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PART TWO: AN IDEA BLOSSOMS

+ How do I get an Idea?

So you don't have an idea for a fanfiction yet? It's not hard to create an idea for a fanfiction. Remember, you are using characters in an already created world and making an original story out of it. So what do you do? Well if you haven't formed an idea yet, I usually wait till I am about to go to sleep at night, that's when my best ideas form. Think about where you get your best ideas.

+ How to turn an Idea into a Fanfiction

So how do you turn an idea into a fanfiction? Well, you start with looking at your idea. Are you doing a crossover? A crossover takes two worlds or more and blends them together. So how do get started on a fanfiction? Well, when I get an idea, I usually play it out in my mind first. I do some imagining. You are never too old to imagine. So just play it out and see if your idea is going to do well in your mind. If you think it does well in your mind, then you can get started on your fanfiction.

+ A Template for beginning a Fanfiction

Title:
Author:
Rating:
Warning: (If you have a NC-17 story then you need to put warnings here. Such as, torture, incest, etc...)
Pairing(s): (If you have a pairing in the story or pairings, please put it here.)
Dedicated to/Requested by: (Just in case you have someone you want to dedicate your story to or in case you have been requested to write a story.)
Summary: (Write your summary here.)
Author's Notes: (Write your notes about the story here.)

That is the template I use to begin my story. You don't have to use it, however, it's my way of writing. I couldn't imagine beginning a story without that template.

+ Prologue vs. Chapter 1

So when you start your fanfiction, you will have to begin with a chapter, right? Well, some people want to begin with a prologue or go into it. You go with the prologue when you want to give some background about the character, town, world, relationship, whatever! You go into a chapter if you want to get into the story. Let me give some examples.

Prologue

Katie normally was a neat, normal person...but she changed when she met Fred, the local badboy in town. He had convinced her to smoke and to start wearing tight clothes for his enjoyment. Her friends had tried with all their might to stop Fred's influence, but seemed to have a hold over her.

Chapter

Walking up to Fred, Katie began a usual conversation, "Hey Fred."

Fred's eyes roved over her tight curves, "Hey baby."

So that is all for part 2. TBC...

PART FOUR: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I begin writing fanfictions?

Well you begin with an idea. You can get an idea anyway. All you need is a idea to begin with. Next you need to begin to write. Don't edit along the way, just write, then you can edit after you finish your chapter or short story or one-shot if that is what you are writing. I recommend you write with NotePad, if you have Windows. It makes it easier...at least to me. I also recommend that you register on fanfiction.net or deviantart.com. I am on both. That way you can start to get some recognition.

2. How can I get more reviews?

Update your story (if it is multichapter), go review other stories, make friends, and market yourself. What I mean is that you want to go and sell yourself. Go to writing forums and register and post your stories.

3. What do I do about flamers?

Ignore them. They are rude and are only trying to hurt your feelings.

4. How do I become a beta?

Being a beta takes time and effort. You have to be willing to want to help people out with their work and be able to critique without having a rude tone. You want to help people. You also have to have good grammar skills. If you think you can be a good beta, go to fanfiction.net, register, and there is a section in the account called beta profile. You can activate it and have people request you to beta for them. Good luck.

5. How many stories should I write at once?

When you begin, you should only write one story at once, in my opinion. If you feel like you can handle more than one, go ahead. Myself, I write about four stories and keep them open until I finish them.

6. Should I steal others ideas?

No. This is called plagiarism and it is illegal.

7. When should I stop writing fanfictions?

I'm 27. I will stop when I feel like it! Mwhahaha! No really. I will stop when I want to.


So that is the end of my short guide. If you want to reply now, you can. If you have anything to add, please do. Thank you for reading.