Can you write fanfiction without watching/reading the entire series?
By nekonyanta
@nekonyanta (892)
Philippines
June 7, 2009 11:27pm CST
Hi, everyone. Lately, I've been into a new anime series, Kateikyou Hitman Reborn (Hitman Tutor Reborn). It's a funny series about a hopeless kid who has been chosen to become the next mafia boss. Helping him along the way is his pint-sized tutor, Reborn, who himself, is a hitman. I'm really liking the series and its cast of characters, even if I'm only 28 episodes into it. 
Even so, I've begun to have ideas/plot devices for fan fiction. Personally, though, the number of episodes that I've watched does not deter me from actually writing what's in my head, never mind if I later on find out that that's not the ways things go in canon. (I could easily slap an "Alternative Universe" -AU- label on the story, if that happens.)
So, how about you guys? Fellow fan fiction writers, do you always make it a point to watch as much of a series as possible before writing fan fiction so as not to deviate too much from canon? Or are you the same as me who writes as plot devices come to mind? For fan fiction readers, do you like reading fan fiction with too much deviation from canon (but it's not an AU)?
Please do share your thoughts.
Even so, I've begun to have ideas/plot devices for fan fiction. Personally, though, the number of episodes that I've watched does not deter me from actually writing what's in my head, never mind if I later on find out that that's not the ways things go in canon. (I could easily slap an "Alternative Universe" -AU- label on the story, if that happens.)
So, how about you guys? Fellow fan fiction writers, do you always make it a point to watch as much of a series as possible before writing fan fiction so as not to deviate too much from canon? Or are you the same as me who writes as plot devices come to mind? For fan fiction readers, do you like reading fan fiction with too much deviation from canon (but it's not an AU)?
Please do share your thoughts. 2 responses
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I got into reading X-Men fan fiction, even though it deviated drastically from the original!! Creativity should be used. I think it's easier to start fanfiction in the beginning of a series. It's much harder if you've seen the entire series, cause then they've cut out all the possibles already. The playing field has been narrowed.
1 person likes this
@nekonyanta (892)
• Philippines
9 Jun 09
Hmm, well I guess writing fan fiction in the beginning of the series does present a lot more creative opportunities but then, I'm kind of worried about making the characters too Out-of-Character (OOC) to the point that they become entirely different characters with only the name of the original character as a common factor. But I guess, sometimes, it really is more fun starting to write fanfiction in the beginning.
@Shadenfrauder (355)
• Philippines
9 Jul 09
I'm writing for a fandom that's currently unfinished, Naruto. I haven't watched or read the entire series but I've been writing my own fanfics for almost a year now. I'm happy to say that most readers I have say I can write the characters IC. ^_^ It's a nice compliment.
I reckon it depends on what's on my mood. Sometimes I prefer canonverse, sometimes AU (like that always cute High School AUs ^_^).
I think it's okay to write fanfics even if you don't complete the series. What matters is that you enjoy yourself, yeah? :D
