Fan fiction has evolved from the Twilight spin-off that became the basis for the 50 Shades trilogy to the Kickstarter-funded Web series that depicts BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and John Watson falling in love through text messages.
Fan fiction writers often get little respect in the literary community, though many budding authors nowadays get their starts writing stories about their favorite movies, TV shows, video games and books online. George R.R. Martin, author of the Song of Ice and Fire books (which spawned the Game of Thrones TV series), is an open opponent of fan fiction. Martin has asserted that he doesn’t want other people playing around in his universe — not only for legal and financial reasons but also personal reasons.
“My characters are my children,” he wrote in a 2010 blog post. “No one gets to abuse the people of Westeros but me.”
Now the lines between fans and creators are being blurred further. A Kickstarter project by film producer Naomi Javor has raised more than $13,000 to create a Web series based on a fan fiction set in the universe of BBC’s Sherlock. Though Sherlock itself is a derivative series — an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries set in 21st century London — the fans behind the fan fiction and upcoming Web series have a different vision for the characters and series altogether.
The project will follow a piece of Sherlock fan fiction titled “A Finger Slip” by British Tumblr user Pawtal. The story, which was published on ArchiveofOurOwn.org, describes teenage incarnations of BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and John Watson who fall in love through a series of text messages.
Though it is a running joke in Sherlock that many characters assume roommates Watson and Holmes are in a relationship, the two are not actually romantically involved in the series. However, many fans of the “Johnlock” pairing still would like to see the two get together, and that is where fan fiction comes in.
“I would say, as a big shipper [someone who supports a relationship] of Johnlock, but someone who knows they’re never actually going to be canon on the show, fan fictions are a fun way for fans to imagine all the scenarios and plots that aren’t part of the nine episodes we have of Sherlock,” said Livy Amoruso, a junior music major.
Sherlock fan Michelle Hahm, a senior studio art major studying graphic design, sees the relationship between the two characters differently.
“I think it’s the best bromance I’ve ever seen in my life,” she said. “I wish people wouldn’t pair them because I don’t think all strong relationships must be romantic.”
While fan fiction can serve as a form of wish fulfillment for fans who might not get to see their dream pairings work out, it is also a useful tool for budding writers. Many people who get their starts writing fan fiction are aspiring writers and novelists.
Senior English and film studies major John DeOrnellas used to be deeply involved in fan fiction as both an active reader and author. As an aspiring writer, he said fan fiction was a great way to get feedback.
“I really did it for criticisms and just to put it out there,” he said.
DeOrnellas said he was involved in a close-knit community of writers who would read and review one another’s works. This helped him address some of the more challenging parts of his writing, such as selection of detail and characterization. For aspiring novelists and screenwriters, Web series provide possibilities for other writers to break into the field.
Junior English major Jasmine Marcelo plans to base her honors research on fan fiction and its role in modern culture, especially in the wake of fan works getting published as entirely new series, such as E.L. James’ Twilight fan fiction eventually becoming the 50 Shades trilogy.
Marcelo believes the proposed Web series is a fascinating glimpse into how fan fiction has evolved beyond the written form.
“It’s certainly an interesting idea, though I wonder how well it will really work out,” she said. “Nevertheless, it shows the way that the world sort of evolves and adapts to trends, technology, what have you.”
As a fan of Johnlock and fan fiction, Amoruso is excited to see the possibilities of the relationship play out in a new medium.
“I know that it’ll never happen on the show, but for die-hard fans of Sherlock, fan fiction is just a way for us to be creative and express our love for the characters,” she said. “Making a mini Web series is just taking that to the next level, and I’m really excited to watch it.”
DeOrnellas, on the other hand, is interested in seeing how the online series takes off, and if it is successful, what that means for other fan writers.
“I think it’s awesome because there’s a lot of untapped potential with writers,” he said. “I can see this being the future.”
