Google is an infinite source of inspiration for blog topics. It is known. But when I experimentally typed in “is writing fanfiction” to see what sort of things might pop up, I found myself not so much inspired as disappointed. Many of the autofill suggestions were negative, filling in the blank at the end of “is writing fanfiction ___” with things like “a sin,” “illegal,” “weird,” and “embarrassing.” It baffles me that after all this time, people still wonder if writing fanfiction is bad, or wrong, or simply a waste of time.
But I’m not here to yell at the naysayers. I’m here for the ones who still have hope—the searchers wanting to finish that same query not with “wrong” but with “good” and “fun”—and those who simply don’t know any better yet. And what I’m here to not yell at you about is that writing fanfiction isn’t any of those negative things Google autofill suggested. But it can be fun. It can also be good writing practice, especially if you’re just starting to try your hand at writing and sharing your work. And it can be much more rewarding than you might expect, even years after you’ve given it up in favor of focusing on other creative pursuits.
Fanfiction as a Writing Exercise
People like to look down on fanfiction as a “bad” or “lesser” form of writing—something only lovesick preteens or creepy single adults do. And yet, in so many creative writing classes and prompts, we are asked to mimic the greats as practice.
So what’s the difference between writing fanfiction and practicing writing? In truth, there isn’t any difference at all. Writing is writing. Only ever writing fanfiction, of course, isn’t ideal—just as writing the same original story over and over again is only helpful to a point. But fanfiction can be a great way for young or inexperienced writers to get their foot in the door and start writing. It’s a safe, private space where they can hone important skills like writing in different characters’ voices or from viewpoints which may be far different from their own.
It’s not just for newbies, either. Even famous, critically acclaimed authors write fanfiction, even if it’s not labeled thus, from time to time. Think of how many short stories there are based on H.P. Lovecraft’s works, for example—even Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, and Stephen King have contributed to the Cthulhu mythos. It’s all fanfiction, in that it is all fiction written by fans to add to a story and a world they did not originally create, but we tend not to think of it that way simply because it is published and penned by well-established authors.
Fanfiction as Entertainment
Some think writing fanfiction is bad simply because, more often than not, it serves no practical purpose. But even putting aside the idea that it can be great creative writing practice, if we imagine that fanfiction is good for nothing but simple entertainment—well, what’s wrong with that?
Simple pleasures like reading, writing, or watching something simply because it’s enjoyable is a valid and valuable part of the human experience. There’s an entire industry built around entertainment—that’s how important a part of human society it’s become. And again, some people will frown on this and say that good entertainment, worthwhile entertainment, is more than just fun. It has deeper meaning, layers, subtleties, subtext.
To those people, I say: go sit on a swing in a park. Go ruffle the fur of a beloved pet. Go eat a piece of chocolate (or whatever your favorite snack is). Go sit in your favorite chair at the end of a long day and take a moment just to breathe and relax into the comfy spot you’ve worn for yourself. And then tell me that simple pleasures can’t be every bit as valuable, as meaningful, as a literary classic or an artistic masterpiece.
Fanfiction is sometimes nothing more than fluff—a bit of wish fulfillment here, or self-indulgence there. But if it’s fun to write, or fun to read, that’s all the reason you need to enjoy it as you would any other diversion.
Fanfiction on a Deeper Level
Even fanfiction created purely for fun, however, may have a few hidden layers. Fanfiction and fanart make up the lifeblood of many fandoms, creating communities and bonds between fans around the world who might never have otherwise crossed paths.
I myself have written collaborative fanfics with friends in the past, and have also written fanfiction as gifts for fellow fans back when I had the time and energy to be in certain fanclubs. Some of those connections were brief, of course, but others lasted. One of my longest friendships has been with a fellow Fullmetal Alchemist fan who I met through a fanclub and who lives many, many miles from me. Through our fanfic collaborations, we were able to explore our enthusiasm for anime together and create stories that not only inspired us, but a few of our fellow fans as well.
That’s the thing about fanfiction—it can actually be quite meaningful, both for writers and readers. Rewriting a fictional character’s death or giving a villain the ending one feels he or she deserves can be cathartic. Writing to expand upon or further explore a beloved world can be deeply rewarding. Finishing unfinished works, especially, can bring closure that fans might otherwise never get.
Sharing fanfiction, like sharing any creative work, can be scary. It can open you up to all sorts of negative feedback, mostly of the unhelpful variety. But it can also be an opportunity to touch the lives of others within your fandom, to whom your story may mean more than you could ever have expected. I myself still receive kind words from time to time on several of my (now very old and outdated) past fanfics. As one recent anonymous reviewer posted in response to a Fullmetal Alchemist story I wrote about Barry the Chopper and an original character named Kate,
“I’m not sure if you’ll ever see this, but this story was absolutely fantastic. I have stayed up two nights in a row reading your barry and kate stories and i absolutely need more of it. I love her dynamic with Barry so much and I adore her as a character she’s incredible. Please, if you ever happen to come across this message, I’d commission you to write more of these stories.”
I won’t lie: I glowed for days after receiving that message out of the blue. It’s been almost ten years since I wrote that story; to have people still discovering it and still loving it makes my little writer’s heart sing, even if that story will only ever live as a listing on fanfiction.net. Writing fanfiction helped me gain the practice and the confidence to be able to write professionally—and to keep writing about stuff I love even in the face of rejection.
Fanfiction Isn’t Bad—Just Misunderstood
“Fanfiction is good” is the hill I’m willing to die on—after I climb to the top and shout my refrain for the world to hear. Yes, some fics are written in incredibly poor taste. Yes, many of them are quite terribly written. And no, you probably shouldn’t try to base your entire creative career around writing fanfiction. But I don’t believe anyone should ever be shamed simply for enjoying fanfiction, writing it or reading it. Writing fanfiction is not inherently bad, nor is reading it. Ultimately, it’s a labor of love, and the world could always use a little more of that going around, right?
