i really want to start writing fanfic but i'm having such a difficult time figuring out what i could even write? i've never written anything with an extended plot before and i'm bad at sticking to anything, but i want that Good Good Validation from people reading my stuff dfsfdkjsdn. i'm so used to RPing now rather than writing alone that writing prose on my own has become really difficult.
Hello!
The good news is that with fanfic, there are pretty much no rules. You can write whatever you want. One-shots, drabbles, or a 300k fic. Someone will read it. A plot isn’t always necessary. Sometimes people just wanna read about their fav characters snuggling on the couch or making pancakes. Some people just wanna read smut. No plot necessary.
If it’s subject matter you need, i.e. a fandom, look at stuff you like. Books, movies, tv shows, etc. and go from there. If you don’t wanna write something in a specific time period, make it an AU. The world is your oyster!
If you are wanting to include plot, my best advice would be to outline your fic or at least create a timeline of events so you know where you’re going with it.
As to not being used to writing prose on your own, you could collab with a writer friend to ease yourself in if that would help! Or just start by writing short stuff before you decide to crank out a super long multi-chapter fic.
I’ve even seen (and enjoyed) fanfic that wasn’t in a traditional prose format. It was presented as the chat log of a group chat between characters and it was cool in an of itself.
TL;DR: Fanfic has no rules. Do what you wanna do!
Hope this was helpful!
-Amanda
