I noticed most of the other definitions here completely trash fanfiction.

First, definition: Fanfiction is when someone takes either the story or characters (or both) of a certain piece of work, whether it be a novel, tv show, movie, etc, and create their own story based on it. Sometimes people will take characters from one movie and put them in another, which is called a cross-over.

Most people who bash fanfiction are not willing to look past the fact that it's based on something else to see that it could be worth reading IF you like the subject. If they don't like the subject, then obviously they are going to automatically dismiss the fanfiction.

It is true, however, that some fanfictions are rather poorly written and only a few hundred words, and it is also true that some people just write them so they can have their favorite characters have sex (lemon). But, if you take the time to find something decent, you can end up with a fanfiction story that is so close to the original piece of art, that you'd barely notice the difference.
Mary decided to write a fanfiction based on a story she had read. She liked the idea of two of the characters as a couple, but it wasn't in the original plot, so she twisted the story around a bit and evolved the characters so that it seemed as though they actually *could* have been together in the first place. (Good example, it's rare that someone does it perfectly but there are some out there)

Sue was so angry that her two favorite characters never got together that she wrote her own story in which the first thing they did was have sex and get married. (Bad example, but sadly sometimes true)
by Mistaki August 7, 2006
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n.

A piece of fiction within a fandom utilizing characters and situations from a pre-existing work including (but not limited to) books, television programs, films, and comic strips.

Typically separated into het, slash, and general genres. Often used to play out AU scenarios and/or various romantic pairings not found in the original work.

Distributed via mailing lists, blogs, and zines. Heavily archived online.
Kate writes fanfiction about what would've happened to Jack and Rose had the Titanic not sunk. Poor Kate.
by nortylaK March 12, 2004
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Something this English teacher heartily approves of as a way for writers to hone their art in a supportive community.
Some of the best stuff I've ever read can be found in the fandom!
some of the longer stuff on quizilla and fanfiction.net
by Noor of the North April 25, 2009
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Fiction written by fans for other fans about the fandoms that they like. Usually the author takes the characters and/or the setting of the fandom and writes a new or continueing plot. Sometimes they write crossovers
I once read a Xena, Warrior Princess/Star Treck: Voyager uber, crossover, fanfic.
by Dartxni November 25, 2003
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1. A fan's way of letting a story they love continue on by creating a new story in the same world.

2. A fan's way of saving their favorite characters, fixing thing's they don't like in the plot, and pairing up characters that have nothing in common, were never supposed to be together, and have zero chemistry.

3. Your English teacher's worst nightmare.
You: Hey, I just wrote a fanfiction that continues on Harry Potter's life after Hogwarts.
Friend 1: Awesome! I wrote a fanfic where Darth Vader turned out to be a good guy!
Friend 2: I wrote a fanfiction where Katniss and Peeta weren't in the Hunger Games.
Your worst enemy: I wrote a fanfic where Edward fell in love with Jacob.
Worst enemy's English teacher: DETENTION!
by SuperSnuffles13 January 31, 2011
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Stories written by fans of a certain TV show, cartoon, anime, book, or movie using existing plots, characters, or ideas from the series but then continuing the story, adding new characters, changing the ending, or changing the plot.
Most are written by an obsessed fan who invents a character that's supposed to be like him/her, only 10 times prettier, smarter, and stronger who falls in love with whoever the fan has a crush on. Many of them have poor grammar, thin plots, and bad spelling. But there are a few with original ideas, great storylines, and interesting fancharacters writeen by creative writters. These ones are worth reading.
Most fanfiction is found only at fansites of the series or a general site for all types of fanfiction.
Obsessed Fan: I love Inuyasha sooooo much! *squeee* I'll write a fanfic of a super cool and powerful demon cat girl (that's basically me, only a 100 times better) that comes and takes Inuyasha from that evil bitch Kagome who doesn't deserve him (but I do cause I'm super cool)

Creative Writer: That anime show was so interesting and had some neat ideas, but I have a great, original idea: what if it went like this.... I think I'll write my own fanfiction about it.
by Marisa08 November 29, 2006
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1. Put bluntly, fiction by the fans. Created by fans of any particular fandom, 50% of fanfiction is crap, 24% is non-crappy smut, 25% fits into the category of crap and smut, and the remaining 1% is some pretty good stuff.
2. Something English teachers don't like.
1. Trying to find a non-crap, non-smut fanfiction is a little like trying to mine for gold.
2. My friend's Star Wars fanfiction got an F in English class simply because it was fanfiction.
by ~souba~ November 19, 2005
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