Are you tired of seeing your favorite characters ruined in bizarre, out-of-character ways?
(Looking at you, “Sexy Voldemort.”)
Don’t worry. You’re in good company! Writing fan fiction can be a fun, creative outlet, but it’s also important to balance between staying true to the source material and giving your imagination the freedom to run wild. So, grab your quill—or keyboard, because no one uses quills unless you’re in a Harry Potter AU.
First and foremost, if you’re going to write fan fiction that honors the original work, you need to know the original work. Yes, this means rewatching that show or rereading those books—multiple times. (No, seriously, binge-watching counts as research now. You’re welcome.)
Here’s why it matters: understanding the canon—aka the official storyline, characters, and world—is crucial. Imagine writing a “Lord of the Rings” fanfic where Frodo has a smartphone. Uh, no. (Although, let’s be honest, it would have saved a lot of time on that whole Mount Doom trek. Siri, how do I destroy the One Ring?)
But beyond the setting and facts, you need to dig into character voices and relationships. Fans read fanfic because they want to see their beloved characters acting the way they’re supposed to. If you’re going to give Sherlock Holmes a pet bunny, fine. Just make sure Sherlock reacts to it in the detached, rational way that would fit his character—probably with a cool analysis of rabbit behavior, not cuddling it like a teddy bear.
As you rewatch or reread the source material, take notes on:
– Character quirks (Does your character always say a certain phrase? Do they have a weird habit?)
– Relationships (Who’s besties? Who’s secretly in love? Who’s canonically oblivious to it all?)
– World rules (Don’t put a lightsaber in a Hogwarts duel. No.)
Now that you’ve got your facts straight, we can get creative!
If there’s one thing fanfic readers will absolutely not forgive, it’s their beloved characters acting completely out of character. Imagine Spock from “Star Trek” bursting into song during a battle. Yeah, no one’s buying it, even if he’s serenading Kirk with a lovely rendition of “I Will Survive.” (Though…that is kind of funny.)
That said, honoring the original work doesn’t mean you can’t push characters into new situations or explore different sides of their personalities. In fact, that’s what makes fan fiction fun! For example, in a Marvel fanfic, what if Tony Stark had to go to therapy (which, let’s face it, he totally needs)? Would he take it seriously? Probably not at first. You could write an entire fic about him cracking jokes and avoiding his feelings, but by the end, maybe he has a breakthrough moment of vulnerability. That’s staying true to his character—snarky, but with emotional depth underneath.
One great way to keep characters in character is through their dialogue. If your character always speaks in short, clipped sentences, don’t suddenly have them rambling like they’re auditioning for a TED talk. Rewatch scenes with your favorite characters and pay attention to how they speak.
Here’s a quick test: after you write a piece of dialogue, imagine reading it out loud in the character’s voice. If it sounds wrong, try again. If it sounds right, you’re golden. You’re now one step closer to fanfic greatness.
Fanfic is where your wildest dreams come true (within reason). Want to send your favorite characters to the beach, give them magical powers, or ship two people who’ve never even looked at each other that way in canon? Go for it! But here’s the catch: respect the original while bending it.
Let’s say you’re writing a fanfic where the characters from “Stranger Things” are all adults. Cool! Just make sure they’re still recognizable as the characters we know and love. Maybe Eleven’s telekinesis has grown stronger, or maybe Mike is a teacher now, but they should still have their core traits—Eleven’s tough exterior and underlying vulnerability, Mike’s earnest leadership.
And don’t be afraid to get creative with plots! Maybe you’re writing a “Star Wars” AU (Alternate Universe) where Luke Skywalker became a farmer instead of a Jedi. How does that change things? How does Luke react to the rise of the Empire if he’s plowing fields instead of blowing up Death Stars? The possibilities are endless, but remember: even if Luke’s not a Jedi in this world, he’s still Luke—brave, loyal, maybe a little impulsive.
When you go AU, think of it like this: keep one foot in the canon (so your readers recognize the world and characters), but let the other foot wander into uncharted territory. This is what makes fanfic exciting—you’re blending the familiar with the new, taking readers on a journey where anything could happen, but it still feels like the original.
We all love Easter eggs and references to canon—it’s a fanfic writer’s way of saying, “I’m one of you. I get it.” Dropping in a well-placed reference to that obscure episode of “Doctor Who” or a nod to Hermione’s Time-Turner from “Harry Potter” can be a lot of fun. But be careful not to overwhelm your readers with so many references that your fic starts to feel like a trivia quiz.
Your readers came for a story, not to play “Spot the Reference.” A subtle nod here and there is enough to make fellow fans smile and appreciate that you’re paying homage to the original without going overboard.
It’s tempting to sprinkle in all your fandom knowledge like salt on fries, but remember: fries are better when they’re not drowning in seasoning. Keep it light, keep it fun, and don’t let the references take over the plot.
Here’s the truth: no matter how perfectly you write your fanfic, someone’s not going to like it. It’s the internet. People will always have opinions—loud ones. You might think your AU where Harry Potter is sorted into Slytherin is brilliant, but someone will inevitably comment, “Um, excuse me, Harry is the pure embodiment of Gryffindor and would never join Slytherin, ugh.”
Just remember: fanfic is for fun. The best way to honor the original work is to enjoy the process, be respectful of the fandom, and embrace the chaos that comes with it. Someone out there is going to love your take on Captain America running a bakery, even if Steve Rogers would rather die than bake a cupcake.
Seriously. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong. Writing fanfic should be a joyful way to explore the stories and characters you adore. So don’t worry too much about being perfect. Play around, experiment with ideas, and enjoy being part of a community that shares your love for the same fandom.
When it comes to writing fan fiction, one of the key considerations is avoiding plagiarism. Now, don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds. As long as you’re mindful of making your story distinct and not simply copying the original, you’re in the clear. Writers in all genres borrow character archetypes all the time. The chosen one, the anti-hero, the mentor, the sidekick—they’re all common. If you love Hermione Granger’s intelligent, rule-following nature, you can totally create a character with similar traits. Just make sure you switch up their name, backstory, and the specific world they inhabit.
When world-building, use “What if?” questions to spark your creativity. What if magic existed, but only in underground secret societies? What if the world was destroyed by climate change, and humans now live on floating islands? These little changes can create an entirely original setting for your characters to exist in.
When planning your story, think about what excites you most about the original work. Is it the epic battles? The slow-burn romance? The deep friendships? Then ask yourself, “How can I write something that taps into that feeling but with my own unique twist?” This will help you capture the magic of fanfic while avoiding outright copying.
It’s especially important when your fic is still inspired by recognizable elements, but you’ve changed enough to make it your own. This is where phrases like “inspired by” or “loosely based on” come in handy. You’re not claiming ownership of the original work, but you’re making sure people know that your story is a creative twist on that universe.
In the end, writing fan fiction is all about passion and creativity. By staying true to the characters, respecting the canon (while bending it just a little), and keeping the references under control, you’re well on your way to creating a story that honors the original work.
And most importantly, have fun with it! Fan fiction isn’t meant to be high-pressure or stressful—it’s your space to geek out, explore new ideas, and write stories that make you (and your fellow fans) smile. So go forth, write that epic romance, that thrilling adventure, or that AU where everyone’s a cat. Just make sure you’re enjoying the road.
