View Full Version : How to write Fanfiction
To all fan fic writers! These are the REAL rules you should write by! :lol: Just thought you might enjoy these.
HOW TO WRITE FANFICTION (sic)
1. Don't let those pesky considerations of how the characters might *really* behave worry you. After all, it's *your* fanfiction, isn't it?
2. They say you should write what you know, so you should always add in at least one character who is heavily based upon yourself, only better, and who bears a name very similar to your own. This person should become the love interest of your favorite character and also save the world.
3. Many people, when criticizing you fic, will expect you to just "roll over" and admit that France is not in Asia. You must not let people walk all over you like that, instead you should lash out violently and repeatedly at any hint of disapproval to your masterpiece.
4. The urge to miraculously fix everyone's problems is a powerful one, and you should give into it as fully as possible.
5. If the creator didn't *want* people to express their bizarre fantasies involving his characters, strange leather objects and possibly certain ice-cream toppings then they just shouldn't make their work public.
6. Plot is a matter of opinion.
7. If you are fanficing something from another country, you should add a few words in that language for realism. Don't worry if you don't know what they mean, if *you* don't speak the language what's the likelihood anyone else will?
8. Never let a good descriptive term go to waste. If you have a favorite feel free to stick it in wherever. If people can have willowy figures why not willowy hair? Or shoes?
9. Eyes and the windows of the soul; they are full of emotion and mystery. In order to convey this properly you must never use so clinical a word as "eyes". Pull out your thesaurus. Get creative. Never say "blue eyes" when you can say "deep cerulean orbs of sight" instead.
10. When you are writing in a relationship between two characters, you should have them jump into bed as soon as possible. Sure, in *real* life relationships develop over time, but that would be pretty dull to write about wouldn't it?
11. Speaking of sex scenes, you should put in as many as you can. This keeps the fic interesting.
12. Don't let yourself get all hung up over things like correct spelling and grammar.
13. Many people make the mistake of turning their work over to a beta or proofreader. Don't fall into this trap, these people will pick apart your baby with their cold-hearted rankings about "plot holes" and "consistincy".
14. Remember, you are the author: That makes you GOD.
_________________
Lead me not into temptation - I can find the way myself.
Kali Gargoyle's Asylum (http://www.geocities.com/kaligargoyle/)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kali on 2002-03-10 15:39 ]</font>
SeaThreePeeO
03-10-2002, 12:54 PM
Oooooo *Gets out her notebook*
So thats where I am going wrong :lol:
The funny thing is sometimes I get stuck, because life here in England is totally different to the states.
The annoying thing is there is very little TMNT stuff over here. So I just let my little warped mind develop the charecters. :evilgrin:
Machias Banshee
03-10-2002, 01:09 PM
:lol: that is so true!
*will remember to use as guidelines for her origin story*
I wonder if there are people out there going "Those sound like really good ideas."
Machias Banshee
03-10-2002, 01:26 PM
I certainly know I am! Im gonna print it off and take it home with me to work on my origin story and other stuff!
*blink blink* Did I need to spell out that this list is a joke or are you pulling my leg?
Machias Banshee
03-10-2002, 01:30 PM
:grin: yes i know! Jus messin' with your head!
But some of them ARE actually good suggestions...
_________________
Last night I played a blank tape at full blast. The mime next door went nuts.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Machias Banshee on 2002-03-10 15:33 ]</font>
Yeah, okay, you were starting to worry me. Just don't use too many in one fic, unless it's a comedy or parody.
Machias Banshee
03-10-2002, 01:49 PM
well yeah, of course!
Yikes, I've use the "plot is a matter of opinion" in quite a few.
azure turtle
03-10-2002, 02:31 PM
:lol: Such sage advice!!
*makes many mental notes*
Heh heh heh.....
