In recent years, fanfiction has taken the world by storm, transforming passionate fans into budding authors and providing a unique platform for creative expression, and it’s only growing in popularity. This unexpected yet powerful tool is helping countless writers hone their craft, build a loyal readership, and even transition into professional writing careers. But, it also allows published writers a creative outlet to anonymously work on their craft and get feedback, before constructing their ideas into a fully blown novel. They can explore different genres or experiment with their writing styles, all while gaining real and honest constructive criticism from their target audience.

It can be easy to consider fanfiction as “cheating” when it comes to writing, as you’re using characters that are not your own. But actually, it’s a remarkable way of developing a skill and talent in which you’re constantly learning, and should be considered the ultimate writing tool.

Understanding Fanfiction

Fanfiction, often abbreviated as “fanfic” is a genre of writing where fans create stories based on existing works, such as books, movies, television shows, or evel real-life celebrities (though I find this last one a tad weird sometimes.) It is a practice that stretches back decades, and was initially shared through printed zines among small fan communities. However, with the invention of the internet, fanfiction exploded in popularity, finding homes on platforms like Wattpad, Fanfiction.net and Archive of Our Own (AO3) – the latter of which has become the most favourable among readers and writers alike.

The History of Fanfiction

While fanfiction as we know it today is relatively new, the actual practice of it dates back centuries, with some of its early roots spanning back to Classical and Medieval times.

In ancient cultures, stories were often passed down orally, with each storyteller adding their own twists and details. For example, the Epic of Gilgamesh – one of the oldest known literary works in existence – likely evolved through such retellings and dramatizations. Works like Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey were constantly reinterpreted by different authors. Similarly, the Arthurian legends were expanded upon by writers like Chretien de Troyes and Sir Thomas Malory, each adding new characters and edventures to the existing mythos. Throughout the Renaissance, William Shakespeare’s plays inspired numerous adaptations, such as Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead which is a reimagining of Hamlet from the perspective of the two minor characters. And other works like John Milton’s Paradise Lost reinterprets the story of Genesis from the Bible, adding depth to characters like Satan and exploring themes of free will and redemption.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories spurred early fanfictions. After Conan Doyle attempted to kill of Holmes in The Final Problem, readers were so outraged that they wrote their own continuations and persuaded him to resurrect the character in The Adventure of the Empty House. Also during this time, penny dreadfuls and pulp magazines gained traction. These cheap, serialized publications often featured stories that borrowed heavily from existing works with characters like Zorro and The Shadow emerging from this tradition, blending elements of popular literature and creating new narratives that captivated readers.

Into the mid-twentieth century, fan communities around genres like science fiction and fantasy began to flourish, especially through fanzines (a non-official publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon). One notable example is the Star Trek fanzine Spockanalia, which published fan-written stories, poems, and essays starting in 1967. Additionally, the growth of fan conventions provided a space for fans to share their works with others, such as the first official Star Trek convention in 1972 which saw fans exchanging stories and building a sense of community.

Of course, the internet revolutionized fanfiction. Early online platforms like Usenet groups and mailing lists allowed fans to share their stories more widely. For example, the alt.startrek.creative newsgroup became a hub for Star Trek fanfiction back in the early 1990s. But, it really saw substantial growth in 1998, when Fanfiction.net became one of the first major websites dedicated to hosting fanfiction across a wide range of fandoms, from Harry Potter to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Today, fanfiction is perhaps the most popular it has ever been, especially with diverse platforms and communities whereby writers can share their work with readers. Sites like Wattpad have become popular for younger audiences, as it allows authors to share both fanfiction along with their own original works, and in some cases can lead to publishing deals (like Anna Todd’s After series, which began as One Direction fanfiction).

But perhaps the most popular and familiar site with readers is that of Archive of Our Own (AO3). Launched in 2008, AO3 is a nonprofit open source repsoity for fanfiction and fanworks contributed by users. Co-founded by author Naomi Novik (Uprooted, Spinning Silver), it has become one of the largest and most respected sites. It emphasises the legitimacy and creative values of fan-based works, hosting millions of stories across countless fandoms – from well known series such as Harry Potter, Supernatural, NCIS, and Criminal Minds, to small independent series and series in other languages, theatre shows, video games, and more.

