Have you ever written a piece of fanfiction?

Why people ask this

This question works because the yes-or-no split always surprises the room — someone answers in a way nobody expected, and the conversation starts from there. Niche obsessions are usually masked in public; this question is one of the few permission slips to admit how deep the rabbit hole actually goes. On have.you, this question draws players from every kind of setting — parties, road trips, dinners, late-night calls — which is why the same question reads differently every time. The interesting part is rarely the answer itself; it is the follow-up, the story behind the yes, or the surprised reaction when someone answers the opposite of what everyone expected.

What do players say?

50%

of players said Yes
8 responses

Based on 8 answers so far, 50% of players say yes — making this an almost even split — roughly half of players have, half have not.

Discussion starters

→ Who in the group is most likely to have written a piece of fanfiction?
→ What's the full story — and who in the group is most surprised by your answer?
→ What fandom do you keep quiet about in public?
→ What is the most you have spent on something nobody else in your life understands?
→ What hobby has earned you the most "are you okay?" looks?

Writing fanfiction can be a revealing peek into your creative side and your knowledge of your favorite worlds. Curious about how deeply fans engage with stories? Explore more quick questions to learn about fellow fans' passions.

What This Question Really Asks

At its core, this question explores your level of engagement with fan communities and your willingness to create extensions of existing stories. It can reveal things like your creative confidence, your favorite fandoms, and how you express your love for a story or character. For deeper insights, it touches upon your passion for a franchise or universe. Want to understand what drives fans to write or read fanfiction? You may want to check out deep and meaningful questions about personal passions.

Whether you've written fanfiction and what stories you've crafted
If you're an avid reader of fan-created works
How comfortable you are sharing your creative work with others
What fandoms inspire your writing or reading habits
How much you enjoy engaging with niche or geek culture communities

How to Use This Question

Setting	Tone	Best for	Tip
Friends game night	Playful and light-hearted	Getting to know friends' interests	Use this question to spark stories about your favorite fandoms. For tips on choosing great questions, visit our group decider tool.
First date	Warm and curious	Finding common ground over shared passions	Share your own fanfiction experiences casually; it makes the conversation more personal and engaging.
Team meeting	Professional yet friendly	Ice-breaking for creative teams	Introduce this question to foster creative thinking among team members during brainstorming.
Family dinner	Casual and inviting	Discovering family members' hobbies and interests	Ask about fanfiction to connect over shared stories or interests your family might have.
Party	Energetic and fun	Breaking the ice and sparking fun conversations	Use this question to encourage humorous or nostalgic stories about fandoms; learn more at our categories.

When You Say "Yes"

You take pride in creating your own stories within beloved universes.
You actively seek out and read fanfiction from other fans.
You feel a strong connection to the fandoms you write for.
You enjoy sharing your fanfiction in online communities or forums.
You're open to collaborating with others on fan projects, or even hosting fanfiction nights. Interested in how sharing online can enhance your fandom experience? Check out funny and embarrassing moments.

When You Say "No"

Not everyone has written fanfiction, and that's perfectly fine! Sometimes, you may prefer to enjoy stories rather than create them. Or maybe you simply haven't found the right fandom to inspire you yet.

You enjoy consuming fan-created content without writing your own.
You prefer expressing your fandom interests through other creative outlets like art or cosplay.
You're shy about sharing your stories or haven't had the chance to try writing fanfiction.

Best Follow-Up Questions

What was the first fanfiction you ever read or wrote?
Which fandom has inspired you the most to create or read fanfiction?
Have you ever written a fanfiction that got feedback or encouragement?
Do you prefer fanfiction or official stories, and why?
Would you ever consider turning your fanfiction into a published story? Find more ideas in our categories section.