What Is Fanfiction

I belong to that demographic of middle-aged mothers who occasionally dabble in fanfiction, and so 'How to Train Your Dragon' has an extra-special place in my heart. There is a wealth of creativity to be found in this fandom. Two fanfics that I particularly like are 'Becoming Lífþrasir' and 'I Hear Him Scream'. In 'Becoming Lífþrasir', we see what happens when Hiccup is taken in by dragons and 'I Hear Him Scream' is a thrilling and emotional tale of Hiccup, Toothless switching bodies. Both carry you along on a wild ride and both do this much-loved tale the justice it deserves.

As an ardent 'When Calls The Heart' follower, fanfiction is an invaluable extension of the show. Some top-draw fanfics encompass 'The Promise', a post-season 5 emotional rollercoaster, and 'Hearts in Question', for a deeper dive into Elizabeth's psyche. They encapsulate the characters' personalities, their struggles, and triumphs very effectively. The fanfics certainly keep the Hope Valley flame burning between seasons.

In fanfiction, 'AU' stands for Alternate Universe. This concept allows writers and fans to take familiar characters and settings from existing works and place them in different scenarios, timelines, or even entirely different worlds. The beauty of AU is that it opens up endless possibilities for storytelling. For instance, you can see characters from 'Harry Potter' living as superheroes, or 'My Hero Academia' characters navigating high school life in the 1980s. AU typically changes a fundamental aspect of the original canon story, which gives both writers and readers a chance to explore unfamiliar relationships and situations. It’s like reimagining a beloved story; instead of the wizarding world, you might find wizarding characters as detectives in a noir-themed universe. Many fans love AU because it allows them to see their favorite characters in a new light. For example, you might read about 'One Piece' characters in a modern high school setting or place 'Attack on Titan' characters in a rom-com scenario. The creativity behind AUs can be incredibly impressive, and they often include intricate plots or humorous twists that wouldn’t fit in the original narrative. Some popular types of AUs include High School AUs, where characters are reimagined as teenagers navigating school life, or Coffee Shop AUs, where characters might bond over lattes instead of battling monsters. What makes them appealing is the chance to explore character dynamics that differ from what we’re used to. Writers often enjoy constructing backstories and developing character arcs within these new settings, and it can feel exhilarating to see how characters react to entirely different circumstances. AUs can also provide a safe space for writers to experiment with genres that may not align with the original work, giving fans a fresh take on what they already love. Ultimately, the relationship between canon and AU can be a fun playground for creativity, letting fans indulge in their wildest dream scenarios. It’s one of the many reasons why fanfiction thrives; it breathes new life into stories we thought we knew.

The 'Fifty Shades' series started as fanfiction for 'Twilight,' but the key differences are huge. The original fanfiction was more about exploring the dynamics between Bella and Edward, but 'Fifty Shades' shifted focus to Anastasia and Christian, creating a whole new world. The tone changed too—less about supernatural elements and more about BDSM and power dynamics. The writing style in the novels feels more polished, with tighter editing and a clearer narrative arc. The fanfiction was raw and unfiltered, while the novels aim for a broader audience, smoothing out the edges. It’s fascinating how the same core idea can evolve into something so different.