Fic writing advice?

[Skeletoncrew]

Hey all, I've been reading a lot of good fanfics lately and I think I've been bitten by the writing bug. Trouble is, I've never really done creative writing. That is, other than what I was forced to do in school oh so long ago.

So this is for all the writers out there. How do you go about writing your story? Do you just sit down and start writting, not really knowing where you're going? Or do you plot it all out first, then write?

Personally, I've written lots of research papers, so my line of thought is draw up an outline and go from there. But I am curious about what others do. And if anyone has links to creative writing sites...post them!

[azure turtle]

Hi Skeletoncrew! I know exactly what you mean! I've been itching to write a fanfic for quite a while, but I don't have any time. For me, the idea came to me, and I want to get it down on paper. I don't have all the details worked out, just the main plot. I've written short stories in the past, but I've never tried my hand at fanfics. One of the hardest things (at least, IMHO) about writing fanfics, is that characters already have backgrounds and personalities. You can't really be creative with the characterization, so you have to be creative with the plot. I enjoy doing characterization, which is why this part is so difficult for me :smile: Anyway, I used to frequent http://www.fanfiction.net during summer vacation. It's full of fanfics, but it also has several helpful links that deal with writing. You might find something helpful there. Best of luck, dudette! :grin:

[HorseTechie]

heheh... with advanced writers, they say to start with the ending (or the climax) and work you way forward. What that means, is go about it like a reasearch paper and plot out where the story will end, what elements and scenes that are important in it, and make up an outline.

That way, you can start writing at different places in the story as the ideas come to you. Then when all the 'gaps' are filled, read it through to make sure it all flows.

At least that's how I do it. I sometimes find it hard to think up things if I write the story completely from start to finish, or if I don't know hwere I want to take it. :P

Like the old saying "If someone puts a gun on the table, expect that gun to be fired later in the story."

If you do get stuck, then do some brainstorming. Just write down any and all thoughts that come to mind, even if they are silly and or have nothing to do with anything. (sometimes I have to read other fics or watch some good movies to stir up more ideas - but not to copy from the other peoples ideas though!)

Then to top that off, I think this site here is also useful as well as a good laugh...
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/6454/HowTo2.html

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HorseTechie on 2002-02-18 10:43 ]</font>

[Kali]

I tend to come at my stories from different directions, depending on circumstances. Sometimes I'm just drawing, sketching, and I think a character has potential. Then I go about writing their story. I usually come up with my characters first, like Midori, or the kids from Out of Time.

Other times it's an event or problem I think would make a good story. Like "I want Shredder to possess this girl..." and work from there.

I've sat down and written a story, from beginning to end, in less than a day. And sometimes, especially with longer stories, it takes me awhile, as I either lose motivation or write into a block. I tend to write scenelets out on paper, with a basic outline in my head, and fill it in at the computer.

The most important tip I can give is to just do it. Just go ahead and write. It's just like anything else, you need to practice.

[Skeletoncrew]

Thanks for the link HorseTechie! Anything that makes me giggle is a good thing!

Thanks for the input everyone!

[enigma-1]

Just pick an idea and if you like it enough, go with it. Then, just put it together like a puzzle until you get it the way you want. That's what works for me.

[Loolaa]

I write the interesting and juicy bits first... then fill in the boring gaps later...

Mmm perhaps that's why i never finish my fics...

[Deskjet Shredder]

Don't worry, Loolaa, you are not alone! :smile:

[Ozirron]

For me, the idea came to me, and I want to get it down on paper. I don't have all the details worked out, just the main plot.

To hear about styles of writing is very interesting for me.

When I writing my stories, first I create all story including details in my head (like playing the movie, scene by scene) and then I narrate it like 'the experience/what was truly happened'.
I never start with blank paper and unfinished story.

I would like to hear about your style of writting, Skeletoncrew.
Your fic are great so I'm sure, that you have chosen good style of writing.

The question is for other writers, too.
Can you tell me about your styles or writing???????

[Machias Banshee]

*reads posts while doing final assignment for Marine Biology*

Hmm, these are all awesome styles you guys do...hmm, well, what can i say...*looks through notebook* ah, okay... :D

well, I'm a big one for making a movie in my hed. I do that for just about everything, even with the behemoth RPG going right now... ;)

when i first get an idea, I just do a basic "major points of the story" list. If there's a particular scene i want to make, i right it down as well. I also like to make outlines. Heh, the one i have for Deadly inGenuity is about five pages, 11 single space font, and is only about halfway done.... :D

Similar to Kali, I also like to get ideas from my drawings. Heck, I like to get drawings from my ideas! *reminds self to get DI and NPTCH pics up somewhere* I also have used on several occasions a small voice recorder if i happen to get hit by some really good dialogue, or i have an idea that's really good, but with my pace of typing, i'd probly forget most of it before i got to type it. :P Sometimes if i start thinking about a scene, i find that i tend to think about it a lot, and run different endings and such, to see different story views and sudden plot twists...

Everyone's methods are different, but its the end product that's the most important thing... ;) dont worry you writer wannabes/blockees, you can do it. ;)

[kyabetsu]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

it ain't advice... that would imply i think i know what i'm doing...

but i just tend to daydream. LOTS. i'm never near paper when i need it. so... rehash rehash rehash the story let it go as many ways as i can. maybe i doodle a character. Maybe i just zone on the subway.

shrug.

this would explain why my longer fics don't tend to end. :P but it's a fun ride, right?...

My TMNT adaptaions of fairy tales were different. THEY CAME with an outline. but no. on the whole i don't tend to do formal planning stuff.

[Ozirron]

Machias Banshee, it is cool that you can take your ideas from drawings. I have never tried it.... maybe because I don't know drawing :dead:

But unlike you, I never forget my story ideas.... I forget everything else, including things from my school or names of my boyfriends... but never forget the stories. :evilgrin:

If kyabetsu spoke about day dreams.. I know it very well and I do it very often too, especialy, when I'm bored during some my lecture or I'm on long way by bus or so. I 'switch' my mind into 'a movie mode' and I play 'a movie' in front of my opened eyes, igonoring the real world. :) Usually, it is big fun.

[Kameko]

:o Wow, this thread is OLD! DeskjetShredder hasn't been on since like, May!

[HorseTechie]

:lol: Yeah, I was like "where'd this come from?"

But it's an interesting topic. *thinks a minute since it's been ages since she last wrote a fic*

I usually go off an inspiration, that could be ANY thing. Usually they come from real life experiences or adventures. My last short story came from a trip to Korea.

And like Kya, I'm usually not near papaer or I'm waaay too busy to write it down. So I reherse, and reherse, and pray I don't forget how it went until I can write it down. :D