How do you work with fanfiction? (SFW)

Binkyt11
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So… While I don’t read it much, I’m kinda interested into fanfiction. The closest I’ve read fanfics was short stories in art descriptions. It’s really interesting of how people are able to do it.
 
I got an idea in mind for one, but I’m not sure how to go at it. The things that concern me the most is with wording/phrasing, starting off, and characterization of the characters (with the idea in mind having 2 main characters that were just introduced this season, as well as a third main character who we don’t see too often).
 
So if this is the right forum to ask it in, for the fanfic writers of Derpi how do you go about writing fanfiction? I hate it when I have an idea I can’t draw go to waste because I can’t write a proper story.
Parallel Black
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A little disappointed that no one has replied to this one.
 
Err, let’s see. In my opinion the main thing you’ll what to think about are the characters themselves. Down the standard route for fanfiction you’ll want to keep everyone 100% in-character, down a more interesting and writer-y route you’ll want to logically develop them using what the source material has provided you with - in other words exploring things like “How angry can Applejack get and what would she do if she reached that point? What would Rarity do if she was put in a high up position of power?”
 
Beyond that way you structure your story is also very important. Beginning, middle and end is much harder than it sounds, because you need to have a set idea and stick with it, which - at least for me - tends to be difficult. A central theme can help with this, though it isn’t necessary for a story to work.
 
I’ll probably need more details on what exactly you need to know before I can give you more advice.
Binkyt11
Tree of Harmony - Drew someone's OC for the 2022 Community Collab
Elements of Harmony - Had an OC in the 2022 Community Collab
Non-Fungible Trixie -
Verified Pegasus - Show us your gorgeous wings!
Preenhub - We all know what you were up to this evening~
Philomena - For helping others attend the 2021 community collab
Twinkling Balloon - Took part in the 2021 community collab.
Ten years of changes - Celebrated the 10th anniversary of MLP:FiM!
My Little Pony - 1992 Edition
Best Art Program Ever - For artists who were courageous enough to draw something for the April Fools day.

Sleep isn't real.
@Parallel Black  
Thank you! :D Well For starters, I do have a bit of experience with writing for characters in pictures with OCs and in RP, but never full blown fanfic material.
 
When in comes to most writing in general, starting and ending something are usually the hardest parts for me. If I really get into it the body shouldn’t be too hard. I want to know of good techniques when one it’s stuck on such points such as that. I mean seriously, I can think up random parts of the story that would be mostly in the body just fine, openings and endings are what just get to me.
 
On the topic of characterization, I love that idea! I usually have a good idea of how characters work, but not in situations. Especially those with multiple characters, in which the fanfic in mind has (granted the main ones are ones who had shorter appearances and are open to some interpretation with something to stand on as well). And if at all I would have to make any OOC, it would be 1. Brief. Very brief. 2. Have a reason for it and make sure it can add to the story. 3. It’s within limits their character limits and not waaaaay out there like some charactes going OOC like I’ve seen before in the past.
 
And one last thing, if it’s okay can I give a basic synopsis of the idea?
Parallel Black
Solar Supporter - Fought against the New Lunar Republic rebellion on the side of the Solar Deity (April Fools 2023).
Princess of Love - Extra special version for those who participated in the Canterlot Wedding 10th anniversary event by contributing art.
Non-Fungible Trixie -
A Really Classy Artist - 250+ images under their artist tag
Twinkling Balloon - Took part in the 2021 community collab.
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2020) - Took part in the 2020 Community Collab
Dream Come True! - Participated in the MLP 9th Anniversary Event
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2019) - Celebrated Derpibooru's seventh year anniversary with friends.
Not a Llama - Happy April Fools Day!
Friendly Griffon - For helping others attend the fifth anniversary party

Absolutely. Post away :)
 
@Binkyt11  
“I mean seriously, I can think up random parts of the story that would be mostly in the body just fine, openings and endings are what just get to me.”
 
This is exactly the problem I have so you’re not alone there. Lots of epic scenes come to mind but then I can’t think of anything to connect them. When it comes to being stuck on a certain bit there are some things you can do:  
First off, zoom out and think about whether the conversation is going in the direction you expected it to. If it is but you’re still having problems, don’t be afraid of changing something to make it fit, so long as the change stays in line with whatever you have in mind later on.
 
In other words and just as an example - the characters need to get somewhere quickly but you’ve found yourself mired in a long expository thing about their respective pasts. Shortening the dialogue would be difficult, but if the journey itself was a little easier for them (such as randomly finding a mine cart leading all the way down the steep cliff face(again, just an example) that would allow you to get them to Point B in time, while keeping the character development.
 
