Ideas Live Everywhere

Where do fan-fiction writers find inspiration? The answer may shock you: Everywhere.If you have trouble finding or fleshing out an idea, here are a few places to get started:Tropes. These are tried and true for a reason, and writers can use them as a starting place for a plot or to add ~vibes. Certain tropes are associated with each other (there was one bed + mutual pining, tattoo shop + flower shop, etc.) and can provide a sense of familiarity or comfort to a reader. If you're aiming for a different experience, consider tropes that aren't commonly written together (ex. bodyguard/celebrity + childhood friends).Observation. People-watching is incredible for inspiration. Personally, I have a note on my phone specifically for writing down things that I hear or see that sparked something. This can also be an exercise in developing characters and dialogue. If your characters are real people, watch content with the specific assignment of noting how they speak, move, react, etc.Media. Important note! If you take inspiration from an already established source, give it credit, and do not plagiarize it. How do you avoid plagiarizing? First, do not engage with a piece of media with the intent of copying it word-for-word. Instead, think about what the story beats are. What drew you to this story? For example, if I wanted to write a fic inspired by 'The Holiday', I would list the main plot points: Two characters switch housing arrangements due to (reason). Both characters had rocky love lives. Both characters have to work through their insecurities.
Notice how these points do not follow the film identically and have been distilled to their simplest ideas.Prompts/Fests. Most fandoms have fic fests that provide inspiration for authors that revolve around certain pairings or themes. Use these as inspiration to write that fic!

expanding the idea

Plot Development. As a writer, you are always answering questions about the plot.What is happening?
How is it happening?
Who is it happening to?
Why is it happening?
What does it mean?These questions do not, and probably should not, be answered in a single scene. However, if you can't figure out how your plot answers these questions, your reader can't either. Underlying every plot (the 'happening') is a theme (the 'meaning'). The things in your story are happening for a reason, and there might be a deeper theme underneath the initial impression. Your characters might be angry because they can't decide what to eat for dinner. Beneath that, character A might be fed up with character B's indecisiveness in committing to their relationship. Character B might be indecisive because they've been hurt before and are scared to commit to someone.Exercise: Write a summary of your plot that answers all of these questions.Example: I'm using my fic 'Unclose Me' since I've already written it. (What) After filming a vlog in the hotel gym, Matthew and Jiwoong have sex. (How) It is initiated quickly, but the pace and power dynamics change throughout the story. (Who) Jiwoong and Matthew express how much they want each other both verbally and non-verbally. (Why) Matthew wants Jiwoong unraveled, and Jiwoong wants to give Matthew what he needs. (Meaning) On the surface, they are having sex because they're attracted to each other. Below that is the theme of trust. Matthew trusts Jiwoong to take care of him, to surprise him, to overwhelm him and be there to bring him back to earth. Jiwoong trusts Matthew to let go. He trusts Matthew with his own vulnerabilities and desires.Character Development: Again, you're answering a lot of questions. However, these answers can help you build stronger, more consistent characterization, whether it's for fictional characters or real person fiction. This is not necessarily about accurate characterization, but more developed characterization.What are their core traits?
What/Who made them into who they are?
What are their motivations?
How do they speak? (Their literal speech structure and quirks.)
How do they speak to others?
How do they interact with conflict?Exercise: Write a summary of your character that answers all of these questions.Example: I'll be using the same fic here. Matthew is incredibly ambitious, almost to the point of tunnel vision. He's effortlessly charming without meaning to be and doesn't know the effect he has on people. He hasn't really been chased after by others, at least in his home country. Most people in his life have babied him and taken care of him. Connected to that, the way he speaks can come across as pouty or flirty depending on who he's speaking to. He speaks quickly and directly. Generally, what he says is what he feels. Matthew largely avoids conflict, partly because he doesn't hang onto things. However, he does wear his feelings on his sleeve, and others react to that first.Other questions to consider:
How do they express their emotions?
How do they express their desires?
What do they fear? Why do they fear it?Adding Conflict: Conflict is the engine of your story. It moves things along and gives your characters something to react to. Conflict rises from tension or friction. Tension rises from competing goals/motivations. These can arise from the environment or characters. Friction rises from obstacles to goals/motivations. There are several forms of conflict in a story:-Character vs. self
-Character vs. character
-Character vs. society
-Character vs. supernatural
-Character vs. technology
-Character vs. nature
-Character vs. fateIn order to meaningful and convincing conflict, you need to decide which form of conflict is most appropriate for the goal/meaning of your story. Conflict in your story shows the readers more about your characters, advances the plot, gives your story stakes, and ties in with your story's larger theme(s). Conflict doesn't need to be huge and dramatic to create meaning. The most effect conflict is often the most grounded by your character's desires.Exercise:
Pick a scene. It can be finished or unfinished.
Identify the goals of the scene and the character(s) in it. Are these goals/motivations similar or opposed?
Identify if the conflict is internal or external. Is your character being challenged by an external obstacle? Is your character being challenged by internal beliefs?
Define the stakes of the conflict. What does your character stand to lose? How will your character be changed by the end of the scene?
Define how the conflict interacts with the theme of your story. What is this conflict communicating about your story?No exercise example! You can do this!

