Writing Tips, Authors post your tips here Options

[reptilia28]

When thinking of a story idea, think about this little saying: "A plant won't grow with a shadow looming over it." It's the same with writing. If you just stare at your desk all day waiting for an idea, you'll never get it done. And when writing, especially when you're gonna publish it, you need to give it your absolute best or else no one will be interested. And if you're making a story with your own creations in it, then you need to map out your character.



Your character's name

Age

Height

Weight

Physical appearance

Friends/family

His actions

The reasons for his actions

His obstruction



Map all this out and you're on your way to making the perfect story. Trust me, I know. I am-- or will be a writer. So just remain confident and give it your all. Good luck.

[YoshiBlue11]

My tip is,FINISH a story before you post it.Other wise, you'll get stuck!

[Astro Al]

Use big words, yea. uh huh. This shows your comprehension of the art of language and culture. Right...

[Kaivo]

QUOTE (YoshiBlue11 @ Nov 30 2002, 05:15 PM)

My tip is,FINISH a story before you post it.Other wise, you'll get stuck!

Yes, that's a good one. I'd like to add somethin' on to it though: Don't just post the whole thing in one post in one day. Even though it may be finished already, post it like a chapter every two days or so. That way, if it has cliffhangers or not, the reader will always be waiting for the next chapter until the end of the story. I've written stories before, not here though.

[Makuta Master]

QUOTE (Kanohi Akaku @ Nov 23 2002, 07:52 AM)

2. MoCs are an odd thing- to the creator, they are interesting, exciting, and unique. To the casual reader, they are just another MoC about which they have little to no knowledge. Also, they tend to be the central character, and usually end up being an incredibly powerful hero. ... You must not forget the basic Bionicle characters! They are why we like Bionicle, and to leave them out takes that away. Making the six main Toa dissapear takes the main part of Bionicle away, and thus the story becomes boring.

Yeah... I forgot about using MOCs. My story, Mata Haru, is about an island far away where there are three other Toa. The Toa Nuva, fresh from protodermis, arrive and change things up a bit.

I made up all of the characters of Mata Haru. Right now, two of them are "killed" or just infected without any hope whatsoever to save them... Heh...

I try to tie in the villian as well. He claims to be Makuta's instructor, mentor... Whatever. Well, I did make him super-powerful but he still loses. I focus on the Toa Nuva and how they get outta their situation.

I totally agree with you KA. Don't overuse or misuse your new characters.

[Jasaga]

Don't have time to post many, but here's a few:

-when using Dialogue, especially when it is dialogue coming from the Toa, try not to use any slang or sortcut words like doesn't isn't hasn't etc.etc. Though dialogue is an important part of a story, try NOT to use too much of it, if your characters orate in speaches at a time throughout the whole story, then they are speaking too much.
-remember what the storyline is, and was. Don't trip over yourself by disregarding something previously indicated in your own plot, and also keep in mind the general structure of the original storyline too, if you change a key character or element (in example, somehow converting Gali into the Toa of Fire...) be prepared to set up a convincing story and explaination to back your statements.
- If the story is being told or Narrated by a character, basic grammar rules still apply, dialogue that is longer than four lines should not recieve quotation marks (those "quotation marks")
- Try to get the point across in a realistic manner, how would you talk if you were the one speaking?

more later.

It is Later now...
After a long period of hibernation, I have arrived with a few more things to add:
-First, (this should be quite obvious too) as soon as you have typed something, re-read what you just wrote. Does it make sense to you? Would it make sense to others? Now, read what you wrote aloud (even if it is just a bunch of mumbling coming from you), your mind can always skip over repeated words and make sense out of abstract sentences, it knows what you were trying to write. Your mouth and voice on the other hand can aurally state what is written down from a more neutral standpoint (although phrasing and rythm* are still a part of your own interpretation).

-Basic editing skills should be used. Long run-on sentences need to be re-stated in a different manner to make them "fit".



