Fan Fiction Fellow Writers - Come Chat!

I can't believe it's been well over a month since I even did some writing. :gasp:

Didn't think that I'd have loads of assignments to do in Creative Writing, but I've been managing to keep in touch with writing by jotting some stuff down in my new notebook. Speaking of which, do any of you keep a notebook with you to do exactly that? Mary, my Writing Drama and Writer's Notebook tutor, says it's vital for any writer to have one wherever they are ...

I can see why she's right, considering I used to keep all the ideas I had in my head. But now I've began to write them all down, so I don't forget in some cases. xD
 
I have a notebook solely for any ideas or thoughts I have. Some of them are specifically for certain books I'm planning in the future but its basically my idea book. When it comes to actually planning what I'm going to write, I have a 'matching' document with my novel. I summarize each chapter I do before I write it. It helps me to keep the thoughts I have together and still remember it. It also helps for me to plan ahead of time, so I can summarize several chapters if I'm not in a 'real' writing mood. So, just bring up the summary document and I can be ready to go, usually several chapters ahead. It really doesn't take all that long when comparing the time it takes to write a chapter summary than an entire chapter itself.

I'm in the midst of writing an original novel. I was thinking of posting it on here, but I'm not sure. I prefer to get at least one or two comments from people. It just helps to get some kind of clue that people are reading. Some sort of reassurance that I'm not totally wrong that I want to be a writer. I did recently post a random short story, sci fi thriller just for fun. Sort of a test to see if anybody checks it out or comments. We'll see I guess.
 
There's always a risk about posting an original novel.

Firstly, someone can always steal the idea when it's not copyrighted. Secondly, hardly anyone will comment on it and even if it may be a good idea as well.

I do intend to post mine someday, but am sticking close to the FFF Crisis series for now. I've got at least another two planned after the third one, which I'm currently underway with right now, and a prequel that takes place in the three years before the first one.
 
True. I suppose I'm just not the same kind of writer who makes the most of places like this or fanfiction.net. I very rarely feel all that strongly about an unoriginal thing, whether it be anime or video games, to want to take the massive amount of time it can/usually takes to write something. Unless your doing a one time thing. I've never done a fanfiction anything myself. I don't even like roleplaying in unoriginal RP's all that much. But that's mostly thanks to the crappy Kingdom Hearts RP's I was subjected to years before...

Not to sound selfish, but the obvious difference between fanfiction and original writing works I find very irritating. You take all the extra time it takes to come up with a setting, mythology, cities and nations and possibly religion, along with original characters and plot, having little if any feedback. However, if you're doing a Final Fantasy fanfiction that shows so much as a cameo of a popular character, let the comments flow in. It just annoys me, but like I said, I've had foul experiences with bad fanfiction in the past. It's caused me to have a natural response to run in the opposite direction. I'm sure there are decent ones out there, so as to sound somewhat fair.
 
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What's wrong is that people don't take a chance with originality. It annoys the hell out of me because there's a chance to show your work instead of a fanfiction and no one even takes any notice. What you have to do is advertise, advertise and advertise. Annoy the hell out of people until they do read it! :grin:
 
That's worked for me before. :lew:

If its in book form then there's probably a somewhat better chance they'd look at it at least XD. One of my friends took all of the chapters I finished and had emailed to her, printed them out and binded them into a make due manuscript. Then she made copies and started handing them out to her friends to read. I was mortified but it actually turned out pretty well. :gonk: I still say she would make the perfect assistant, lmao. But anyway, maybe I'll give some fanfiction a shot (again). I might check yours out Cheryl once I have some free time on my hands. I'm guessing they're a little on the older side when it comes to forums though. So maybe posting a comment would get me in trouble. :hmmm:
 
Nah, it wouldn't get you into trouble. Long as you follow the rules and such, you'll be fine. Just keep within them. I've had loads of things stopping me from writing. I've had university assignments, been ill with this bad cold and some personal disputes with other people that have put me on hiatus for the time being. I could also blame writer's block, but I bet the people on here would say I use it WAY too much. Never mind! xD
 
Well, let me begin sequentially. Yes, I always keep a notebook on hand for writing. Usually, I write out chapters of my book, and later I elaborate and edit ruthlessly on the computer. I also use it to jot down any ideas, character development, world mechanics, even snatches of poetry. Like this one here, I would've forgotten it if I hadn't written it down when it came to me in math class:

I shall lie here in the darkness
and wait for death to come --
'till the day we must confess
and our sins are brought to sum.

