Resource Fanfic Writer's Desk: Your Place for Writing Discussion, Questions, and Advice

Fair enough. The reason I don't want it to exist in the story is because it doesn't seem as real if it were already make-believe. Also the reason why I don't do Once Upon a Time Fanfiction.

 

yahiko if you are still thinkering on how to present Coruscant maybe this could be of interest http://www.philipsibbering.com/wh40k/03-ecopolis.shtml

 

I would like to know the best way of getting folks to read my story. Any ideas?

 

I ask myself that question every time I post a story, especially the third post on any thread I post. I always feel like I'm screaming into the void.

What the others will tell you is that get involved, review other peoples stories, get involved with challenges, dares and other such activities. Get your name out there, so when people see your name, they have it associated with someone that got involved, that commented on their story, that posted that interesting reply to that challenge. So go forth read, write, review, be challenged, and maybe your screams will be heard.

 

okay, I will try that. thank you.

 

Two people whose constant complaints about comments overshadow the quality of their stories found each other. And it's the same story all over and over again. Plus screams. And invalidation of the comments that are posted, because they're apparently not prompt enough, sincere enough, or whatever?

1. Fanfic does not work like RPG. Nobody is obliged to respond, neither are they obliged to respond immediately.

2. People have real lives. Jobs. Parents. Children. The most dedicated reviewers comment on up to 20 stories per week. That requires time, concentration and other mad skillZ.

3. I am "Others" (and one of the apparent targets of this) and I'll say the usual. Comment on other people's stories, be nice, be kind, do not push people away when they try to talk to you and direct each and every single convo to fanfic reviews. And when you have friends whom you're real close to outside of the board, you can literally go to them and say: "Hey, John Doe, do you want to comment on 'Something Something'?" And they will.

4. Have you seen the guy who posted about twelve epics and got something like one comment total? He's in it for writing and that's awesome. If nobody can put up with it, if nobody can connect with it, he does not care. He's still doing it because he loves to write! I find that admirable.

5. Why am I explaining this?

6. Like, really?

7. There's no 7.

Sorry all, but I've been extremely put off by this for quite a while. And most of us don't get comments immediately after we post, nor do we get many. Respect is earned, kindness brings more of it and we're not to be portrayed as positivity police or whatever.

 

If you do not want to be disapointed by the lack of comments, do like I do: do not post fiction!

 

Yeah, like that's ze real réasòn!

 

Thank you sincerely, it seems I allowed my own neediness and obsession with being told whether I'm doing well or not overcome common decency, and the reality of the world we live in. Apologies for living in my own little bubble. And a apologies for causing this. I'm just a needy obsessive jerk and some days it gets the better of me.

Sorry.

 

Woah.. okay guys. Let's chill.

Most everyone wants comments on their stories, and there's nothing wrong with wanting them. If someone is new-ish around here, it's an understandable question, every place to post fanfic have different norms and ways of doing things that invite comments. There are multiple places this advice is posted on here, but since this is the question thread, it's understandable to post here. It's also understandable that the regulars get tired of answering this question, and the people for whom this advice doesn't always work it's frustrating. There are types of fics that just don't get that many comments, it's just a fact, not a testament to that person's writing. But if you love to write, keep going! There are probably people who are lurking and reading your story and enjoying it.


The advice about doing challenges is probably the best, because many people try to read/comment the stories if they partook in the challenge, not all, but many. Get involved in the community, because that's what we are, a community. This is quite different than other places for fanfic, and it's important to us. If people know you and you are involved, then they'll be more likely to check out what you've written, even if it's something they wouldn't otherwise read. Sometimes it takes people a long time due to any number of factors, I know I've got a list of stories to comment on, and I know a lot of other people do as well. Be patient. It's not usually that someone dislikes your story, it's just that there's only so much time in the day.

 

Uhhh I wrote and deleted about three replies but mavjade just about nailed it. And Ewok Poet too. Spread the love and it all comes around again. Good luck to you both! And remember, as long as you enjoy writing your story that's your main objective acheived already!

 

What mavjade said about lurkers.

I should know, because I read stories and like them but don't comment probably about as much as I read and like and do comment.

But I don't lurk as much as I used to. I am making a conscious effort to leave some kind of a comment if I like a story, even if it's only "I like this", or some variant thereof.

 

galactic-vagabond422 Nehru_Amidala Just to add to what was already said above by everybody, we have a cool Read & Review Tag Challenge that's not getting nearly as much love as it should (including from me, with the usual disclaimers about DRL and such). It's a chain leave-a-review-get-a-review thingy, so maybe this is a good time to revive it?

 

I forgot about that tag review thing... must have another look.

@galactic-vagabond422 @Nehru_Amidala I remembered another piece of advice for you: Do have a good look at other people's work, not just for the sake of trying to leave lots of random comments. You can see what they are doing from the tags and often a summary at the start of the top page. You can find people writing similar stuff as yourself, and this has two three benefits...

1. You can get lots of good ideas for future use.

2. If you comment and tell them you are into similar eras/styles/characters/whatever, they are the most likely to come have a look at yours.

