Opinions on Fanfiction? Love, hate, tolerate?

[ellekaldwin]

I know it can be divisive, but I love and actively engage in fan works on various platforms. Even way back in the day during the early times of Web 2.0 where everyone had a website or a forum or a LiveJournal that they posted and talked about fanfic. It used to be a topic that was only talked about in dark corners of the internet or amongst nerds in the hallways at a convention, but now I see people openly discuss it and some people prefer to read fanworks over new traditional books.

And to be even more cringe and embarrassing on main, my first foray into writing was writing fanfiction! It was terrible and not well written at all, but it was cathartic, ya know? It allowed me to explore a new craft and discover a new passion.

Anyway, I'm just curious about everyone else's opinions on fanworks - if y'all have written or read any fanfiction, or given that some people here are published authors themselves, if they have a different opinion on the matter.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!

 

[Naomasa298]

I'm afraid it falls into the "things you would never write" for me.

 

[Trish]

Like Naomasa, I would never consider writing it and that's always been my opinion. For me, it feels like blatant plagiarism, no matter what the laws say about transformative use and whatnot, and that's just not something I can participate in. I also don't read it, though someone could post it or send it to me and unless I'm familiar with the characters I know I wouldn't have any idea.

That said, I understand why people do it and creative outlets are good for everyone. I know some authors embrace it. I'm not certain how I'd feel if it happened to something I wrote, but I would hope I'd have the grace to be flattered that my characters were loved that much (or hated, you know, feelings are better than nothing).

 

[Naomasa298]

One thing that particularly gets me is when someone tries to write an anime fanfic, set in Japan but without really understanding the culture or setting and basing it entirely on what they've seen in anime or manga.

But the most egregious examples of fanfiction? The Dune books that were not written by Frank Herbert, but by his son and Kevin J. Anderson. Neither of them understand the setting, and have basically just turned it into some kind of Star Wars-esque setting. I don't care that Brian is Frank's son, it's still BAD fanfiction.

 

[Luxuria]

I personally love fanfiction. I write some and also read some. I think it's a very good writing exercise and also is a fun thing to enjoy. I think some fandoms are crazy, but I don't let that get me down. I think it's a different type of writing genre that can be appreciated.

Also, I appreciate fanfiction, because there are so many things you won't find in mainstream stories. I enjoy reading/writing angst/tragedy stories and so many touch on topics most mainstream books won't handle without kid-gloves/moral lectures/excuses, etc. In fanfic, dark topics can be fun and an enjoyable read that pulls on the heartstrings and keep you reading. In my opinion, a good angst fic ends in death (or near death)- one way or another.

As for you writing fanfic, don't be ashamed! I started there too and it helped me learn HOW to write. Also, it helps your creativity, because you have all the story pieces, but you get to arrange them how you see fit. It's a really fun thing to do. When I publish my stories, I will allow my readers to write Fanfiction of it. Because I want to give back to all the people who helped me become a writer.

Also, on the plagiarism note: If a writer doesn't want fanfic written of their work, they should state it. But I swear it won't help sales. I don't read Anne Rice and several other authors, because they won't let readers do what they do. Also, fanfic is written for free and asking for money is a 'no-no'. This is just a bunch of adults swapping stories that might be on paper back in the old days. Are there pairings that would make your eyes burn? Yes. Are there also really good stories that make you cry? Yes. But anyway, overall, I think most fanfiction is good and trying to shut it down is working against your fans.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

I agree with Luxuria. I didn't grow up with English (I didn't even start speaking English until I was in my early teens), so the first thing I wrote, at about age 18, was fanfiction. Aside from being fun, it was also a way for my to practice a language that was new to me. I'd read a lot of fiction up to that point, but never tried writing anything longer than a school essay.

Was it bad? Parts of it were, sure. They make me cringe now. But parts of it weren't. Some parts were wholesome, some were sad, some were funny. It was uneven. But it was an exercise in creative writing.

