Wesz van der Heide

How Writing Fanfiction Laid the Foundation for My Creative Journey

Let’s talk about fanfiction. Some people look down on it, but honestly? It was the foundation of my writing journey. Even though I still get a little embarrassed thinking about my old fics (and yes, if you’re tech-savvy, you might just find my old username), I can’t deny how much it shaped me. My first dive into fanfiction was writing for Glee and Teen Wolf (yes, I’m that old), and looking back, I realise it didn’t just spark my love for storytelling—it actually made me a much better writer. Here’s how fanfiction helped me grow, and why I think every writer should give it a shot.

Mastering Character Voice

Fanfiction throws you straight into the deep end when it comes to character voice. Readers expect these characters to sound and act exactly like their on-screen counterparts, which means you have to pay attention to the little things: speech patterns, quirks, even the way they see the world. Through hours of writing about Sam Evans’ dopey smile, Blaine Anderson’s ambition, Scott McCall’s unwavering loyalty, and Liam Dunbar’s fiery temper, I learned how to:

• Capture distinct voices: Each character needs their own way of speaking and thinking.
• Stay consistent: Balancing authenticity while imagining new scenarios requires careful attention to their established personalities. Readers will notice.
• Create my own characters: Over time, I used these skills to craft original characters with rich histories and unique perspectives.

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 (though there were always some of those themes present, of course).

• Liberation Through Storytelling: I could create characters who thrived in their identities rather than struggling with them.
• Shipping Characters and Pairings: Pairing up characters and imagining their dynamics helped me explore relationships in a way that felt both fun and meaningful. Shipping relationships allowed me to embrace creativity while exploring emotional depth and what makes a partnership compelling. I loved figuring out what made two (or three—lol) characters click, and what aspects of their personality would create friction.

Building Emotional Depth

Fanfiction thrives on emotion. Whether it’s slow-burn romance, heart-wrenching angst, or feel-good fluff, it’s all about making readers feel something. 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

One of the best parts of fanfiction? Instant feedback. Posting chapters online and getting comments taught me:

• Understanding what resonates with readers: I could see which scenes or dynamics readers loved (spoiler: it’s 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 how to balance audience expectations with my own creative vision has been invaluable as I transitioned to original fiction.

Experimenting Without Fear

Fanfiction is like a giant creative sandbox. There’s no pressure to reinvent the wheel, which means you can:

• Explore different genres: Fluff, angst, mystery, fantasy, you name it.
• Practice narrative techniques: Flashbacks, dual POVs, unconventional storytelling, go wild.
• Experiment with perspectives: First person, third person, past or present tense, you can test them all and figure out which works best for which story.

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 fun hobby—it’s an incredible way to grow as a writer. It helped me:

• 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 fosters encouragement and a sense of belonging. Comments, even critical ones, are a dopamine boost that keep 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.

So, if you’ve ever thought about writing fanfiction, do it. 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.