As an example of a story that went basicaly straight to the paper from my mind and was posted without any editing or skimming, my first (and so far only) epic is a great example of how great things and ideas can decay if you do not keep track of what you are doing. Even still, feel free to read my epic:
http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?act...=25&t=16469&hl=

An example of more carefully thought out (and much shorter) set of stories is in my other link, The Turaga's Tales.



This post has been edited by Jasaga: May 27 2004, 05:12 PM

[Amalga]

Another thing on speech.


Mind that how a character talks reflects its personality, and vice versa.

Take Tahu for example. Angry, old-fashioned, warrior. He should talk like one. No use of slang words whatsoever, and his sentences are bold and fast.

Kopaka, on the other hand, is quiet, cold, and a bit more easy-going in a way. So he may occasionally throw in some tough-guy slang, and his sentences should be short. Make them a tad rude if you can.

Lewa is young and inexperienced. He's also very easy-going and is generally a fun-loving guy. That doesn't mean go all out on him. He would normally use slang, but not too much. His speech is often loud.

Get what I'm saying?


-LV

[-X-]

I have my own recomendation.

Take your time and listen to some music that really describes the chapter you are about to write. Usually if your heart is pumping fast and hard more things about fighting come to mind. Listen to some peaceful jungle music, and you could be walking through the le-koran jungle. Same goes for the sound of a volcano or a beach and so on. Its all in what you listen to at the time

Also, be as descriptive as possible. A chapter that could take up just 5 lines can be extended to 5 paragraphs if you try hard enough.

[PestisFurcifer]

Make interesting locations: For example, make a place that the character may be scared in, or feel relaxed at. The ta-koronan forest is an example. Also, have special quotes or gained knowledge that comes in use for the character at a later part of the story.

PF was here

[T-Hybrid]

I hope this hasn't been said yet:

1) When building characters. Be fair. Don't just have a developed leader and a bunch of followers.

2) Remember that villians are characters to. And if your story's gonna have an Ubervillian (Final Enemy), make sure that he's not sprung on the good guys at the very end. Hint at who he is and what he's capable of...not all surprises are a good one.

3) Try and write for the villian occasionally. The bad guy doesn't just stand around while his minions are fighting and the heros are working towards their own goal. Make sure to have some scenes that show the villian as the focus. What is he doing as his plan unfolds? How is he reacting to certain things?

4) Don't be afraid to drastically change the known storyline. Some of the best fics surprise readers by doing something you never thought was possible. Just because it's set in the Story's Canon (main storyline) doesn't mean that you can't manipulate it. If there's something that hasn't been explained in detail regarding a plot point, make up your own details.

5) Avoid the "Uber Power" that is something that can give the hero an unbeatable edge. If your hero can't be defeated, its no fun. Make sure that if the hero has some kind of UberPower...that it comes with a disadvantage...and isn't always at their disposal.

6) The opposite is true for villans. The more powerful the villian, the better he his. If the villian has some kind of UberPower of his own...make sure that it is truly difficult for the heros to be able to overcome it. Make sure this UberPower is also used as the climax as the fight.

7) When it comes time to defeat the villian, make sure that whatever the heroes to beat them isn't some new suddenly discovered power. Make sure that whatever beats the final enemy is buit into the story and hinted at throughout the developement.

-------------

Well, that's about it for now. Iv'e gotta get...my mom wants me off...

Hope it helps!

[Beisbeis]

Hope this one hasn't been said...

The main one I think the best tip I can think of is that it's your story- -not anyone else's. Don't let people's opinions affect your story. You never can please everybody. Do your story the way you want it to be. After all, isn't that the point of writing?

[Gamer33]

Always give your characters depth.
The biggest thing I've seen is not showing a main characters thoughts or feelings.
In some stories you have no idea what the main character is like. (Is he happy, is he sad, ETC. ETC.)

[Anayo Seleisis]

I'd say,

be descriptive, about as much as you can stand. Don't drown your readers with description, though.

And something that I try to do is have constant action going on. When something cool isn't happening in the story, I can't STAND to write. I get bored. So I try to make something cool occur all the time.

