1. In a sense it is. As a FF author I do try to make each and every story with bleach unique.
2. Depends. The whole lack of being able to write MA stuff is offputting and the constant worry if possibly being reported kinda sucks if your on fanfiction.net. Other than that it is more often fun seeing how people create characters sometimes for the better and others for the worst.
3. Uh yeah. Why not?Sure it might be changing how an author originally had it's piece of work but it gives us newbies a chance to flex our brain muscles and try it out before trying out the big guns of real work. Kinda like training wheels.
4. The value of Fanfiction is like practice. Sure there are places where you can write something original but if you write a fanficiotn more people are prone to read it due to the fact it's something they are used to.
Hope you liked these answers

I think fanfic is a great start to become a real writer. I mean as long as you make it know you're not trying to profit off other people characters then it's okay. And it gives writers a good chance to come up with their own characters. And if you can't read it online where the hell are you gonna read it?

1. How is Fan Fiction an original piece of writing? Or is it not?
It's not original unless your are only your own characters and your own worlds. Even if the world is AU and many characters your own, it's still fan fiction.

2. How do you think Fan Fiction affects the writer of the text it is based off of, for better and/or worse?
The fandom can grow in a completely different direction than the writer/original creator has intended, but in general I think it's good for them, because, after all, it might create an interest in their product, and god help you if you are a Harry Potter fan fiction writer and hasn't read the books, that is, only watched the movies... people will rip you apart for not being a "real" fan...

3. Should Fan Fiction be allowed for reading online? Why/Why Not?
Um... yes? For me it's ONLY online. No one should be allowed to make money from it, though.

4. What is the value of Fan Fiction?
It has great value in the way it makes people interested in writing, especially young people. And for me, as I'm Swedish, it was a great way to practice my English. The traps are that fan fiction sadly allows "sloppier" writing in many cases, but quality always wins out in the end, and the readers recognizes it as well. But writing and expressing yourself is never wrong, and the genre shouldn't be looked down upon simply because it's not "original" writing.

1. How is Fan Fiction an original piece of writing? Or is it not?
- Believe it or not, fan fiction is an original work and can be seen long before the internet. Look at Star Wars, or Dragonlance. Both are or have long book series written by several authors. Someone else came up with the universe and other people liked it so much that they decided to continue it. Robotech was also written in book format by fans and accepted by the creators. Many popular comic book series out there are continued because fans pick up the series and keep it going. After all, Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, has been dead how long?And the Dark Knight continues to rise after seventy-five years. Just because they aren't always original characters or settings doesn't make the piece unoriginal. It just means someone feels they can add to the world already established.

2. How do you think Fan Fiction affects the writer of the text it is based off of, for better and/or worse?
- As a writer of my own universes along with fan fics, I'd like it if someone would love my world that much, but there are certain kinds of stories I rather were never written. I believe that so long as fan fiction stays true to the characters and the continuity set up by the writer(s), then it is wonderful. Sick fantasies that make no sense in the actual story though should be burned at the stake. If I can't believe it could happen in my world, then I don't want to see it ever.

3. Should Fan Fiction be allowed for reading online? Why/Why Not?
- I write because I have a story to tell. I crave to have an audience to tell it to. Since the majority of stories sent to publishers are ignored or pushed aside, I don't count on them to tell my story. And with fan fiction being just for fun and not for profit, I need to get the story out there some way. The internet is the only option. We have rules and categories to make sure readers get exactly what they want to read, and I can find my target audience. If we tried to publish our fan fics anywhere else, we'd be arrested for copyright law infringements. We're fans, not criminals. No profit is being made except self satisfaction, so reading and posting them online is the best thing we can hope for.

4. What is the value of Fan Fiction?
- I like to write and read fan fiction because I feel it makes me a better writer and makes me happy. Last year I was running into a lot of walls with my original works. I was even doubting I'd ever gain an audience for what I've written. Then I read a few fan fics and started writing my own. I posted them and soon gained an audience who not only loved the characters I did, but loved my writing style. They love my voice and the kinds of stories I do. Sure I get the occasional critic, but now I have more confidence in my writing. I know that when I finally do get my original works out there, I can keep readers interested in what I have to say. Once I've finished my fan fiction obsession and all the stories I have planned there, I know I can return to my original items with confidence and won't have as many fears when I put them up for publication.

I'd be happy to help you out. Lets see your questions are tough, but easy for me to answer.

1. Fanfiction is original writing because the authors come up with their own unique story ideas as well as characters. These scenarios are very complex, organized, and well thought after sometimes out shining the creators of the original content. In that aspect fanfiction may not be original, but the stories behind them are.

