Fan Fiction Writers?

[S. Gomez]

Technically, you could write fan fiction about any series or movie, but science fiction and fantasy generally tend to get more fan fiction written than in other genres, so I post this here.

I'm wondering if anyone here gets the urge to write fan fiction. I know we have a forum here for Trek fanfic; how many of you post stuff in it? Are you proud of the work or do you just knock it off every once in a while for fun?

I ask because I've gotten that inexplicable motivation to play in someone else's sandbox with someone else's action figures (specifically Doctor Who, though I've come up with a cast of characters all my own). The problem for me is that I also want to become a professional fiction writer. And though I would have absolutely no shame in admitting I write it, and wouldn't be embarrassed at all if people found out after I become rich and famous (), I am worried that it would take away valuable time and effort from my original fiction...but I've come up with some ideas that, even though I say so myself, are pretty darn good. And I'm not sure how much of that magic would translate to another universe of my own devising.

What motivates you to write fan fiction? What makes you decide to devote the time to it?

 

[Agenda]

Technically, you could write fan fiction about any series or movie, but science fiction and fantasy generally tend to get more fan fiction written than in other genres, so I post this here.

I'm wondering if anyone here gets the urge to write fan fiction. I know we have a forum here for Trek fanfic; how many of you post stuff in it? Are you proud of the work or do you just knock it off every once in a while for fun?

I ask because I've gotten that inexplicable motivation to play in someone else's sandbox with someone else's action figures (specifically Doctor Who, though I've come up with a cast of characters all my own). The problem for me is that I also want to become a professional fiction writer. And though I would have absolutely no shame in admitting I write it, and wouldn't be embarrassed at all if people found out after I become rich and famous (), I am worried that it would take away valuable time and effort from my original fiction...but I've come up with some ideas that, even though I say so myself, are pretty darn good. And I'm not sure how much of that magic would translate to another universe of my own devising.

What motivates you to write fan fiction? What makes you decide to devote the time to it?

Not sure. I just have this crazy urge to do it. Most of my stories center around particular pairings that I like (mostly S/U stuff). Yeah, I'm more into romance. I like posting on fanfiction.net, because of their cool feedback system. It lets me know that people are actually reading my stories. Reviews become like a drug.

 

[tharpdevenport]

I've written a bunch of fan fiction for various shows, one in particular seems to be popular:

"Quantum Leap: A Leap Into Terror -- Part 1":
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2003211/1/QUANTUM_LEAP_A_Leap_Into_Terror_Part_1
(begins out with a short chapter that is like an opening to an episode, then gets going)



Various others, like my "Firefly" (crossover) fic, and more:
http://www.fanfiction.net/~tharpdevenport


EDIT:
When writing a fan fiction, I try to keep it consistant with a TV series (though I tend to take a little more of a dramatic approach); it keeps with the feel, tone, and the characters speak and approach things like they might in the show -- I try to blend in. I got out of my way to to research something to make sure the continuity is right and facts are right (though still then I've probably missed things), and for certains shows I put in-joke/in-references in many places.

 

[StarshipDefiant]

When I actually write "fan fiction" (it might be termed loosely here, due to what I write), my motivation is often because of a particular type of story I wish to see. Often, it's to use the Star Trek universe and have a new crew go through something, or use something similar to Angel but make it about different types of people on a different scale, etc... Again, it's all about the type of story I may want to see, and know the only way I'll see it, is if I write it.

 

[JacksonArcher]

Fanfiction is dumb. I would never write fanfiction.

 

[Agenda]

Why is it 'dumb'? Some of it is just as good as anything you'll see in a book store. In fact, some of it is better, partly because fan fiction authors are allowed to take more risks.

 

[JacksonArcher]

Why is it 'dumb'? Some of it is just as good as anything you'll see in a book store. In fact, some of it is better, partly because fan fiction authors are allowed to take more risks.

Who would waste time writing something that isn't theirs? It's dumb. I know I've never wasted my time writing Batman or Superman scripts. No, sirree. I would never do that.

 

[Agenda]

Why is it 'dumb'? Some of it is just as good as anything you'll see in a book store. In fact, some of it is better, partly because fan fiction authors are allowed to take more risks.

Who would waste time writing something that isn't theirs? It's dumb. I know I've never wasted my time writing Batman or Superman scripts. No, sirree. I would never do that.

What do you mean? When you write something, it does become yours, because *you* wrote it. Now, technically speaking you don't own the intellectual property, but neither does the author who DC hires to write the latest Batman novel. The only difference is I'm not getting paid while the other guy is...and of course...the other guy has a wider audience. Although, sometimes that can be debatable, especially for very popular fanfic stories.

 

[JacksonArcher]

Why is it 'dumb'? Some of it is just as good as anything you'll see in a book store. In fact, some of it is better, partly because fan fiction authors are allowed to take more risks.