[Beisbeis]

QUOTE (Seo @ Dec 14 2002, 03:43 PM)

Be descriptive, about as much as you can stand. Don't drown your readers with description, though.

You make a good point. I read a book last year where they flooded the readers with description. It was pretty good...

(Except for the fact that the author had at least a page of description and in one sentence that never ended. )

[Golden Krana]

My tip,be the Chracter.If you run out of ideas lets say when your in a battle,become the Chracter and think,what would you do in his position?Thats how I got out of a few problems in More Than Ever 2 The Cactylesem(I'm done!)(link in sig)Just remember that.....

[Belfy]

I have yet more tips:

Do research on the basic Bionicle storyline as well as the canon (main) characters and the roles they play. You'd be surprised at how many fics I've left before finishing the entire thing just because someone didn't know the basics.

Stay away from the Vahi. How many MOCs have worn it? There are some good authors who manage to incorporate it well into their story (you know who you are), but it's becoming one of the biggest cliches since 'Sailor Earth' (Fans of Sailor Moon will know what I'm talking about)

Don't write lots of action just because it's more popular than character sketches, or stories written in diary format. Only write it if you know how to, because otherwise it sounds extremely stupid.

Get a beta reader, or someone to pre-read your story and check for spelling, grammar, or plot holes. Getting someone to read your story objectively is one of the smartest things you can ever do.

Nova Nuhvok, the Fan Fiction Loving Bohrok

[Monolyth]

Use your imagination and inspiration. Think of something where there are a lot of little details that don't seem important but make the story more interesting, but don't overdo it.

[Bionicle089]

Here's a tip:
If you want people to read your topic, put a link in your sig! Also, if you can, put in descriptive words! They help! One more thing! If you find any errors in your post, edit them out! You'll save alot of trouble from the readers!

[Sauron_the_dark_...]

Make sure to establish each character's own persona thouroughly into the reader's mind and let them feel the character's feelings. Also when you feel so great about an idea, write it down on scrap paper with a lot of emphasis, you try to write fast and it srews it up so when you get an idea write it down. Don't lose the feeling and keep yourself from rushing the story.


'nuff said.

[Sauron_the_dark_...]

Make sure to establish each character's own persona thouroughly into the reader's mind and let them feel the character's feelings. Also when you feel so great about an idea, write it down on scrap paper with a lot of emphasis, you try to write fast and it srews it up so when you get an idea write it down. Don't lose the feeling and keep yourself from rushing the story.


'nuff said.

[Muaka's Wrath]

My idea? Always make developed characters. Make sure to put what's going in the character's mind! Not everything has to be spoken.

[T-Hybrid]

QUOTE (Nova Nuhvok @ Dec 16 2002, 10:45 PM)

Stay away from the Vahi. How many MOCs have worn it? There are some good authors who manage to incorporate it well into their story (you know who you are), but it's becoming one of the biggest cliches since 'Sailor Earth' (Fans of Sailor Moon will know what I'm talking about)

The Vahi is a fun part of the Bionicle storyline...as there really is NO story behind it.

So as long as the Vahi isn't the focus of the story...I think it's fun to see how people handled it.

Coming up with a way ot use the Vahi without making it Uberpowerful is much better than sticking it as a Plot Device.

(And having never read a Sailor Moon fic...I'm guessing that "Sailor Earth" is some Uber character that became a popular thing to make in Fics)

------------------------

I've got another one....

Write for yourself. Others should be able to enjoy your fic...but most of all...YOU should enjoy it. If you don't like it...why are you writing it?

Make the fic what YOU want it to be. Just because a lot of people don't like what you're doing doesn't mean its wrong. Some people just don't take to the unexpected like you'd hope they would.

[Toton]

Errrrrrr, Read other people's Epics and get Ideas, My Epics have all been Based on a story which I have read or made up(Non-Bionicle)
Tc

[CrypticIdentity]

Here's my tip:

This will probably only work if it's a first person story.
Try writing from different points of view. At one point in the story, have it being narrated by the main character, then have it being narrated by another character at another part. Make sure you give good reasons as to why it's changed narrators, though, or it will just make the reader baffled.

