Why do you write fan fiction? by JavidRho

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Why do you write fan fiction?

POSTED BY: JAVIDRHO
UPDATED: Sunday, December 28, 2003 17:19
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VIEWED: 7982
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Thursday, October 9, 2003 5:22 AM

This is a message to all of the talented (and prolific) fan fiction writers on this site.
Question: Why do you do it? Why write stories based on other writer's characters and universes?
Why not write stories based on a universe that you create?

I am asking this because I have been a part-time fiction writer for over 20 years, and I have never understood why anyone would spend all the time and effort to create something that they can never publish, or even legally "own".

So, what drives you all to write fan fiction? Is it “divine madness” as one writer once called his obsession with writing, or just your love of the original work? I think many of us would like to know.

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 5:32 AM

STILLSHINY

One simple word...E S C A P E.

As for using pre-existing characters & scenarios? I guess It's because we all have situations we want to see played out with those characters. And in the case of Firefly...having only had that handful of episodes...to keep flying!

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 5:43 AM

JAVIDRHO

Quote:
Originally posted by stillshiny:
One simple word...E S C A P E.

As for using pre-existing characters & scenarios? I guess It's because we all have situations we want to see played out with those characters. And in the case of Firefly...having only had that handful of episodes...to keep flying!

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

To me, that explains why people like to READ fan fiction, but not why you/they write it. My brother likes to read my work, but he doesn't want to even try to write anything. He likes the mystery of finding out what will happen on the next page. Writers already know what will happen next, which takes some of the "fun" and "escape" out of it.

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 5:45 AM

STILLSHINY

I'm gonna sit on this a bit and see what a few others say.. Good Thread.

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 6:26 AM

JAVIDRHO

I hope that no one takes the nature of this thread the wrong way. I am, by no means, saying that writing fan fiction is easier than writing "original" fiction. In fact, I would think that it probably balances out.

Fan fiction writers do not have to go through the effort of creating all of the background stuff like believable characters, places, technology and language (which is very difficult - I worked almost a year on this before writing a single word of my current story) but I think this is probably balanced by the fact that you have to write in the "voice" of the actors who played the original parts, and there are high expectations from the readership. They already know these characters as well as you do (some better) and if you write something out of character, they will know it, and probably tell you. I applaud anyone with the talent (and guts) to attempt it.

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 6:32 AM

MANIACNUMBERONE

I don't write much fanfiction here, none really, but I can see how escapism could play into the writers world as well as the readers. When writing, you go through lots of different scenarios, imagining, losing yerself in the Firefly world. The writer prolly has a better experience than the reader.

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 7:05 AM

SHEWHOHATHAPEN

Good thread.

It's a funny question for me specifically to answer because I write original fiction primarily and for a long time I didn't really understand the whole writing fanfiction thing either. I had the same questions you have now. The point of it as a whole was pretty much lost on me.

I've since realized it was because I'd apparently never loved a fictional media as much as I love Firefly. With me and Firefly it is a huge, huge part needing to see the story continued and while reading fanfiction is something of a balm, sometimes there's a story you want to see told but no one else is telling it, so it falls to you.

From there on out it's just natural.

Writing is just as much of an escape as reading is. I truly believe that I enjoy my stories exponentially more than my readers do. The whole process makes me giddy, really, everything from random dialogue playing out in my head to that moment when the perfect new plot thread makes itself known and snaps right into place to the realization that that wonderful/horrible/scary thing has to happen and will. I just love every second of it, as I'm sure is obvious by my rhapsodizing about it.

Basically, while knowing that something that you wrote is all yours and it's possible that you could get it published, etc. is nice, in the end it's not always about ownership or even how good a use it is of your time when you could be writing something that you would own.

It's about the experience. I love writing fiction so much that it doesn't much matter what kind of fiction it is. My subconscious decides my focus most of the time, I just go along.

---
"I'm very sorry if she tipped off anyone about your cunningly concealed herd of cows."

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 7:31 AM

JAVIDRHO

SheWhoHathAPen,
I guess when I think about it, all of the Mutant Enemy writing staff are, in some broad sense, fan fiction writers, since they didn't create the characters or universe they are writing about - Joss did. They are following his outline, and then extrapolating and adding to it.

