A Guide to the Beginning Fan Work Author

Skip that Timeskip

Pop quiz.

What is the most common trope in Wattpad stories?

A) x Reader stories.

B) The Timeskip

C) Really weird ships.

D) One Direction.

Though all are prevalent, if you guessed B, you are right. (How did you know?)

Next to author notes smack dab in the middle of the story, Timeskips are the bane of new and developing writers. If you still do this, then I got one big tip for you!

Don't do it.

Stop.

Save yourself.

Timeskips, untimely author notes, changing POV, and bad grammar are a cliche and killer of wattpad stories and fanfiction.net stories. NEVER DO THESE THINGS.

If you change the time of a story or setting, for example skipping to the end of the day, say it. How about a good example for you good readers?

What sounds better?

Julie groaned as she left for class.

(Le timeskip brought to you by yadayadayada this character)

Julie met up with her boyfriend.

or 

Julie groaned as she left for class.

Later that day, after a long and boring set of classes, Julie met up with her boyfriend.

If you insist that timeskips are OK, here's a good question to ask yourself. Is "timeskip" something you would see in a professional writer's works. No. Even in comics, they usually premise a change in setting by a "later that day" or "after (insert event." Not only does it give the story a more mature and developed air, it just sounds nice. 10/10 times, I will critique a story if they have a timeskip. 

Write the story as professionally as you can.

Skip that timeskip and broaden your horizon when it comes to a change of setting!