This kind of solution is one option. Another would be to simply provide them with a longer timeframe to reach their destination. I think retroactively fixing a problem is a lot better than coming up with a way through on-to-go, though the latter is much better for your progress as a writer since it challenges you.
 
Now what else…
 
I mentioned before about having a central theme. Not every story needs one (a murder mystery wouldn’t need one to function as a perfectly sound story for example), but there are plenty of benefits to think about, one of which is that it can give you a solid beginning and a solid goal to aim towards. Themes can also have tons of artistic value, but it’s better to get to grips with actually writing stories before trying anything too complex, unless you can fit something cool in under the surface.
 
Anyway. Having a theme or central focus for the story gives it grounding, upon which you can build the story’s events and even the characters from. Things start one way, and after the events of the story, they end in a noticeably different way. A central theme can help you out with this since it provides you with something to base the entire story around, which in turn provides you with information on how to start and end it.
Binkyt11
Tree of Harmony - Drew someone's OC for the 2022 Community Collab
Elements of Harmony - Had an OC in the 2022 Community Collab
Non-Fungible Trixie -
Verified Pegasus - Show us your gorgeous wings!
Preenhub - We all know what you were up to this evening~
Philomena - For helping others attend the 2021 community collab
Twinkling Balloon - Took part in the 2021 community collab.
Ten years of changes - Celebrated the 10th anniversary of MLP:FiM!
My Little Pony - 1992 Edition
Best Art Program Ever - For artists who were courageous enough to draw something for the April Fools day.

Sleep isn't real.
Oh my god I am so sorry! I thought I had replied earlier! I don’t know what happened, bit it never went through. :( Bit anyway, I’ve read heigh and here’s what I have to say.
 
For starters, my idea in mind is pretty much a comedy/slice of life. The main plot revolves around Quibble Pants, Zephyr Breeze, and Soarin meeting for the first time (via Rainbow Dash) and having them interact.
 
I got the idea from all the art I’ve seen on dA and Derpi that shows all of them fighting and not once have I seen one of them in the same fighting over Rainbow Dash, or just fighting in general (well there possibly is one, but it’s explicit).
 
They all have interesting personalities and backgrounds that can clash with each other, but can still have some common ground to work on.
 
Now then,onto your points friendo!
 
@Parallel Black  
First off, zoom out and think about whether the conversation is going in the direction you expected it to. If it is but you’re still having problems, don’t be afraid of changing something to make it fit, so long as the change stays in line with whatever you have in mind later on.
 
I like this as a start! So far I do have a good idea of how I want it to begin. Perhaps I could make myself a small “map” of sorts to plan out how I want to write my story. And with changes, I’m hoping that it’ll be easier said than done. Sometimes it can be as simple as wording and just as hard as that for me.
 
 
@Parallel Black  
In other words and just as an example - the characters need to get somewhere quickly but you’ve found yourself mired in a long expository thing about their respective pasts. Shortening the dialogue would be difficult, but if the journey itself was a little easier for them (such as randomly finding a mine cart leading all the way down the steep cliff face(again, just an example) that would allow you to get them to Point B in time, while keeping the character development.
This kind of solution is one option. Another would be to simply provide them with a longer timeframe to reach their destination. I think retroactively fixing a problem is a lot better than coming up with a way through on-to-go, though the latter is much better for your progress as a writer since it challenges You.
 
I think with these options, I’ll have to find the time and place for them. The former I think would work in my favor for transitions and after as you said, long expositions. The latter is something I can use to develop the characters, have the timeframe extend instead of rushing it, and it’ll give the story some down time in between the shorter areas (ex:transitions).
 
@Parallel Black  
I mentioned before about having a central theme. Not every story needs one (a murder mystery wouldn’t need one to function as a perfectly sound story for example), but there are plenty of benefits to think about, one of which is that it can give you a solid beginning and a solid goal to aim towards. Themes can also have tons of artistic value, but it’s better to get to grips with actually writing stories before trying anything too complex, unless you can fit something cool in under the surface.
Anyway. Having a theme or central focus for the story gives it grounding, upon which you can build the story’s events and even the characters from. Things start one way, and after the events of the story, they end in a noticeably different way. A central theme can help you out with this since it provides you with something to base the entire story around, which in turn provides you with information on how to start and end it.
 
 
Hmm, with a theme I’m not entirely sure on what it could be. With the story, to it’s most basic of terms it can be as simple as just because we are all different, doesn’t mean can’t try to get along with one another. Keep in mind what I said about them earlier. Their personalities and backgrounds are all different from what we’ve seen in the show. So maybe I can find a theme in there somewhere. Maybe.
 
