Fanfiction 101: Beginning a Fic
Beginning a fic is usually one of the hardest times I have. I'll have this wonderful idea, I know where I want it to go... but until I get that first paragraph on paper, it's useless. Usually I'll find a stable point in the fic (Where I *know* what's happening) and work backward in my head until I find a spot that would make a good beginning.
In beginning a fic, a background is extremely important. Make sure you know what the $%@# you're talking about! If you want to use Japanese, make sure you know what the words mean!
Beginning a fic? That's always been the hardest part; but, oddly enough, once I get past the first part, the rest just flies by. Perhaps it's just a matter of waiting until you are sure you have the energy to work hard on it. (And spending some time doing research and study on the idea is always good-especially if it's a fanfic...But I think Chiriko can tell you more about studying than I can. ^_^)
Tama-neko: Get it out!
Um, no, Tama-chan, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to the fanfic writers who might actually be listening to me. Though that dress is a really poor imitation of Miaka's- those odango seem to be crooked, too. Is Mitsukake aware you're crossdressing again?
Anyway, what I mean to say is that the best way to start is to scribble down what the idea is, what lines stick out in your head, what the general point of the fic is. Outlines are not needed by some writers, but others swear by them. I fall somewhere in-between.
An outline is a way to organize your thoughts, and some people don't need them... and you probably won't if you're just doing a one-shot. Longer fics, though, require planning and notes *starts to get a headache* to keep it consistent.
Research is another key thing- hey, I live for my books, and you should, too! Ok, ok.... I might be a little extreme. But it helps if you have a knowledge of the series and keep that in mind as you write- if you make a mistake, people may notice.... (Um, my real name is Ri Houjin.... no, anything but that!)
To begin a fan fic is a bit hard, but if you know what you want to write, it is really easy. It usually is for me, because I have everything planned out. Make a small web, or plan it out. It may take a while, but then writing the fan fic will be a breeze.
Ah! The hardest part is that first sentence no da! All I can say is..put something, anything down no da. You can always come back and change it later. The first thing is to begin.
Then, when you want to begin your fic (and I pull a 10 transition) you can look at your notes and pick an idea. To begin, I usually outline the way I want the story to go. I pick who I want in it, what main things I want to happen and things like that. If I want a really good beginning, I usually skip it. I write something really stupid, then go back to it later.
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