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pentacle-artist · 3 years

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How to Write Fanfiction: A Guide/School Assignment

Fanfiction is a common practice among fans. It lets someone explore their favorite characters in scenarios that wouldn't be explored in canon. Another way it's frequently used is to have a version of canon that does not rip out a fan's heart or makes them cry. These are called fix-it fics.

It can be daunting though so here's a simple guide to start.

Step 1: Choose a hosting site

There are two main sites people use to read and post fanfiction on. Archive of Our Own (AO3) and Wattpad. There is also the option of making your own blog with something like Wix.com or Google Blogger. While this is completely viable, keep in mind that way less people will actually read your stories.

For the purposes of the guide, we will be using AO3.

Step 2: Get an Editor (Optional)

This is optional but highly recommended. If you are confident in your ability to find grammatical and spelling errors, go ahead and do it yourself. If you frequently have run on sentences, probably get a friend or family member who's in the first category to give your story a read over.

Side note: I highly recommend using Google Docs. It takes up less space, spelling is less of an issue and it's easier to get the story to the editor.

Step 3: Pick a Fandom

This is fairly self explanatory. Choose what inspires you and gives you an idea. Forcing creativity doesn't help anyone.

Step 4: Do some Planning

This is probably the most difficult step. It all has to do with what kind of story you want to do.

Is it multiple chapters or a one-shot? If it's the former then you should probably plan. You could skip it if you just want to screw around, no shame there. While one-shots are easier to keep track of in your head, some notes are still a good idea.

Is it an alternate universe (AU) or canon compliant? Canon compliant is in the name, and there is still a variety of things you can do, like what was going through a character's head during a dramatic scene.

An AU will probably need more planning. since it usually completely strays from canon. Like a royal AU involves things like kingdom dynamics.

Is it focused on a relationship? Keep the dynamic in mind and how it would translate to your story.

And don't be ashamed of rarepairs, we all have them. And at least one other person ships it too.

Step 5: Write and Edit First Draft

This is the hard part. My advice is to put in effort and you can stray from the plan a bit if it serves the story. Listen to your editor, it will help the story greatly. Also it's fine to use words like "said" and "asked". Variety is good but you're not writing an English assignment.

Step 6: Final Polish

This is where you take your editor's advice and apply it. Be sure to do a read over or two yourself after you're done, you might notice some wording or a repeated word you can change.

Step 7: Upload

Titles

This can be difficult and fun. If it was inspired by a song then you're set, use the song title. Another option is referencing a quote or something important in the story. The title could just make zero sense until the end of the story. It's entirely up to you.

Ratings

Alright, this is more serious. Everyone has a different comfort level. This also ties into warnings but I'm not experienced enough to talk about them.

G = General. This is where you put a majority of fluff, or hurt/comfort there's no swearing and little warnings. There can be angst and a little blood. A good rule of thumb is: If an elementary student could safely read it, it can be rated G

T= Teen. This has more swearing and warnings in search results and can get pretty dark. Not 100% safe for kids but still probably fine.

M=Mature. This is where stuff starts to get graphic and a bit NSFW. You can put in stuff like body horror, gore, light adult funtime, etc.

E=Explicit. NSFW, 18+, tread carefully unless you have no shame.

Unrated. All I can say here is, be sure to have the right tags, nobody wants surprise NSFW.

Summaries

Briefly explain the story or the concept, entirely optional. It's not that complicated. If you've seen a book you know what to do.

Notes

Also optional, could be at the beginning or the end. Use this to give background to your writing process or your opinion on something that happened in the fandom it's for.

Tagging Etiquette

I can not emphasize enough how important it is to properly tag your work. Tags have more information than the summary ever reasonably could. Tag the included characters, tag the relationships (not always romantic), is there baking? Tag it. Is it a high school AU? Tag it. Are there werewolves? Tag it. Include the relevant information.

BUT

Do not overdo it

If it takes up a phone screen or resembles a CVS receipt edit it down

Now go write your story, have fun with it.

#school assignment #fanfic

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