ZeoSaturn
08-06-2006, 01:03 AM
Yeah.........I was really bored and after reading some of the fanfiction here and other places like Fanfiction.net, I really felt compelled to typing this. Some of the stories I have found are really good but the way it was written make them harder to read. I hope some people can benefit from this.
How to Write Fanfiction
Ok. You have an idea for a story based on your favorite show, movie or cartoon. These are known as fan-fiction. That’s great…….but you can’t get passed the first paragraph or the fic you are currently working on has been labeled “crappy! It’s suxxors!” by your own friends. What do you do? What could you do to make a good fanfic or make your current one better? Let’s follow a few simple rules:
1. Brainstorm!
This is a starting point of your fic. You need an idea of what you are going to write. Whether it is a lesson that is going to be learned during the story or a possible crossover, you have to find out what would motivate you to write a fic that you would enjoy writing. Remember that if you don’t like the subject you probably won’t write it. Yeah I know it sounds a little stupid to say this but some of the fan fictions on the Internet are never continued because of this problem. They never feel motivated to start the fic up again because they don’t like what they are writing. Once you have an idea, work it out by seeing where you can go with it. What event will lead to what.
2. Outline your story
Some people don’t do this step that can lead to confusion in the fic. How? Sometimes there are instances where the author meant to write a particular scene in the fic somewhere and they either forgot to do it or put it in the wrong place. It has happened! Knowing the timeline of the story can straighten out any problems like that that could arise. Knowing what will happen at what time can help your fic flow a lot better. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate outline either. Half the time, I use a list in order of what events will happen when. Believe me it really helps if you are shatter-brained like me.
3. Break the fic down into sections
Sections are good. This also helps you keep a tab on your fic. Big events in the fic itself are usually the indicators where the sections begin or end. These big events usually signal change in the characters or in the environment (the feel of the story). Movie productions usually do this in order to keep tabs on their scenes. This step can be optional but if it’s a huge fic, it is highly recommended.
4. Character development
When writing your fic, develop the characters. Being vague can lead to confusion or something boredom for the readers. Describing your characters feelings or what they are doing really helps the readers imagine what is going on and at times how the characters feel. This creates a connection from characters to the readers. It tells them whom you want to like, hate, or feel sorry for. The characters learn lessons in the fics too. Having them stay the same through out the entire fic is pointless and boring. Show their progress through the story.
5. Plot development
This is a BIG one here. In order for the story to go anywhere, you need to figure where you want the storyline to go. You need to plan events that will lead up to the climax of the fic and after that, the downfall to the conclusion of the fic. Planning this is essential for a great fic. If you have a mystery fic, you absolutely need this. Throwing a few plot twists really keeps your readers wanting more and cliffhangers drive them nuts. (laughs, I’m so guilty of doing this.) Having your fic really go nowhere makes it really boring. Plan carefully!
6. Choosing how to write your fic
The way you write the fic depends on you. Most people write their fics the traditional story way, but there are ones that do script fics and song fics where they incorporate a song into the story. Most people in most fandoms don’t like the script fics because they are hard to read. However, as a good way to figure out what someone is saying in the fic, scripting your fic is a good first draft. How you write the fic is really up to you.
7. Be descriptive
Describing what is happening in detail adds a lot of atmosphere into your fic. Feelings, the description of the environment really adds to the overall feel of the fic whether it be hunky dory or really really dark and creeky. Description is good but don’t over describe everything. That can lead to boredom too.
8. HAVE FUN!
Writing fiction should be fun and not a chore. Have fun writing!
9. Get a beta- reader
A beta- reader is someone that will read the fic for you to check for sleeping and grammar errors. This is highly recommended. They won’t always tell you what they thought of your fic, but they will tell you what to fix and to suggest what to do for your fic. This is a good step to do.
A list of a few things that could ruin a fic
There are a few things that erk the hell out of readers. Here is a list of a few of them. If done right, some of these no nos can be ok in fics but most of the time, they are done horribly.
