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Update, and 5 Tips
14 years ago
New account for commissions: 
VulpesNovella
VulpesNovella Nah, I ain't dead. And yes, I'm sure (you know who you are.) In case you guys are unawares, school sucks. I'm fairly certain my teachers are conspiring against me, and planning their schedules to the point that every week is some kind of hell. Not much fun.
Regardless, I wanted to pop by and say "hi," to you guys. Writing is slow, but still in the works; you needn't fear. In the meantime, I wrote this up for one of my communication classes; figured you guys would enjoy it.
Five Tips for Better Fiction Writing on the Internet
1) Know Your Subject
So, let's say you've been reading a good book lately, and suddenly, inspiration springs upon you for a different story (or, maybe a story set in the same universe; this is known as fan-fiction). You're all geared up, with the plot racing through your head. You hop on the computer and began typing as fast as your fingers will allow -- only to run out of juice a few paragraphs in. What is the history of the characters? Is there something in the story you missed?
Writing fiction can be just as much work as researching for a term paper. Writers, in order to successfully apply their craft, need to do some in-depth study on what they plan to write about, because it's their job to teach the reader what's going on. In the case of fan-fictions, the original source will provide some information, while a home-brewed story will need to be plotted out and researched in advance. For example, you want a fantasy-style novel with Steampunk influences. Great. How did they acquire the technology? How long has it been around? What the hell is that dragon doing here? These are all questions you should expect to answer even before the first keystroke.
2) Know Your Audience
So, you've done your homework and researched up on your subject. You've got the plot lined up, the characters polished (for the most part), and you're ready to show it to the world.
The only problem is that the vast majority of the world won't make it past the cover.
Sure, your friends might read it, but that's because they're your friends. In order to properly spread your work around, you need to find the right target audience. You'll also need to seek out the places that they frequent; sure, there are broader fiction hosting sites, but why get lost in the masses? Not to say that posting here is unimportant; rather, creating a small, loyal fanbase first is a great way to build up your reputation. Writing a Sci-Fi novella? Look up some forums or culture boards for similar interests. Targeting specific groups as your audience helps you relate better to them, and feel more comfortable about writing.
3) Show, Don't Tell
This is something we've all probably heard, at some time or another, from our various high school English classes: When it comes to any kind of emotive writing, show, don't tell. This entails using descriptive adjectives and adverbs, eliciting to the five senses, and painting a picture out of the scene. Here are some examples:
Tell: Jeremy walked down the cold pathway, backpack slung over his shoulder as he looked up at the fall sky.
Show: Jeremy glanced up at the overcast, cloud-filled sky, the sun gently shining through as the cold chill whipped past his ears and brittle leaves crunched beneath his feet.
Show is usually a bit wordier than tell, but only insofar that it's trying to show you what is happening in the scene as if you were actually there. It's important to note that, while descriptions are always nice, don't go overboard. Too many words can lose the importance and meaning of the thought process.
4) Write a book without posting a book.
Of course you want to see your story finished, and so do the people who are reading it. When it comes to the Internet, stories are often completed in segments, usually split by chapters. Depending on the quality and type of story, your mileage may vary when it comes to chapter or post length. An important thing to remember, though, is to never give away more than your readers, and any potential newcomers, can chew. Smaller, easy-to-read posts are favorable to tomes of knowledge, even if that means posting multiple times for just one chapter. This is perfectly acceptable, and your audience will thank you for it. Remember: When it comes to the internet, distraction is abundant. Keep your audience entertained without making it a chore to read through several paragraphs. Cutting the clutter is important here.
5) Don't get Discouraged!
Real life happens! You get sick, your job is running you ragged, or your teachers are giving you a lot of homework that week / weeks / month.
You're stuck in a particularly nasty situation in your fiction that you can't figure out how to get around.
Your latest post has elicited poor reviews, or no response at all. Similarly, you post several times (usually the first several) in a row, without so much as a passing glance.
On the internet especially, but similar to reality in general, making something a success takes time and effort. For a while, yes, you will be the guy at the bottom of the bin. The most important thing to remember in these situations is to not give up! Keep writing because it's fun for you, not because you're looking for fame. Take a break when things get to hectic; the story will always be there when you get back. Sometimes, these breaks allow you to reflect on what's happened and come up with new, exciting ideas. No matter what, keep at it. The end product will be worth it.