Who would waste time writing something that isn't theirs? It's dumb. I know I've never wasted my time writing Batman or Superman scripts. No, sirree. I would never do that.

What do you mean? When you write something, it does become yours, because *you* wrote it. Now, technically speaking you don't own the intellectual property, but neither does the author who DC hires to write the latest Batman novel. The only difference is I'm not getting paid while the other guy is...and of course...the other guy has a wider audience. Although, sometimes that can be debatable, especially for very popular fanfic stories.

I'm actually being facetious. I've written tons of fan fiction, ranging from Batman scripts to Superman scripts to even a rewrite of X-Men: The Last Stand, Batman Begins, and Superman Returns. I totally agree.

 

[Agenda]

Well I thought something was off, because a guy with an Avatar av can't be that lame.

 

[S. Gomez]

I know JacksonArcher of old. Trust me, he's lame.

I mean, uh, cool. Really cool. And his fan scripts are fun. (Seriously, we're buddies. I'm totally unbiased as to their quality.)

 

[Kegg]

Technically, you could write fan fiction about any series or movie, but science fiction and fantasy generally tend to get more fan fiction written than in other genres, so I post this here.

I suspect that's because of the universe thing. Now, the compulsion to write fan fiction about TV characters specifically being equal is probably the same, but any sci-fi or fantasy franchise gives you a whole world of settings and environments and fun toys to play around with.

I'm wondering if anyone here gets the urge to write fan fiction.

It's easier than writing my own stuff, because half the time I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about. I read over my original sci-fi stories recently and in retrospect I should have taken notes or something because the cultural references and some of the syntax makes no sense at all anymore, if they ever did to begin with. An existing universe has the plus point that I can go actually check those things.

 

[Skywalker]

I enjoy fan fiction, but I tend to prefer writing my own characters, just using other people's settings. I don't really enjoy writing characters created by others.

I guess that means I have no future in writing tie-in novels.

 

[Mistral]

I can't help but notice that none of the people that have replied post in the fanfic section here. I do-and I am quite proud of some of my efforts.

Here's a creepy story in the ST universe:

http://adastra.shadowknightonline.com/viewstory.php?sid=3

And here's a project I put together over many months, carefully crafting it only on the nights I was buzzed-it turned out great, even if I can't remember writing some of the passages-call me Hemingway:

http://adastra.shadowknightonline.com/viewstory.php?sid=62

In both cases I based the stories on idle speculation that passed through my mind as I watched an episode or movie. I wrote the stories because I wanted to see what happened.Some fanfic is simply amazing. I highly suggest you go here for original fanfic in the Trek universe:

http://www.unitedtrek.org/

In particular, check out The Lone Redshirt and Gibraltar, although all of the authors can go up against the pros any day.

Why do we write?

We love the characters and universe enough to expand it with our own ideas. Does it affect our original fiction? Only if you get obsessed about the fanfic. Sometimes, its just a great way to switch gears when the original stuff bogs down and it can even be used as a tool to break writer's block by giving you an "easy" writing exercise to loosen the creative juices.

 

[Starkers]

The problem for me is that I also want to become a professional fiction writer. And though I would have absolutely no shame in admitting I write it, and wouldn't be embarrassed at all if people found out after I become rich and famous (), I am worried that it would take away valuable time and effort from my original fiction...?

I don't think that's neccesarily a problem. I wrote Star Trek Vesta for about 8 years, and while I could have been writing other stuff during that time (and in fact did) if nothing else it was a great education. In hindsight I did probably spend too long in the Star Trek sand boxes, but partly that was my own fault in setting up a huge three season story arc that I just had to finish before moving on. Still I did manage to write two novels in between (which is one of the reasons Vesta took 8 bloody years! )

Anyhoo I used to post a lot on the fanfic forum but, about a year ago, I kinda stopped. I tried to write more fanfic after Vesta ended but I think I pretty much came to the conclusion that I had the time for either fan or non-fan fiction, not both. As such, and as I wanted to be a professional fiction writer, I decided to close that particular door.

If you;'re just starting out as a writer I'd say go for it with the fanfic. As the cliche goes writing is like exercise, the more you do of it the more your muscles grow, and it almost doesn't matter what you do. I'd just be cautious of getting too caught up in the fanfic side of things. You might decide that fanfic is all you want to do (and I have nothing but respect for that) or you might decide you can do both (and I'm sure some do) or, like me, you might decide to focus.

