Ever since beginning my writing journey at age sixteen - nine years ago (today is my 25th birthday, yikes!) - I've always found myself writing original fiction while only reading fan fiction. I'm not sure what I found so attractive about each form and why exactly I only write one while only reading the other, but that's pretty much how it's been my entire life. Until last month.
I started getting original ideas but couldn't pull myself from imagining well known characters and individuals (Jai Courtney, Norman Reedus, Daryl Dixon, etc.) embracing the main role. Let's be honest, who hasn't come up with an idea while fantasizing in the shower. Now that I'm a new mom, I only get about 3-minute showers before the baby starts crying, but every time that I'm in there, my mind is running wild with new ideas.
Before I really start exploring the unfamiliar avenue of fan fiction, I wanted to reach out to those who are experienced with it. What is some advice you could give to a total noob like me? I suppose incorporating a fictional character into a story is much easier than an actual real life actor, but what are some tips that would help me with placing both forms into a fan fiction?
Like, if I'm using a real person like Johnny Depp as a main character, shouldn't I know his favorite color, all of his tattoos, and the way he speaks? Or do things like that not matter to you as a reader? I guess I'm a little paranoid about starting into a medium when I don't know one hundred percent everything there is to know about the people that I would write the fan fictions about. Is it okay to "make them your own?" Or would changing little bits about them bother you?
I'm not saying I'm going to dive into this right away. I have way too many original fictions I am currently posting to start yet another story, but I would like to hear everyone's thoughts so that when the time comes for me to begin something new, I can feel as prepared as possible. Thanks!
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