HorseTechie
03-11-2002, 05:22 PM
And after reading the Nitpicker version of how to write fanfic, I realized that list is actually how NOT to. :lol:
Skeletoncrew
03-11-2002, 08:05 PM
Hah hah hah! That list is veritable recipe for bad fan fiction. #10 and 11 in particular seem like a good guide for bad pornographic fan fiction!
HorseTechie
03-11-2002, 08:19 PM
*shert* The TMNT list this was posted on got really crazy with it.
In response to #5, someone said "or chocolate covered chaps" only to be later backed up with "Carmel and Martian Mice" :eek:
I thoroughly enjoyed Raph and HLM's comments on this. They were almost as good as the list.
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 05:57 PM
Okay, this is sorta OT.
Thanks Azure and Kali for reading my first chapter. I've got more of the story mapped out and will probably start writing it today. Only trouble is, I'm not quite sure where I'm going with it! I do want to post it on FanFiction.net...but I also don't want to without having a clearer idea of what I'm doing. You know, that whole darn "plot" thing.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 06:02 PM
Ah yes, plot! It can be a writer's best friend or worst nightmare. Don't let it get the best of you, SC! If you're having a hard time thinking of a good plot, you could always brainstorm some ideas. Just start writing down whatever pops in your head. This method helped me a lot during my high school years, and it's still quite helpful. If that doesn't help, then try to spend some free time watching TV, listening to the radio, anything relaxing. Sometimes the perfect idea comes from the most unexpected source. I hope my babbling helped in some way :wink: And I can't wait to read more!
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 06:09 PM
Well, I know what is going to happen with the "dog". I'm just not sure if its enough to be considered a full story. I don't have any big dramatic fights or conflicts planned.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 06:12 PM
Not all fics have a lot of drama or action in it! Some of them (on fanfiction.net) have a lot of "aww, how cute" endings. You don't necessarily need anything major or dramatic for the fic to be good. But it's your fanfic, SC! Play around with it until you're happy with it. After all, you're the writer :grin:
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 06:19 PM
I AM SKELETONCREW THE GREAT AND POWERFUL WRITER! Muuahh hah hah ha!
Seriously though, I haven't used the words "Michaelangelo" and "He" to death have I? I guess that was my worry. I want it to be clear who I'm talking about, but I also don't want it to be repetative.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 07:01 PM
Hmmm, I don't think you were being repetative. If you're worried about that, you could always replace "Michaelangelo" or "he" with something else. Lemme think...you could use such phrases as "the ninja," "the turtle," "the mutant turtle," etc. The sky's the limit! Heck you could even call Mikey the "gentle green giant"....eh, okay, that one's stretching it a little.
*hides from bappage*
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 07:26 PM
How about, "the love machine,"? *just kidding*
I've noticed him calling himself that in more than one fanfic.
That's just Mike. :razz: In his serious yet goofy mindset. Notice, he refers to himself that way.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 07:32 PM
LOL!! I can see it now..."the love machine" and his dog. :grin:
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 07:39 PM
Hmmm...that sounds like the basis for something pornographic.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 07:40 PM
Hey now, I didn't mean it like that! :razz:
Sure you didn't, azure. And I thought WE were the bad ones. :razz:
_________________
Lead me not into temptation - I can find the way myself.
Kali Gargoyle's Asylum (http://www.geocities.com/kaligargoyle/)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kali on 2002-03-12 21:42 ]</font>
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 07:45 PM
Is this correct?
There’s always time for harassing his little brother, thought Raphael; but he relented and opened the door.
Are thoughts supposed to be in quotations?
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 07:46 PM
Hmph! I've been a good turtle! I don't know what you're talking about. :roll:
Not necessarily. I usually either use single 'quotations' or italicize thoughts.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 07:49 PM
Okay, let's see if I can remember some of the stuff I learned in english class...The way you have that sentence worded, no, quotations aren't needed. If it was something more like this:
"Harassing the little bugger is fun," Raphael thought.
Then quotes would be needed. I think that's right...
