Line #32 SoYouWantTo/WriteAFanfic


1	Ah, {{fanfic}}tion. The controversial format of (usually) unprofessional, unsponsored fans writing stories directly based on their favorite fiction. Sometimes erroneously labeled as a genre, fanfiction has as wide a variety as original fiction.
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3	However, there are some guidelines one must follow to create well-received fanfiction. This guide won't concern itself with [[SoYouWantTo/WriteAStory how to write decent stories]] in and of themselves, but don't think that writing decently in and of itself is not important. One should read one of the other guides involving the genre they're going to write as well as this guide.
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5	This guide will be broken down into some steps.
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7	Before anything else of course you choose your '''Work of Fiction'''. If you look for example at Website/FanFictionDotNet, you will find that people have written fanfics for any genre, any medium, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's works to the ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'' series to ''Literature/BridgetJones'' to ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers''.
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9	Don't be shy to choose what you like. If you write about less known works, there will usually be at least a handful of fellow admirers who will appreciate finding it.
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11	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 [[FandomVIP 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.
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13	You can also do a {{Crossover}} of two or more works (see SoYouWantTo/WriteACrossover for some specific advice on writing these). You can even show your take on real events and people [[RealPersonFic living]] or [[HistoricalDomainCharacter dead]]. (But be warned - if you choose reality, your work is going to be discussed controversely.)
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15	!!Step one: Determine your canon relation
16	Fanfiction has a couple broad categories in how it deals with existing canon. While there can be quite a bit of overlap, one should determine which of the following they are aiming for:
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18	* '''Adaptation''': Taking an already existing story and adapting it to text. Generally works best with plot-thin {{Video Game}}s (where some extrapolation to fill holes is fine), it can be done with other visual formats to decent success. If you want to adapt stories that are already text-based you should make sure to examine the events and characters of the original from a new angle. This is very often done by [[POVSequel changing the perspective.]] [[PerspectiveFlip What did the villain feel]] in the end, during her crushing defeat? What did the InnocentBystander witnessing the event, make of it?
19	* '''Continuation''': A story that takes the existing canon and goes further in its same style. This could include filling in details that weren't shown in the original work (e.g. an off-screen character's struggles that were only alluded to on-screen). This is one's best bet for a wide audience, but it requires a decent understanding of the entire work.
20	* '''Divergence''': Taking an existing story and asking "what if?" on a crucial detail. What if [[VillainHasAPoint 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.
21	* '''ElsewhereFic''': Using the setting minus the main cast of characters as a backdrop for some new characters and their adventures. Video games, TabletopGames, and especially {{MMORPG}}s lend themselves very well towards this. Many games like ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'', and ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' are almost exclusively designed just for this purpose. One still has to follow the established rules of the universe, though.
22	* '''[[AlternateUniverseFic 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.
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24	All of these are valid formats and each one presents its own challenges. A beginner is best off doing some Adaptation with some small bits of Continuation to get a feel for writing within the canon. Don't be afraid to cultivate your own style; while it should feel like it belongs within the canon, it will not stand out if there isn't some personal flourish to it one can call their own.
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26	!!Step two: Determine your genre
27	The next part is to determine the genre of the story. Genres within fanfiction are as numerous and unlimited as those outside of it, but there are a couple that are worth talking about in particular.
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29	* '''[[OriginalFlavor More Of The Same]]''': Telling a complete story in the existing canon with the same general subject matter, style, pacing, etc. as an installment of the original work. These stories don't usually include any major changes to the situation; instead, they merely attempt to create further adventures in a favorite series. The stories may take place after the end of the series, in between canon events, or at an unspecified time. This format is usually applied to series that are highly episodic, with each story or episode having a self-contained plot that is wrapped up by the end.
30	* '''[[{{Shipping}} Romance]]''': Focusing on the relationships of the canon characters in ways the main plot does not address. Easily the most common genre within fanfiction these days, it has received a lot of flak for often missing the point. Most of these have very little connection to their canons. This is not to say that it is an invalid genre, but aiming exclusively for romance does not distinguish oneself too far.
31	** '''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. While there's nothing exactly ''wrong'' with writing a story like this, please warn your readers with a ContentWarning or mention of the fetish in the summary. Nobody wants to be surprised by a kinky story.
32	* '''[[LetsYouAndHimFight Versus]]''': Sometimes, you just want to explore [[HypotheticalFightDebate 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.
33	* '''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}} separating 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.
34	* '''[[CrackFic Something Completely Different]]''': Sometimes, you just want to use the characters as a CommediaDellArte troupe, or have something that doesn't fit in any other area. Stories like this usually take an idea or concept in the series proper and averts, subverts, inverts or just plain messes with it. Either that, or it takes the established characters/world as [[InNameOnly very loose guidelines]]. Very closely linked to the ''AlternateUniverse'' or ''Divergence'' methods of fic writing, but can conceivably work in any style. Some fic tend to break down into this on the way to DeadFic territory as well. This is the hardest one to pull off, as it requires breaking of certain literary/characterization/canon rules. However, if you want to play with the story and its characters; this can take you to great heights (or at the very least, get you some interesting reviews).