Anyway, thank you once again for the advice! It is very helpful and I appreciate it very much!
Parallel Black
Solar Supporter - Fought against the New Lunar Republic rebellion on the side of the Solar Deity (April Fools 2023).
Princess of Love - Extra special version for those who participated in the Canterlot Wedding 10th anniversary event by contributing art.
Non-Fungible Trixie -
A Really Classy Artist - 250+ images under their artist tag
Twinkling Balloon - Took part in the 2021 community collab.
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2020) - Took part in the 2020 Community Collab
Dream Come True! - Participated in the MLP 9th Anniversary Event
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2019) - Celebrated Derpibooru's seventh year anniversary with friends.
Not a Llama - Happy April Fools Day!
Friendly Griffon - For helping others attend the fifth anniversary party

@Binkyt11  
I’m very glad to hear my advice is useful to you! Just let me know if you need any more help :)
 
Also, keep in mind what I mentioned about central themes not being necessary for a story to function. By the sounds of it your story likely won’t need one since it’s just a simple slice of life thing, though doing a thought exercise based on the theme you mentioned would probably still help you sort out the progression of the story and give you idea for events.
 
I can give you a good example or two of themes impacting a story and its characters if you want?
Binkyt11
Tree of Harmony - Drew someone's OC for the 2022 Community Collab
Elements of Harmony - Had an OC in the 2022 Community Collab
Non-Fungible Trixie -
Verified Pegasus - Show us your gorgeous wings!
Preenhub - We all know what you were up to this evening~
Philomena - For helping others attend the 2021 community collab
Twinkling Balloon - Took part in the 2021 community collab.
Ten years of changes - Celebrated the 10th anniversary of MLP:FiM!
My Little Pony - 1992 Edition
Best Art Program Ever - For artists who were courageous enough to draw something for the April Fools day.

Sleep isn't real.
@Parallel Black  
Thank you! I’ll make sure if I have to again!
 
And I would like to hear of some as long as they’re generally sfw (No explicit things or such).
 
And one last thing. Do you think the concept and inspiration are good? I know it’s random, but I would just like to hear some thoughts about it. ^^;
Parallel Black
Solar Supporter - Fought against the New Lunar Republic rebellion on the side of the Solar Deity (April Fools 2023).
Princess of Love - Extra special version for those who participated in the Canterlot Wedding 10th anniversary event by contributing art.
Non-Fungible Trixie -
A Really Classy Artist - 250+ images under their artist tag
Twinkling Balloon - Took part in the 2021 community collab.
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2020) - Took part in the 2020 Community Collab
Dream Come True! - Participated in the MLP 9th Anniversary Event
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2019) - Celebrated Derpibooru's seventh year anniversary with friends.
Not a Llama - Happy April Fools Day!
Friendly Griffon - For helping others attend the fifth anniversary party

@Binkyt11  
Generally I’m geared towards much bigger, grander stories so I’m not the best judge of quality when it comes to small scale ideas like this one. By the sounds of it it could easily be fun though.
 
As for examples…  
Ex Story 1’s theme is “togetherness”. Down one idea route the characters come together to help each other out, thereby personifying the story’s theme. Simple enough.
 
Another route would take this further, turning the slice of life story into a full-on drama, with the characters falling apart and going against the theme, suffering for it, and then getting over their differences to come back together. A sequence of events like this would work even better if the main villain ends up alone at the end, abandoned and betrayed by his/her fake friends to display the error of their ways.
 
Ex Story 2’s theme is “wealth”. Here, the main character starts out with everything one could ask for, only to lose it all and end up finding a different form of wealth - emotional instead of physical.
 
In both of these examples the theme of the story heavily influences what happens to the characters. The bad guy ends up alone as a representation of the end result of what would have happened if the main characters hadn’t ended up back together. In example 1, going against the theme spells danger and misfortune, but a theme playing such a direct role in events is of course only one way of doing things.
Sunset-Peril
Friendship, Art, and Magic (2018) - Celebrated Derpibooru's six year anniversary with friends.
Artist -

@Binkyt11  
My advice is: keep characters in character mainly. Lets say one character starts acting someway theyve never acted before. It. Gets. Weird.(thats why its kinda fun with no personality characters). 2: starting off IS the hardest! Work on that first because it will only frustrate you more if it floods behind closed floodgates(understand?) It doesnt have to be award winning, it just has to mke the rest of the story possible. 3. Have fun and put your heart into it! As long as you love your work, everything will turn out fine.(and thats comin from someone who has scientific inaccuracy in their’s!)
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