What do you think about Fanfiction?

I like fanfictions because you can read about your favorite characters in situations they were never able to encounter in canon. I speak as a fanfiction writer, of course. What other people may think about fanfiction is their own opinions and cannot be changed easily. And they can't be blamed. There are a lot of not-so-nicely written fanfics, but there are also a lot of really good ones. It's quite problematic for really popular shows/books/games/whatever-other-things-people-make-fanfictions-about since there will always be more poorly written ones than well made ones. However, chances are the best of fanfictions can be found here. Also, fanfiction is a good practice for beginner writers as they can learn how to deal with keeping an existing character in character, plot experimentation and the like.

I used to read some, but I've since stopped. Even though I've read some pretty good fan fiction, I'd still say it's a real cheap form of literature. You see, even if the stories are well-written it's someone taking someone else's characters and story and writing in a world they didn't create. So even if they were good writers, they'd still be playing with someone else's toys instead of making their own.

I love fan fiction. I especially like really well written fan fiction. I think it's a good way for writers to practice their skills using well known characters whose personality you already know. I hope someday I'll be able to write good enough fiction that someone wants to make fan fiction about my characters. I would rejoicing!

I used to right fan fiction but am not a teenager. I find when I read, that a lot of the writers are as you say nerdy teenagers or young adults who use the angst all the time. I do find when the writer is older, that they take a bit more care in it. The trouble is that because fan fiction is used as practice for fiction writer, just as here, mylotting is used as practice for article or non-fiction writer, that when they get a job or start writing their short stories or the great American novel, that much of the fan fiction remains unfinished. I do find that with fan fiction you have to be careful if the tv show or movie it is based on is still going on. The best tv fan fiction happens when the show is over and you write "what happened next."

Well, I have been an addict fanfiction reader for a long while - probably since I got addicted into anime. And unfortunately, I have to disagree on some points of your discussion. Yes, fanfiction might not contain or the licensed plot for a certain work but certainly, there are some works that can be considered as literature in their own respect. What I meant by literature, by the way, is that the work is engaging to read, a good plot, reasonable logic and a good tribute to the series that it was categorized to. If you know where to find and search, you'll probably read some good stuff. And some works tend to be much more than the good stuuf. As for the reputation of the writers, I disagree. I find some interesting fanfic authors who are good writers, regardless of what degree they finish. Sometimes, I prefer these authors because their work is a reflection of their intellect. And angst is just one of the filter categories, there is much more than angst. Though of course, they are authors who do this out of whim and not seriously. Personally, it's their loss. Fanfic is a creative outlet, so basically one reader cannot judge an author on the why's of a work's...negative. Besides, there a lot of work to read, why stuck with a crappy work? Personally, my reason for reading fanfiction is to expand my reading menu. I love anything that can make me think, imagine and engage in a story. for me, fanfiction, tickles my imagination and what besides, it's free.

Fanfiction is a great way for new writers to take there favorite charectors from books or shows or movies they have already read/seen and create a co-existing story line. Its a great way to practice story telling/createing. Fan Fictions are great for writers and i feel as if they should be regarded higher. Many put weeks upon months into fanfictions to just get labeled as another fanfic. We should really look at them to a higher standerd

I'm a Harry Potter fan and I read HP fanfiction. I liked many of them. I find that writing stories about favorite fictional characters is a way for some to express how they feel about them. I personally enjoy the could have been moments that fanfiction writers think of. Or those mundane things that aren't included in the real book but is quite fun to read about, such as Harry Potter's Other Hobby, or something like that. Many of the fanfictions also involve loveteams so they're kinda fun to read. I think it's great that angsty, nerdy teenagers are writing these things instead of doing other bad things. If they are lacking in plot or character development, then, maybe by continuously writing, they'll get better at it. I think it's great the internet is giving them a shot at writing. One of them may be the next JK Rowling.