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 07:52 PM
Maybe it will be clearer if I give you a little context:
Grumbling, Raphael walked over to the door and crossing his arms, stopped. “What’s the matter, your arms broke?”
“No. They full! Now open up already!”
“What’s the magic word?”
“There’s no time for this Raph! Please!”
There’s always time for harassing his little brother, thought Raphael; but he relented and opened the door. Michaelangelo brushed past him and made a beeline for the kitchen. It looked like he was carrying a large animal of some sort. Raphael groaned inwardly and, closing the door, headed after him.
No, right there I don't think quotations are needed, since it isn't a direct thought, as in, not in the first person.
*shakes her head* Double quotation marks for thoughts? What do those teachers know.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 08:01 PM
Yep, no quotes needed for that. I remember my teacher saying that if you replace the word "thought" with the word "said" and it made no difference, then quotes are needed. If the phrase sounds odd with the word "said," then no quotes are needed. *sigh* English teachers can be so picky...
Skeletoncrew
03-12-2002, 08:03 PM
Thanks. I thought it felt right.
Grr, I STILL think that it's better to differentiate between quotes and thoughts with something more than 'thought' instead of 'said'. *sigh* But then again, English and Creative Writing were two seperate classes.
azure turtle
03-12-2002, 08:07 PM
Oh ya, I agree. It was just a little trick my teacher showed me. You're right about the "first person and direct thought" method. That's the safest way to determine if quotes are needed.
Skeletoncrew
03-13-2002, 01:44 AM
Okay! I did it. I've got two chapters of my story up on fanfiction.net. My pen name is Skeletoncrew (of course).
HorseTechie
03-13-2002, 08:29 AM
oo... did I miss something?
*goes back over to FanFic.net* Now there's another new author I gotta add to the Fic Archive before I FTP the files... :razz:
Skeletoncrew
03-13-2002, 02:26 PM
Hee hee hee...I feel so cool now! Ahh...the joy of creating something!
I'm going to print out chapter 2 today and edit it. I discovered last night that I'm better able to find mistakes and stuff if I can sit down on the table and write on it.
I'll probably get started on chapter 3 too.
Fun fun fun!
HorseTechie
03-13-2002, 02:58 PM
Yeah... The monitor does something to the optical senses that affects eciting logic...
But what I thought is funny, was that Machias wrote about a rabid dog going after the TMNT, and you're writing about a cute one they want to take care of. *hehe*
azure turtle
03-13-2002, 04:40 PM
Oy, that's awesome, SC!
*makes mental note to visit fanfiction.net*
And hey, HT, am I gonna be added to the archive too?
*puppy dog eyes*
HorseTechie
03-13-2002, 05:22 PM
Yep.. I gotcha added too, along with Kali's blue turtle doll. :grin:
*snaps her fingers* THAT'S what I've forgotten to do! Make myself an avatar for the archive. *goes looking through her avatar doll collection*
HorseTechie
03-13-2002, 05:37 PM
:lol: You know, I breifly wondered if you had one too there, Kali, when I was putting up Azure's.
Geez, with all the dolls I do you think I'd have one of myself I could use as an avatar. *shrugs* I'll get around to it eventually.
azure turtle
03-13-2002, 06:59 PM
*rejoices*
Thankee kindly to both of you! I feel so special! :grin:
*does the happy dance*
HorseTechie
03-13-2002, 07:20 PM
Hrmm.. shall we find a skeleton for SC too?
azure turtle
03-13-2002, 07:26 PM
Hey, that's a good idea. I bet she would agree.
Machias Banshee
03-13-2002, 07:28 PM
Avatars?? Or in SC's perspective, cadavers... sounds like fun. I was wondering if I could draw a pic and fix it to look like an avatar...if we can, im gonna definitely try to make one.
azure turtle
03-13-2002, 07:31 PM
Didn't Kali offer to make you a doll? I can't remember which thread it was, but I do remember the two of you talking about it.