Not bad for a random thought! I think I've been carrying around a notebook since 9th grade, which is around when I started writing my book. Wow. That's over 4 years. O.O

Yes, there is a lot of danger posting an original novel, so be sure to announce that everything is copyrighted and you are the owner!!! But Exire, sorry to be blunt, but you can't linger on the edges tentatively testing what people might think or say about your work. I say this bluntly because I did the same thing, and I suffered for it, and I don't want you to do the same! Also, you're missing one of the main rules of forum critiquing -- if you want any, then you must give some as well.

If it's comments you are looking for, real solid honest-to-god critique, then you must go to a writing forum. Here's one for you: http://www.locution-zine.com/forums/index.php

The people there are good, solid writers who know what they are doing. They won't steal any of your work (a few have published stories of their own so they don't copy anything), offer a wide variety about plot, structure, style, and meaning, and they're tight-knit group, and very friendly. But there are 2 things you must know:

First, don't be defensive about your work. I'm not saying you are, but lots of people tend to be. You want critique? You'll get it. But know that critique is far from praise.

Second, you must pay it forward. You will not get any critique if you don't critique others work in return. Even if you feel you're too amatuerish to know anything (one of my early mis-beliefs) you are still a reader, and from that position you can still point out awkward lines, clumsy words, confusing description, or drab prose. Whatever you do, give crit to others and they will crit you. That's the game rule, and all must play by it.

If you like writing, don't let a lack of comments prevent you from pursuing that career! Move to the right place and you're writing will quickly whip into shape. In fact, I'm going to nag you to join that forum I posted. Registering is easy, be sure to introduce yourself, leave a crit on at least one previously posted work (it needn't be long, but I do long ones myself) and then post just the first chapter of your work. When I started writing, it was abysmal, I'm not afraid to admit that. But those people on that forum really whipped my writing into something very nice indeed, and all you need do is click 'register' to get the same benefit. So do it! Both of you in fact! *brandishes stick*

Not to sound selfish, but the obvious difference between fanfiction and original writing works I find very irritating. You take all the extra time it takes to come up with a setting, mythology, cities and nations and possibly religion, along with original characters and plot, having little if any feedback. However, if you're doing a Final Fantasy fanfiction that shows so much as a cameo of a popular character, let the comments flow in. It just annoys me, but like I said, I've had foul experiences with bad fanfiction in the past. It's caused me to have a natural response to run in the opposite direction. I'm sure there are decent ones out there, so as to sound somewhat fair.
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Ah. 'Fanservice' I hate you so....

Yes, I understand completely, but I also think you're in the wrong place for it. As I alraedy said, this is a gaming and anime forum, not a writing one. You want real writing, go to the right kind of forum.

And to warn you.... that forum I've been recommending? Yeah, they tend to dislike fanfiction. At least, the kind of fanfiction that is obsessed with solving love triangles, features UBER BADASS characters that have personalities of tofu, and overall is just a shrine of the chars and game but made with letters and not brick.

So! There is a fanfiction area, however. If you feel the need to post your fanfiction, feel free! There was a positive reaction to mine when I showed a well-respected member the first chapter, and that was because I wrote my fanfic entirely in a logical, realistic way -- treating the characters as people with human reactions, not god-like avatars. She loved it.

But the general rule is, if you're going to post something for critique, then post something original! You will NEVER encounter the problem you just described with the fans and whatnot. I swear it.

What you have to do is advertise, advertise and advertise. Annoy the hell out of people until they do read it!
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Quoted For The Absolute Truth!

On forums that are NOT dedicated to writing (i.e. this one!) you have to nag. Like a sonofabitch, I might add. In the Project-Evo forums, my fiction was getting zero hits -- then I went onto the shoutbox when it was particularly active and lamented that my story wasn't being read.

In this way, I got a following of about 7-8 readers who immediately demanded a sequel when I had finished. Which I'm still writing, actually -- college is slowing me down considerably. >.< Anyways, yes, you must bitch and moan and complain and whine and be as irritating as possible until people read your work.

Trust me, it works every time. ;P
 
I always have a notebook with me in case the creative faeries strike at me lol.

But Ive been having so many ideas coming through, but none Im getting round to getting started and its soooooooooooooooo frustrating!! I have sadly never finished a story before and I did a creative writing course and unless it was a short story I had no hope in Hell passing. I use to give first chapters every week on different work pieces as work. Some liked them, others hated them. Specially if it was fantasy or horror, which is all I can write.

So any advice guys? I want to write a Persona 3/4 fanpiece so badly and stick to it. Tips on sticking to writing 1 story please lol? Thanks guys.
 
Hm...well it helps to find something your passionate about. I think if you really feel strongly about it, you'll stick with it naturally. Also having spent a lot of time on it helps. I've been working on my novel since I was in high school. I've revised and rewritten it completely from scratch three times now. It eventually got to be that I COULDN'T quit. Not because of being addicted to it or anything but I've spent so much damn time on it. If I just quit, the last three or four years of my time spent working on it would have meant nothing. So I'll finish it if its the last thing I do!