35	* '''Prequel''': How did the characters meet? How did the main couple get together? What was it like when a particular character was younger? And just what was Alice referring to when she mentioned [[NoodleIncident that time Bob glued himself to the wall]]? If the answers aren't in canon, a prequel fic could be your way of answering these questions and more. Just remember that these stories have a ForegoneConclusion by default, and if you're writing about a character's childhood, make sure you know how to convincingly write a child.
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37	!! Step three: Determine your medium.
38	* '''Written''': This is the most common medium that fanfic creators choose for their work, and is in many ways the most prevalent. This one places heavy emphasis on good writing ability and storytelling.
39	* '''FanWebComics''': For those with a more artistic bent, this medium may be for you. Knowledge of SequentialArt 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.
40	* '''FanFilm''': Knowledge of filmmaking and special effects are required for this particular medium, as well as good acting ability for those you choose to bring aboard with you. As you will likely be nowhere near the level of money required for a big-budget production, you'll want to go on Youtube and check out the many ways to achieve special effects on a low budget. Also be aware of the risks of using copyrighted music, especially if you release the film on Youtube.
41	* '''WebAnimation''': This one requires knowledge of 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.
42	* '''VisualNovel''': This one is a lesser-known medium, but which has produced some good works in general. For full details, see [[SoYouWantTo/MakeAVisualNovel So You Want To Make A Visual Novel]].
43	* '''ROM Hack''': Popular in video game fandoms, this format uses source code modification to create your story.
44	* Really, any medium you can create a story in is usable to make a fanfic.
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46	!! Step four: Determine your style.
47	* '''OriginalFlavor''': Are you sticking as closely to the tone and mood of the original work as possible?
48	* '''DarkFic''': 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.
49	* '''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 a DarkFic.
50	* '''EarnYourHappyEnding''': Or, heck, are you doing a little of both? Fights are harder, the risk of death is real, all of the conflict is more gray or [[BlueAndOrangeMorality technicolor]], and yet the moment of glory is just that much sweeter for it all? Of course, there's also the risk of MoodWhiplash and MoodDissonance tossing the reader right out of the story if it isn't done well, just like with making it darker or lighter.
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52	!! Do's and Don'ts
53	Though good fanfiction does exist on the net, it is hard to come by. Try to avoid these common mistakes in your fan fic.
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55	* '''MarySue''': If you decide to use an [[OriginalCharacter OC]] in your fan fic, please try and flesh them 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.
56	* '''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. Also, even if the canon characters never do anything to ''contradict'' their personalities, if they never do anything distinctive to their personalities, that's generally a bad sign since it makes them seem too generic.
57	* '''FandomSpecificPlot''': If a certain pairing in your chosen fandom has hundreds of {{Hurt Comfort Fic}}s with Character A and Character B, try something other than Hurt/Comfort when writing that pairing.
58	* '''DeadFic''': 90% or so of multi-chapter fanfics will fail to finish. The key to making sure ''yours'' doesn't is to understand the leading causes of DeadFic. Before you begin writing, answering these questions may help you gain an understanding of your fic's potential lifespan:
59	** "Am I writing primarily to receive reader feedback? If I don't receive the level of feedback I desire, how will I take that?"
60	** "Do I enjoy the series/game as much as I used to? How interested in the series am I at the moment? Will I lose interest anytime soon?"
61	** "Do I have time in my life to commit to this? Or, am I standing at a crossroads where I may soon find fanfiction writing (especially for ''this'' series) unimportant?"
62	** "How confident am I in my writing ability?"
63	** "Do I have a plan for my story, or do I want to start it just to see where it goes?"
64	* '''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 [[FoeYayShipping enemies overcome by mutual lust]]. Before you write for a pairing, figure out their dynamic.
65	* '''Planning''': Perhaps the biggest pitfall in fanfics at the moment is lack of planning. Many fanfics are conceived from an inspiration for a central plot twist or a really good ending. Unfortunately, the audience will never see that twist or that ending because the author never considered how they would ''get there'', and doing so becomes a long, tedious, boring journey for both the reader and the author, resulting in the author losing interest and the fic becoming [[DeadFic dead]]. To prevent "plot fatigue" from happening, try one of these things:
66	** Try a smaller scope. Your fanfic doesn't have to be an epic 100-chapter saga. Try a one-shot or an 8-chapter piece first, and see where that gets you. You may learn something about yourself.
67	** Or, if you're dead sure you ''want'' to make that 100-chapter saga, try making the ''whole thing'' awesome! Don't wait until Chapter 86 where Alice finds out that Bob is her brother and that they're actually stuck in an alternate dimension... Instead, why not plant a juicy plot twist or new revelation in every chapter? It'll keep you interested and it'll keep the audience dying to know what happens next.
