fanfics
Unauthorized character stories
Fanfics is the plural of fanfic, itself a clipped form of fan fiction—stories written by fans using characters, settings, or worlds from existing media.
Fanfics range from short sketches to novel-length works and circulate online in dedicated communities: She's written dozens of Harry Potter fanfics.
The term covers everything from innocent reimaginings to explicit romantic or sexual scenarios.
Unconfirmed fan-created backstory
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- OTPDisposable login credential
- squeeJoyful excited outburst
- cosplayDressing as media characters
fanart · fanvids · conventions · roleplay · fanzine · beta reader · kudos · comments
Hypothetical divergent reality
- fix-itRelating to repairs
- genderbendReimagine with changed sex
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
- self-insertCreator written into fiction
whump · time travel · amnesia · fake dating · bed sharing · found family · redemption arc · role reversal
Describing distinctive qualities
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
- POVPerspective, for short
first person · third person · multi-chapter · series · WIP · complete · word count · prompt
pairing
Joining two together
fluff · angst · smut · slow burn · one-shot · drabble · lemon · lime · ship war · endgame
headcanon
Unconfirmed fan-created backstory
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- OTPDisposable login credential
- squeeJoyful excited outburst
cosplay · fanart · fanvids · conventions · roleplay · fanzine · beta reader · kudos · comments · geekdom
alternate universe
Hypothetical divergent reality
- fix-itRelating to repairs
- genderbendReimagine with changed sex
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
self-insert · whump · time travel · amnesia · fake dating · bed sharing · found family · redemption arc · role reversal · de-aging
characterization
Describing distinctive qualities
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
POV · first person · third person · multi-chapter · series · WIP · complete · word count · prompt · big bang
archive
Stored historical records
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- ratingAssigned evaluative score
- warningsAdvance notices of danger
disclaimer · author notes · summary · chapter · update · hiatus · abandoned · orphaned · anonymous · pseudonym
fanficscanon
Accepted authoritative works
canonical works · source material · original works · primary texts
- fanfic writerAmateur using others' characters