User blog comment:Weavillain/How Much Do You Let Fanon/Headcanon Influence You?/@comment-4618045-20170630220643

When it comes to writing in fan-lore, I'm guilty as charged. I consider any fanfic I write to be AU, something that should never be accepted as fact but what I think would make a good story. Some of it includes headcanon that hasn't been debunked and other parts include things that are deliberate changes from canon, whether it's eliminating some of the more cartoony elements (such as Lisa's WACKY inventions) to erasing/repurposing episodes (such as "Fools Paradise").

I think you hit the nail on the head with your points. While I will stick to the canon when analytically talking about the show, I will attach myself to theories that have yet to be addressed/resolved.

While I can't speak for everyone, there are two reasons why I use an AU when writing fanfiction for the show.

One is simply the fact that some things have not been addressed at all and I believe that can make for great entertainment and debate. If all the cats were out of the bag, there would be less opinions and deviations that drive an active fandom. It's fun hearing what others have to say, how they interpret little hints, and what they use to make a decent story.

Two is that even for things that have been established, fanon discontinuity (disregarding of canon events) is a powerful emotional tool. By rewriting certain events, the door is opened for new stories but I also put myself at peace with whatever grievance upset me while watching. Is it right? For discussing the show itself, of course not (it'd be like denying the Earth is round). But for creating new content that relies on the author's interpretation, I think it's okay. And that's why I, at least, employ it under the alias of an AU