Fanfiction opinions
What are your honest thoughts on fanfiction attempts.
I ask because I haven't written or drawn anything in years.
Then I found Black Butler and I thought the story line was brilliant, the characters were wonderful and I got the bug...I wanted to write my own take on it (mainly because after the first season *talking anime here, not the manga* I felt like it lost something and I hated the way it ended, so I wanted to have an alternate ending lol).
I have never ventured into the muddy waters of fandom before, so you can imagine my shock when I saw what was considered popular out there. Here I was trying to keep the tone and characters as close as I could to "canon" while introducing new characters and events...and nada. But SuzieQ's fanfic entitled "My Black Butt-ler" and written in the style of "Sebastian and multiple characters X reader" (<-- fictional author...any resemblance to authors living or dead is completely coincidental
) was packed with tons of reads and rave reviews.
Obviously I was confused. I thought fanfics were supposed to be about the characters and reasonable scenarios that could kinda parallel or branch off from the original work.
What do literary writers and readers in general think about fanfics and their place in the grand scheme of things...and what do you all find acceptable and unacceptable when writing one?
I haven't posted mine as it isn't finished and I'm not too sure about if you can update a work periodically or not.
Thanks for your time and opinions <3 ~ Candace Lee
I ask because I haven't written or drawn anything in years.
Then I found Black Butler and I thought the story line was brilliant, the characters were wonderful and I got the bug...I wanted to write my own take on it (mainly because after the first season *talking anime here, not the manga* I felt like it lost something and I hated the way it ended, so I wanted to have an alternate ending lol).
I have never ventured into the muddy waters of fandom before, so you can imagine my shock when I saw what was considered popular out there. Here I was trying to keep the tone and characters as close as I could to "canon" while introducing new characters and events...and nada. But SuzieQ's fanfic entitled "My Black Butt-ler" and written in the style of "Sebastian and multiple characters X reader" (<-- fictional author...any resemblance to authors living or dead is completely coincidental
) was packed with tons of reads and rave reviews. Obviously I was confused. I thought fanfics were supposed to be about the characters and reasonable scenarios that could kinda parallel or branch off from the original work.
What do literary writers and readers in general think about fanfics and their place in the grand scheme of things...and what do you all find acceptable and unacceptable when writing one?
I haven't posted mine as it isn't finished and I'm not too sure about if you can update a work periodically or not.
Thanks for your time and opinions <3 ~ Candace Lee
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I enjoy reading and writing fan fiction. 
Another fanfic lover What do you like writing about?
What do you like writing about?
After watching a dramatic fan-fic reading of The Return to the Island of Cyborg Doctor Moreau, I never trusted fanfiction again.
Lol...That sounds traumatizing XD
It was.
I think some popular anime right now, just like tokyo ghoul, nisekoi, fate zero, full metal alchemist brotherhood or something.
I'm sorry...I was tryint to make out what you said lol.
You think what about those anime? Were they originally fanfics or were they made into them later? It just seems your thought got cut off somehow
You think what about those anime? Were they originally fanfics or were they made into them later? It just seems your thought got cut off somehow
I write fanfiction in my spare time. Partly to help practise my writing
I think it is great practice...I have reread mine several times and I always find places that need improvement or areas that just don't gel with the rest of the story...it will certainly help you
If you have time, check out the stuff I've written. I could always use some feedback.
(Sorry for the shameless self plug. I couldn't resist)
(Sorry for the shameless self plug. I couldn't resist)
Sure. What fandom do you write about? (It will be later today...I have to jump in the shower, haven't done that yet this morning and my dog is beginning to think I stink 
)
)The first thing I ever wrote was a Pokemon fanfiction. It's not brilliant but we all have to start somewhere. I'm currently working on a big epic crossover fanfiction
Nothing wrong with that. I'm not familiar with Pokemon at all, but anything you like and are inspired by is up for grabs, as far as I'm concerned. I'm writing my first one now and so Black Butler is my beginning.
Good luck on your writing!
Good luck on your writing!
For me Fanfiction is the same as Fanart, only a written version. You pretty much get the same in both, there are the ones who make their own characters, those that stick to the canons, the pornos, pretty much everything.
I'm not much of a Fanfic writer myself but the way I'd go about it is pretty much the same as with art in which I'd try to capture how I interpret the characters. Some will like it, some won't, that's just how things work I'm afraid.
As long as you like/enjoy the thing your making, someone, somewhere will too.
I'm not much of a Fanfic writer myself but the way I'd go about it is pretty much the same as with art in which I'd try to capture how I interpret the characters. Some will like it, some won't, that's just how things work I'm afraid.
As long as you like/enjoy the thing your making, someone, somewhere will too.
"As long as you like/enjoy the thing your making, someone, somewhere will too."
Great outlook. I've been talking to a few people about the shipping fanfics, and they've pointed out some good things I was missing that helped me understand the whole romance phenomena. I still don't like the porn ones, but I can see how the romance ones can be judged too harshly now.
