Fanfiction 101: Chiriko's Advice
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Well, minna-san, Moonsong-sama just told me I should do a little bit of research into a few different things to help those in fanfic need- to write, that it. She gave me a list, and being the methodical personality that I am, we'll go through this step-by-step.
This is the easiest and hardest. I've never been able to understand why people have so much trouble with this-I'm sure they've have plenty of ideas swimming around, nebulous though they may be. The key is separating the dross from the gold, ne? An idea for a fanfic is quite simply that you think when you say, "I really wish that they had...." or "It should have happened THAT way" or "I wonder why....". If you need to actively hunt for material, I suggest going right to the source, and either watch or read the FY cannon again. I'm sure you'll see some things that you'll want to "correct" (the sign of a fanfic writer), explore, or make fun of. Sometimes I'll go on an FY marathon and watch up to twelve episodes in a sitting, getting an OD.... I tend to have some very interesting dreams afterwards! Another way is to read fanfic. That's the best way to get started- that way, you'll know some standards, and you'll start getting a "feel" for the genre.
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!)
There is no such thing as writer's block. Such a firm, harsh statement, but a theory I avidly subscribe to. Writer's block is an excuse for stopping writing when a difficult section of a fic comes up- and this can be overcome in only one way. Writing. Professional writers do not have the luxury of getting "blocked"- they do it for a living. No writing, no money. If possible, keep several fics in the process, usually at different stages. That way, if you're feeling -ah, blocked, as you would say- on one fic, pick up the editing on another. And so forth. If you can't come up with an idea (and it does happen, but I don't call this "blocked"), just start by describing something. I can't count how many pieces I have on what the wall in front of me looks like. Some of these I've even been able to incorporate into my writing at later points.... I have numerous mountain scenes written, but that's probably because I stare out the window when I'm feeling inspiration-challenged.
Music. Music soothes the soul of the savage beast, but it also inspires the heart of man. Or woman. Or three-tuffed purple-spotted cats who have questionable taste in fashion. Or whatever. I always write to music, and often times the tone of the piece I'm listening to will establish the tone of whatever I write.... a word to the wise- never listen to "Mizu Kagami", "Setsunakutemo...Zutto" and "Kaze no Uta" on repeat- it does funny things to your mind. A good resource for the fanfic writer is the FYFFI, which focuses on Fanfic in particular: http://fyfic.homestead.com/files/fyfic.html A Good Information one is Tasuki no Miko's place: http://www.crosswinds.net/~tasukinomiko And, of course, the BEST resource is your fellow fic writers. Find a writer who you admire. Ask them for help, and tips, even to mentor you- most of them will be delighted.... use them as a sounding board, and it'll help you straighten yourself out. Besides, you might make a good friend or two!
Plenty. But I won't.... no one EVER listens to what the cute l'il kid has to say! But one last thing- where are all the Chiriko fics? I mean, REALLY... of all the Seishi, I have the least background, and no one.... *is cut off as a cloth is stuffed in his mouth by Tasuki* |
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