3. Whatever happens you will have made a friend with similar interests.

 

It took around 1200 views of my first complete story on here before good ol' Sith-I-5 made the first reply. And I'm sure that maybe 3% of those views were more than cursory glances. And maybe 3% of that 3% read more than a chapter or two. Ah well. Life goes on.

I've discovered that it's very hard for me to write well inside a vacuum (i.e. with no input from people I trust). This is a legitimate concern. But then I find that such a vacuum forces me to check my own work and therefore become a better writer. Win!

And the only reason Sith-I-5 even knew my work existed is that I posted in this thread, and had a link to my story in my signature. So that can't hurt your chances.

 

Thank you for the shout-out, Snocone.

My two creds is that I will review work and will passively hope the favour is returned, as apart from my recent challenge entries, I am pretty much in the same screaming okay, moping, into the void, boat, but if the relationship continues to be too one-sided, with nothing coming back my way, I will read and review someone else.

That said, there are a couple of writers who I do not give nearly as much attention as they give me.

 

This is because your stories have a very challenging structure. They're all written in a single take, but sometimes it's hard to follow what's going on. It could be my ADHD as well, so it's not necessarily 100% about the way you write. A couple of other people's stories cause me the same problem, words are just flying all around the page and I have to write notes to know what's going on.

As a reader, you often pull stories from the depths of the board and rediscover them, sort of provoke the rest of us to have a second look and I'm, for one, immensely grateful to you for that.

Chyntuck - I plan to ask to do it. Thanks for reminding me.

I am bipolar and I often doubt the reality of people's kindness, and I have obsessive tendencies myself, so I understand that. Absolutely. But I usually allow it a week or two before I'm like "wait, do I smell bad to these folks or what?"

I...need to work on that 500-word mess of a document I have had on my computer for A YEAR AND A HALF NOW.

...

As a writer who suddenly became the person with thirteen or fourteen comments on certain stories, I am actually surprised at how it happened. And I still have stories which only Findswoman comments on (and sometimes Kahara), so...it doesn't even depend on friendships as much as I thought. D'oh, I'm a lestupid-ledumb.*

* A fic-gift for anybody who gets the reference.

 

And now an actual question: Wookiepedia says "Alderaan allowed Refugee Relief Movement settlement by displaced exiles from Ando and other Separatist worlds who wished to remain Republic citizens. Due to its assistance of these exiles, Alderaan was attacked personally—nearly "being destroyed"—by General Grievous."

Anyone know where I can find more information about either the Refugee Movement on Alderaan or the attack by General Grievous?

 

I always check the notes in the Wook; it will usually say where something has appeared or been mentioned. Admittedly, half the time I'd never read or heard of the citation, but if I want to follow up I know where to go.

 

Hello. I'm new here. Here's my situation. I'm writing a fanfic that's taking place during the Old Republic Era. I need a "bogeyman" for my story. What I mean is, a Star Wars-centric bogeyman. What would be something a mom or dad, living in the Star Wars Old Republic Era, tell their kids, to behave. "You'd best behave or the bogeyman will get you!" Replace bogeyman with the Star Wars version of that.

The reason is, someone critiqued that word, saying it was a reference to the real world. I should use a word that is from the Star Wars universe. The trouble I'm faced with is, what if readers don't get that it is a mythical being used to scare kids into good behavior, and instead think that is literally who Darth Nox is?

Or do you think bogeyman is fine as it is?

Anyone know of any?

A snippit from my fanfic:

Thanks for your comments and ideas ahead of time!

 

PlanetSmasher
Well I'm not sure if that helps but in one of my stories a character mentions that her mother frightened her by saying that the Sith would take stubborn and misbehaving childs at night. Using the Sith as a whole as a bogeman.
"Behave or the Sith will come for you."

 

PlanetSmasher - welcome. Going off what Anedon suggested, the parent could warn that "Sith happens."

Bogabo could be an equivalent to bogey man.

I'm keen to expand the role of Rathtar in the galaxy. Scary enough?

Any holochess monster.

Rakatan

Shadow monster. Shadowman. Shadowfemme. The Shadow. Shade. Sh- That last one can be used to get junior to be quiet.

The jedi. "Look, knock it off, or I'm telling them you have Force powers."

 

Well... It doesn't describe it in the snippet I posted from my fanfic, but Calaverous is a Lord of The Sith, and he's in service to Darth Nox, Dark Lord of The Sith. So, for Calaverous to say that Darth Nox is a Sith, is kind of redundant....

EDIT:

That Rathtar is pretty scary, but I had to google it to figure out what it was. That means it won't work to convey that "well known" mythical creature that everyone knows without being told about it... Especially to casual Star Wars fans...

EDIT:

As for Lord Nylon... I'm sure Darth Nox would be displeased to be compared to some two bit dark lord wannabe.... ( LOL )

This is actually a lot tougher than I thought it would be.... It seems that I'm going to have to keep bogeyman, even though it's not "Star Wars-ey." Unless someone comes up with another idea.

Thanks, so much for your responses, so far!

EDIT:

Oh! Wow! I didn't see your other suggestions, earlier. Shadow Monster looks interesting. I'll have to really think on that.

Thank you!