Conventional wisdom Everyone Has to Start Somewhere

This is one of those entries that has several different catalysts both from things I read online to some discussions I have had with other people face to face recently.

It started with someone I know declaring that she was taking down all her fan fiction because she wanted a chance to be a real writer and she knew that publishers would look down on her because she wrote fan fiction. So if she wanted a shot at her dream, then the fan fiction would have to go. I knew that decision didn’t sit well with her because of some other things she said to me.

I haven’t a clue where this idea that if you write fan fiction, you can never be a real published writer especially when you consider the number of novels out there which started as fan fiction and then the serial numbers were filed off making it original fiction. Not that I suggest that as a way to go to get published.

You know who has written some really good fan fiction in his time? My husband Peter David did. He use to published a fanzine entitled Second Age with some friends. One of his more popular entries in fan fiction mash-ups had to be the TARDIS at Pooh Corner with Dr. Pooh a time lord with very little brain who had various adventures. You can read the whole thing on his website. Here’s the first chapter the TARDIS at Pooh Corner .

I know a number of professional writers out there who started in fan fiction of one sort or another. Heck, I have written/write fan fiction some of which I have put out there and other things I have on my hard drive which will never see the light of day. I will admit to having a pseudonym for some of my more ‘adult’ stuff but that has more to do to keep Caroline out of it than anything else.

In all honestly, fan fiction is a good way of learning how to write and, probably more importantly, how to write for an audience. If you put what you have written out on one or more of the websites, you can get immediate feedback from readers which can tell you what is working within your writing and what you might need to work on.

I have learned a lot about pacing through the writing of fan fiction. I also know what my strengths and weaknesses as a writer are. And this has made me a better writer overall.

And what is writing a licensed product for a property really? Paid to create new stories and situation for characters that you like by the owners of the property is a pretty cool way to earn a living.

All writers have to start somewhere and fan fiction is not something that the professional world looks down on. Probably by this point most people in the industry have written fan fiction at some time in their lives.

I encourage each and every one of you to go forth and write fan fiction, write non-fiction articles, write whatever tickles your fancy. Just write something if you want to. It might never see the light of day or it might be the next NYT bestseller. You never know until you try.

And to my friend who has decided to remove her really good fan fiction, it is like I told you the other day, it is not going to ruin your career if someone finds your Superwholock fic down the road. I can see you at a convention down the road signing your latest book and someone is going to bring you a copy of what is already out there. I suggest you sign it and smile because they thought enough of the story to hang onto it on their hard drive and that’s a dedicated fan.

Now I am going to go back to writing the project I am working on which may see the light of day later this year.

I am grateful for all the fan fiction I have read over the years and all the people who have commented on my works which has made me a better writer.