Machias Banshee
03-13-2002, 07:33 PM
I dont remember where either. Maybe if i send her some stats, she can make one...I'd be eternally grateful.
azure turtle
03-13-2002, 07:35 PM
I know I'm eternally grateful for the doll she made of me! And to think, I thought I was gonna be stuffed with cotton...
Machias Banshee
03-13-2002, 07:36 PM
better than wood shavings.... :goofygri:
azure turtle
03-13-2002, 07:38 PM
LOL! I guess you have a point there.
Heh heh heh. Yeah, Machias, I can make you that doll. Just don't ask me to do anything hard like your Raptor form. :goofygri:
Machias Banshee
03-13-2002, 08:30 PM
Dangit! *snaps fingers-- or claws*
Okay, i'll give you my human characteristics...
tall
long dirty blonde hair, teal eyes, great smile, likes long walks on the beach, pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain...
Maybe after I get better. :smile:
*takes notes*
Uh, what about clothes?
Machias Banshee
03-13-2002, 08:36 PM
nothing!
just kidding. god, thatd be embarrasing!
jeans with with shirt and leather vest with big heeled shoes. 'smy fave outfit. :grin:
Okay! I'll keep ya posted!
Machias Banshee
03-13-2002, 08:39 PM
cool. well, i better get back to work. its already 1030 here, and i still got stuff to do. Bye!
Skeletoncrew
03-14-2002, 03:37 AM
I think I've gotten addicted to this writing thing. I just posted chapter 3 to my story, plus what I've written so far of chapter 4...mainly because I'm evil and wanted to get everyone wondering... :grin:
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 10:28 AM
Erhmm.. more evil than Machias Rabid Raptor Mutt? :lol:
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 01:54 PM
Hey, i like my evil mutt/Raptor situation. It gave you that same sense of intelligent dread.... :evilgrin:
Skeletoncrew
03-14-2002, 02:40 PM
I'm not sure how I'd rate on the Evil scale of 1-10. I do know that one of my fanfiction.net reviewers apparently laughed so hard that he or she woke the household up.
Yeah, that was great. Mike and Raph yelling back and forth was funny. But what really got me was the "What, you win the sexiest nerd alive contest?"
"Not yet."
Whoo hoo! Go Don! LOL!
Skeletoncrew
03-14-2002, 03:02 PM
Well, I just re-read it...and spectacular memory that I have, I had forgotten about the "housetrained Raph" bit. It made me giggle.
Donatello--The Sexiest Nerd Alive! Sounds like the possibility for a humor fic...
LOL! Yeah, a crossover with all the geeks from different shows.
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 03:14 PM
Actually, there's also a website on it...
http://www.sexiestgeekalive.com/
Us geeks gotta stick together, yah know!
And uh.. here's another one just to determine how 'geek' you are... (sexy, nerdy, or otherwise)
http://www.geekquiz.com/
*off to read up on this next chapter*
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 04:26 PM
hmm.... mine said i was as cool as a cucumber...i guess that's good. Never been compared to a vegetable before. :wink:
I liked the next two chapters of Moonlight. the humor was very good, especially the 'sexiest nerd' and the peeing on the comic book. Cant wait to see the rest of chapter four. I take it she's not what she seems to be... :eyemouth:
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 05:10 PM
Hrmph, I was a 105.8 average geek.
And chap 4... am I sensing something along the lines of what humans call beastiality? Or am I just mucking in the sewer again?
_________________
"Leo, you know I hate tea."
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HorseTechie on 2002-03-14 19:12 ]</font>
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 05:13 PM
My mind went into that gutteral direction as well.... :
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 05:23 PM
*goes back to this sexy geek topic*
Maybe DOn should sent in GW's drawing of him in a purple thong, yah? :razz:
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 05:24 PM
:eek: I dont know, i would like to see him in a suit...
