Is fanfiction a good substitute for reading books?

[MorningFlash 214]

Well I saw this topic on a different forum so I decided to bring it over here 

So yeah, is fanfiction a good substitute for reading books? 

Personally, I think that depending on the context and the way it's written, fanfiction actually makes quite good substitutes for books. I don't read as much as I used to, but I do pick up my kindle occasionally re-read The Hunger Games series cover to cover.

Obviously reading a book on a screen could never compare to flicking the pages of a book.

Edited December 20, 2012 by MidnightInferno

[Discordian 6,015]

I don't read fanfiction or books but I'm gonna put this in a context I'm familiar with: published comics and manga compared to webcomics which are not bound by media standards and norms.

 

There are questions of quality between them because the artstyle can differ, dialog can be unedited and written by people whose first language isn't English, etc but the presentation can be so good you might forget that they are fan-made or amateur-made because they are just that good.

 

It goes with the thought that just because it's official doesn't mean it's any good. It goes the other way around as well.

[Crispy 5,563]

Obviously reading a book on a screen could never compare to flicking the pages of a book.

 

Psh.  You kids today will never know the joy of unrolling and rerolling scrolls.

 

As for the original question, sure.  It's still reading and enjoying a story, right?  That's the point.  There are some amazing fanfictions out there, and there are some pretty terrible "real" books.

[Jalaton 155]

Well my Mom would say that it's not a good replacement. I think that it really depends on the author of the fanfiction or more specifically how well they wrote it. I've seen fanfiction that was really poorly written, not like, 'bad story', but like 'forgets to start with a capital letter after a period' bad or even 'doesn't capitalized first letters in proper nouns bad'.

 

So yeah, it depends on how well it's written. 

Edited December 20, 2012 by Jalaton

[Discordian 6,015]

I should add that it kinda has to do with the fact that big name publishers THINK they know what people want to read but they don't necessarily. Uncensored media (such as webcomics and fanfiction) is more or less controlled by the fans rather than what the publisher thinks will get good sales.  I know some webcomic people who make a living off of their webcomics, putting them into books and going to conventions, getting commissions and such.

 

The difference between professional and non-professional works is one is controlled by people in suits who believe they know what's best while the other is controlled by those who directly interact with their fanbase. Publishing might get you advertisement but it can also be a heavy burden.

[WWAPD 126]

In my opinion, actual books are far better than fan fiction. I mean, fan fiction is good and all, but it just doesn't compare with the amount of work that goes into making a published book. With all the rewriting, and the revising, and the scrutiny that each book goes through before it makes it onto the shelf, I think books in general are just better quality.

 

Also, I prefer the paragraph format used in most books, with the indentations and such. That's just personal opinion though.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,836]

I printed a physical copy of my favorite clopfics and disguised it as a dictionary so I could read it without anyone batting an eye at me.

[Stellafera 3,836]

If you only read fanfic, how are you supposed to know what they are all based off of? 

 

To get a real book to the shelves, in almost all cases it has to go under the scrutiny of editors, publishers, etc. and face the fact that there are a bunch of other writers who are also trying to make it big and trying to outshine you. 

 

For fanfiction, the bar for entry is much, much lower. Sure, your name might not get noticed and there's even more people trying to outshine you, but you can still get it out there. The big fanfiction sites are not going to judge your work too much based on quality. Money isn't on the line.

 

What this means is that it is more easy to find an absolutely terrible fanfiction than an absolutely terrible book, though both exist in large quantities. Therefore, one simply has to be selective. Find what's great for both and you'll have a very fulfilling reading experience.

[angels_gal 204]

no,  it's not, because it's writing in a world that's already been created by someone else.  even if  you're writing an AU story you're still using someone else's characteres.  books are original.  the caracters within them are unique and special to that book or series.

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,354]

I printed a physical copy of my favorite clopfics and disguised it as a dictionary so I could read it without anyone batting an eye at me.

I admire your devotion, but have you considered getting a kindle?

 

Anyway most books that get written never get published, because they get rejected by the publishers. This does provide a certain quality control and be it an imperfect one (yadayadayada noone wanted to publish harry potter someone is bound to mention it).

This means that many stories, who are simply not that good get the axe.

Mind you "not good" is actually "not profitable", hence the recent flood of horrendously written Twilight clones and "scandalous" S&M books for frustrated housewives. And don't even get me started on the festering swamp the fantasy market has turned into

 

Online however this barrier does not exist at all, so you have to rustle through all the bad stuff looking for the gems.

