Before embarking on your fanfiction journey, it is essential that you cultivate a deep understanding of what fanfiction is. Fanfiction, as the term implies, is fiction written by fans. It typically involves writing stories based on existing works of literature, movies, TV shows, games, or even real-life personalities. Fanfic writers extrapolate from the original work's plot, characters, setting, and other elements to create their own narratives.

On platforms like FanFiction.Net and Archive of Our Own (AO3), writers publish their fanfics for others read, comment, and build a community around. Understanding the workings of fanfiction not only helps you comprehend its appeal but also familiarizes you with the fanfiction culture, enabling you to align your writing with genre expectations more effectively.

2. Selecting a Fandom

A fundamental aspect of starting fanfiction is to first choose a fandom that you're passionate about. Opt for a fandom where you resonate with the characters, plots, and themes. This will provide an emotional connection that will fuel your writing. Moreover, being conversant with the fandom will help maintain authenticity and prevent the distortion of characters or stories.

Some popular fandoms include Harry Potter, Star Trek, Supernatural, and Marvel. It's recommended to read multiple works within the chosen fandom to ensure your writing aligns with the shared understanding of the fans.

3. Understanding the Characters

Fanfiction relies heavily on the depth and accuracy of your characterization. Readers have presumably built an emotional bond with the characters in the original work and deviations from these characterizations can prove jarring. Therefore, accurately portraying the characters plays a significant role in your storytelling.

Take the time to analyze the characters you're focusing on. Note their personalities, quirks, dialogues, dynamics with other characters, backstories, and growth. It's not about simply replicating the characters as they are but understanding their essence so you can put them in new situations while staying true to their core.

4. Creating a Plot

Once you've understood the characters and the universe they live in, it's time to construct an intriguing plot. Remember, fanfiction is not about reiterating the original story. Your plot should be unique and should put the characters into situations they haven't been in before.

Coming up with a plot might involve rewriting the original storyline, creating an offshoot, or exploring events before or after the series. Whichever you choose, ensure that the plot is engaging, original, and an effective vehicle for character exploration.

5. Respecting Canon and Using AU

Canon, in fanfiction termology, refers to the elements of the original work considered "official." Respecting canon means maintaining continuity with the established facts of the original work. Fanfiction readers tend to value adherence to canon, although a flexible approach is allowed depending on the fans' collective consciousness.

Alternatively, you might choose to write an 'Alternate Universe' (AU) fanfic. In AU, you can diverge from canon without breaking your narrative. However, it's important to remember that even in AU, consistency within your storyline and characters is crucial.

6. Writing and Editing

After conducting your pre-writing research, it's time to put your ideas into words. A captivating opening, clear language, authentic dialogues, and multi-dimensional characters can all contribute to a rewarding reading experience for fans. Remember, your fanfiction is no less valuable than a "mainstream" piece of literature or storytelling, and should be treated with the same attention to detail and dedication.

Ensure that your prose is edited for clarity, coherence, grammar, punctuation, and spelling before sharing it with others. A well-polished piece not only gains respect from readers but also, on a practical level, is easier to read, thus attracting more readership.

7. Sharing Your Fanfiction

Once your fanfiction is ready to publish, it's time to share it with the world. There are several platforms where you can post your work, including FanFiction.Net, Archive of Our Own (AO3), Tumblr, and Wattpad. Each platform has its pros and cons, as well as its own community rules and guidelines which you should read and understand prior to posting.

When sharing, ensure your work is tagged properly to help potential readers find it. Tags can range from the characters involved, the relationships, the genre, various content warnings, and the state of your work (e.g., completed, works in progress).

8. Engaging With the Community

Sharing your work is just the first step. Becoming part of the fanfiction community involves interacting with other fans—responding to comments, participating in discussions, creating or contributing to fan art or fan videos, and more.

This kind of engagement builds rapport with other fans, helps you gain feedback and insights, and is generally a great way to make friends with shared interests. Remember, the fanfiction community is not solely about consuming content but creating, sharing, and appreciating diverse interpretations of beloved media together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can fanfiction be an original story?
A: While fanfiction may reference and build on the universe or characters from an existing work, it originates from the writer's imagination. However, fanfiction differs from completely original work in that it incorporates elements from the original source material.

Q2: Can I get paid for my fanfiction?
A: Most fanfiction writers publish their work for free due to potential copyright issues. Some, however, monetize their fanfiction using platforms like Patreon or Ko-Fi, often offering additional content to supporters. Always check the legality before monetization.

Q3: Can my fanfiction be published as a book?
A: Legal concerns over copyrights complicate this process. However, there is a precedent of fanfiction being published as books, such as E.L. James' "Fifty Shades of Grey", but only after necessary rights acquisitions and intensive changes.

References

Hellekson, Karen, and Kristina Busse. 2014. The Fan fiction Studies Reader. University of Iowa Press.

Thomas, Bronwen. 2011. What is ‘Fanfiction�and Why Are People Saying Such Nice Things About It?. StoryWorlds: A Journal of Narrative Studies.

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