Things I Don't Understand About Fanfiction

For me, fanfictions exist for only one purpose; they're supposed to help me indulge in my fantasies. Fantasies that I think won't happen in canons of my beloved fandoms. Most of the time, I get to read really great fanfiction. Whether they follow the plot of the fandom or not, they still end up compelling, emotional, and downright amazing. But there are also times, I get to read crappy fanfiction. It doesn't really hurt to read badly written fanfiction, though. It just expands your mind, and you begin to start questioning humanity. No worries, we are not just going to focus on the bad fanfictions in the world. We'll be talking about fanfiction, in general. And what I don't understand about them.

I guess the only limit to fanfiction writing is your imagination. The best part about fanfiction is that you can create your own stories but you have to base it off of your fandoms by using the characters, current settings, and all that shiz. But sometimes writers get creative and put established characters into different kinds of world-building (e.g. Harry Potter characters in a F.R.I.E.N.D.S.' setting). Nothing wrong with that, though. I actually find those kinds of fanfiction entertaining. What I don't understand are the formats in fanfiction websites. Like there are a few fanfiction websites who are quite strict about the way stories are being presented. Fanfiction for me is close to free-verse poetry; you can write whatever the hell you want and write in any way you want. It may be a minor thing but seriously, it's just fanfiction.

I know that you can do anything you want with a fanfiction story, but sometimes writers can get carried away. Fanfiction writing is also like constructing a specific building with Lego blocks; you can create whatever you want but in this case, you got a instruction manual on how you're going to build something. When you create fanfiction, you always have to keep in mind that these characters already have established personalities and they live in a very well-written setting. Sometimes, tinkering what the author already created is considered an abomination. There weren't official rules that you're not allowed to do that (if there are, please let me know). But it's an ultimate pet peeve for me to see characters not being themselves in fanfiction. For one thing, it feels like I'm reading a whole new different story and not a fanfiction. And it bothers me to see a character do something that he or she wouldn't most likely do (e.g. see a very asexual character suddenly have a sexual craving for a specific person).

I don't understand why "smut" fanfiction needs codenames like Lemon or Lime. Why can't we simply say that there is sex involved in this chapter and to read with caution? Heck, why even associate sex with food. We are blessed with ratings. Surely some readers can take a hint.

Original characters inserted in a fanfiction are always put to question. Most readers immediately assume that the writer created that out of sheer desperation just to be with their fictional crush, and there hasn't been much effort into its character development. I have to admit, most of the time that statement can be true. But why so judgmental to original characters? I've seen enough good original characters in random fanfiction, at the same time I have seen characters who's only role in this fanfiction is to seriously be the love interest of this canon character. I'm only tired of seeing fanfiction like that and I want to see more stories with original characters who are just there not causing too much fluctuations on the character's personality and all that shiz.

I also don't understand how some fanfictions become very popular, irregardless of what their content is. Even the most crappiest fanfiction can become a hit overnight, and some of the best well-written stories will be shunned for all eternity. Seriously, how does the popularity game work in fanfiction? Yes, I guess traffic may not matter to some writers, since it tends to differ for a lot of reasons. But let's be real here. What does it take to have a really great fanfiction recognized by thousands across the world. E.L. James, I would like to know the secret to your success, if you may.

And that is it for things I don't understand about fanfiction. If you have other things you would like to share, let me know on Disqus by commenting below. Anyway, this shall be it for now because school is fast approaching. Till the next post and good luck on your next school year~