Every college student knows the real reason we don’t get enough sleep is that doom-scrolling at 2 a.m. just hits different. Maybe you’re on social media, where every other reel is making a spoof on “very demure, very mindful.” Maybe you’re last-minute grocery shopping because you ran out of food and you don’t have a meal plan.
Or maybe you’re one of the millions of people secretly scouring the depths of Wattpad or Archive of Our Own (AO3) for that 200,000-word Dramione fanfiction that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, like the Grinch when he saved Christmas.
Some people would argue that fanfiction has a reputation of being unoriginal. But being based off preexisting characters and worlds doesn’t mean anything when it comes to originality. Many books started out as fanfiction, including “50 Shades of Grey” and BookTok’s famed “The Love Hypothesis,” which were based on “Twilight” and “Star Wars,” respectively.
Unsurprisingly, fanfiction also has a reputation of being cringe due to the sometimes poor writing and overreliance on certain themes or plot points. But given that the majority of fanfiction writers are amateurs and/or teenagers, we probably shouldn’t judge too harshly.
What we should focus on instead is that fanfiction provides an opportunity for a wide group of new writers to learn how to tell an original story. And the best way to do that is to read similar, already successful books and copy their structure.
While this approach can sometimes lead to clichés, fanfiction works because the original story worked. By inserting their own characters or side plots, writers can explore story structure and character growth in a low-stakes, experimental environment.
Fanfiction also makes literature available to readers who may have limited access to bookstores or libraries. Readers can find any story that interests them with a quick Google search and read it instantly without leaving the comfort of their bed. The best part is that the majority of fanfiction is free, making it a good option for poor college students running exclusively on meal swipes, hopes and dreams—but some fanfiction sites, like Wattpad, do offer a nonobligatory paid option for readers to support writers if they want to. Beyond the optional payments, readers can support writers by leaving constructive feedback or positive comments on others’ works. This feedback is integral motivation for new writers to keep developing their skills.
When we label fanfiction as “cringe” or “unoriginal,” we take away from the benefits of an extensive and growing community where improving literacy and providing opportunities for writers to interact with readers are important goals. We discourage people from learning.
Even if it is cringe, so what? Everyone starts somewhere.
Xiola Bagwell is the managing editor and can be reached at xiola.bagwell@ubspectrum.com
Xiola Bagwell is the managing editor of The Spectrum. She enjoys reading and writing fantasy/romance novels, watching lighthearted movies and spending time with her friends and family. Xiola is a linguistics major, minoring in Spanish.
