Fanfiction & Literary Terms
Fanfiction-specific vocab and slang along with general literary and writing terminology.

(n.) Literary and film genre: A subgenre of Science Fiction or Fantasy; An alternative telling of history, except with something changed or diverged from what actually happened. “What if things turned out differently?” is the basic premise of these stories.

(n.)(phr.) Fan fiction genre/theme: Generally used to describe a fanfiction story where the same characters are used, but the story is set in an entirely different time, place, sitation, etc. Sometimes the characters’ personalities may be completely different as well.

Also abbreviated “AU”

1. (n.) a gloomy, often neurotic feeling of generlized anxiety and depression.

2. (n) A theme used in fanfiction or fanart, generally negative and depressed.

(abbr.)(n.) See Alternative Universe

(abbr.) (n.) Abbreviation for “Bondage and Sadomasochism” or “Bondage, Dominance, Sadism, Masochism.” BDSM is a sexual fetish where one partner physically restrains the other (bondage) and inflicts pain for sexual gratification.

In anime fandom, you most commonly see this abbreviation on fan fiction sites as a warning that a certain story contains graphic sex scenes that include these themes. However, there are also a few anime and manga titles that do contain suggestions of BDSM, even if they aren’t true hentai.

Updated 05 Aug. 2005

(n.) A beta reader - a.k.a. beta / betareader - is a sort of personal story editor and proofreader rolled up in one. Depending on his or her strengths, he or she can check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, find plot holes, point out continuity errors, tell you where you’ve deviated from canon, and generally ask you, “Are you sure you want to do that?” Their job is to give you the tools to polish up your story to a fine sheen, and make it presentable to the world at large.

- Contributed by Tikatu

(n.) Bondage is sexual gratification gained from physically restraining someone (handcuffs, cords, etc.) for sexual gratification.

(n. ) The actual characters and their personalities, ideas, or facts presented in an anime, manga, novel, game, etc. and generally accepted as authentic. Can sometimes be corrupted by the mythos created by the fans of the series; referred to as fanon.

- Updated and paraphrased from Marisa Mockery’s definitions posted on the fanficrants LiveJournal community.

(n.) A common sight in Anime and Manga, a Cat-girl is a girl with cat-like features. To some, they’re even considered one of the iconic symbols of Japanese animation.

Sometimes female anime characters are briefly given cat-like features to show they’re being playful, cute, a little naughty, or mischievous. In other titles, the cat-girl form is actually the natural form of the character. In these titles, they’re usually astronomically cute girls that have cat-like features that typically include pointy canine teeth, cat ears, a tail, and sometimes even paws. They’re also known for sometimes wearing a bell around their neck. It’s also not unusual to see cat-girls wearing as little clothing as possible.

There are numerous anime and manga titles that contain Cat-Girls in some form. Some of the more common titles include Tokyo Mew Mew (known as Mew Mew Power in North America), Ruin Explorers, All Purpose Cat Girl Nuku Nuku, Outlaw Star, and Di-Gi-Charat.

(abbr.) (n.) Abbrieviation for “Character.”

(n.) Any person, real or fictional, who has a role in a story, play, movie, anime, roleplay, etc.

(n.) 1. An overused phrase or expression. Examples of clichés include “piece of cake,” “sink or swim,” and “by hook or by crook.”

2. A superficial or predictable person.

(Also written cliche)

1. (n.) The middle of a story, play, movie, or series plotline. Generally where the conflict has come to its peak. 2. (vt.) Used in fanfiction with graphic depictions of sex as another word for “orgasm.”

(n.) Literary term; A short piece meant to offer a conclusion or ending to a storyline. In fanfiction; sometimes used as an alternative ending to the fandom it was written for.

See also: epilogue

1.) (abbr.) (n.) Abbrieviation for “convention.” Usually referring to an “Anime Convention,” a convention is a gathering of fans meeting to celebrate their chosen love. Common events include anime screenings, official and unofficial Anime and Manga vendors, cosplay, and roleplay.

2.) (abbr.) (adj.) Abbrieviation for “consensual.” Usually used in lemon or hentai fiction and fanfiction to state that both partners consented to having sex.

Updated 23 Jan. 2007

(n.) Criticism or advice with the overall goal to help improve the quality of something. Not to be confused with a Flame. (See also Flame, MST and Review)

(n.) Fan fiction genre or type: A story that is often very unbelievable, wild, weird, extremely silly, stupid, or nonsensical; often in an attempt to be humorous.

Often so strange that it makes you wonder if the author wasn’t high or drunk at the time they wrote the story.

