The things I learned about writing while writing fan fic

[panyasan]

About two years ago I started to write again – and soon it became a passion of mine.

I like to learn more about writing and I discovered that I learn a lot by doing it.

Here are a couple of things I learned:

1. Always use a beta: not only to correct your language, but also to point out your blind spots and give you a kick in the butt when you need it. A good beta makes your story better.

2. You're not important: the story is.

I once wrote a scene that I really loved. However, I couldn't fit in the story I was working on. Not without totally bending the story out of shape.
So I took the scene out. I saved it and later on I could use it in another story. It fitted perfectly.

3. Don't explain everything; leave some space for your readers imagination.

4. Don't write something you don't feel comfortable with. It shows.

5. When you want to write a funny story, don't sit down trying to write a funny story. It's not going to be funny.

6. It works better if you take a situation that you think it's funny or you can make it amusing by adding remarks or situations.

7. If you're grinning like a idiot with every line you write, you're hit the nail. It's funny. Well, at least you laughed.


8. If you have to explain a joke to your beta – bad sign. The joke falls flat, so drop it.


So the question is: what are the things you learned while writing fan fic?

BTW, this post is not beta-ed. Any mistakes – blame my Open Office spelling check.

[Misplaced]

I've learned what you've written. Especially the funny part. Sometimes I don't even know something is funny until after readers point it out.

Other things that I've learned (or am learning)

1. Use the least amount of words possible to convey a meaning or description.

2. Use "active voice" (one of things that one of my betas is always harping on me about -- I'm still learning what this actually means! LOL)

3. If the characters aren't 3-dimensional real to you, they won't be to the readers either.

4. A little research goes a long way.

5. Love it. If it's supposed to be light or sweet, have fun. If it ain't fun, then it'll show. If it's supposed to be dark and conflicted, then really feel it with your characters.

6. Lastly, write the story your heart wants to tell. I struggled for a bit with "Unexpected Too" because I ended up feeling like I had to address some issues that I wasn't originally planning on for the sake of the readers. Fortunately, I found my way through that with a chapter posting soon and am able to return to my original vision for the story.

7. Really lastly , don't be afraid to work on more than one story at once. Sometimes switching to another project can help you get over a creative block!

[Kathy Rose]

2. You're not important: the story is.

I once wrote a scene that I really loved. However, I couldn't fit in the story I was working on. Not without totally bending the story out of shape.
So I took the scene out. I saved it and later on I could use it in another story. It fitted perfectly.

This is so true, panyasan! Once I became able to rip my writing apart, it got a lot better. And easier! There are times that a passage is wonderful, but it just doesn't work for that particular story.

In the same vein, nothing irks me more than betaing...and I try to tread lightly and not impose my own views on the author, only what the story needs, because a beta needs to respect the author's style...and then having the author totally disregard important changes. I even go so far as to say in some instances that what I'm saying should be changed is a suggestion. But when I point out that something really needs to be changed for the sake of the story and then it's ignored.... Sort of defeats the purpose of asking to have your story beta'd, then ignoring constructive advice.

That's also why I don't take on new authors to beta. I kind of got burned out on the process.

[EntAllat]

3. Don't explain everything; leave some space for your readers imagination.

This is the one that I run across the most and even some of the most well written fics by writers I respect do this. (Usually by having an OC character convey it through expository dialog.) As a reader I find it intensely frustrating and it pulls me right out of the story; sometimes I want to stop and tell the author, "Yeah, yeah - I got it. It's okay, you didn't need to tell me that."

It's so much sweeter to read between the lines and discover what the author is trying to convey. As a reader it makes me feel involved in the story and really draws me in as I start to put things together and it's what makes a story a story and less of a textbook.


What I've learned from writing fanfic:

That I struggle with the opposite of the above - i.e. with being too vague and not explaining enough. A beta always helps! They point out where they don't understand something and I can see that I didn't let enough out of my head and into the story.

Something else I didn't learn this so much from writing fanfic as I did from writing research papers: don't be afraid of the red pen! Consider yourself very lucky if you have a beta who is willing to really question and comment all over your story; they've put effort into helping you to improve it. You don't have to take all the advice but consider it a gift and not that your beta is being mean or thinks poorly of you or your writing. They're there to help you!

One other bit of advice: If you write to entertain others, keep your audience in mind. If you write to entertain yourself, then don't take criticism personally - not everyone is entertained by the same things.

[Misplaced]

2. You're not important: the story is.

I once wrote a scene that I really loved. However, I couldn't fit in the story I was working on. Not without totally bending the story out of shape.
So I took the scene out. I saved it and later on I could use it in another story. It fitted perfectly.

This is so true, panyasan! Once I became able to rip my writing apart, it got a lot better. And easier! There are times that a passage is wonderful, but it just doesn't work for that particular story.

In the same vein, nothing irks me more than betaing...and I try to tread lightly and not impose my own views on the author, only what the story needs, because a beta needs to respect the author's style...and then having the author totally disregard important changes. I even go so far as to say in some instances that what I'm saying should be changed is a suggestion. But when I point out that something really needs to be changed for the sake of the story and then it's ignored.... Sort of defeats the purpose of asking to have your story beta'd, then ignoring constructive advice.