Take my story for example. I have a main character narrating the story, but at one point, I have another equally important character telling the story because she new more about that part than the main character. Don't make it seem like the main character knows everything that happened extremely well, especially if he's been knocked unconscious at one point or another.

(Hope no one has already posted something like this.)

[Mahalis]

Some advice of my own- don't take this as gospel , this is just how I write.
- Give out characters' thoughts sparingly. Show what they think by their actions. e.g. not "'I wish I could do that,' Tahu thought"; rather "Tahu let out a wistful sigh." This is also a good tactic suspense-wise; the reader can be left thinking 'Now why'd he do that?'
- Don't use dialog when it's not necessary. Sometimes it's dramatic to have someone say "Yes.", but generally "Lewa nodded.", for example, will do.

[Canucks-Fan]

Also a very essential part of making a story is to use proper vocabulary, to make it more realistic. For instance:

Instead of: oh no im late thought onepu as he jumped on his ussal crab errr where is he thought kongu

Do this: "Oh No!" "I'm late for the Ussal race!" As Onepu suddenly jumped on his Ussal-crab. "Errrr" "Where is he?" Thought Kongu...

-KM-

[the Lone Knight]

Uh, I don't know if these were already mentioned, but I'll post them anyway...


1. Use colorful adjectives. The last thing you want is no one reading you fic because it's boring. If you have a good vocabulary, this shouldn't be much of a problem.

2. Use good grammar and spelling. You don't want your readers confused. I see a lot of stories that have bad spelling. Again, if you have a big vocabulary, I wouldn't worry too much.

3. Don't use too many big or rarely-found words. Many members of your audience may stop reading and post bad feedback if they can't understand what you're saying.

4. Some common errors in writting, especially for the amature writer: Don't use run-on sentences, or too many "and"s (Tahu walked to the beach and called Vakama and talked to him about the rahi and Vakama took him to his hut...). Secondly, pronoun usage. Some stories have statements like: Gali came to see Tahu and Tahu told Gali that Tahu found Gali's Toa Stone..." Instead try: "Gali came to see Tahu, and he told her that he found her Toa Stone..." See the difference?

5. If you're starting a new epic, or even a comedy for that matter, and you are having trouble coming up with characters, keep in mind of the people you already have. The toa take after an element. It would be kinda boring if they were all taking after fire. That is what makes it a team. Different kinds of characters mean different abilities, which doesn't make them redundant. Which is probably the reason that all Matoran are different.

6. A word on the Vahi: If it's a major part of the story, use extreme caution! Time travel by any means can be very confusing. (Anyone who's seen "Back to the Future," or any thing of the like, would know what I mean...) If you want the Vahi in a story but don't want to pop brain cells, you can have the Vahi's abilities limited. Some writers (Like me...) use the Vahi for brain cell popping time travel, while others write that the Vahi can only slow down time, not tavel through it. But it's your stories, so you can come up with your own theories. Just please make it understandable.

7. If you read a lot, you could find some really good books, and take that basic "structure," or the way it's written, and apply it to your story.

8. When your characters talk, don't have everyong do it the same way. For example you could have Lewa talk like this: "Yo, wacha doin' today?" You wouldn't have Tahu talk like that, would you? Tahu may talk a little more seriously. Unless intentional, try to make everyone talk differently. This helps the reader to identify the character, even if there isn't a name listed. This hint goes in hand with the characters attitude.

Hope these help guys... Your tips were useful to me...

[Mikeguy]

Laughter

Try not to stick to just one type of comedy. It gets rather boring after a while. Everyone loves to hear randomly placed words. For instance... were someone to just suddenly lean out their window and yell PANTS really loud... I think it would be funny. However, if the whole street suddenly were to lean out their windows and yell random words, it would not be... If you are going to have random words, develop your use of them a bit. Make PANTS the a device of the plot! Sure, who wouldn't want to know why she suddenly yelled PANTS!