68	*** But keep in mind, there can be too much of a good thing. If it ever feels like you have to get your revelations from [[AssPull out of your lower intestine somewhere]] then give yourself a BreatherEpisode or three. Trying to [[SerialEscalation steadily increase the awesomeness]] all the time can add more stress to the rigors of keeping up a long story up. Planning out and writing in arcs can go a long way to prevent the burnout that epics tend to bring.
69	** Be careful if writing a GenreShift. A lighthearted romantic comedy could certainly become a chilling horror story, but have you [[CerebusSyndrome foreshadowed]] the change? Is it [[DiabolusExMachina internally]] [[DeusAngstMachina consistent]]? Is it what the readers are expecting? WhamEpisode[=s=] are all well and good, but if they come out of nowhere, your readership will likely be alienated. Also, provide honest content warnings.
70	* '''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 they may assume you're also bad at writing a story.[[note]]Creative writing and summarising are separate skills, but some readers don't realise that.[[/note]] (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.
71	* '''Author's Notes''': Never insert these ''inside'' a story; it breaks the feeling of immersion and distracts the reader. Any meta notes should be placed at the beginning or end of a chapter. Make sure they're distinct from the story so that the reader's eye can just skip past them easily.
72	** If knowing a certain fact is vital to understanding the fanfic, usually you can introduce that fact within the story, not outside it.
73	** It can be tempting, but don't spoil the story in the Author's Notes (although it's okay to say things like "If you don't like horrible gay rape, don't read this story").
74	** Don't make them long and tedious. Don't feel obliged to reply to your reviewers. If you want to do that, there's a PM system. Readers don't care about your holiday in Majorca, even if it did keep you from putting a chapter up. And if you took a time out, don't waste your time writing a long and boring apology, just write the damn story.
75	** 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 [[{{Narm}} shatters immersion and drama]], lightens the mood, and gives the reader the constant nagging suspicion that they are missing the joke.
76	* '''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 Platform/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.
77	* '''AsYouKnow''': Remember, you are familiar with the main character, and those who start reading the fanfic are probably familiar as well. But are you going to reference specific stories from canon? Are you going to use other, less-known characters? Don't just assume the reader will know about them. Explain, even if in a nutshell, what was the event about, or which is the deal about the character.
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79	!!Posting
80	You have a number of options when it comes time to post your story. [[note]]Some writers post on multiple websites.[[/note]] Some of the most common are:
81	* 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 easy to navigate, designed for easy communication, and is known for hosting a lot of less-than-great fanfics. However, fic can still reach an extensive and appreciative audience, so consider your options!
82	* Platform/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.
83	* Website/DeviantArt - Despite being mainly for graphic art, it includes a Literature section, which itself features a fanfiction section.
84	* Website/DreamWidth, Website/InsaneJournal, etc - Essentially [=LiveJournal=] clones, although navigation and terminology differ.
85	* [[{{Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn}} Archive of our Own]] - Similar to Fanfiction.net above, but far easier to use and has a much, ''much'' more versatile tagging and archiving system, and offers the user a very great deal more freedom in general. It also features pages and coding to make some of the above fests easier to run (and hosts the well-known [[http://fanlore.org/wiki/Remix_Redux_6#We_Invented_The_Remix_Redux Remix_Redux]] and [[http://fanlore.org/wiki/Yuletide Yuletide]], among many others), and unlike Fanfiction.Net, allows the user to create a category for a particular canon if it doesn't already exist. It also has a reputation for quality. However, it's noted for low comment rates (although it does have a Kudos function, similar to "likes" on Website/YouTube or Facebook but with more impact) and something of a dearth of anime and manga fandoms, and currently requires invite codes to get an account (although they're not necessarily too hard to find, with a bit of Googling.)
86	* Website/{{Tumblr}} - Many fan-artists and fanfic writers migrated here following the increasing hostility of [=LiveJournal=] as a platform. Many of the same things that used to happen on [=LiveJournal=] also happen here, including competitions and fests, though since the ban on adult content in 2018 has led some to head elsewhere.
87	* [[http://www.wattpad.com Wattpad]]- is a place to discover and share stories: a social platform that connects people through words. It is a community that spans borders, interests, languages. With Wattpad, anyone can read or write on any device: phone, tablet, or computer. Originally started as a place for original fiction, the amount of fanfiction has grown over the years. The site encourages fanfiction as equivalent to original fiction in its contests and popularity ratings. They have [[http://www.wattpad.com/go/writing-contests fanfiction writing contests]] and fanfiction challenges like [[http://www.wattpad.com/takethepledge #JustWriteIt]].
88	* [[FanfictionArchives 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.

Context SoYouWantTo / WriteAFanfic