Devor submitted a new blog post:
The Surprising Things I Learned Writing Fan Fiction
by Brian DeLeonard
Like many writers I’m a huge fan of many things – from novels and superheroes to anime and Doctor Who. But recently, watching a show with my young daughter, I’ve been pulled beyond a threshold I never expected to cross.
I started writing fanfiction.
It is the best thing to happen to my writing in years.
People look at fanfiction as trash writing where young teens with obsessions play out their daydream fantasies – not that there’s anything wrong with that. But it’s also an effective way for authors to isolate writing skills they may want to develop. You can skip over the character introductions, go light on the descriptions, and cut down the worldbuilding that diseases many people in order to focus on character arcs, plotting, and writing style. For me this was a game changer.
The show is Miraculous Ladybug, a superhero romance aimed at teens. Marinette is the superhero Ladybug, and she’s in love with her classmate, Adrien. Adrien is the superhero Cat Noir, and he’s in love with his super partner, Ladybug. If only their secret identities didn’t keep them apart. The characters are stuck in a love square with just the two of them, and the audience is in on the inside secret that’s creating most of their conflict.
But this article isn’t about a television show, defending geeky obsessions, or pushing authors to write fanfiction. The crazy love square between Marinette and Adrien...
Continue reading the Original Blog Post.
The Surprising Things I Learned Writing Fan Fiction
by Brian DeLeonard

Like many writers I’m a huge fan of many things – from novels and superheroes to anime and Doctor Who. But recently, watching a show with my young daughter, I’ve been pulled beyond a threshold I never expected to cross.
I started writing fanfiction.
It is the best thing to happen to my writing in years.
People look at fanfiction as trash writing where young teens with obsessions play out their daydream fantasies – not that there’s anything wrong with that. But it’s also an effective way for authors to isolate writing skills they may want to develop. You can skip over the character introductions, go light on the descriptions, and cut down the worldbuilding that diseases many people in order to focus on character arcs, plotting, and writing style. For me this was a game changer.
The show is Miraculous Ladybug, a superhero romance aimed at teens. Marinette is the superhero Ladybug, and she’s in love with her classmate, Adrien. Adrien is the superhero Cat Noir, and he’s in love with his super partner, Ladybug. If only their secret identities didn’t keep them apart. The characters are stuck in a love square with just the two of them, and the audience is in on the inside secret that’s creating most of their conflict.
But this article isn’t about a television show, defending geeky obsessions, or pushing authors to write fanfiction. The crazy love square between Marinette and Adrien...
Continue reading the Original Blog Post.