To me, the most important thing was that I was doing it for free. I respected the original author far too much to ask for money.

Has my writing grown since then? Absolutely. But would I have gotten this far without fanfiction? Absolutely not. Everything must have a beginning.

 

[edamame]

I wrote fanfiction (based off of non-literature media) and loved the community that was built around sharing that and fanart. Fanfiction tends to stay in certain circles. You don't come across it randomly. You have to seek it in certain archives or social media spaces. Most fans know the boundaries. So, I don't see the harm in it, if the fans aren't making money off of a work that's copyrighted. Also, there is plenty of published "fanfiction" out there. For example, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Or ANY retelling of a Greek myth.

 

[Trish]

But anyway, overall, I think most fanfiction is good and trying to shut it down is working against your fans.

Like I said, I would think (hope) I'd just be grateful and flattered if my characters were taken this way. I don't look down on anyone who does it, I just have zero desire to do it I'm a person who taught myself to type by typing out books, word for word, punctuation for punctuation, on a word processor and an old desktop. I didn't keep them of course, but I don't think I have a lot of room to talk when it comes down to it

 

[Homer Potvin]

I can see how it would help writers get their start. Particularly the chopping wood, shoveling snow aspect of bulk word play. Everyone has ideas but very few can do the actual work, so if you practice that with someone else's ideas and gain the sense of, shit, this is a LOT of a work, more power to you.

 

[Naomasa298]

Or ANY retelling of a Greek myth.

There's a line between fanfiction and reinterpretation. It's very blurred, but I wouldn't, for example, say the West Side Story is a fanfiction of Romeo and Juliet.

 

[edamame]

There's a line between fanfiction and reinterpretation. It's very blurred, but I wouldn't, for example, say the West Side Story is a fanfiction of Romeo and Juliet.

In fanfiction, that would be Romeo and Juliet set in an Alternate Universe of 1950s America.

 

[MoonChild]

I like it. I used to write it and I still - sometimes - read it too. Some of mine are still on AO3.

 

[Naomasa298]

Hey, if you want to write it and it brings you pleasure and enjoyment, go for it. I just don't read or write it myself, but I wouldn't say you shouldn't do it.

 

[Luxuria]

In fanfiction, that would be Romeo and Juliet set in an Alternate Universe of 1950s America.

On the streets of 1950’s New York two gangs clash and two enemies struggle with a forbidden attraction. Latino!Romeo Latina!Juliet Romeo/Juliet ignore my bad summary. First fanfic. Smut.

 

[edamame]

On the streets of 1950’s New York two gangs clash and two enemies struggle with a forbidden attraction. Latino!Romeo Latina!Juliet Romeo/Juliet ignore my bad summary. First fanfic. Smut.

 

[Naomasa298]

Romeo wasn't Latino in West Side Story...

 

[Night Herald]

I don't stretch as far as love or hate, and while I don't read or write fanfiction anymore I certainly have to honor it.

It's not where I got my start in writing, but the first stories I considered actually good were Warhammer 40K fanfiction, and from about age 16 to 19 it was pretty much all I wrote. I never wrote fanfic for anything else, apart from a couple attempts at Warhammer Fantasy stories.

I had great fun with it back in the day. 40K was my big teenage obsession, I had a relatively solid grasp on the different factions, the tech and weapons they used, the political landscape, the galactic history and so on. That isn't to say I didn't take liberties and commit a few lore heresies, I certainly did. As a relative beginner I found it helpful to have that established framwork, but still enjoy the creative freedom offered by such a big and diverse setting with lots of blank spots. I didn't have to invent the minutia of the world, I could just dive right in and tell fun stories. I also read Warhammer fanfics by others in that same period.

My only dealings with fanfiction since then was those handful of times a good friend of mine wrote some highly, uuuuh, experimental mismash stuff. I served as editor and creative consultant on those projects.

Don't see myself writing fanfiction again, it no longer appeals to me, much more fulfilling to work within my own bespoke settings. But it was definitely an important stage in my journey!

