Fanfiction may be a dream come true for somebody who just can't bear to see the end of a favourite story. The ending of a great book or movie can be bittersweet and often leaves the reader with a wish to know more about the characters. They may hope for a different ending, a continuation of the story, or maybe a change in the plot altogether. These are the readers who go on to read or write fanfiction.
What is Fanfiction
Fanfiction is a word used to describe stories written about characters and their settings by fans rather than by the original author. These stories are not usually published. Fanfiction is also sometimes referred to as fanfic.
When Did Fanfiction Originate?
Because fanfiction is primarily shared through the Internet, many people believe that fanfiction is something new. This is not true. Unauthorized stories and sequels to written publications have been around for hundreds of years. Sequels and stories written by fans have circulated about beloved classic tales such as Don Quixote, Alice in Wonderland and Jane Austen books.
Who Reads Fanfiction
There is no one, specific demographic to which fanfiction is directed. It is for anybody who is interested in reading it. Stories are available for every age group and are not gender specific.
From Harry Potter Fanfiction to CSI Fanfiction
Fanfics have been written about a seemingly endless number of characters. Stories have been written about favourite books, television shows and movies. There are even fictitious stories about celebrities available.
Adult Only Content
Because these stories are created by fans, the content is sometimes quite different than the original works. Taking this into account, most fanfiction sites require that authors post ratings and sometimes even warnings along with their stories. Some sights may need to be filtered for minors as they will contain stories that are inappropriate for young readers.
Is Fanfiction Illegal
It is unclear as to whether or not fanfiction is illegal. Many people believe that most fanfictions are running the risk of infringing copyright laws.
Authors' Responses to Fanfiction
While some authors and companies object to fanfiction and have made formal requests that stories involving their characters not be published on websites. Others not only tolerate almost encourage fanfiction as they believe that it helps to boost their sales.
Where to Find Fanfiction
Popular websites such as fanfiction.net host thousands of fanfiction stories. There are also websites dedicated solely to one setting such as the world of Harry Potter or the Twilight book series. A quick Internet search will bring up many possible sites for reading fanfiction.
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