| abstract | - Ah, fanfiction. The controversial format of (usually) unprofessional, unsponsored fans writing stories directly based on their favorite fiction. Sometimes erroneously labeled as a genre, fanfiction has as wide a variety as original fiction. However, there are some guidelines one must follow to create well-received fanfiction. This guide won't concern itself with how to write decent stories in and of themselves, but don't think that writing decently in and of itself is not important. One should read one of the other guides involving the genre they're going to write as well as this guide. This guide will be broken down into some steps. Before anything else of course you choose your Work of Fiction. If you look for example at Fanfiction.net, you will find that people have written fanfics for any genre, any medium, from Shakespeare's works to the Thief series to Bridget Jones to Transformers Generation 1. Don't be shy to choose what you like. If you write about less known works, there will usually be at least a handful of fellow admirers who will appreciate finding FF for it. If you choose a spectacularly popular work, you will find yourself writing in a continuum. Thousands and thousands of works exploring the main couple's relationship and just as many about the hero and his best friend. Hundreds of that one guy who is much cooler than the hero anyway saving the day as he deserves to do. There can be certain stories or writers who are well known, who might have left a mark on an entire style or genre in that fandom. There are certain sub groups, well known terms, interpretations of canon and characters, plots that are used frequently. Luckily there are always a lot more casual fans than hardcore ones and you can ignore fannish culture entirely if you wish. On the other hand, once you are familiar with it, you can try to play around with its conventions. You can also do a Crossover of two or more works (see Write a Crossover for some specific advice on writing these). You can even show your take on real events and people living or dead. (But be warned - if you choose reality, your work is going to be discussed controversely.)
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