Also written “crackfic”

(n.) Usually used to refer to fanfiction, a crossover is any media where characters from two or more Anime’ or Manga Series merge and interact.

One official “crossover” is the Manga and Anime’ series called Tsubasa where assorted characters from Cardcaptor Sakura, X/1999, Magic Knight Rayearth, Chobits, and more either appear as regular characters or have made cameos.

(adj.)(n.) Literary and film genre: A subgenre of Science Fiction; usually involves a futuristic setting, Often involves cyborgs, hackers, robots, and computers in every facet of life. Examples of the Cyberpunk genre include “Ghost in the Shell“, “Akira“, “Serial Experiments Lain“, “Bladerunner” and “Robocop.”

(abbr.)(acro.)(n.) Literary genre: Short for “Choose your own adventure.”

These are stories that offer the reader at least two options on what the character(s) does next. The reader chooses an option and then jumps to another part of the story to continue reading. The way the story evolves and concludes is based on the reader’s decisions.

(n.) Literary, film, and fan fiction term: A fantasy-themed story with dark overtones or explores the darker side of fantasy. Often considered a variant of the horror genre.

For example, Anne Rice’s highly popular “Vampire Chronicles” series of novels could be considered dark fantasy.

(n.) Fanfiction genre and type: A story about the death of a character, often by suicide but not always.

(n.) An plot device, character, or event introduced suddenly into a story. Usually used as a way to advance a story, untangle a plot, or resolve a situation. You most often hear this when the solution is implausible, improbable, or contrived.

A common example would be making the whole story “just a dream / nightmare.”

(n.) Fan fiction genre or type: A fan fiction story that turns away (or diverges) from the original plot or is meant to be a side-story to the original plot.

(n) Fan-created comic books, magazines, or fanzines usually pertaining to established Anime’ and Manga. Sometimes containing artwork whose quality can occasionally rival the art from the original series, these can become highly prized additions to collections. (Sometimes abbreviated to “DJ.”)

(n.) Literary genre and type: A 100 word story, often meant as a challenge. Has it’s origins on sites like LiveJournal.

(adj.) (n.) (v.) (vt.) Japanese for “pervert,” “indecent,” or “lewd” - but not in a truly bad way.

It’s connotation is a bit milder than hentai which is the stronger word for “pervert.” As I understand it; you could call someone an “Ecchi” without (too) much offense. It’s also an anime and manga genre.

(n.) a closing section given to a play, fanfic, novel, etc.

(abbr.)(adj.)(n.) Abbreviation for Female / Female; a female homosexual (lesbian) relationship. Often used by fans and in fan fics to indicate a yuri or femslash pairing.

See also Yuri, femslash, pairing

(n.) A fan-created story, regardless of length, written around the characters from an established TV Show, Movie, Comic Book, Novel, Cartoon, Anime, etc. Also written “Fan-fiction,” “Fan Fiction,” “Fanfic,” “Fan-fic,” and sometimes abbreviated to “fic.”

(n.) (abbr.) Abbreviation created by the merging of the two words "Fan" and "Canon". Used to describe a popular conception of characters, their personalities, ideas, or facts created by fans either through a misunderstanding, from a plot device used in prevalent fanfiction themes, or simply popular belief accepted by the community at large as authentic. These myths can sometimes become so entrenched in a fandom that it can become difficult to differentiate them from the actual canon information.

(n.) Femslash refers to female homosexual/lesbian love and sex. It’s usually pertains to fanfiction for live-action media like movies, tv shows, music groups, etc. It’s basically the American equivalent of yuri. (Also written fem-slash.)

(See also pairings.)

(n.) Fan fiction genre and type: A very short story, usually no more than 1000 words. Sometimes used as a challenge requirement.

1. (n.) An insultive, demeaning, or offensive comment. Generally posted anonymously by someone immature, bored, ignorant, angry with the author/artist, or by someone who is out for attention. Sometimes, though rare now, you’ll see it referred to as “Destructive Criticism.” 2. (v.) To receive or create a flame.

(n.) A person who posts or sends Flames, usually anonymously. Usually these people are immature, bored, ignorant, angry with the author/artist, or to get their jollies. Generally it’s best to ignore people like this, since they’re usually out for attention.

(adj.) Generally referring to a silly, lighthearted fanfiction.

(n.) A fanfiction term for the male version of Mary Sue. A Gary Stu refers to an original character, sometimes a Self Insert, who is more powerful than any canon character, can beat them at anything, and usually supersedes them as the story’s main character.

- Updated and paraphrased from Marisa Mockery’s definitions posted on the fanficrants LiveJournal community.

