What are your thoughts about fan fiction? I have mixed feelings. On one hand, fan fiction means an active fan base. Fans read/watch stuff over and over (especially if they are writing about it). They buy fan merch to show it off. And as a writer, I'll admit that certain characters/settings are inspiring and can fuel some passionate work. I wouldn't mind having a fan base that made fan fiction or art based on my creations, as long as they gave credit ( and so long as they don't turn my children's book characters into romance stars or something else too adult for my younger audience).
On the other hand, fan fiction writers are using copyrighted elements without permission, and the author may lose control of the brand image (for example, if characters are made to do things that aren't appropriate for the original story, or do things the author doesn't approve of, let's say they bully someone for example).
