Ghostsoul
"You can order me around and I'll disappoint you!"
- Joined
- May 25, 2015
- Messages
- 480
- Reaction score
- 188
The 'scale' is based on how 'removed' the story is from canon: events, characters, locations, worldbuilding and laws. Starting at Type '0' and ending at Type '12'. The higher the number, the further it is from the original canon.
- Direct Retelling (Type: 0)
Unless you are writing a story with a perspective flip – this section is mostly for media which started from a non-written medium; most often these are games. Most retellings want to put forward exactly what happened in the original with few changes aside from the format. If there are changes to the established canon itself these will be rather minor (a few extra lines for characters, using an alternate starter in a PMD retelling) but in general, the story won’t give new messages or anything extra to canon. It wants to present information in an accurate but also new way.
- Post Episode Events and Continuation (Type: 1)
Often found in fandoms surrounding TV shows, anime and movies stories directly refer to specific episodes and events within the story. They might be an attempt to better explain some episodes, give them endings that the author favours more, tell the end of the episode from another character’s perspective or bridge the gap between seasons. Mostly this is between single episodes, so they tend to directly tie up to canon again. Lengthy sequels to entire works that add new locations and characters can fit anywhere in the next 3 lower categories. In general, the aim of these fics is to connect right back to canon as if these sections were a part of the episodes themselves.
- Side – Story (Pseudo-canonical/canon flavour) (Type: 2)
Are based in the same universe with the same set of characters in canon with a focus of them acting as IC as possible. However, these stories detach themselves from specific episodes or chapters and focus on writing a story which could fit in with canon. Sometimes this is done with characters who get less screen time than the main cast and the author writes what they get up to when we can’t see them. Shipping Fics when the characters are already a couple or have a lot of potential to be one supported by canon often go here.
- Sudden Event (Type: 3)
Quite a wide category, like the categories above is based in the same universe with the same set of characters, however, the events in the fic take an unexpected turn which most would consider an unlikely direction for canon to take. Maybe a couple with little interaction in canon get together? Maybe a character gains powers in a somewhat atypical way to the story somehow? Either way, these fics take the vehicle of canon and change its course.
- OC Introduction (Type: 4)
Fics that take OCs (Original Characters) and place them in the same universe and have them interact together. Often a category fairly hard to get right since these fics are associated with infamous ‘mary-sues’ and ‘self-insert’ fics (not to say self-insert fics can’t be done well). If the new character or characters play a minor role, only appearing in one or two scenes, then the fic may instead go into the above character, or possibly even the one above that – depending on their impact on the canon characters and the universe.
- OC switcharoo (Type: 5)
A story almost entirely composed of OCs as the main cast in the same universe as the main cast doing roughly what the main cast does in a typical section of the story. This could be a Pokémon trainer gaining gym badges in Kanto or A group of new Hogwarts students going through similar classes as Harry and his friends. It’s a ‘switcharoo’ because you are switching out main characters for original ones while keeping the universe consistent and/or basically the same. Stories in which you do a crossover, switching one cast of characters out for another with few changes will also be this type, rather than being a '9' (see below).
- Next-Gen Fic (Type: 5.5)
A specific type of fanfiction which focuses on the children or descendants of the original cast of characters. The new cast of OCs having similarities to their parents often in both personality and appearance. Although these OCs will be faced with new troubles they will still have to deal with the legacy and lives of their parents.
- ‘Quasi’ Transplanted Character Fic (sometimes also Deconstruction Fic) (Type: 6)
Another wide category. Technically this story deals with the canon characters in the canon universe but the universe itself (often along with the characters themselves) is reimagined to being very unlike the original canon portrayal. This can often be a fic focusing on the rework of genre or one which focuses on giving the characters and/or setting a more ‘realistic’ portrayal (or even a lighter and fluffier one in some cases). This is why I have also put ‘Deconstruction fic’ here since they tend to use the canon universe and characters but expose their flaws and change the complete ‘look’ of canon, even though canon is still there. Any fics that wish to switch character’s roles as if they were born into them (rather than say, a canon protagonist turning evil over time, although any fic on the scale can include that trope) also count as being part of this category. OCs can also be in this category but they will need to interact with canon characters (the focus also tends to be on canon characters rather than OCs).