Write the damn thing

First drafts are Not Good.
Let me say that again.
FIRST DRAFTS ARE NOT GOOD.
I promise it's okay, and it will get better.There are so many ways to put the words in the document, but there are three common ways to refer to types of writers.The Pantser. You go in with an idea and a prayer. You've never used an outline and never will. You discover the story as you write it, and you terrify me.The Plotter. Your outline is immaculate. No detail is unaccounted for. You know where you're going and how you're getting there. You also terrify me.The Plantser. You're a little bit of both. You have your major plot points decided, or you have all of the fun subplots decided with nothing to connect them. This is me.There are several ways to map out your story, whether it's bullet-points, general paragraphs of what you're going for, or a more structured beat sheet.No matter what your process is, the most important thing is that you finish a draft. It does not need to be polished, perfected, or coherent. The first draft is not the place to worry about grammar, word choice, any of that. Save that energy for the next stage. It simply needs to be done. If you're interested in learning more about plot, story structure, and general craft, research 'the five elements of plot', 'story structures', and 'fiction beat sheet'. Seriously, just copy and paste those exact phrases into GOOGLE.

Help! I'm stuck.

Happens to the best of us.First, close the document for a second. You've been staring at it too long, I promise. Have a beverage. Eat a snack.Writer's block is real and out there, and it will continue happening. The key is tricking your brain into seeing it as an opportunity. Again, the goal is not to have a perfect fic by the end. The goal is to have a draft that is done.Some strategies:Plot Hopping. If there's a scene you'd rather be writing, go and write that. There's no reason to write linearly, especially if the scene you're working on feels dry. Follow the urge.Keep It Simple. You know how a scene will go. You just can't write all the details, dialogue, or transitions. That's okay! Write the bare bones of a scene. Sometimes, I write these scenes like a play:
/ (A): Why would you say that to me?
A is angry, but underneath the anger is betrayal and a feeling of inadequacy.
(B): Because you're not being fair!
B can't see where A is coming from, but doesn't want to see A sad. /
Something like that.
You have the vision, but the details are still muddy.Read a Book. I'm being so serious. Read something that has a vibe you want to emulate. If you're writing a sappy romance, read a sappy romance. If you're writing horror, read a horror book. The more you read, the more developed your voice will become. You'll see how other authors approach their stories, how they develop their characters, and you'll slowly pick up tools and tricks that will level up your writing.Keep Writing. Sometimes, you have to push through the block. Your brain will fight tooth and nail against whatever it perceives as discomfort or hard. It will make up reasons for you to stop. Your brain is a liar and a bully. Strap yourself to that chair and put some words on that page because you deserve to tell your story.

