You know, I’ve never really read any fan-fic. So I haven’t really thought much about it. I guess I feel like if it is a positive outlet, a way for someone to join into a world they want to be part of (especially if it’s to help them deal with a real world that is cruel and often painful), then it’s a good thing. If it helps someone practice writing and that leads to finding their own voice or a path they want to follow in life, all the better. I do, however, draw the line at things like 50 Shades of Grey. That wasn’t good, it creates harmful messaging, it’s poorly written, and I’ve continued to be annoyed that it has grabbed attention away from genuinely brilliant erotic writing that was already out there. I can’t stand it. So I guess I’m fine with fan-fic as long as it’s not that one?
What about you guys? What do you think? Have any of you read any fan-fic? Are there great ones out there? Feel free to share recommendations and links in the comments if you want!
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Oh there’s some utterly terrible fanfiction out there (God knows I’ve written plenty of it!), and I hate that it’s things like 50 Shades that have made the general public more aware of it, especially when there’s SO MUCH that’s really really good. It blows my mind that people are writing 50k+ long stories and making them available for free, it’s awesome!
I’ve been writing the stuff for over 20 years, made so many amazing friendships through it, and learned so much about how to (and not) write. I can’t see myself ever stopping – I take breaks but I always come back to writing fic
Yeah, I feel like 50 Shades has done a disservice to… well, pretty much everything it represents. Re-telling of classics, fanfic, erotica, BDSM – and writing in general! While it’s the only fanfic I have any personal experience with, I do tend to feel like it’s a lowest common denominator and I absolutely believe there is a TON out there that is way more interesting, creative, true to the spirit of the original and much better written. I have friends who have been involved in fan communities (on and offline) and even cosplay, and it has always seemed to me like they are wonderful communities of people who share interests and find unique and exciting ways of celebrating them. Definitely not a hater here, just not a fan of that particular one! I’m glad to hear that you have gotten so much out of it, and as someone who has made several wonderful friendships online that have lasted a decade or more, I absolutely believe in the power of online communities to create real friendships that transcend the original context. Thanks for stopping by to share your personal experience – it’s great to hear from someone who knows of what they speak! 🙂
I posted on time, but forgot to share my link (hanging head in shame). I think that, like many other things, there are a lot of layers to it…and I SO agree with you on 50SoG…. :::shudder:::
My post is here if you feel like stopping by.
Oh I have done that so many times! Yeah, I have such a hard time with 50 shades. The only thing I liked about it was this epic review someone posted on Goodreads (with gifs and everything) that was hilariously scathing! 🤣
I haven’t read any fanfiction but, I have heard their are some weird fanfiction out there.
Hahaha! It’s the wild west online, so I feel like that’s a safe assumption!
I am largely in favor of fan fiction, though I think the issue (like so many others) is more complex than it’s usually presented as being. The longer version of my answer is here.
I agree. I think it’s like many things – there’s a very wide range of what’s available, and it’s not all the same or of the same quality. I read your post (and will go comment on it in a minute as well) and agree with you. There are a lot of nuanced elements to this discussion, and when I started reading I just kept thinking, “everything is based on something else!!!” and then you made exactly that point. I think it gets a bad rap because anyone can do it so obviously it’s not all going to be great, there’s a tendency to look down on people who band together into fan groups of anything in our culture, and it’s another of those things people do for free on the internet, which always seems to devalue things with a few exceptions. I don’t think it’s fair really to block it all together into one reaction, as I think there’s just such a wide range. I don’t have a problem with it, if it’s something the creators enjoy making and their group of followers enjoy reading, why not?? I bet some of it ends up better than or as good as the original, and who’s to say what is or isn’t worthwhile creative pursuit? Anyway, long way to say, good post.
There’s definitely a lot of good fanfic out there. But there’s also a lot of trash out there, too.
There’s so much wrong with 50 Shades that I have no idea how it got so popular.
My post
Yes, that’s pretty much what I thought. Like traditional books, I suppose! I don’t know either. I guess maybe it just crossed over to become sort of acceptable smut to be reading in public, whereas the better stuff has racier covers and doesn’t have the recognition, maybe? I am a bit flumoxed by it, tbh!
Your answer makes sense to me. 🙂
Haha thanks! It only sort of made sense to me, so that’s a relief! 😉