Hello there, friends!

Introduction:

For a while now I have been receiving requests from various authors asking me to read and review their stories in hopes that my feedback will improve their fanfic(s). Needless to say, I was not able to read and review all of these stories because I did not have the leisure of reading through fanfics and critiquing them. After some thought and a pointed question to my AFF friends (feel free to add me as a friend here if you haven't already, I refuse noone), I reached a compromise - to create a sort of Writing Guidebook where I can reach not only those who have requested my help, but also assist and reply to others seeking mainly advice and/or information concerning writing styles and techniques.

As a person who is, most of the time, extremely mindful about vocabulary and tenses, the simplest misspelling of a word will irritate me and cause me to bury my head in shame (and I often make this mistake, believe me). I tell you here and now: I am not here to point out trifling matters. If you missed a period, if you spelled something wrong, if you used a fragment, if you used a run-on sentence, I will not advise you against it. That should already be common knowledge. If, however, you have any questions concerning grammar, please leave a comment and I would love to help you. Also, I will still post some advice about grammar, but it will mostly be pointed towards structure and not predominantly on grammar usage.

With this mentioned, I am making it clear that I am not here to teach you English.

Now that THAT is over with, shall we begin? :)

I will title chapters according to themes discussed. The following should be self explanatory:

Theme 1: Plot

     -      Repeating Details 

Theme 2: Visualization 

     -     Varying conversations 

     -     Metaphors and Similes 

Theme 3: Originality

     -     Narrative Styles 

     -     Stock Characters

(I will add to this as I see fit)

Plot will discuss aspects of how a person such as yourself could strategize your story with a main story arc. 

Emotion will discuss how you can convey and convoke emotion from your readers. 

Visualization will discuss what types of terms can be used in place of other words in order to make your writing more descriptive.

Writing will discuss various writing styles and how it can convey different types of moods in a story.

(If you have topics you suggest I should explore, let me know)

I will leave these words here and now: The most memorable parts, of anything - whether it be a speech, an essay, or a presentation - is almost always the beginning and the end.

First impressions were coined important for a reason. In addition to that, lasting impressions carry over to the end. What the reader retains is what he or she first absorbed in the beginning sentences of your paragraph and what you last described in the ending parts of your paragraph. Of course the middle stuff matters. It always does. The middle stuff helps you get from point A to point B. 

But why isn't the middle part labelled? Because it's just the middle. No point whatsoever. A checkpoint, perhaps. But people never stay in checkpoints. They exceed them.

Remember: Grab your readers' attention. And once you have it, maintain that attention with your plot, with your writing, and with the emotions you make them feel. And once you have it, Don't let them forget it. 

You know how you finish a movie that was really good and you feel satisfied at the ending because the end was just that dang amazing? It's like that. Make them feel that way. Make them want to feel it again. And make them want more.

I hope this guide will help you improve your stories, and remember, I am always here - to listen, to reply, and even to learn. We are all people striving to become better. I am in the same boat as you are.

Good luck!