I read fan fiction. I absolutely, positively do! Not only do I read it, but I’ve been writing my own version of fan fiction for decades. I’ve just never published any of it.
Character and dialogue are the glue that hold a story together, for if either seems unbelievable then I quickly lose interest. Pairing characters romantically (on the screen or page) can lead to richer character development if done well. When the author or screenwriter chooses a different path than I anticipated, my creative writing juices flow. Hence, my passion for fan fiction. (Yes, I used “hence”; it’s a personal favorite.)
Fan fiction artists range in skill level, as any artist does, and some stray completely from the book/film/series canon into alternate universes all their own. Yet there are plenty whose talent shines through their use of dialogue and voice that’s in keeping with the characters of which they love.
It’s those works in which I can get lost in for hours, envisioning what they create as though it was a scene left on the cutting room floor. These writers have a clear understanding and respect for the original source material, infusing new or altered story ideas that can be backed up by the source content.
So, Day 2 of the Love Write Now Pledge involves me perusing fan fic sites for my favorite fictional characters before I head to my computer for work on my own original source material. Perhaps one day, my characters will end up with a fan fic following!
Kelly Deeny 