I'm in awe of you guys!

[wahwahkits]

Hi, about 6 months ago I posted on here saying I was going to attempt my very own fan fiction. Well I've tried and failed!! I would write a chapter and then second guess myself, thinking 'wait, this character would do this' or 'this is going nowhere!'. I believe that I've come up with a good concept, but I need to silence the negative voices when I'm writing! Any ideas?
By the way I'm totally in awe of you guys actually writing your stuff and putting it up on here. Keep up the good work!!

 

[Count Zero]

Mmh, maybe you should start off small. There's a monthly challenge with a specific theme here. It's probably easier to write a smaller story within some given constraints and then tackle larger stories.
Apart from that: just write it down and say to yourself that you can always come back to change it later.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I agree. And I would also just go with your heart. We are all writers here and all know how it is to write and hope others like it. And there can never be enough star trek~!

 

[Admiral2]

Count Zero said:just write it down and say to yourself that you can always come back to change it later.

Actually, this is the only advice you need. It isn't necessarily easier to write a challenge story. It's much easier to simply write what you want and edit later if need be. As for the negative voices, remember that you are likely to be your own worst critic, and chances are that your readers won't find quite as many or the same problems you do, and the best way to find out for sure is to go ahead and post.

 

[DarKush]

My advice is to just keep writing. I think we all have that voice inside us, but if writing makes you happy or gives you some satisfaction just go for it. And don't worry about that voice or what others might think about your writing.

We all get critized. If that happens to you take it and learn from the criticism if it's constructive.

Writing shorter stories is a good idea as one of the posters already suggested.

Also, there is nothing wrong with revision. I've revised my stories several times. There's nothing wrong with that. But at the same time don't get so caught up revising that you don't keep writing different, new stuff either. There is no such thing as a perfect story.

 

[hellsgate]

wahwahkits: Its actually easier than you think. Its all about having fun. If something doesn't work, then the character involved gets laid and then, the next day, gets the classic red-shirt treatment. She or He gets an inch too close to a sensitive EPS/ODN junction &...wait for it.. "BOOOOOOM!!!!!!" Or she/he happens to be in the wrong corridor as someone beams in, grabs a bunch of stuff & tries to beam out with it but happens to get spooked by an off-duty scientist who's only intention was to grab a bite to eat in Ten Forward & gets a phaser right between the eyes instead. Or you can make a planet-landing go awry & half the crew winds up in sickbay, resulting in the injured crew beating him/her with bars of soap in their socks.

Secondly, all you have to decide are a few minor things.

[*] Class of starship.

[*] Captain & Bridge Crew.

[*] Starfleet Ship or a Freighter/Smuggler vessel.

[*] Reason for the mission in the first place.

[*] A reasonable distance (from the Klingon Empire, Tholians, Romulan Star Empire, etc.) to survey a sector for colonization or investigate something troubling that would interest the Federation.

[*] Your specific point (before, during or after) the TV/Movies timeline.

[*] Your Enemy.

(In example: A ruthless non-humanoid species being kept in-check by an ancient Dyson Sphere, that would love nothing more than to run amok on the rest of the Galaxy if only they could disable the Dyson Sphere & escape.)

[*] Points of political and/or sexual friction.

[*] Nearby hostile and/or friendly worlds.

You can always try something along the lines of a parody of Star Trek such as Earth's derogatory "Bar Fleet", the worst discipline cases in the Alpha Quadrant left to deal with things a Utopian Society would rather forget about. The "funny uncle no-one talks about", among the rest of the Jerry Springer style undermotivated underclass that hasn't caught up with the later half of the 24th century.

E-mail me whatever fan fiction you've attempted in Microsoft Word, I'll tune it up so it purrs & send it back and/or post it here and/or at my website (see link in my signature line below.)

ufpi_morgan@hotmail.com / trekfan1975@yahoo.com

Your's Truly,

Jason Scott Kim Hauck
Surrey B.C. Canada

 

[Mistral]

Or you can just write the story YOU want to read-and run with the idea from there! Write, Write, Write-you can't do no wrong if you try!

 

[Whoa Nellie]

Mistral said:
Or you can just write the story YOU want to read-and run with the idea from there!

:thumbsup: Absolutely! That is the best advice. It is the exact formula my co-author and I have been using for over a decade of fanfiction writing and it has worked wonderfully!

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

Whoa Nellie's Picard/Vash Romance Fanfiction website:
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/7926/

Whoa Nellie's Sci-Fi Romance Fan Fiction Website is at:
http://www.geocities.com/whoa_nellies2000

 

[Kubwulf]

If you are second guessing yourself over what characters would or wouldn't do, write an outline. Take each character, give him or her traits based on race, job specialization, and ethics, and keep it handy. When you start to second guess yourself, refer back to your notes to verify what you've already decided for that character. If you have an outline, you can modify it as you go to flesh out the story.

If that doesn't work, if you still find yourself second guessing your writing, have a friend look at it. If they understand what you were trying to say, stop guessing, and post it. If they still have questions that you didn't intend them to have, go look at what you can edit to clarify it all. Then have a different friend look at it. Doing this will refine your writing as you'll learn what people ask.

All in all, good luck. Hope to see something from you soon.

 

[hellsgate]

Perfect advice, Kubwulf!

 

[TerriO]

I know I'm really a n00b around here because of legal issues, but I got my start writing fanfic, which is why I volunteered to help Kathy out while she was away. I hope that means I can understand where you're coming from.

A lot of people say they want to be writers, but then they never make the first step and actually start writing. You've already gotten past those negative voices once and gotten a start. That's a major step, and not an easy one.

I know it sounds cheesy, and isn't far removed from what Kubwulf is suggesting, but if you're not sure whether or not your character would do something, take a couple of pages (or a little time, if you'd prefer not to write it down and can remember) and "interview" the character. Take them out for a virtual coffee. Get to know them as if they were your best friend. The more you know them, the faster those negative voices will shut up.

You can do it. As it was put to me once: just put one word after the other and keep going.

 

[wahwahkits]

Wow!!! Thanks for all the advice guys. After reading your advice I'm going to really have a try at this!

 

[BolianAuthor]

wahwakkits,

Just keep at it... I started posting fanfic here on the BBS over 2 years ago, beginning with "Star Trek: Entomalians"... that story did well... some others I attempted did not. But that comes with the territory... sometimes you will have stuff that works, other times, you won't. Don't despair. Keep writing... it's the only way you'll get more skilled at it.

I developed the basic concept and ideas behind the Entomalians saga for almost 10 years, before I finally got enough courage to put it down on paper, as it were, and share it with y'all here. I have found what style works for me, and have come to learn what audiences enjoy most.

Now I am attempting a nuBSG fanfic, which I think will be great. Will it work? Only time will tell. But you never know unless you try. Don't ever be discouraged... develop a solid storyline... THAT is your one and only priority... characters and ships are all secondary... what counts, and what will envelop and enthrall your readers, is a captivating and solid storyline. Once the story is set, THEN go on to develop characters and then ships.

Hope this helps some.