Affinity+Spaces+for+All

A few people know that back in my undergrad days, I was a fan fiction editor for Joss Whedon stories - "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel", some "Firefly" stuff. I had to phase myself out as life became more involved with graduate work, finding a job, moving out of state, little things like that. As an assignment for my ENED 8741 class for KSU, I knew that I wanted to look at fan fiction sites, to see how they have evolved and morphed from the late 90s. However, I didn't want to get back into my same genre, I needed to branch out. And I also realized that other fanfic sites might be more amendable to current teens than my favorites.

Harry Potter
That being said, I let a bit of pop culture and contemporary movie-making guide my choices. As most fans know, the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series hits big screen on July 15th (a smart advertising move as 15 is an easily remembered number, and a Wednesday opening will increase the overall box office weekend for the film). One of the largest sites dedicated to all things Potter is [|Muggle Net], a gigantic galaxy of information completely maintained and driven by fans of J.K.Rowling and her works. This parent site boasts postings from every current interview with the movies' stars, a countdown clock for the next film, sidebars for polls and contests, and different sections for the books, movies, fun/games, general info, media, fans, and discussion. The community is large enough to support many paying positions to maintain its clout, and a spot as a volunteer, intern, or assistant is highly coveted. MuggleNet even pulblished its own book, //[|Harry Potter Should Have Died]//, which is the thoughts of fans concerning Potter plot development and character analysis, with all proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of America (very Mindset 2.0).



Okay, enough about the parent site. The[| fan fiction site] for MuggleNet is quite extensive. Upon entering, the first thing you see is that this section site, much like the MuggleNet space itself, has published its own work. //Sharpen Your Quill: A Guide to Creative Writing// was developed through fanfic commentary, questions, and discussions over the course of several months. It was published using the online platform [|Lulu.com], is available from the publisher or [|Amazon].

Newcomers to the space usually arrive with knowledge of the Harry Potter books, or at very least, the movies (which can prove problematic later on). The homepage as all the standard navigation tools on the left, with the latest works and featured pieces below. If you want to read the variuos pieces, you don't have to register, however, registration is necessary if you want to post a piece or comment on one. First and foremost, as with anything unfamiliar, a person has to surf around the space and discover what is helpful and what is not. For this site, their [|HELP] section is pretty darn helpful. There is an essay library that demonstrates to new Potter writers what is or is not appropriate for certain stories, gives character basics, and even assists with the mechanics of plot, dialogue, and grammar. There is a basic [|rules] page that all participants are expected to follow, and often times violation of these rules could result in the barring of your creative works on the site. [|Discussion forums or Beta forums] also abound - with several for new writers or folks new to the Potter stories - to asnwer questions needing diverse answers. Moderators are also available to answer a newbie's questions, should their fact finding missions prove unfruitful. A Hogwarts Academy of sorts, was created to school artists and authors in everything Potter. Classes might include: building depth for minor characters, making dialogue believable, creating authentic British characters; and even tech offerings such as: banner making and advanced graphics. Not every piece is accepted for publication on the site, but there is plenty of guidance to get your story to that stage.

Involvement in the site itself and its Potter culture is highly welcomed and, in many cases, expected for the more prolific and published writers. All site material is generated directly by fans and led by fans themselves (albeit, some of them are now paid employees, most everyone is volunteer). Registered members of Mugglenet are allowed to submit pieces for posting consideration and may comment of those stories already submitted. Most writers want there works improved and welcome constructive feedback from other members and authors. If readers are interested in various types of stories, then they can explore only those categories.

One of the more involved sections of the site deal with the beta readers and their work with authors. Beta readers are online editors that help writers with their individual pieces. MuggleNet uses [|Perfect Imagination] out the United Kingdom to critique their works. as do many other fanfic sites. In order to be an editor with this non-profit, you have to join their site and take an assessment test of your skills. If you pass with an 80 or above, you are admitted as a beta reader and you can then decide which sorts of stories you want to read and what type of edits you will undertake. Beta readers can alter many parameters to suit their individual interests: genre, page/word length, story audience rating, types of editing (grammar/punctuation, plot/content), and even the style of comments (gentle to brutally honest). Writers can choose what beta readers they would like to have work with them, and then contact via email before sending a story. Some readers have a faster turn-around time than others, and some are more coveted, given experience and depth of knowledge. Writers are not required to use Perfect Imagination, and can use friends or other beta reader networks with which they are more familiar. However, if you are just starting out in a particular fanfic genre, these folks could be very helpful.

The afore mentioned [|Hogwarts classes], while not an editing site, per se, are disigned to help writers with various compenents of the craft and tend to be writing intensive, with all the focus being on the Harry Potter universe. Each class is taught by forum and site moderators with extensive knowledge of the Rowling works. They are specific to certain topics and are geared towards different writing and ability levels. Some are mor labor intensive than others. And don't think that these are just some fluffy, emo, cutsy-type groups - these folks are very serious, and include a disclaimer that some topics many be expected to generate 20 pages or so by the end of the six-week term. Each class also has a student cap, so it's first come, first serve - most are around 20 to 30, with some of the more advanced groups maxing out at 10. (Sounds like grad school.)

So, what if you're not a writer, or you're too intimatidated to post your work - what do you do? How else can you participate on this fanfic site? The bottom line is participation. The more you involve yourself with the writings on the site, comment thoughtful on others' work, and join discussions, the more you will be recognized as a reliable, contributing member. Obviously, publishing work on this site is the ultimate goal, but there exist additional avenues for commraderie and enjoyment.

As far as leadership, there really is no supreme dictator or central figure-head. A [|staff page] with profiles of the administration lists who moderates the goings-on of the site. No authority break-down or chain of command is listed so you really don't know which staffer ranks higher than another. Definitely a new ethos characteristic. Rather than posting an actual picture, each moderator has some sort of crazy penguin avatar that illustrates her screen name or how she sees herself in the moderator capacity. The fanfic section is facilitated almost exclusively by teens and young adults (though there are some moms and married folk thrown in for good measure), lending credence that the fans/writers do actually control the content and activity of the site.