Fanfic - homage or rip-off?

[The Prussian]

I don't read fan fiction, but I understand that it fulfills a need for some people. I don't have an issue with it since it provides a fantasy outlet for the lonely.

 

[Jemima Aslana]

Not just the lonely. Also those who oractice writing and have greater ambitions for later in life. If they have a given setting they don't have to make that up, but can focus on making the plot work, same with characters - only introducing 2 original characters and borrowing the rest of the gallery can make the writing of a story easier - sort of like havng a drawing made already and filling out the colours yourself, it gives you some practice in handling the colours without having to worry about whether you'll mess up the bird's perspective.

Rather lame analogy, I know, but methinks it'll work well enough.