Plotting Potter

Check Yourself

Check Yourself (Before You Write Yourself)
So, you have an idea.

Whether Hermione is about to fall in love with Draco or Bellatrix slips Voldemort some Amortentia; you're ready. But with fan fiction, of course, it's important to take your canon into account.

Unless, of course, you have quite literally put your jaws around the mini-fridge-sized-book that is Order of the Phoenix with your teeth. Then have proceeded to bite off a considerably large chunk of pages and swallowed some papery goodness; you don't know everything. If you do know everything about Potter I applaud you. But for a lot of us we're going to make mistakes. I could make a whole book about the mistakes I've made when it comes to the Potter characters and although I won't I'll offer some examples later.

Here's what I've learnt to do and where to go over the years without eating books:

1. J.K Rowling probably has the answers
I'm joking. Of course she has the answers.
If you need a complete refresh of Potter and want to set things straight before carrying on I recommend picking up the Potter books. Go on, drop your phone and pick up a book. It's what I used to have to do — along with churning butter. Kids these days don't know how they're born.
Whether you need to skim through the series or intensely study a scene on how Harry caught his first snitch, all your answers are in the place we call home.

2. There's a Wiki Article For That
Yes, there really is nowadays. Does anyone else spend a stupid amount of time on Wikipedia in general? I'm obsessed.
But because we Potterheads literally run the world nowadays, Harry Potter Wiki exists.
This site has saved my ass so many times. Especially about minute character details, so search away and here's the link:

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

3. HARREH DID YA PUT YER NAME IN THE GOBLET OF GOOGLE
Vote if this scene still scares you in the films.
I could face a dragon, but Dumbly coming at you with that beard?
Nah.
This next point is for Pottermore and seeing as this is an extension of canon, written by Rowling, it's great. You can find more things in depth about characters and it's just so cuteeee. What house are you guys in? I'm Gryffindor.
And here's my favourite character map from there:

DID I MENTION THAT I LOVE SNAPE?!

4. Happiness can be found in the darkest of times — if one only remembers to press play on the DVD remote.
Hey now, if you haven't got all the time in the world and just need a brief refresh of what goes on; no sweat! No doubt you've got all eight Potter films in your artillery. Bring them out and dust them off because you need to write that fic!
Sure, the films have a lot of missing details BUT not everything can be translated onto screen and condensed into a two hour film. So try and let the bad feelings go and work your way through your chosen film.
Or just marathon them all.
'Sorry I can't come into work today; I've just finished a marathon and I've fractured my feelings.'
Heh heh.

5. Extra Tips For The Budding Witch or Wizard
- To keep note of all that canon get yourself a notebook and pen (or a word document) and dedicate it to your fic. While watching or reading take note of the most important pieces of canon to your story.
- Write yourself a brief timeline of events and slot the canon in to help guide you. Then, fill the gaps with your story!

Yes, canon is important. What did you expect? To go waltzing in with no clue?

I mean you can totally disregard canon and create a catastrophe.

Ahem.

I'll be going now, see you in the next part!