How Fanfiction Shaped My Writing Journey

Like many “weird” 14-year-old girls navigating high school in the 2000s and 2010s, I was deeply into anime, manga, and Supernatural.

Growing up in a small southern town, I didn’t have many classmates who shared my interests. But luckily, I had the internet. It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon the wonderful world of fanfiction.

I started reading fanfiction back when stories were rated using the citrus scale (ah, the memories!). It didn’t take long before I realized I didn’t just want to read fanfiction—I wanted to write it too.

Unfortunately, I have the memory of a goldfish, so I couldn’t tell you exactly what I wrote back then. But I can say my stories resonated with readers on Wattpad, racking up hundreds of thousands of reads—maybe even more if they’re still floating around out there.

Writing fanfiction became a huge passion of mine, but back then, I never really considered whether I’d take it beyond that.

When I turned 16, life shifted. I started “growing out” of that phase—spending more time with friends, cruising around, and doing all the typical things southern teenagers did to pass the time.

Years passed. I graduated high school, made my fair share of mistakes, a few amazing choices, and eventually found myself with more free time on my hands. That’s when I decided to pick up writing again.

This time, I wasn’t just revisiting old hobbies. I wanted to bring to life the stories I’d been dreaming about for years—the ones I’d scribbled down but never started. After some trial and error, here I am: proud of the novella I’ve created and hard at work on a novel I can’t wait to share with everyone.

Writing has always been a part of who I am, even during the times I stepped away from it. Rediscovering my passion has reminded me of the joy that storytelling brings—not just to me but to those who connect with my work. Whether it’s through the pages of my novella or the novel I’m pouring my heart into, I’m excited to share these pieces of myself with readers. It feels like I’ve come full circle, returning to what I love most, but with a fresh perspective and a deeper appreciation for the journey.