How does everyone feel about Fan Fiction?

writerbugg · Post by **writerbugg** » 27 Jul 2014, 16:27

When I discovered fan fiction years ago, I was excited. It seemed a cool way to get more stories with characters that you loved. After a while though, I didn't read anymore, because while there are good fan fic writers out there, I found most took twists and turns that I didn't care for. Just my personal preference.

Also, from an aspiring writer standpoint, I admit that it's fun to write. I wrote a couple myself in my teens. The thing is, while it's a good way to get yourself writing, but my instructors from university said that it was best to steer clear of fan fiction as your main source of inspiration, but in the long run, you wouldn't be able to use any of that in publication or as a writing sample for an advanced degree or employment.

Overall, I think it's a fun thing to do or read. But for me personally, I'd rather read original published stories.

Reading lady · Post by **Reading lady** » 27 Jul 2014, 19:08

I have never heard of this either. Can someone please fill me in? Is there much of it available? Where can you get I?

midgetgem · Post by **midgetgem** » 29 Jul 2014, 11:21

I really like fan fiction about celebrities. If you really like a certain celebrity and you have a passion for their work, then you should write about them if you enjoy and want to do that. I think most people hate fan fiction because they think it's all poorly written and full of smut, however there are many fanfictions out there that are very well written and very enjoyable to read. It is annoying when fanfictions with a lot of smut become popular (for obvious reasons) when they are quite poorly written and the storyline is terrible.

rjhaug · Post by **rjhaug** » 29 Jul 2014, 12:14

I don't understand what "Fan Fiction is"? Can someone please explain it? I am curious as to what it is about.

RobertManchester · Post by **RobertManchester** » 07 Aug 2014, 05:29

MandiKenendy wrote:I'm an avid reader but only read novels at the weekend or during the holidays when I have time to really get into them. During the week, when I only have a short amount of time to read, I read Fan Fiction.

I know that some people don't like fanfic because they don't like the idea of people using other people's characters and I was wondering how people felt about it.

Personally, if I really enjoy a book (or a film) then the first thing I do is go out and try and find fanfic about it.

Never read any but that's not to say I would never do so I guess when the mood takes me I will give it a go

Embracing_Madness · Post by **Embracing_Madness** » 07 Aug 2014, 06:37

I got to admit, it's one of my guilty pleasures. Sure, there's a lot of terrible fanfic out there, but there's also some really amazing ones too, some of which are good enough to be published, in my opinion.

*oh, and for those who aren't sure what it is - check out archiveofourown.org. Most of the best stuff I've seen are there (though you might find some hidden gems on livejournal or even fanfiction.net) - you can generally find them by filtering the archiveofourown fanfic results to list the fanfic with the most bookmarks or favorites.

Shinyfox · Post by **Shinyfox** » 07 Aug 2014, 09:14

I love fanfiction, but it seems like it's so hard to find a good writer. You have to sift through a LOT of bad fanfic before you find the real jewels.

Lin2412 · Post by **Lin2412** » 09 Aug 2014, 06:36

I used to read and write fan fictions. Of course, it felt comforting. You know, making up stories from your fandoms according to your own preferences. I think it helps aspiring writers start off somewhere definite.

annareads · Post by **annareads** » 09 Aug 2014, 14:16

I use to read it too, and I always thought it was cool how excited it got people about writing and reading and sharing their work. Sure, it's unoriginal, but it gets people in the habit of writing regularly (especially with fics that have regular installments and "to be continued..."). I think it does more good than harm.

And shinyfox, I totally agree: it's so hard to find good fanfic writers! But once you do it's so satisfying.

SparklingOne · Post by **SparklingOne** » 09 Aug 2014, 14:45

I have a bigger fascination with wattpad which is more of an outlet for new poets and authors. I figure anyone can change someone else's creation. I'm a lot more impressed when someone just building the abilities post their creations for others opinions. Check it out. Pretty impressive stuff.

RebekaV · Post by **RebekaV** » 20 Sep 2014, 19:48

I don't like reading or writing fan fiction. I think you really have to dig for good fan fics and I don't enjoy spending so much time with reading stuff that is not that well-written or creative. It is also quite possible to just daydream about the characters when you're bored, you don't have to read or write fan fiction to do it. But I did find some very good ones - it is a really satisfying feeling, as well as humbling if you write yourself to know that people out there can do it really well. It's a good learning opportunity for wannabe writers.

milliethom · Post by **milliethom** » 21 Sep 2014, 15:35

I've never read any fan fiction and I would never write it, although I know that thousands of people do both. I can't see the point in writing about characters and settings created by someone else. I know that some fan fic writers are extremely prolific and their work is very well written. But other fics are badly written and need a lot of editing before they can be enjoyable. So I agree with what Rebeka said, above - you have to dig. My daughter - who has a first class honors degree in English - can't read enough fan fiction. A few years ago she wrote an extended fic about Sirius Black from Harry Potter. So we continue to argue over the subject! Of course, her view is that if I haven't read any I can't argue about it. Perhaps she's right.

lisateb · Post by **lisateb** » 21 Sep 2014, 16:27

I am fine with Fan Fiction. It is a great writing exercise. Some people are highly creative and only feel comfortable writing in this genera and I think it should be encouraged. It can be a great starting place for someone, and something that will help fans of the stories or series get a little more from their favorite characters.

J_Fuh · Post by **J_Fuh** » 20 Sep 2015, 11:46

Sometimes I love fanfiction more than anything. More than books and more than any of my other hobbies. They can be great, and they can be awful. It's hard to find a good one after you've tried all the popular ones, but so good and so worth it while you're reading them.

LivreAmour217 · Post by **LivreAmour217** » 21 Sep 2015, 13:35

I don't read fan fiction often, but I respect it as means for budding authors to get in some practice. I've read some that were amazing, and others that were just too awful to finish, but I always take into consideration that many of the authors are very young and will likely improve over time.