So, in this same broad sense, the best of the fan fiction writers here are not much different from those who actually created Firefly. The real difference is that the later got paid for their creativity, while the former (fans) do it for the pure fun (and love) of it.

That's a shiny way to look at it, isn't it? (pats himself on the back)

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 7:40 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by JavidRho:
So, in this same broad sense, the best of the fan fiction writers here are not much different from those who actually created Firefly. The real difference is that the latter got paid for their creativity, while the former (fans) do it for the pure fun (and love) of it.

That's a shiny way to look at it, isn't it? (pats himself on the back)

very well put - here, let me do that

pat pat pat.

another thing about fan fiction, there's not the same amount of pressure involved as occupational writing. it's been said that writing is easy; all you have to do is stare at a blank piece of paper until blood forms on your forehead. I would add that publishing is the truly hard part, and with fan fiction, there isn't the 6-8 week waiting period spent staring into the empty recesses of your mailbox, wondering why the rejection letter hasn't come yet. plus you get to purge the story out of your brain that's been bugging you for weeks on end - bonus!

Firefly Artwork Series
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 8:02 AM

JAVIDRHO

Quote:

Originally posted by Channain:

another thing about fan fiction, there's not the same amount of pressure involved as occupational writing. it's been said that writing is easy; all you have to do is stare at a blank piece of paper until blood forms on your forehead. I would add that publishing is the truly hard part, and with fan fiction, there isn't the 6-8 week waiting period spent staring into the empty recesses of your mailbox, wondering why the rejection letter hasn't come yet. plus you get to purge the story out of your brain that's been bugging you for weeks on end - bonus!

Firefly Artwork Series
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

All good points, Channain.
Actually, those are some of the reasons I have elected to post the first 1/4 of my novel-length SF book on the web. I like the feedback. Also, since I have decided to illustrate my story, it is the only way I can show it in it's intended form, at least until illustrated ebooks become common place. Mine just might be the first...

In regards to publishing, I do not have a need to be "published" through a traditional publisher either. I went that route several years ago with two game publishers - they made a lot of money off my product, and I made squat. So, I am actually considering self-publishing next year, both in electronic format (illustrated ebook) and in traditional paperback book form (on-demand printing). I think it is the next big wave of the future. Just like in the music industry, most of us are tired of allowing a few to decide the fate of the many (star trek reference there for any true geeks in the crowd ;)

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 8:29 AM

STILLSHINY

By the way Javidrho I'm on Chapter 1 part 4. I'm usually a Fantasy reader and even then only a few Tolkien, Lewis & Lawhead. I read Firefly fan-fic cuz I need it. I gotta have my fix. I am enjoying your story so far. It's out there, but I like it. Like I said sci-fi is not my normal deal. The illustrations are impressive. So have these been published, and where can I buy the books if so? I know you probabaly answer this on your site. I might not have caught it. Anyway, I think I'm hooked. I'll pass the word on to a few of my other friends who are die-hard sci-fi nuts. They read all the time. Than I can brag that I know the Author, I'm pitiful.

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 8:41 AM

JAVIDRHO

Quote:
Originally posted by stillshiny:
By the way Javidrho I'm on Chapter 1 part 4. I'm usually a Fantasy reader and even then only a few Tolkien, Lewis & Lawhead. I read Firefly fan-fic cuz I need it. I gotta have my fix. I am enjoying your story so far. It's out there, but I like it. Like I said sci-fi is not my normal deal. The illustrations are impressive. So have these been published, and where can I buy the books if so? I know you probabaly answer this on your site. I might not have caught it. Anyway, I think I'm hooked. I'll pass the word on to a few of my other friends who are die-hard sci-fi nuts. They read all the time. Than I can brag that I know the Author, I'm pitiful.

Mal: “See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown!”

Thanks for the positive words, Stillshiny. I'm glad you are trying my story out. It's definitely not like Firefly (Cyberdrome is very "high-tech" and absolutely all technology is based on current research) but I am trying to make the story character-driven, so some FF readers might still enjoy it (maybe as a diversion while they wait for the movie).

