10 Tips To Have A Good Story · 8:24pm May 4th, 2014
All right, people. This is a topic that I'm sure many of you people have been wondering about: how to have a good start on your story.
I have a couple of tips for you. Sure, I'm not perfect... I'm still learning. But since November, when I joined and made my first ever fanfic, I learned a lot about fanfiction from comments and personal preferences of the people on this site. These are just a couple of things to hopefully make you and your story better, and help you with the writing process on this site especially. This website is great if you want to share your fanfiction, but people here are very critical and if something doesn't go their way, they bitch about it until it's perfect.
Warning: Mild swearing.
Disclaimer: This is not meant to bash on any of you guys or your stories. This is purely to help you guys out from my personal experiences as an amateur author. It's up to you whether you'll listen to my tips or not.
1. Never have a cover art made by Pony Creator.
I'm sure you've heard this topic come up multiple times. The truth is, while it may be very convenient for people just to bust out their OC from Pony Creator, it really annoys the shit out of viewers. I myself don't really like Pony Creator, mainly because of how weird the ponies look. They look nothing like canon ponies, and while I applaud General Zoi for making a really great game if you want to see your OC, it's not good for a cover art. Trust me, people give instant dislikes to those people that have Pony Creator cover art.
2. For the love of Celestia, never use an alicorn OC.
I know what you're thinking. "But Angel, you have an alicorn OC!" I get it. But have I ever used it in a story? No. I have bad experiences with that.
Here's the thing. People hate Mary Sues. And alicorns are like the gods of the pony world. No one wants a completely perfect character, especially one that has better powers than the canon ponies. Don't do it. Even if you think it's not a Mary Sue, people HATE alicorn OCs. Don't question it, and don't use them.
3. Always take on an editor.
Listen, people. You may think you make no mistakes and want to edit your own story, but let me tell you, that's not true. Everyone makes mistakes, and you should always have another person to look it over from the readers' viewpoint to see what you missed. Look at me, for example. I am by no means perfect at writing at all. I may be an editor for other people, but when it comes to me, I always ask editors to look over my stories. I can tell you from experience that people hate stories with bad grammar. They're really hard to read and people just give up. Don't be cocky. Get an editor.
(And don't put that bullcrap in your story and defend yourself by saying something like "Oh I don't have time to get an editor I have work to do and I don't have time peasants bla bla bla" because all you have to do is ask one! They do that shit for you! Seriously! Like wtf?)
4. Keep story chapters to at least 1000 words per chapter.
Okay, straight to you people: readers hate short 100 word chapters. We all love to see a big, juicy 1000 word chapter to read and indulge in. In fact, my personal rule is to keep it to 2000 words per chapter. Everyone bitches about short chapters, don't be that guy.
5. Always take constructive criticism whether you like it or not.
All right. Whenever someone gives you comments about your story that you might not like, look at them and use them to your advantage. I cannot tell you how many different comments I get saying mean things. But take it calmly and act on them, because most of the time, they're right. They're telling you this from the readers' perspectives, not your own. So for the love of Faust, take it seriously.
This also ties in with:
6. Never delete mean comments.
EVER. People see you as a prick and don't even think about reading it before downvoting. Don't be a little bitch and delete mean comments that you may not agree with.
7. Make sure you don't have a canon character OOC.
This is something I have trouble with. Everyone's iffy about canon characters. They want fanfiction to be like a new episode of the show itself. It may be hard, but keep it as IC (in character) as possible.
8. Never have misspellings in the title.
My inner OCD goes crazy whenever I see some misspellings in the title or grammar errors, and most of other people's OCD goes crazy too. Spellcheck, people!
9. Don't advertise your story everywhere.
I'm sure most of you have heard of "Ace Combat: Divided Feelings". This is an example of this. Not only does it count as spam and you can be banned for it, but it is annoying as hell. Don't go around saying, "I like your story. Hey, want to check out my story *insert title here*?" INSTANT DOWNVOTE.