1. Mary Sues and Gary Stu
These are original characters placed in the fic to interact with the pre existing characters. There is a difference between cameos and Mary Sues. Mary Sues and Gary Stu are usually characters that the author has made up to what they think is to make the fic more appealing. Most of them are usually the writers sticking themselves into the fic. This is a no no! Oftentimes the Mary Sue is really out of place in the fic that can lead the readers into hating the character and/or the fic itself. I would suggest avoiding these.
2. Really bad crossovers
Trying to do crossovers of shows can be really tricky. A good crossover would be one that would be believable. Two shows that have something in common are the best crossovers. Bad ones are usually the author’s favorite shows squished together that would never go at all. Remember, putting Teletubies and Dragonball Z together is NOT necessarily a good thing. Doing seasons within the show crossovers is ok but sometimes overdone.
3. Going Out of character
One fic I read had the villain who was suppose to be very freighting acting silly and funny that was totally out of character. Be really careful and do research on the characters.
4. Slashes and Sexual fics
Slashes are romantic fics that involve same sex relationships. In anime talk, it’s called yaoi (male x male) or yuri (women x women). Some of them are funny but some of them are down right disturbing! The ones that actually have sex (whether it be slashes or not) in them are lemons and limes. Lemons have a lot of sexual content in them where limes have less sexual content in them. Some of these are really poorly written and have the time I wonder if it’s the author’s sexual frustrations being projected into the fic. One can only think and shudder.
Some of the steps aren’t necessary but can really help create an awesome fic if you are willing to take the time and effort into creating the fic. Fan fiction does take time to create and effort. It isn’t easy. Have the battle is fighting some writer’s block as well. It happens. If you get stuck, come back to it later. There is nothing wrong with stopping to take a break. Motivation is also something that can affect a fic. If you really don’t feel motivated in writing the fic that day, by all means don’t write it. Writing the fic when you don’t feel like it can really affect what happens to the fic. Enjoy what you are doing. It isn’t supposed to be a chore.
I hope I’ve covered everything. Good luck to all you fan fiction writers and happy writing.
Edit: Thank you to Impy and SouthernFooz from Mutant Chat for helping me correct the part about Gary Stus. Thanks guys.
How to Write Fanfiction
Ok. You have an idea for a story based on your favorite show, movie or cartoon. These are known as fan-fiction. That’s great…….but you can’t get passed the first paragraph or the fic you are currently working on has been labeled “crappy! It’s suxxors!” by your own friends. What do you do? What could you do to make a good fanfic or make your current one better? Let’s follow a few simple rules:
1. Brainstorm!
This is a starting point of your fic. You need an idea of what you are going to write. Whether it is a lesson that is going to be learned during the story or a possible crossover, you have to find out what would motivate you to write a fic that you would enjoy writing. Remember that if you don’t like the subject you probably won’t write it. Yeah I know it sounds a little stupid to say this but some of the fan fictions on the Internet are never continued because of this problem. They never feel motivated to start the fic up again because they don’t like what they are writing. Once you have an idea, work it out by seeing where you can go with it. What event will lead to what.
2. Outline your story
Some people don’t do this step that can lead to confusion in the fic. How? Sometimes there are instances where the author meant to write a particular scene in the fic somewhere and they either forgot to do it or put it in the wrong place. It has happened! Knowing the timeline of the story can straighten out any problems like that that could arise. Knowing what will happen at what time can help your fic flow a lot better. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate outline either. Half the time, I use a list in order of what events will happen when. Believe me it really helps if you are shatter-brained like me.
3. Break the fic down into sections
Sections are good. This also helps you keep a tab on your fic. Big events in the fic itself are usually the indicators where the sections begin or end. These big events usually signal change in the characters or in the environment (the feel of the story). Movie productions usually do this in order to keep tabs on their scenes. This step can be optional but if it’s a huge fic, it is highly recommended.
