Etrian Odyssey Q&A Edition

Tips for Starting a Fanfic Series

anonymous asked:

Any tips for starting a fanfic series like CTS and whatnot?

What works for me might not work for everyone, but I'll give it a shot!

First and foremost; planning is extremely important. You can't write the first chapter and wing it. I'm not saying you have to plan it down to the smallest detail. Just make sure you know how the story will start, how many important events you want to introduce, and how you will end it.

And the best place to start is with the premise; what will the main theme of the story be? The main theme doesn't have to be something that is focused upon in each and every chapter as it's important to have other plot devices to keep things interesting. But keep in mind that the premise needs a conclusion. It doesn't have to be a happily-ever-after, but there needs to be a confrontation.

In CtS the theme was Lynus trying to move on from a traumatic 8 years of forced healing and starting over again, relearning to heal out of compassion rather than out of fear. Each character that he met has offered some way for him to heal. By healing them, he was also unconsciously healing himself. But his past continued to haunt him; Taksony was dead, but his loyalists weren't. The threat of them coming for him was still there; not entirely potent, but it lingered in the background like a shadow.

While Lynus was effectively the 'main character', it wasn't entirely about him. The other characters had pasts and personalities of their own. I think it's important to remember that. They weren't just created to make Lynus look awesome or to fuss over him. They all have something to add to the story; friendship, understanding, conflict. They have motives and agendas on their own. Axel wasn't there just as a love interest and support; he brought a sense of protection and safety to the story, to the reader and not just Lynus. He gave a sense of security. And he interacted with other members of the guild, not only with Lynus. He was his own character.

What I'm saying is, don't get tunnel vision on the main character. Secondary characters are important in keeping the novel fresh. Writing up a series of character profiles might help with this.

Next jot down what you want to happen in the story. Big misunderstanding? Unrequited love? Unwanted admirer? Life or death battle? Long-awaited reunion? You need something to keep the story moving and allow for the reader to become fond of your characters. Something other than the main theme and final conclusion. Something that gives your characters a chance to grow.

Next, plan the small details. The everyday interactions. The moments and scenes between the characters. Casual conversations. Add in romance, friendship, humour, drama. Little things to make your characters likable and relatable.

Next, it's time to start writing! What I personality like to do first is to outline the story as if I was writing a script. Start with the major events; start, middle, and end. Next come the secondary events and add in the conversations you want the characters to have or what they need to have. Make the outline as plain and to the point as possible; you can always go back and change things around. When you feel ready to start fleshing it out, start from the very beginning, writing one chapter at a time. This way you can have consistency and there will be a sense of 'flow' to the story. It's not written in stone; you can always go back and edit it if you wish.

Lastly, you have to enjoy the process. If you treat it as a chore, your interest will wane very quickly and it won't be done. The story can't write itself, unfortunately.

Whew. That was a little long-winded, wasn't it? I hope it answered your question and prove useful to you, though!