Why?
Why is it, whenever fanfiction is discussed, people automatically bring up 'that kind' of fanfic?
The lemons, the limes, the slash - why?
When I mention going to the cinema, does it automatically bring a porn flick to the mind? When I say 'I was reading a really good book last night', people don't automatically assume it was Playboy...I hope.
Fanfic, like most media styles held solely in the reins of its creator, is a slave to their will. Unfortunately, some people like to beat slaves and subjugate them, whilst others treat them like what they are - a good companion who can be insurmountably effective at what they do - assist. Assist a purpose, assist in creation. In the creation of a story, sure. Who hasn't watched a movie or cartoon or anime and said to themselves 'i could write/do better then that.'?"
But i feel the key to fanfic, is the creation of technique. How many writers wrote a hundred bombs before bashing out a masterpiece? Robert E. Howard, one of my favourite authors, didn't even get published until after his death - but he honed his technique by smashing out hundreds of little short stories which were published in journals, magazines and newspapers, back when they actually published stuff instead of reheated, depressing news.
In fanfic, people have a short-cut. The layout is there. Location, characters, settings, whole universes, all painted to perfection. All you need to do is grab the dolls and start playing. Of course, primal instinct makes you bash the dolls together at first, but eventually you begin to realize that they can do more then knock against each other - you can articulate them, place them in situations they wouldn't normally make, reinforce them as characters in a much bigger picture.
