How to write a fanfiction

[RBDash 176]

So I have an idea for a fanfiction (it's an adventure story). It'll be my first fanfiction (actually, first major writing project) and I'm not entirely sure how to do things. I'm going to writing everything at once, then publish it because I don't think I'll be able to publish every chapter once I finish it.

 

So far I have written down my OCs, the goals in the story, the overall plot, a list of what I have planned for each chapter, and a cheatsheet for writing in general. I'm still working on how some specific events will go, and how to make sure my phlebotinum isn't immediately obvious.

 

But my question is: am I doing it wrong? Is there a better way to plan and write the story than what I am/will be doing?

[NavelColt 22,880]

I tend to either just wing it, or make a brief outline of the chapter's key points. I'd say you're plenty prepared. It's all about the individual though, just try and see what works for you.

[Nah 3,182]

My advice, write a rough draft on a piece of paper, erase any mistakes, write a final copy, then finally type it on word, when your pleased, type it down on a fanfic website (preferably FiMfiction.net, fanfiction.net, Deviantart, google docs, etc) or the easy way, copy it all there.

 

 

Helpful?

[Twinight125 45]

I feel I do fine with just free writing and people seem to like my work. Being prepared is probably the best way to go though and you seem prepared enough. The main thing to look for is being able to connect each point in a realistic manner. I can't tell you how many stories I've seen where the author made it painstakingly obvious he had written a plot line but only emphasized the points. Which left the transmissions way too short or just lacking in detail. You have to keep the reader interested until they simply must stop reading.

 

Hope you enjoyed my tips

[MVC NVMXD JVRXD 2,406]

In my opinion, there is no right way to write.

[Twinight125 45]

In my opinion, there is no right way to write.

 

That is true in a way haha

[000 206]

Don't worry, your prepared. In fact I might read it.

[Dreadmallon 353]

When writing a fanfiction, I tend to analyze (whatever I'm making a fanfiction of) more than usual, so I can get a feel of the character's personalities and general mood/atmosphere of the whole franchise.

 

For example, for my fanfiction, I watch more FiM episodes to (as I said) analyze the general behavior of the ponies in the show. I then try to memorize those personalities and put them into my fanfiction. Also, I have a pony being encased in stone, as that is what FiM would probably show rather than a death (which, for dramatic effect, I wanted to add). It doesn't seem right to have a death in Equestria, even in a fanfiction.

[False Perception 482]

OOOH!!! I know how to write fanfic!

 

Ruin EVERYTHING.

 

 

Sources:Cupcakes, Rainbow Factory, Insanity Rocket, etc.

[RBDash 176]

Also, I have a pony being encased in stone, as that is what FiM would probably show rather than a death (which, for dramatic effect, I wanted to add). It doesn't seem right to have a death in Equestria, even in a fanfiction.

 

Hearts and Hooves Day has a death. Any my fanfiction will have deaths, as I wouldn't be able to carry out my story without it. Also, I prefer fanfictions that make Equestria more realistic than a G-rated universe.

 

Thanks for the tips everypony, I feel more confident about writing this

[MasterCombine 316]

When writing a fanfiction, I tend to analyze (whatever I'm making a fanfiction of) more than usual, so I can get a feel of the character's personalities and general mood/atmosphere of the whole franchise.

 

For example, for my fanfiction, I watch more FiM episodes to (as I said) analyze the general behavior of the ponies in the show. I then try to memorize those personalities and put them into my fanfiction. Also, I have a pony being encased in stone, as that is what FiM would probably show rather than a death (which, for dramatic effect, I wanted to add). It doesn't seem right to have a death in Equestria, even in a fanfiction.

 

Perhaps. I love the show and the atmosphere it creates. However, I fully intend to have death in my first work of fan fiction, and probably more after that. As long as it's done well, and is necessary to the story you're trying to tell (Not superfluously as in most gorefics/trollfics), I find death to be perfectly acceptable in MLP fics.

 

Hearts and Hooves Day has a death. Any my fanfiction will have deaths, as I wouldn't be able to carry out my story without it. Also, I prefer fanfictions that make Equestria more realistic than a G-rated universe.

 

Thanks for the tips everypony, I feel more confident about writing this

 

I agree with this sentiment as well. Like I said, I absolutely love the show, but there's just something I find intriguing about stories that take the world of MLP in a darker/more realistic light. Not gratuitous, disgusting, unnecessary violence (After a certain point I find gore to be disgusting, especially when it's used simply for shock value), and not the "Oh my god the world is so dark and dreary and oppressive" sort of realism, but content that displays Equestria and the world around it as a place less idealistic than the show portrays it.

Edited May 27, 2012 by MasterCombine

[Dreadmallon 353]

Perhaps. I love the show and the atmosphere it creates. However, I fully intend to have death in my first work of fan fiction, and probably more after that. As long as it's done well, and is necessary to the story you're trying to tell (Not superfluously as in most gorefics/trollfics), I find death to be perfectly acceptable in MLP fics.

 

Having some issues with that, one of the main factors of no death in my fanfiction.

 

Hearts and Hooves Day has a death. Any my fanfiction will have deaths, as I wouldn't be able to carry out my story without it. Also, I prefer fanfictions that make Equestria more realistic than a G-rated universe.

