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Fan Fiction FAQby Penny Linsenmayer
Fan fiction (most commonly shortened to "fanfic") consists of fictional stories written by fans of a particular book, television or movie series. The original series (book, television, movie) is referred to as the "canon." Fanfic stories are based on or inspired by the canon. The largest Harry Potter fanfic site is FictionAlley and its Point Me! page, which includes links to databases of fics (on FictionAlley and elsewhere) sorted by lead, SHIP and era. Also, thousands of Harry Potter fanfics can be found at http:// www.fanfiction.net, although we note that it may be difficult to cull the readable fics from amid the almost 20,000 files in that section. In the case of the Harry Potter series, the 4 books, plus the two schoolbooks are "canon" for every HP fanfic author. Some authors also consider what JKR has said in chats and interviews to be "canon" but others think that this is subject to interpritation. As further books are published, they will fall into the HP canon. Because the canon is not completed, you should be aware that all HP fanfic authors are making some degree of assumptions about what may or may not happen in the final books of the series. As one member noted, it may be useful to regard the HP fanfic pieces as an alternate universe ("AU"), with each fanfic representing one of infinite possibilities that may happen in the canon or post-canon (or what might have happened pre-canon). Fanfic may also represent what could have happened pre-canon, in the canon (Missing Scenes) or post-canon. Other fanfic is deemed by the author to take place in an Alternate Universe, such as the Alternity series, where Voldemort killed James and Lily, then took Harry in and raised him as his heir. Is fanfic legal? Interested in how fanfic authors can minimize their exposure for copyright infringement and other legal hassles? For a detailed discussion of this topic by our resident intellectual property lawyer, Heidi Tandy, see Yahoogroups Message #10283. Is fanfic a new phenomenon (paralleling the advent of the internet)? Not according to one member, who says: "If one were to examine the surviving works of the great Greek tragedians, we would be at a loss to discover a single original story among them. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides based their immortal theatrical dramatizations on the pre-fabricated creations of their culture's mythology. In other words: FANFIC! And the same is true of Shakespeare, who has at best two original stories (i.e., The Tempest and Love's Labours Lost) among his entire 37-play (give or take) output." The HP series has inspired a prolific outpouring of fanfic. Hundreds of HP fanfic pieces are posted online each week. Because of the sheer volume of HP fanfics that are posted to the internet each week, it can be an overwhelming task to locate those fanfics that are worth a read. Few fans will have the time and inclination to read all these stories. Many of them are written by young children and are, of course, geared for that age level. Since this group is intended for adult members, we have assembled a list of favorite and recommended fanfics and fanfic authors suitable for adult fans. Does Fanfic "Taint" the Canon? Members have engaged in spirited debates about whether reading fanfic "taints" a reader's perceptions of the canon. If a person reads and writes fanfic, is it possible for them to distinguish between the characters' canon and "fanon" selves? Do they bring fanfic assumptions into play when interpreting and discussing the canon? Or, is it perfectly plausible that one can keep the two universes separate? Can fanfic, in addition to being entertaining, also give a reader a foundation to go back to the canon and re-read it for a different interpretation that he/she didn't see in a previous reading? Common HP FanficTerms & Abbreviations The following terms, some of which are common to all fanfic and some of which are specific to the HP fanfic universe, may be useful to the uninitiated.
