From Twilight and One Direction to print and screen: 7 best romance books that started as fanfiction

From Fanfiction to Books

Fanfiction uses characters or settings from existing works to tell new stories. Sites such as FanFiction.net, Wattpad and Archive of Our Own give writers places to share this kind of work.

Some stories later become original books after substantial changes. Their connection to familiar fictional worlds can help attract readers, while the revised story gives them something new.

Fifty Shades of Grey

E. L. James first shared the story that became Fifty Shades of Grey on FanFiction.net under the title Master of the Universe. After complaints about its explicit content, she removed it and rewrote it as original fiction.

The story drew inspiration from Twilight, including parallels between Anastasia Steele and Bella Swan, and between Christian Grey and Edward Cullen. The trilogy sold more than 150 million copies and inspired a film franchise starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

The books have been criticized for their prose and their treatment of BDSM and consent. Even so, the story became a prominent example of fanfiction reaching mainstream publication.

After and One Direction

Anna Todd wrote After using the name imaginator1D and posted updates almost daily. The story was promoted as a Wattpad sensation and takes place on a fictional American college campus.

Its central characters are sheltered freshman Tessa Young and Hardin Scott, whose character was inspired by Harry Styles. Josephine Langford played Tessa and Hero Fiennes Tiffin played Hardin in the movie; Hardin’s friends also drew inspiration from other One Direction members.

Familiar Worlds, New Stories

Fanfiction has a long history of drawing on existing characters, stories and myths. The article points to classical authors such as Ovid and William Shakespeare as writers who reworked familiar material.

Today, popular works including Harry Potter, Twilight and Star Wars inspire fan stories. For some writers, those stories become a route to publication, though the transition can involve changes that make the work stand on its own.