But like you say...to each their own (OK I summarized but still lol)
Thanks for your opinion!
Great outlook. I've been talking to a few people about the shipping fanfics, and they've pointed out some good things I was missing that helped me understand the whole romance phenomena. I still don't like the porn ones, but I can see how the romance ones can be judged too harshly now.
But like you say...to each their own (OK I summarized but still lol)
Thanks for your opinion!
Fanfiction has been warped to mean a lot of things now instead of just about what would happen of if this event was different. For some, it means getting two characters you like to put together and have then get together (or just have them in mindless porn). For others it's taking the names and terms and placing them in a Alternate Universe.
For me as a fanfic writer, it's trying to be loyal to the characters, while adding in more possible stories they could have, or seeing what would happen if I changed one minor detail.
While self-inserts are a form of wish fulfillment, I avoid those like the plague due to them being so low quality 99% of the time.
Fanfiction can be good, most can be bad. But it's a good starting point for writers and sometimes it is worth it slogging through all the crappy fanfictions to find those rare gems that are sometimes better than the source material.
I'm currently working on a giant crossover series, and instead of posting as I go along, I will start posting once it's done to keep my audience around, and while uploading I can work on the next fanfiction and then rinse and repeat.
For me as a fanfic writer, it's trying to be loyal to the characters, while adding in more possible stories they could have, or seeing what would happen if I changed one minor detail.
While self-inserts are a form of wish fulfillment, I avoid those like the plague due to them being so low quality 99% of the time.
Fanfiction can be good, most can be bad. But it's a good starting point for writers and sometimes it is worth it slogging through all the crappy fanfictions to find those rare gems that are sometimes better than the source material.
I'm currently working on a giant crossover series, and instead of posting as I go along, I will start posting once it's done to keep my audience around, and while uploading I can work on the next fanfiction and then rinse and repeat.
I probably should have waited as well. Not only is posting as you go tedious, but you feel a kind of time crunch that doesn't even exist...for instance, since you got the last 5 parts out in 2-3 days you want to keep that pace up as if you were some kind of weird fan newsletter
We have the same idea about fanfiction. While I understand everyone has their opinion on it, I see it the same way you do. Keep it as faithful as possible where the characters are concerned. After all, their original selves are the ones we fell in love with to begin with. Why change them into strangers?
When you get your series up I'll need to take a look. I can tell you have a great way with words and can easily express yourself. Your writing should be really enjoyable
Thanks for replying <3
We have the same idea about fanfiction. While I understand everyone has their opinion on it, I see it the same way you do. Keep it as faithful as possible where the characters are concerned. After all, their original selves are the ones we fell in love with to begin with. Why change them into strangers?
When you get your series up I'll need to take a look. I can tell you have a great way with words and can easily express yourself. Your writing should be really enjoyable
Thanks for replying <3
Whatever you do, don't read my old stuff. It's bad, really bad. 
I have to finish two multi-chapter stories first then I can get started on the next thing. (BTW It's a massive Once Upon A Time Fanfiction that the OUAT characters make cameos only 
)
I have to finish two multi-chapter stories first then I can get started on the next thing. (BTW It's a massive Once Upon A Time Fanfiction that the OUAT characters make cameos only )
The best stories I've ever read have been fanfiction. Writing it has advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, you have a pre-made world and characters, so you don't have to bother coming up with them and setting them up unless you want to. On the other hand, they're not yours, so it's not as easy to know them as intimately as you would your own characters and settings, so you have to be extra careful in trying to portray them accurately. This is especially true in shipfics, as there needs to be a significant amount of character development in order for the ship to work. Generally, I'm not too fond of shipping unless it is written to perfection.
Stories told from a second-person perspective (or "Reader X" stories, as they're being called in this thread) are generally pretty bad. The author has no way of knowing what kind of person the reader is, so the main character is almost guaranteed to be out of character. It's even worse if the author names the reader "Anon", because it means the reader's character is going to be a total jerk. "Choose your adventure" stories are often an exception to this rule due to their somewhat interactive nature, but those are not easy to make.
Fanfiction is generally fun, and unlike many other derivative works, companies almost never file copyright claims against them. Fanfiction communities, from what I've experienced, are supportive, and often give lessons and advice to aspiring writers who struggle with grammar and other nuances of storytelling, so it's a good way to gain writing experience.
Stories told from a second-person perspective (or "Reader X" stories, as they're being called in this thread) are generally pretty bad. The author has no way of knowing what kind of person the reader is, so the main character is almost guaranteed to be out of character. It's even worse if the author names the reader "Anon", because it means the reader's character is going to be a total jerk. "Choose your adventure" stories are often an exception to this rule due to their somewhat interactive nature, but those are not easy to make.