Here we go

Yippee! You have a draft! Now, let's make it better.Much like writing, authors have different ways of editing. Some authors publish that draft without a lick of editing and #dielikemen or whatever. I assume you're here because you'd like to edit your shit.If you don't have or want a beta-reader, here are a few tips for editing. You have to re-read it. I'm so sorry, but you have to.There are generally four types/stages of editing:Developmental/Structural Editing. This is the most substantive type of editing. Are you telling the story you wanted to tell? Do you need to rearrange sections of the story? Are there plot holes or inconsistencies? Does the story flow well? Are your ideas and characters developed? These are the types of questions you will ask and answer as your read through your work.Line Editing. This is where you will look at word choice and phrasing. Key things to look for in this stage include run-on sentences, repeated words and phrases, active and passive voice, consistent tenses, and other stylistic choices. Line editing refines your voice as an author, as well as creating a clarity in tone and purpose in your story. A great resource for discovering creative phrasing and descriptions is Descriptionary! Also, this is another place where reading can help build a mental library of tone and voice.Copy Editing. This stage of editing is where you'll check spelling, grammar, dialogue tags, subject-verb agreement, etc. This editing is more technical than stylistic. Many authors have been relying on AI, such as ChatGPT, to do this editing. I strongly recommend against this for a number of reasons. First, this form of AI consumes energy at a rate that is actively harmful to the environment. Second, this form of AI relies on data that has been stolen from other sources, including other writers. Finally, this form of AI is unreliable and frequently suggests incorrect solutions for copy editing. Your writing will end up WORSE after all the energy you've put into it so far! A good source for grammar and spelling is The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.Proofreading. This is your final quality-check. Dot those i's and cross those t's.This list is not exhaustive, but provides a great starting place for editing yourself or seeking out a beta that can provide the type of editing you need for your fic!How do you find a beta?
Put out a call to your mutuals. Ask your writer friends who betas for them. Join a fic discord. Offer to exchange beta services with someone. You really have to throw it out there, and nine times out of ten, someone will bite. I want you to feel better-equipped for knowing what your stories need and how to get it.

Smut, Lemons, Spice.

If you know what a lemon is, join the hag club. Anyway, so you wanna write good sex? Buckle up, baby.THIS SECTION IS 18+.Porn With/Without Plot is simply a staple of the fan-fiction community. Fandoms have been built on the backs of PWP. A quick one-shot can also be the fastest way to scratch an itch when it comes to your favorite couple/throuple/etc. However, it can be quite intimidating to wade into the waters of erotica. There are so many things to consider when your characters get physical, but here are some tips to get started and things to consider as you write.Audience. Who are you writing for? This is kind of a trick question, because the correct answer is yourself. The PWP that truly hits is the PWP that's written with your own desires in mind. Do you think long make-outs are hot? Write that! Do you think a certain kind of penetration is hot? You should write that! Are you an ass person? You betta WRITE. When it comes to the physical acts that a sex scene includes, you are the captain of your own destiny. If you aren't having fun or finding satisfaction in the sex you're writing, what are we even doing here?Pacing. Again, this is dealer's choice. Is this scene a frantic tryst that doesn't even involve clothes coming off? Is this scene a five course meal with all the bells and whistles involved? Is this scene a little bit of both? I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but the answers shape how you write an effective sex scene. For example: In a slower-paced scene, I would choose words that evoke a sense of butter melting, a sense of indulgence and density that the characters are moving through. Every bite should be savored. Whereas for a faster-paced scene, I would choose my language with a sense of sharpness and franticness, with an edge of fear or secrecy.
For a guide of specific words, phrases, and acts, consult The Ultimate Guide to Writing Smut Fic.Sensation. On that note, the hardest aspects of writing a sex scene are the actual descriptions of sex. This is where many writers fall into the traps of cringey metaphors, robotic prose, and, frankly, unsexy word choice. (Quivering member for the table?) Erotica is a surprisingly precise genre of writing. Consider the difference between the words 'tits' and 'breasts'. How does one word feel in your scene versus the other? Consider 'cunt' and 'pussy'. What kind of sensuality does one word evoke versus the other? Grabs vs. gropes. Aching vs. throbbing. Stretch vs. fill. Wet vs. soaked. How is the sex interacting with what your character is feeling? Does it feel dirty? Is it playful for your character? Is it a source of inner-conflict? The key to capturing the feeling you want is to be deliberate and thoughtful about the words that are capturing sensations for your characters. Ground your sex scenes in what your characters are actually experiencing rather than trying to write something that "sounds pretty". Metaphors, similes, and imagery can absolutely elevate a sex scene, but only if they are grounded in the visceral sensations of what your characters are physically doing.Motivation. Listen, I know that PWP seems like it lacks character motivation. That assumption is false. Sex is never really just sex in writing. Motivation ties into and informs Sensation, and vice verse. Ultimately, what is this sex saying about your characters and what they want? What are they getting or not getting out of it? How do they feel in control? How do they feel out of control? Consider the overall context for your characters and how they might interact with a certain aspect of a sex scene. Write about what is happening around the sex. Write about what is happening in their heads. Move with your scene, and bring the prose as close as you need it to be.Writing sex scenes can feel intensely vulnerable, bordering on embarrassing. You have permission to play in this space. You can create and manipulate tension as much as you want. You're allowed to be a freak. The more you write, the more skilled and confident you'll become. And bottom line, if you like what you're writing, someone else will like it, too.

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