Fan Fiction… it was once a genre limited to teenaged girls who would write vaguely erotic stories entwining themselves with their favorite Beatle or Monkee, but thanks to the Internet, it has become a separate, and rather large, subculture.

For the uninitiated, Fan Fiction refers to stories written by average citizens that incorporate famous people, whether they be pop stars, sitcom characters, or Hollywood A-list actors. For example, you’re an avid Star Trek fan, but you think the writers missed the boat when they didn’t have Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura give birth to a love child aboard the Enterprise. So you take matters into your own hand and write a story about what you thought should have happened between the two characters. It’s a creative outlet not only for budding writers, but also for rabid fans of TV shows and films. However, if you’re going to write a “FanFic” piece, you’ve got to know the jargon and protocol:

• Canon: the official characters and storylines of the subject. In M*A*S*H canon, Hawkeye, B.J. Charles, Margaret, et al, leave the 4077th to continue their own, disparate lives.
• Alternate Universe: you’ve deviated from canon and written your own story. Margaret and Charles hook up at the 8063rd prior to flying back to the States, and she later finds out she’s expecting his child.
• Slash: designates a story with a homosexual theme. Think Radar finds true love with Klinger. (On second thought, don’t think that.)
• Mary Sue: a story written in the worst romance-novel style. Margaret is injured by sniper fire, and Hawkeye operates on her, saving her life. He declares his love to her in Post-Op while she’s unconscious. When Hot Lips awakens, she confesses that he’s always been the only man for her. Father Mulcahey is summoned, and the pair weds in the Mess Tent.