Links to related fan-fiction:
Dead Island (2011) - video game:
- Shouldn't Have Agreed by RandomRyu
Using the canon of Dead Island, this piece of fan fiction paints a scene in which a vacationer to the tropical resort on the fictional island of Banoi, is lying on the ground, in pain and out of breath, with zombies bearing down. The nameless, gender-less character is revealing thoughts of regret. Regret from the actions which led to their current predicament. Eventually, the zombies reach the character, tear skin and eat flesh, resulting in the character's heart stopping, resulting in death. Then the story jumps back in time to when the character arrives on the island. Here, the two other characters in the story are introduced, the mother and little brother. All the characters are excited to have arrived. The story ends with the three of them heading off to their room to begin their stay, not knowing the events that await.
This piece of fan fiction, being a mere 315 words in length, puts limitations on the level of detail the reader is given, which in turn, paints a rather vague and dull scene in the readers mind. Rather than providing answers or payoff, this lack of detail and story development tends to just raise more questions about the characters, setting, etc. On a positive side, I found the short length of the story gave it an instantaneous feel, which works well in reinforcing the sudden nature of a zombie apocalypse. It reinforces the quick speed at which it would occur and spread.
The Road (2009) - novel & film:
- It wasn't enough by bells288925
The Road is the story of a father and son as they journey through post apocalyptic America. One character they meet briefly on their journey is an old man who claims he is in his nineties. In the novel and film, it is not revealed what became of the old man after he parts ways with the father and son, and this piece of fan fiction continues his story. The story begins with the old man working his way down a valley, thinking of the father and son who had kindly shared a meal with him then continued on a separate way. He wonders why they were so kind to him, especially the boy. Then the old man feels hunger again, slows his walk to a stop drops down to his knees, lays on his back and passes away.
Told in the third person, this fan fiction has relatively little plot or action. The writer was obviously not concerned with these particular elements. What is very much emphasized is a bleak atmosphere and tone, which works well to reinforce the bleak world in which the book and film is set. I found the tale to be told with an emotional voice, arranged with an almost poetic sentence structure. I believe this voice and structure used, serves to add to the mystique and mystery of death, which is a recurring theme throughout the novel, film. One particular description I found effective, was where the writer describes the old man's hunger, saying:
"His abdomen suck closer and closer to his bones.
Cast Away (2000) - film:
- The Love of Her Life by samanddianefan10
This fan fiction story follows an alternate Cast Away storyline. It alternates from the point where Chuck and Kelly are, after a long awaited reunion, find themselves sitting in Chucks old car outside Kelly's house. In the film, the two of them realize the cannot be together like the were before, and so Kelly goes back inside her house where her new husband and daughter are. This piece of fan fiction shows the possible story of these two characters if they chose to be together again, and instead of going their separate ways like in the film, drive off together.
One of the most appealing choices the writer made in this fan fiction, was the unexpected turning point during the final chapter. While many conventional plot lines conclude with a "happily ever after" ending, 'The Love of Her Life' turns that predictable and expected type of conclusion on its head. This approach works well to engage and intrigue the reader. Chuck and Kelly do not merely drive off into the sunset. Throughout the story the characters experience nervousness, anxiety, insecurity and hesitate when revealing their true thoughts and fears to each other. As a result of the decision to be together, Kelly ends up being faced with divorce and a custody battle with her current husband, over her daughter. Even though the story heads toward a happy ending, it quickly changes tack and ultimately ends in tragic circumstances. Kelly is happy to be back with Chuck again after all these years, but that happiness is soon tainted with heartbreak. The use of this kind of plot development and turning point is an effective way to keep the readers attention and intrigue at a high level. It keeps the reader wanting to know what is going to happen next, and the characters reaction to it.
Dawn of the Dead (2004) - film:
- As I Lay by Jack E. Peace
This piece of fan fiction is a poem written from the point of view of Ana, the main character in the 2004 version of the film Dawn of the Dead. The poem is set during the point in the film where a handful of survivors of the zombie apocalypse have taken shelter in a mall. The first day of the frantic outbreak is coming to an end, and Ana reflects on the current situation and trying to make sense of it all, the husband she has lost, the numbness she feels and the loss of hope.
