History SoYouWantTo / WriteAFanfic

* '''Title''': Make it short and simple, unless you have good reason for doing otherwise. [[ShoutOut Obscure poetry lines]] do not make good titles; they are difficult to remember and make the author sound pretentious. Neither do sentences like; "[Character A] gets fucked". Awkward titles- even if they're [[IntentionallyAwkwardTitle intentional]]- make the fic difficult to recommend to others. For example, every time it's listed on a trope page, people with no knowledge of the fic will skim by it, think, 'That sounds silly' and quickly forget about it. [[note]] You cannot rely on BileFascination to get you an audience. [[/note]] Every time someone recommends it on their Website/LiveJournal, they'll have to spend time explaining, 'It's better than it sounds, ''really''!' A fic can become popular if it has a boring title and a good story, but not the other way around.

* Website/LiveJournal - Doesn't have the same stigma as Fanfiction.net, and a lot more pleasant and intuitive to use, as well as a lot more customizable and much better for talking to people. However, it was designed as a blog site first and foremost, and thus there isn't really one large archive of fic the way there is on other sites. However, it is possible to find fandom, character, or pairing-specific communities and post your fic, or links to it, there, which can help it reach a much wider audience - just don't spam! [=LiveJournal=] has also been notable for playing host to a lot of {{Kink Meme}}s, competitions, fests (occasions where people create fanworks in line with a theme,) and the like, although its popularity has taken a major hit these days due to the company that owns it being a Russian company and subject to the laws of Russia, which has become increasingly authoritarian and anti-LGBT in the New Tens and the New Twenties.

* '''MarySue''': If you decide to use an [[OriginalCharacter OC]] in your fan fic, please try and flesh him/her out as much as possible. If you plan to write a SelfInsertFic, that's fine, just don't overpower your insert character. And even if you have a favorite character, [[PossessionSue don't ruin him by making him the center of everything]]. See SoYouWantTo.AvoidWritingAMarySue for more advice.

* '''WebAnimation''': This one requires knowledge of Flash or other animation programs, knowledge of animation in general, and as always, good storytelling ability. The same major caveats on using copyrighted music in fanfilms also apply here.

* '''OutOfCharacter''': Make sure you keep true to the personalities of the cast. Even if something about the starring character is being changed, it should be changed accordingly. {{Anti Hero}}es don't become sweet and nice just because they're your DracoInLeatherPants.

* '''Divergence''': Taking an existing story and asking "what if?" on a crucial detail. What if [[VillainHasAPoin the antagonist was right]] all along? What if [[SparedByTheAdaptation the protagonist's parents didn't die]]? What if one or more of the characters was [[RuleSixtyThree gender flipped]]? This format can offer a much better understanding of the canon as a whole by showing how a single change would alter the dynamic.

* '''Divergence''': Taking an existing story and asking "what if?" on a crucial detail. What if the antagonist was right all along? What if the protagonist's parents didn't die? What if one or more of the characters was gender flipped? This format can offer a much better understanding of the canon as a whole by showing how a single change would alter the dynamic.

* '''Alternate Universe''': The inverse of Elsewhere, this involves taking existing characters and casting them in entirely different roles and often a whole different setting. Different from Divergence in that it completely discards the main plot in the process. This is a fairly controversial format due to the tendency of the characters being [[http://ppc.wikia.com/wiki/Character_Replacement In Name-Only]]. If writing an AU fic, remember to stay true to the characters' personalities and gimmicks despite their new setting.

** '''Fetish Station''': Simply a fanfic that was written to involve characters as the meter maids when you need to refill your fetish fuel tank. Often a subgenre of romance. ExcusePlot, NoPlotNoProblem and PornWithoutPlot can be included in this.
* '''[[LetsYouAndHimFight Versus]]''': Sometimes, you just want to explore what would happen if Character A were to square off against Character B. This could be a {{crossover}}, or they might be two characters from the same canon who never got to throw down (to your satisfaction, anyway.) Some readers will be satisfied with nothing but a contest where their favored character dominates, but a good Versus fic ought to present a good reason for A and B to have their duel/mecha battle/cooking contest/card game/whatever, come up with a plausible outcome and show the results of their contact. Does it change the course of the story? How do they feel about the outcome? If the characters are from different canons, will they stay in contact? You'll find that even something as simple as "A vs B" raises a lot of questions.

