So, a few days ago, a friend and I were talking about this sort of idea. The discussion for this thread, though, is more a case of how many OC characters do you like in your fan fiction before it gets turned off?
In the case of the only fanfiction I have up here, which is that of a Star Trek Online, aside from a few ‘cameos’ here and there, the cast is entirely original characters. The conversation between us was a discussion about how a lot of people would be turned off by that sort of story, which I do accept and actually kind of agree with (strangely, considering...), but how many OC characters in a fanfiction turn you off? Would it turn you away from that particular story or does it even matter?
Giving my thoughts on the matter as a writer, I don’t really like using canon characters because I, personally, feel forced into a tiny box to keep them in character. As a reader, if the canon characters in a fanfiction don’t feel particularly right (given deviations accounted for in regards to whatever the story is being told; ie, sexual stories, I can give leeway in canon characters being different than author portrayed (if this makes sense...). It’s a major reason why I didn’t include any in the main cast of characters for STA. That said, as a reader, I do understand why someone could, potentially, be turned away if there are no canonical characters. (I feel like I’m rambling, so my apologies.)