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 05:34 PM
mmm.. yah. The thong was a lil too much. Or look like Laird's future pic, with the cool leather goggles, leggings, strappings n stuff. :cool:
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 05:34 PM
mmm.. yah. The thong was a lil too much. Or look like Laird's future pic, with the cool leather goggles, leggings, strappings n stuff. :cool:
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 05:36 PM
Seeing Leo and don in a suit, Raph in camo pants, and Mike in a tux would make me melt, i know that much! :grin:
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 05:40 PM
mhh.. tuxedos don't do anything for me anymore. A black leather coat, white shirt, and blue jeans however... :grin:rool:
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 05:45 PM
My pic of mike is similar to that, but he's wearing a leather vest. *dreamy face*
I love leather. Any of the guys in that combo you mentioned would have me glomming onto their legs and not letting go... :razz: :grin:
HorseTechie
03-14-2002, 05:49 PM
LEATHER!!!
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 06:13 PM
Yeah! My fanart here has Mike in the leather vest.
oh wait are you one of those who disapprove of leather? cuz if you do, my vest is actually pleather. :goofygri:
azure turtle
03-14-2002, 06:25 PM
*peeks in*
Oh dear.....looks like they've all gone to the sewers again.
*quietly sneaks out*
Machias Banshee
03-14-2002, 06:37 PM
No Azure, we're talking about leather as in jackets and vests, nothing kinky.
azure turtle
03-14-2002, 06:46 PM
Ooh, okay.
*walks back into the thread munching on a blue mango*
Skeletoncrew
03-14-2002, 09:48 PM
[quote]
On 2002-03-14 19:10, HorseTechie wrote:
And chap 4... am I sensing something along the lines of what humans call beastiality? Or am I just mucking in the sewer again?
I'm a pervert, but I'm not THAT much of a pervert! :wink:
You'll all find out soon enough...I may or may not get it done tonight though.
_________________
azure turtle
03-15-2002, 02:38 AM
Heh heh, this sure is interesting. Looks like you've hooked all of us with your story, SC! :grin:
*continues munching on his blue mango*
Skeletoncrew
03-15-2002, 04:32 AM
You guys have been giving me such an ego boost! :razz:
Chapter 5 is going to take me more time. Tomorrow is my goof-off day. I'll be out doing stuff for much of the day and evening. Plus I think I'll want Kali's advice on the handling of what I'm going to do...
HorseTechie
03-15-2002, 12:23 PM
Then hurry up with four (or five) so we'll better understand what you were getting at! *modest smile*
Skeletoncrew
03-15-2002, 02:41 PM
Well, I finished #4 for ya! So now the truth really is out there!
HorseTechie
03-15-2002, 06:17 PM
Ha! I knew it...
LOL! That's exactly what I said.
azure turtle
03-15-2002, 09:09 PM
The truth! The truth! Where's Skully and Mulder when ya need them? :goofygri:
Machias Banshee
03-15-2002, 09:42 PM
Yup, when i read just the snippet of the chapter, and knew about the nudity, i knew there was gonna be a naked something in the story...
azure turtle
03-15-2002, 09:52 PM
Hmmm....wasn't the wolf technically naked since the beginning?
*runs from baps*
Machias Banshee
03-15-2002, 10:03 PM
*TK bap*
not really, cuz she wasnt completely sentient, so it didnt bother her. Plus she had all the fur to cover her...
azure turtle
03-16-2002, 12:36 AM
Argh! Foiled again!
*angrily stomps on a nearby daisy*
*gets hit by lightning from another thread*
:dead:.....oh, it's not midnight yet.......
Machias Banshee
03-16-2002, 12:43 AM
Soon, my son, soon... :grin:
Skeletoncrew
03-16-2002, 01:10 AM
Actually, she was sentient. But she was covered in fur, so why should she care? Once she wakes up though...thats a different matter. :evilgrin:
Oh, there are SO many evil possibilities for this next part...
HorseTechie
03-16-2002, 08:24 AM
heheh... I'm in a couple other RPG's with an anime she-wolf character like that, but she's too modest and isn't very found of men of any species. So this story is definately a different way to look at it!
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