fanfic
Unauthorized sequel writing
Fanfic is fiction written by fans using characters, settings, or worlds from existing media—TV shows, movies, books, video games.
Short for fan fiction.
The practice ranges from short stories to novel-length works, often exploring scenarios the original creators never addressed: She's been writing Harry Potter fanfic since middle school.
Fanfic communities have their own terminology for pairings, ratings, and tropes.
Transporting goods to destinations
- headcanonUnconfirmed fan-created backstory
- drabbleHundred-word story form
- fluffLight, soft fibers
- angstDeep unfocused worry
OTP · canon · fanzine · squee · fanworks · archive · kudos · prompt
Recorded language on surface
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- pacingRate of movement
chapter · WIP · outline · drafting · beta-reading · editing · POV · tense
Hypothetical scenario query
- reimaginingFresh interpretation of existing material
- retellingNarrating something anew
- timelineOrdered display of events
- parallelEquidistant at all points
universe · fix-it · genderbend
Expression of deep respect
- pasticheImitative artistic tribute
- continuationAct of proceeding further
- expansionIncrease in scope
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
Hypothetical set of universes
shipping
Transporting goods to destinations
angst · OTP · canon · fanzine · squee · fanworks · archive · kudos · prompt · one-shot
writing
Recorded language on surface
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
pacing · chapter · WIP · outline · drafting · beta-reading · editing · POV · tense · prose
what-if
Hypothetical scenario query
- reimaginingFresh interpretation of existing material
- retellingNarrating something anew
- timelineOrdered display of events
parallel · universe · fix-it · genderbend
homage
Expression of deep respect
- pasticheImitative artistic tribute
- continuationAct of proceeding further
- expansionIncrease in scope
prequel · backstory · coda · world-building
multiverse
Hypothetical set of universes
- fictionnovel, novels, novella, novellas, short story
- portmanteausbrunch, smog, motel, spork, chortle
- adaptationsfilm adaptation, film adaptations, movie adaptation, TV adaptation, TV adaptations
- amateur writingcreative writing, blog posts, blogging, blogs, personal essays
- digital storiese-literature, digital storytelling, webnovels, hypertext, cybertext
- fandomfandoms, fanbase, superfan, superfans, fanboy
fanficcanon
Accepted authoritative works
source material · tie-in novel · expanded universe · Word of God
- fanfic writerAmateur using others' characters