The placement of this fan fiction within the time frame of the film's plot feels appropriate. The first day has just ended, the character's adrenaline is wearing off, exhaustion has set in, and the mall has been secured, and is now safe. The poem reads as a reflection of Ana's thoughts, and this kind of reflection would only be possible at this stage of the film, when the characters are able to rest. So the writers decision to place the poem into this particular point of the film, is the right one. It adds weight to the believability of the poem. The fact the writer chose to use a rhyming arrangement, confuses the tone of the poem. The poems content is heavy in nature, i.e - fear, the death of her husband, surrounded by creatures, a feeling of hopelessness etc, and the use of rhyme lessens the emotional impact that this kind of content provokes in the reader.
I Am Legend (2007) - film:
- Three Little Birds by xHobbiton
'Three Little Birds' is a piece of fan fiction set during the 2007 film I Am Legend. During one scene in the movie, the protagonist Robert Neville is hiding with his dog Sam in his empty bathtub, within his fortified house. Robert is doing his best to be as quiet as possible while hiding from the vampire-like monsters which have wiped out almost all of humanity. This is the scene where the writer's piece of fan fiction is set.
The physical action within this piece of fan fiction is relatively minimal. 'Three Little Birds' mainly concerns itself with describing Robert's surroundings, thoughts, memories and state of mind. As a result of this choice, the writer was able to go into further detail when recreating the scene, which in turn paints a clearer picture in the readers mind. The writers aim and intention here is obviously to capture what Robert experiences throughout this scene, and the syntactic word choices made, and high level of detail are effective in communicating his experience. I believe the writer could of made Robert's experience even more believable if the piece was written with a first person point of view, rather than a third person. A first person POV would have added more fuel to the themes of loneliness and isolation, which are evident throughout both the film and this piece of fan fiction.
Dead Island (2011) - video game:
- Shouldn't Have Agreed by RandomRyu
Using the canon of Dead Island, this piece of fan fiction paints a scene in which a vacationer to the tropical resort on the fictional island of Banoi, is lying on the ground, in pain and out of breath, with zombies bearing down. The nameless, gender-less character is revealing thoughts of regret. Regret from the actions which led to their current predicament. Eventually, the zombies reach the character, tear skin and eat flesh, resulting in the character's heart stopping, resulting in death. Then the story jumps back in time to when the character arrives on the island. Here, the two other characters in the story are introduced, the mother and little brother. All the characters are excited to have arrived. The story ends with the three of them heading off to their room to begin their stay, not knowing the events that await.
This piece of fan fiction, being a mere 315 words in length, puts limitations on the level of detail the reader is given, which in turn, paints a rather vague and dull scene in the readers mind. Rather than providing answers or payoff, this lack of detail and story development tends to just raise more questions about the characters, setting, etc. On a positive side, I found the short length of the story gave it an instantaneous feel, which works well in reinforcing the sudden nature of a zombie apocalypse. It reinforces the quick speed at which it would occur and spread.
The Road (2009) - novel & film:
- It wasn't enough by bells288925
The Road is the story of a father and son as they journey through post apocalyptic America. One character they meet briefly on their journey is an old man who claims he is in his nineties. In the novel and film, it is not revealed what became of the old man after he parts ways with the father and son, and this piece of fan fiction continues his story. The story begins with the old man working his way down a valley, thinking of the father and son who had kindly shared a meal with him then continued on a separate way. He wonders why they were so kind to him, especially the boy. Then the old man feels hunger again, slows his walk to a stop drops down to his knees, lays on his back and passes away.
Told in the third person, this fan fiction has relatively little plot or action. The writer was obviously not concerned with these particular elements. What is very much emphasized is a bleak atmosphere and tone, which works well to reinforce the bleak world in which the book and film is set. I found the tale to be told with an emotional voice, arranged with an almost poetic sentence structure. I believe this voice and structure used, serves to add to the mystique and mystery of death, which is a recurring theme throughout the novel, film. One particular description I found effective, was where the writer describes the old man's hunger, saying:
"His abdomen suck closer and closer to his bones.
