I've actually been a lurker here for a couple of months, trying to pick up some tips and ideas for my stories, not wanting to join, generally out of fear... Then I thought 'why not give it a chance?' So...here I am. I love to write, been writing since 6th grade, at the most, except their all Fanfiction. That's another reason I hesitated: I'm afraid people might not take me seriously as a writer if all I write is fanfiction, but I stink at originality, and I believe fanfics are more fun to write anyway, but that's just MY view. One of these days, I aim to attempt an original piece, but until then, I'll go with what I know for now. For a while though, motivation, inspiration, and distraction, have been my biggest problems: I have a hard time finishing any project I start, because I get distracted, and can't get ideas on how to progress, so I'm hoping this place will help me improve, even though I'm aware I gotta help myself at some points. Believe me: I'm trying! Glad to be here either way, though.
Hi @Platina, and welcome from me. I don't think anyone here would have any kind of issue with fanfiction. Writing is writing. This is a community of all sorts of writers - novelists, short-story writers, poets, script writers, fanfiction writers, birthday card writers... (actually I have real trouble writing birthday cards...) Jump in and join in - it's a well moderated and friendly place
Hello, Platina. Welcome! I'm also new to the forum. Maybe you'll find here the motivation you need to finish those projects you're talking about.
A lot of writers started with fan fiction. It was a way of playing with already established characters and leading them into places where they usually wouldn't go. The trusted their readership to know the characters already, so the trick was to keep them recognizable while changing the context. A friend of mine started out with mimeographed Star Trek fan fiction. She doesn't write fiction anymore, but she values the experience and the community. (The only fiction she ever did for money was erotica ... but that's another story.) Good luck, and keep writing!
Hi Platina! Welcome to the forum. I'm one of the moderators here. I have already noticed you making useful contributions to various threads, so I'm probably a little bit late helping with the orientation process. However, for what it's worth, please do read these two links. They will help you get to know what the forum offers and what it expects from members. New Member Quick Start Forum Rules I am really pleased that you are already a writer. Don't worry about writing fan fiction. No, it's probably not the route to fame and fortune (although there is a niche market for it) but writing any kind of fiction is certainly valuable practice. Even though the 'world' and the characters have already been created for you, you still need to create a believable plot, and bring the characters to life within your story. Plus, you have an added advantage, in that you're writing about something you love. Your enthusiasm is likely to be reflected in the writing, and will be contagious. I confess that when I was very young, like 14 and 15 years old, my best friend and I 'collaborated' on stories featuring the Beatles as characters! She did most of the writing, because she had the knack of handwriting without constant needing to correct what she wrote, but I was in on all stages of the plot development and character depiction. It was a lot of fun, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I suppose the challenge of moving from fanfiction is two-fold. Not only to eventually create your own characters and your own world, but also to make the transition between visual media (I assume your fanfic is related to TV, movies or even computer games, and not other novels) and the written word. It's important to learn how to create the pictures in the minds of your readers that you see in your own. Probably best not to rely on the fact that they might have seen the original movie/TV/game, etc. In your case, you also seem to need to focus on finishing what you've started. So that is a goal you can work on, as a member here. Anyway, I think you'll find other fanfiction afficianados here ...we do have a section devoted to it. So dive in, and enjoy yourself! Once you've fulfilled the requirements for putting your writing into our Workshop, we look forward to seeing some of your work. If you encounter any difficulties getting settled, don't hesitate to ask me for help. I'll do my best. Cheers for now, Jan
