I'd like to think that I know how to write good fanfiction, but the sad
truth is that I don't think my abilities are the caliber that they
should be. 

  It happens to everybody sometime. I still have guilt hanging over my 
head by asking (it feels like 'demanding') the good people on this ML to 
read my fics ^^;;;

I'd appreciate any pointers, suggestions, or comments on how
to write better fanfiction. 

  Come up with a good idea. Write it. Refine it. Edit it. Those are all 
good rules of the thumb. Sometimes I find the best editor is myself; 
most of the time I'll pick up stupid logical errors in the story or 
character inconsistencies (that's MOST of the time, that's what 
prereaders/editors are for ;) 
  Usually, I trust my gut for judging whether or not a fic is good 
enough to send out. That usually takes a couple weeks from initial 
conception, btw, during which time the story may be expanded, new ideas 
incorporated, adjusting events, etc. Time is your friend; don't race it, 
use it. 
  Also, don't write if you don't feel like writing; the worst thing you 
could do is force yourself to write, generally resulting in poorer 
writing than normal. 

<snip unneccessarily-long list of better-known fic writers>

  Ah, so I fit in 'the others?' It's so nice to be appreciated :)


"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5. 
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Jump. Jump now!"--Kosh, Babylon 5, making some sense. 

--Razorclaw X

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