Why write fan-fiction?

Writing fanfiction is a great way to support something - a TV show, book, film, game etc. - that you like and take your interest with it further. When writing fan-fiction, a writer is *usually* bound to the rules of that universe. This includes writing characters in the same way they are characterised, acknowledging the most important conventions of the universe, keeping to the style of the fandom. I say "usually" because there are exceptions; for example in an AU (alternative universe) fic, when you use intentional out-of-character behaviour for the sake of a plot that would never be pursued in the actual series... Things like that.

I don't think I ever wrote anything AU and I did my best to keep the characters as in-character as possible in all my fics. These restrictions were just that, restrictions, but they weren't limiting in anyway. I know that sounds sort of contradictory but just hear me out on this.

With fanfiction, a lot of the hard work is done for you. Backstory? Check. Character depth? Check. Plot? Check, check, check. All you have to do is go ahead and write that scene you think was missing, or that storyline you wanted but never got because the original writers just don't have your artistic vision. Whatever you do, you work within the realm already set-up by the creators. Sounds easy, right?

Wrong! There's so much you can screw up with fanfiction, simply by misunderstanding one aspect of the universe you want to honour by writing about. Writing fanfiction requires a lot of work, especially if you want to write good fanfiction. You've got to get the tone right, you've got to pull on the readers' heartstrings, you've got to have that character development.

Coincidentally, these are things a writer needs to figure out how to do generally, when writing their own original work. Fanfiction prepares a writer for this, without the added pressure of creating something completely from scratch. It might be difficult to earn some money from writing fanfiction but people have done it. The biggest thing you'll take away from writing fanfiction is experience, and experience is the one thing every good writer has.