* '''DarkerAndEdgier''': Or are you taking a decidedly more cynical look at the world? Showing the seedy underbelly of a happy fairytale kingdom? Or, if the work is aimed at children, simply the POV of an adult and adjusting the world accordingly? Now, be careful. There's a difference between taking an honestly deeper and more cynical version of the world and characters, and just [[BloodierAndGorier ramping up the violence]] and [[HotterAndSexier bringing sexy back]] where it wasn't wanted in the first place.
* '''LighterAndFluffier''': Or are you going to give your favorite characters a break from all their angst? More humor, a gentler look at life, and [[FixFic solutions to problems]] abound. See also WAFF (acronym: Warm And Fuzzy Feelings.) This might be charming and delightful, but it is in as much danger of pitfalls as DarkerAndEdgier.

* '''MarySue''': If you decide to use an OC in your fan fic, please try and flesh him/her out as much as possible. If you plan to write a SelfInsertFic, that's fine, just don't overpower your insert character. And even if you have a favorite character, [[PossessionSue don't ruin him by making him the center of everything]].

* '''Summarize''': Most fanfiction sites display a summary of your story on the index page - think up a good one! Tell somebody you're bad at summaries, and why should they believe you'll be any good at writing a story? (If you're really, really stuck, go through the fic and -if you've got a short passage that could give the reader a reasonably good idea of the story's basics- use ''that'' as your summary. That can work well, especially if it's got lines in it that you like. Also, be aware that "summarize" is a bit of a misnomer - you want to intrigue the reader, not provide a soundbite version of your fic, so go for outlining the premise rather than the plot. See more at SoYouWantTo.WriteAGoodSummary.

** Some people break the fourth wall and joke with canon characters in the AN, telling them horrible things will happen, or complaining about their roles. Unless your story is ''meant'' to be funny to some degree, don't do this as it shatters immersion and drama, lightens the mood, and gives the reader the constant nagging suspicion that they are missing the joke.
* '''Title''': Make it short and simple, unless you have good reason for doing otherwise. Obscure poetry lines do not make good titles; they are difficult to remember and make the author sound pretentious. Neither do sentences like; "[Character A] gets fucked". Awkward titles- even if they're [[IntentionallyAwkwardTitle intentional]]- make the fic difficult to recommend to others. For example, every time it's listed on a trope page, people with no knowledge of the fic will skim by it, think, 'That sounds silly' and quickly forget about it. [[note]] You cannot rely on BileFascination to get you an audience. [[/note]] Every time someone recommends it on their Website/LiveJournal, they'll have to spend time explaining, 'It's better than it sounds, ''really''!' A fic can become popular if it has a boring title and a good story, but not the other way around.

* Website/LiveJournal - Doesn't have the same stigma as Fanfiction.net, and a lot more pleasant and intuitive to use, as well as a lot more customizable and much better for talking to people. However, it was designed as a blog site first and foremost, and thus there isn't really one large archive of fic the way there is on other sites. However, it is possible to find fandom, character, or pairing-specific communities and post your fic, or links to it, there, which can help it reach a much wider audience - just don't spam! [=LiveJournal=] has also been notable for playing host to a lot of {{Kink Meme}}s, competitions, fests (occasions where people create fanworks in line with a theme,) and the like, although its popularity has taken a major hit these days due to the company that owns it being owned by Russia, which has become increasingly authoritarian and anti-LGBT in the New Tens and the New Twenties.

* Website/LiveJournal - Doesn't have the same stigma as Fanfiction.net, and a lot more pleasant and intuitive to use, as well as a lot more customizable and much better for talking to people. However, it was designed as a blog site first and foremost, and thus there isn't really one large archive of fic the way there is on other sites. However, it is possible to find fandom, character, or pairing-specific communities and post your fic, or links to it, there, which can help it reach a much wider audience - just don't spam! [=LiveJournal=] is also notable for playing host to a lot of {{Kink Meme}}s, competitions, fests (occasions where people create fanworks in line with a theme,) and the like, although its popularity is dwindling slightly.