 

Thanks for the tips everypony, I feel more confident about writing this

 

Didn't think of it like that. I'm just having issues making a good death.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

 

Just think of a topic, then write 600 words describing the topic. the end.

[Inkfeather 597]

It's always a good idea to take notes of the ideas you have as well as make sure to note down major events in the story to keep an overview, it depends a lot on the length of the fiction you want to write, but I recommend that you make rough drafts and outlines of the chapters and work outwards from those, extending the original concept to a whole story. Again, note down before you start wrtiting, what you want the chapter to contain, it gives a much better overview and understanding of your own work even before you start working on it.

 

If it's a oneshot, a short story or anything that is the length of a regular chapter or between 3k to 10k words, then this isn't THAT necessary, but I would still recommend it since it's much easier to produce quality writing and story progression when the author have a complete overview of his own story.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

In my opinion, there is no right way to write.

 

 

 

But it really depends on the writer to know if the writer is prepared to write.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited April 29, 2021 by Blue

[MasterCombine 316]

Currently I'm writing a fiction.

Likely to be in the order of 60,000 words long by my estimate, I'm making it in an experimental format:

 

I wrote the story plan in a single paragraph, wrote a 5000 word essay on the sort of things I planned on happening, then began writing all the dialogue like a script, describing bare-bones actions (if any) and simplifying environments to only footnotes (At Sweet Apple Acres)

Once the plot has been nailed down by way of character's speech, then I'll actually begin writing it.

 

This seems like an interesting approach to take. When you say story plan, do you mean like a very generalized synopsis of the entire story, from beginning to end? How detailed was the essay? Did it contain stuff like background info on certain characters and a general plan for the scenes and events that would unfold in the story, or was it deeper than that?

 

Have you used this script-like method before, and has it worked for you? I intend to write my very first fic in the near future, and I intend to start the process of planning it very soon.

 

The approach I'm planning on using is to first write down a vague plan of the story (ie. any ideas I have for events and the general order in which they occur, then draft profiles for my characters (With varying degrees of detail depending upon how important they are to the story). After that I would proceed to write generalized chapter/scene outlines, making sure that I know what's going to happen in each scene/why the scene is happening, but not being so detailed that I don't leave myself any room for improvisation. One of the things that interests me is how other authors go about preparing to write a story, so I'm just curious about the process you're using.

Edited May 28, 2012 by MasterCombine

[Aureity 3,055]

I can't tell you much. I just wing the story, and if I'm not too lazy, I'll go back later and make edits.

 

It doesn't sound like a good idea, but it does work for me.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This seems like an interesting approach to take. When you say story plan, do you mean like a very generalized synopsis of the entire story, from beginning to end? How detailed was the essay? Did it contain stuff like background info on certain characters and a general plan for the scenes and events that would unfold in the story, or was it deeper than that?

 

Have you used this script-like method before, and has it worked for you? I intend to write my very first fic in the near future, and I intend to start the process of planning it very soon.

 

The approach I'm planning on using is to first write down a vague plan of the story (ie. any ideas I have for events and the general order in which they occur, then draft profiles for my characters (With varying degrees of detail depending upon how important they are to the story). After that I would proceed to write generalized chapter/scene outlines, making sure that I know what's going to happen in each scene/why the scene is happening, but not being so detailed that I don't leave myself any room for improvisation. One of the things that interests me is how other authors go about preparing to write a story, so I'm just curious about the process you're using.

 

The essay was quite detailed in regards to the characters but like the synopsis partly vague for the actual plot. I run the plot by "keyframes" simply with a given plan of what exchange or action takes place there, and then leaving it. What actions and descriptions happen around those keyframes I often make up as I write, essentially improvising up to that point and then improvising from that "keyframe" out of the scene and then to the next one.

For example "Sweet Apple Acres, explain what happened to AJ, then head to the field"

And how that explanation and heading out actually plays out, I have the freedom of making up on the spot as I write.

 

The problem for me is that I tend to have weak openings and creativity usually dries up for the climax. I often have great ideas for the buildup and the very tail end, but the whole "climax" part leaves me hanging.

 

I've never written a story in this fashion before, but learning from my mistakes I will not be releasing the completed work chapter-by-chapter. All at once or not at all for me from now on.

[Glovestrong 1]

I, myself, usually get a rough idea of what I want with a story, then have a natural flow of scenes as I go along (a.k.a I single-hoofedly wing it. ba-dum-tish). So, have some semblance of where you start, where you wanna end up, and important events in the middle, because otherwise it's gonna fall apart somewhere.

 

Also, if you know for a fact you're not a very good writer (grammar and spelling mistakes all over the place), PLEASE get an editor. Lots of people are very willing to help.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

go in the Fimfiction chatroom. You will either get help, or porn. It's a 50-50 chance.

[Marcusaralius76 150]

Generally, you want to write out a full chapter, then write the same chapter again, but without the first draft to aid you. Take the two drafts and pick and choose the best parts of both.

 

Also, I'd suggest getting a copy of "The Elements of Style" It's a very cheap, nifty pocket guide to good writing. Pretty much anything you'll need to know about writing well is in there.

[Lazy 66]

I'd recommend reading On Writing by Stephen King. He gives some great advice for all kinds of writing in there. And it's not dry either, it was actually very entertaining

[CluelessLlama13 55]

go in the Fimfiction chatroom. You will either get help, or porn. It's a 50-50 chance.

 

L. O. L. XD