(n.) Literary, film, and fan fiction genre: Homosexual love, romance, and relationships.

(n.) The term graphic novel is typically used to refer to a book that compiles and reprints multiple issues of a comic, web comic, or manga title in a longer book format. It can also refer to a long-form comic that has been released in this format.

See also: tankoubon, manga

(n.) Literary, film, and fan fiction term: A sexual story about someone that is somehow both male and female at the same time.

Sometimes used as an explanation of Mpreg

(abbr.) Short for heterosexual; attracted to the opposite sex. Typically, if you’re reading fanfiction or participating in anime fandom, it probably means the person perfers typical male x female pairings.

(n.) Literary and film genre: A subgenre of Fantasy; an alternative telling of history, except that fantasy creatures such as demons, fairies, unicorns, etc. are present. An example of a historical fantasy would be “Inuyasha” — which is set in the Japanese feudal era, except it includes demons and other fantastic creatures.

(n.) Two or more words that sound the same, but have different meanings, origins, and sometimes even spellings.

Examples include they’re, their, and there as well as two, too, and to.

(n.) Literary, film, and fanfiction genre; Creepy or deliberately fear-inducing material.

- Contributed by Jesanae Tekani

1. (abbr.) (phr.) Abbrieviation for “in character.” IC refers to characters that are drawn, roleplayed, written, etc. in a way that is consistent with their overall behavior, personality, etc. from their series or movie. Some fans refuse to have anything to do with fanfiction, fanart, and roleplay where the characters are not “in character.”

2. (abbr.) (phr.) Chat and Message Board abbrieviation for “I see.”

(n.) Literary, film, or fan fiction term: A story that involves close family members falling in love (and possibly having sex).

For example, some people in the Naruto fandom like the pairing of Neji and Hinata. Since they are first cousins, this is an incestuous relationship.

In the anime Ouran High School Host Club, there are suggestions that twin brothers Hikaru and Kaoru have an incestuous relationship. (Often referred to as “twincest” in the fandom)

(n.) A romance fanfic (or possibly fanart), generally involving depictions of graphic consentual or nonconsentual sex. (Also Lemonade, Lemony, Lemon-Fresh)

(n.) A work of fanfiction or fanart with sexual overtones, which can - and usually does - include everything up to actual sex.

- Corrected by Marisa Mockery, via this post in the Fanficrants LJ Community.

(abbr.) (n.) Short for “Male Pregnancy.”

M-preg is a sub-genre of YAOI and Slash fanfiction where one member the chosen couple somehow gains the ability to become pregnant and eventually give birth. (Sometimes also written “mpreg“)

(abbr.)(adj.)(n.) Abbreviation for Male / Female; a traditional heterosexual relationship. Often used by fans and in fan fics to indicate a traditional guy and girl relationship.

See also het, pairing

(abbr.)(adj.)(n.) Abbreviation for Male / Male; a male homosexual relationship. Often used by fans and in fan fics to indicate a yaoi or slash pairing.

See also YAOI, slash, pairing

(n.) A Fanfiction term for a new female character that generally perfect, a huge boy-magnet, is more powerful than the original characters, and generally is loved/wanted by all of them no matter what, etc. etc. (See also Gary Stu, Self-Insert)

- Updated and paraphased from Marisa Mockery’s definition from the Fanficrants LJ Community.

1. (abbr.) (phr.) Abbrieviation for “Mystery Science Theatre”, a program on the Sci Fi Channel where two robots and a guy watch a movie or part of a movie and make comments about it’s quality/storyline/etc. throughout.

2. (n.) A version of Reviewing, generally fanfiction, where the reviewer(s) post the story on a message board or webpage and offer comments right inside the story as it goes. Generally thought of as a gentler way to review something and offer constructive criticism.

3. (vt.) To review something in this style.

(abbr.)(phr.) Common fan fiction genre / theme: Short for “Next Generation.” These stories are often about the adventures of the children of the original cast of characters.

It can also refer to a whole new group of characters who either have been granted the powers of the original, canon cast or are going on an adventure that stems from the original story line. Setting can either be within the canon character’s lifetimes or far in the future.

See also: Original Fan Fiction, Divergence, Alternative Universe

(abbr.) (adj.) Abbrieviation for “nonconsensual.” Usually used in lemon or hentai fiction or fanfiction to state that the sex was not consensual, ie rape.

(abbr.) (phr.) Fanfiction abbrieviation for "Original Character." A character not in the original series, game, etc. that the author creates for their fanfiction story. Most people hate them due to the sheer number of Mary Sue and Gary Stu type characters.

