Fan Fiction: Where Stories Never End

Fan Fiction is a type of writing where fans of a certain book or series of books, movies, or other serialized entertainment keep the story going, even after the original author has finished writing.  It is written by fans, who mostly try to stick as closely to the way things were in the original works as possible, especially when it comes to characterization and motives.  Fan fiction writers call the established way an original author portrays things and characters “canon.”

Fanfiction is frequently published in a serialized format, online, as a “work in progress” or WIP.   New chapters are published in a sequential order, sometimes the moment they are completed, and stories following some of the most popular series’ enjoy large followings of readers. A fan fiction writer sometimes elects to have editorial work done to his or her writing;  the editor is called a beta reader.  Writing a new chapter may take anywhere from one single day to half a year or more.

The Internet is the best natural medium for fan fiction writers to share their work.  For example:  we all know that the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is complete.  It ended with the seventh book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  But in the world of fan fiction, hundreds more adventures of the young wizard and his friends and enemies can be found — some as sequels to the existing canon by the original author, and others featuring alternative story lines. The same can be said of Stephenie Myers’ Twilight Saga and it’s enthusiastic fan fiction following.  Most fan fiction authors enjoy getting feedback from their readers, and actively solicit it as payment for their work.  They do not, and legally cannot, be paid money for writing the stories, since their creating authors own the copyrights.

Writers often use bulletin boards, forums, and weblog software such as Livejournal or Blogger to post their serialized writings.  These offer the perfect place for their stories to receive attention, and where readers can give them feedback instantly.  Some fan fiction authors are famous on the Web for their lengthy and well written stories, often rivaling the authors who created the characters and worlds they have decided to write about.

 

One Response to “Fan Fiction: Where Stories Never End”

1. Cammy says:

   July 22, 2011 at 3:26 pm

   I usually love to write fan fiction about my favorite tv shows and occasionally anime. They let my imagination run wild and are the way I wind down after the day.

   Reply