Inspiration for fan fiction

What inspires you to write fanfiction? I’ve given it a lot of thought and I’ve come to the conclusion that you need to like the fandom enough, but not too much. Why do I say that? Because if I don’t care at all about the fandom there’s no point in spending time making up stories. It simply won’t happen. There’s nothing to catch my imagination. On the other hand, if I love the series or movie too much, there won’t be anything to add. I won’t be inspired either.

Now what does tend to inspire me? Good characters primarily. If they’re interesting, moving, attractive – or – fascinatingly unpleasant, I guess, then I take more interest than if the characters are badly developed. Of course, I can always develop them more… Their interaction interests me a lot too. And the type of series/movie is important too. For instance, I tend to get inspired to write mystery stories based on cop series and when it’s a sci fi fandom I can widen my choice of plot. In a way, the sky’s the limit. That can be limiting too of course. If anything at all is possible, what could I add to the fandom?

I’ve gone into this elsewhere, but I suppose I could mention it again. One major motivator for writing a fanfic is to resurrect a character who died. Naturally, many people like to pair up characters who don’t normally get to be a couple. That’s usually two men (or two females) but could just as well, at least in my case, be one male one and female (or one female and two males… LOL). I guess I tend to go for the more unusual straight couples (or threesomes…).

Speaking of the type of series. I’ve found that when the atmosphere, the undertext of the series (or movie) doesn’t appeal to me, I’m not inspired. There’s only so much you can do to change the ‘spirit’ of the fandom. Beyond a certain point, it simply won’t be worthwhile.