Also, if you don't think it's funny, chances are, lots of people don't.

And if you're posting a joke, make sure people know what you're joking about (I learned that the hard way once). For instance, if you're laughing at an ugly photograph next to a family heirloom (maybe a religious icon), make sure they know you're not making fun of the heirloom, or they will hate you!

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Make the reader want to read your story. Make them feel as though that by reading they are exploring your world. Leave places for them to 'explore' by putting questions in their mind. A great example of this can be found in 'How to Write Good' by Michael O' Donaghue.

QUOTE

The "grabber" is the initial sentence of a novel or short story designed to jolt the reader out of his complacency and arouse his curiosity, forcing him to press onward. For example: "It's no good, Alex," she rejoined, "Even if I did love you, my father would never let me marry an alligator." The reader is immediately bombarded with questions, questions such as "Why won't her father let her marry an alligator?" "How come she doesn't love him?" and "Can she learn to love him in time?" The reader's interest has been "grabbed"!

This post has been edited by Mikeguy: Jan 1 2003, 02:06 PM

[Samurai_Pohatu]

I have about one or two tips:

1: Take the image in your mind and try to make it so that the person reading the story sees what you are seeing. Say if you are seeing a dark and stormy night in your head. You might want to say that the matoran is drenched in water, and he looks up and sees a blurred image of the night sky. Raindrops pour out from hundreds of clouds, and thunder can be heard in the distance.

I guess that's all my tips, well, I only have one....

[Huriko Larelath]

10 tips.

#1: Don't worry. If nobody reads your story, it doesn't mean its bad.

#2: Start out with action or a prologue in an epic, and try to start out with funniness in a comedy

#3: OBEY THE RULES

#4: Attempt to hook your readers onto your story.

#5: Don't make anyone all-powerful. Have some weak, some strong. It's more interesting that way.

#6: In epics, make the enemy hard to beat.

#7: You know your favorite books? Take some elements from them and put them in your story.

#8: Use sidekicks and parternship. At least start out or end with it.

#9: Make the story believable.

#10: Read other people's stories, you might get some ideas.

Hope that helps!

_H12_

[Algernon]

somtimes, you sould just write! see what comes out, and look at it from another person's point of view. the truth is, it will always look good to the writer, while another person is disgusted, annoyed, or, more intended, having a good time!

another tip is to not think twice. trust me, it sounds stupid, but it works.
this is what I do:

1:think about the title. most people will be atracted by your storie title, so think of somthing catchy.

2: enjoy writing it! if you put good atmosphere into it, people will get good atmosphere out of it.

3: make sure it's from you, not somone else. believe me, it's not easy. I'm not on top of it all, eather.

4:write some slight humor in everything. that's what people like to read.

that's all I can think of, now. happy writing!

[Brave_Dragon]

The reader must also get in touch with a story by the five senses. Making sound effects are either essential or optional*.(ie: Thunder booming. (or) CRACK!) Touch, sight, taste, and smell is needed to describe the current situation or the character.

Sometimes overdoing the descriptions can kill the story. Just write enough to make the reader's comfortable.

And, as other authors had said before, obey the grammar rules.

[T-Hybrid]

QUOTE (takua rocks @ Jan 5 2003, 08:35 AM)

somtimes, you sould just write! see what comes out

This is actually how I always write...but I've got a few tips for people that may be trying to write like that for the first time (as it can actually be quite bothersome)

1) Avoid writing yourself into a corner. Make sure you have a clear beginning and end planned out for your story. That way you have something to work towards...and can get your story back on track if you have to.

2) Have some idea as to what you want to do. Just because you don't have the exact story all planned out...doesn't mean you shouldn't go in with a general idea of what you want to accomplish.

3) Keep track of what you've been doing so far. If you're writing on the edge of your own seat...it's easy to sometimes lose the story. This leads to the author sometimes going back and doing something he's already done...or missing something that he's done...and actually rewritting some part of the story. Keep track of major plot points...that way you don't mess them up as you continue on and revisit them.

