The amount of fanfiction being written grows every day, but what about the amount of fanfiction that’s been well thought-out and planned? Taking just a few smart steps before beginning your writing, plotting, and character designing can drastically improve both the quality and entertainment value of your work.
The first thing to consider is the already existing setting of the fiction world your about to derive your own story from. Simply put, make sure you take time to think about what would be appropriate and inappropriate for the series you’re writing about. If you’re going to make this fanfiction realistic to its setting, look up the weather of the place its set at if you can; if you can’t because that place is made up, look at what the author tells you about that area, and go from there.
Equally as important to the setting is the plot. Whether you’re making a twist off the original story or continuing where it left off, it’s vital to know even the smallest details about the plot. Are there areas where the author doesn’t tell you certain things, or where time gaps are with not much written about them? These not-so-explained parts are great for using your creativity and creating your own ideas of what happened; don’t be afraid to get a little out-there with it, just as long as it sticks to the already-told story that you need it to!
You wouldn’t believe how many characters are created that don’t have much depth to them aside from their appearance and purpose. While it’s important to know how you want you’re characters to look and ultimately what you want them to do, it’s not realistic to create something without a past, without flaws or quirks. A character is a fictional human or creature, and if you put that logic to it, it must have a personality along with likes and dislikes. Instead of simply deciding on a name, gender, age and appearance, go deeper! Brainstorm their personality, past, values, even their favorite colors and foods! Soon, you’ll find yourself with a person just about as real as yourself.
Finally and ultimately, the most important rule to creating well thought-out, entertaining fanfiction is always take the time to brainstorm, research, and add-on to your creations. Once you finish creating a character, don’t hesitate to go back later and add on to their past; if you’re character is deciding to moving somewhere new, consider the weather, layout, and culture of it. While it may seem tedious to consider, if you truly enjoy writing the story your creating then it will be more fun than you’d think!
Hopefully these steps can help you create worlds, characters, and plots that reflect your unique style, whether they belong to fanfiction or fiction. Remember, above all else writing is for your own entertainment. Don’t strive for your creations to please others if what you’re writing doesn’t satisfy your own creative needs. Good luck!