‘oh, why do you like reading fanfiction so much? isn’t it a bit pointless since it’s not canon?’
i get to watch the same two people find each other in every universe possible, and fall in love with each other every time in new, different, creative ways.
i get to see other people’s perceptions of a piece of media, a ship and characters i love so much, and how they view their personalities, roles and dynamics. and i get to decide for myself whether that’s the ending i want for them, or if i want to imagine something different happening.
i get to enjoy other people’s hard work and pure, unfiltered dedication to their craft. i see people put their time and passion into creating new worlds and realities for pre-conceived characters - for both their own satisfaction and the enjoyment of their readers.
i get to interact with them directly, and tell them how loved and appreciated their works are.
i get to speak to other people with similar interests to me - sharing, recommending, discussing these pieces of fiction with each other - through fanfiction, and find comfort and community within this.
i find the creativity, nuance, hardwork, community, joy, togetherness and core humanity of fanfiction (and fandoms as a whole) truly beautiful.
so, no, fanfiction is not pointless.