To answer your question - no, Cyberdrome is only available on the website right now. The novel is about 85% complete, but less than 1/4 is currently available online. Hope that doesn't frustrate you. If you really like it, I might be looking for proof readers for the final manuscript within a few months. You would have to agree to a nondisclosure, of course. Let me know.

One last thing - there is also some digital nudity and also a minor sex scene coming up, but nothing to get too excited about (oops, my hit counter just spiked)

Returning to original thread now.
---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 9:50 AM

LJC

Well, I've been writing fan fiction since I was 11 years old. I've been publishing it--first in fanzines, then online--since I was 16 years old. I'm now 30, and it's a major part of my life.

First off, I am constantly challenged by the unique aspects of fanfic--namely, taking characters and settings I did not create, and using them to tell a story that feels 100% true to the source material, while at the same time telling a new story that has the opportunity to explore topics, subjects, themes, and characterisations that the source cannot or does not. I've always, ever since I was a child, made up stories long after the credits had rolled. It took me discovering fanzines and other fan authors to realise that this happened all the time--and that there was a market for such fiction.

As for why I devote so much time and energy to writing fan fiction as opposed to trying to sell original fiction--most times, it simply comes down to what I am driven to create. I've written original fiction, but my passion is for derivative works. It always has been. Eventually, I will write more original fiction, and sellable fiction. But I'm not writing for financial gain. I'm writing for love. I'm writing because I have a story inside me that wants out, and because I believe there is an audience that would like to read it. But mainly, I write the stories I would like to read. And with media fandom, you get to explore so much more in the medium of prose, versus the very visual medium of television. You can tell different types of stories, in a very different way. if I had an idea that would make a better teleplay than short story or novella, then I would write it as a teleplay. You pick the medium best suited to the story. But for some reason, the ideas I get work better in prose.

I've written fiction for series which are dramatically inferior to other series. For example, "Star Trek: Voyager" (which was, prior to "Enterprise" easily the worst written and produced of the Trek series) because I was besieged with ideas--I wanted to explore their premise and characters in a way that the show itself seemed either incapable of--or completely uninterested in doing. So I did. But I adored "Deep Space Nine" and never wrote a word of fanfic based on that show--not because I loved it less (I loved it much more) but because the show itself gave me everything I needed. So there was no spark of madness that lead me to create new stories set in that place, with those people.

As for why I am not currently pursuing a career in writing--I already have a full-time career in web design, and I am a freelance journalist. That takes up 40-60 hours of my week already. Writing fan fiction is a hobby which gives me a chance to relax and enjoy and explore things my paying careers do not. Even with all of the hard work that goes into it--actually, *especially* because of the hard work--it is still "fun" and the minute it stops being fun, I will probably drift away from writing fanfic. But until that day, I can't imagine *not* writing. I don't care that I don't get paid, that I'm not professionally published, and that I only have a small core of maybe 1000 readers. Because my goal isn't fame and fortune and mainstream recognition. My goal is just to tell the best story I am capable of telling.

When I am filled with the same passion and drive for original fiction--be it teleplays, screenplays, short fiction or novels--then I will no doubt devote myself to that. But for the last 15+ years, fanfic has been my passion. Because it allows me to tell stories which cannot be told any other way.

Also, I completely and totally get off on the challenge of writing fanfic. Particularly of trying to capture a character's "voice" and personality. The very best compliment I could ever be paid is to be told "That felt just like the show." Because in the end, it's the show and the characters I love, and it's the show and the characters I want more of.

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Thursday, October 9, 2003 1:03 PM

LIVINGIMPAIRED

I was very much into fan fiction back in high school. It was very much a bonding expierence for me. My friends wrote fan fiction, so I did as well, and we would compare notes. I found it a fun way to sharpen my writing skills, a tallent that seemed to come to me out of no where freshman year. Futhermore, my freshman year was the year I truely discovered Joss Whedon, who then became my writing hero. I suppose fan fiction was a way of bonding with him as well. Now I wrote other things as well, and some of them were published.

Then I got out of it. I went into a period of my life where I didn't write at all, and it was like an intellectual starvation for me. I realize now that my in ablity to write was a major warning sign of other things, but no matter.

