Fan Fiction: Follow These Rules to Create New Adventures for Your Favorite Characters
- CG Judd
- May 19
- 2 min read
Fan fiction is one way for aspiring authors and film makers to get their start. If you are interested in exploring this art form, here are some rules to follow.
The first rule of fan fiction is to credit the original creator. This recognition combines respect for the author as well as copyright laws.
The next rule is to tell new and fresh stories and not rehashes. Fan fiction is essentially creating a sequel or a continuation of the original work.
You can introduce original characters or include established characters in new situations and dynamics. You could create a new villain for the characters to fight.
The next rule is to write likable, interesting, three-dimensional characters that grow and change. Not only is that how people are in real life, it is also good writing and character development.
There are also rules about money and intellectual property rights, with some exceptions. With permission, people can publish their fan fiction as novels, and make fan films. Phantom, written by Susan Kay, is a fan fiction backstory about the Phantom of the Opera. Phantom was very popular, even internationally.
Andrew Lloyd Webber got his idea for Love Never Dies, his Phantom of the Opera sequel, from a fan fiction novel called The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth. Webber worked closely with Forsyth to make his Love Never Dies phantom sequel.
Fan fiction works are often turned into films. Complete with hair and makeup, the actors bring the stories to life. They are released on YouTube for people to watch for free. Fan films are very popular, and now there are production companies solely dedicated to making and releasing fan films. Fan films have their own film industry.
Following the rules of fan fiction can introduce the beginning author to a wider audience and bring success.
Just ask E.L. James who wrote the fan fiction novel Master of the Universe based on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight books which E.L. James then turned into the Fifty Shades of Gray series.
Interested in learning more? Just type in your favorite film, book, or character followed by the words “fan fiction” and discover a whole new world!
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