How would you categorize the AU aspects of fanfics?

[OP1000]

Hello!!!!
How do you guys classify the level of canon -divergent material that are present in the fanfictions that you read? AU=Alternate Universe
For example, I would categorize them as slightly AU (fanfictions that do not diverge from the canon material that much), balanced AU (fanfictions that keep a balance between the level of canon-divergent material and actual canon material present in the fanfiction) and highly AU(fanfictions that heavily diverge from canon material).

 

[Corty]

I categorize mine as a "what if." Sooo... highly AU? It's fanfic; why write the same thing as the original? My thinking is the more divergent, the better; if I want to read the same story, I would read/watch the original it is based on then.

I want to take the setting, the background, and some characters and write a story in that IP and not write the same story the original author already did but only with a different MC doing the same things.

But that is just me, so this is not a knock on anybody or any other work! Everyone should enjoy what they like both writing and reading!

 

[phaeous]

In the fiction world, our real world's the fiction world

So, if somebody writes about you as the main character- how would you classify divergence from the truth?

Either canon gets new material that falls in line

or it's a different world entirely with some level o similarity​

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

Fanfics are mostly generated by popular franchises with unfulfilled potential. Fanfics often aim to correct where the original author failed. So I would say there is an AU category for canon and plot hole fixing, which is often really needed.

They write fun stories, but sadly certain authors suck at world building.

 

[NotaNuffian]

... what exactly constitute an AU?

Surely not an SI? Because that is just shit.

Imo an AU is the alternate Subarus in ReZero stop being a simp and start fucking back.

An AU is not a good reason to do a mashup as well, even though some might say that in an infinite possibility of universes it is a possibility for MLP to start hump Geralt, I'd say no. Just no. Get some help.

Whatever the top just said.

 

[Tempokai]

Self insert, cringe self insert, reimagining (often cringe), extra's rise to glory, fanfic for the sakes of smut, system insert (cringe, CN novels suffer from it), set in the world but creates new characters fanfic and many more. I thinked up these in span of five minutes.

P.S. there is no categorization.

 

[OP1000]

... what exactly constitute an AU?

Surely not an SI? Because that is just shit.

Imo an AU is the alternate Subarus in ReZero stop being a simp and start fucking back.

An AU is not a good reason to do a mashup as well, even though some might say that in an infinite possibility of universes it is a possibility for MLP to start hump Geralt, I'd say no. Just no. Get some help.

Whatever the top just said.

Self Insert fanfictions really do have a bad reputation amongst readers, huh? I have not read many self insert fanfictions so I do not know the tropes that come with such types of stories. Would I be bothering you if I were to ask you what makes self insert fanfictions unappealing?

Were you talking about crossover fanfictions on the fourth line of your reply? And who is MLP?

 

[NotaNuffian]

Self Insert fanfictions really do have a bad reputation amongst readers, huh? I have not read many self insert fanfictions so I do not know the tropes that come with such types of stories. Would I be bothering you if I were to ask you what makes self insert fanfictions unappealing?

Mary Sue/ Gary Stu. Then there are spotlight stealers who insist they aren't stealing the spotlight.

Were you talking about crossover fanfictions on the fourth line of your reply? And who is MLP?

Yes.

My Little Pony. I am gargling my mouth now, thank you for making me say out.

 

[OP1000]

My Little Pony. I am gargling my mouth now, thank you for making me say out.

Oh, I have heard things about the community. Sorry I made you say it. Here have a cookie for comfort

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Hello!!!!
How do you guys classify the level of canon -divergent material that are present in the fanfictions that you read? AU=Alternate Universe

I wouldnt.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Mine goes just AU enough to intersect with the real world, 10 years after the end of the series.

 

[nowme_cres]

Hello!!!!
How do you guys classify the level of canon -divergent material that are present in the fanfictions that you read? AU=Alternate Universe
For example, I would categorize them as slightly AU (fanfictions that do not diverge from the canon material that much), balanced AU (fanfictions that keep a balance between the level of canon-divergent material and actual canon material present in the fanfiction) and highly AU(fanfictions that heavily diverge from canon material).

I don't deal with fanfics so I treat them all the same, but your system works

 

[ACertainPassingUser]

If you're already on the level of categorizing AU aspect of Fanfic, writing Original story would be considerable. Especially if you write them with similar-yet-different background if the Fanfic.

Like when someone wrote Harry Potter fanfic and turned them into Magic school fanfic with spells based on generic trope elemental magic, keep the character (but rename them), and change the magic system with final fantasy like generic magic that is already used by extremely wide variety of other story.

No more Wingardium leviosa, expeliarmus, Avada kedavra, Apparition, etc. Just write small fire, wind blade, etc.

Maybe apparition and floo network Is a bit complex, But a teleport spell and mass teleport station can do the job.

No intsant kill with avada kedavra ? Just attack them with Nuclear magic then ! Or target them with Soul attack magic if you want intact corpse.

 

[Theirl]

Mary Sue/ Gary Stu. Then there are spotlight stealers who insist they aren't stealing the spotlight.

Yes.

My Little Pony. I am gargling my mouth now, thank you for making me say out.

yes positive reinforcement of someone that agree with me.

self fulfilment im happy

 

[Deleted member 113259]

Ew.