- ‘Magic Portal’ Story (Cross-over) (Type: 7)
These fics focus on the canon cast being in a canon location before transporting them to the world of another work. This normally involves canon characters adjusting to their new situation and meeting canon characters from other works in the process. This can also include characters playing a game such as Dungeons and Dragons with closer ‘looks’ as to what their created characters are doing in the sessions.
- ‘Magic Portal’ Story (Non-crossover) (Type: 7.5)
Effectively the same as above but instead of the characters being transported to another canon work they are transported to a world of the author’s creation. They too will have to understand and adjust to the new place and situation.
- Elsewhere Fic (Type I) (Type: 8)
These fics happen with few (or no) canon characters and few (if any) canon locations. However, these stories still obey all the rules of canon and the newly created locations tend to be similar to canon ones. (A new region in Pokémon with trials or badges and an elite four). Those based in a canon location will tend to focus on something else than ‘typical’ canon does, but something that still fits with the setting. (Perhaps scientific experiments or some sort of war in Pokémon fic). The canon characters will appear as passing background characters rather than major parts of the plot. The attachment to canon in these fics tends to come from setting and tone, rather than physical locations and characters.
- ‘Transplanted character’ Fic (Cross-over, aka Fusion Fic) (Type: 9)
Take characters from one setting and reworks them so that their backstories fit with the other. Like the Elsewhere fic above this also includes new locations and no canon characters to speak of. As described these fics tends to ‘fuse’ the two works into something entirely new. It can also use canon locations from the other work but the newly reworked characters must never interact or communicate with characters from that work (unless the characters are background ones integral to the setting (like Jack Noir in Homestuck)). At this level, there must be a fundamental change in the story to accommodate the new characters, if the story is basically the same, it is Type 5 instead.
- Elsewhere Fic (Type II) (Type: 10)
Different from the standard ‘Elsewhere fic’ in terms of the events and locations. These locations are different and might even work off a slightly different rules set to canon ones (but tend to follow the canon rules for the most part) Although they do tend to tie back into canon in some way and most certainly have the staples of the canon universe. Such as still having Pokémon (in Pokemon) or still having Monsters (in Undertale). Type II is also much more likely to change the genre of the original canon than Type I is.
- ‘Transplanted Character’ Fic (Non-Crossover) (Type: 11)
All characters are taken and reworked with their backstories and placed in a world entirely of the author’s own creation. Including lore and ‘rules’ created by the author which are independent of canon. The only recognisable part of canon is the character’s personalities and their names, even if their origins have been shifted to the new worldbuilding. These stories are highly likely to change the genre of the original canon as well as everything else.
- Fanfiction in Name Only (Type: 11.5)
Whereas the above tends to be character focused (‘Wouldn’t It be cool if Ash were in a Zombie Apocalypse in Australia’) this stage is plot focused, or equally plot and character focused. The worldbuilding and settings tend to be less ‘typical’ here. Much is ‘inspired’ by canon but not much really is canon. It can only be considered fanfiction in rather vague terms.
- Original Fiction (Type: 12)
Completely original works. Nothing to say here.
Off-Scale:
Slice – of – Life AU
This includes ‘Coffee Shop’ and ‘High School’ AUs. These aren’t so much ‘off-scale’ such as they are a popular format which varies a lot depending on the reasons for it existing. Is the school or coffee shop connected to any canon location? Is it based entirely in the real world and how much is this world expanded upon? Is this a ‘break’ from canon between episodes? A lot of this is dependent on other factors.
Note: Any place on the scale can produce a ‘good’ fanfic. None of the sections on the scale are ‘better’ than ‘worse’ or others necessarily.
Note 2: ‘Elsewhere Fic’ is placed above ‘Transplanted Character’ since taking away or altering a work’s staples and rules is generally harder than slightly adjusting characters since personalities are much harder to ‘notice where they came from’ and make original.
Note 3: This scale isn’t perfect. The amount of ‘canonness’ in a fic can also be up to personal interpretation and so can the scale.
TV Tropes references
(Note: The scale is not the same as TVtropes, some of it's 'types' have been merged, changed or varied. This scale is inspired by TVtropes rather.)
