Do you like to write or read fan fiction?
I have a lot of arguments with teachers about this – when I do a workshop in a school, teachers want me to forbid their students from writing fan fic. ‘Get them to do something original!’ they say.
The problem with that is – I started writing with Star Trek fan fiction. And Star Wars. And a couple of TV shows. It was fun to write, I got to spend more time in my favourite world with my favourite characters, and my friends liked reading it.
What I try to explain to teachers is that writing fan fic is a great way to exercise your writing muscles. The world is there for you already, and at least some of the characters are clear in your mind, so you can concentrate on plot and pacing and sentence structure. Writing fan fic will make you a better writer.
Obviously, if you prefer to write original stories, that’s great! But don’t let anyone tell you that ‘real writers’ don’t write fan fiction. I have two friends who started out writing Star Wars fan fiction, and now they write the official books for Lucasfilm!
So yes, when your teacher asks you to write a story, try to think of something original – but don’t be ashamed of writing about your favourite world and characters in your own time! You might even try writing in more than one world – there are so many to choose from!
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