Over the years, fan fiction has become super popular, especially online, where people can share their stories with others who love the same characters or universes. Websites like Wattpad and Archive of Our Own have made it easy for fans to connect, read, and write their own versions of beloved stories, making fan fiction a big part of modern storytelling.
What is Fan Fiction?
Fan fiction is when fans write their own stories using characters, settings, or worlds from existing books, movies, TV shows, or games. It uses the characters, settings, or plotlines from that original work, but creates new stories, alternate scenarios, or expands on events or relationships that weren’t fully explored.
History of Fan Fiction
Fan fiction has actually been around longer than most people think. It really got its start with fans writing their own Sherlock Holmes stories way back in the late 1800s, and later with Star Trek in the 1960s. Back then, fans would share their stories through fan-made magazines, called fanzines, and at conventions.
But things really took off when the internet came along in the 1990s. Suddenly, fans could share their stories with the world, thanks to websites like FanFiction.net, which launched in 1998. It created a space where fans could write and read stories about their favorite characters from Harry Potter to Twilight. Online communities started to form, and fan fiction became a big part of fan culture.
Nowadays, fans can easily find and share millions of stories with just a few clicks, turning what was once a niche hobby into a huge creative outlet that connects people all over the world.
Did You Know?
You can create your own fan fiction on Galatea app!
Just download it on Google Play or App Store and go to Create Your Own Fan Fiction Stories section.
You’ll be able to choose the level of spiceness, the main character type, and even a fandom! It’s such a fun entertainment, we definitely recommend testing your own creative ideas there!
If you want to be inspired by some of our favorite characters – check out our stories on these shelves:
- Paranormal Romance shelf (you’ll love Kidnapped by My Mate);
- Rags to Riches;
- Morally Grey Men shelf.
Fan Fiction Terms You Haven’t Heard Before
Fan fiction writers have developed a whole set of fun terms and acronyms to talk about their stories and characters. You’ll probably want to study some of them before starting to write your own fan fiction stories.
- OTP (One True Pairing): This is a fan’s absolute favorite romantic couple in a story. It’s the pairing they believe is meant to be together, no matter what happens in the actual storyline.
- OC (Original Character): An OC is a character the writer creates and adds into the world of the fan fiction. This character didn’t exist in the original work but plays an important role in the fan’s version of the story.
- AU (Alternate Universe): This term comes up when a fan changes the setting or world of the story. For example, taking characters from a fantasy world and placing them in a modern-day high school would be considered an AU.
- Canon: When something is canon, it means it’s officially part of the original storyline created by the author. It’s the stuff that “actually” happens in the book, show, or movie.
- Headcanon: This is a fan’s personal belief about a character or event that isn’t explicitly stated in the original story. It’s like having your own ideas about what happens behind the scenes, even if it’s not officially part of the plot.
- Ship/Shipping: Shipping is all about supporting a romantic relationship between two characters, whether or not they actually end up together in the original work. Fans love to “ship” their favorite couples, even if the pairing is just in their imagination.
- Fluff: If you’re looking for something light and heartwarming, fluff is the way to go. Fluff stories focus on sweet, feel-good moments between characters, with little to no drama.
- Angst: On the flip side, angst is all about deep emotional pain, conflict, and drama.
- Drabble: A drabble is a really short fan fiction, usually around 100 words.
- PWP (Plot? What Plot?): This phrase is used for stories that don’t focus much on the plot and are instead all about romantic or intimate scenes between characters.
Types of Fan Fiction
Canon-Compliant
These are the stories that stay true to the original plot. Writers might fill in missing details or explore untold moments, but everything lines up with what actually happens in the original work.
Alternate Universe (AU)
AU fan fiction is where things get really imaginative. This is when characters are put in completely different settings or situations. For example, you might take fantasy characters and place them in a modern-day high school, or switch up the roles they play in their world.
Crossover
Crossovers mix two or more fandoms together. Think of your favorite characters from different books, shows, or movies meeting up and interacting in a shared universe—it’s fun and often leads to some pretty wild scenarios.
Fix-It Fic
If you ever wished something went differently in the original story, fix-it fics are for you. These stories “fix” things the writer didn’t like—whether it’s changing a character’s fate or reworking a plot twist that didn’t sit well with fans.
Shipping
This one is all about romance. Shipping fan fiction explores romantic relationships between characters, even if they weren’t together in the original story. Fans love playing with the “what if” of different couples, whether the pairing is canon (official) or non-canon (totally fan-created).
Self-Insert
Here’s where it gets personal! In self-insert fan fiction, the writer adds themselves or an original character (OC) into the story. It’s a way for fans to imagine themselves in the world they love, interacting with their favorite characters.
One-Shots
These are short, standalone stories that focus on a single moment or scene. One-shots are great for writers who want to explore a quick idea or “what if” without committing to a longer story.
Drabbles
If you’re into really short stories, drabbles are for you. They’re typically 100 words or less, and challenge writers to capture a moment or tell a full story in just a few sentences.
One of the best things about fan fiction is that it gives writers the freedom to experiment. Whether they want to try out different genres, write from multiple points of view, or explore creative storylines, it’s a safe space to test out their ideas. Over time, this helps writers build their storytelling skills and gain more confidence in their writing.