Genres and Styles

Fanfiction is incredibly diverse, encompassing a multitude of genres from drabbles (works at exactly 100 words), one-shots (short standalone stories), to multi-chapter sagas, Alternate Universe (AU) adventures, to crossovers that blend multiple fandoms (such as Harry Potter/Hunger Games), and slash fiction focusing on romantic pairings. The freedom fanfiction provides allows writers to explore endless creative possibilities and experiment with new and unusual perspectives.

For example, in the AU genre you may find stories where Harry Potter attends a regular school instead of Hogwarts, navigating his teenage life with his magical abilities hidden. Crossovers can be as inventive as blending the worlds of Sherlock and Doctor Who, allowing fans to see their favourite characters interact in news ways, such as Sherlock and Watson solving mysteries alongside the Doctor. Slash fiction allows authors to explore romantic relationships that may not be present in the original works, such as Draco/Hermione from Harry Potter, Emily Prentiss/Jennifer Jareau from Criminal Minds, or Buck/Eddie from 911. (Slash fiction also include ‘ships’ that are present in the original works too. It is simply exploring the relationships between two characters by means of offering deeper character exploration and emotional narratives.)

Skill Development

Writing fanfiction is an excellent way to develop essential writing skills. Crafting stories helps improve grammar, structure, and pacing, all of which are crucial components of effective storytelling. For instance, writing a multi-chapter fanfiction set in the Criminal Minds universe requires meticulous plotting when it comes to the murder aspect and character development to maintain reader interest. Writing a story set in the Game of Thrones universe would also require the same level of planning but for the fantasy aspects of the narrative.

Fanfiction offers a safe space for writers to experiment with different styles and techniques and allowing them to find and refine their unique voice. It also provides a chance for writers to spot-focus on areas of their craft that they wish to develop, such as dialogue or setting without the added complication of having to craft intricate backstories of each character or worrying about world-building, as those things already exist within the original works. A writer may choose to practice their descriptive writing by detailing the intricate settings of Middle-Earth in a Lord of the Rings fanfiction, or perhaps attempting to develop their humour by writing a story centered around a sitcom.

Furthermore, it encourages creative thinking by allowing writers to reimagine established worlds and characters. This freedom fosters innovation, as writers can explore scenarios and plotlines without the constraints often found in commercial publishing. They can do almost anything, in any way, and explore the effect of these choices on the narrative, without fully committing to writing full-length novels (though there are some fanfictions out there over 100,000+ words.) A fanfiction may explore a “what if” scenario where Anakin Skywalker never turns to the the dark side in Star Wars, leading to an entirely new narrative where he raises his children within the Jedi Order. Or perhaps an NCIS fanfiction where Gibbs’ family is still alive; a Harry Potter saga where Harry dies at the end of the Battle of Hogwarts; or a Grey’s Anatomy story where Dr. Webber retires in season 1 like he always said he was going to.

It’s a playground for creativity, where the only limit is the writer’s imagination. Authors can experiment with genre-blending, such as writing a horror-themed version of The Hunger Games, where the tributes face supernatural threats; a romantic comedy set in the dystopian world of Divergent; or even a science fiction version of Top Gun where pilots are up against spaceships instead of planes.

Building a Community and Audience

One of the most significant advantages however of writing fanfiction is the immediate feedback that authors can receive from their readers and fellow writers. Fanfiction communities are known for their (usually) supportive and engaged members, who provide constructive criticism and encouragement, by means the hosting platforms allowing for comments on individual chapters of a story and likes/kudos on entire works. An author may receive comments about their plot placing and characters development, with readers mentioning things that feel OOC (out of character) and helping them to refine their story as they go, or they may bring attention to inconsistencies within the story that the writer has overlooked, and offer suggestions for enhancing tension and suspense.

