Snowflake Challenge: Fanfic Love

[author_by_night]

Five things I love about fanfic - even though I don't read or write it as much as I used to.

1. Fanfic is, technically, very old. We just gave it a new name in the 20th century. People wrote Sherlock Holmes fanfic. Romeo & Juliet was based on a much older work. People have always been about taking stories and doing their own thing with it. It's not as new as people would have you believe.

2. Fanfic is a great way for aspiring authors to practice. Or, if you have no intention of writing professionally, you can still dabble in a creative space. Win-win!

3. Beta readers. The right beta reader can work wonders for your fanfic.

4. Representation of LGBTQ+ and POC characters. Especially when I was writing fanfic in the 2000s, and probably earlier, as representation was incredibly slim. I never realized until a few years ago how liberating slash fanfic was for a lot of younger fans, and probably still is. As well as older ones, of course, but I'm thinking mostly of teens who didn't, or don't, have access to stories they can relate to.

5. It's just a fun way to explore something you love. While I realize not everyone writes fanfic for canons they love, or even know, for me personally, that's been one of the best parts.

As I said above, I don't write fic as much as I used to, although I do have a few bunnies nibbling at my toes. Always. But fanfic was a huge part of my life for so long, and I hope I always have a soft spot for it. Even if I become a famous writer.

The real WIP was the WIP we had inside of us all along.

Comments

[lunabee34]

I love it for all these reasons as well.

[goddess47]

That's an amazing list! You've put into words so many feelings!

The best part of fandom is that you can go away and come back and always be welcome!

Hope you can join in another Snowflake challenge!

[sparrow2000]

And so say all of us! :)

[sjh2009]

These are such good points. I remember first being introduced to slash fanfic by a friend in the Stargate fandom who shipped Jack and Daniel. At first I wasn't sure about reading it, - I'd always thought it wasn't my thing, not because I'm homophonic or anything, but simple that it wasn't for me - but she suggested some stories and, well, that was it. At a straight woman, slash gave me a better understanding of same sex partnerships and the fact that a relationship is the same between any partners because whoever you are, it's about love. And I can see how the stories allow young people (and even older ones) to question their own sexuality and explore their feelings in a safe environment.

I'm glad you still have a few bunnies running around, but fandom is here whether people write or not, that's the joy of it, you don't have to write or create art, etc, to be able to join and be part of what really is such a wonderful community.

Thank you for sharing and taking part in the challenge.

[spikedluv]

Lovely ode to fanfic! And I love that quote.

[bold_seer]

The real WIP was the WIP we had inside of us all along.

Ha! But well put, in a way.