The cultural phenomenon that "Red, White & Royal Blue" has become since its publication in 2019 is undeniable. This novel, written by Casey McQuiston, has captured hearts worldwide with its blend of romance, politics, and an alternate universe where the son of the first female president of the United States falls in love with the Prince of England. A question that surfaces among its fandom and even in literary criticism discussions is whether "Red, White & Royal Blue" is based on fanfiction. In this article, we will explore this point and various related angles, engaging in a detailed discussion enveloping modern literature, fan culture, and queer representation.

Casey McQuiston's Writing Style

Fanfiction has long offered writers—a majority of them young and female—an outlet to experiment with storytelling, focusing on character building and relationship development. McQuiston's writing bears these hallmarks of fanfiction, possibly due to her own admission of starting her writing journey in fan communities.

The author's storytelling style is characterized by meticulous character development, slow-burn romance, witty dialogue, and pop culture references—all elements common in fanfiction. Moreover, the use of 'alternate universes', while also a common trope in mainstream literature, is widely prevalent in fanfiction. Thus McQuiston's writing style might lead some to believe that "Red, White & Royal Blue" is fanfiction-based.

Fanfiction versus Original Fiction

It's crucial to differentiate between fanfiction and original fiction. Fanfiction uses pre-existing characters, settings, or plots from another author's work and builds upon them, putting the characters in situations that the original author did not explore. Original fiction, such as "Red, White & Royal Blue," involves creating new characters and scenarios.

The novel follows the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, which is prevalent not just in fanfiction but also in mainstream romance literature. Therefore, just because a work includes common fanfiction elements does not necessarily mean it originated from fanfiction.

Fan Culture and Its Influence on Literature

The rise of fan culture, particularly in the digital age, has accelerated the transformation of many aspects of popular culture, including literature. Authors, like McQuiston, who had their start in fan culture bring in elements of that culture, blurring the line between mainstream literature and fanfiction.

Despite not being fanfiction, "Red, White & Royal Blue" resonates with fan culture due to its almost instantaneous creation of a vast fandom. Readers relate to the elements of fan culture embedded in the book, such as the social media interactions between the characters or the comic-con chapter, which mirror the dynamics of real fan communities.

Queer Representation

"Red, White & Royal Blue" also stands out in its representation of a queer romance. LGBTQ+ representation is a significant aspect of fanfiction, with many fanfic writers giving queer interpretations to canonical characters. McQuiston brings this queer representation to her novel, creating a meaningful connection between fanfiction culture and her storyline but also significantly contributing to original queer literature.

The novel was praised for its handling of the protagonists' homosexuality and bisexuality, with an emphasis on their emotional journey rather than their sexuality being a plot point. This refreshing representation could also be a result of the influence of fanfiction, known for its diverse and inclusive narratives.

Conclusion

"Red, White & Royal Blue" might share some characteristics with fanfiction due to Casey McQuiston's background and the influence of fan culture on her writing. However, to label it as based on fanfiction would be an oversimplification. The novel is original fiction that offers fresh perspectives on romance, politics, fandom, and queer representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is "Red, White & Royal Blue" a fanfiction?
No, "Red, White & Royal Blue" is not fanfiction. It's an original novel that creates its own characters and situations.

2. Does Casey McQuiston write fanfiction?
Casey McQuiston has shared that she started her writing journey in fan communities, but "Red, White & Royal Blue" is not based on any fanfiction.

3. Is the trope of 'enemies-to-lovers' exclusive to fanfiction?
No, the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope is prevalent in mainstream romance literature as well, and is not exclusive to fanfiction.

References

- Casey McQuiston. (2019). Red, White & Royal Blue. St. Martin's Griffin.
- Jenkins, H. (2006). Fans, Bloggers, and Gamers: Exploring Participatory Culture. New York University Press.

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