A Bit About Fan Fiction
When people ask me what I’m writing about, a small wave of embarrassment sweeps over me … and I shuffle my foot, and I look away with reddened cheeks, and I mumble under my breath, “Just some fan fiction.”
But I hate that I have this reaction, despise my own sense of shame … berate myself for being such a literature snob that I don’t feel my own writing is legitimate. Well … that’s about to change. Who says that one must write like Shakespeare or Austen or Faulkner to be “legitimate”? I refuse to allow myself such thoughts any longer.
Enough of this pussy-footing around, I say! Stand tall and proud! Don’t just admit it, but shout it to the world!
Of course, it would help if, when the words “fan fiction” slipped from my lips, others didn’t look at me like I’m nuts. I already know I’m a marble short of a bag. You don’t need to rub my nose in it. Besides … there is so much value in writing fan fiction. So much enjoyment. And the process has, much to my surprise, garnered me a very humble smidging of a fan club. For that, I will be forever grateful.
So what is “fan fiction” exactly?
Fan fiction is creative writing about pre-existing characters, where the writer introduces new situations, alternate realities, additional characters … or expands upon scenes and situations introduced in the original work.
For a serious writer, fan fiction provides a means for exploring the process without the need to formulate and explain the history of the people involved. It’s a wonderful exercise in plot development, lyricism, research … you get the idea.
And the added benefit of being a writer of fan fiction is that you bring an enormous amount of joy to all the fan fiction readers … people who love the characters as much as you do, and can’t let them go. People who want to change the ending of a show, or bring the characters into a new century, or simply continue their lives to that inevitable conclusion.
The fan fiction universe is vast, and covers all genres: television, movies, books, comics, and anime. But my fan fiction focuses on television … specifically, Beauty and the Beast. The show was a great influence during my early teenage years, when I was just discovering some of the things that would become my greatest passions. The romance between Vincent and Catherine was breathtaking: literary, musical … mythical … you might say it was an awakening for a young hopeless romantic such as myself (of course, it only made me more hopeless, but I don’t mind).
If you’d like to know more about the show’s profound influence in my life, read my first blog entry: Welcome to My World.
Here’s a catalogue of my work:
The Coming of Light (in progress)
* * *
And here’s a blurb about Beauty and the Beast from Wikipedia – for those of you who’d like to read my fan fiction, but have no prior knowledge of the show.
Beauty and the Beast is an American television series which first aired on CBS in 1987. Creator Ron Koslow‘s updated version of the fairy tale has a double focus:
- the relationship between Vincent (Ron Perlman) – a mythic, noble man-beast – and his Catherine (Linda Hamilton), a savvy assistant district attorney in New York
- and a secret Utopian community of social outcasts living in a subterranean sanctuary.
Through an empathic bond, Vincent senses Catherine’s emotions, and becomes her guardian. The series follows the developing relationship between the characters and the division between New York and the hidden world beneath it. In a twist from the original tale, however, this “beast” does not transform into society’s idea of beauty after gaining the love of Catherine. Rather, Vincent’s inner beauty is highlighted, while Catherine’s life transforms as a result of their relationship.
Nancy said,
November 13, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Did you just jot all of the above…right from your heart? No stress over usage or grammar…it just flowed, I know. It’s my idea of ‘perfection’. I want you to know that. I also read your thoughts about posting-in-progress like our friend does. Have you decided to try it?
Adrienne Trafford said,
January 18, 2009 at 12:00 pm
oh boy, if i could write i would be a fan-fiction person as well…i never knew what that was and i’m so glad i know now…wonderful – love when the mind just lets go and doesn’t care what others think – keep it up!!
i tried to write some poetry – i have it on my blog – empty house…i had the strangest dream and wanted to write it down and that’s what happened…it’s not great, but makes me want to do more… do you write poetry? i’d like to see some…xo
shmoo74 said,
January 18, 2009 at 1:02 pm
You know, Adrienne, I haven’t written what I would consider real poetry in quite a long time (and even that wasn’t particularly good). But I do have some poems up on my blog, in the sidebar (My Original Poetry). You won’t get any judgment from me … the key is to write when you feel the inspiration, and others be damned! Kudos for your first go … I’m going to check it out!
Norma D. said,
May 13, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I know you said not to get too impatient for Chapter 6, but I cannot help it. Chapter 5 was so sweet. I can’t wait to read what happens when Catherine finally becomes fully aware. Please don’t make us fans wait too long.
Michelle K. said,
May 18, 2009 at 4:42 pm
As a writer, I can only hope I don’t keep all of my fans waiting too long! I promise to do my best …
Skippy Flink said,
June 15, 2010 at 5:47 am
G’day Michelle,
Just found your site, have been reading your stories, and think they are absolutely magic. Please keep up the good work. May we hope to see you at the Oz Con in 2013 – I’ll be there with bells on, the One Above willing. Thanks so much for the pleasure you have given me and countless others for your lovely tales. Love, laughter and joy, Skip
Michelle K. said,
June 15, 2010 at 8:22 am
Thank you, Skip – that is so kind of you to say. I would love to get myself to Oz one of these days. I can’t guarantee I’ll be there in 2013, but if I could arrange a trip around the dates, you never know. I’ve never been, and it’s on my travel list for sure!
I so appreciate your support and your generous words. Thanks again, and I hope you continue to visit as new updates are posted. Cheers!