4. Character development
When writing your fic, develop the characters. Being vague can lead to confusion or something boredom for the readers. Describing your characters feelings or what they are doing really helps the readers imagine what is going on and at times how the characters feel. This creates a connection from characters to the readers. It tells them whom you want to like, hate, or feel sorry for. The characters learn lessons in the fics too. Having them stay the same through out the entire fic is pointless and boring. Show their progress through the story.
5. Plot development
This is a BIG one here. In order for the story to go anywhere, you need to figure where you want the storyline to go. You need to plan events that will lead up to the climax of the fic and after that, the downfall to the conclusion of the fic. Planning this is essential for a great fic. If you have a mystery fic, you absolutely need this. Throwing a few plot twists really keeps your readers wanting more and cliffhangers drive them nuts. (laughs, I’m so guilty of doing this.) Having your fic really go nowhere makes it really boring. Plan carefully!
6. Choosing how to write your fic
The way you write the fic depends on you. Most people write their fics the traditional story way, but there are ones that do script fics and song fics where they incorporate a song into the story. Most people in most fandoms don’t like the script fics because they are hard to read. However, as a good way to figure out what someone is saying in the fic, scripting your fic is a good first draft. How you write the fic is really up to you.
7. Be descriptive
Describing what is happening in detail adds a lot of atmosphere into your fic. Feelings, the description of the environment really adds to the overall feel of the fic whether it be hunky dory or really really dark and creeky. Description is good but don’t over describe everything. That can lead to boredom too.
8. HAVE FUN!
Writing fiction should be fun and not a chore. Have fun writing!
9. Get a beta- reader
A beta- reader is someone that will read the fic for you to check for sleeping and grammar errors. This is highly recommended. They won’t always tell you what they thought of your fic, but they will tell you what to fix and to suggest what to do for your fic. This is a good step to do.
A list of a few things that could ruin a fic
There are a few things that erk the hell out of readers. Here is a list of a few of them. If done right, some of these no nos can be ok in fics but most of the time, they are done horribly.
1. Mary Sues and Gary Stu
These are original characters placed in the fic to interact with the pre existing characters. There is a difference between cameos and Mary Sues. Mary Sues and Gary Stu are usually characters that the author has made up to what they think is to make the fic more appealing. Most of them are usually the writers sticking themselves into the fic. This is a no no! Oftentimes the Mary Sue is really out of place in the fic that can lead the readers into hating the character and/or the fic itself. I would suggest avoiding these.
2. Really bad crossovers
Trying to do crossovers of shows can be really tricky. A good crossover would be one that would be believable. Two shows that have something in common are the best crossovers. Bad ones are usually the author’s favorite shows squished together that would never go at all. Remember, putting Teletubies and Dragonball Z together is NOT necessarily a good thing. Doing seasons within the show crossovers is ok but sometimes overdone.
3. Going Out of character
One fic I read had the villain who was suppose to be very freighting acting silly and funny that was totally out of character. Be really careful and do research on the characters.
4. Slashes and Sexual fics
Slashes are romantic fics that involve same sex relationships. In anime talk, it’s called yaoi (male x male) or yuri (women x women). Some of them are funny but some of them are down right disturbing! The ones that actually have sex (whether it be slashes or not) in them are lemons and limes. Lemons have a lot of sexual content in them where limes have less sexual content in them. Some of these are really poorly written and have the time I wonder if it’s the author’s sexual frustrations being projected into the fic. One can only think and shudder.
Some of the steps aren’t necessary but can really help create an awesome fic if you are willing to take the time and effort into creating the fic. Fan fiction does take time to create and effort. It isn’t easy. Have the battle is fighting some writer’s block as well. It happens. If you get stuck, come back to it later. There is nothing wrong with stopping to take a break. Motivation is also something that can affect a fic. If you really don’t feel motivated in writing the fic that day, by all means don’t write it. Writing the fic when you don’t feel like it can really affect what happens to the fic. Enjoy what you are doing. It isn’t supposed to be a chore.
I hope I’ve covered everything. Good luck to all you fan fiction writers and happy writing.
Edit: Thank you to Impy and SouthernFooz from Mutant Chat for helping me correct the part about Gary Stus. Thanks guys.