But that's me and I've been working on it for a long time. It depends on the type of person you are, if you work better when you have a plan or if your more of a 'do it on a whim' type person. If you plan things out a lot, maybe you could have a weekly planner with a REQUIREMENT to finish a chapter by the end of the week. If you fail, then you must punish yourself. XD Is that weird? I've done it before, it works if your serious. No video games for a week for me. It was a dark week.

Or if your the other type of person, when your bored, just set in your mind to get writing on it. Kind of like with a video game. Just because you hit a little lull in the game doesn't mean you should play another one and switch between a bunch of them. Finish them one at a time, its much more orderly and quicker that way. So do the same with a story. Write any other ideas you have for other stuff down, you can go back to all of that later anyway. If you write it down, then there's no hurry since its all right there.

It's all in the focus really. I find trying to get myself to write, to be the most difficult. It's after I write the magical first paragraph. XD I call it magical since when I first start, I'm not really in a writing mood. But once I go through that 4 or 6 sentence block of a paragraph, it all starts coming, so by the end of it I'll have written a few pages at least. Getting started is hard, but once you've started and are into it, the creativity in your head sort of does its thing on its own.

There's no magical remedy to make you write one thing at a time though. It's all in self control, I guess is the word haha. No one can hold you down and threaten you to only work on one thing at a time. You have to set your mind to it and...just do it. Work on it a little every day and in a months time, you'd probably be amazed at how much you got done.
 
Wow, good advice there Exire. Thank you. I like the sound of punishment by no gaming for a week, that will be dark for moi lol. But yeah Im really passionate about the Persona fanfic. At the moment Ive got an xmas temp job, so when I get home I try and get some stuff typed out, but there is always a distraction, like family or my fav shows on, then I give up for the night.

But fingers crossed, I can keep at this one! Thank you ^^
 
Exire had it nailed down pretty well! The only thing I can add is organize, organize, organize! For the purpose of keeping my fingers free of carpal-tunnel, I'll copy and paste the advice I gave to Faith a few pages back.

Dragon Mage said:
Faith Crest said:
The problem is with me is that there are far too many ideas to fit in my head. You get all these wonderful ideas for a fanfiction or original work, but then don't know how to put the words down. First chapters are always (particularly the very FIRST one itself) are a major pain. I always let the words flow, but then you can imagine how insecure I feel. Is it good enough? Could it be improved? Should I tone it down?
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This is a common problem for a lot of people. I agree with you, first chapters are a BITCH. I've been through this so let me give you some advice:

First, your ideas are great! Don't write them down in-story though. The first thing you should do is make a seperate document and in there explain to yourself how all of this works, how it happens and why, and how your chacters play a role in it. A case of idea-overspill can kill your story easy--if you can't think of a way to make an idea work with the rest of the story, then set it aside for use somewhere/sometime else or alter it a lot so it can fit.

Second, things shouldn't be too complicated. Slowly explain everything to yourself again. If it's too convoluted for any reader to understand quickly, abandon that idea but consider placing it elsewhere.

A story should have about 5 smaller 'story-lines' or 'braids' as they're called. Each braid follows a different character or someone involved in what's going on. Maybe the idea you have would serve better in a different braid than the one you have it in now?

Third, make sure ALL your ideas are fully fleshed out. It helps you get a better idea of what kind of impact that idea will have and how influential it is on the story overall.

Fourth, when you have all your ideas solidly put down and you've organized what goes where and effects what how, then you can start writing. The first thing you want to ask yourself is 'how can I start this in an interesting way?' Sort out the many ways your protagonist (NEVER start with the antagonist!) could be introduced and pick the one you think feels best.


Remember, the major key is organizing your ideas and understanding them to the fullest. You can't begin writing if you find out you don't know why things are the way they are! (Trust me, I know!) And never be afraid to discard an idea and substitute a new or altered on. Your story will grow over time as you go back and constantly tweak it a little.

Don't second-guess yourself! I cannot stress the importance of this enough. When you think you got soemthing down fairly well, don't give 2cents worrying about if it's too much and can be toned down, or if it can be improved. The answer to that is easy: it can always be improved. That being said, nothing in the world is ever perfect, but you can get damn close.

After you got it down in what looks fairly good, put it up and ask for suggestions. Readers will ALWAYS find something to be fixed that you wouldn't have thought of. Thus begins the next draft, but it can't be started until you finally throw all worry out the window (tied to a piano for good measure) and bluntly ask for creative critique.

