On Readings and Editing

There are a couple things I wind up responding to in PMs fairly often, so I figured I’d put both of them here in a blog post and just make it a featured post on my user page.

On Readings and Spinoffs
So you liked one of my stories, and want permission to do a reading of it on Youtube, or do a spinoff/sequel of your own.

First of all, thank you! Readings like this are an honor rather unique to our fandom, and there’s nothing quite like hearing that I created something that inspired someone else enough that they want to honor it with a creation of their own.

I’m more protective of my original writing, but when it comes to my fanfiction, the answer to these requests is always an enthusiastic yes.

First, like I said, I consider inspiring a new work the highest praise a creative work can receive. Second, this being fanfiction, and thus derivative in the first place, I feel I have no authority to deny further inspired work. Finally, I simply don’t want to be an impediment to anyone else’s creativity.

So yes, if you want to do something based on my stories in any capacity, feel free. All I ask is that you share it with me, preferably with a link or Youtube embed in the comments of the story that inspired you.

Pathfinder players will understand the relevance here.
I’d say “best deity”, but Desna and Cayden Cailean exist and I just can’t decide.
(Source)

On Editing and Pre-Reading
So I saw your story somewhere, felt it could use some attention and gave it a bit of a drive-by commentary, and now you’re looking for more help.

I'm unfortunately too busy to become anyone's consistent prereader or editor right now, outside of the handful of friends who have permanent standing offers for that, but there are some groups where you might find help:

What’s wrong with my story?
Feedback
Authors Helping Authors
Pleasant Commentator and Review Group (though you might be waiting for submissions to open again)

That said, the best things for writing ability are exposure and practice.

Exposure is important because the more you read, the more accustomed you become with language and how it's used — essentially, you get to see how it's done. This exposure can be to well-regarded fimfic authors, free material online, or big-name published authors — but don't shoot for Tolkien or something. His writing is dense and sometimes dull. Try Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Jim Butcher, Neil Gaiman, or JK Rowling, among others.

Practice is important because writing is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with use. This can be a matter of just writing more and writing consistently, but if you really want to improve, and are willing to put more effort into it, I suggest actively looking for help and seeking out resources beyond Fimfic, such as Scribophile and their Academy.

If you’re still looking for more input from me, submit to my PCaRG folder when I open it again, and you’ll get a fairly thorough review/commentary from me, eventually.

Otherwise, just go forth and write — you’ll only get better.