Fanfiction for Grownups?

[frances at forever.u-net.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 30195

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., puddlemereunited at y... wrote:
> I wonder if anyone else has noticed the paucity of mature HP 
> fanfiction?  

I think that fanfiction works on two (probably more) levels. I enjoy 
reading some of the plot-what-plot variaty when the mood takes me, the 
same way I enjoy watching a film which does not tax the brain (such as 
Die Hard for example). This is a form of escapism as much as reading 
more deep thought provoking work.

Certainly when I write I try to keep as true to the original novels as 
possible even though my characters have grown up from the Hogwarts 
days. But equally, I don't believe that just because someone is writing 
a 'fluff' story that it isn't as valid as a long toom.

Fanfiction has always had its share of fluff stories. I remember 
writing Star Trek fiction back in the 70s and 80s (and thus showing my 
age) when slash fiction was known as K/S (Kirk/Spock) whatever the 
slash pairing. Your arguments were often used back then that this type 
of fiction did nothing to further fanfiction in itself. But some of the 
stories were good thought provoking pieces which helped build the 
characters.

I see no reason why I cannot write an adult (not in the sexual context) 
story where one can cuddle up to Draco (I'm certainly not 13 and would 
love to cuddle up to him!). And I have read some exception fanfiction 
which covers both adult (as in grown up) and adult (as in sexual) that 
is also very much in canon!Potter.

If you read GoF, it is clear that the characters are starting to mature 
and this will continue over the next three books. I don't expect JKR to 
dwell too deeply on that side of things because the books are still 
written as childrens books. But I am sure that relationships will 
figure very deeply in these future novels. Would you then consider they 
were not good fictin any more?

Do go out and look on FictionAlley and FanFiction. There is some 
excellent work out there. Read it at the level it is meant (light, 
heavy, deep meaning etc, drama) and enjoy it for what it is.

It would also be a shame is the only adult stories were those using 
older characters. Stories about Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco and the 
other children can be equally as thought provoking, but by their vary 
nature (the characters being children) the situations would not be as 
'adult' as those written about older characters. This does not mean 
they are not mature fanfiction.

Frances

Celebrate Harry's 21st birthday:
http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Frances_Potter/Coming_Of_Age/
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