Fan Fiction Official Tip Collection

[Xuan]

An important tip: If you're writing a fanfic, never EVER try to RolePlay in any Forum. When you're roleplaying too often and still completing a fanfic, you'll find youself short of humor, flavour and absolutely everything.

However, if you've just finished writing a fanfic, you can RolePlay all you want. You would find yourself at ease whenever you do so, because in truth, writing a fanfic IS harder, regardless what the others might think.

On a smaller note, here's a smaller tip: Get your ideas from absolutely everywhere. I don't care whether you sprang another Harry Potter quality work from the sewer, just inspire yourself from anything.

Last tip: ALWAYS WRITE DOWN the inspiration you're getting. You'd absolutely hate yourself when your forget it. And it's not healthy to forget things too often.

EDIT: And never use small and light coloured text like the person above. That absolutely spoils anyone's appetite when they have to squint to see what the hell you're writing.

~From Your Once Upon A Time, Xuan~

[Laughing Stock]

Originally Posted by Xuan

An important tip: If you're writing a fanfic, never EVER try to RolePlay in any Forum.

True, dat. =/

Hmm... let's see...

EA Tip: Have you tried writing the first thing that comes to mind when you have writers block? What have you got to lose? If it's bad, then start over again. If it's okay, cultivate it. If it's good, well done. Trust me, it works.

EA Tip: Have you tried writing a story without a concrete plot or solid characters? Then you'll know why not to do so ever again.

EA Tip: Have you tried curling a monkey?

...oh, sorry. I'm getting too deeply into an EA mindset - if I go any further, I'll start marketing rubbish football games and snatch up every video game company that even so much as strays into the murky waters of financial trouble. *ahem*[/thinlyveiledEAridiculesession]

Anyway, moving on.

Writing a load of gibberish and then attempting to structure it together as something cohesive can be a good way to establish an initial story, if you can't even get that far. For instance:

"Mary-Ann, having overthrown the might of the wicked Grey King Regesco and his command over Gung-Ho Hellions, now has the means to avenge her brothers’ death at the hands of the dreaded Fiscal Magus. But what of the terrible prophecy of the Grim Singers? Will Mary-Ann become the fabled Dusk Bringer, a being feared as the ultimate destroyer or Tal-Jerak? And what of Jim Tallyho, her beloved chimney sweeper from Valhove? Can he save his love from the Crimson Veil's immortal power, or will all be swallowed in a shade of dark blue very close to darkness, but not quite?"

When I started that, I was just throwing out a load of crap. Now, believe it or not, I'm really tempted to write it. I'm interested in knowing why the Fiscal Magus obliterated Mary-Ann's brother with his awesome powers over the Concussive Taboo, or why King Regesco - once such a good, just man -succumbed to the dark powers of the Crimson Veil. Or why, in the name of all that is holy, it's a shade of dark blue and not outright darkness.

Well, I'm kidding; I'm not really interested in writing that, unless it was as a satire of the fantasy genre (something the mighty Terry Pratchett has already conquered, alas). But one of my best short story ideas spawned from such a creative process, one that, although is a little (well, very) confusing in parts, is close to perfection. Never underestimate the creative power of a load of bollocks, people. =/

Regardless, the one thing that will help a writer more than anything else is just plain old living. Learn everything that you can, do everything you can do, see everything you can see, etc, etc, you get the point. There's a reason all the best pieces are from writers in their later years.

Hope I haven't made myself look like an idiot, writing all that crap... >.>

[-Arcana-X-]

Tips of the Day:
Always stay true to what you say. If you say, "I'm going to write a chapter today!" then do it people. Otherwise...well, you'll never get to it. Because then you'll just keep making excuses and then the story won't exist.

If you're stuck on a idea, research or observe things around you. Maybe the wind's nice today, or someone's hairdo was totally awesome. Totally random things, huh? But random things make the inspiration to fantastic stories that you read.

Also, when you do get that "OMG I've got it!", write it down NOW. Later, you can look back and plan a proper story instead of searching your memories. That way you'll get work done.

And please, don't do what I do and update your stories. It's good for you and your fans.

[Destined]

If you have an inkling of an idea, don't shelf it to he back of your mind, find some paper or open a word document and write out your idea. It may prove to be nothing more than a daydream, but often times these small seemingly unnecessary ideas lead to a deeper storyline later on, or can hatch and grow into a story all their own.

Also, never be afraid to look at your surroundings, or take characteristics from your friends and meld them into the protagonist or supporting character.

Inspiration is everywhere, even if you aren't looking.

[Sorrow]

Description is good, but too much sometimes gives your story a bland feeling. For instance:

"Mek lived in a luxuriously adorned room." That's a nice description.
"Mek lived in a luxuriously adorned room that had abundant supplies of furniture and other conveniences. Along with that, it was equippped with many devices of different purposes. The room was 128 by 48 feet and its hue was a shade of gray." Seriously, no one cares.

Metaphors give your story a powerful feel, so try and use them at least once in a while.

If you're writing a novel, create a summary of the entire thing before converting that to an extended version of many pages.