If I should ever "make it" to the extent that people write fanfiction of my stuff, well, I suppose I'd be thrilled, but I would probably not read any of it—if only for fear that someone else out there does it better than me. I don't need to see that.

 

[DLC]

Wasn't Romeo 40 and Juliet 14 or some shit? I forget. An early Nabokov. idk.

I don't write fanfic or read it, but I think we should let people enjoy things and write all the Harry Potter they like.

 

[buttercream]

I love fanfiction and will scream so from the rooftops. Lately, I've done more fic writing than fic reading, but I adore both. Fanfiction is a wonderful thing. We get to explore characters we love, their dynamics, and the worlds they live in, all while trying to stay within the parameters set by canon. It's challenging but exciting and rewarding.

It's always disheartening to pop into a writing space and see fic writers try to downplay their interest in fanfiction because of the stigma. Yes, much fanfiction is of poor quality. Yes, fandom culture sucks. Yes, one is free to view it as plagiarism. But, no, writing fanfiction doesn't make someone any less of a writer than those who strictly write originals. This isn't a dig at anyone here; I've seen people elsewhere imply or outright say that's how they feel, and that's ridiculous. Fanfic takes just as much time and effort as originals. Maybe a little less intensive planning depending on the story, but planning a good writer does not make.

My first fiction works were fanfiction, too, long before I knew what fanfic was. They were not great! My first non-fanfic fiction works were also not great! Practice will build skill no matter what genre you write for. There's nothing shameful about writing fanfiction, even if you're past the beginning of your writing journey. Unless you're trying to make money off it. Don't do that.

Since others are discussing it, I'll add that I'd love to see people write fanfic for my works! People liking my work so much they dedicate their energy to write their own spins on it would be such an honor. But I most definitely wouldn't read them because I'd be annoyed to see mischaracterization, weird ships, etc.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

I wrote fanfiction (based off of non-literature media) and loved the community that was built around sharing that and fanart. Fanfiction tends to stay in certain circles. You don't come across it randomly. You have to seek it in certain archives or social media spaces. Most fans know the boundaries. So, I don't see the harm in it, if the fans aren't making money off of a work that's copyrighted. Also, there is plenty of published "fanfiction" out there. For example, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Or ANY retelling of a Greek myth.

Heh. I reinterpreted the story of Perseus and Medusa as "Perseus has to do the same thing, but without any supernatural help - just gods that bug him all the time." =P I wouldn't call that fan-fiction.

Wasn't Romeo 40 and Juliet 14 or some shit? I forget. An early Nabokov. idk.

I don't write fanfic or read it, but I think we should let people enjoy things and write all the Harry Potter they like.

Let's be clear: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is not original by any means. It is based on a long narrative poem by Arthur Brooke titled The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet, published in 1562, and and retold in prose in Palace of Pleasure by William Painter in 1567. Shakespeare expanded the stories, especially the parts of Mercutio and Paris.

Brooke's poem was itself a translation of Italian stories by Luigi da Porta and Matteo Bandello, and a French version by Boaistuau also influenced the narrative.

The original Italian versions, and potentially Brooke's, were influenced by the ancient Greek myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, as told by Ovid in his Metamorphoses, which also features a story of forbidden love and tragic deaths. (Pyramus and Thisbe are quite possibly the originals). There is also Ephesiaca by Xenophon of Ephesus, written in the 3rd century, which contains several similarities to the play, including the separation of the lovers, and a potion that induces a deathlike sleep. (See here for more: Romeo and Juliet (Sources) - Wikipedia).

Shakespeare very skillfully used poetic dramatic structure, including effects such as switching between comedy and tragedy to heighten tension, the expansion of minor characters, and numerous sub-plots to embellish the story). He certainly had plenty of dramatic skill. But to call Romeo and Juliet original is to ignore the debt he owes to the previous authors.

Anyway, all this mention of romantic duos reminds me of one of my favourite songs ...