How to Write Good Fan Fiction

Writing fan fiction--fiction based on popular television shows and movies--is a hobby enjoyed by thousands of people around the world. But while some fan fiction is so good it could pass for professional, other stories are cringe-worthy wastes of a reader's time. Learn how to write good fan fiction by avoiding a few critical pitfalls.

Things You'll Need

• Writing materials DVDs or recordings of favorite shows and movies

Instructions

1. Write what you know, to write good fan fiction. If you have never or have rarely seen "ER," for example, then there is no point in you writing a story based on its characters.

2. Write what you like, to write good fan fiction. If you have seen the "Harry Potter" movies, but don't particularly like them or feel invested in the characters, then your fan fiction will show this lack of interest.

3. Include canon in your fan fiction, unless you are writing an alternate-universe (AU) story. Canon refers to those character personality traits and back-history that most rabid watchers of the show will recognize. While some readers don't care if you make up non-canon details (such as Frodo having a mad affair with Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings"), others will be immediately turned off.

4. Clearly label an alternate-universe story as such. By the same token, to write good fan fiction, clearly label stories that have sex, violence or other disturbing elements that were not in the original television show or movie.

5. Avoid "Mary Sue." Mary Sue is a term in fan fiction that refers to a non-canon character who plays a big role in the plot, while clearly representing either author self-insertion or some kind of wish-fulfillment from the author. Mary Sue is usually (but not always) female, has exotic eyes and a mysterious past. She often possesses unrealistic or mystic traits that are not supported by the original source material. To the frustration of readers, she generally has an affair with a main character, saves the day and dies a hero.

6. Get a beta reader. A beta reader checks fan fiction for grammar, spelling and plot difficulties. You cannot write good fan fiction in a vacuum; a beta reader will be able to see problems that the writer may miss. Many fandoms keep lists of beta readers handy for writers who need one.

Tips & Warnings

• Writing good fan fiction takes practice and attention to canon detail. Often readers will forgive a writer messing with canon if the characters are well-written and the plots are well-rounded. Know your fan fiction terms. "Het" refers to opposite-sex relationships. "Slash" refers to same-sex relationships that may or may not be canonical. "Gen" refers to a story that is usually G or PG rated. Many fandoms have their own specific terms that you will need to know as well if you are writing for that fandom. Fan fiction is often posted on the Internet at specialized sites. Some fan fiction is also considered "zine" fiction, which means it's published in a print magazine.

• The legalities of fan fiction are fuzzy at best. While writing fan fiction and posting it is legal, television, movie and book producers have been known to sue writers who attempted to make money from their fiction, citing trademark laws. Always label your fan fiction at the top of the story. There is nothing more upsetting to some readers than reading "slash" when they expected "gen," or expecting a canon story and getting an AU instead.