I’m going to be honest—I stumbled into fan fiction by accident. One minute I was binge-watching Doctor Who, and the next I was up at 2 a.m. reading a story where The Doctor and Sherlock (BBC version, of course) were traveling the world and space (and time) in the TARDIS. That’s the magic of fan fiction: it takes the stories you love and twists them into something entirely new, weirdly comforting, and sometimes even better than the original.
If you’ve ever wanted more from a movie, a book, or a TV series—if you’ve thought, What if this character had lived? or What if these two actually got together?—Then you’re already halfway into the world of fan-created content.
What Even Is Fan Fiction?
Fan fiction (or fanfic, as most of us call it) is a form of creative writing where fans use characters, settings, and plot points from established media—think Marvel, Harry Potter, anime, K-dramas, even video games—and write their own versions of the story. Sometimes it’s a small tweak to canon (the original storyline), and other times it’s a complete overhaul.
There’s a Fic for That
One of the first things I learned is that fanfic has its own language. Terms like “AU” (alternate universe), “slow burn,” “fluff,” and “hurt/comfort” become second nature. I didn’t just read fanfic—I fell down the rabbit hole of tropes. I laughed through modern-day coffee shop AUs and cried over heartbreaking character deaths that felt way too real.
You’ll also find “one-shots” (single, standalone stories) and sprawling epics with 100k+ words. Some people use it to experiment with new writing styles. Others write to cope with personal stuff. For me, it started as fun but became a way to understand storytelling on a deeper level.
Marvel and Magic: Why Some Universes Inspire So Much
Some fandoms just lend themselves to fanfic—Star Wars, Supernatural, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I’ve read more than one story where Loki doesn’t die (because why should he?), and I’m definitely not alone in that.
These universes already come with rich characters, complex dynamics, and big emotions. Fan fiction gives us space to explore the “what ifs” that canon glosses over. What if Bucky Barnes got therapy? What if Natasha Romanoff survived? What if Tony Stark and Steve Rogers had actually talked things out? Sometimes, the fanfics even predict the canon. Buckey did end up going to therapy, after all. That’s the power of fanfics.
Where the Stories Live: Platforms I Keep Coming Back To
Most of the fan fiction I read lives on sites like:
- Archive of Our Own (AO3): It’s the gold standard—tag everything, filter everything, and discover niche fics you never knew you needed. It’s the biggest one, right one.
- Wattpad: Great for a mix of fanfic and original writing, especially romance-heavy content.
- FanFiction.net: A bit older and forgotten, but massive in scope.
The current state of fanfiction websites
byu/acidkitti inAO3
These platforms aren’t just places to read—they’re communities. I’ve commented on stories that made me cry and had authors reply with genuine excitement. That kind of interaction makes writing feel personal again.
Wait, Is This Even Legal?
Short answer: it depends. Long answer: Fan fiction lives in a gray area of copyright law. Most writers include a disclaimer that they don’t own the characters. Some creators, like Anne Rice, weren’t fans of fic, while others, like The Chronicles of Narnia author C.S. Lewis, encouraged these creative works.
I always try to respect the original creator, but I also believe there’s something beautiful in how fanfic allows fans to engage creatively with stories that have touched them deeply.
More Than Just a Hobby
Here’s what surprised me: fan fiction isn’t just about stories. It’s about connection. I’ve made online friends from across the world through comment threads and writing exchanges. I’ve read fics that made me see myself in ways traditional media never did. And yes, sometimes I write just to get an idea out of my head at 3 a.m.
It’s empowering to realize you don’t need permission to be a storyteller. You can just start.