Regardless, I wanted to pop by and say "hi," to you guys. Writing is slow, but still in the works; you needn't fear. In the meantime, I wrote this up for one of my communication classes; figured you guys would enjoy it.
Five Tips for Better Fiction Writing on the Internet
1) Know Your Subject
So, let's say you've been reading a good book lately, and suddenly, inspiration springs upon you for a different story (or, maybe a story set in the same universe; this is known as fan-fiction). You're all geared up, with the plot racing through your head. You hop on the computer and began typing as fast as your fingers will allow -- only to run out of juice a few paragraphs in. What is the history of the characters? Is there something in the story you missed?
Writing fiction can be just as much work as researching for a term paper. Writers, in order to successfully apply their craft, need to do some in-depth study on what they plan to write about, because it's their job to teach the reader what's going on. In the case of fan-fictions, the original source will provide some information, while a home-brewed story will need to be plotted out and researched in advance. For example, you want a fantasy-style novel with Steampunk influences. Great. How did they acquire the technology? How long has it been around? What the hell is that dragon doing here? These are all questions you should expect to answer even before the first keystroke.
2) Know Your Audience
So, you've done your homework and researched up on your subject. You've got the plot lined up, the characters polished (for the most part), and you're ready to show it to the world.
The only problem is that the vast majority of the world won't make it past the cover.
Sure, your friends might read it, but that's because they're your friends. In order to properly spread your work around, you need to find the right target audience. You'll also need to seek out the places that they frequent; sure, there are broader fiction hosting sites, but why get lost in the masses? Not to say that posting here is unimportant; rather, creating a small, loyal fanbase first is a great way to build up your reputation. Writing a Sci-Fi novella? Look up some forums or culture boards for similar interests. Targeting specific groups as your audience helps you relate better to them, and feel more comfortable about writing.
3) Show, Don't Tell
This is something we've all probably heard, at some time or another, from our various high school English classes: When it comes to any kind of emotive writing, show, don't tell. This entails using descriptive adjectives and adverbs, eliciting to the five senses, and painting a picture out of the scene. Here are some examples:
Tell: Jeremy walked down the cold pathway, backpack slung over his shoulder as he looked up at the fall sky.
Show: Jeremy glanced up at the overcast, cloud-filled sky, the sun gently shining through as the cold chill whipped past his ears and brittle leaves crunched beneath his feet.
Show is usually a bit wordier than tell, but only insofar that it's trying to show you what is happening in the scene as if you were actually there. It's important to note that, while descriptions are always nice, don't go overboard. Too many words can lose the importance and meaning of the thought process.
4) Write a book without posting a book.
Of course you want to see your story finished, and so do the people who are reading it. When it comes to the Internet, stories are often completed in segments, usually split by chapters. Depending on the quality and type of story, your mileage may vary when it comes to chapter or post length. An important thing to remember, though, is to never give away more than your readers, and any potential newcomers, can chew. Smaller, easy-to-read posts are favorable to tomes of knowledge, even if that means posting multiple times for just one chapter. This is perfectly acceptable, and your audience will thank you for it. Remember: When it comes to the internet, distraction is abundant. Keep your audience entertained without making it a chore to read through several paragraphs. Cutting the clutter is important here.
5) Don't get Discouraged!
Real life happens! You get sick, your job is running you ragged, or your teachers are giving you a lot of homework that week / weeks / month.
You're stuck in a particularly nasty situation in your fiction that you can't figure out how to get around.
Your latest post has elicited poor reviews, or no response at all. Similarly, you post several times (usually the first several) in a row, without so much as a passing glance.
On the internet especially, but similar to reality in general, making something a success takes time and effort. For a while, yes, you will be the guy at the bottom of the bin. The most important thing to remember in these situations is to not give up! Keep writing because it's fun for you, not because you're looking for fame. Take a break when things get to hectic; the story will always be there when you get back. Sometimes, these breaks allow you to reflect on what's happened and come up with new, exciting ideas. No matter what, keep at it. The end product will be worth it.
