How Fan Fiction Improves Writing

[BelleCanzuto]

I saw this in The Atlantic, and it reminded me of this group.

How Fan Fiction Improves Writing
Link: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/10/how-fanfiction-improves-writing/599197/

It’s common for contributors to fan-fiction websites to see their skills develop like this. In these online communities, writers of all ages and skill levels—from adolescents still refining their grammar to professional adult authors such as Jemisin—are learning and teaching others how to write, and write well.

A fan-fiction site is a uniquely energetic learning environment. Unlike in the classroom, where a writing prompt is as likely to be met with groans as with enthusiasm, writers on fan-fiction websites are thrilled to be there, excited to write, and passionate about the material—because it’s based on a book, TV show, movie, video game, or something else they already love.

I know we're not writing fan fiction, per se, at least not most of us. But sex is definitely a topic we're all excited about. I'll say for myself that I've learned a lot already.

 

[NotWise]

I saw this in The Atlantic, and it reminded me of this group.

People still read The Atlantic?

I like to think that writing enthusiastic erotica has improved my writing, but then I'm not sure. My highest rated story was written in my first six months here, which -- taken alone -- doesn't argue for much improvement.

 

[SimonDoom]

I saw this in The Atlantic, and it reminded me of this group.

How Fan Fiction Improves Writing
Link: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/10/how-fanfiction-improves-writing/599197/



I know we're not writing fan fiction, per se, at least not most of us. But sex is definitely a topic we're all excited about. I'll say for myself that I've learned a lot already.

Interesting topic. I'd never thought of the parallels before, but you're right this is a self-selecting group that does not groan at the prospect of writing about sex. That's what we're hear to do.

I'm much more motivated to contribute and and share notes about stories here than I would be at a generic short story site. I've learned a lot, as well, in the nearly three years I've been writing here.

Your thread gives me an idea, too: How about a fan fiction contest or event? Pick a literary/fictional story or theme and write a sex story based on characters in that story. To avoid copyright problems we could confine it to stories written before 1900 (that won't eliminate all copyright problems, but it will eliminate almost all of them).

I'm not sure how seriously copyright concerns about fan fiction re taken here, because there are many fan fiction stories based on stories written published fairly recently. But confining it to older stories might draw contestants who otherwise would shy away.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

People still read The Atlantic?

I like to think that writing enthusiastic erotica has improved my writing, but then I'm not sure. My highest rated story was written in my first six months here, which -- taken alone -- doesn't argue for much improvement.

Well, I do, for whatever you think that says about me...

The study that's mentioned in the article is more specifically about younger writers, i.e. teenagers. But what struck me was the concept of distributed mentorship (or however they put it exactly), the idea that instead of a one on one relationship with someone, you benefit from multiple different perspectives and areas of expertise. I would certainly say that's true here.

 

[NotWise]

The study that's mentioned in the article is more specifically about younger writers, i.e. teenagers. But what struck me was the concept of distributed mentorship (or however they put it exactly), the idea that instead of a one on one relationship with someone, you benefit from multiple different perspectives and areas of expertise. I would certainly say that's true here.

What's been said here repeatedly (though not necessarily recently) is you improve you're writing by writing. Something like fan fiction or erotica as a subject motivates more writing.

Feedback helps with some specific problems, but a lot of improvement comes just from putting something out there and finding out if people understand. Most of us need to experiment with that a little.

And then there's learning about what people want to read, which varies from population to population.

 

[Bramblethorn]

The community aspect is definitely important. IMHO part of what complements that, both here and in fanfic, is that the quality bar is pretty low - that might be frustrating sometimes for readers with higher standards, but it makes it a place where people can get started without feeling like they're not good enough.

 

[Blind_Justice]

The unique appeal of fanfic, at least from a writer's perspective, is that most legwork has already been done. A Star Trek fan reading Riker fanfic does not have to be told what phasers, tricorders or Ferengi omox is. The vocab and concepts are there, and you have more freedom to play around with characters and situations.

I haven't written a piece of fanfic yet, but my approach to fantasy writing has been very similar, taking tropes, vocab and even basic plotlines (hero fights dragon, barbarian wins in gladiatorial combat and has messy sex as a reward). With greater mastery, I found myself bringing more and more of my own stuff into the stories. Sure, an avid dice roller will recognize the underlying D&D influence, but I think my stories work because of rounded characters and great worldbuilding.

And once I'm done with "Mud & Magic" and any urgent requests my Patrons might have, I will write my own piece of fanfic. Battletech. Giant robots. 3022, on the planet Belgrade, a barely settled desert world in the Periphery. Small-scale merc unit Dalton's Daredevils badly need a job. Cash is tight and soon the bank will repo the unit's main asset - Tessa Dalton's prized Wolverine-6K BattleMech. When a ComStar adept offers them a sweet deal, Tessa has no choice but to accept, knowing that maybe she bit off more than she and her crew might be able to handle.