His heart seemed to be crushed by his twig-thick chest."
This use of description adds to the idea that the old man is close to death. Using words like "suck" and "crushed" provide subtle clues to the reader and builds a kind of premise to the old mans eventual demise. The description "twig-thick chest" effectively emphasizes the ninety year old's frailty and 'brittle-like' body, while at the same time adding to the setting of the place, which is 'dead tree-filled' landscape.
Cast Away (2000) - film:
- The Love of Her Life by samanddianefan10
This fan fiction story follows an alternate Cast Away storyline. It alternates from the point where Chuck and Kelly are, after a long awaited reunion, find themselves sitting in Chucks old car outside Kelly's house. In the film, the two of them realize the cannot be together like the were before, and so Kelly goes back inside her house where her new husband and daughter are. This piece of fan fiction shows the possible story of these two characters if they chose to be together again, and instead of going their separate ways like in the film, drive off together.
One of the most appealing choices the writer made in this fan fiction, was the unexpected turning point during the final chapter. While many conventional plot lines conclude with a "happily ever after" ending, 'The Love of Her Life' turns that predictable and expected type of conclusion on its head. This approach works well to engage and intrigue the reader. Chuck and Kelly do not merely drive off into the sunset. Throughout the story the characters experience nervousness, anxiety, insecurity and hesitate when revealing their true thoughts and fears to each other. As a result of the decision to be together, Kelly ends up being faced with divorce and a custody battle with her current husband, over her daughter. Even though the story heads toward a happy ending, it quickly changes tack and ultimately ends in tragic circumstances. Kelly is happy to be back with Chuck again after all these years, but that happiness is soon tainted with heartbreak. The use of this kind of plot development and turning point is an effective way to keep the readers attention and intrigue at a high level. It keeps the reader wanting to know what is going to happen next, and the characters reaction to it.
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Dawn of the Dead (2004) - film:
- As I Lay by Jack E. Peace
This piece of fan fiction is a poem written from the point of view of Ana, the main character in the 2004 version of the film Dawn of the Dead. The poem is set during the point in the film where a handful of survivors of the zombie apocalypse have taken shelter in a mall. The first day of the frantic outbreak is coming to an end, and Ana reflects on the current situation and trying to make sense of it all, the husband she has lost, the numbness she feels and the loss of hope.
The placement of this fan fiction within the time frame of the film's plot feels appropriate. The first day has just ended, the character's adrenaline is wearing off, exhaustion has set in, and the mall has been secured, and is now safe. The poem reads as a reflection of Ana's thoughts, and this kind of reflection would only be possible at this stage of the film, when the characters are able to rest. So the writers decision to place the poem into this particular point of the film, is the right one. It adds weight to the believability of the poem. The fact the writer chose to use a rhyming arrangement, confuses the tone of the poem. The poems content is heavy in nature, i.e - fear, the death of her husband, surrounded by creatures, a feeling of hopelessness etc, and the use of rhyme lessens the emotional impact that this kind of content provokes in the reader.
I Am Legend (2007) - film:
- Three Little Birds by xHobbiton
'Three Little Birds' is a piece of fan fiction set during the 2007 film I Am Legend. During one scene in the movie, the protagonist Robert Neville is hiding with his dog Sam in his empty bathtub, within his fortified house. Robert is doing his best to be as quiet as possible while hiding from the vampire-like monsters which have wiped out almost all of humanity. This is the scene where the writer's piece of fan fiction is set.
The physical action within this piece of fan fiction is relatively minimal. 'Three Little Birds' mainly concerns itself with describing Robert's surroundings, thoughts, memories and state of mind. As a result of this choice, the writer was able to go into further detail when recreating the scene, which in turn paints a clearer picture in the readers mind. The writers aim and intention here is obviously to capture what Robert experiences throughout this scene, and the syntactic word choices made, and high level of detail are effective in communicating his experience. I believe the writer could of made Robert's experience even more believable if the piece was written with a first person point of view, rather than a third person. A first person POV would have added more fuel to the themes of loneliness and isolation, which are evident throughout both the film and this piece of fan fiction.
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