Run of the mill fan fiction can be seen as the common, garden - variety type of fan - written work. It doesn't stand out as being extremely innovative or different. These are the fan fictions that are likely to use the well - known elements of the source material in a rather straightforward way. They might not introduce new and complex character developments or plot arcs. Instead, they rely on the familiarity of the original work to draw in readers who just want a simple, uncomplicated addition to the story world.
No, Howard's Mill is not a true story. It's likely a product of the author's imagination or inspired by various fictional elements. True stories typically have verifiable sources and documentation, which is lacking in this case.