It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . . for fanfiction

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… for fanfiction

            Fanfiction has always been regarded as the tail end of the writing community.  It was a step for younger writers to enter the world of writing.  To date, there are multiple websites out there that support fanfiction and other early writings of hopeful authors (like Fanfiction.net, Quizilla, and Wattpad for a short list of examples).  On these websites, fans will read others’ works and critique it on its accuracy of the characters to the likelihood that the events would unfold in such a fashion. 

            When Twilight became a major motion picture that supplied fans with faces and scenes to look at, it opened a new chapter for fanfiction writers.  Hundreds if not thousands of fanfiction writers poured their time and talents into adding their own characters and changing minute details to out the infamous Bella for their character’s time in the spotlight with Edward or Jacob.  Some of these fan writings came to the spotlight in the website communities while most stayed in the shadows. 

            One author decided to take her fanfiction to a place fanfiction has rarely been: a published book. 

            Erika Mitchell knew her Twilight fanfiction had the promise to make it as a published book.  All it took was some tweaking.  Bella and Edward transformed into Anna and Christian.  Mediocre writing transformed into bad writing that was driven by sex scenes.  Sure, Fifty Shades of Grey might not have the same lasting effect on a young person’s life as say How to Kill a Mockingbird, but it satisfied its readers enough to make it a best seller for weeks on end.  It even had enough steam behind it for Mitchell to have multiple sequels and a revision of the original from a different perspective. 

            For the fanfiction community, this was a serious breakthrough.  With Mitchell reaching out to the publishing community with her revised fanfiction, she has forced the publishing community to look at the fanfiction world with new interest.  There’s promise to many of the stories published on these fanfiction websites.  Agents are now looking to the fanfiction community with a keen eye on the hunt for the next EL James that could be their golden goose. 

            When you break down a wall, however, you’re freeing one thing while offering an opening for enemies.  Fanfiction writers are now looked upon with almost a sarcastic tone.  Since Mitchell is the poster child for fanfiction writers, many people hear about fanfictions and instantly imagine overly sexualized, poorly written material.  Instead of seeing fanfiction as early writings and works of future authors, many are being labelled and discounted, ending what was previously an escape for some youth.