2020 will forever be stigmatised as a symbol of strange and scary times around the globe. However, out of the darkness, many encountered a surprising light, for amidst the plight of this indescribable pandemic, people were given the unexpected gift of time, allowing them to pause and reflect, bestowing humanity with the liberty to learn new truths, whether that be about their priorities, relationships, goals, or even their talents.
For me, the UK’s recurrent lockdowns have flung me into the fascinating world of fanfiction. For those of you still bewildered, fanfiction is where people take an original creation and then adapt and expand it in acceptable ways within its existing framework. Enthusiasts can redraft anything from books to plays, TV shows to films, and photography to anime. For literature, devotees tend to revise stories by adding sequels, alternative endings, progressive themes, innovative plots, or introducing varied character development. The options available for redefining and reinventing art in the universe of fandom is as infinite as the actual blinking universe itself. Now, we’re not taking credit for the prototype, that would be plagiarism, but we’re being granted permission to apply a little creative licence.
So, what has fanfiction got to do with me, or with our nemesis Covid19 for that matter? Well, I’m ashamed to admit that I’d never ventured into this realm before, and it wasn’t until the lockdown of March 2020, that like Alice with her rabbit hole, I fell into an orbit that was curiously weird and wonderful. Because shops were closed and I didn’t have a kindle, I was stumped for buying a new book, so on one unforgettable spring day, (I forget the exact date), I went online, discovered fanfiction, and, dear reader, I never looked back.
After having the leisure to spend hours exploring this vast world of pure imagination, I soon realised that it captivated, inspired, and encouraged me in new ways. So, with a refreshed zeal for the creative arts, I not only began to read, but I also began to write…and write…and write.
Now, after months of having a passionate love affair with fanfiction, I have some questions. For one, why are so many people drawn to this domain as both creators and consumers? And was more than one person bitten by the fanfic bug in 2020? Like those who look up to space, questioning whether we are alone, I wondered who else was out there.
To begin with, I asked people what brought them to fanfiction as a reader.
Trudy from the USA explains:
Writing or reading fanfiction is centred on an already known and loved set of characters. The freedom in imagining these beloved characters in an infinite variety of situations gives writers and readers a chance to linger…with dear friends.
Trudy touches upon what lies at the heart of this pastime. As bookworms, we mourn when a story is officially over and we have to say farewell to our imaginary friends and their absorbing tales. Therefore, fanfiction is about the joy of delving into something we already love and not being restricted by the fatal words: “The End.”
Again, we might not always be satisfied with events as they stand, as we may wish that characters had made different decisions, that the plot could have seen another twist, or that various outcomes could have been conceived or prevented. Also, with diverse levels of talent and varieties of styles available, we’re presented with an assortment of voices, all pandering to our distinct expectations.
Nevertheless, it’s one thing absorbing other people’s visions and versions, but to take up the pen and guide the narrative, making the transition between reader and author, well, that’s something altogether more thrilling, and I believe that it’s a rite of passage that fanfiction facilitates better than any other genre.
Questioning why individuals started writing fanfiction in the first place, Sarah from Australia described:
At the end of 2012, I’d been through a really rough family event and I retreated to writing fanfiction. I remember waiting anxiously for the discouraging reviews to come, but they never did and that did the world of good for my self-esteem.
Wade from the US says:
It gives you a setting, characters and a friendly audience…There are not many places where a new writer can find a willing and eager audience…I think the main attraction is the ability to make so many stories from a single environment.
Okie-dokie, that gives us an insight into why fanfiction is a compelling sphere to wet one’s quill in, but still, it doesn’t answer the question of whether the genre has witnessed a renaissance in our current Covid climate.
Wade provided statistics that corroborated my theory that lockdown has indeed nourished fanfiction:
I’m currently getting about 50 reviews per chapter, which is double my usual, and far higher than the historical average…My current work is running at 20% more page views than expected.
Sarah agrees with this, revealing:
I’ve definitely noticed a lot more random follows and favourites on stories that have been complete for several years, so people are clearly using their extra time to read. My current story has also seen a large spike as I’ve updated more.
Alright, but why?
I think Grace from the USA puts it perfectly, when she enlightens:
…since the current world is in a state of flux with a great deal of uncertainty, it makes psychological sense that people would seek out, participate in and create worlds that are filled with consistency, understandability and provide a level of control…people have the time to pro-create the worlds that they before only watched and read. It might be freeing to be able to have some say in the outcome of the characters and worlds that inspire and hold a place in their hearts.
At the end of the day, when we are caged indoors by a world that has been hurled into chaos, we want to retreat to a bubble that feels safe, to moments that feel familiar, and to friends who can reassure us. Consequently, in times of trouble, perhaps fanfiction isn’t so much about creativity, but is about constancy, companionship and comfort.
To close, I will leave you with a word from Sarah, who advocates:
If anyone out there is curious about the world of fanfiction, come and dip your toe in…At the end of the day, fanfiction is all about the freedom to write whatever you like. So, go for it.
- THEATRE REVIEW: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - 11th May 2017
- Out Of This World (WORLD PREMIERE) at Macroberts Theatre - 28th April 2017
- Decline and Fall (BBC TV Mini-Series 2017) - 22nd April 2017