An Ode to Fanfiction Writers - Comments

I honestly don't like fan fiction, but nonetheless it's still a genre and a piece of literature. In my opinion, fan fiction is like a stage in the adaptive process of becoming an author (I used to write it). With that said, I don't think anyone should really discriminate based on what type of story someone likes. I also don't really enjoy contemporary romance a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm going to discourage the authors of the genre.

But, I also think that the whole "fan fictions are so discriminated against >:c" attitude is blown out of proportion, especially in the online world. A lot of people in the outside world don't know of fan fiction and therefore cannot have an opinion on it, while pretty much anyone who is a member of an online fandom encourages fan fiction.

In short: real world = "Fan fiction??" half of the online world (like tumblr) = "GIMMIE DA FICS. I SHIP IT!!1!!1" everyone else = "lol whatever"

EDIT:

and if there is any prejudice against ffs, I'm guessing it comes from the real-life aspect of it that some people are writing about actual people and portraying them in possibly unrealistic/offensive/demeaning/distasteful ways.

@ fairyfeller
That's essentially what I meant. I'm not having a go... I write fan fic.

YES THANK YOU THIS IS BRILLIANT!!!

I think fanfic writers don't get a lot of credit and it's no fair because they do put the same amount of work into a story as an original fic writer. I totally agree with you on the tv/movie/book adaptations of classics and other stories. It's no different from other fanfictions.

@ Join the Masquerade
They're not really twisting it around, though. They're just writing their own interpretation of the characters.

I think it just makes those that don't write it and explore that world really uncomfortable. I mean, it's a weird thing to do. "I like this. I'm going to sit down and write 50000 words about how I can twist it around in my head."