What is Fan Fiction?

Imagine a world where Sirius Black survives his tragic fate, Anakin Skywalker never succumbs to the dark side, or Tony Stark remains an ordinary billionaire without donning the Iron Man suit. What if these iconic characters took completely different paths? 

These “what if” scenarios are the heart of fan fiction — a creative playground where fans explore alternative storylines and new adventures based on their favorite media, including books, TV shows, and movies.

While not exclusive to the digital world, fan fiction and the surrounding communities do primarily live online and carry many of the same concerns as other forms of user generated content. Some fan fiction, as can be expected, is adult in nature, and not safe for kids. 

Understanding what it is, how it’s shared, and fan fiction’s pros and cons can be helpful for parents seeking to give their kids the best of technology today without exposing them to unnecessary dangers or explicit content.

What is Considered Fan Fiction?

Fan fiction stories often involve characters, settings, and plot elements from the source material but are crafted by fan fiction writers rather than the original creators. 

Fan fiction allows writers to dive deep into beloved universes, reimagining pivotal moments, expanding on beloved fictional characters’ backstories, or introducing entirely new plotlines that diverge from the original story.

What is an Example of Fan Fiction?

Consider the popular series, “Harry Potter.” One recent fan fiction, entitled “Manacled,” by SenLinYu, reimagines the ending of this well known story with Voldemort winning the wizarding war, and Hermione Granger falling in love with Draco Malfoy. 

While not covered in J.K. Rowling’s official series, this fan fiction has had significant traction since it’s release in 2018 with over 16 million individual downloads. With this popularity comes major consideration for parents to be aware of before letting their kids read. More on that later.

Other examples of fan fiction could be an alternative universe story where characters from “Star Trek” are placed in new and uncharted scenarios, such as Spock aligning himself with the Klingon Empire rather than Starfleet.

Fan fiction does contain some common tropes like “Mary Sue” characters — overly idealized characters with no flaws or weaknesses — but fan fiction can also vary widely in style and content. Some other notable, real-life examples include:

• Fifty Shades of Grey: This widely known series began as fan fiction inspired by the “Twilight” saga and became a bestseller. It highlights how fan fiction can evolve into mainstream success.
• Star Wars fan stories: Fans create countless narratives expanding the Star Wars universe, from alternative histories to new characters and adventures.
• Sherlock adaptations: Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes create modern updates or historical adventures featuring the iconic detective.

Popular Apps and Sites for Fan Fiction

There are several popular apps and websites where fans can read and write fan fiction. 

1. Archive of Our Own (AO3): One of the largest and most well-known fan fiction archives, AO3 offers a vast range of fan-created works and allows for extensive tagging and searching.
2. FanFiction.net: A longstanding site with a large collection of fan fiction across numerous fandoms. It features a straightforward interface and a broad selection of stories.
3. Wattpad: Although Wattpad is not exclusively for fan fiction, it has a significant fan fiction community and allows users to publish and share their stories.
4. FictionPress: An offshoot of FanFiction.net, FictionPress focuses on original works but also has a section for fan fiction.
5. Tumblr: While primarily a social media platform, Tumblr has a strong fan fiction community and many writers post their works there, often alongside fan art and other related content.
6. Reddit: Subreddits like r/FanFiction provide a space for readers and writers to share and discuss fan fiction.
7. Inkitt: Similar to Wattpad, Inkitt allows for both original stories and fan fiction, with a focus on helping writers gain readership.

Each of these platforms serves different needs and preferences. Some require writers to assign an age rating to their work, but there is no system in place to verify or adjust these ratings for accuracy.

The online community aspect of fan fiction is huge. Introducing children to fan fiction could naturally lead them to explore these communities, such as online forums, social media groups, and Reddit threads, or it could at the very least spark a desire to join and interact with these platforms.

Is Fan Fiction Ever Illegal?

Fanfiction occupies a complex legal space. While writing fan fiction itself is not inherently illegal, it often involves using copyrighted characters, settings, and plot elements without permission. 

Most fan fiction operates under a kind of tolerated infringement, meaning copyright holders usually turn a blind eye as long as the fanfiction is not sold or profited from. However, publishing fan fiction commercially or using it in a way that directly competes with the original work could lead to legal issues. 

Parents should educate their children about the importance of respecting intellectual property and the potential legal ramifications of distributing their fan fiction.

Pros and Cons of Fan Fiction

Fan fiction offers several notable benefits. It provides a creative outlet for writers, allowing them to hone their storytelling skills and express their imagination in ways that might not be possible with original works. For kids and young adults, fan fiction presents a valuable opportunity to experiment with different narrative styles and plotlines. 

Fan fiction fosters a sense of community among individuals who share a passion for the same media. Online platforms and social media enable these writers and readers to connect, collaborate, and engage in shared storytelling experiences. 

It also allows fans to explore a variety of scenarios and character developments, enriching their engagement with the original material. This can involve crafting stories set in alternate realities or creating new plotlines involving historical figures or contemporary individuals.

However, there are some drawbacks to be aware of. There are intellectual property issues to consider, as the use of copyrighted characters and settings in fan fiction can sometimes raise concerns among the original creators about how their work is being used or represented.

The quality of fan fiction can vary significantly since these stories are often written by fans without the benefit of professional editing or review. As a result, some fan fiction may lack the polish and coherence typically found in professionally published works. It also opens the door for explicit content where many readers wouldn’t expect it. 

Adult Fan Fiction

Another thing to keep in mind is that certain fan fiction may include mature or explicit content that is not suitable for younger readers. Writers may delve into themes and scenarios that push the boundaries of appropriateness. Just because an original story, character, or fictional universe is child-friendly does not mean that fan fiction based on them will be. Parents should be cautious to vet fan fiction.

Consider the example of the popular Harry Potter fanfic, Manacled, mentioned above. None of us would hesitate to share a story with beloved, familiar characters; however, further investigation shows it also includes adult themes like rape, slavery, torture, sexually explicit scenes, language, and gruesome violence and death.

Guiding Your Child Through Fan Fiction

Fan fiction can be a valuable creative outlet and a way for real people to engage with their favorite media in a meaningful way. However, it’s important for parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with user-generated content. Monitoring online activity, discussing content boundaries, and guiding children towards safe and appropriate fan fiction can help them enjoy this creative hobby responsibly. 

By staying informed and involved, parents can support their children’s creative endeavors while ensuring they navigate the world of fan fiction safely.

Do you read fan fiction? How do you feel about the quality of fan fiction compared to professionally published works? Do you have any standout fan fiction recommendations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.