by Milica Filipovic
By definition, fanfiction is a form of literature that derives its characters and other aspects of the storyline from pre-existing published works. For most readers, fanfiction has become a cure for the heartache of finishing a good story. It gives writers and readers alike an opportunity to follow the characters they’ve grown attached to as they explore new adventures from different writing styles. While fanfiction often cannot be published, it has many benefits for struggling writers. So, how can indulging in fanfiction benefit your own writing? Here’s a few good reasons to pick up this hobby.
1. Instant writer’s block cure: Not having to do all the work
Coming up with a world of your own is a challenge to say the least. To go through the process of creating characters and relationships and settings can drain the energy from any hard working writer. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to start with characters and backstories already prepped for you? Well… I think you know where this is headed. When writing fanfiction, you’re simply building off already established characters and placing them in new plotlines. Many writers take this approach to get through rough patches of their WIP. When your main project seems too daunting and puts too much pressure on you to write, fanfiction could be an alternative to get your brain thinking. Additionally, writing fanfiction means you cannot publish any work you create (unless you change the details to avoid plagiarism claims) and it won’t encourage you to abandon your WIP. Some popular novels that started out as fan fiction are the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer and The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. In short, if you’ve got a bad case of writer’s block you should sit down and write a new story set in a universe that’s already created.
2. Reconnecting with your writing
While fanfiction is considered “not a real form of writing” by some authors, it has a reputation for taking root in readers’ hearts. Writing fanfiction can be an emotional experience for yourself and anyone you choose to share your work with. For readers, fanfiction lets them connect with characters they love on a deeper level. A well known beloved fanfic that had readers brought to tears is “All The Young Dudes” which can be found on an online nonprofit for fanworks. The story was written in the Harry Potter universe during the time of the marauders and has since grown a large following. This example is one of the ways readers have renewed their admiration for their childhood novels all through the help of fanfiction. However, for writers, fanfiction stems to a greater extent from a longing for more content. Writers have the unique ability to pick up a story from where it left off and make it their own. This type of literature forms personal connections between the creators of fanfics and the stories they’ve adapted. Many writers find joy in reconnecting with the books they cherished when they were younger. It’s a reminiscent feeling to look back on these characters with a new perspective and take them on new journeys. Not only can writing fanfiction help you connect with your childhood novels, it can also help you revive your love for your WIP. By exploring other author’s characters in depth, you are bound to find some similarities to your own characters. Fanfiction can help you dig deeper into your characters’ and make them more 3D for your audience to truly understand their actions.
3. Perfecting your craft
The same way writers do exercises or short stories or prompts to enhance their skills, fanfiction can serve the same purpose. If you’re looking to brush up on your skills and style, writing fanfiction could be a fun and creative approach to this goal. A few examples of skills you could practice while writing are descriptive imagery, plot development, and in general, letting your personal style flourish. By taking the pressure off your conscience that your story needs to be amazing, you can freely nurture your hobby and build confidence in your writing without the added risks of failure.
While writing fanfiction won’t necessarily make you famous, it can and will benefit you as a writer in many other ways. If you’ve got writer’s block or are just looking for something new to try out, why not fanfiction? We sure think it’s a great idea!
References:
Sutton, Jandra. “3 Reasons Why I Love (And Write) Fanfiction | by Jandra Sutton.” Medium, 8 February 2017, https://medium.com/@jandralee/3-reasons-why-i-love-and-write-fanfiction-d15c0a140e6e. Accessed 24 February 2024.
“Fanfiction: Why Every Novelist Should Write It.” The Novel Smithy, 26 February 2019, https://thenovelsmithy.com/why-write-fanfiction/. Accessed 24 February 2024.
McMinn, Jessica A. “5 Benefits Of Writing Fan Fiction (And Why You Shouldn't Dismiss It) – Writer's Edit.” Writer's Edit, https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/5-benefits-of-writing-fan-fiction-and-why-you-shouldnt-dismiss-it/. Accessed 24 February 2024.
“The Benefits of Reading Fanfiction for Students' Writing Skills.” The Baltic Times, 11 April 2023,https://www.baltictimes.com/the_benefits_of_reading_fanfiction_for_students__writing_skills/. Accessed 24 February 2024.
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