By Jenny Tran
It’s an absolute horror. A tragedy, even. Staring at the end credits casually rolling across the screen as if your entire life hadn’t just been captured by the past few days of binge-watching.
And, you enjoyed it, of course. But, as you close your laptop and begin to feel the sweet guilt seep in, you can’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.
It’s over, you realize. What am I supposed to do with my life now?
And, on top of that, you were maybe a bit disappointed about how it all tied up. And, those two characters you were rooting for didn’t end up together. And, there is still that one plot hole that was left open and swelling inside your mind.
It just didn’t feel finished. There was so much more that could have been done with the story. Your dissatisfaction needed to be quenched, in some way or another.
In this case, you may want to open that laptop again—your answers lie in the palm of fanfiction.
Fanfiction is exactly how it sounds. It is a genre composed exclusively of works based on other source materials, often written by fans. Aspects, like characters, setting, or plot, are taken directly from the original work and incorporated into the writing.
And, it might be the answer to all your crises following the end of a movie, show or book. Writing fanfiction, or simply just indulging in it, can bring you ease and comfort among many of its other benefits.
Before a blank document and the possibilities ahead, you are practically invincible. You have all the power to change the story into what you want.
The cliffhanger at the end? It now nicely wraps up. Those two characters who had so much chemistry between them? They are now together. The plot hole? It ceases to exist.
Fanfiction allows you to put your own twist on already existing works, to varying degrees. It not only brings closure and satisfaction, but allows you to flesh out your creativity on what you already know.
And, if there’s one thing apparent about writing fanfiction compared to actual fiction—it’s easy. The process is largely low-stress. You don’t have to go through all the work of creating characters or the setting or even the plot if you don’t want to. It gives you the opportunity to hone in on certain aspects of your writing without the hassle of everything else.
You can truly find your own writing voice through fanfiction.
Another thing: the “publishing” process is even easier. Through popular applications like Wattpad, Archive of Our Own and fanfiction.net, users in the millions flock to post and read uploaded works on the Internet. With a few clicks, you won’t only be able to post your works for the world to see, but also gain access to what the world has in store for you.
The fanfiction community is a famously large one, being composed of every kind of fan there is. From the many Harry Potter stories to the even more anime fanfictions to the most obscure piece of work—there is a corner for everyone.
At first glance, however, fanfiction may seem nothing more than off-putting. On the Internet, there is a noticeable stigma around fanfiction and disapproval of those who indulge in them. There are especially certain morally challenging stereotypes surrounding fanfiction as a whole. For example, considering that a good bulk of fanfiction is explicit, it isn’t hard to assume that people are in it for merely sexual pleasure and appeal.
And, besides, is there a point of basing an entire work off of someone else’s story when you could write your own? In a sense, can we really see fanfiction as “real writing?”
Of course, while some cases cross boundaries, there is one striking detail of fanfiction we have to keep in mind—it isn’t that serious. And, a lot of the time, that’s the entire point of why someone would write it.
People often use fanfiction for escapism, like how one might resort to reading books or watching movies. Fanfiction writers, or even readers, shouldn’t be judged if they are simply indulging in a hobby they find joy in.
The fanfiction community isn’t just amateur writers being lazy or feeling “excited.” They’re actively engaging in something they love and want to share.
There are, indeed, certain times when fanfiction grows to be more than just a small passion on the side. Those who publish their work online can gain traction and are readily able to gain the support or criticism they need in their writing career. Fanfiction is just one way to put your writing out there in a stress-free manner.
Some authors even take the next step to traditionally publish their fanfictions too—after rounds of heavy editing, of course. One recent notable example is the novel The Love Hypothesis, which had previously been a Star Wars fanfiction surrounding the characters Rey and Kylo Ren.
In one interview, the author Ali Hazelwood expressed her experiences with fanfiction and its future with traditional publishing.
“Fanfiction is just an amazing medium. It’s great…to find your voice, to explore things that you usually don’t find in traditional publishing,” Hazelwood said. “I do think traditional publishing is getting more and more interested in fanfiction and in embracing it. And maybe they’re doing well because of money and marketing and stuff like that, but I’m just really happy that this is happening and that fanfiction is gaining legitimacy, because it always had legitimacy.”
As of lately, publishing companies are searching for new talent in fan communities more. Aspiring authors can always find a starting hold in fanfiction. Of course, those who grow to be renowned authors like Hazelwood often won’t forget their roots.
The roots being this: resorting to the endless, vast world of fanfiction and taking matters into their own hands when they were yearning for more.
All things considered, maybe seeing those end credits isn’t the end of the world after all.