 

I have written a few fics myself and try to read some from time to time, but I generally hold with the motto that life is too short fr bad books, so I generally stay away from fanfics.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Silverwisp the Bard

[Fridge 382]

I have to say no, they aren't a good substitute but they are a good supplement. I would never limit myself to sticking only to the worlds and lore that fanfics are forced to adhere to when there are so many good authors out there.

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Definitely not. The sheer amount of effort--research, writing, revising, rewriting, etc.--that goes into writing a novel far exceeds the amount that goes into fanfiction. Original stories also allow for greater freedom of creativity. One isn't restricted by any preexisting rules, settings, or characters. The result is a richer, better written piece of work.

 

If you're in it for the story, then fine. Maybe fanfics will work. But I think a novel can be so much more than just a story. Whether it's exploring human nature, commentating on societal shortcomings, or investigating conflict, books have more potential to be deeper. The best fanfics I've read don't even come close to mediocre novels. The gap only increases as one moves up the totem pole, because let's face it--most fanfics probably aren't literature.

 

Fanfiction can be fun to read, but is it a substitute for actual books? No way.

 

 

Besides, you have nonfiction books to consider, too

 

[Victor van Dort 202]

Most definitely. Most books aren't nearly as interesting as some authors' fanfics, plus books can't be narrowed down as effectively as fanfiction.

[Stellafera 3,836]

If you're in it for the story, then fine. Maybe fanfics will work. But I think a novel can be so much more than just a story. Whether it's exploring human nature, commentating on societal shortcomings, or investigating conflict, books have more potential to be deeper. The best fanfics I've read don't even come close to mediocre novels. The gap only increases as one moves up the totem pole, because let's face it--most fanfics probably aren't literature.

 

I disagree. This might go for the more plot oriented ones, but a few of the character centered ones I find reach the level of good short stories and certainly made me think a lot.

 

I personally believe that in 9/10 cases, fanfiction is better as a genre of short stories than of novels. Some of those one shots just know how to work that emotional torque. 

 

Are the best stories I have read fanfiction? No. But have I read books worse than some fanfiction? Yes.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Stellafera

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I admire your devotion, but have you considered getting a kindle?

 

A cheap android tablet with a E-reader app would work too. I once payed $40 for a really low-end one that made a grade E-reader(granted, nothing else worked on it). 

[Starswirl the Trixie 975]

Some fanfics are very well written, comparable to critically-raved novels.  Of course they should not replace outside books, but we shouldn't write them off entirely.

 

Fanfics have a bad reputation.  For those looking for very well-written fics, I'd recommend:

*"Within and Without"

*"Allegrezza"

[PonyPowaX1000 69]

Well I'm not sure if it's a good substitute or not.

 

Similar to what an above member posted, some real books are bad and some fanfic's are good and vice versa...

[NavelColt 22,883]

Reading content is reading content. The only real difference between a fan fiction and a book is one gets published as it's own thing, while fanfictions are the short stories and books of the internet.

[Sonata18 105]

Yes! I really only have been reading young-adult literature lately, so it's about at the same level and usually in an imaginary world.  The last few non-fanfic books I've read were: Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras;  Divergent;  The Hunger Games series, The Host, and the Fifty Shades series.  It all seems very similar to me.  I've tried reading more "complex" books, but they just don't keep my interest very long. 

[Dark Fox 151]

Well with the mainstream literary trash floating around today, iI wouldn't mind some fan fiction, however it's hit or miss in the quality department, where as most novels are at least mediocre from an objective stand point (or as objective as possible) , save for the mainstream exceptions. I mean, I hated "Ender's game", but I could at least say it was well written and the characters were likeable enough, it was just dissappointing, especially after learning their were like 20 books in the series and that one in particular didn't end too well.

[Steve 290]

it all depends on how well its written, you shouldnt be shunned for reading fanfics over "real" books

 

besides, fanfics tell better stores

[Coffee 4,324]

If its written well then yes it is

[Splashee 28,581]

Any reading is good for you!

Books or fan fiction, both can be written good or badly

[EpicEnergy 23,240]

It's still reading something, and reading is good for you. I'd say some fanfics are even better than books.

[ExplosionMare 18,106]

Sometimes fanfiction can be good, but unfortunately you can’t read it for school :/

Except for “Background Pony” which apparently made it onto a college reading list