A to Z Challenge asks bloggers to post every day except Sundays during the month of April on a thematic topic. This year, I’ll be covering writing genres.
Today’s genre:
Definition
Fiction written by a fan of, and featuring characters from, a particular TV series, movie, etc.
Tips
- Write about celebrities, movies, or characters you love — but make sure your subject has a mass appeal.
- The success of your story doesn’t depend on reinventing the wheel, it depends on you putting your work out there.
- Write a universal story that everyone will nod agreement with. Don’t include knowledge that’s not already out there.
- Pieces range in length from vignettes (1000 words) to short stories to full blown novels (50,000+ words).
- If your characters have to act out of character from the fiction they’re pulled from, your plot doesn’t work.
- Spelling and grammar count.
- Know the story on which your fanfic is based. Respect the rules of that story.
- Don’t expect to be paid for fanfiction. It’s for sharing, posting, enjoying.
Popular Books
- The Student Prince by FayJay
- Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky
- Fangirl by Ranbow Rowell
- Bond by Anna Fugazzi
- No Homo by Remain Nameless
More F Genres:
Click for complete list of genres
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, and the thriller, To Hunt a Sub. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning. The sequel to To Hunt a Sub, Twenty-four Days, is scheduled for May 2017. Click to follow its progress.
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Fanfiction -my own and so many other’s entryway into writing. I’ve faced some criticism for it – people think we aren’t creative enough to come up with our own stories. But I think a lot of people use it for beginning practice, getting used to story telling before they dive into the deeper roles of character development and world building. You still learn lessons on characterization and plot in a safe (usually supportive) culture.
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Well isn’t that a good point–this genre gets some started who wouldn’t otherwise. Thank you for that.
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I’ve never really understood what Fan Fiction is – I’m amazed that it has become successful. Thanks for the explanation Jacqui.
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I think it’s more of a passion than anything else–and I mean that in a good way. There’s a pure love of writing in fan fiction writers.
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Wonderful series Jacqui. Although this isn’t my favorite genre, it’s great to learn more about. 🙂
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For me, there just aren’t enough shows that motivate me to read endless fan fiction. Are there any Hercule Poirot’s anymore?
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Not that I’ve seen.
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I don’t read much of this, but I have read some that is good.
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It completely depends upon the author and how closely s/he links to the original story. At least, I think it does.
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I wrote Tolkien fan fiction for a time. It was fun. It’s inspiring.
I’ve heard multiple time that starting out by writing fan fiction may help newbee writers to hone their craft, because they don’t need to craft an entire world of their own. It may be, I mean, it makes sense.
It wasn’t my case, I started writing fan fiction a log time after starting writing. I had some good results too, but what frustrted me (and eventually made me stop) is that you’re not really the owner of those stories, you can’t do whatever you want with them.
I much prefer to have total control of what I write 😉
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
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That’s interesting. I didn’t know you didn’t own them, but it makes sense: You’re using someone else’s characters. Thanks for adding that info!
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I wrote fan fic for a short while. It was a great way to meet other writers and get stretch my writing muscles.
Discarded Darlings – Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction
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That’s how I see it, Jean: a community. I’m glad you mentioned that.
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The ultimate groupie! I can’t imagine doing this – maybe I’m too old. (Ya think?)
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Never too old. It is definitely for fun, not that ‘important’ literature that fuels brain cells.
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I know people who love writing and reading fan fiction 🙂 Thanks, Jacqui. Have a great weekend!
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I’m going to try to catch up on A to Z and get a few blog posts lined up for next week. What are you up to this weekend?
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TAXES! Ugh. I’m running out of time and haven’t even started. 😦 I’d rather be doing the A-Z challenge!
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Hi Jacqui – I could never get interested in fan fiction … and I certainly couldn’t get hooked into writing about someone who was ephemeral – at least in my eyes. But I see Sharon’s comment above … it will interest others and provide a different take on writing … I’d have to do a lot of homework before I could even start- not for me!
Cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/g-is-for-goose-gobbling-or-otherwise.html
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It’s a niche genre and I think the people who love it devour it. My son has a Kindle filled with fan fiction.
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I’ve never read or written fan fiction. I think that’s because I’m not a movie/film type of person.