4) Look for possible things to build off of. If as you're writing...you suddenly write something that you really like...find a way to take it and run. You'd be amazed how often I've just written something into a fic for the sake of having something to go there...and later find out that it was actually a GREAT thing that opened up MANY potential developements.

Once you figure out how to write like that...it can be REALLY fun. Cause not only does the reader not know what's going to happen next...the author doesn't as well

[Algernon]

QUOTE (T-Hybrid @ Jan 5 2003, 11:32 PM)

QUOTE (takua rocks @ Jan 5 2003, 08:35 AM) somtimes, you sould just write! see what comes out This is actually how I always write...but I've got a few tips for people that may be trying to write like that for the first time (as it can actually be quite bothersome)

well, really, me to. I only put 'somtimes' because I noticed how everyone else keeps saying plan ahead!

[TheBadAceToa]

useually, i just dont think. i empty my mind and see nothing but insperation.... hey! i did it again while typing this.

i try to watch something while typing.

think of what happened today.

otherwise, i just use my persnal insperation from other's stories.
( like harry potter books did to the beowulf book)

[Amalga]

Hmm... seeing on how I poorly handled D-Chronicle (I admit that, even if it's good, I admit that), this is the biggest advice I have to give.


1. Stay Away from Composing
What I mean is, don't sit at a computer with no idea of how you're handling that chapter. Sure, most of the time it turns out great, but it turns out sloppily written, some things left out, that kind of stuff that kills you in the long run. I suggest that while you have some free time, throw around some ideas and jot them down. If you have an idea of the chapter's climax, even better. Outline the chapter and plan out the things that happen before the climax and what happens as a result.
The basic idea is that you plan before you write, as you think before you jump off of a canyon (shouldn't I be yanked back up now...?).

2. Get the story straight.
Near the beginning of D-Chronicle, I mentioned "Mestuvis Calabra" (D-Chronicle : the Saga begins) and said it had some importance. Then halfway through I suddenly forgot that and used something else entirely. Reading the entire story over, it made me feel incredibly stupid.
What am I trying to say? Get your story straight. If you leave a clue at the beginning, do not leave it out at the end. If you state one fact, don't contradict it with another statement. It's easier to read, not to mention it looks professional and well-written to those who really follow the story.

3. Don't leave readers in the dark.
If something in the story is stated, or you're making reference to something else, be sure to make a little note of it at the end so the reader knows what you're talking about (I'd put an asterisk at the end of the statement or phrase, then put the note at the very end of the post). I'm going to edit the D-Chronicle chapters so whatever the characters say in Japanese, you can read the translation at the bottom.

4. Being funny won't hurt, but too much of it kills you.
If you're going to fill your story with comedy you might as well stick it in Comedies. I can't begin to count how much nonsense I've read in stories (not particularly BZP) and I must say, it makes the story look stupid. Really. It's alright to have the party walking and one of them tripping or making a silly mistake. Having Lewa come up, strike Tahu in the head with his katana, and run away while Tahu tries to obliterate him with fire magic isn't.
Another note on humor. Intelligent humor or wordplay, in my opinion, works best. Why? It's hilarious. Even a smart-aleck remark works. It's just fun to read. Being hit with a pie... it's overused. Of course, no one can get enough of Lewa jumping out of a moving truck three seconds after being told not to.


-LV

[Baku Toa of Beas...]

