Fanfiction or no fanfiction? - Comments

I started off writing fanfic and actually really got into writing. I then tried to write original fiction and thought I was doing a pretty good job at it, but not one person on Mibba actually read my original fic. This then got me down, and disheartened so I didn't bother with it anymore and just went back to fanfic.

I hated fan fiction before I even read it. Just the fact that it was not original was enough to put me off. I then did get to read a fanfic and I swear it annoyed me. The character was acting and speaking in a way it wouldn't normally do and that just killed it for me. But then I read a couple of really great fanfics to the point that I would actually go looking for them. I think fan fiction is creative in its own way. I prefer original fiction though, I'm pro original and that is all I ever write, but I think if done well, fanfic is just as good as an original piece.

I write both fan fiction and original fiction, but fan fiction comes a little easier to me because my theory is fan fictional are always giant fantasies just written down. I don't care what anyone says, it the fan fic is not a slash/femmeslash the reader almost always likes to pretend they are the romantic love interest of the character form the fandom. I say this because most fan fic writers and readers are female but the same goes for the males.

So, as for fan fiction "not being creative" it actually is. Just because we don't create the fandom character doesn't mean we don't create characters at all. Part of creating a character is creating a background. Looks like those people have never heard of a little thing called alternate universes. The characters from the fandom aren't always who they are in real life. They'll always look the same, even if they're sporting a beard or a nasty facial scar, etc. But their personality isn't always the same, especially in AU's. I mean it's not us fan fiction writers are like "Oh yeah, I only ever re-write the Harry Potter movies word for word, action by action, and I just replace Hermanie (I don't know how to spell her name ) with my OC Jessica. That's the only difference. It's not different from the movie at all, she still falls in love with..."

I've seen about three Harry Potter movies so I don't really know anything about her so

But really. Using the based plot of the book/movie and not changing any events or dialogue is being uncreative. If you take a good look at 90% of the fan fiction ever written, most of it is not based like that. There are different ideas (the most cliche ones being kidnapping, one night stands, etc) they really don't go along with the fandom at all. I've been wholly in one fandom and they've played off of some of the real life events that happened with the band, but it's not like they take one of their tour DVDs or their documentaries and write it word for word and just write in an OC.

People who hate on fan fiction who are ignorant to learn about it It's one thing if you dislike fan fiction because you think it's creepy or whatever, but it's another to claim it's not creative. That's just disrespectful because when it comes down to it, it is creative. We don't fucking copy the real lifes/events of the band/movie/actor/book/etc. We simply use their characters and put them in a different plot line, and most of the time there are OCs included within that plot.

I write both fan fiction and original. I started off writing fan fiction which helped me gain confidence in my writing. Sure it's easier to write fan fiction but it's a great starting point. Many writers today like Cassandra Clare started off writing fan fiction. She started writing Lord of the Rings fanfics now she's the creator of her own world and has her own books out. So people shouldn't down fanfics, people have to start somewhere.

I love fanfiction. I mean I'm sitting here, writing a few fanfics on Supernatural, but I feel that that we all have to start somewhere and sometimes people start off writing original fiction or fanfiction. I started off writing a mixture of both when I was younger and I grew a bit more into fanfiction, but it's always a practice, especially if you're exploring the mind of a premade character to see what makes him tick. :)

I prefer reading fan fiction, especially when I'm feeling lazy, etc. Thinking about people who exist rather than imagining whole new virtual characters is easier for my lazy brain sometimes.

I prefer writing original fiction though because - and even though some of my fanfictions are pretty out there wackyo- I feel uncomfortable writing about people who could go online one day, google fanfictions about themselves and maybe, just maybe find my story.

I only write original fiction. The first time I wrote a fan fiction was two weeks ago and it was just a oneshot. You can grow as a writer without fan fiction. Fanfics are for those who are fans on something and by writing the express their love and admiration for that something. Original fiction is more for those who want to use their imagination on something original and later on if they getter better at writing, to publish their works. I'm not against fan fiction, I have already checked a bunch of them. That's just my own opinion on that matter. ~Marian.

I only write original fiction. The first time I wrote a fan fiction was two weeks ago and it was just a oneshot. You can grow as a writer without fan fiction. Fanfics are for those who are fans on something and by writing the express their love and admiration for that something. Original fiction is more for those who want to use their imagination on something original and later on if they getter better at writing, to publish their works. I'm not against fan fiction, I have already checked a bunch of them. That's just my own opinion on that matter. ~Marian.

So true. If I didn't start in fanfiction, I know for a fact that I would've never started writing original.

What The Zac said is presumptuous and frankly typical of an original fiction writer - when I started writing band fiction, I didn't receive a personality guide for these characters, I had to take the assumptions I had and expand on them. I don't see how that's any different from taking a picture from weheartit and centering your story around that person. Do you really think I know the inner workings of every single band member of the band I love?

(On a side note, my fanfiction has been praised a lot more highly than my original - and I write for a practically dead fandom)

I don't like Fan Fiction in any sense. For me personally, the mark of a great writer is the characters he or she creates, develops and evolves. If a writer is using already established characters and adding onto it, I think they skipped what's the most difficult and make or break aspect of writing.

And if it's about real people, like singers or whatever I just think it's plain creepy. If I were famous I'd be a little uncomfortable with 12 year old girls writing love/sex stories about me.

@Da Real Barack Obama

I agree with you entirely on the condition of the intended pairing otherwise what is the point but to prove how much of a fangirl/boy you are? lol But I also think that the style of writing needs to be considered as well, how well is it written for example or plot, to make a good story you need more than just great characters I think :)

Depending on the fandom/pairing, I love fanfiction. Don't know what I'd do without it sometimes.

Personally I prefer to write original fiction, that way you can choose if you want it to be that "special character" or someone entirely made up as you read. If that makes any sense