The world of fanfiction is vast and diverse, offering literary enthusiasts a breath of fresh air from conventional norms and structures. Positioned at its heart is ABO, a popular trope that intends to highlight societal issues through unconventional means. The ABO universe has become increasingly dominant and significant in the fanfiction fandom. For newcomers and veterans alike, it is crucial to familiarize oneself with all aspects of this vibrant genre. Here are some fascinating facets that you need to understand about ABO fanfiction:

Origins and Evolution of ABO Fanfiction

ABO fanfiction emerged in the realm of Supernatural, a cult-favorite TV series in the late 2000s. The trope was born out of the desire to explore the dynamics between the Winchester brothers through the lens of different hierarchical structures, types, and pairings. As the trope gained momentum, it transgressed boundaries and marked its territory across various fandoms like Harry Potter, Avengers, etc.

The evolution of ABO fanfiction traces its roots to Omegaverse fan fictions, which played with alternative societal structures involving alphas, betas, and omegas. The trope draws parallels with real-world societal hierarchies, making it a smart tool for deconstructing societal norms. It also provides a medium for creators to explore themes around identity, autonomy, and power dynamics.

The Basics: Alphas, Betas, and Omegas

The ABO trope involves three primary designations: Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Alphas are the dominant members of society, often endowed with physical strength and an alpha scent that attracts Omegas. Betas are your average individuals who ideally achieve a balance in societal roles. Omegas, perceived as a minority within society, possess the ability to bear children irrespective of their gender.

The world building around these classifications offers insights into societal norms, discrimination, privilege, and the struggles surrounding these aspects. The designations serve to underline gender imbalances and power dynamics, making ABO fanfiction a potent tool for social commentary.

Common Themes in ABO Fanfiction

One of the hallmarks of ABO fanfiction is that it wrestles with issues that resonate with readers. These include consent, autonomy, identity, gender roles, romances, and sexual orientations. Additionally, ABO fanfiction can incorporate various other themes, ranging from angst to fluff to hurt/comfort, providing fan creators with a canvas to foreground issues that matter to them.

With its flexible narrative structure, ABO fanfiction can easily accommodate various genres, including romance, action, adventure, mystery, fantasy, etc. The synergy between these genres and themes renders ABO fanfiction an exciting playground for fan creators and readers alike.

Fanfiction Platforms: Archive of Our Own (AO3) Vs. FanFiction.Net

AO3 and FanFiction.net are two of the most prominent platforms that host an array of fanfiction stories, including ABO. Archive of Our Own offers a writer-friendly setup, with the freedom to tag their works elaborately and a more inclusive policy for explicit content. On the other hand, FanFiction.net has a more stringent policy for adult content but provides a simpler, easy-to-navigate user interface.

While AO3 seems to be the preferred platform for ABO stories due to its extensive tagging system, both platforms have a stellar line-up of high-quality content in the ABO space. The choice ultimately depends upon the user's comfort with the platform's user interface and policies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does ABO stand for in fanfiction?
ABO stands for Alpha/Beta/Omega. It is a universe where characters are assigned roles as alphas, betas, or omegas, each with specific traits and societal expectations.

Where can I find ABO fanfiction?
You can find ABO fanfiction stories on various platforms like Archive of Our Own (AO3), FanFiction.net, Wattpad, and Tumblr.

How do I start reading ABO fanfiction?
If you are new to ABO fanfiction, it's recommended to start with a fandom you already enjoy because the familiar characters will help you understand the ABO dynamics. Also, reading summaries and tags can give you an idea of the plot and themes, helping you select stories that appeal to you.

References:

1. The Fanfiction Reader: Folk Tales for the Digital Age by Francesca Coppa, University of Michigan Press, 2017.
2. Brennan, Joseph. `"Slash Manips': Fan Art, Authorship and Visibility.' Participations, vol. 13, no. 1, 2016, pp. 633-660.

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