Writing Fanfic with OCs--Conclusion

Now that we've talked about the things that a budding fanfic writer might not know, let talk about some that no writer has any excuse for not knowing:

The NO-NOs of writing.

Literature has a certain format to which it needs to adhere.  There are some mistakes that can be forgiven, and then there are others which can not.  And I do mean, can not.  Let's go over them.

*Every sentence, every single one, starts with a capital letter.  Always.  No exceptions.

*Every name, every single one, starts with a capital letter.  Always.  No exceptions.  Sam is not sam.  Bob is not bob.  Lulu is not lulu. 

*I is always capitalized.  Always.  No exceptions.  I went to the store, where I bought some milk.  NOT: i went to the store, where i bought some milk.

*When a character speaks, the words are always surrounded by quotes, "like" this.  The period or comma goes inside the quote, "like this."

*Each time a new person speaks, you start a new paragraph.  Paragraphs, when on the computer screen, are indicated by a double line space.

Why are these five super important?  Because the person reading your story will immediately deem you as lazy if they see these mistakes.  If a reader thinks you are lazy, there is no way in blue blazes they are going to read your story.  They will get to the first two or three sentences and then stop.  These are mistakes that don't happen in your writing.  Ever.  They aren't even, "Oh, I didn't catch it," mistakes.  They need to be so engrained in your brain that you don't even make them when typing.  No, I am not kidding.

*Know when to use there, their, and they're.

"Also know when to use then and than.

*Know what a word is before you use it, and then use it correctly.  It is cause and effect (an effect is something that happens because something else happened).  I am affected by it (affect is how one is touched in an emotional way).  If you don't know what a word means, use a dictionary.  If you don't have a dictionary, type it up on the search engine, and the first thing that appears will be the definition.

*Spell correctly!  You are allowed a few misspellings.  Everyone gets a few, especially in fanfic, because we aren't overly careful about our editing.  But, you're allowed, oh, one misspelling for every 350 words.  After that, the reader is going to get annoyed.  Use spell check.

*Make sure you put all the words in the sentence!  I will admit, this is my downfall.  In this day and age, when we type as fast as we speak, we tend to miss words when we are in the thick of things.  Usually little ones, like his or her or an, etc.  Go back and read your work, or, better yet, have someone else read it, and put in those missing words. 

Why are these super important?  Because the person reading your story will immediately deem you as dumb if they see these mistakes, unless they also make these mistakes.  If a reader thinks you are dumb, then chances are they will assume that your story is dumb, and they'll stop reading.

The less you commit these writing crimes, the more you will be forgiven when you actually do commit them.  And you will commit them, don't worry.


One last piece of advice before I leave you, fair reader.

Ask for help!!!!

We all need a little help from our friends.  Have your friends help you with improving your writing.

How do you find someone to help you improve your writing?  An easy way is to find a fanfic that you really admire.  You like the style, you see that writing is polished, the story is killer.  Ask that writer to help you.  Not write the story for you.  To help you improve your story, your writing, your craft with the characters and places you love so much that you want to stay there even after the book or show is over.  No one even has to know that you asked!  PM them, don't tell anybody.  If the author asks for credit for their mentoring, don't accept them as your mentor.  They want their ego stroked.  Is it nice to acknowledge someone who has helped you?  Absolutely!!  Do I want to be acknowledged if I help someone?  Darn tootin' right, I do!  Do I stop helping others improve their work because I am not?  Absolutely not.  The point is not for me to get kudos for helping, the point is for me to help.  If the story of my mentee is better because of my help, there is my reward.  No, I'm not saying that facetiously, either. I mean it. 

There are lots of people out there who are waiting for you to come to them and ask them to mentor you in better writing.  Honest, they are.  How do I know?  I'm one of them.  All you have to do is ask.  If they say no?  Well then, you move on.  If you are afraid of being judged, no one has to know you asked, no one has to know they said no.  Eventually, if you're polite and willing to learn, someone will say yes to being your mentor, and then you can run with it!

We need more good fanfic in the world!  We definitely need more great fanfic!  Together, we can make that happen!