Before I fell into the Shadowhunters fandom, I’d stopped writing almost entirely. I no longer had characters–original or otherwise–talking to me. So thank you, Shadowhunters fandom, for helping me find my storytelling voice again.
Amelia / MalecCrazedAuthor (AO3)
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Growing up, I always liked to read. But as I grew older and discovered the internet, reading became less of a priority for me. Reading fan fiction is like reading a book but knowing it’s going to have a happy ending, and already having familiarity with the characters. It’s seeing two characters who I love fall in love over and over and it’s just like reading a book but better sometimes. There are authors out there who write fics that are longer than a novel but people don’t realize that as it’s tracked by words and not pages. I love reading high quality fix because like a novel it’s easy to just sink into and lose yourself in this universe, whether it’s exploring different parts of canon more or putting these 2 characters in a completely different universe and watching them fall in love.
Anonymous
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I started writing Shadowhunters fan fic 3 months ago, discovering a passion I never thought would exist for me. I’ve literally never loved doing anything more! I have had the opportunity to interact with some amazing people, this fandom is like one big family, we fight and bicker like siblings but there is always somebody out there willing to listen and we always come together for the important things. My favourite thing about writing Malec ff is getting to create new scenarios for them to fall in love all over again, in as many different possible ways as my mind can come up with. (which is also the reason I love reading other writers works) I have made some true friends through my writing and am absolutely blown away by the response and kind messages my work receives. So thank you, not only to those who support people like me, people who were sitting on the sidelines doing nothing, but to the entire fandom for welcoming me in and embracing what I do. I seriously love you all xx
Fan fiction is so valuable because it gives authors a space to explore and hone their craft.
Leesh / hourglassmermaid (AO3)
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I discovered Shadowhunters (then known as Mortal Instruments, yes, I’m that ancient in the fandom) when I watched the movie of the same name back. It was back in 2013. As someone who started out finishing the books before the series came out, it was a great excitement for me to see my favorite two characters (Alec and Magnus, obviously) struggle with the difficulties of a hetero-normal, racist, classist, and very ‘real’ society. I mean, let’s face it, those same biases are still somewhat present even if we’re been fighting against it for years. What particularly intrigued me was their dynamics–a shy, closeted boy who was portrayed as the ‘protective big brother who protected everyone but himself’ and Magnus, whose mysterious past pulled me further into their universe. They felt very real to me, at the time, and inspired me to write again. (I’d stopped writing back in 2009, and back again in 2014 for Malec.) I loved writing them because CC didn’t write much in her books. So, there was this immense void in their story which writers could explore.
Aruella Myuca / Astoria Gracewell (AO3)
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Having read quite a few fanfictions, that were not part of the Shadowhunters universe, I’ve been noticing some subtle differences between the fanfictions from different fandoms in itself. Taking into example Malec, the thing that astounds me the most is how the entire fandom seems to, no matter the experience in writing, write the exact same kind of love. True love. The real depiction of their feelings is so true, so soft, and pure, it cannot be found in any other type of fanfiction work. It is as though every fanfic writer has experienced this type of love themselves. And while it is simply because we have observed their love unravel on our screens, every type of Malec love in fanfictions comes to the same conclusion. It is, in fact, true love and they are, in fact, soulmates. The way each and every writer writes and continues their love on blogs, it is as though I’m reading fanfics from the same author. With respect to every other fandom, fanfiction and ship, comparing the Malec love to every other, the latter simply falls short to any kind of true love, in terms of writing in a way that resonates with the reader. The ability of our fandom to connect and write these two characters on such an intimate level, despite all of us being completely different, is one of my favorite things in this fandom.
sh_wanderlust
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Unlike when you’re writing original fiction, with fanfiction, you can really write whatever you what and people will still read and appreciate it. Whilst canon fics are delightful, I especially enjoy – both reading and writing – AUs as it is fascinating to see the same characters interact under totally different circumstances.
Grace / volunteer_of_hufflepuff (AO3)
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Whenever I am writing my Shadowhunters based works, I always have a Broadway playlist playing in the background. I am a major theatre geek and I put a lot of references in my books or one shots. I also made an OC future generation daughter who had Flash powers and knew the hero’s and friends of the Arrowverse. I remember feeling fear when I published one with so much Broadway infused with it for the first time. I got immediate responses saying that I was imaginative and I had a new style of writing. It made me so happy that the fandom was so positive about it. It also made me happy how many thought my idea of an Arrowverse Shadowhunters crossover and connection was brilliant.
Anonymous
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Writing fanfiction has always been special to me because it was the place I really found my love of writing; fanfiction is the basis for everything, it’s what helped me figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life, it’s lead me to university and to impossibly special friends that I’d be lost without, and it keeps me sane when I need it the most. […] Fanfiction writing is, for me, one of the best forms of writing. and I am grateful beyond everything that I have the chance to do it.
Fanfic provides important representation of worlds little seen in mainstream media, and does so with nuance, emotional depth, and authenticity; examples include disability!fic, which tell nuanced stories of love, sexuality, family, and growth experienced by those living within different circumstances, or fic whose protagonists are underrepresented sexual or gender minorities that weave complicated narratives with authentic voices.
Cita
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Malec Fic Library 