It's all about underdogs against a superior force, high adventure, giant stompy robots and probably very little in the way of sex. Knowing me though, I expect at least a steamy shower scene to creep in. Happens in all of my stuff

 

[ElectricBlue]

Knowing me though, I expect at least a steamy shower scene to creep in. Happens in all of my stuff

Cleanliness is next to godliness .

 

[NotWise]

Knowing me though, I expect at least a steamy shower scene to creep in. Happens in all of my stuff

The story I'm working on had a steamy shower scene all set up. I skipped writing the words and left the details to the reader's imagination.

That's a questionable judgement on my part. Why skip a sex scene in an erotic story? Because I don't want to turn a short-story plot into a novella.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

The community aspect is definitely important. IMHO part of what complements that, both here and in fanfic, is that the quality bar is pretty low - that might be frustrating sometimes for readers with higher standards, but it makes it a place where people can get started without feeling like they're not good enough.

Yeah, exactly. Because the bar can be pretty low, because the stakes are low, it's welcoming. A good place to break in. I doubt very many people go from writing on a fanfic site to the Hugo award, like N.K. Jemisin, but I bet a lot of people do come away with a better understanding of how to tell a good story, which is crucial to a lot of communication in many settings. And having a place with a sense of community spawns its own benefits.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Yeah, exactly. Because the bar can be pretty low, because the stakes are low, it's welcoming. A good place to break in. I doubt very many people go from writing on a fanfic site to the Hugo award, like N.K. Jemisin, but I bet a lot of people do come away with a better understanding of how to tell a good story, which is crucial to a lot of communication in many settings. And having a place with a sense of community spawns its own benefits.

I got the distinct impression that E.L. James didn't stick around long enough to learn...

 

[Rustyoznail]

What's been said here repeatedly (though not necessarily recently) is you improve you're writing by writing.

"
" Your writing ", not "you are writing"...

(Ducks and runs for cover...)

 

[BelleCanzuto]

"
" Your writing ", not "you are writing"...

(Ducks and runs for cover...)

I got your back, Russ (not literally, of course)

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

People still read The Atlantic?

Uh... can I get a “Ta-Neishi Coates” in lieu of an “Amen”?
I have never heard of reading The Atlantic as somehow being gauche.

I would love to write fanfic lemons on Lit, especially c137cest, or SasuNaru, or EruHiss etc etc. But technically you can’t on Lit since characters can’t be aged up from the source material.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I got your back, Russ (not literally, of course)

Isn’t that “you’re” ?


... sorry couldn’t help it mwahahahaha

 

[NotWise]

Uh... can I get a “Ta-Neishi Coates” in lieu of an “Amen”?
I have never heard of reading The Atlantic as somehow being gauche.

I hadn't thought of it as gauche. More like passé. I used to read it.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I hadn't thought of it as gauche. More like passé. I used to read it.

Gotcha. I’m quite passé and if not gauche, at least left-handed. I even read the New Yorker short stories too.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I got your back, Russ (not literally, of course)

Isn’t that “you’re” ?


... sorry couldn’t help it mwahahahaha

Uh. No, it's not "you're".
{{many apologies if you were just joking}}

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

Uh. No, it's not "you're".
{{many apologies if you were just joking}}

Yup, it was a joke.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

Uh... can I get a “Ta-Neishi Coates” in lieu of an “Amen”?
I have never heard of reading The Atlantic as somehow being gauche.

I would love to write fanfic lemons on Lit, especially c137cest, or SasuNaru, or EruHiss etc etc. But technically you can’t on Lit since characters can’t be aged up from the source material.

Yes, to Ta-Nehisi Coates, all day long and way back when.

 

[SimonDoom]

Well, I do, for whatever you think that says about me...

The study that's mentioned in the article is more specifically about younger writers, i.e. teenagers. But what struck me was the concept of distributed mentorship (or however they put it exactly), the idea that instead of a one on one relationship with someone, you benefit from multiple different perspectives and areas of expertise. I would certainly say that's true here.

I don't read the Atlantic regularly, but I often enjoy the articles when I do. While it's ancient it does a good job of remaining current and important. The article you cited is a good example of that. It frequently publishes articles that get talked about, like Ta Nahesi Coate's article on reparations.

The most curious part of the article you cited is its link to an earlier Atlantic article called The Strange World of Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan Fan Fiction.

And, yes, the article is about EROTIC fan fiction. Involving Mitt. And Paul.

I would never have dreamed of that.

 

[NotWise]

Yup, it was a joke.

If we're going down a rabbit hole, shouldn't there be Wonderland on the other side?

 

[KeithD]

There's nothing in writing fan fiction that inherently improves writing any more than writing any other form of fiction.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

If we're going down a rabbit hole, shouldn't there be Wonderland on the other side?

Your pick! What’s the destination?
I’m just a Mad Hatter today. Someone must have put something in my margarita.

 

[NotWise]

There's nothing in writing fan fiction that inherently improves writing any more than writing any other form of fiction.

I'm pretty sure that the OP's idea wasn't specific to fan fiction. More like, writing for a community of peers improves your writing.

Personally, I'm not sure that's true, but my mind is open. Or maybe empty.