- Updated and paraphrased from Marisa Mockery’s definitions posted on the fanficrants LiveJournal community.

(n.) Fan fiction type: A short story, only has one chapter.

Also written: “Oneshot”

(abbr.) (phr.)

1.) Out of Character, a character behaving contrary to canon;

2.) Out of Continuation, essentially a story line that could be passed off as canon omitted (eg: anime movie), or added else where to extend (eg: anime filler). They can be taken in or out; have context, or have none.

- Contributed by Wrin

(n.) Fan fiction genre or type: Definitions for this fan fiction genre often vary greatly depending on the archive.

This can refer to a story written in the universe of an existing fandom, but mostly follows a group of completely original cast of characters.

For example, a Naruto fan fic that is written about the children of the existing cast would likely be considered an Original Fan Fiction.

(n.) Used in fandom to refer to accepted relationships, usually romantic but not always, between characters. It can either be used in general (eg. YAOI pairings, yuri pairings, het pairings, etc.) or for specific, named couples.

For YAOI couples you typically write the seme’s name first separated from the other name using an x. So if you want to write that your favorite pairing is Heero as the dominant (seme) male and that Duo is the passive (uke), you’d write “Heero x Duo.”

However, in writing pairings for slash or femslash couples, you usually use a slash ( / ) to separate out the couples, and — unlike Japanese YAOI — there really isn’t a rule about who comes first. So if you wanted to say your story featured a slash relationship between, say - Captain Kirk and Spock from Star Trek - you’d write Kirk / Spock.

Sometimes, in some fandoms, characters will be represented by their initials or even by numbers. An example of this is found in Gundam Wing fanfiction: The character Heero is represented by the number 1, Duo by 2, Trowa - 3, Quatre - 4, and Wufei is #5. So if you see 3×4 or 1×2, they’re referring both to who is dominant and passive as well as the pairing. It’s also not that unusual to see warnings on fan fiction for the genders of character pairings written M/M, F/F, M/F.

(See also shipper, slash, femslash, YAOI, and yuri, and our pairings glossary)

(n.) Literary, film, and fan fiction genre: Romance between a normal person and a creature such as a ghost, vampire, or werewolf. A subgenre of fantasy, science fiction, and possibly horror.

1. (n.) Any piece of written work that has been created by one person and has been copied and presented as another person’s own work. 2. The act of taking someone else’s written work, copying it, and claiming it as your own.

(n.) Literary, film, and fanfiction genre or type: A subgenre of science-fiction and possibly horror. How society or an individual copes with life after a major disaster or event that destroys society as we know it.

(n.) Literary, fan fiction, and film term: A story that is meant to precede or take place before the original story line or sequel(s).

(n.) an introduction to a poem, play, fanfic, etc.

(phrase) Abbrieviation for “Plot, what plot?” Generally used in fanfiction where a story generally contains a theme or an ancedote generally without a plot. Also used to describe a lemon, yaoi, or yuri themed fanfic with only the sexual activity being described with no other reason.

1. (pre.) a prefix meaning heat, fire, flame, etc.

2. (n.) Short for “Pyromaniac.”

3. (n.) A persistent compulsion to start destructive fires.

4. A common theme in many message boards is to roleplay or pretend to be a “pyromaniac” and burn odd things such as spork forts, couches, hammocks, etc.

5. Commonly used in fandom to refer to any character who is either a fire element or has fire-based powers.

(n.) Fan fiction genre and type: A story where the reader inserts themselves into the story. This can be accomplished either with blanks or through 2nd Person Perspective.

Also called “Insert You” and abbreviated “RI”.

(n.) Fan Fiction genre and type: Fan fiction stories written about real people such as actors, athletes, singers, bands and musical groups, etc.

1. (v.) To give your opinion about the quality of a Video Game, Movie, Series, Fanfiction, Fanart, etc.

2. (n.) An opinion written online about the quality of a Video Game, Movie, Series, Fanfiction, Fanart, etc. It generally isn’t meant to be mean or cruel towards the work, but rather offer constructive criticism about the work. (See also MST, Flame, Constructive Criticism.)

(n.) someone who has reviewed or is reviewing a work.

(n.) Fanfiction term: A “round-robin” is an interactive story where multiple authors work together to write a story in rounds.

Example: Author #1 writes the first chapter of a story. Author #2 takes what they wrote and writes a chapter of their own. Then it’s Author #1’s turn again to build off from what Author #2 wrote, and so on until they have a story written.

(n.) Literary and film genre: A subgenre of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Basically, a blend of the two genres. A possible example of this would be “Sailor Moon“, which has the characters using magical artifacts against creatures from other planets.