That's also why I don't take on new authors to beta. I kind of got burned out on the process.

I laughed when I read this. It made me think of recently when my dear friend who is beta-ing Dark Echoes for me (and knows that I'm using it as a vehicle to further develop my writing skills... for an eventual career outside of fanfiction), sent back a chapter to me. I read her notes in both her e-mail and in the fic and this was my reaction that I shared with her:

To the e-mail: But, but it's MU Trip. He's not just dark, he's darkly dark. He makes dark look light. Okay, maybe not. But really, he's dark. At least moderately dark. Ah crap. I gotta baaaaaad feeling about this.

To the notes: (Immediately) SCREW IT! I'm a no talent hack and I should just quit while I'm floundering. *weeps a little* (5 minutes later) Okay, maybe it's not that bad, despite all the purple. (20 minutes later) Well, if she's reading it that way -- not the way I intended, will others read it that way too? (30 minutes later) You know, she's right. I can do this better. (NOW) Major overhaul, here I come, baby!

When I stepped outside of myself and my little haze of "dang this stuff I just wrote is brilliant!" I could see exactly what she was talking about. The story is so much better for it.

But it really does come down to why do you want a beta in the first place? Do you want to improve and write a kick-ass story or do you just want someone to spell check and lavish you with praise, regardless of the problems?

Yeah, that really is a good point: The story is what is important in the end, if you want to write a great one.

[panyasan]

You know, when you write a story and put your heart into it, it's kind of hard to hear critic. But it's true - a good beta will point out the weak point, sometimes advice you to go in a different direction and make the story better - and make you a bette writer. Sometimes a review can help you as well. The clue is to keep a open mind.

I once wrote two chapters that are still dear to me. However, some of my reviewers were complaining about that they were confused about the timeline (it was a flashback). Made me very aware always provide your readers with enough information.

Now I have a habit when writing, which may be have to do with the fact that English isn't my first language. When I write, I sort of "taste" the words. For example: I am writing a scene with a bitter, inside angry Malcolm. He has blackmailed a officer to get information about the so called death of Trip. When he thinks about this, I used the word "mused".

But "mused" sounded/taste too soft. So I choice the word "contemplate".
A word I am not totally happy with, but I choose words on ground of sounds, feel and what I think their meaning is. Am I the only one?

[Kathy Rose]

But "mused" sounded/taste too soft. So I choice the word "contemplate".
A word I am not totally happy with, but I choose words on ground of sounds, feel and what I think their meaning is. Am I the only one?

I don't think so, panyasan. Sometimes it's difficult to find just the right word.

What you're talking about is the connotation of a word, the emotional flavor, so to speak. For example, the words "said" and "asked" are pretty much neutral. But to add impact or nuance, words like "demanded", "screamed", or "whispered" could be used instead. The trick is not to rely too heavily on such descriptive words, because it can interfere with the reader's enjoyment of the story. "Said" and "asked", being neutral, can be widely used, because they don't register with the reader as having emotional or descriptive connotations.

I agree that "mused" and "contemplate" are soft. But if Malcolm is angry or determined, a stronger word would be appropriate. Unfortunately, off the top of my head, I can't think of any in English. The closest I can come is "consider." You might have to add an adverb to help, such as "consider bitterly."

[Glory1863]

Now I have a habit when writing, which may be have to do with the fact that English isn't my first language. When I write, I sort of "taste" the words. For example: I am writing a scene with a bitter, inside angry Malcolm. He has blackmailed a officer to get information about the so called death of Trip. When he thinks about this, I used the word "mused".

But "mused" sounded/taste too soft. So I choice the word "contemplate".
A word I am not totally happy with, but I choose words on ground of sounds, feel and what I think their meaning is. Am I the only one?

How about "ruminated"? It can have sort of a psychiatric conotation to it. Not wildly crazy, but turning it over and over in his mind and not letting it go when maybe he should. I don't know if that would fit with what you wanted him to be doing, but consider the offer "one free bite."

Do you have a thesaurus as well as a dictionary - either the books or in your word processor? Sometimes looking through the choices in the thesaurus will give you more options than you would think of on your own, plus it may give you an indication of what the subtle differences between the choices are.

[Misplaced]

My favorite go-to place for words:

Dictionary.reference.com

I live at that site while I'm writing.

[panyasan]

Thanks, Kathy Rose, your suggestion of "consider" is a good one. Good advice about not to rely to much on descriptive words - some times it's tempting to use a lot of those words instead of making the emotion clear in the scene. Funny I noticed that because some one commented a while back on my English, I am sort of more stressed while composing my English and tend to use "descriptive" words more.

Gloria1863, thanks for the word "ruminated" - gave me a couple of ideas of changing the scene for the better (I like the word and am always happy to learn new words).
As for dictionaries: I use a Dutch-English on line dictionary, that also has synonyms. But I can always use another site with more info, so thank you Misplaced for the link.