"Fifty Shades of Grey" by E. L. James.  

"After" by Anna Todd.  

"The Love Hypothesis" by Ali Hazelwood. 

These popular books all have one thing in common: an origin as fan fiction.  

That’s right — the authors behind some of your favorite reads didn't just begin their stories from a blank slate. Instead, they drew inspiration from the tales and personas they cherished most.

This genre of fiction has a unique way of indulging avid fans and sparking inspiration for ambitious creators. If a particular song, novel, or movie has recently captured your mind, learning how to write fan fiction could crack open a whole new world of creativity for you.  

What is fan fiction?  

Fan fiction, aka fanfic, is a form of creative writing where fans craft stories centered around their favorite characters, artists, or other famous figures. Any form of media can inspire a fan to write fan fiction, but common forms include:

• Books

• Movies

• TV shows

• Video games

• Anime

• Comics

• Real-life celebrities and historical figures

The crux of the genre is about expressing individual voices and perspectives while paying homage to other writers and artists. Fan fiction also thrives on collaboration, as writers often connect with a community of fellow fans to share and build on ideas, creating an enriching experience that lets fans reimagine existing narratives and characters. Types of fan fiction also range from PG tales of adventure and love to more erotic writing and sexual stories.  

While these tales may begin with another author’s creation, success in the genre stems from injecting fresh originality into these storied universes. Honing your fan fiction skills is a valuable, creative, and fun way to discover what you can do when you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. 

How to start a fanfic  

The best part of fan fiction is doing whatever the heck you want with your favorite characters. It's fun and imaginative, and if you want to write about Ron Weasley introducing his collection of sex toys to Hermione Granger or Katniss Everdeen exploring her queer awakening, the floor is yours.  

Whether you're new to this world or looking to polish your skills, here are some comprehensive tips for creating a fan fiction masterpiece: 

1. Don't take yourself too seriously 

The heart of fan fiction lies in its playfulness, so take a deep breath and let go of perfectionism. Embrace the quirks and peculiarities of your ideas, and include all the dramatic twists, turns, and sensual scenes you want. Fan fiction is your own personal playground, so allow yourself to experiment. 

2. Decide your universe 

Are you going to stick to the original universe your characters are from, like Forks, Washington, where Twilight is set, or do you plan to create an alternate one? In-universe (IU) stories deepen the existing world, offering new perspectives on familiar events and characters, while alternate universe (AU) stories transplant characters into new settings and scenarios, like Bella and Edward in outer space. This decision shapes the foundation of your story, so choose wisely.  

3. Know the canon 

Immerse yourself in the original work (aka the canon). Read, reread, and read some more to understand the nuances of the characters and the intricacies of their world. This step is especially important for writing in-universe fan fiction, as readers will expect you to maintain consistency with the original writing. Knowing the canon will help you write fanfics that feel like a natural extension of the existing world.  

4. Play with plot bunnies 

Plot bunnies are relentless fan fiction story ideas that hop into your mind and just won't leave. To write excellent fan fiction, embrace the plot bunnies and jot down all your spontaneous thoughts and storylines. Once you have all your ideas down on paper, sift through them to find the ones that truly resonate with you and go from there.  

5. Avoid the Mary Sue trap  

If you plan to introduce new fictional personas, strive for balance instead of perfection. Characters that are too perfect — aka “Mary Sues” — can overshadow an otherwise excellent story. If someone you’ve dreamt up is stunningly beautiful, wields every magical power in the book, and never met a person who didn’t love them, your readers might see them as one-dimensional or lacking depth. Steer clear of this trap by giving your characters flaws to make them more relatable and exciting.

6. Get a beta reader 

Collaborate with a beta reader, someone you trust with early access to your rough draft, to fine-tune your work. Beta readers provide a fresh perspective and valuable feedback on every aspect of your writing, from your alternate universe and characters to spelling and grammar. They can help you refine your plot, flesh out your characters, and spot inconsistencies to make your work the best it can be. 

7. Research tropes

Get closely acquainted with the familiar tropes that drive the storytelling within your fandom — the themes, recurring patterns, and stylistic elements. These reinforce a consistent writing style and tip off readers about what to expect from your fanfic. Whether you want to capture villain redemption stories, friends-to-lovers narratives, or tragic hero plots, these tropes can guide your story in a natural direction. 

8. Choose your platform 

To pick the right platform for your story, you’ll need to consider what’s a good fit for your writing and target audience, as different fan fiction platforms cater to different audiences and styles. For example, Archive of Our Own (AO3) is known for its simple design and comprehensive tagging system, which makes it easy to categorize and find stories. Wattpad, on the other hand, provides a more visual and creative experience, appealing to both fanfic and fiction writers. 

9. Tag wisely 

When you publish your fan fiction online, add tags to make your story discoverable. Consider your fandom, characters, and the tropes in your work, and select the most relevant tags to help your target audience find you. 

Fan fiction glossary  

Fan fiction writers use a unique vocabulary to reference different elements and writing styles in the genre. Understanding these terms can help you communicate with fellow fans, improve your writing process, and learn more about the craft. Here's a rundown of standard fan fiction terms:  

• Fandom: The community of fans, including writers, artists, and cosplayers, invested in a specific TV show, book, or film.

• Schmoop/fluff: Fan fiction stories that focus on sweet, romantic, and feel-good moments, often avoiding conflict or drama. 

• Slash: A genre of fan fiction exploring romantic or sexual relationships between characters of the same sex, typically male/male, but also including female/female pairings (sometimes termed "femslash"). 

• Ficlet: A short fan fiction story, typically under 1,000 words. 

• Beta reader: Someone who reads your draft before it goes public and offers constructive feedback. 

• Drabble: A concise fan fiction piece, typically around 100 words or less. 

• Mary Sue: An overly perfect fan fiction character lacking depth and realism.

• Canon: The original story and its established elements, like characters, settings, and plotlines.

• Plot bunnies: Story ideas that capture your imagination and demand to be written.

• Squick: A blend of “squeamish” and “ick,” referring to elements in a fan fiction story that might be off-putting or uncomfortable for some readers, like sexual content or violence.   

Embrace storytelling with Quinn  

If you're feeling adventurous with your fanfic, take it up a notch with Quinn.  

Quinn's audio erotica platform is the perfect place to practice writing and performing spicy audio stories across all genres, from fan fiction to BDSM, kink, and LGBTQ+. Apply today to become a Quinn creator, or visit our blog to learn more about topics like women-written erotica, sex poems, and erotica for couples.

To access thousands of audio erotica tales, narrated sex stories, and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn audio erotica app for iOS or Android today.