Now I write again. This time it's rather different: I'm involved with the Firefly Sock Puppet Theatre, which is an interesting combination of Fanfiction and RPG. (I play Zoe). In a way it's another bonding experience, but in another way, it's also a healing experience. It's something of a source of amusement to me that when I started writing again, it was for Firelfy, since all the episodes aired during my creative dark age.

I write fanfic because it developes my skills. I write fanfic because I have to write so much boring stuff day in and day out that I need to be reminded that not all writing is boring. Mostly I write because I must.

________________

http://firefly.irev.net/about.htm

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Friday, October 10, 2003 3:19 PM

JAVIDRHO

These are such great stories. I hope all who write FireFly fiction on this site will be able to take the time to tell us the reasons they write. As a writer myself, I find these stories quite interesting.

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Saturday, October 11, 2003 5:47 AM

ARCHER

The most standard writer's response applies to me.

"I've got these damned stories in my head, and they won't go away until I write them."

Why write here instead of trying to turn a dime on it? Because here I don't have to jump through any hoops, satisfy any editors, or work to any deadlines beyond a bit of peer pressure.

Here I can talk to my audience five minutes after I'm done and posted.

I pondered a career of professional writing, but for me just cranking it out as it comes to me is much more fulfilling. I don't want to turn it into a job where I'm cranking out words just to make the final deadline.

The greatest satisfaction I get from writing is in connecting with my audience. If I write something for one person and it works for them, they see what I was aiming for, then I'm satisfied.

May all your verbs conjugate and all your participles undangle. May your infinitives ne'er split...

We don't know who put this cup of life into our hands. But when we go our bones will bake upon the burning sands. 'Cause we walk but once among the living, so no regrets and no forgiving- it's hard to dance when you're down upon your knees. And these are dark days indeed.

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Saturday, October 11, 2003 7:22 AM

KAYTHRYN

I think one reason people (me at least) write fan fic instead of completely original stories is because of the challenge.

To write just any story that you have in your head can be easy in one sense, you form your own characters, you can have them do anything, say anything, or be anything and your readers will belive it. When writing fan fic you have characters that people already know, that already have a history. The challenge is to write your story but use these characters that already have boundaries set up. Your readers know that kind of language characters use, their pasts, and the settings. You have to write your story, balancing what is already known about the fandom and your new, creative story. Yes, you can write fan fic any way you want, with any story you can think of, but to make is believable is the hard part.

Plus, we love these characters.

-------------------------------------
Functional with flare!

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Saturday, October 11, 2003 8:50 AM

STOPCALLINGMESHIRLEY

Can't answer for anybody but me, but I like it because it gives me a chance to say what the actual writers didn't, and oftentimes never will. Yes, you can get that from reading, but what if that author doesn't say it either? It's just daydreaming about your favorite show/movie/book/whatever and then getting to write it down.

I know I love words. I just love writing. If I have a pen and a pad of paper, or a keyboard, I'm happy. I don't even always need to be actually writing, as long as those things are available. It's relaxing for me. And I do fanfic because it just comes easier to me than original stuff. I do that more when I feel like writing. When I've been watching TV or need to relax, I do fanfic. The characters aren't mine, the universe isn't mine, but the plot sure is, and the emotions and words within the story are all mine. And that's what counts anyway.

It was a valid question.

Korey ~

don't

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Saturday, October 11, 2003 8:53 AM

STOPCALLINGMESHIRLEY

Quote:
I truly believe that I enjoy my stories exponentially more than my readers do.

Right there with you. I don't even post everything I write - in fact, I don't post even a quarter of what I write. I do it for me, and i enjoy it immensely. I'm delighted that others enjoy it as well, but it's much more for me than it is to them.

Korey ~

don't

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Monday, October 13, 2003 4:06 AM

IDEFIX

Quote:
Originally posted by JavidRho:
Actually, those are some of the reasons I have elected to post the first 1/4 of my novel-length SF book on the web. I like the feedback. Also, since I have decided to illustrate my story, it is the only way I can show it in it's intended form, at least until illustrated ebooks become common place. Mine just might be the first...

have you looked at www.mobipocket.com? they have an eBook format where you can add pictures, I think they even do comics in this format. and they do sell the ebooks encrypted. and as a bonus the reader software is very good, it works on almost all PDAs and windows PCs (don't know about MAC and Linux though) and it's free, at least the standard version.