Continuation
Perspective Flip
Pseudocanonical Fic
Original Flavour
Lower-Deck Episode
Deconstruction Fic
Elsewhere Fic
Fusion Fic
Transplanted Character Fic
- Direct Retelling (Type: 0)
Unless you are writing a story with a perspective flip – this section is mostly for media which started from a non-written medium; most often these are games. Most retellings want to put forward exactly what happened in the original with few changes aside from the format. If there are changes to the established canon itself these will be rather minor (a few extra lines for characters, using an alternate starter in a PMD retelling) but in general, the story won’t give new messages or anything extra to canon. It wants to present information in an accurate but also new way.
- Post Episode Events and Continuation (Type: 1)
Often found in fandoms surrounding TV shows, anime and movies stories directly refer to specific episodes and events within the story. They might be an attempt to better explain some episodes, give them endings that the author favours more, tell the end of the episode from another character’s perspective or bridge the gap between seasons. Mostly this is between single episodes, so they tend to directly tie up to canon again. Lengthy sequels to entire works that add new locations and characters can fit anywhere in the next 3 lower categories. In general, the aim of these fics is to connect right back to canon as if these sections were a part of the episodes themselves.
- Side – Story (Pseudo-canonical/canon flavour) (Type: 2)
Are based in the same universe with the same set of characters in canon with a focus of them acting as IC as possible. However, these stories detach themselves from specific episodes or chapters and focus on writing a story which could fit in with canon. Sometimes this is done with characters who get less screen time than the main cast and the author writes what they get up to when we can’t see them. Shipping Fics when the characters are already a couple or have a lot of potential to be one supported by canon often go here.
- Sudden Event (Type: 3)
Quite a wide category, like the categories above is based in the same universe with the same set of characters, however, the events in the fic take an unexpected turn which most would consider an unlikely direction for canon to take. Maybe a couple with little interaction in canon get together? Maybe a character gains powers in a somewhat atypical way to the story somehow? Either way, these fics take the vehicle of canon and change its course.
- OC Introduction (Type: 4)
Fics that take OCs (Original Characters) and place them in the same universe and have them interact together. Often a category fairly hard to get right since these fics are associated with infamous ‘mary-sues’ and ‘self-insert’ fics (not to say self-insert fics can’t be done well). If the new character or characters play a minor role, only appearing in one or two scenes, then the fic may instead go into the above character, or possibly even the one above that – depending on their impact on the canon characters and the universe.
- OC switcharoo (Type: 5)
A story almost entirely composed of OCs as the main cast in the same universe as the main cast doing roughly what the main cast does in a typical section of the story. This could be a Pokémon trainer gaining gym badges in Kanto or A group of new Hogwarts students going through similar classes as Harry and his friends. It’s a ‘switcharoo’ because you are switching out main characters for original ones while keeping the universe consistent and/or basically the same. Stories in which you do a crossover, switching one cast of characters out for another with few changes will also be this type, rather than being a '9' (see below).
- Next-Gen Fic (Type: 5.5)
A specific type of fanfiction which focuses on the children or descendants of the original cast of characters. The new cast of OCs having similarities to their parents often in both personality and appearance. Although these OCs will be faced with new troubles they will still have to deal with the legacy and lives of their parents.
(Generally, the dividing line between main 'universe' and alternate 'universe' (AU) goes here)
- ‘Quasi’ Transplanted Character Fic (sometimes also Deconstruction Fic) (Type: 6)
Another wide category. Technically this story deals with the canon characters in the canon universe but the universe itself (often along with the characters themselves) is reimagined to being very unlike the original canon portrayal. This can often be a fic focusing on the rework of genre or one which focuses on giving the characters and/or setting a more ‘realistic’ portrayal (or even a lighter and fluffier one in some cases). This is why I have also put ‘Deconstruction fic’ here since they tend to use the canon universe and characters but expose their flaws and change the complete ‘look’ of canon, even though canon is still there. Any fics that wish to switch character’s roles as if they were born into them (rather than say, a canon protagonist turning evil over time, although any fic on the scale can include that trope) also count as being part of this category. OCs can also be in this category but they will need to interact with canon characters (the focus also tends to be on canon characters rather than OCs).
