Out of curiosity, how did you get into fanfiction writing? What is your writing process like?
I’ve thought off and on about writing for nearly 3 years now but every time I think I might start, I decide against it. I feel like I wouldn’t have a good story to write because I never have a set plot, just specific scenes I see in my head that I want to write, that I’d have to connect somehow. And when I think of a story, it changes so many times in my head if I ever actually tried to write one I think I’d never finish it.
But there is one scene I keep seeing in my head over and over, and my heart wants to write it, to write an entire multi-part story to make this one scene happen, but my head is so scared I feel like I can’t. (It’s actually a scene with Akaza from Demon Slayer, lol). How does anyone get over that fear?
These are some amazing questions. They really take me back when I first started writing, which really could’ve been ten years ago!
First of all, I want to establish that the only way you can start writing is if you just sit down and write. Acknowledge that the first product might not be the quality you’re looking for, but its a place to start and grow. I’ve had to write millions of words and analyze different methods of story telling to get to where I am now, and I believe at this point, I can openly admit without fearing I’d sound full of myself that I have approached a very good place in my writing. But its taken ten years. As Rengoku-san said, time won’t wait for us. So its really up to us to seize the moment and just write.
Now in order of your questions. I got into fanfiction writing because I started reading fanfiction about ten years ago. It was sometime in my early teens when I was looking up photos of my favorite character from an anime and stumbled on a site called fanfiction.net. The more I read, the more I wanted to write too! So I devised my own story and started writing it down in a notebook. Eventually, I made an account and after several months of having the account, I was finally brave enough to post the first chapter. I never finished the story, and that stands for the majority of pieces on that account.
But that’s okay. I was a fledgling learning what I liked and didn’t like, and that’s something that’s part of the writing process. No one will know what they expect from themselves unless they read. Its really the first step. Digest good literature, analyze writing styles, break out the thesaurus and mix up your vocabulary, think of out of the box verbs - basically, writing is taking risks, and unless the risks are taken, change won’t happen.
Its similar in music. I’ve mentioned in other posts that in addition to writing, I am also a musician (and artist because apparently I want ALL the hobbies). A big part of expressing yourself in music is taking risks. Swell that crescendo, bring out that moving part, find a different articulation for those notes. In an ensemble, I’m not the only one doing it either. We’re all there together taking risks to produce the best kind of music that we can.
It absolutely applies to writing. I think the most enriching experience has been interacting with other writers. We read each other’s works, RP with each other, and it really has given me insight into another writer’s mind and exposed me to different stylistic elements I found appealed to me. So I adopted them!
In art, it isn’t uncommon to see an element of someone’s art style and apply it to your own, which is where the reading comes into play again. Interacting with other writers, reading works of fiction and nonfiction at times as well, and taking the risk to sit down and write are things I have found help me be successful.
I also have an original project I’ve been working on for several years, but I want to plot everything out before I sit down and write out the chapters. One thing I have found very useful is a small notepad, or note app for those who prefer digital, for jotting down ideas when I have them. This way, they’re not lost in the already muddled thoughts of my mind.
Now when it comes to writing a multi chapter story…sometimes winging it works just as well. I honestly had no idea what I was doing with Haunted the first eight chapters. Those were all pulled right out of my ass. Sometimes that’s how it is. Not everything needs to be meticulously plotted, else it becomes dry and uninspired. Leave room for events or dialogue to naturally happen. Plot your biggest points and the rest often works itself out.
The beauty of writing is you also don’t have to share it. I know writers who do write often but keep most of their work to themselves. And that’s okay. If you don’t like what you have written the first several drafts, you don’t have to share it at all. Writing, in my perspective, shouldn’t be for others, but for the sake of yourself as its something that should be enjoyed.
There’s also no shame in trying it and finding you don’t like it, but don’t give up after the first try! Or the second! Or the third!
Its never going to be perfect. We’re human! And that’s okay. The fear of starting something new is intimidating for anyone, but all it takes it taking the step from what is known and comfortable into the unknown. Its how humans change and grow. Change isn’t always a bad thing! Its scary, absolutely, but nothing to truly fear. In fact, I absolutely commented on my first fanfic as a guest to make myself feel better because my fic wasn’t getting any traffic.
Which was understandable. I’m far too terrified to read it and see how I’ve grown.
But that could be inspiring for some! People keep old art to track their progress, and that can definitely be done with writing.
In conclusion, because this is an essay at this point, writing is about risk and learning. Its constantly evolving. Maybe the first thing you write won’t be so great, but that only means the second will be better, and you have only upwards to go! Read and absorb information constantly. Watch videos on how to plot, write notes down somewhere, create charts and forms to organize them. Everyone is different, so you’ll always find different methods out there.
And who knows? Maybe what’s in that beautiful brain of yours is something special? It would be a damn shame if it was to never be developed. So give it a try. That’s all I could really say.
Take some risks. I hope this was useful, and if there’s anything you want me to break down and simplify, please don’t be afraid to ask. I’d be happy to expand on anything. Thank you for sending in your ask. This was quite fun to write!
ONE LAST THING. The most important. Have fun, no matter what you decide to do.
vaporwave
kianamaiart
romaincrisis
tangentwithtanner
ellievsbear
discoholicmusic
andulkaphoto
prguitarman
