The Reasons We Write Fanfics · 11:02pm Dec 28th, 2022
There are several reasons why people write fanfics. But I think that most people who write fanfics will agree that most people who write fanfics do so for the same reason as the people who create the original content that those fanfics are based on. The question then is, why do writers write the intellectual properties that fanfics can be made from?
Most people write because they honestly want to create something that will entertain an audience. This applies to original content and fanfics alike. You are providing a product for an audience to take in and enjoy. But it's even more nuanced than that. So let me explain what I think are the 4 primary reasons for writing fanfics.
Reason 1: Entertainment
This one seems obvious. But to be more specific, these people write fanfics with the intent of pleasing the people who will read them. This is also the most common reason why the creators of intellectual properties will create. They have an idea and want to share it. It's as simple as that.
Reason 2: Creative Expression
This is more for a personal reason, but still with the intent of sharing with an audience. Many people have creative minds, myself included. And it's even the case that some people have more ideas than they can write. I personally have so many ideas that it can be frustrating when I get into the zone.
What makes the second reason different than the first primarily comes in the form of fanfics specifically. Intellectual properties would do have criteria that the creators have to follow, often the result of editors and the like also having a say in what happens. But fanfic writers are not restricted in the same way original content is. Granted, many fanfiction sites won't allow specific content. But unlike original content, fanfics can go beyond the realms and limitations of original content. MLP is the perfect example. There are certain things that the show is not allowed to touch upon, whether it be because of the show's age rating or because of Hasbro executives. Fanfic writers can create content that is more violent, more "intimate", or simply a different genre from the show. And crossovers are far more common in fanfics than in original content. It's rare for two rival companies to make a crossover. But it's not unheard of either (Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games). And most non-fanfic crossover content exists in a world that is neither one nor the other or is non-canon. Fanfics are where crossovers can thrive. For example, one of the largest MLP fanfics is Fallout: Equestria.
Another way express creativity is in the form of alternate timelines. Alternate timelines and alternate universes are what they say they are. Here on FiMfiction, a popular AU is the Lunaverse, a timeline where 1000 years ago, Celestia went mad and became the being known as Corona, and Luna was the one who had to banish her sister, to the sun in this case. This creates a butterfly affect that results in a more politically driven and politically corrupt Equestria. A similar premise to the Lunaverse is the Cadanceverse, where both Celestia and Luna go mad and Cadance banishes them to the sun and moon respectively. This butterfly affect results in a more music driven Equestria (for whatever reason). There’s the Manehattenverse, a What If scenario where Twilight was sent to Manehatten instead of Ponyville. Also, Trixie makes for a good Element of Laughter. The Flipverse is another What If scenario that makes Spike the unicorn and Twilight the baby dragon. Then there are stories where the divergent point happens later in the series. Past Sins is a perfect example of this. Another example of this (though the divergent point is before the beginning of the show) is Colt of Steel, a Superman story where Com-El (Apple Comet) is found, adopted, and raised by the Apple family. Or there’s Mare of Steel, which is another Superman story, but this time making Rainbow Dash the Superman analogue. Or Changeling Reveal stories, like Change, Of The Hive, Forever Changeling, Princess Celestia: The Changeling Queen, The Irony of Applejack, and many others (I’m even working on one). And then there are all the Scootadopt fics, some of which also fall under Scootabuse fics. I’m pretty sure Scootaloo has been adopted by every member of the Mane 6 at this point.
I could go on and on about this...in fact, I already have. So before I ramble on any more, let’s get to the next on the list.
Reason 3: Popularity
Just to be clear, creating for a selfish reason like popularity doesn’t mean the creation is bad. But the reason why some people might write a fanfic isn’t to entertain an audience, but for the sake of popularity. It’s all about personal gain. I won’t necessarily say that this reason is worth berating. But I will say that it’s not necessarily worth praise either. For stories written for this reason, I figure that the story should be able to stand on it’s own accord. Simply put, the writer should get the same respect that the story deserves. But that respect for the writer should go to their writing skills and nothing more.
This reason can either be good or bad, or it could be neither and stay neutral. But no matter how you look at it, the intent is personal gain.
