How to write a Fanfiction:
With the onset of the digital age people have been granted a wonderful gift. A new way to interact with authors and their work. The most common way this interaction has appeared is in the form of Fan Fiction. A process most of you know, wherein a fan of a certain artwork, takes the artwork and either alters it in someway, sets a story in the same universe, or uses certain ideas, concepts, meanings, or characters as a springboard for their own work.
However this is very dangerous. Most fan fiction if used in professional settings would be considered at its best plagiarism and at its worst somebody scribbling over a Picasso painting. By using somebody's work, you do them an extreme disservice by making it bad. Yes, good and bad are subjective terms, but very few people could claim to enjoy Birdemic or the Room, other than ironically. Sure these are extreme examples, but most fan fiction is about that level in quality. Up until now I have regarded bad art done for the purpose of indulging in a fantasy to be a sin up there with punching infants or talking in movies. However, I have recently decided that not all art needs to be great, and if a piece of work brings you, or a few others, joy then I shall not condemn. Though keep in mind this is no better than pornography. A pleasure beyond guilt.
(Pro Tip: Imagine everything you write would instantly become canon, how would that change your story? your characters? Also, try Imagining the author will read whatever you post. What new are you adding to the universe? Would they be impressed or saddened?)
This is the grand concession I am willing to make.
That being said, the following are still taboo, and a gross injustice to the work:
Broken characters without cause. Eg. In the seventh book, Harry Potter suddenly makes out with malfoy.
Non-conforming universe crossovers. Eg. Tony Stark opens a portal to the MLP universe.
Self Universe Inclusion. Eg. Buffy: "I heard there's this new Demon hunter in town named Ryan Stoll." Dawn: "We should see if he can help fight these demons and ask him to join the scoobies!"
Poor Writing/Typos. (When creating a fanfiction you pay homage to its source to some degree. Don't disrespect it by writing poorly or misspelling nearly every word.)