(n.) A fanfiction where you place oneself, friends, relatives, etc. etc. into the story as new characters. They generally look like the author, have either the same name as the author’s pen-name, their real name, or a name the author wishes they had. These are generally seen hand in hand with Mary Sue and Gary Stu Fanfiction. (See also Mary Sue, Gary Stu)

(n.) Basically, “seme” refers to the active or dominant male in a YAOI couple or pairing. The term “seme” originates from the verb “semeru” - which means “attack.”

(See also uke, pairings.)

(n.) Japanese for the “given” or “established” events in a story. It basically describes an author’s or artist’s “take” on a series when they portray characters, no matter if their take goes against canon. (See also AU)

(abbr.) Fanfiction abbrieviation for "relationship." Any fanfiction focusing on the relationship between two characters. Also used to describe people who are fans of or write stories about a select couple.

(n.) The term slash is used to refer to male homosexual love and sex. It’s most often seen in or referring to fanfiction for live-action media like movies, tv shows, musical groups, etc. where the author has chosen to pair a couple of the male characters up. It’s basically the American equivalent of YAOI.

See also pairings.

(n.) Fan fiction genre / type: Most often a story written around the lyrics to a song.

(n.) Literary and film genre: A subgenre of Science Fiction; basically a science fiction story that focuses on romantic adventure, exotic settings, and characterization. An example of this would be “Star Wars.”

(abbr.)(acro.) Abbreviation for “Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar.”

Example: “All the stories I’m finding have problems with SPaG“

(n.) to give away part of the plot of an anime, game, movie, manga, etc. either by request, for discussion purposes regarding what happens later in the storyline, or accidently through excitement.

It’s also used in where the author releases a snippet of the story in hopes getting of some advice or gaining more readers, or by releasing a fanfic chapter or story that comes after the previous, unfinished story. (e.g. “No spoilers please, I want to find out what happens on my own. =)”)

1. (sl.) (v.) Slang for any action that “grosses someone out.”

2. (n.) (sl.) (v.) A sub-genre or theme in fan fiction, depending on who you speak to. Fan fiction squick can refer to anything that might make readers uneasy including character death, graphic violence, sex, an unusual pairing, etc. It’s also used to describe adult-oriented stories that feature graphic and disturbing sexual — quite possibly obscene — content.

(n.) Literary, film, or fan fiction genre: An offshoot of science fiction or fantasy set in a place and time where steam is the primary source of power. Despite this, highly advanced technology exists such as giant robots, computers, and other machinery.

Examples of the steampunk genre include “Full Metal Alchemist“, “A Series of Unfortunate Events“, and Disney’s “Atlantis.”

1. (n.) (v.) An expression of annoyance or embarrassment commonly seen in anime and manga where a massive sweatdrop will roll down a characters head.

2. (n.) (v.) (vt.) Fandom slang; To express annoyance or embarrassment either as an emote or in actual writing. Commonly seen on message boards, mailing lists, etc. Also sometimes used in fan fiction to dipict a character experiencing these emotions.

 

(n.) generally used to a small sentence given to a fanfic, movie, poem, series, etc. in hopes of luring people to choose to read/watch it out of all the others that are out. (e.g. One of teasers for the movie “Dragonheart” is: “You Will Believe.”)

(n.) Fan fiction / fandom term: Combination of the words “twin” and “incest.”

Twins that are in a romantic or sexual — and thus, incestuous — relationship.

See also incest

(n.) Basically, “uke” refers to the passive male in a YAOI couple or pairing. The term “uke” originates from the verb “ukeru” - which means “receive.”

(See also seme, pairings.)

(n.) Literary genre or type: A very short story, possibly a ficlet or drabble. A short story that describes an event or scene. Sometimes used as a way to develop a character or give a brief insight into a character, idea, or setting.

(abbr.)(phr.) Abbreviation for “Work in Progress.” This means that the story, fan fic, art work, etc. is incomplete and the artist or author is still working on it.

(acro.) (n.) A Japanese aconym for for yama-nashi (without climax), ochi-nashi (without a conclusion) and imi-nashi (without content). Basically, it has the same meaning as PWP.

It’s used in Anime’, Manga, Fanfiction, Fanart, and Dojinishi to refer to male homosexual love and sex. (Also written Yaoi)

Updated 05 Aug 2005

(n.) A term used in Anime, Manga, Fanfiction, Fanart, and Dojinishi to refer to female homosexual love and sexual activity. It’s believed to have originated from the sheer number of female characters named “Yuri.”