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ceo of amamota

@toxicpineapple / toxicpineapple.tumblr.com

tox | she/they | 20 | ToxicPineapple on ao3
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writing tips masterpost

hello to my loyal tumblr followers... i am often asked to give writing advice but usually when people ask me this i'm nooooot completely sure what to say despite having a ton of advice to give. it's such a broad question when there are so many different things i can advise on, right? so i thought i'd make a sort of writing advice masterpost where i can compile the tips that i think people specifically in fandoms could benefit the most from hearing, OR that i wish someone had told me when i was still finding my footing as a writer.

hopefully this will be helpful to you. i am putting all of the advice under a read more since this is going to be a long one. let's roll!

Ok, I just found your account after fawning over your writing for AGES and I just need to ask for some advice. Don't worry, I'll be as specific as I can!

Before opening up a blank page of what you know is going to be a long fic, do you do anything to prepare? It can be literally anything: scribbling a quick outline, mapping out character arcs, finding a comfy spot, etc.

I'm only asking because I'm currently working on sketching out the fundamentals of my first fanfic, and it would help a ton if my favorite author gave me some tips!

The theme is already chosen, and I'm reading books about said theme to make sure my story is well informed. I've taken the time to sit down and scrawl anything worth learning from authors I look up to. My notes app is just about ready to burst at the seams from the amount of outta context scenes I've written. Anyways, the point is that the passion is clearly there, but the structure.? not so much.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and gobbled up! (sorry for the long ask, I tend to be quite the rambler when it comes to my AUs. Have a good day:3)

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hmm, this is a multichapter? different outlining strategies work better for different people. for me, i can't do a full detailed outline for my multichapter fics, or i'll lose inspiration to actually write the damn thing. the notes i usually keep are in-universe timelines (so i can keep track of what happened when in what i've written already) and really basic plot beats, anything that i can use to remember what i've planned without being TOO detailed.

you might consider using the "five story elements" as a guide, here's a chart you can use (via https://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/plot-diagram)

with the exposition being the "beginning section" where you explain backstory, then the conflict arises, then things get heated, then the climax, then things cool off, then the resolution. pretty self explanatory, and can help you with structuring your story.

the other one that i've found useful is the "seasons" outlining device, where you can divide your story into four "seasons":

"summer" - status quo, idyllic conditions, everything's chill and at a baseline "autumn" - conflict arises "winter" - great tragedy/climax section "spring" - resolution/new beginnings

there are actually a wealth of resources and devices you can use for outlining. ultimately it just comes down to what works best for you. good luck! don't overthink it. first drafts are rough by nature, so don't be hard on yourself. the important thing is to get words on your page!!

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