Fanfiction

So, I've recently gotten into reading fanfiction. About Harry Potter. I'm ashamed. I never thought I'd be one of those people. In fact, I have gotten so far in that I have actually thought about writing some, but I will resist! In fact, I'm going to try to stop reading it too. My problem with fanfiction is that it doesn't go anywhere. The people that write it are either mediocre people trying to make themselves feel special by piggybacking on someone else's success and talent, or they are talented people who are wasting their gifts on something that will hurt them more than it will help them by keeping them away from serious writing. It can be fun to read/write, don't get me wrong, but often times it's all about romance, turning the good ideas that make up the original author's story to the things of cheap paperback novels that fill the romance section of used bookstores. No offense meant to people who enjoy them, but no one can argue that such books are among the lowest forms of literature.

So you can read and write fanfiction if you want. I'm not denying the enjoyable aspects of the practice. To each his own. As for me, I think I'll try Shakespeare.

P.S. I'm not the only one who thinks so.

http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/is-fan-fiction-a-good-writing-practice-71953.html