Feb
24th
2016
First time fanfic writer here · 11:56pm Feb 24th, 2016
Hey everyone! I am here trying to make fanfics for the first time and want to ask anyone what's your advice on making a good story. I did my first one and is a disaster. I read the comments from the readers and they were greatly displeased about it. Said that it was too cliché and personal and I'll admit they are right. So I'm asking anyone here for what I should do for my story such as how I use my format and what plot people enjoy. Anyone with experience tell me anything because I want people to enjoy my stories and me enjoy writing it. Thank you!
First of all, congratulations on surpassing one of the greatest hurdles of making something. Admitting it is not well done and trying to do better. This is something that applies to every craft and not just writing. It is also something you will have to do again and again on various scales.
The greatest advice for writing something is: Write something you would want to read. If you were going to write a comedic piece for instance you would probably do best by writing something with the kind of humor you'd want to read most, be it slapstick, wordplay, escalating situations, or plain fart humor. Write what you know.
I would advise you to start with something small, feel up your style. I am also a newbie writer, started a few months back but I felt comfortable enough to start with a very long story because I had a little bit of experience of tying up parts, and making a coherent plotline by making campaigns for tabletop rpg's. If you do not have something similar, then start building your way up slowly. Write a few one chapter stories first. Dip your pen into various genres if you want and find the niche you are more comfortable with.
Here's a more specific tip. Find a character you are comfortable with, doesn't have to be one of the mane six, and think of a simple one sentence prompt and have him deal with it, letting your imagination go free. For instance let's say... the prompt is "Character wakes up to find himself in a locked room." Go with that. Which character is it? Which room DO they find themselves into? Theirs? Someone else's? A cell? A luxurious bathroom? What do they do? What is outside the room? What is inside the room? Did someone lock them there? Did they get drunk and accidentally locked themselves and ate the key? A simple sentence but you can do so much with it with so many characters. It can be a story about Berry Punch finding herself into the Royal wine cellar and going wild, Rainbow Dash dealing with claustrophobia or anything else. Hell, that is basically the premise of Saw.
As for the writing itself, remember to read your story after you are done. Then read it again. Then again. If you spot a part you feel is a bit awkward or not that well done do not hesitate to change it or scrap it entirely. I have sometimes pressed the delete key while highlight parts that were perhaps 3 thousand words. Be your own hardass critic. Think of your story as someone else wrote it and give him hell. The more attention and shine you give to your story the better it will be.
Good luck and I hope we will soon see something we will greatly enjoy reading from you!