PS that story was really bad, don't tell the author. xD
10. Finally, don't be a douche to your readers.
As in replying to comments, bashing on people, calling them idiots and starting fights in the comments section. No one likes a douche, and no one will like the story because of it. Just... don't.
Anyway, I hope these have helped you out in some ways, and if not, then add on a couple more in the comments below. Once again, not meant to bash on anyone/any story, just something I've seen around FimFic.
~WA 
OCD? Nowhere near as serious as CDO. (OCD in alphabetical order.)
But in all seriousness, these are some good tips. I'll admit, I may or may not suffer from a a lack of #3. I agree with you on #4, though, 2,000 word chapters are usually my minimum, unless I'm writing a Prologue, Interlude (filler between chapters), or Epilogue.
2077155
Well, yes, #3 isn't necessary, but it's certainly better than nothing. It's just to help.
Yeah, I break my rule for prologues and epilogues.
2077158
Indeed. Hey, would you like to be my editor? I mean, I don't technically have anyone to edit for me, so you can if you want.
2077166
I would like to, but I'm not sure I have the time. I have a really long backed up line, and it gets really hard to take on another editing job. I'm sorry.
2077174
'Tis fine. There's always a spot for you, should you choose to accept it. Trust me, I know what you mean, I have the same problem. Eventually it gets to the point where I forget who I'm editing for and I go looking for others who are looking for editors.
2077180
Exactly. That's really confusing.
Thank you for understanding, and next time there's a spot open, then I'll go to you.
2077193
A'ight. I'm certain my stories could use some work, and I'll be glad to have you helping out. Just so that you know, I'm concentrating mostly on Together We Fly and Storm, so be sure to check those out when you've got enough time to edit for me. Thanks!
2077294
Past Sins with Nyx was a different story, it was wonderfully written and involved practically Nightmare Moon, so that's different.
2077155 Technically, it's COD if it would be in alphabetical order.
Because Compulsive Disorder Obsessive sounds just plain stupid.
2077444
But that's not in alphabetical order. I don't think O comes after C and before D. The way you had it just meant that you wrote it out in an order that sounds better than CDO. trust me, CDO is in alphabetical order.
2077155
My general thoughts on chapter length:
0-500 character: Oh god why... (I know someone reading this post is guilty of the 0 character chapter)
500-1000: You really are not invested in this, are you?
1000-2500: Ok your trying
2500-4000: That's respectable...
4000-6000: Now that's a chapter!
6000-9000: Umm... you sure it needs to be this long?
9000-14000: This is going to be work... better get a cup of coffee
14,000+ : Oh god why...
2077456 Yes, but it is in fact incorrect.
Considering that it is a disorder, disorder should ALWAYS be last. We don't say Infection Sexually Transmitted, or Disorder Multiple Personality, for example. OCD is no different, despite being a disorder that directly relates to this.
2077458
Yeah, I'm close to those, only I usually read anything that has chapters between 2 and 3 thousand words. Too much more than that, and I can't read it, it just takes me too long. My chapters also tend to be 1500-2500 words in length just because I can't write more than that for one idea. It's difficult for me to write above 2000 if I don't have the right motivation and inspiration.
I'm done now.
2077466
It's a joke, you don't have to take it seriously. If I were referring to it in a scientific situation, I'd say OCD. When I'm talking to my friends, or pretty much anyone, about it, I'll joke about how I have CDO, which is far worse than OCD. Depending on how you look at it, we're both right.
Anyways, time to add my twelve cents.
First, rule #3. *Puts on sunglasses and points to self.* Yeah, I'm pretty badass.
Second, and I'm gonna get a bit capsy here, because I see this all the time, OCD AND LIKING THINGS TO BE CORRECT ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.
Third, just because the majority of people dislike a certain story element, for example Alicorn OC's, does not mean you shouldn't use them. I wrote a fucking Hunger Games story (Granted, I did it before the majority did.) Which people seem to hate a lot. Never write because you want people to compliment you on your story. Write because it's fun, and it's an enjoyable process.
