Fan Fiction a Guide to Literary Mastery?

Image: A pensive purveyor of fan fiction considers his next step (Source: Wix)

Fan fiction refers to stories created by fans that use characters, settings, and themes from existing works—whether books, films, or TV shows. These stories are typically written without authorization and often explore alternative scenarios, character relationships, or imagined continuations of the original narratives. While fan fiction is often dismissed as indulgent or derivative, it may be one of the most effective training grounds for aspiring writers.

The Benefits of Fan Fiction for Writers

It’s universally accepted that reading widely helps budding authors develop their craft. By exploring a diverse range of genres, writers absorb various narrative techniques, voices, and thematic depths. Reading broadly can also foster empathy. Encountering characters from different cultures, eras, and realities deepens our understanding of the human experience, which in turn translates into richer, more complex writing. But could we extend this learning arc by indulging in fan fiction?

Fan fiction offers writers the chance to hone essential writing skills—dialogue, pacing, emotional resonance—without the burden of creating entirely new worlds from scratch. It’s a low-risk, high-reward training ground where creativity meets structure. For many writers, it might be the first step toward literary mastery.

Image: An avid reader - the gateway to fan fiction? (Source: Wix)

By working within established frameworks, fan fiction allows writers to experiment with plot, character development, and tone while drawing from the emotional depth of existing works. This practice provides an invaluable opportunity to focus purely on craft without needing to worry about world-building.

What If? The Creative Power of Fan Fiction

Fan fiction can often begin with a simple "what if?" scenario: What if Harry Potter had joined Slytherin? What if Isla had stayed with Rick in Casablanca? These exercises allow writers to explore alternative outcomes, offering new ways to resolve unfinished narratives or reimagine familiar relationships. This kind of experimentation not only sparks creativity but also teaches writers to build compelling, intricate stories.

Image: Sacrilege to some, a legitimate pursuit of fan fiction to others - Harry Potter in Slytherin attire (Image: Chatgpt)

Moreover, fan fiction also allows for fresh takes on a familiar storyline. A writer might resolve a hanging ending, or offer a philosophical spin, all while honing their skills. This genre's flexibility enables writers to inject philosophical depth into even the most commercial pop culture frameworks.

As with every rule - there are exceptions. There have been many instances of legitimate fan fiction. Ghostwriters and screen writers (who adapt an author's written work to another medium) sometimes merge into this area. There are also many examples where one writer begins a franchise and others continue it. The classic case cited here is that of Ian Fleming's James Bond. Fleming's Bond has become a cultural icon and Fleming's estate weren't about to kill off the cash-cow with his passing, so they authorised other writers to continue what originated with Fleming. Accomplished writers such as Kingsley Amis, Sebastian Faulk and at least six other writers have continued the 007 legacy (so far). Perhaps the new Bond writers consider they are doing something other than fan fiction - but the similarity is undeniable.

Image: Bond - Three Bonds (Source: Chatgpt composite)

Channelling the Masters: Kafka, Murakami, and Tóibín

Many renowned authors have explored alienation, emotional depth, and existential themes—qualities that fan fiction writers often seek to capture. Franz Kafka, for instance, known for his surreal style, explored themes of alienation and absurdity through deceptively simple prose. In fan fiction, writers can experiment with similar themes, reimagining characters in new settings that provoke existential questions and reveal deeper layers of human experience.

In my upcoming short story collection Read My Shorts, I’ve written a tribute to Kafka’s “The Rescue Will Begin in Its Own Time,” adapting it to a contemporary setting and blending in my own experiences. By doing this, I’ve embraced Kafka’s approach, while also reinterpreting the themes through a modern lens.

Image: A sneak preview of my book to be released later this year, 'Read My Shorts: A collection of Short Fiction' (Source: Pete Mitchell)

Another of my favourite authors, Haruki Murakami, developed his signature voice by writing first in English and then translating his work into Japanese—a process that stripped away embellishments, resulting in clear, flowing prose. Fan fiction writers often simplify and refine their writing, like Murakami. In doing so, they work within a framework that readers are familiar with. This allows them to focus on expressing complex emotions with clarity, often discovering their own voice in the process.

Colm Tóibín, known for his mastery of quiet intensity and emotional nuance, exemplifies the power of restraint. His stories often revolve around characters navigating silence, longing, and identity. One of my favourite stories of his, One Minus One, delves deeply into the ache of loneliness and the grief of lost love. Inspired by Tóibín’s understated style, I’ve written my own tribute to his work, adapting the story’s setting, characters, and era. While my version diverges from his original, I’ve tried to remain true to the emotional depth and subtlety that make Tóibín’s writing so compelling.

Image: A composite image of three of my favourite contemporary authors; Harumi Murakami, Colm Tóibín and John Irving (Source: A Chatgpt composite from publicly available portraits)

The Ethical Dilemma: Originality and Ownership in Fan Fiction

Of course, there’s an ethical dilemma in writing fan fiction. You can’t claim these works as your own, and the boundaries between homage and plagiarism can be murky. Fan fiction, when done respectfully, should be a tribute to the original work, not a theft of intellectual property.

An interesting example of an author who has engaged in fan fiction is Jennifer Egan. In her Booker Prize-winning novel 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' (2010), Egan reimagines Hemingway’s 'The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber' by placing her imagined characters within the original Hemingway narrative. Some critics have praised her chapter as a masterful homage that adds depth to her novel. Others have criticized it as an overly direct reworking of Hemingway’s original. Regardless, Egan’s use of Hemingway’s story is a powerful example of how fan fiction-like practices can enrich a work of literature.

While I’ve experimented with writing fan fiction in homage to some of my favourite authors, including Tóibín, I wouldn’t consider releasing any of my tributes publicly. The line between homage and plagiarism is thin, and I don’t think it would be entirely appropriate or ethical to claim these works as my own. Authors already face numerous challenges—from the rise of AI-generated writing to the pressures of diminishing royalties—and the last thing they need is more conflict over derivative works.

I believe that fan fiction, when done with respect, is not only a tribute to the craft of the original author but also a (learning) bridge between readers, writers, and literary tradition.

If you’d like a personal copy of my tribute to Tóibín, feel free to request a copy via email (link) or via the comments area below.

Image: An old school writer, hence the pen. (Source: Wix)