Must-read fan fiction from fandoms of 'Harry Potter,' 'NCIS,' C.L. Stone series
Passion. Craving. Love of story. Love of characters. Joy of writing down your own ideas about a story you love.
That is what writing and reading fan fiction is all about. For the most part, fan fiction is not a way to make mega-bucks or to launch a career as a professional writer. Not to say there have been those who have done quite well beginning with fan fiction (insert appropriate names here). But it is not the norm. So you've got to love it to invest the time to create those long, complex stories about a TV show, film or a book you can't get enough of.
This month two of my fan fiction recs are inspired by novels with only one television show in the mix. But oh my, what a show, the spinoff of the popular JAG series, NCIS.
But first let's talk fan fiction and novels. I interviewed my niece, Heloise (a pseudonym she selected), a 15-year-old high school freshman from Ohio who primarily reads Young Adult (YA) books. She also reads and loves fan fiction. Heloise and I chatted about her current favorite author of fan fiction, Academylove, whom she reads on Wattpad.
Denny: So, Heloise, what caused you to start reading fan fiction?
Heloise: I wanted something more to happen with the characters I was reading about in a book. On C.L. Stone's website, there is a forum, and that's where I found out about fan fiction and where I could find it.
Denny: Tell me about C.L. Stone's books.
Heloise: I fell in love with The Ghost Bird Series. Then I read all of her other book series, but The Ghost Bird Series is my favorite. And I wanted to read more about the main characters — Sang and the guys — and I discovered fan fiction.
Denny: What do you like the most about the guys in The Ghost Bird Series?
Heloise: You can relate to all the different personalities. There is something for everybody. My favorite character is Gabriel.
Denny: Of course, I had to ask Heloise if she planned on writing fan fiction herself one day, and she said maybe, but right now she's an avid reader of books and fan fiction.
FANFIC RECS
Fandom: The Ghost Bird Series by C.L. Stone
Heloise recommends three works by fan fiction writer Academylove. Her stories can be found on Wattpad:
• When Darkness Comes, book one of the Dark Trilogy, by Katydids and Academylove.
• The Dark Times, book two of the Dark Trilogy, by Academylove.
• Can You Teach Me by Academylove.
Fandom: NCIS
This show has been airing for more than a decade and has taken its place as the king of this genre. So, you bet there has been some fan fiction written, and a lot of it is about "Tiva" (characters Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David — one of my favorite fictional ships).
Remnants of Somalia by AliyahNCIS
This huge multipart book starts with NCIS main characters but ventures off into an alternate universe of extended families and other complexities. I have not read the series, only the first chapters of this story, but from the passionate recommendations and reviews, the author has a dedicated following.
Holding On and Letting Go by 2-huge-tiva-shippers-and-mary
Sometimes you've just got to go with the author's name. I said upfront I'm a Tiva shipper, so this one (although incomplete) is a good bet.
Elevator Ride by EquestrianCSI
Short, sexy, and an early-in-the-series Ziva and Tony dream scenario. Enjoy!
Fandom: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (part one)
Harry Potter fan fiction writers are the most numerous and the most prolific (some might say) in all fandom. If I made a rec a month from now until the end of the millennium, I would only touch on a handful of Harry Potter fics. But, hey, that's why I'm saying "part one."
Harry Potter and the Dueling Master by Malena
The reviews are plentiful but all over the map, but with 1,600 reviews and more than 100,000 words, there is something about the story that readers love.
On the Wings of Magic by Bil
The reviews for this story are glowing. The author finished this story in 2006, before Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, so it is not canon, but that can happen with fic.
Know it Alls: The Very Best Harry Potter Fanfiction
With so many fan fiction stories inspired by the Harry Potter books, there are numerous websites dedicated to sharing the "very best" in Harry Potter fan fiction.
And I immediately found a story to rec at Know it Alls, too:
To Recollect the Future by Oliver.Snape
Oliver.Snape has written a number of fics and appears to have an ardent following. I was impressed with the reviews and the opening chapter. Looks like a great read.
Until next month, enjoy!
If you have recs, please let me know. I'm always on the lookout for fan fiction!
Denny S. Bryce won the 2015 WRW Marlene Award in historical romance and the 2014 RWA Golden Heart in romantic suspense. Her website is www.dennysbryce.com. You can also follow her on Twitter (@dennysbryce) or connect with her on Facebook