These favorites are derived from members of this particular HP group. They have each received high recommendations from multiple members. If you have additional recommendations of fanfics or fanfic authors in general, please email your recommendations to the HPFGU-Announcements List. An asterisk (*) next to the author's name denotes that the author is a member of this Yahoogroup. A Marriage of True Minds? by Hyphen -- an alternate view of the James & Lily Potter marriage. After the End by Sugar Quill (Arabella & Zsenya) -- Set immediately after the end of Book 7, this post-canon story in progress promises R/H & H/G romances. The Best Man & The Best Man2 by Mrs. Weasley -- multi-part fanfics set in the post-Hogwarts years. The romances in these stories are R/H and H/G. Bryter Layter and Three Leaves Left by Rave* -- a fanfic set during the MWPP days at Hogwarts, and its sequel, set after Book 4 Call of the Wild -- by Wolfie Twins -- highly recommended by many of our members, this piece explores the life of Remus Lupin in the years intervening between the time of the Potters' murder and Sirius' imprisonment and his arrival to teach DADA at Hogwarts in PoA. Cub Scout by Moon -- explores the mind of Lupin as a child (after he became a werewolf) and while at Hogwarts The Dark Desccending series by Al* Dracaena Draco -- In the months following the end of the ill-fated Triwizard Tournament, the usually indomitable Draco Malfoy is thrown into a situation that will change his life for ever. In a time when nobody is quite what they seem, can the Dark Side really be divided? The Darkness and Light series by R.J. Anderson (Rebecca Bohner)* The Potions Master's Apprentice -- When Mad-Eye's niece and ward Maud Moody transfers from Durmstrang to Hogwarts for her seventh year, she is forced to come to terms with her dark past and uncertain future. Where do her true loyalties lie, when the one man who can help her is the one her uncle has warned her not to trust? The Draco Series -- by Cassandra Claire* Draco Dormiens -- Polyjuice Potion accidentally turns Harry into Draco and Draco into Harry. Draco starts to like being Harry Potter; Harry, however...well, read and find out! Angst, romance, humor, some H/H and some D/H and maybe more. Draco's Days of Darkness by Morrigan* -- D/H romance, frogs and more. One of the earliest Draco/Hermione fics Draco Falore by Yael* -- The sequel to Krum Do I Love? Draco Malfoy had gone missing barely a month after he and Hermione became a couple. Now, he is found among an army led by Voldemort - the very same army that plans to raid Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the end-of-the-year feast. Has Draco really become a Death Eater? Has Hermione truly gotten over him? What is Harry going to do about everything that's happening, and what will become of the school? Dreamwalk Blue by Viola -- London, 1943 -- In which we find ancient texts, several important dreams, post-modern poetry, a pair of saucy, bar-hopping wizards, Albus Dumbledore: Ladies' Man, the evil Dead Poets Society and a young Tom Riddle doing the Lindy Hop. Seriously. The story and related discussion can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise The Fifth Disciple series by A.L. Milton -- A Founders Fic, based on Cassandra Claire's Draco series. A dying wizard is surrounded by the living and the ghosts of his past. Ancient prophecies, mysterious plotters, strange lordships and monstrous creatures abound, and we witness some strange rituals and the unveiling of some powers.... Ginny the Vampire Slayer by Keith Fraser* -- Buffy cross-over fic The Granger Interview by Dadgrid* -- set up as an interview with Hermione just after the end of the 7th HP book. Hermione's 4th Year by Elanor Gamgee* -- "Missing scenes" from Goblet of Fire (Hermione's point of view). R/H focus. His Majesty's Secret Service by Gwendolyn Grace* -- A new student arrives at Hogwarts with a peculiar mission: to become friends with Draco Malfoy. In This World of Strangers by A'Jes Blue -- (combining Catharsis, Fallout, and Unsuspecting Hearts) In part one, Percy has tea with an old blind woman, a breakdown in a cemetary, and makes plans to visit his brother the Dragon tamer. In part two, Bill takes Percy off to see the Dragons and Percy runs into an old... friend? In part three (slash), Percy and Oliver begin a new phase in their relationship, Fred and George are surprised, and almost everybody goes to a Quidditch match. Irresistible Poison by Rhysenn -- A Harry/Draco SLASH romance. Under the influence of a love potion, Draco learns that poison doesn't always bring death -- there are other ways to suffer and live. Chemical emotion runs feverish as Harry and Draco discover the intoxication of love. Written by a remorseless slash girl *g*, this story explores the intricate relationship between Harry and Draco. The Letter by Dadgrid* -- What would you do if your child received an admissions letter from Hogwarts? The story and related discussions can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise The Lion and the Unicorn by lone astronomer -- We fight the darkness, but do we ever win? A Charlie Weasley story. Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Hyphen -- Christmas with the Potters (Lily is pregnant with Harry) and the 3 other Marauders. Intriguing insights into possible Pettigrew motivations for betraying the Potters. Paradigm of Uncertainty by Lori Summers* -- the first high profile, novel length, Harry/Hermione fanfic, PoU (as it is often shortened to) has been reviewed in Salon Magazine, and is deemed by many fanfic readers and writers their introduction to HP fanfic. PoU is set 9 years after the characters have finished their education at Hogwarts. Billed by its author as a "mystery," the story has a riveting action plot. This story also involves a strong Harry/Hermione romance subplot. In fact, one member has referred to PoU as the"Bible" for the H/H shippers. Nine years after graduating from Hogwarts, Charms fellow Hermione Granger again finds herself caught up in Harry Potter's mysterious life. Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent series by B.L. Purdom -- Harry Potter fanfiction trilogy for adults, which begins with the fifth-year fic Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent. Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent -- In Harry's fifth year he gets a snake with the Sight. Hermione's torn between Ron and Harry, who's torn between her and Ginny, who's torn between him and Draco Malfoy, who's torn between her and loyalty to his father. Plus: a Prophecy, Animagus training, a Dueling Club, Snape's Penseive, kilts, giants, house elf liberation and more! Second Chance by Blaise* -- a multi-part fanfic that examines why Dumbledore trusts Severus Snape. A Snake in the Grass and The Farther Shore by Blaise* -- Remus Lupin finds romance in his younger days. Snitch by Al* -- In London's seedy criminal underworld, two old enemies have become partners in crime, but the wizarding world is out to disrupt Harry's none too peaceful existence. Guns, car chases, wizards, slash, and drug busts abound in a fast paced romantic thriller! The story and related discussions can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise The Song of Time by Crazy Ivan* -- Set at the Institute at St Andrews, Britain's foremost wizarding institution of higher education, we discover the true range of Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco's powers, learn more about the wizarding world and meet some new characters. Some material inspired by Cassandra Claire's "Draco Dormiens." The story and related discussions can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise The Speculum Curse by Hyphen -- The Marauders, in their heyday, bicker their way through a humorous adventure. It all begins when James starts acting rather oddly. Could it be a Slytherin curse? What can be done about it? You'll find out eventually, but along the way you'll encounter a pugnacious Peter, a rowdy Remus, and a (very) serene Sirius. A Surfeit of Curses by Heidi* -- Featuring Draco as a prominent character, this multi-part fanfic gives another alternative view of Draco Malfoy. This fanfic creates a plausible and wildly entertaining backstory to the 4 canon novels. It's been called the best Draco-redemption explanation in fanfic. The story and related discussions can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HP_Paradise The Paradise Series by AngieJ* -- Trouble in Paradise -- this fanfic is set in 2008 and is told from the point-of-view of Angelina Johnson Weasley (former Gryffindor chaser). The opening chapters promise a spellbinding fanfic with abounding mysteries and romance. The author summarizes this fanfic: Ron and Hermione have loved each other since their Hogwarts days. Now that they are married, mistakes and misunderstandings threaten to tear the very foundation of what they've built together apart. Can their love survive the ultimate test? Written by an H/H shipper... surprises abound... The Unlikely Coven Series by Alicia Spinnet* -- Set in 2016, the story involves the teenaged children of Harry & Hermione Potter, Ron and Lavender Weasley and Draco & Ginny Malfoy. An Unlikely Coven by Alicia/Sue -- It's July 2016. Do you know where the next generation of Potters, Weasleys, and Malfoys are? Join Linda, Bobby, Joey, and their parents on a cross-pond romp to save the world-- and toss off some killer remarks while they're at it. The Viridian Wand Chronicles by Love Gordon -- The Dream Team grows up to live, die, and watch the new generation face old enemies. Voldemort is resurrected, an ancient amulet holds the key to a new and deadly danger, and a sword from across the boundaries of time chooses its new owner. Yours and Yours and Yours by wotan -- Set in the 7th year at Hogwarts and involving H/H romance, the plot has some surprising turns. |
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