Fanfiction is writing based on movies, TV shows, video games, and other creative works that already exist. It extends or builds on the work of other successful creators – most often without their consent.
Fanfiction writers use the characters, setting, plot, or other creative elements from these works to create their own work of fiction.
Writers of fan fiction typically share their work online in dedicated forums or groups for other fans of the original creative work.
Fanfiction is rarely if ever, published in a traditional sense, and is typically read-only by other fans of the original creative work.
Many people have opinions about whether fan fiction is a good or a bad thing. Regardless, it is a hugely popular medium for writing and exists for just about every creative work you can think of.
From successful book and movie franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Twilight to cartoons and video games like Pokemon and Final Fantasy there's something for every taste.
So, whether you're a seasoned fan fiction writer or someone who is considering giving it a go, you might wonder: is writing fanfiction good practice for your writing?
Yes, it is. Any writing is good practice, but fan fiction can be a great opportunity for you to flex your creative muscles for a range of reasons.
If you're going to try it, here are some points you might like to consider.
Perfect for beginners
Fanfiction is a great gateway drug into fiction writing. It can be much less daunting to start out writing fiction this way.
You can relax knowing that a lot of the heavy lifting has been completed by someone else, and you can just get straight into the writing part.
World-building which is complex and difficult for even the most experienced of writers – is not a problem when you're writing fan fiction, because someone has already done it for you.
It's a great opportunity to test out your writing skills without having to worry too much about how unique all the elements of your story might be. Just write and see what happens.
Writing fanfiction also gives you an opportunity to share your work with a supportive audience something that is not always easy to find for writers just starting out.
As you are writing about characters and worlds that already have a fanbase, your writing automatically has a potential fanbase too.
An extension of fandom
The pressure is off when you write fan fiction, making it the ideal way to practice your writing. It's not a serious or stuffy form of writing, because it's created as an extension of fandom.
In short, it's done for the pure love of it.
People who read fan fiction want to spend more time in the world they love so much. They want to connect with others who share their passion.
This means you get a captive and interested audience to try out your creativity on. An audience who is already on your side and invested in your writing before they even start reading.
Writers of fan fiction can also enjoy some unique social connections, which can help you with your writing.
These writers often hang out online and in the actual world together, meaning you get the bonus of creating some lasting and meaningful writing connections.
Makes writing fun
Are you suffering from writer's block? Writing fan fiction might be the way out of it, even for seasoned writers.
It allows you to step outside your own creative bubble and into the world of other creators to get the creative boost you need.
If you're stuck with your own writing, fan fiction allows you to get out of your own head and let your creativity flow. It can help you take your writing a little less seriously and focus on what's important: the storytelling.
Remove the pressure by getting into the writing flow and having fun with your writing.
It can also help you get out of your writing funk if you create a story that differs completely from the project you're trying (and failing) to work on.
Allow your creativity to blossom without restraint, writing for the sheer joy of it rather than with a focus on publication or becoming an award-winning writer (that can wait for another day).
Study story elements from the masters
Fanfiction allows writers of all kinds to learn skills and techniques from expert creators.
The majority of fan fiction centers around works that have already seen a sizeable amount of success – and there's a reason these works draw people in and inspire them to extend on the original work.
You can learn a lot from studying the world-building, character creation, and setting of other creative works, especially successful ones.
Take some time to think: how are the worlds created so they seem realistic to the audience? Why are the characters so likable (or hateable)?
What is it that keeps people interested years after the creation of the work?
Try to recreate this level of excitement and interest in your own fan fiction writing. And then, later, you can try to use the same principles to create your own unique piece of fiction writing
However, it is important to remember that you are borrowing the creative work of someone else when you write fan fiction.
The characters, settings, and worlds you are writing about are not your own creations, so you need to treat the practice with respect – and not as a viable career path in and of itself.
If you're going to write fan fiction, use it as an opportunity to flex your creative muscles and to have fun.
Most of all, though, use it to share your love of other creative work and to create connections with others in the fandom you're writing about.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου