I started out writing fanfiction with the express purpose of learning the mechanics of writing. I liken it to being apprenticed to JK Rowling. I write original fiction as well, but I knew that my original fic wasn't up to publishable standards when I started. I needed practice. And that is why I got into fanfiction.
Fanfiction is less creative in the sense that you are borrowing an existing world and characters, but many times that is actually more of a challenge and a creative art in itself. Even if you set your story far in the future or write an AU, you have to justify everything that happens to these characters and still keep them believable to anyone who has read the original work.
I think you can learn a great deal about plot and characterization and style and flow playing around in someone elses universe. You get instant feedback and instant community of other writers. I have learned and improved a tremendous amount writing fanfiction. I've made leaps in style and plot construction that would have taken me years had I simply toiled away on my own without the feedback, without the community.
NOw... that's me, the person who does write original fiction and has ambitions to be published someday. However, there is a very large group (perhaps even the majority) who enjoy fanfiction simply as fanfiction. They want to play in JKR's world for the sheer fun of it. And hey, that's me too. I enjoy this. The enjoyment I get out of my original fiction is different, and rewarding in a profound way fanfiction just isn't, but fanfiction is FUN. I get to inhabit this world I adore so much.
So... why fanfiction? It's fun. I am learning much, much faster and improving my writing a rate that exceeds what I would have sitting alone, typing away with no one to give feedback or interact with.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-05-27 10:53 am (UTC)Fanfiction is less creative in the sense that you are borrowing an existing world and characters, but many times that is actually more of a challenge and a creative art in itself. Even if you set your story far in the future or write an AU, you have to justify everything that happens to these characters and still keep them believable to anyone who has read the original work.
I think you can learn a great deal about plot and characterization and style and flow playing around in someone elses universe. You get instant feedback and instant community of other writers. I have learned and improved a tremendous amount writing fanfiction. I've made leaps in style and plot construction that would have taken me years had I simply toiled away on my own without the feedback, without the community.
NOw... that's me, the person who does write original fiction and has ambitions to be published someday. However, there is a very large group (perhaps even the majority) who enjoy fanfiction simply as fanfiction. They want to play in JKR's world for the sheer fun of it. And hey, that's me too. I enjoy this. The enjoyment I get out of my original fiction is different, and rewarding in a profound way fanfiction just isn't, but fanfiction is FUN. I get to inhabit this world I adore so much.
So... why fanfiction? It's fun. I am learning much, much faster and improving my writing a rate that exceeds what I would have sitting alone, typing away with no one to give feedback or interact with.