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In this chapter:
How to make an original plot for you Walking Dead Fanfic.
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one, why?: When writing a fanfiction there is one thing that can quickly be forgotten: the plot. Because who needs one when you follow the plot of the show? Still, if you plan on writing your own fanfic it is important to have one, because this will make your story different from the actual show. It is important to know where your characters are going to start and where they will end up, give them a story of their own, a mini plot of you will, and you can start writing.
two, how?: Now, how are you going to come up with a plot that is more than the plot from the show? A very simple way to do this, is figure out who your character is and what you want them to do. Are they angry and hateful? Give them an someone they want to take revenge on. Are they struggling with their purpose in this new world? Give them a storyline where they learn a craft to be useful for the group. The possibilties are endless.
Another way to come up with a plot for you fanfic is to write something you wished would've happened on the show. Did you wish Beth would've survived? Write a character that fights for her and manages to safe her life. You don't like the Governor as villain? Write an alternative storyline with an OC that makes life difficult for the family, instead. Want Jesus to live? Write a badass boyfriend who saves him! (alright someone please do that last one because I need my baby to live and be happy.) Ahem, moving on.
three, what not to do: Alright, so every fandom has it's cliches. Some of us love it and some of us hate it. If you're one of the latter and want to write a fanfic but are afraid it will be cliche, then it is good to know what the overused plots are in our fandom. So, here's a list of plots you would want to avoid:
- someone's daughter: The plot of OC being someone's daughter has been done many times before. Whether it is Rick's or Daryl's daughter, if you want to avoid cliches, stay far away from this one. Of course there are some fics in which it is done well but one reason why this doesn't work is the age of the characters. If you write a fic in which the daughter of Rick falls for Daryl, you might want to consider this: Daryl and Rick are about the same age, meaning that your OC would be at least twenty years younger than Daryl, probably more because it is said in the show (or an interview, but somewhere) that Rick and Lori married very young, meaning Carl is already "old" for a son of people their age. It would just be a very difficult thing to pull off.
ALSO, we all know Daryl and in what universe would he possibly have a daughter? I don't mean to hate on people who write this, and if you like these kind of stories, that is totally fine. It's just not like Daryl at all. He's not the kind of guy to have a one night stand and accidently knock up a girl. But I could write an entire chapter about how to write Daryl (which, maybe, I will) so let's move on.
- someone's sister (or any family member for that member): Alright, I know your OC being a family member of someone is an easy way into the story but it has been done many times before. I would love to see a story in which someone has a family of their own, a child maybe? Create your own family, it could be fun.
- the badass: We all love our OC's and we all want them to kick some walker ass but please don't make your character some warrior princess. Every character had a normal life before the end of the world, there is even an entire scene in season two where they get gun training. So, unless they were a cop or someone in the military, they would not know how to fire a gun. Also, please make your character scared. It takes time to get used to the sight of walkers. We only see Rick and his group stop freaking about them in the very first scene of season three. Before that, even the sight of one would freak the hell out of them. So, please don't make your character a coldhearted, fearless, warrior badass. At least not in the beginning.
four, important:Please remember when trying to come up with a plot that it should, eventually, help your character to grow. Character development is very important in a story. No one stays the same, especially in a world like that of the walking dead. Whether they become a better person, or worse, there should be some development there.
five, to sum up: So, in conclusion: Want to write a Walking Dead Fanfic? Try to be original, make sure your character develops and grows and most importantly: have fun!
