Author notes, Readers/Writers, and Story/Chapter length.

Ranting & Raving
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Author notes, Readers/Writers, and Story/Chapter length.

 

 

 

Author Notes

 

Okay. I know I touched on this before, but I'm saying it again. Be sparing with your author notes. You do not have to write something at the beginning and end of every chapter. If you've written the chapter well, you won't need to then recap and explain what the hell the reader just read. Give your readers some credit. They're paying attention. And if something isn't clear, they'll ask.

 

Like the forward section, please only put in story relevant information. Don't add a bunch of gifs and pictures. If you're gonna be on hiatus, great. That is the right time to tell them. Don't tell me about your new puppy. That's what the blog is for.

 

 

Readers make good writers . . . I think.

 

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a closed loop. Are people who read fanfictions, only reading fanfictions? I read everything, and there are certain authors that I really enjoy, and try to emulate their style. Style, not story lines. J.K. Rowling is the QUEEN of foreshadowing. She drops a lot of hints along the way, and if you don't pay attention, you'll miss clues. I try to write in a similar style. I like to create 'ah' moments later in the story. I like for my readers to follow the threads as the story goes on. This is not for everyone. I repeat, I plan the out of my stories, so that all the dots connect. J.K. Rowling does it, I try to do it to a lesser degree.

 

There's also a writer named Sophie Kinsella, that I admire. She's British and her stories are witty. I try to do that, too.

 

And then there's Susan Elizabeth Phillips, who writes the best romantic comedies ever. What she does, that I enjoy, is the main story and sub-story. She has the main love story, and then a secondary lo

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Baekhyunsoul #1
Chapter 20: I can only wish more people would use beta readers, especially if you are putting all this work into something that obviously means something to you. It only makes sense, if you’re in a rush to publish and don’t have the time time put it away to reread later when you’re not so close to it, then use the fresh and objective eyes of beta reader. Thank you for putting that out there
Baekhyunsoul #2
Chapter 20: I can only wish more people would use beta readers, especially if you are putting all this work into something that obviously means something to you. It only makes sense, if you’re in a rush to publish and don’t have the time time put it away to reread later when you’re not so close to it, then use the fresh and objective eyes of beta reader. Thank you for putting that out there
meowzwrites #3
Chapter 26: Omg yes @ mpreg just please stop
meowzwrites #4
Chapter 14: Lol @ 16. I do idol fics, and I used to give characters with very little training in one area really strong twins but now I just want to punch myself and everyone who does that in the face.
haaitje #5
Your rants and ravings are so very informative. I will revisit it when I have/find the motivation to write again. I agree with most of your opinions about the stories on AFF. I have to say I like reading your stories, I like your characters and how you "build" them. I could care less if they were black, white, purple or whatever color; race or ethnicity, I like them for who they are. How they develop. And of course their background is an important part of that but I don't think their color is key. I hope that you get what I mean, it's difficult to explain without seeing your reaction ^^. You asked about angsty stories and I just read a lot of angst stories by the same author. The stories were compelling and I couldn't stop reading them but I also thought that it was a bit too much. Too much pain and heartache never any form of relieve for the characters. I felt drained after reading their stories back-to-back, no matter how interesting I found the stories. I contemplated telling the author that, how I felt about the stories but I was to chicken to actually do it. After reading your R&R I decided to tell them anyway. It's upbuilding criticism and not a bashing. Thanks again for your insights and keep writing these interesting funny and heartwarming stories. Who doesn't want to be Luna, I sure wanted to be. ^^
PrinceOfAbstraction #6
Chapter 35: A good story will have one or more of the following - good plot/interesting characters/attractive writing style/inexplicable something that makes you relate to the story at once.
NeoCaratTypo #7
Chapter 32: I’m CHOKING I’m pretty sure that chpt 31 (Consistency) was my story ? I specifically remember thinking that it was so innovative. I hated that decision too after writing two chapters because It got so tiring to write. I do still like the concept of the story so I’m thinking of revisiting it. Hopefully I don’t make the same mistake ?
milkia #8
i've honestly read this through several times and i still can't get over how good this guide is. guide/rant, anyway. i love it, thanks for posting!
MinhosAegyo #9
Chapter 41: girl i've been off this site for years (was in like middle school when i created my account) and i come back out of curiosity (now graduated from high school) and you still spilling hot fiery teaaaa. love it. now let me go catch up on your stories cause i remember them being bOMB!
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