Subject: Re: [FFML] [spam] [questions] [fic info] Advice?
From: SlayerNext@aol.com
Date: 7/27/1998, 6:38 AM
To: dokushinsha@juno.com
CC: ffml@fanfic.com

Originally I was just going to send this to Dokushinsha, but I realized that
alot of this stuff might be useful for other new writers too.

In a message dated 98-07-25 20:14:38 EDT, some strange person not on the FFML
wrote:

<< 1.  I've spent the past month and a half jotting down ideas regarding the
 fic, attempting to outline it, etc.  I think I've basically done all I
 can w/o actually starting to write the fic itself.  Where do I go from
 here?  Should I write the story in a chronological fashion, or just start
 writing anything that comes to mind? >>
 
You might find it helpful to write the fic in this fashion.  First, write the
opening.  It doesn't have to be all of the opening, just a paragraph or so.
Second, write the ending.  Yes, write the ending before you write the middle.
It nails down exactly what you're aiming for.  When you write the middle
parts, you can consider whether or not each element helps you reach your
ending.  If it doesn't, you can toss it.

<< 2.  What's your thoughts on me realeasing it when it's completed, or
 posting each chapter as I finish it?  >>
 
Each chapter should be published when your finished with it, and I mean
finished.  Once you're sure that you aren't going to modify any part of it,
then, and only then, should you send it out.

<< 3.  Does the length of the fic matter?  It seems like this story is going
 to be fairly long, perhaps similar in length to ... actually, I have no
 idea what it would be similar in length to, but I'm planning on it being
 fairly long (ten chapters, 5+ pages per chapter).  Is it better to write
 a short fic my first time out? >>
 
Don't use any more words than the story requires.  If the story requires
12,500 words (10 chapters * 5 pages * 250 words) then use all 12,500 words.
Don't even think about using 12,501st word however.  As for whether or not to
write a short piece first, I suggest you follow Krista's example.  She had no
intent to write the novel that _Hearts_of_Ice_ has become, she just wanted to
write a good piece.  She found, however, that she needed more room to make the
story work, so she gave the story the room that it needed.  Remember, as many
words as the story needs and not one more.

<< 4.  How useful are prereaders?  Other than helping with the grammar
 and/or spelling, what else do you authors feel prereaders have
 contributed to your respective fics? >>

The thing a prereader is most useful for it to ask the question "Why?".  "Why
did Ranma not mind Ryoga and Akane dating?"  "Why did Soun just explode like
that?"  "Why didn't Rei just walk out when Asuka started screaming?"  The
problem with telling a story it that you already know it.  As a result, you
might leave out details that are important to the story.  Prereaders will
catch them before the rest of the FFML does.  This is especially important if
you have a character acting OOC.  You might understand the reason, but the
readers will only know that "this ain't the (character name here) I care
about."

SlayerNext@AwOL.com
Will work for anime.