"Fifty Shades of Grey", the globally popular erotic romance novel that sold more than 125 million copies worldwide, did not start as an original work. Here's the shocking truth: it began as a fanfiction. Exploring how this book made its journey from online fiction to an international bestseller, we will delve into various aspects that played crucial roles in its journey.
Definition of Fanfiction
Initializing with the understanding of fanfiction is essential. Fanfiction is a genre of fictional writing where authors weave stories based on an existing setting, plot, or characters from a popular work, such as a book, movie, or TV show. It is a platform for fans to showcase their imagination and explore "what-ifs" scenarios that the original creators didn't pursue.
An online platform, FanFiction.Net, was particularly popular during the early 2000s and allows users to share their stories based on thousands of authorized worlds. ">
Fanfiction.net and Fifty Shades of Grey
E.L. James, the author of "Fifty Shades of Grey", initially published a work titled "Master of the Universe" under the pseudonym "Snowqueen's Icedragon" on FanFiction.Net. The original work was based on Stephanie Mayer's "Twilight" series, with its lead characters Edward Cullen and Bella Swan rewritten as Edward Cullen (a wealthy businessman) and Isabella Swan (a college graduate), the main protagonists of "Fifty Shades of Grey".
James' fanfiction gained immense popularity within the Twilight fandom, which laid the groundwork for "Fifty Shades of Grey. "
From Fanfiction to Original Content
When it comes to transforming fanfiction into an original work, James took a path similar to other fanfiction authors. After gaining popularity, she realized the potential her story held beyond the restricted "Twilight" fandom. Thus, she decided to repurpose her work, giving it an original identity.
"Master of the Universe" was thoroughly revised, the names and character traits of the leads were changed, and the context was made mature and explicit. The revised story was published as an eBook under the title "Fifty Shades of Grey".
The Controversy
The transformation of a fanfiction piece into an independent book drew criticism from various quarters. Some argued that it was unoriginal; others protested about the graphic sexual content and glorifying of abusive relationships. However, its value as a story that resonates with a niche audience cannot be denied.
Regardless of the controversy, "Fifty Shades of Grey" achieved unprecedented success and transformed the landscape of erotic novels. Its adaptation into a successful film series further contributed to its popularity.
Impact on Fanfiction Community
The success of Fifty Shades of Grey has had a profound impact on the fanfiction community. It has made fanfiction a legitimate and recognized source of storytelling. More fanfiction authors have been inspired to turn their works into original publications.
Sites such as Archive of Our Own (AO3) and WattPad have seen a surge in fanfiction stories from every possible fandom. These platforms have also paved the way for more dialogues and discussions within the community.
Common Questions
Q: What is "Fifty Shades of Grey" originally based on? A: "Fifty Shades of Grey" is originally based on the "Twilight" series and was initially a fanfiction titled "Master of the Universe".
Q: Did E.L. James receive any criticism for turning her fanfiction into a book? A: Yes, there was controversy and criticism, mostly due to the book's unoriginality and explicit content.
Q: Has "Fifty Shades of Grey" influenced other fanfiction authors? A: Absolutely. Its success has inspired other fanfiction writers to turn their popular fanfictions into original novels.
References
Chernova, Svetlana (2019), "From Fan Fiction to Bestselling Books: Amateur Writing and Contemporary Literature," ELK Publishing."
Tosenberger, Catherine (2020), "Fifty Shades of Fan Fiction," Literary Journal of Fan Studies."
FanFiction.Net, www.fanfiction.net
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