AU vs. Continuation

I've been wanting to write a post about Alternate Universe fics versus continuations fics. Ready? I'm going to go hard.

I think the success of a continuation fic has a great deal to do with how old the fandom is. I used to write contination fics for Slayers and none of them were as successful as my Escaflowne AU fic. I think a lot that has to do with the fact that I was a weaker author back when I was writing Slayers. However, I plan to defend my views. I think there are only so many ways to continue a story that are plausable. So, once a fandom has been around for awhile, naturally most of them are going to get done in one way or another. Basically, the author of the fanfic has to come up with a whole new premise for a story (p.s. I'm not directing my comments at you Jomiel - I think your story has a lot of potental - these are only comments in general). I think people who go read fanfic read a lot of continuation fics and so in order to keep their attention, you have to write something that's freaking different. Personally, I'd rather not chance it anymore. Everything has already been done.

On the other hand, if a story has an unsatisfying ending and the fandom is just blooming - you really have an opportunity to get everyone and their dog reading your story. I haven't read the end of Gokusen yet (cause it's not available), but you better believe that I read tons of continuation fanfiction for it. If I'm reading anything online - I'm reading Gokusen. And I'm one of those darling people who reviews for every single chapter that I read. It's the only way I can stop myself from turning into a gigantic hypocrite.

My favourite online continuation story is called 'Indeterminite Maturity' by misanoe. It's a Gokusen fic and I love it. It's so enjoyable that I sat slapping my knee the whole time. It was so great!

So, alternative universe fics. When I read online, I also like to read AUs. My two favourite fanfics of all time are AUs. One is called 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' by Yugure. It's a Slayers fic where Zel is a vampire. I have as much as the author has written posted on my website. I got her permission - I love it so. My next favourite is called "Wings of Love" by Earth Star. It's the story of Cupid and Psyche with Zel and Amelia - very cute.

Obviously, you have a lot more breathing room when writing AU fics, because you don't have to have any specific knowledge about the series/setting/plot and stuff like that. You can make it up as you go. Of course, making it up sounds easier, but I don't think that's necessarily true. So, I guess it depends what your strengths are. My sister says that she's only creative under tight constrants. If you set her loose and tell her she can do whatever she wants, she's totally lost, but if you give her a budget, a deadline, a direction for the project to take and stuff like that - she'll blow your socks off with what she's able to accomplish. So, for her, writing a continuation fic would probably be easier. So, I think it depends on your personality - are you the sort of person who renovates or the kind of person who starts building fresh? However, I must point out that in order to be a good author - you must be able to do BOTH of these things.

You only need the characters in order to write AU, but it amazes me how many of authors botch this and don't stay true to the characters at all.

As for myself, I don't plan to write another continuation fic as long as I live. I like writing something that's different. Something completely unlike anything anyone in the fandom has read before. Now I'm off to Wild Moon Swings to talk about my AU fics. I've had some musings about my fic lately.