These communities are also a fertile ground for networking. Writers can connect with others who share similiar interests, leading to collaborations and long-lasting friendships. These connections can be invaluable for personal growth and professional development, providing a network of support and resources. For example, fanfiction conventions and online forums allow authors to meet like-minded individuals, share tips, and even collaborate on joint projects such as a crossover fic between Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Twilight. These joint ventures can lead to new creative opportunities and enhance the skills of all involved, as writers learn from each other’s strengths and perspectives.

For me, one of the most exciting parts about publishing any work of fanfiction is the feedback from readers – to see how a work has been received. I adore the comments from readers where they inform me of how something made them feel – that a particular line made them cry, or the overall work made their heart burst with love and excitement. Alternatively, I am thankful for those constructive comments that highlight errors and flaws in the narrative, as the only way to be able to know if something doesn’t work, is by someone telling you. (However, I draw the line at people completely attacking someone’s work and pulling it to pieces – like the 28 paragraph comment I recently received on a work of mine that had nothing positive to say, and instead decided to aggressively insult my writing. But that’s for another post!)

Pathway to Professional Writing

Many successful authors began their careers by writing fanfiction. It serves as a crucial stepping stone to original storytelling, helping writers develop the skills and confidence they need to create their own worlds and characters. For example, E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey famously began as Twilight fanfiction, while Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series evolved from her Harry Potter fics.

The popularity of fanfiction can also lead to publishing deals. Some writers leverage their fanfiction success to attract the attention of literary agents and publishers. Tips for making this transition including polishing original stories, building a strong online presence, and being persistent in seeking publishing opportunities. For instance, Anna Todd’s After series began on Wattpad as fanfiction about the band One Direction, and eventually secured a major publishing deal and a movie adaptation. Todd’s story underscores the potential for fanfiction writers to achieve mainstream success by building on the support and enthusiasm of their fanbase.

Overcoming Stigmas

Fanfiction often faces misconceptions about its legitimacy as literature, as some regard it as “cheating,” due to the fact that authors are writing with background stories and characters that have already been substantially developed for them. Critics may dismiss it as being derivative and inferior, but they fail to draw attention to the creativity and skill involved in writing compelling stories. It’s true that anyone can write fanfiction. But not everyone can write good fanfiction. I have read my fair share of stories that skimp on setting and are mostly dialogue-based, with no thought for the characters or the plot. They are simply just scenes thrown onto a page without any regard for immersing readers into the narrative. But, there are many fanfictions out there that demonstrate high literary quality, complex plotting, and deep character development, that have taken as much thought and planning as that of original works.

One of the biggest examples of this is Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, a fanfic lauded for its intricate plot and deep philosophical questions, rivaling the original series in depth and engagement. Published between 2010 and 2015, the work consists of 661,619 words and 122 chapters, with 37,251 reviews. Another extremely popular story is Manacled by Senlinya on A03, which explores a world in the aftermath of the war where Harry potter is dead, and Voldemort enacts a repopulation effort. Published on the site in 2018, consists of 370,515 words with 77 chapters, 94,392 likes, and over 8.6 million hits. Such stories showcase the potential of fanfiction to offer sophisticated, thought-provoking narratives that stand on their own merits, and which are crafted with such consideration as that of an original novel.

Embracing Fanfiction’s Role

Fanfiction is much more than a hobby. It is a valid and valuable form of creative expression – a transformative tool that enhances writing skills and fosters community, and I truly believe it is important to recognize it as such. Writing fanfiction allows authors to take pride in their work, instilling a sense of accomplishment, as well as allowing for personal growth and a deeper appreciation for the craft of writing. By engaging with fanfiction, aspiring writers can unlock their inner author, develop their craft and build a dedicated readership… which may come in handy for the day they choose to write that NYT best-selling novel idea they have in their heads.

So, if you’re passionate about writing but have perhaps been hesitant to dive into the world of fanfiction because of the stigma attached to it, the best advice I can give is this: just do it. If you enjoy writing, and you love what you’re sharing, that is the most important thing. Use fanfiction writing for the incredibly powerful tool that it is, and let your creativity soar.

Featured Image: A screenshot of a multi-chapter NCIS fanfiction, titled The Oceans We Cross.