* '''FanWebComics''': For those with a more artistic bent, this medium may be for you. Knowledge of sequential art is required for this medium, as well as good artistic skills. Note also that your storytelling needs to be good as well -- no amount of pretty pictures will save a bad story. Since you will likely be distributing your work on the web as well, please refer to [[SoYouWantTo/WriteAWebcomic So You Want To Write A Webcomic]] for other major things you'll need to know.

* Website/FanFictionDotNet - Probably the single most popular fanfiction archive out there, and one of the biggest, with a fairly extensive set of fandoms and its own organizational system. However, it's not especially easy to navigate, it's not designed for particularly easy communication between individuals, and it has a fairly widespread reputation for hosting a lot of less-than-great fanfic. However, fic can still reach an extensive and appreciative audience, so consider your options!

* '''StrangledByTheRedString''': Remember, [[VictoriousChildhoodFriend two old friends who realize they are in love]] will act differently from a StalkerWithACrush and [[StalkingIsLove someone who returns their interest]], who will in turn act differently from [[FoeYay enemies overcome by mutual lust]]. Before you write for a pairing, figure out their dynamic.

* '''StrangledByTheRedString''': Remember, [[VictoriousChildhoodFriend two old friends who recognize there is more to their relationship than friendship]] will act differently from a StalkerWithACrush and [[StalkingIsLove someone who returns their interest]], who will in turn act differently from [[FoeYay enemies overcome by mutual lust]]. Before you write for a pairing, figure out their dynamic.

* [[NotableFanfictionArchives Fandom-specific archives]] - Perhaps you'd want to post your story to a place where only fans of that franchise post stories. These archives are potentially limitless, as new ones are being created in response to new franchises all the time.

If you choose a spectacularly popular work, you will find yourself writing in a continuum. Thousands and thousands of works exploring the main couple's relationship and just as many about the hero and his best friend. Hundreds of [[EnsembleDarkhorse that one guy who is much cooler than the hero anyway]] saving the day as he deserves to do. There can be certain stories or [[BigNameFan writers]] who are well known, who might have left a mark on an entire style or genre in that fandom. There are certain [[ShipToShipCombat sub groups]], well known terms, [[{{Fanon}} interpretations of canon]] and [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation characters]], [[FandomSpecificPlot plots that are used frequently]]. Luckily there are always a lot more casual fans than hardcore ones and you can ignore fannish culture entirely if you wish. On the other hand, once you are familiar with it, you can try to play around with its conventions.

* '''Summarize''': Most fanfiction sites display a summary of your story on the index page - think up a good one! [[ISuckAtSummaries Tell somebody you're bad at summaries]], and why should they believe you'll be any good at writing a story? (If you're really, really stuck, go through the fic and -if you've got a short passage that could give the reader a reasonably good idea of the story's basics- use ''that'' as your summary. That can work well, especially if it's got lines in it that you like. Also, be aware that "summarize" is a bit of a misnomer - you want to intrigue the reader, not provide a soundbite version of your fic, so go for outlining the premise rather than the plot.

* Fandom-specific archives - These are ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. We at TV Tropes have links to several of them [[NotableFanfictionArchives here]], and until WikiMagic compiles a full list of the best-known, Google is once again your friend.
** [=SMWCentral=] allows Mario works of all types, but has strict quality control standards.

* '''DayInTheLimeLight''': Maybe you aren't interested in writing more about the hero, and would rather explore the motivations of the EnsembleDarkHorse, or the wacky escapades of the resident TerribleTrio. If so, go ahead and give them their own story; even the AlphaBitch has ''some'' fans, and a little CharacterDevelopment never hurt anyone. For the daring, you could even try [[{{Spinoff}} seperating them from the main cast]], and replace them with an OriginalGeneration supporting cast. The biggest problem though, is that if you like your character too much, they may be at risk of becoming a PossessionSue, especially if they end up gaining superpowers or something. And even if you avoid that, your AlternateCharacterInterpretation may rub some readers the wrong way if it's too divergent from Canon.