telperion1

Over at Cecile's poll on speculative fiction (h/t Werecat), she asks first how many people write speculative fiction, and second what other of several related activities you do. One of those "others" is that you write fanfiction.

That caught me offguard, because to me fanfic in my fandoms can be speculative fiction. My fiction usually isn't because I tend to focus on different apsects of the universe than the speculative parts (race/class/gender issues, theodicy by any other name, family drama, etc.) but I also have read peoples' fan fic that is every bit as much speculative fiction as published authors. Werecat jumps to mind as a good example of that. Or Thundera Tiger. I'm sure I could come up with others.

So what do you think? Is fanfic properly separated out from SpecFic?

(P.S.: For more on the genre, read this.)
(P.P.S.: Do take the poll if you like. It was quick, painless, and seemed written by a genuine fan [no bad stereotypes, etc.])

Nabbed from rubynye and others:

If I made Cinderella, the audience would immediately be looking for a body in the coach.
— Alfred Hitchcock
When I write a story, what do you immediately look for?