Write fan fiction about a book, movie or television show that is already well-known. You will have a broader audience interested in reading your work. However, smaller niches might also have enthusiastic fans eager to read fan fiction about their favorite characters.
Preserve the original personality of each character. Having characters deviate from their normal behaviors can upset or annoy fans. Original creators sometimes change characters in ways that upset fans, so bringing back the character’s original personality will win over diehard loyalists. If you must change the character’s personality, give a reason for this change.
Put the characters in unusual situations that they would normally not be in. Write the story in a genre uncharacteristic of the series. For example, put Star Trek characters in a mystery, or write a story that focuses on a loved – but neglected – character.
Post fan fiction on websites devoted to sharing these stories, since they will already have an audience interested in reading fan fiction. Post on social networking websites as well and give others permission to copy and reproduce the story on their own websites, maximizing the story’s circulation. Ask that they credit you as the author.
Write stories that stand on their own, so you’re not forced to leave readers with a cliff-hanger if you cannot continue the series. Also, with your unpopular stories, you can simply create a new story and take a different approach. Add a sequel to a standalone story only if it is popular.
Give the story a plot instead of simply stringing together events without a climax and resolution. This will make the story more memorable. However, research the history of the series so the elements of the fan fiction are accurate. Some fans are annoyed when fan fiction has historical inaccuracies or has two characters behaving in a way that violates the rules of the original story.
Do not infringe on copyrights by reproducing original stories. Fair use is a statutory exception that protects fan fiction as long as the fiction is not used for commercial purposes and doesn’t negatively affect the commercial success of the original work. The fiction must transform the creative work and add new things to it. Include a disclaimer at the end of your work that states that you do not intend to use the fan fiction for commercial purposes.