Unless you're like Ponyess. That guy should take basic english before he writes.
He violates just about all your rules.
Fourth, and finally, I have a rule you forgot. Before you write a story about an 'amazing' brand new idea you had, do a quick background check before you write a fic on it. The main reason people dislike HG and HiE fics is because the majority of them act out the exact same way. Occasionaly you get a diamond in the rough, but you have to weed through a lot of rough first. Always check your story ideas.
2077480 DOES THIS FACE LOOK LIKE IT'S JOKING?!
I. Never. Joke.
I'm the picture of not joking.
If you caught me joking, I'd call bullshit. I never joke.
(FYI I'm totally joking. But don't tell anyone. I got a rep to keep.) :D
2077486
Understood.
(You got it.) ;)
OMG Angel Weeper, you forgot the most important one!!!
11. Write a good story.
For the love of everything that is good don't write a cos-player goes to Equestria story!
2078056
"Weeper"?
I used yours.
It went horrible for her.
I regret NOTHING.
...And, I think that it's a bit stuck right now.
2079009
Yes, but she's different. I'm okay with killing her off, and besides, not like she's a Mary Sue. Right?
2078064 Yes you're now Angel Weeper xD
2079059
Agreed. The only Alicorn character I know that has such strong emotional troubles.
Most of them related and / or created by me.
2079062
Angel Weeper. That's the best you got.
2079497
Exactly. Glad you agree.
Because I would kill you if you didn't.
2080038
You already did. Now I'm stuck in this crazy mare's mind.
Oi! My head, my rules!
2080047
Correction: I killed you.
2080129
And Paradox is dead thanks to me. What'cha gonna do now, eh?
Revive him.
I can produce you headaches, Silver. Don't tease me.
Blah-blah. I DARE YOU!
Mmkay. SUFFER YOU LITTLE BIT-
AAAGH! BRAIN! YOUR HURT!
2080161
True, true. And I had to regenerate because of you.
2080165
You deserved it. Your face wasn't exactly cute before.
Oi! Watch your words!
Okay...
2080168
Hey! It was perfectly fine! I was an alicorn of poise!
2080188
I highly disagree with you, "Professor". Where'd you got your title anyways?
If you weren't on Silver's head, I would have smacked you already.
2080198
For your information, I got it from the Time Lord council, which pretty much listens to me for my intellect!
2080201
Uh-huh. Where is it right now? Oh, right. Floating somewhere in the new Gallopfrey Asteroid belt. Send condolences to the two-Billion Timelords killed there for me.
GET OUT OF MY HEAD, YOU PSICOTIC MOTHERBUCKER!
Get me a new clone, then we'll talk.
(I think I'm going way too far away with his general attitude against Timelords.
)
2080211
Ha! That's only in the story. My people are alive and well, thank you very much.
2080228
You think that I am not?
Sadly, you are.
Agreed.
Yeah, yeah. I know that you all love me.
2080236
Nope, sorry. You seem dead to me.
2080247
The feeling is mutual, "Professor". That goes for Paradox too.
2080035 The best I've got? well, what do you have for me xD
I could just call you stone faced heavenly entity, but yea
2080266
Dancing Heavens.
idek
2080308
Maybe something like Cloud hustler.
Okay that sounds really cool xD
2080375
Cloud Hustler! That's a great name for an OC.
2080397 well my OC's name is Douchebag Mcscumnossel, but if you think cloud hustler would be a better name then I'm down xD
2080470
That name sounds like Justin Bieber's OC.
2080505 I named him that because he's a red and black alicorn who is a huge jerk, yet everyone still loves him
2080520
lel just like jb
2080523 Plot twist I am JB
Just kidding don't kill me xD I don't sing like a dying lemur
2080537
Plot twist: I am Selena Gomez.
2080756 You're to good at this xD
Plot Twist: Justin Bieber was never born
2080925
Plot twist: Justin Bieber is just an alien from another dimension.