Saturday 6 April 2013

F is for Fanfiction

I've never written fanfiction. It's only in the past year or so that I've read any.

Before I read any I assumed it was all poorly-written rubbish, but you know what they say when you assume things ... that you've supposed something to be true without any evidence (that's what they say, right?) Don't get me wrong, a lot of fanfiction is pretty awful; after all, liking a television show, film or book doesn't mean you'll be any good at writing about it.

So imagine my surprise when I discovered that there's a lot of fanfiction out there that's actually really great. That there are people who can take characters whom they didn't create and write interesting, clever and compelling stories about them. So far I've stuck with what I know and have only read 'Stargate' and 'Sanctuary' fanfictions, but I'd be open to suggestions if you've found (or even written) some gems.

Question: What are your thoughts, good, bad or ugly about fanfiction?

(N.B. Fanfiction.net is an excellent place to start if you're interested in reading fanfics. They have pretty much everything there.)

9 comments:

  1. I haven't read or written any, but I imagine people get creative and imaginative with other people's characters.

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  2. You know ... I've made the same ASSUMPTION about fan fiction. It would be nice if there were a dedicated blog (maybe there is?) that reviewed and rated fan fiction, so the rest of us would know better where to start reading the good stuff! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday!

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  3. I've kind of been a bit snobby about it too, I guess I thought people should make up their own characters. But I've heard a lot about it recently and indeed met people online who've written it. I'm willing to let go of those preconceptions.

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  4. I'm almost embarrassed to say I'm not overly familiar with fanfiction. Needless to say, I haven't read any. It's good that you don't assume anymore, I think it's hard to lump all books in one genre into 'poorly written' or anything else.

    Have fun with a-z.

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  5. I didn't even know what fanfiction was until this blog post. I love this blog tour because I am learning a lot. I'd love to hear more on this topic.

    I'll be back for Monday's post.

    Be well,
    Dana
    Waiter, drink please!


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  6. I've heard about it for years, but have never read any.

    Dropping by from A to Z. It's my first year participating.

    Brett Minor
    Transformed Nonconformist

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  7. Yeh thats so true, i just assumed that itd be rubbish too... despite my WANTING to write about various characters ive met in the past etc.. ive always thought it a little bit like cheating.

    then again, is any idea new? didnt someone say that ideas all stem from something else anyway? fanfiction is surely just slightly more obvious than plagerism, at least theyre admitting theyve plagerised and are proud of it!

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  8. Fanfiction is cool.....I have been reading them for a while! Definitely more since Sanctuary has been in my life :) Good topic dude! xxx

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