Reason 4: Personal Preference/Satisfaction
This is a weird reason because I originally only had 4 general reasons for writing fanfics. But I came to the conclusion that this deserves it’s own category. The reason this category is weird is because of what are known as fixfics. Like the name suggests, fixfics are intended to “fix” certain episodes of the show. This is most commonly in relation to the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well episode (at least to my knowledge). Fixfics usually don’t fix anything, and more often than not will make things worse to the point that many fixfics need their own fixfics. But this isn’t the case for all fixfics, which was why I needed to make a separate category to put fixfics in.
The more… raunchy content. I mean, what other reason would there be for those stories than for “personal satisfaction”? Again, this isn’t always bad, which is why this is a weird category.
And finally…
Reason 5: Hateful Spite
Originally, I was going to put fixfics into this category. But because not all fixfics are bad or made with ill intent, that is why I needed to make a separate category.
People who write because of this reason will often be considered members of an anti-fandom. But sometimes they also will be loyal to a specific time frame, like the pre-Twilicorn era. Some will hate specific characters or concepts. And sometimes, the writer will specifically hate members of the fandom and make an OC to represent them specifically to be tortured or misrepresent.
Thankfully, people who write for the 4th and 5th reasons are part of a minority
So what do you think? Is there anything I missed and should’ve included? Do you agree or disagree with these as being reasons people write? And which reasons do you write for? Keep in mind that virtually none of these reasons are mutually exclusive, with a few minor exceptions. Personally, I write primarily for the 1st and 2nd reasons, and admittedly with perhaps a touch of the 3rd reason.
I don't disagree, but I can suggest 2 other reasons...
Reason 6: Creative Outlet (Stress control)
People write fanfics as a means of letting off steam, or channeling all their violent fantasies and thoughts on paper. In a way, it relates to Reasons 4 and 5, but in a not so bad way. People are angry at someone, or something in life, and they really wish to do something horrible or nasty to said person, but it's wrong no matter what, and perhaps the person really doesn't want to do it, knowing the trouble it could bring. So they put this all into their stories as a way of letting it out.
This does not necessarily make the story bad, for this reason alone. The story can still be decent, and anger and stress is usually a source of muse and inspiration that helps the writer GAIN ideas FOR stories, and at least by doing it this way (Attacking the fictional characters and their world) Nobody in real life is getting hurt, nothing is getting broken, and no real trouble is happening.
It's a great way to both control your stress, and be creative at the same time.
"Creativity is the Greatest Rebellion"
Reason 7: Practicing for a Career.
Some people wish to become real authors of actual, original stories. So they start with fanfiction in attempt to improve their writing styles and test out audience reactions to plot and character they make up, as means of boosting their skills and knowledge for the real thing.
Do you agree?
5705578
I actually don't agree with those downvotes, because you do make good points.
As for my thoughts on your reasons, I'd argue that your "Reason 6" would fall under Reason 2 of Creative Expression. Using fanfics as an outlet is a way of expressing yourself. As for "Reason 7", I'd go back to what I said in the beginning where people who write fanfics will do so for the same reason they would write an original story. So the question would be, why would someone be practicing for a career in writing?
Despite my disagreement about your reasons being their own categories, I do agree that they do expand upon the reasons I've already established.
I can agree. I may not be a writer, but I do think that if I was I would be 2, 4, and 5.
Strolling by...
I must say: quite a handful of those "reasons" are not reasons at all, but goals. Reason 5 is a reason, because people can write out of spite; but reason 3 is actually goal 3, because people can write for popularity.
This is not "The reasons we write". This is "The goals (and occasionally reasons) for writing".
Hm, I think that's enlightening
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5732202
Well, whether they're reasons or goals, I don't think I should feel like making the title of the blog any more complicated than necessary. But I could argue that they aren't "goals" but means to an end. The difference between a goal and a means to an end is that a goal is an endgame. A means to an end is how you get to that endgame. For example, reason 3 being popularity is that, sure, popularity is the goal. But you're specifically using fanfics as the means to an end since writing isn't the only way to become popular. My intent is to point out the means to the end, not the end goal itself.