Sidestusing

Sidestusing is a term that emerged from internet culture, specifically within online communities that discuss creative writing and fanfiction. It describes a phenomenon where a story or piece of media is primarily consumed or enjoyed for its potential to inspire subsequent creative works, rather than for its inherent narrative qualities. In essence, the original work acts as a springboard or a prompt for other creators.

This can manifest in various ways. For example, a fanfiction writer might find a particular character's backstory or a specific plot point in a novel or movie to be underdeveloped, and thus "sidestuse" it by creating their own stories that flesh out those elements or explore alternative scenarios. Similarly, a visual artist might be inspired by a character's design or a scene's atmosphere to create their own fan art, which then becomes a form of sidestusing.

The concept emphasizes the collaborative and iterative nature of creative consumption within certain online spaces. It suggests that for some audiences, the act of creating derivative works is as enjoyable, if not more so, than passively consuming the original content. Sidestusing is not necessarily a critical judgment on the original work's quality; rather, it highlights a particular mode of engagement where the potential for inspiration and remixing is a key factor in its appreciation. The term is informal and primarily used by those participating in these creative communities.