For the Love of Fanfiction, featuring Rainbow Rowell
Oct 16, 2023
auto_awesome
Bestselling author Rainbow Rowell joins the podcast to discuss the power and significance of fanfiction, exploring its history, community, and impact. They delve into fanfiction sites and the benefits for writers, and the growing trend of publishing fanfiction stories. They also touch upon finding time to write, writing fantasy, and the value of permission in writing. Tune in for an appreciation of fanfiction's presence in the literary world.
Fanfiction communities provide support, feedback, and connections for writers, fostering a sense of belonging and the freedom to express oneself in creative ways.
Fanfiction enables writers to practice their craft, experiment with writing styles, and explore diverse relationships and identities.
Deep dives
The concept and benefits of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is a challenge to write 50,000 words of a story in the month of November. It serves as a writing bootcamp that trains writers to show up every day and reach for a goal. Additionally, Nanowrimo creates a supportive and galvanizing writing community, with thousands of volunteers organizing in-person events and online participation. The program offers a unique opportunity to prioritize writing, granting writers permission to focus on their craft for one month.
The value of storytelling and finding a community through fanfiction
Stories play an essential role in making meaning and defining individuals. The stories we tell, both consciously and unconsciously, shape our identities. Fanfiction offers a space for storytelling and community. It allows fans to interact with and explore popular fictional characters and stories, creating new narratives and filling gaps in existing ones. Fanfiction communities provide support, feedback, and connections for writers, fostering a sense of belonging and the freedom to express oneself in creative ways. Fanfic also enables writers to practice their craft, experiment with writing styles, and explore diverse relationships and identities.
The evolution and significance of fanfiction in literature
Fanfiction, once stigmatized, has gained recognition and acceptance in the publishing industry. Major publishers now acknowledge the talent and creativity within fanfic communities, recognizing their potential as a source of fresh and engaging stories. Some writers have even been discovered through fanfiction platforms, leading to publishing opportunities. Fanfiction not only provides writers with a training ground to develop their storytelling skills but also connects them to passionate fandoms, allowing them to engage with a built-in audience. Furthermore, fanfiction has become a means for marginalized voices and identities, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, to be represented and celebrated.
The role of fanfiction in shaping the writing process and discovering one's voice
Fanfiction offers a unique space where writers can explore storytelling beyond traditional boundaries. By working with pre-established characters and story worlds, writers can develop their plot, character, and dialogue skills while enjoying the freedom of creative expression. The experience of writing fanfiction enables writers to break rules, experiment with different writing styles, and collaborate with fellow fans. It provides an opportunity to establish an author platform and gain feedback from a supportive community. Fanfiction encourages writers to find their voice, explore new possibilities, and grow as storytellers.
Whether you already love fanfiction or don’t really get it, you’ll want to tune into this episode for the sheer appreciation of its presence in the literary world. More than 100 million people worldwide are reading or writing fanfiction. We know that fanfiction writers have been wild over the years for Star Wars and Harry Potter and Twilight, but now fanfiction is increasingly likely to be a source of content for movies and TV shows—and community and friends!
