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Original poster

FanFic...

31 replies

CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 11:45

I've noticed two posters mentioning in passing on threads about other things that they write fanfic. Just wondering if there are any more of us around!

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JesusdroveaHonda · 09/08/2023 12:57

I used to write fanfic, but I tbh quit after finding some of the readers/ reviewers quite overbearing in the community I was in. 😑Constant pressing/ demanding for story updates, making suggestions in reviews then getting upset if the story didn't go the way they wanted, moaning if my interpretation of the character wasn't the same as theirs, wanting me to write a stories for them using their ideas and constantly hounding me with messages full of ideas (even after I asked then to stop & stopped responding). I enjoyed the writing, but sadly it became more of a headache than it was worth.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 13:26

@JesusdroveaHonda I've heard of that happening! I think sometimes people do get over invested- the fandom I'm in has bothered slash and gen writers, and some of the gen people get incredibly angry with the slash people!

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Original poster
CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 13:26

*Both-not bothered!

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JesusdroveaHonda · 09/08/2023 13:31

@CurlewKate I agree. I think people post stories wanting feedback and engagement, but then it can be hard to maintain boundaries. Especially when readers feel like they really know you.

Bonjovispjs · 09/08/2023 13:34

I write fanfiction too, I love it. Thankfully I haven't experienced what JesusdroveaHonda has, just some supportive comments about my stories which I love as it makes all the effort worthwhile. But I would probably bow out too if I were to experience that.

Ghostoftomjoad · 09/08/2023 13:41

I wrote one and most of a second, but then JK Rowling did her sex/gender essay and most of the people who commented (intelligently and nicely) on my fic were absolutely tearing her apart on Twitter and making up bullshit about the origin of her Robert Galbraith name. It left such a bitter taste in my mouth I abandoned it, and 3 years later still get fairly requests to finish it. I'd actually like to, but all the enthusiasm went after seeing the way they went after this perfectly reasonable woman.

ScottishIceCream · 09/08/2023 13:41

I post occasionally on Archive of our Own and have done their Yuletide thing a few times.

I used to be in a fandom but it was really cliquey. Certain writers had loads of kudos no matter what and what had started out as a pretty free fandom became centred on them. They became a bit like celebs. Anyway, I'd had an idea for a story and was formulating it when I heard that one of the Chosen Writers was planning a story with the same premise. I got mine finished and started posting it up, but not under my usual name.

One of the comments I got went something like this: OMG! OMG! Chosen Writer this was AMAAAZING!! Etc etc.

It finished with: If you're not Chosen Writer, then well done, it's not a bad start.

Which told me what I'd already grasped - that the fandom was more about the clique and their stories, rather than about the writing itself.

Hence, I write mainly for my own pleasure, and to share with mates, and AO3 is a great place because I'm very anonymous and the fandoms I write for are fairly small and clique free.

Soubriquet · 09/08/2023 13:41

I would love to write it but my creativity is not fantastic. I would start then get bad writers block and that’s it. I do enjoy reading it though

JesusdroveaHonda · 09/08/2023 13:47

@ScottishIceCream I agree about the cliques. One website I was on at the very beginning had certain writers who were treated almost like celebrities. These writers had threads for themselves where they would post loads of in-jokes and write fic about themselves and each other set in the universe of the TV series the page was about. They were also the moderators and if you weren't one of them, you would basically get no reviews of your work. I left and went to a friendlier/ more open community, but that also had the downside of becoming overbearing.

Exx · 09/08/2023 14:24

I used to write mostly X-Files slash fanfic - then made the mistake of doing an English degree and somehow lost confidence in my own writing! I wanted to write Supernatural - had lots of plot bunnies - but never could force myself to start writing again. It makes me rather sad.
I put my old stories on AO3, but not under my original alias.

LylaLee · 09/08/2023 14:26

I love reading and writing it and I go to r/FanFiction on Reddit for community. I'm mid 40s. There are people there in their 60s and 70s. The Kirk/Spok OG crew.

LylaLee · 09/08/2023 14:27

Exx · 09/08/2023 14:24

I used to write mostly X-Files slash fanfic - then made the mistake of doing an English degree and somehow lost confidence in my own writing! I wanted to write Supernatural - had lots of plot bunnies - but never could force myself to start writing again. It makes me rather sad.
I put my old stories on AO3, but not under my original alias.

Come on over to r/FanFiction. I'm a bit busy so haven't been there for a while, but generally people are lovely and encouraging. I found my beta readers there.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 14:28

Oh, @Exx-that's such a shame. I hope you can pluck up the courage to try again.

I do get the Chosen Writer thing.I write in a very old fandom, and there are writers I call the Founding Mothers who could publish a shopping list and get a ton of kudos for it!

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LylaLee · 09/08/2023 14:32

JesusdroveaHonda · 09/08/2023 13:47

@ScottishIceCream I agree about the cliques. One website I was on at the very beginning had certain writers who were treated almost like celebrities. These writers had threads for themselves where they would post loads of in-jokes and write fic about themselves and each other set in the universe of the TV series the page was about. They were also the moderators and if you weren't one of them, you would basically get no reviews of your work. I left and went to a friendlier/ more open community, but that also had the downside of becoming overbearing.

Ah big name fans. Wherever you go on the internet there will be unbalanced people.

One saga ended up with someone creating fake accounts to pretend people were threatening her, then faking their own death or something like that. Someone with computer skills worked out that five accounts or so were posting from the same ISP (i.e. same person) and stirring up drama. She claimed someone logged into her computer or somesuch.

I wasn't there, only read about the aftermath years later when someone was saying why they avoid fandom spaces.

Capitulatingpanda · 09/08/2023 14:37

I used to write X-Files fanfic when the series was first on but kind of fell out of it.

ScottishIceCream · 09/08/2023 14:44

One saga ended up with someone creating fake accounts to pretend people were threatening her, then faking their own death or something like that.

Yes, the fandom I was in had stuff like that. It was nuts. Which is why I like AO3, I can quietly write, post, and people can search it out and leave a like or a comment, and I've no idea who these people are. Bliss!

ScottishIceCream · 09/08/2023 14:47

These writers had threads for themselves where they would post loads of in-jokes and write fic about themselves and each other set in the universe

Yes! And their acolytes lap it all up!

Soubriquet · 09/08/2023 14:50

Where on earth are people getting these nasty people?

I only ever read on fanfiction.com or AO3

LylaLee · 09/08/2023 14:58

It's the fandom websites/tumblrs/livejournals/subreddits which had/have the 'fracas'.

ScottishIceCream · 09/08/2023 15:10

Soubriquet · 09/08/2023 14:50

Where on earth are people getting these nasty people?

I only ever read on fanfiction.com or AO3

Dedicated forums and fansites.

Soubriquet · 09/08/2023 15:18

Christ. So not worth looking for then. I’ll stick to my normal two

HermioneWeasley · 09/08/2023 17:03

I write on Archive in a specific niche

DrLightman · 09/08/2023 17:18

One of the comments I got went something like this: OMG! OMG! Chosen Writer this was AMAAAZING!! Etc etc.

It finished with: If you're not Chosen Writer, then well done, it's not a bad start.

Haha so CW is a bit shit then...

LylaLee · 09/08/2023 17:23

Soubriquet · 09/08/2023 15:18

Christ. So not worth looking for then. I’ll stick to my normal two

Those are where fics are published, but they go elsewhere to interact.

Also Discord servers.

Original poster
CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 17:47

@Soubriquet I have heard of people getting pretty intense content in the comments section on AO3. But I do think most of the fighty stuff is on FB fan groups and other SM like Discord and Reddit.

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