I have a few tips that I hope no-one else has made. (AS that is one of my tips, that would be pretty embarrasing) You know, I just suddenl;y wondered if anyone ever reads this topic for tips on writing, or do all of us writers just like showing off our expertise by writing as many tips as we can think of? Anyway…

1. Don't repeat yourself or other people. This can deal with a number of things, like this topic, story lines, and not using enough pronouns. Say, for example, I would love to talk about characters and other favorite topics, but, well, they are favorite. Everyone talks about them. I'm sure you don't want to hear about them again. Then there are cliché things. A basic cliché storyline is a good versus evil, guy rescues girl sort of thing. It's ok to have that kind of a storyline, but try to think of a creative way for a war between good and evil. And how 'bout this? Girl rescues boy? I'm writing a story that has that element to it. Also, when you're writing, use pronouns instead of saying, all the time: Mary did this, Mary did that, and things like that. Also, (see, redundant, don't want that) what you say can be redundant. Such as, it may be that, It may also be… boring. Notice, that whenever I bring up a new point, I introduce it a different way. That is a good example of a nonredundant piece of writing. I have just noticed that I have used redundant way too many times in this paragraph. Oh well, I couldn't think of anything to say that meant the same thing and sounded good.

2. Description. Try to describe events with a lot of detail so poeple can relate to what happens to your characters and landscape. An english teacher of mine once remarked: 'You can't just say: they went from point A to point B. You tell us what they ate, wore, what the weather was like' and yadda yadda yadda. So I could tell you a lot about describing things. Some good things to describe are the smells, landscape, emotions and expressions. It makes a tale much more interesting to read.

-Baku

[Jasaga]

-Read over your entire story every once in a while. You will catch problems you never noticed even when you were editing.

-Make sure you edit! I just realized one of my stories is studded with stupid mistakes and unnecessary info. Reading over what you just made helps out with the editing process.

-If you read over your story or think back to an event that did occur in the story and have a hard time explaining or even remembering it, chances are that others had an even harder time reading and understanding it.

-Do not over exadgerate previously stated info. If you took paragraphs on end explaining why a certain person, thing, or place is important, and find more paragraphs saying the exact same thing again, you're probably wasting your time. On the other hand, if you write nil about something only you know, you are keeping everybody in the mist. Try to do things that help the reader make connections.

[T-Hybrid]

With the introduction of the ToL, the inevitable Epics involving him will soon begin to show up.

So with that, I produce a new tip.

----------------------------

Avoid the Cliche: The most common item in ANY fanfic (especially those with "Symbols/Elements" involved) is the "Golden _____ of Light". I've seen it in Digimon, in Pokemon, in Power Rangers, and now it's in Bionicle. So if you're going to have some "Golden ______ of Light" please work it into the story over time, and not just as some Plot Device that you use to keep the story alive.

The more original the use of an uberweapon, the more fun it is to read about.

[burningFlameSwor...]

I have quite afew tips...
1. Dark holes-Don't do stuff like a charator falling into a deep hole, for new problems arise, like how can you get him out? what will keep your audience?
Ilearned the hard way, in my fic, New Found Darkness, I had BOTH charactors eaten...Man it was hard to get them out...Chapter 5 and 6 where not the best....
2.Heres what I do to check for holes ect. You read the whole story over when posting a new chapter, and pretend you know nothing but the basics...
3 this has been said before, but still- DETAILS!
4.Pre wri- I started my fic, and had nothing written, but all in my head..it was late, I started the story, went to sleep, woke up and coulden't remember anything about my fic...So at school, work, or at home...When you get spare time, write in a journal! My 5th grade teacher makes us keep writers notebooks, and now...I have an extra chapter in storage, waiting for...Tomorow!
5.Late night, mornibg- What kind of person are you...? Are you a night person? Write at night! Morning-Write in morning! Scientests think that people are smarter at night, it may not be true for everyone, but it works for me!
6.Clean Mind-If you are not a night person, and don't aply to the scientest part, post in morning! You wake up, have coffee, and post a chapter! Your mind should be clear of stress and other stuff...
7. Easiest way out is "somebody woke up, and relized it was all a dream....Its an easy way out, but not good! Exception-If you do that, and add the first event of the story in again Ex-Tom woke up, it was all a dream, he thought, he sat up, and saw he was three inchs tall, exactally what had happened in his dream...that might work...

Whoo that was long! Also, ditto about all the stuff before...
PM me for more tips...

This post has been edited by burningFlameSword: Jan 24 2003, 11:42 PM