This section attempts to explain terms used in fanfiction, such as, what is fanfiction, types of fanfiction and certain popular abbreviations.
The list is at primary stages as of yet and may not include every term existing... therefore if you are aware of any that I don't have, please e-mail me
Fanfiction:
(abbreviated as fanfic / fic)
fan + fiction: Story based on either characters or places, organisations, concepts in general of an official artwork, such as a videogame or a movie, written by a fan of it. The author uses these elements to create a story of his/her own conception.
These stories are not official, they express the author's views on the elements s/he describes and inspirations derived from them.
Some are exceptionally good too!
(FYI: Movies of religious/historical content are fanfiction too in a sense. Only the heroes there are dead and cannot claim the copyrights...)
Crossover:
Type of fanfiction.
The elements consisting a crossover story come from more than one official artwork pieces, eg: A story where fighters from Mortal Kombat face Street Fighters.
Interractive:
Type of fanfiction.
Either written by more than one authors or influenced by input.
Tag team:
Type of fanfiction.
The story is the product of the combined work of many different authors, each doing a part of it. Example: A Final Fantasy VII story where one writes as Cloud, another as Barret and so on.
Mary Sue:
Type of fanfiction.
Author creates a fictitious character or inserts him/herself into a videogame / movie / cartoon, affecting the developments.
POV:
Abbreviation for Point Of View
Slash:
Form of adult fanfiction.
Graphically describes homosexual relationship. Can be explicit and violent.
Yaoi:
(Japanese translates: boy love)
Form of adult fanfiction (also found as shounen-ai)
Deals man to man relationship. It doesn't necesseraly have sexual content (usually does though) but it hints of a certain form of stronger bonding.
The analogue for girl to girl is shojo-ai.
Lemon:
Form of adult fanfiction.
Describes sexual activity between characters. Most times there is no plot into it either.
PWP:
Abbreviation for Plot What Plot
Usually describes adult stories but that doesn't necessarily mean the story is PG-rated.