Meanwhile, in a parallel universe...

KOCHI:   Have you ever wanted to change the course of the story in a book, a series or even a movie and wished for a different end? Have you ever wished that the hero would end up with someone else entirely? Well, almost every reader or viewer does, and many have gone ahead and done something about it. Called fanfictions, these fan-created stories featuring their favourite characters from the favourite book/series or movies are turning very popular in Kochi too.

These are written by fans who channel their immense love to the ‘fandom’ through stories set in the universe the author created,  using the characters of the original work. And, wonder what a ‘fandom’ is? Fandom is a ‘subculture’ consisting of fans who are connected through the love for the work through various websites and apps available including Fanfiction.com, Tumblr, Pinterest and Archive of our own (Ao3). 

In the case of books, the fans had been writing alternative endings and even a completely different story utilising the genuine or original work called as canon in fanfiction slang.Marvel Comic Universe and Sherlock Holmes had been a fodder to fanfiction for long. Then came Harry Potter, which has arguably one of the  biggest fanfiction set up, with several websites hosting the fanfiction stories. Then came Twilight, Supernatural, Teen Wolf, Game of Thrones and the newest adaptation of Sherlock Holmes in the block, all of which enjoy an immense fan following and a whole lot of literature on them, Now they are even focussed around bands like One Direction and BTS, Hollywood actors,  sportspersons.

Anupama, a student from Kochi who went on to do her upper school years in Bangalore, was introduced into the world of fanfiction while she was still in her school. She had immensely enjoyed it and has taken up fanfiction writing as a hobby. “It even improves my language,” she says.Not only Anupama, many teenagers and even young men and woman well into their 30’s are part of the fanfiction scene. “I was surprised that some of my friends follow the fandom too. We even discuss and share fan fictions. If I had any doubt about the exposure of people in Kochi, its long gone now,” said Anupama, now a PG student. 

History 
Owing to internet and websites, almost two decades back, fanfictions rose to prominence in the west and it took another 10  years to gain a foothold in India. However, the first ever fanfiction came way back in 1960 when ‘Star Trek’ fanfiction appeared in a fan magazine. It could be the lack of internet connectivity in the country during the period, less openness to variety and various sexual orientations and even the basic need for ‘normality’.  

Legality
The legality of fanfictions had been a hot debate topic for a long time. While a fanfiction author creates a work, it is very important that they do not breach the copyrights. Most authors these days even give a disclaimer at the beginning of every chapter of their story.  Fanfiction can be called a ‘derivative work’ of the original and a second independent work as such. Some authors have sued fanfiction writers in the past. However, most of the authors encourage fans to write fanfictions. The fanfictions also act as promotions for the original work.

Ship It
‘Shipping’ is another fanfiction slang term which refers to ‘relationship shippers’- or people who stand for a particular pairing that may not be canon.In tv series, they even play up the factor and encourage the fans’ dream ships which not only adds to the popularity but gives new instances for the fans to get inspired to write something more.

The Sherlock Holmes series had used the ‘Sherlock is gay’ theory to keep the fans guessing for some time.  “Shipping is how we get the story to turn around. We are finding the hero/heroine love elsewhere. It is interesting and we even get to explore the ‘What could have beens’ through the fanfictions,” said Sandra, an ardent Harry Potter fanfiction writer.