...and now I'll go and bookmark your page. have to give the story a try. even if SciFi books aren't exactly what I read most.

...and I (only a reader, no writing whatsoever) actually prefer FanFiction over original stuff, because I already know the characters. same reason I prefer tv series and book series to movies and novels. I like to read new stories about people I already know. and I like to read/watch them multiple times. I often prefer to watch something I know and like a 5th time to watching something new. don't know why but that's the way it is. maybe that's also true for some writers?

Idefix

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Monday, October 13, 2003 10:32 AM

GTHING

I am a relative newcomer to the fanfic world. I am involved with it now, because I have aspirations for writing. This is my opportunity to see what I can do. The writing process works differently for different people, and I have found myself learning what works for me. For instance, I should never create unnecessary limits for myself. I have already written a long story about Reavers called “Boatjack”, which I wanted to make like an episode. The story isn’t posted here, but the experience taught me a lot about storytelling. I spent most of the time trying to get a complicated plot to work. It seemed to take forever, because I was adding story elements to various parts of “Boatjack” without any systematic approach. I was creating unnecessary limits in doing so. By the time it was finished, I was exhausted. Afterward, I realized I had a very good ending to my story, but most of what leads up to it is downright dull. That was a sign to me that my approach needed to change.

Now, I am working on a series of stories about Serenity and her crew three years after we last saw them. Here, I focus on one chapter at a time to make each chapter worth reading on its own merits. My first chapter called “The Tall” is in the Blue Sun Room. I am quite certain it has confused a few readers, but that was the idea. I wanted to reintroduce everyone to Simon, Jayne, and Wash so we could see how they have changed. Simon is particularly different, and I plan to explore the reasons behind his development. I am far into writing my second chapter called “Serenity Waits”. Finishing it is a matter of putting prose to my story and character elements.

I write fan fiction for Firefly, because it is a series that deserves more stories. This Joss Whedon fan has little interest in doing the same for BtVS and Angel, because they have developed it into a long, deep, nearly completed saga. I have discovered that I am most interested in stories about human nature. I hope I am writing the first few of many.

Excerpt from My Genre Geek Resume:
~huge Odyssey 5 fan (despite its cancellation)
~dangerously obsessed with BtVS and Angel
~former Andromeda fan
GO CUBS!!!

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Monday, October 13, 2003 3:08 PM

GLUEHWURM

Firefly is my first experience with fan fiction. I started reading it because I felt robbed by the series' cancellation. I started writing it because I have always thought I could write if I just got inspired--and suddenly I felt inspired to continue the stories of these characters.

I view the writing of Firefly fanfic as a something of a training ground. It's as if all the writers are in a seminar and we've all been given the same writing assignment. I am learning from the process of writing, but I am also learning by reading the work of others. I ask myself why somebody else's story grabs me or leaves me cold, why I think their portrayal of character does or doesn't ring true. And then there is the added bonus of feedback from the other readers (and writers). I think this is a great way to get myself writing, and I'm eager to see where this leads me.

Oh--I don't post stories here, but I do post them at fanfiction.net. I prefer the ability to post an entire story with chapters there, without having to break it up, and I figure interested readers are probably checking both places. I know I do!

Gluehwurm/Bookworm10

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Tuesday, October 14, 2003 12:42 AM

JAVIDRHO

Quote:
Originally posted by Idefix:
Quote:
Originally posted by JavidRho:
Actually, those are some of the reasons I have elected to post the first 1/4 of my novel-length SF book on the web. I like the feedback. Also, since I have decided to illustrate my story, it is the only way I can show it in it's intended form, at least until illustrated ebooks become common place. Mine just might be the first...

have you looked at www.mobipocket.com? they have an eBook format where you can add pictures, I think they even do comics in this format. and they do sell the ebooks encrypted. and as a bonus the reader software is very good, it works on almost all PDAs and windows PCs (don't know about MAC and Linux though) and it's free, at least the standard version.

