Why do you write fan fiction?

POSTED BY: JavidRho
UPDATED: Monday, December 29, 2003 03:19
VIEWED: 9764
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GTHING

Monday, October 13, 2003 8:32 PM

I am a relative newcomer to the fanfic world. I am involved with it now, because I have aspirations for writing. This is my opportunity to see what I can do. The writing process works differently for different people, and I have found myself learning what works for me. For instance, I should never create unnecessary limits for myself. I have already written a long story about Reavers called “Boatjack”, which I wanted to make like an episode. The story isn’t posted here, but the experience taught me a lot about storytelling. I spent most of the time trying to get a complicated plot to work. It seemed to take forever, because I was adding story elements to various parts of “Boatjack” without any systematic approach. I was creating unnecessary limits in doing so. By the time it was finished, I was exhausted. Afterward, I realized I had a very good ending to my story, but most of what leads up to it is downright dull. That was a sign to me that my approach needed to change.

Now, I am working on a series of stories about Serenity and her crew three years after we last saw them. Here, I focus on one chapter at a time to make each chapter worth reading on its own merits. My first chapter called “The Tall” is in the Blue Sun Room. I am quite certain it has confused a few readers, but that was the idea. I wanted to reintroduce everyone to Simon, Jayne, and Wash so we could see how they have changed. Simon is particularly different, and I plan to explore the reasons behind his development. I am far into writing my second chapter called “Serenity Waits”. Finishing it is a matter of putting prose to my story and character elements.

I write fan fiction for Firefly, because it is a series that deserves more stories. This Joss Whedon fan has little interest in doing the same for BtVS and Angel, because they have developed it into a long, deep, nearly completed saga. I have discovered that I am most interested in stories about human nature. I hope I am writing the first few of many.

Excerpt from My Genre Geek Resume:
~huge Odyssey 5 fan (despite its cancellation)
~dangerously obsessed with BtVS and Angel
~former Andromeda fan
GO CUBS!!!

GLUEHWURM

Tuesday, October 14, 2003 1:08 AM

Firefly is my first experience with fan fiction. I started reading it because I felt robbed by the series' cancellation. I started writing it because I have always thought I could write if I just got inspired--and suddenly I felt inspired to continue the stories of these characters.

I view the writing of Firefly fanfic as a something of a training ground. It's as if all the writers are in a seminar and we've all been given the same writing assignment. I am learning from the process of writing, but I am also learning by reading the work of others. I ask myself why somebody else's story grabs me or leaves me cold, why I think their portrayal of character does or doesn't ring true. And then there is the added bonus of feedback from the other readers (and writers). I think this is a great way to get myself writing, and I'm eager to see where this leads me.

Oh--I don't post stories here, but I do post them at fanfiction.net. I prefer the ability to post an entire story with chapters there, without having to break it up, and I figure interested readers are probably checking both places. I know I do!

Gluehwurm/Bookworm10

JAVIDRHO

Tuesday, October 14, 2003 10:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Idefix:
Quote:
Originally posted by JavidRho:
Actually, those are some of the reasons I have elected to post the first 1/4 of my novel-length SF book on the web. I like the feedback. Also, since I have decided to illustrate my story, it is the only way I can show it in it's intended form, at least until illustrated ebooks become common place. Mine just might be the first...

have you looked at www.mobipocket.com? they have an eBook format where you can add pictures, I think they even do comics in this format. and they do sell the ebooks encrypted. and as a bonus the reader software is very good, it works on almost all PDAs and windows PCs (don't know about MAC and Linux though) and it's free, at least the standard version.

...and now I'll go and bookmark your page. have to give the story a try. even if SciFi books aren't exactly what I read most.

...and I (only a reader, no writing whatsoever) actually prefer FanFiction over original stuff, because I already know the characters. same reason I prefer tv series and book series to movies and novels. I like to read new stories about people I already know. and I like to read/watch them multiple times. I often prefer to watch something I know and like a 5th time to watching something new. don't know why but that's the way it is. maybe that's also true for some writers?

Idefix

Thanks for the link, Idefix - I will check them out if I decide not to self-publish. Self-publishing is obviously my preferred route since I maintain full control of my material and reap all (if any) rewards.

As the starter of this thread, I must say that it has become even more interesting and informative than I originally thought. I see now that the reasons for writing fan fiction are varied, although there seems to be some agreement on some core issues - mainly being the desire to simply see/read more Firefly. Any writers who have not voiced their thought yet?
jr

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

GTHING

Saturday, December 27, 2003 6:56 PM

I saw the “Going Places” segment on the “Here’s How It Was” documentary, and it made me happy that I am working on my fanfic series. That segment brings up speculations from the cast and crew about Firefly’s unanswered questions. Guess what; here I am making up my own answers. Ever since I saw “Objects in Space” for the first time, I wanted to know what River would be like if she recovered from her academy experience. I was curious about the future of Zoë and Wash’s marriage. Where would Inara go? Who are these “Blue Sun” people? I love having to come up with answers with this saga that takes place three years after “Objects in Space”.

I just posted the fourth installment of the series. It is called “Fertile Ground”, and I think it is the best one so far. I am sure some readers will disagree, but we are all entitled to our own opinion. Now, I have to get going on the fifth installment, and I have yet to decide on a title. All I can say is that I plan to get Inara involved in the story finally. Of course, now I have to take “Heart of Gold” into account, but I am determined to succeed.

Excerpt from My Genre Geek Resume:
~huge Odyssey 5 fan (despite its cancellation)
~dangerously obsessed with BtVS and Angel
~former Andromeda fan

LEEH

Saturday, December 27, 2003 9:59 PM

On the rare occasions that I do write it, it's to answer a question that the original material hasn't, or to explore an area that the primary text hasn't covered. When I like a series (or movie or whatever) enough to want to "inhabit" that universe, it's usually because the material provides a fertile field for imagining the lives of the characters beyond what we see in the material produced by the official storytellers.

If the official producers of the original material aren't going to give me what I want, and other fanfic writers haven't done it, well, then, what's left but for me to write it?

VAMPBUNNY

Monday, December 29, 2003 3:19 AM

>Writers already know what will happen next, which takes some of the "fun" and "escape" out of it. >

Speaking for myself and a few other writers I know. We don't always know what will happen next. I have often heard it said the characters come alive and tell you what they want to do.

The most recent example of this for me, is the novel I tried writing for NANOWRMO. I had started out with an idea for darker Enterprise novel. But in the end the characters took over an made something diffrent.

As for why I write Fan Fiction. For the most part because what gets put on the screen is not enough. They don't take some situationas as far as they should or could.

It is also a challenge to work in somone else univerise and seeing if you can get right. To see if you can find the Characters voice and such.

That is why I do it. To see if can make the kind of story I want, while still keeping true to what the original author started.

---

Keep Flying. See you in the world

VAMPBUNNY

Monday, December 29, 2003 3:19 AM

Writers already know what will happen next, which takes some of the "fun" and "escape" out of it.

Speaking for myself and a few other writers I know. We don't always know what will happen next. I have often heard it said the characters come alive and tell you what they want to do.

The most recent example of this for me, is the novel I tried writing for NANOWRMO. I had started out with an idea for darker Enterprise novel. But in the end the characters took over an made something diffrent.

As for why I write Fan Fiction. For the most part because what gets put on the screen is not enough. They don't take some situationas as far as they should or could.

It is also a challenge to work in somone else univerise and seeing if you can get right. To see if you can find the Characters voice and such.

That is why I do it. To see if can make the kind of story I want, while still keeping true to what the original author started.

---

Keep Flying. See you in the world

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