The Hunger Games movie made me a huge fan. I heard FFN was a great place to find dirty Gale/Katniss stories. This is true, but I found so much more to it. My main project is an AU version of the trilogy from Gale's POV and variations on that.

Fanfic reinvigorated my enthusiasm for creative writing and can be a great writing tool, experience that also applies to original material. The existing setting helps provide an audience and material to work with. It's a challenge to stick to the world without merely copying it, and it becomes more original the more it departs from canon. Ridiculous romantic pairings are one failing.

Writing fanfic is a step towards creating something instead of just consuming others’ creations (which gives more respect for professionals). The inspiration is a sign of success for the original. This seems related to the punk rock DIY ethos.

Some of my writing is non-explicit anyway, but this was the first adult material I've written, in stories that also have non-explicit content.

Some of my stories cover the backstory more than others. I'll try to clear up confusion for people not familiar with the original.

Inspiration and motivation goes both ways with fellow fanfic writers. Thanks for all reviews and PM discussions, especially Vaneria Potter early and Ellenka lately. Ellenka mentioned archiveofourown; I have the same username/stories there.

I like the chapter serial format. I do revise past chapters. Sometimes review comments are simply reflected in those revisions.

Bad fanfic can insult the original and good stuff can embarrass it. When a series has even more potential, good fanfic can help realize it, such as more mature versions of YA works (not just sex). It's a way to keep going after the original series, a sign that you care, a opportunity to develop secondary characters.

I'd often rather write my own stuff instead of reading other stuff or doing non-literary things.