How Writing Fanfiction Laid the Foundation for My Creative Journey
Writing fanfiction often gets dismissed as a lesser form of creative expression, but for me, it was the foundation of my writing journey. Even though I’m still a little embarrassed to share my fanfiction work (you tech-savvy readers might be able to find my username), I can’t deny it was the formation for my writing journey. My first foray into the world of fandom was writing stories for Glee and Teen Wolf (yes, I’m that old). Looking back, I realise that fanfiction didn’t just ignite my passion for storytelling—it also equipped me with skills that shaped the writer I am today. Here’s how writing fanfiction made me a better writer and why I think it’s a valuable practice for anyone honing their craft.
Mastering Character Voice
Fanfiction requires you to write characters who already exist. Readers expect them to sound and act like their on-screen counterparts, which forces you to master the art of character voice. Through countless hours writing about Sam Evans’ gigantic dopey smile, Blaine Anderson’s warmth and ambition, Scott McCall’s sense of duty and relentless support, and Liam Dunbar’s anger issues, I learned how to:
- Capture distinct voices: Each character has unique dialogue patterns and quirks, and their interests and history shape how they see the world.
- Stay consistent: Balancing authenticity while imagining new scenarios required careful attention to their established personalities.
- Create my own characters: Over time, I applied these skills to original characters, crafting individuals with their own histories, strengths, and vulnerabilities.
Fanfiction was like a masterclass in understanding what makes characters feel real and relatable.
Exploring Liberation and Identity
As a gay writer, fanfiction gave me a space to explore identities and relationships that weren’t always visible in mainstream media. It was freeing to craft narratives where queer joy and love were celebrated without centring on trauma or coming-out stories.
- Liberation Through Storytelling: Writing about the characters I loved allowed me to explore themes of self-acceptance and resilience. It was liberating to craft narratives where characters thrived, not despite their identities, but because of them. And refreshing not to have a character’s plot revolve around them being gay, coming out, facing homophobia, etc.
- Shipping Characters and Pairings: The thrill of pairing characters and imagining new dynamics felt like creating endless possibilities for connection and growth. Shipping relationships allowed me to embrace creativity while exploring emotional depth and what makes a partnership compelling. It often felt like a quest to see what two (or three—lol) characters connected on and what aspects of their personality would create friction.
Building Emotional Depth
Fanfiction often focuses on relationships and emotions, whether it’s exploring unspoken feelings or imagining alternate endings. I explored different mental health issues based on what I knew about them at the time. And because the world/context was already established, I could often just focus on the plot. I also learnt how to balance angst and resolution. Stories need tension to keep the reader interested, but they also need hope. Writing with emotional depth has now become a hallmark of my writing today.
Learning to Write for an Audience
Fanfiction provides something rare for budding writers: instant feedback. Posting chapters online and receiving comments taught me invaluable lessons:
- Understanding what resonates with readers: I could see which scenes or dynamics readers loved (gosh, humans really do love drama).
- How to handle critique: Constructive feedback helped me refine my work and taught me not to take things too personally.
- What motivates me: Receiving comments were a big motivator in the beginning (external motivation), but this eventually became less important. The enjoyment I got out of writing became its own reward (internal motivation).
Understanding my audience’s expectations while staying true to my vision has been invaluable as I’ve transitioned to original fiction.
Experimenting Without Fear
Fanfiction is a playground for creativity. There’s no pressure to reinvent the wheel, which freed me to:
- Explore different genres: I wrote everything from fluffy romances to angsty character studies.
- Practice narrative techniques: From flashbacks to dual perspectives, I tried it all.
- Experiment with perspectives: Writing in first person, third person, past tense, and present tense helped me discover what suited different stories best.
This freedom allowed me to refine my voice and pinpoint my strengths as a writer.
Strengthening World-Building Skills
Fanfiction takes place in pre-existing worlds, which meant I didn’t have to invent entire universes from scratch. Instead, I focused on:
- Maintaining consistency: Keeping established details accurate while adding layers of meaning was a key skill I developed.
- Connecting environments to emotion: Fanfiction nudged me to consider how settings influence characters, often reflecting their inner states.
Though my original stories aren’t heavy on world-building, these lessons taught me how small, well-placed details can enrich a narrative.
Why Fanfiction Matters
Fanfiction isn’t just a hobby; it’s a training ground for aspiring writers. It allowed me to:
- Experiment freely: Without the constraints of traditional publishing, I can explore ideas and styles. I also put a lot less pressure on myself.
- Connect with a community: Sharing work with like-minded fans fostered encouragement and a sense of belonging. Comments, even critical ones, were a dopamine boost that kept me writing.
Build my confidence: Positive feedback and engagement validated my efforts and inspired me to keep going.
Go and Try It!
Writing fanfiction wasn’t just a phase for me; it was the start of a lifelong love for storytelling. It gave me the tools to develop character depth, emotional resonance, and narrative structure while fostering creativity and discipline. Most importantly, it was a safe space to explore my identity and relationships in ways that mainstream stories often didn’t offer.
If you’ve ever considered writing fanfiction, I encourage you to give it a shot. You might be surprised by how much it improves your craft—and how much joy it brings to your creative journey.
Or are you already writing fanfiction? If so, how has it shaped your writing skills? Share your experiences, and—if you’re braver than I am—do feel free to drop your fanfiction account in the comment section below.
And if you do happen to find my old fanfiction account… well, just remember: I was a teen, still learning, not that well-informed, and blissfully unaware of the rules of good writing. Please don’t judge!
Omg, I’m being so defensive.