So… you’re a big fan of Twilight and its charming stars and you want to write down your OTP? Awesome! The best thing about this particular pairing is that there are already so many stories out there for you to read and enjoy. All you need is a little creative spark and some Google-fu to find the ones that speak to you. While there are many positive aspects to this fad, it’s important to remember the risks that come with this sort of entertainment. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and put together this quick guide about writing fanfiction for beginners. It will help you navigate the world of fanfiction and give you some useful tips along the way.

The Differences In Genre, Tone, And Length

Before we begin, it’s important to point out the fundamental differences between fanfiction and other forms of sci-fi or fantasy fiction. First, let’s discuss the basics. There are two basic categories of fan-fiction: Canonical Fanfiction and Non-Canonical Fanfiction. In Canonical fanfiction, you are not breaking any rules established by the creators of the original work. You are writing stories that fall within the established universe of the source material. This type of fanfiction is generally shorter and less complex than Non-Canonical Fanfiction. An example of Canonical fanfiction is Buffy the Vampire Slayer fanfiction. There, now you know the difference. Let’s discuss the other factor that makes up for a fan’s creativity, the tone of the piece. In general, fanfiction is written in a lighter spirit than traditional tales. It can be humorous, snide, or sarcastic, all of which are totally acceptable when written well. In other words, you should not be afraid to let your comedic side show through in your work. For best results, write what you know. Don’t hesitate to jot down some stories that came to your mind while listening to one of your favorite bands. It’s important to keep the spirit of what made the story so great in the first place. This will help maintain the integrity of the original work while giving you a new spin on the characters and setting. Finally, the length of a typical fanfiction. Most writers aim for no more than 7-8,000 words. Anything longer and you’re considered to be writing a novella. If you’re aiming for a more traditional book deal, go for no more than 6,666 words. Anything below that and you’re opening yourself up to the dreaded fanfiction cut-off.

Creative Commons License

It’s important to remember that fanfiction is essentially Creative Commons. As a writer, you are not only allowed to adapt the characters and the plotline, but you are encouraged to do so. The only restriction is that you need to give proper credit to the original author of the work. You also need to indicate that you are performing the adaptation and if you have altered the work in any way, you need to indicate which sections of the story you have altered. Finally, you need to make sure that you have the permission of the copyright owner. This is actually the hardest part and the part that often leads to legal battles. It’s also the part that can really screw up your book deal if you are not properly credited. It’s crucial that you get this part right. Otherwise, you’re facing serious trouble. Fortunately, Creative Commons has a solution to this. They’ve established a license known as the CC0. Essentially, you are free to use the material as long as you credit the author and license it under the CC0. There are NO rules attached to this license. You do not need to notify the author that you are adapting their work or ask their permission. You do not need to attribute the work to the author. You just need to follow these three simple steps:

  • CC0
  • Attribution
  • No commercial use

And you’re good to go. Now, let’s discuss some of the basics of writing Fanfiction.

Style And Artistic Approach

So, you’ve written a fabulous five pages of Fanfiction. And this is great! Now, you’re probably itching to show off your work to your friends. Problem is, your Fanfiction is no longer protected by copyright and you’ve put yourself at great risk of being scooped. While it would be great to publish your work and hand it in, that’s not what’s going to happen. Instead, you’re going to have to find a way to make your Fanfiction stand out from the crowd. How? By using a distinct writing style that will make the reader interested in your work. Also, you need to make sure that your artistic approach is unique and memorable. This is where you put in the hard work. You’re not just going to breeze by with your five pages of Fanfiction. You’re going to have to develop a distinctive voice and put in the hours to make sure that your writing is perfect. Luckily, you have a proven guide to show you the ropes. It’s called Crafty Pinsent and the purpose of this blog post is to introduce you to the amazing world of crafting. But, first things first. Before we begin, it’s important to state that you don’t need to be a professional writer to tackle Fanfiction. It’s a fabulous hobby that can lead you down many roads. Let’s get started.