- ‘Magic Portal’ Story (Cross-over) (Type: 7)
These fics focus on the canon cast being in a canon location before transporting them to the world of another work. This normally involves canon characters adjusting to their new situation and meeting canon characters from other works in the process. This can also include characters playing a game such as Dungeons and Dragons with closer ‘looks’ as to what their created characters are doing in the sessions.
- ‘Magic Portal’ Story (Non-crossover) (Type: 7.5)
Effectively the same as above but instead of the characters being transported to another canon work they are transported to a world of the author’s creation. They too will have to understand and adjust to the new place and situation.
- Elsewhere Fic (Type I) (Type: 8)
These fics happen with few (or no) canon characters and few (if any) canon locations. However, these stories still obey all the rules of canon and the newly created locations tend to be similar to canon ones. (A new region in Pokémon with trials or badges and an elite four). Those based in a canon location will tend to focus on something else than ‘typical’ canon does, but something that still fits with the setting. (Perhaps scientific experiments or some sort of war in Pokémon fic). The canon characters will appear as passing background characters rather than major parts of the plot. The attachment to canon in these fics tends to come from setting and tone, rather than physical locations and characters.
- ‘Transplanted character’ Fic (Cross-over, aka Fusion Fic) (Type: 9)
Take characters from one setting and reworks them so that their backstories fit with the other. Like the Elsewhere fic above this also includes new locations and no canon characters to speak of. As described these fics tends to ‘fuse’ the two works into something entirely new. It can also use canon locations from the other work but the newly reworked characters must never interact or communicate with characters from that work (unless the characters are background ones integral to the setting (like Jack Noir in Homestuck)). At this level, there must be a fundamental change in the story to accommodate the new characters, if the story is basically the same, it is Type 5 instead.
(Below this point, fics tend to have more original content than they do canon content.)
- Elsewhere Fic (Type II) (Type: 10)
Different from the standard ‘Elsewhere fic’ in terms of the events and locations. These locations are different and might even work off a slightly different rules set to canon ones (but tend to follow the canon rules for the most part) Although they do tend to tie back into canon in some way and most certainly have the staples of the canon universe. Such as still having Pokémon (in Pokemon) or still having Monsters (in Undertale). Type II is also much more likely to change the genre of the original canon than Type I is.
- ‘Transplanted Character’ Fic (Non-Crossover) (Type: 11)
All characters are taken and reworked with their backstories and placed in a world entirely of the author’s own creation. Including lore and ‘rules’ created by the author which are independent of canon. The only recognisable part of canon is the character’s personalities and their names, even if their origins have been shifted to the new worldbuilding. These stories are highly likely to change the genre of the original canon as well as everything else.
- Fanfiction in Name Only (Type: 11.5)
Whereas the above tends to be character focused (‘Wouldn’t It be cool if Ash were in a Zombie Apocalypse in Australia’) this stage is plot focused, or equally plot and character focused. The worldbuilding and settings tend to be less ‘typical’ here. Much is ‘inspired’ by canon but not much really is canon. It can only be considered fanfiction in rather vague terms.
- Original Fiction (Type: 12)
Completely original works. Nothing to say here.
Off-Scale:
Slice – of – Life AU
This includes ‘Coffee Shop’ and ‘High School’ AUs. These aren’t so much ‘off-scale’ such as they are a popular format which varies a lot depending on the reasons for it existing. Is the school or coffee shop connected to any canon location? Is it based entirely in the real world and how much is this world expanded upon? Is this a ‘break’ from canon between episodes? A lot of this is dependent on other factors.
Note: Any place on the scale can produce a ‘good’ fanfic. None of the sections on the scale are ‘better’ than ‘worse’ or others necessarily.
Note 2: ‘Elsewhere Fic’ is placed above ‘Transplanted Character’ since taking away or altering a work’s staples and rules is generally harder than slightly adjusting characters since personalities are much harder to ‘notice where they came from’ and make original.
Note 3: This scale isn’t perfect. The amount of ‘canonness’ in a fic can also be up to personal interpretation and so can the scale.
TV Tropes references
(Note: The scale is not the same as TVtropes, some of it's 'types' have been merged, changed or varied. This scale is inspired by TVtropes rather.)
Continuation
Perspective Flip
Pseudocanonical Fic
Original Flavour
Lower-Deck Episode
Deconstruction Fic
Elsewhere Fic
Fusion Fic
Transplanted Character Fic
