Fanfiction as a carrier bag methodology of fiction

Abstract

This paper provides a short introduction to fanfiction as an example of Le Guin’s Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction. Through the analysis of the fanfiction drabble, this paper gives an initial outline of a methodology for the carrier bag theory, showing how the process of writing is supported by the community that surrounds fanfiction. As such, the writing and publishing of fanfiction can be seen as exemplary of a democratic, bottom-up method for creating the other stories, or life stories, in Le Guin’s and Haraway’s sense.

Keywords

• fanfiction methodology; carrier bag theory of fiction; fandom writing events; drabble; fandom community