Every scene you write should show readers why they should love said characters.Īs you write about the characters, try to make them topics of interest first and objects of ridicule second. These characters will be in every scene of your story or on every panel of every page. The specifics will vary from one fandom to another, but regardless, you’ll need to figure out who will drive the plot. But the best fanfiction writers create memorable characters that aren’t canon. Major characters, such as established protagonists and antagonists, are a prerequisite in any fanfiction. In the latter, you’re more likely to encounter fans who aren’t afraid to criticize or ask obscure questions.Ĥ. Don’t just frequent the big fandom communities visit the small ones as well. Then, ask them questions whose answers will help you create a quality story. If you’re not from the fandom yourself, lurk around the dedicated forum threads and get close with the regulars. Furthermore, these will help you write the scene or reference that the readers will remember 20 or 30 years down the line. You need to do these so that you can immerse yourself in the fandom you’re writing for.

Find out the episodes that are most treasured and recalled, the rules of “shipping” / creating relationships between characters, even the history of the world the story takes place in. Learn the little jokes between members and the memorable moments the community shares. If you’re already a fan yourself but don’t have experience in fanfic writing, you need to start getting to know your fandom intimately. In case you think you know a lot, check out a fanfiction page and see phrases you might not have heard before. Instead, you may be familiar with them when described as the fandoms of Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Taylor Swift, and One Direction, respectively. If you’re not into pop culture, terms such as Potterhead, Whovian, Swiftie, and Directioner seem too foreign. They are actively looking for stories, making distribution much easier, allowing you to gather great feedback.įandom is a word tossed around freely in online spaces. For example, if you are writing about Harry Potter, the Harry Potter fandom already has millions of people who love Harry Potter. Instead of having no fans, you start with a built-in fan base that already loves the fandom you’re working in. You can try all types of scenarios and practice all types of styles without having to figure everything out on your own.įanfiction also allows you to connect with pre-built fanbases. You can jump into an existing plot or use a world’s existing rules. Fanfiction is great because it allows you to practice writing without having to build a world, storyline, or characters from scratch. Because you are using the characters and universes-intellectual property-of somebody else, you cannot and should not monetize your fanfics.įanfiction is a great way to practice your writing and build your audience. Bring originality into your work.įinally, do not monetize fanfiction stories.

If you’re just re-writing an existing scene in a movie, you’re not actually creating fanfiction. You also should make sure to add your own creativity to the story. Not only should you remember to credit the authors from whence you’ve borrowed the characters, settings, and the story’s premise, but they or their estates should be willing to credit your work. The key is attribution, which goes both ways. They think, “Where’s the line between adoration and theft?” It’s true that a writer should understand one’s influences, but that doesn’t mean that a fanfiction writer has to feel like he’s treading a minefield whenever he writes. Many writers wonder what prompts someone to make fanfiction in the first place.

Make sure you attribute and play by the rules.

To become great at it, follow the seven writing tips below:ġ. Writing a fanfic is easier said than done though. For famous authors, it’s an opportunity to experiment in new genres and to try out elements they might use in a future work. After all, it’s an accessible way for newcomers to the world of reading to try their hand at writing. It’s hard to believe fanfiction was ever considered a bad thing. Fanfiction is the act of writing stories using existing characters and universes, often from movies, TV shows, and books.įanfiction is interesting to analyze because of its popularity and the stigma around it.

Dhlane fanfic writer