...and now I'll go and bookmark your page. have to give the story a try. even if SciFi books aren't exactly what I read most.

...and I (only a reader, no writing whatsoever) actually prefer FanFiction over original stuff, because I already know the characters. same reason I prefer tv series and book series to movies and novels. I like to read new stories about people I already know. and I like to read/watch them multiple times. I often prefer to watch something I know and like a 5th time to watching something new. don't know why but that's the way it is. maybe that's also true for some writers?

Idefix

Thanks for the link, Idefix - I will check them out if I decide not to self-publish. Self-publishing is obviously my preferred route since I maintain full control of my material and reap all (if any) rewards.

As the starter of this thread, I must say that it has become even more interesting and informative than I originally thought. I see now that the reasons for writing fan fiction are varied, although there seems to be some agreement on some core issues - mainly being the desire to simply see/read more Firefly. Any writers who have not voiced their thought yet?
jr

---
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just... let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. - Agent Cooper

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Saturday, December 27, 2003 8:56 AM

GTHING

I saw the “Going Places” segment on the “Here’s How It Was” documentary, and it made me happy that I am working on my fanfic series. That segment brings up speculations from the cast and crew about Firefly’s unanswered questions. Guess what; here I am making up my own answers. Ever since I saw “Objects in Space” for the first time, I wanted to know what River would be like if she recovered from her academy experience. I was curious about the future of Zoë and Wash’s marriage. Where would Inara go? Who are these “Blue Sun” people? I love having to come up with answers with this saga that takes place three years after “Objects in Space”.

I just posted the fourth installment of the series. It is called “Fertile Ground”, and I think it is the best one so far. I am sure some readers will disagree, but we are all entitled to our own opinion. Now, I have to get going on the fifth installment, and I have yet to decide on a title. All I can say is that I plan to get Inara involved in the story finally. Of course, now I have to take “Heart of Gold” into account, but I am determined to succeed.

Excerpt from My Genre Geek Resume:
~huge Odyssey 5 fan (despite its cancellation)
~dangerously obsessed with BtVS and Angel
~former Andromeda fan

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Saturday, December 27, 2003 11:59 AM

LEEH

On the rare occasions that I do write it, it's to answer a question that the original material hasn't, or to explore an area that the primary text hasn't covered. When I like a series (or movie or whatever) enough to want to "inhabit" that universe, it's usually because the material provides a fertile field for imagining the lives of the characters beyond what we see in the material produced by the official storytellers.

If the official producers of the original material aren't going to give me what I want, and other fanfic writers haven't done it, well, then, what's left but for me to write it?

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Sunday, December 28, 2003 5:19 PM

VAMPBUNNY

>Writers already know what will happen next, which takes some of the "fun" and "escape" out of it. >

Speaking for myself and a few other writers I know. We don't always know what will happen next. I have often heard it said the characters come alive and tell you what they want to do.

The most recent example of this for me, is the novel I tried writing for NANOWRMO. I had started out with an idea for darker Enterprise novel. But in the end the characters took over an made something diffrent.

As for why I write Fan Fiction. For the most part because what gets put on the screen is not enough. They don't take some situationas as far as they should or could.

It is also a challenge to work in somone else univerise and seeing if you can get right. To see if you can find the Characters voice and such.

That is why I do it. To see if can make the kind of story I want, while still keeping true to what the original author started.

---

Keep Flying. See you in the world

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Sunday, December 28, 2003 5:19 PM

VAMPBUNNY

Writers already know what will happen next, which takes some of the "fun" and "escape" out of it.

Speaking for myself and a few other writers I know. We don't always know what will happen next. I have often heard it said the characters come alive and tell you what they want to do.

The most recent example of this for me, is the novel I tried writing for NANOWRMO. I had started out with an idea for darker Enterprise novel. But in the end the characters took over an made something diffrent.

As for why I write Fan Fiction. For the most part because what gets put on the screen is not enough. They don't take some situationas as far as they should or could.

It is also a challenge to work in somone else univerise and seeing if you can get right. To see if you can find the Characters voice and such.

That is why I do it. To see if can make the kind of story I want, while still keeping true to what the original author started.

---

Keep Flying. See you in the world

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