I'm on the 4th draft of my book and I would never have gotten there if people hadn't honestly told me that my first ideas weren't working. The result? I world-rehaul. Literally. I had to dramatically change my world-setting for my book (it's a fantasy) compared to my very first draft. But really, I only made small, gradual steps in getting it to the perfect setting it is now.

Your goal is to do the same thing, albeit in different ways. But this rule is the most important: Toss caution out the wind and just write and rewrite!

Also, when you go to do revision, it is just that -- re-vision. You're re-envisioning your setting/plot/character/whathaveyou. That means a whole new creature than the original.

So, I hope this helps you out a bit! And good luck on your writing. (+rep if anyone liked it or thought this helped out!)
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So, I cannot stress enough how important organization is. It makes everything go round. If you follow the steps provided above, you'll assuredly get your story up and running. I had the same problem you did -- I kept losing everything the second I got it down on the page. By organizing, clearly outlining my plot and fleshing out the character's personalities, motives, and history, everything just started coming together. It was the best thing I ever did. So get crackin'! I wants to see some more fantasy writing on this forum!! :D

P.S. Like I said a page ago, if you want real critique and really want to improve your writing, go to that website I posted a link to. The people there are miracle workers. Speaking of, did you check it out Exire?
 
Well i've just had an idea of another story, this one with characters based on human natures. So far i've got Destruction, Creation, Growth, Desire, Love and Freedom, for villains I am going to have them with the character traits of the heroes only in a more out of control state (freedom turning savage, destruction destroying everything he holds dear etc) i've got story worked out and an idea for monster appearances (since it'll have a lot of fantasy involved to start, before showing more futuristic elements later)

However, i'm sure i'm missing something. I've got names to work out at least for locations, corporations etc etc but im sure there's other things to work on... Ideas? :gasp:
 
Damon, I'd write or type them all down. I always carry a notebook around with me to jot anything down that comes to me. I'm loving the concept of it so far. I even thought of another idea (supernatural again xD) and it happening in Bolton, where I live for most of my time now. It's still in the planning stages, but I have names and the plot so far.
 
I keep going backwards and forwards with ideas, but I may have finally found one I'm going to really make work this time! The Jesse Coleman Chronicles are in the developing stages, but I'm mainly focusing on the FFF Crisis series as far as it goes for posting work on the site at the moment.

Writing has been scarce for me lately since I'm a lot busier in my life now I'm at university. I have lectures, play badminton and netball, have assignments, etc. But I'm trying every once in a while to do a little bit to keep me motivated. Funny how a Creative Writing course has actually halted my writing, right? xD
 
Faith Crest said:
Funny how a Creative Writing course has actually halted my writing, right? xD
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:O OMG I know exactly what you mean! It's the second-guessing game I hate the most.

Oh, and a bit of advice to ALL WRITERS that I acquired from my Writer's Digest magazine. I found them extraordinarily helpful.

1) Don't self-edit. It can be tempting, but you must resist the urge to refine and refine and tweak and fix as you are writing your first draft. Just power through it, or else nothing will get done. (I can personally attest to how true that is. NOTHING IS FINISHED.)

2) Write the first draft as quickly as possible. Set a time limit for yourself -- like 2 months, or six weeks. Write the first draft within that time. Don't think about the plot, characters, etc, etc, just write. Sure, the characters will seem shallow, the subplots underdeveloped, the story amazingly abrupt. It'll be rough, but that's why it's called a rough draft. Get the backbone down, then flesh it out later -- now you have a skeleton to work with, making it MUCH easier. You don't write a story from top to bottom, all complete with every detail. You write it from the inside outward.

Thar ya go. I found these to be amazingly helpful! :monster:
 
Hey Hey

I've just put my story into a word document, after 2 years of careful planning and re planning its taken me that long to create all the character names and mix the two main character paths over also to plan how both religion and science will be used to the same ends. Believe me it has been very challenging.. It will not be posted until i have reached chapter 10 at least (just started chapter three an hour ago) and has been proof read lol.
 
Congratulations, Sethol! I've been planning mine for several years as well! Good luck in you writing. I look forward to seeing it up soon!
 
Dood seven years man it must be an INTENSE story i cant wait to see yours ,if you post it lol.

I've also noticed it helps a lot to listen to certain types of music while i write e.g. if im writing a fight scene ill listen to something upbeat and angry, where as if im writing something dramatic, like the loss of a loved one quiet slow music helps. I thought it was quite interesting how music was able to further develop my story so far
 
Um, I don't mean to but in...but is this thread only about fanfiction/RP stories? I write fanfictions and am in the middle of editing my novel.

I don't come across people who love writing as much as I do...so it's hard to find a place to fit in ^^
 
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