It doesn’t make sense to me. What’s the reason for writing it? Is it a form of practise for when you write your own stories?
Since the story has to fall into an already-structured world, wouldn’t writing fan fiction actually inhibit one’s own creativity?
I’m just wondering to what extent dies it actually promote creativity?
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It is a form of practice writing, but I think the biggest motivation is community: Fan fiction writers love reading about that topic and want to share their stories with each other. I haven’t heard of any of the writers I listed, but according to Google they’re quite popular.
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Wow! I’m more impressed by your book about your daughter ….will definitely read it after this challenge is over
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I wanted to put out the human interest side of achieving what to many seems impossible. With a plan and the right attitude, it became reality.
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Until now, I never quite understood what fanfiction was all about. I guess it can be compared to Amazon’s Kindle World, although I believe fanfiction came before KW..
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I’m not familiar with Kindle World. Now, I’m off to Google it!
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Sometimes I like to read fanfiction, but I don’t really like to write it. Usually I read Harry Potter.
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I bet there’s a lot of Harry Potter fan fiction!
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I just learned of this genre about five years ago. Fangirl is on my TBR list… perhaps it’s time to move it to the top of the pile.
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Excellent! My TBR is so full , but I do wish I’d add a fan fiction.
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I have an aversion to the word celebrity. I’d rather write about the underdog, the unloved, the invisible. Each to their own I suppose,
Another day in Amble Bay!
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I’m with you on that, Keith. Maybe a Startrek fan fiction, or Spiderman, but not a real person.
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Not sure if I follow this genre at all!. Thanks for sharing the info.
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
G is for Grape Stomping in Bangalore #atozchallenge
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It’s a niche genre, I think. Though, quite popular in its own group. It reminds me of Steampunk in that certain people can’t get enough of it.
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Always love info and craft tips. Great post.
‘Enjoyed reading. Happy A to Z Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
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As a teacher, this one helps me understand my students better.
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Thank you for that. 🙂
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If your kids refuse to write, try fan fiction. Might be just what they’d love.
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That’s a good idea. I could see my oldest doing her own Star Wars story. The younger two love making stories up as they play with their princess dolls. Thanks for the tip!
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I’ve never heard of any of those! I’ll have to broaden my horizons.
Janet
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I hadn’t either before I began my research for this!
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Fan fiction is fascinating! Ive never tried it, but I like to imagine in my head “what if” stories about what happens to my favorite characters “after”…
A-to-Z-er Jetgirl visiting via Forty, c’est Fantastique
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You may be perfect for this genre. Try it!
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Maybe I will 🙂
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I have never tried my hand at fan fiction but I know several writing friends who do regularly. Fan fiction seems somehow harder to me than making up my own stuff.
Secrets Theme (AC)
Decadent Kane Visiting from the A-Z Challenge
Paranormal Romance Author
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That’s interesting. There are big forums I understand to write, talk about, and give it away.
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I’m just wondering about copyright issues? Can one write fan fiction if the original author objects?
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
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It varies from one to another. Always good to check them out. What doesn’t vary is the ability to use images: Just forget that.
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My daughter is a big fan of fan fiction – she always has her nose buried in her iPad reading stories people have shared.
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I hear that. Thanks for sharing that. It’s amazing and probably sets at least a few on the path to being writers.
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I teach creative writing, and I’m amazed at how many of the ‘younger’ writers who take my class (20-25) write fan fiction. Quite a different genre – thanks for explaining it more here.
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What a great tool to get them in love with writing. It does have its characteristics and must be done well or no one will read. They might also like Twitter novels.
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Ah, never heard of Twitter novels – short and sweet, huh?
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These genres are so interesting thank you …
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Who would think there are so many!
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Thanks, Jacqui! I’m curious, have you ever written fan fiction?
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Never, and it doesn’t appeal to me. It seems a lot of work making sure your character and worlds fit someone else’s structure.
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My thoughts exactly! 🙂
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Hi, just discovered your blog. I’ve written fan fiction at my blog and you’re right, it’s for sharing and enjoying, and just plain fun.
“Female Scientists Before Our Time”
http://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/
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Thanks for affirming that. I like that side of it. There seems to be no intent at commercialization.
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