Fanfiction is generally fun, and unlike many other derivative works, companies almost never file copyright claims against them. Fanfiction communities, from what I've experienced, are supportive, and often give lessons and advice to aspiring writers who struggle with grammar and other nuances of storytelling, so it's a good way to gain writing experience.
Thank you for that very informative response
I think you're right about trying to get the character right when you are working with established characters...it's difficult to say in some new situations just how the original author would have that character respond, and they are really the only ones who know the character entirely. That's one of the reasons I was hoping for feedback where I posted the fanfic I'm attempting to write on other sites...sometimes I feel like I'm out of character in certain situations and it would be nice if the people who are their fans would point that out to me when they saw it or if they saw a situation in which they think the character(s) would respond differently, just let me know...you know? lol I'm not saying I would agree with everyone, but other people's perspective, I think, would help keep it true to the original feel. But I am determined not to let it bother me and just plug away at it, doing the best I can.
I have original characters that developed rather quickly in the fanfic that I'm trying to make an original Manga out of and I have actually found writing them to be far easier than trying to write those from the Black Butler story, since I know them inside and out. Same with their story...I have a blank slate with them so worrying about clashing with previous "episodes" is not an issue like it is with the fanfic.
Honestly, I wouldn't blame companies if they did stop them from getting published, although I'm glad they don't. I enjoy spending time on them. My main issue right now is I don't want to stop writing the fanfic but I really want to start my own story yesterday I don't have enough time for both. I'll just have to schedule them for certain days and hope I don't get story lines crossed
Thank you again!
I think you're right about trying to get the character right when you are working with established characters...it's difficult to say in some new situations just how the original author would have that character respond, and they are really the only ones who know the character entirely. That's one of the reasons I was hoping for feedback where I posted the fanfic I'm attempting to write on other sites...sometimes I feel like I'm out of character in certain situations and it would be nice if the people who are their fans would point that out to me when they saw it or if they saw a situation in which they think the character(s) would respond differently, just let me know...you know? lol I'm not saying I would agree with everyone, but other people's perspective, I think, would help keep it true to the original feel. But I am determined not to let it bother me and just plug away at it, doing the best I can.
I have original characters that developed rather quickly in the fanfic that I'm trying to make an original Manga out of and I have actually found writing them to be far easier than trying to write those from the Black Butler story, since I know them inside and out. Same with their story...I have a blank slate with them so worrying about clashing with previous "episodes" is not an issue like it is with the fanfic.
Honestly, I wouldn't blame companies if they did stop them from getting published, although I'm glad they don't. I enjoy spending time on them. My main issue right now is I don't want to stop writing the fanfic but I really want to start my own story yesterday
I don't have enough time for both. I'll just have to schedule them for certain days and hope I don't get story lines crossed Thank you again!
In some cases, one could argue that fanfiction is an essential and inevitable part of a franchise's success. It keeps fans' interest in the franchise and satisfies their desire for new content during the intervals between official content releases. I know Star Trek owes some of its popularity to fanfics published in early magazines. It's not the only factor, of course, but it is definitely a contributor. Technically, all Star Trek novels are fan fictions, as anything that isn't live-action on-screen is not recognized as part of the story. I've read a few good ones, and I've read a few stinkers, too.
In fact, Trekkies are the ones who invented and popularized the modern idea of fanfiction, and introduced many of the common tropes, such as gay "slash" pairings and Mary Sues. That's not to say there were no fanfics at all before that. There have been unauthorized story sequels written at least as far back as the mid-18th century. I wouldn't be surprised if such things extended back even further.
Yay history lessons!
In fact, Trekkies are the ones who invented and popularized the modern idea of fanfiction, and introduced many of the common tropes, such as gay "slash" pairings and Mary Sues. That's not to say there were no fanfics at all before that. There have been unauthorized story sequels written at least as far back as the mid-18th century. I wouldn't be surprised if such things extended back even further.
Yay history lessons!
I would LOVE to find a fanfic that old!!! Makes me wonder what they were like back in the day
I would always prefer original writing to fanfiction when it comes to reading or writing. I think if someone has enough creativity for a story, they should shoot for their own tale.
Fanart I can see as being useful for the artist to get practice and exposure; the manga group Clamp did this, and went on to create their own stories. Music covers can be the same thing. The problem with fanworks in general is that you never know if your technique actually has merit, or if people are excited just because a work featured their favorite characters.
Fanart I can see as being useful for the artist to get practice and exposure; the manga group Clamp did this, and went on to create their own stories. Music covers can be the same thing. The problem with fanworks in general is that you never know if your technique actually has merit, or if people are excited just because a work featured their favorite characters.
You're right about not knowing peoples motivations for reading your fanfic...so long as it's based on someone else's work any feedback or reviews would be suspect, as they might just be responding solely as fans of the original work and characters.
That's really given me a lot to consider...hadn't really thought of that angle.
Thanks
That's really given me a lot to consider...hadn't really thought of that angle.
Thanks