and to grow and to thrive as a writer on fellow writers and colleague’s feed back and comments.

I feel that creativity is a positive form and way to get somewhere or out of some type of tight position. It can express how a individual can feel is feeling without actually speaking actual words. Creativity can sometimes end up helping someone else maybe can cheer them up, entertain and amuse. If there was never any creativity in the world or encouragement to be creative or different the world would seriously be a very boring place.

Being creative has helped me with some tough parts in my life from coping with very tough deaths of very close friends and family members to even helped me graduate or survive high school. Some of my classmates would agree that it helped them get through boring Biology periods and lectures since they were taken turns reading it. Back then in sixth grade it was Seaquest DSV had a huge crush on one of the actors then gradually by the time I was in high school was Backstreet Boys. Got older got into writing about what I write about now. Sometimes it has helped me clear my head while making some tough decisions even helped me after I was diagnosed with a disability at age 19 called Aspergers. It apparently explained some of the reasons why I am very colorful and creative. So sometimes having this disability can be a perk as a writer.

Creativity allows the writer to become another character or to act out a fantasy or act that is in full production in their head without being considered insane or crazy. There’s not another fun way to do so then through descriptive words, actions and scenes. To share with the reader what goes on with the writer’s creations and relationship and actions of the characters. If there are certain lines that make a certain character seem witty, a smart Alec, or a bit of a smart ass or if they are a bit like the reader which they can relate to. You want creativity to entertain you and make you want to read more to find out what happens next.

If I was given any choice and I hope to make this a final career in life to be able to write and pursue writing as a career I’d so chose to do this until death. I guess that is why I want to be a screen writer because your writing seems to live on through movies and by having actors recite your words which feels like a complete honor. Ok even making the greatest emotional acceptance thank you speech at the Oscars seems like a good reason to as to why to be a script writer. But who wouldn’t want to be able to get near your favorite actor and actress without it being considered stalking and can legally be a few feet away without being considered psychotic.

Why do I love to read fan fiction? I’m a writer and sometimes by given feedback and thoughts as to what you think of your fellow writer’s work. Fellow writers sometimes can even plant or spark a idea into my head for a story and not even realize how helpful by sharing their own gifts of creativity and expression could be. I love to read fan fiction because it’s a creative, fictional world that is made up and is in complete control by a writer. Where else can the writer be and claim he or she is a certain celebrity’s love interest and seems to have him or her so Gaga and wrapped around their little finger. You can make this fictional world anyway you want and have a temporary escape that may leave the reader wanting and desiring more. Fan fiction entertains me when I sometimes am bored or stuck with my own story and need a good distraction and to get unstuck while writing. Cause we all know how much writer’s block and the frustration of getting or being stuck drives us freaking insane and nuts. Sometimes trying to write up the start, middle and ending feels like this, so sometimes reading other writer’s works can sometimes clear your mind and just help with the writing process.

I love to read fan fiction because in the story it may not be real but you can be able to picture the star of the story the hero or heroine in a different light even can get a laugh out of it or a good cry. Maybe even wonder silently at the back of your head and ask “Hmm I wonder if he or she ever would come across this story and how they would react are they even like this behind their movie set trailer doors or when not behind the camera lens of the Paparazzi or movie camera?” Sometimes there are some visions the writer has pictured about the hero or heroine can make you laugh and wonder. Sometimes reading fan fiction lets you visit a fellow writer’s thoughts they may have come up with while looking at a tabloid article and see a picture of the story’s stars if it could have been sparked by a role, a quote or a article. We all sometimes think and see things alike that’s why I seem to love reading fan fiction.

Lindsee

That's a fantastic answer, Lindsee :clap:

I'm so glad that writing has helped you make it through some hard times :hug:

thanks so much for all of your great responses! I really appreciate all of your thoughts and time you took to answer. YAY!

You're welcome :D I hope it was helpful :)

I'm not sure if I'm too late to be included in the lesson but I just saw this and thought it was an interesting question.

I was first introduced to fanfiction back in high school when I stumbled upon some for my fandoms of choice at the time, *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. Back then I tried my hand at writing some, the type that where I included myself and my friends as characters and wrote it in first person. When I look back on it now, it amazes me how immature my writing style was back then.

I've always been a writer by nature but I took a four year hiatus when college came along. It wasn't until High School Musical 2 came out that I decided to try my hand at writing again and take a serious dive into fanfiction. I quickly discovered that I love reading it because it's, to put it simply, a way to discover other people's writing styles and see their take on a movie or pairing. Everyone is so different and I have read some fantastic work by some amazing writers.

I love writing it because it's interesting to put the characters (or real people) from my favorite movies into a world that I have created. Any of my friends will tell you that I do not like to stick to the traditional pairings as set forth in the movie. To me, that's where all the fun lies...in using your imagination and going against the grain to create something unique that hopefully people will enjoy.

that's a great answer, Lanie :nod:

I'm glad that HSM2 had one good side effect ;) lol I couldn't imagine if you weren't writing :eek:

This is cool; I wish I got one of these by one of my teachers, lol

So I started reading fan fiction when I was fourteen. at that point in my life I was really into reading and I had time to read constantly, but now I don’t have as much time with all my studying but something that has always appealed to me in fan faction is that people can write the way they wanted something to happen in a show or movie. And for me that shows real creativity. I also feel that fan fiction can help you relive stress, meaning, I find reading fan fiction or even writing is a very good calming technique, and during high school that is a key thing being calm (I’m going my GCSE’s and they are really stress full, so spend lots of time on fan fiction at the moment as it seems to clam my nerves down and puts me in a better mood) this is because for a moment you can feel as if your that person that there writing about and, that is a good thing when writing fan fiction as it also keeps the reader interested.

Also when I first started writing fan fiction I was terrible but as you keep writing you can see the difference form the first story to the most recent as you find the right structure of the story, grammar, and more. So I would recommend writing or reading fan fiction for anyone who wants to be writer when they are older or even a teacher (I want to be a teacher, lol) as it to me is like a little English lesson when you find the right story and the right writer as. When they are put together you can really see the difference from style of writing.

Hey, I have some more to write but I’ll finish posting later as my sis wants to use the computer now.

I honestly just like the system of fanfiction. I like the whole updating with a chapter and then reviewing.... There are more people there than fictionpress.

i'm a fan of reading in general so fanfiction appealed to me naturally
it's fun reading AUs or "off camera" moments in fics