2. I think fanfic writing helps the creators and other authors because they can share ideas and see what is popular with the fans. The writing of fanfics can also draw people closer together creating new networks of future writers.

3. Of course fanfiction should be allowed online how else is everyone going to get a chance to share ideas from all corners of the globe? Again connections and friendship.

4. Fanfiction value lies in making people happy. I am always happy to read, write, and review other peoples work. In a way fanfiction has helped me become a better person.

Hope this helps Rachel. Need anymore help just ask.

1. It is original because Fan Fiction writers create different plots that sometimes are more imaginative than what the author created in the first place.

2. I think writers feel flattered that so many people liked their stories enough to write them some Fan Fiction. If I ever write a book and people write Fan Fiction about it, I would feel very honored.

3. Yes, because it is a useful way to practice writing for amateur writers. It is hard to keep characters, well, on character, so it is helpful to start with a character you don't know and master writing about them, and once you can do that, you can create your own character without losing their essence.

4. As I stated before, it is helpful for amateur writers. You can start writing about existing characters and you receive useful feedback from fellow writers; this way, you improve your writing skills and are better prepared to write your own book. For instance, Michael Lorring, author of "Dehumanized", started as a Fan Fiction writer before writing his own book and he still writes Fan Fiction for the Bleach fandom.

1. the plots can be the most original and outlandish things in the world, while the base is the author's original plot, it is still an original plot but the fanfic writer.
2. I think the writer of the original story, finds some amount of pride in the fact people enjoy their stories and take time to interrupt them. I'm sure writers like JK Rowaling, Kubo, and Rick Riordian, get a few laughs at how we fanfic authors interrupt their writings.
3.Of corse it should be aloud online! Fanfiction is the main reason I've started working on my own writings.
4. The value of fanfiction, is the ability to express yourself and be able to write you're own ending to your favorite stories. It encourages creativity and imagination, and inspires those who want to write their own stories.

1. Yes and no. Yes, it is original because the stories are different from what canon has the story. No, the characters of the original artist weren't made up by the writer. The writer based the story around the characters of the original story. The only thing is that the writer isn't gaining any financial gain from it, unless, of course, he/she get permission from the author/artist.
2. Fanfiction should be a sign of admiration from the artist/author's fans. In my opinion, fanfiction is like practice for upcoming writers, who may someday write or draw their own original works.
3) Yes, it should be online because it's another form of entertainment that fans could read and be inspired to do their own works. However, it's already online and it's fun to read and write them.
4) The value of fanfiction is priceless because it's fun to read and write for the people who enjoy reading that one's stories. It also gives us inspiration to do our own fanfiction or even write our own works, as well.

I hope I answered your questions.

1. Fanfiction is on the line between being original and being unoriginal. Although Copyrighted characters are used to produce the writing, that's where the term comes from to begin with. However, fanfiction is a way for upcoming writers to express their creativity and possible dissatisfaction with canon. Fanfiction creates spinoffs, alterations, amazing crossovers and because none of these pieces existed before it is, in fact, an original piece of writing

2. For most writers of the original work I believe fanfiction would be a form of flattery. The creator of the fanfiction is not making any money of their characters and is providing entertainment. Fanfiction is a sign of dedication and passion towards a particular fandom. The original creator's work inspired the fanfic writer enough to write about their characters.

3. Fanfiction is already read online. Like fanart and fancomics it provides entertainment for the fandom who want more out of their franchise. The better question is whether or not fanfiction should be allowed offline and considered for profit, which is difficult since creative minds like LittleKuriboh and the members of Team Four Star make profits with merchandise like Team Four Star's Piccolo/Yoshi T-shirt, a fan-made work, but still using copyrighted characters and making a profit.

4. As I've said many times already, fanfiction's value comes from the entertainment it provides. Fanfiction is created not for money and does not forward one's career so why write? You write because it's fun and enjoyable and you share it because other writers will hopefully enjoy reading it and you can brighten their day by producing it. Another value of fanfiction is for the writer and that's the fact that they gain experience as a writer as they learn more about the craft of writing. Criticism shared by other fans can help an aspiring writer grow. I myself have already learned many things about the craft of storytelling just from writing fanfiction.



Hope this helps. Though I imagine this is ore than what you bargained for.

1. It's original, but of course heavily influenced by another idea.
2. I don't think it affects them at all. What big time author is gonna bother with silly fan fiction?
3. I don't see why it shouldn't. The only way it can be viewed.
4. It's what you make it.