On the whole though the important thing to never lose sight of re fanfiction is this; For the most part--and I know there are exceptions-- nobody is going to pay to print your fanfiction, whereas they're more likely to pay you for non fan fic. That said writing fanfic made me a better writer, and was a lot of fun

 

[iguana_tonante]

I've wrote fan fictions before, even if mostly narrative collections of play-by-email and RPG games. As others have said, I prefer to use the established sandbox but I usually come out with my own characters. In the Star Trek universe, I have a bunch of fic about a group of cadets in Star Fleet Academy (admittedly lame, but they were works from my teenage-twentysomething years), and some about the crew of a fictional starship, the USS Nemesis.

I don't post stuff in the Fan Fiction forum because all my work is in Italian, and I don't feel confident enough in my English skills to write fictions in a foreign language (technical and everyday stuff being much easier to write than actual narrative).

 

[Agenda]

I've wrote fan fictions before, even if mostly narrative collections of play-by-email and RPG games. As others have said, I prefer to use the established sandbox but I usually come out with my own characters. In the Star Trek universe, I have a bunch of fic about a group of cadets in Star Fleet Academy (admittedly lame, but they were works from my teenage-twentysomething years), and some about the crew of a fictional starship, the USS Nemesis.

I don't post stuff in the Fan Fiction forum because all my work is in Italian, and I don't feel confident enough in my English skills to write fictions in a foreign language (technical and everyday stuff being much easier to write than actual narrative).

They do have an Italian language option in the Trek section, though currently there's only one entry.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Oh, really? I never knew that. Interesting!

Edit: ehm, I seem unable to find it: can you provide a link?

 

[SeerSGB]

I used to write fanfic for friends websites and just for the fun of it. Got out of it over the years, but I found some of my old notes during a recent clearing out of old CD-Rs and comp files and I'm thinking about rewriting revisitng some of those old stories.

The problem for me is that I also want to become a professional fiction writer. And though I would have absolutely no shame in admitting I write it, and wouldn't be embarrassed at all if people found out after I become rich and famous (), I am worried that it would take away valuable time and effort from my original fiction...?

I don't think that's neccesarily a problem. I wrote Star Trek Vesta for about 8 years, and while I could have been writing other stuff during that time (and in fact did) if nothing else it was a great education. In hindsight I did probably spend too long in the Star Trek sand boxes, but partly that was my own fault in setting up a huge three season story arc that I just had to finish before moving on. Still I did manage to write two novels in between (which is one of the reasons Vesta took 8 bloody years! )

Anyhoo I used to post a lot on the fanfic forum but, about a year ago, I kinda stopped. I tried to write more fanfic after Vesta ended but I think I pretty much came to the conclusion that I had the time for either fan or non-fan fiction, not both. As such, and as I wanted to be a professional fiction writer, I decided to close that particular door.

If you;'re just starting out as a writer I'd say go for it with the fanfic. As the cliche goes writing is like exercise, the more you do of it the more your muscles grow, and it almost doesn't matter what you do. I'd just be cautious of getting too caught up in the fanfic side of things. You might decide that fanfic is all you want to do (and I have nothing but respect for that) or you might decide you can do both (and I'm sure some do) or, like me, you might decide to focus.

On the whole though the important thing to never lose sight of re fanfiction is this; For the most part--and I know there are exceptions-- nobody is going to pay to print your fanfiction, whereas they're more likely to pay you for non fan fic. That said writing fanfic made me a better writer, and was a lot of fun

See I think fanfic is great for beginning writers. I know it was for me; it gave me tools that I ended up using when I was working for the local papers, and gave me experience that helps me with my original fiction. Things like structure, taking your time, knowing when to rewrite and when to stop and realize you're over doing it, the vritues and vices of outlines, world and character building before hand, and the value of criticism from readers.

Now when I attended a few online workshops for people wanting to make it as a professional writers and attend a few lectures on the topic up at UT. And one of the themes that cropped up was the agents and legal consulars doing the lectures were adamant that fanfic killed a writer's career. That if a publisher knew you wrote fanfic on the side, that was it, game over, you're damaged goods, fanfic proves you can't make it in the original fiction game, they'd never touch you with a 10 foot pole.

Frankly, I think that's a lot of bunk.

I think it's more a question of whether or not your original/professional work is lacking or suffering cause you focus to much time on your fanfic. I also think it's a matter of "if they don't ask, then don't volunteer the information right out the door." Fine it comes out down the road after you have a contract and/or the book on the shelves; but by then you can let your sales and readers speak from themselves.

 

[Agenda]

Well, it depends on what Trek section you're in. I'm in Star Trek 2009 mostly and that has one story in Italian, so does Enterprise. The other sections don't.

Enterprise: http://www.fanfiction.net/tv/StarTrek_Enterprise/10/0/11/1/0/0/0/0/0/1/

Star Trek 2009: http://www.fanfiction.net/movie/Star_Trek_2009/10/0/11/1/0/0/0/0/0/1/

But it easily lets you submit a story under your language for TOS or whatever, if you want to do that.