We're going to try and start at the basics then continue to harder topics. Keep in mind that this is the norm for the fic. When we say 'wrong', it's not the norm for the fic; when we say 'right', it is the norm for the fic.

Authors:

Formatting

Today, I write of formatting. Many author's use the correct format but many also use formats that can be difficult to read or are actually delaying their progress in becoming a better writer.

The 'correct format' doesn't involve character summaries before every chapter or even before one. Omit any and all summaries.

Wrong:

Mikan Sakura

Age: 17

Likes: Hotaru and howalon

Dislikes: Natsume and school

Appearance: Brown, long hair, brown eyes, short, heart-shaped face, school uniform

Right:

A girl with long, cascading curls walked out of the apartment complex. She shifted her oversized sunglasses down her nose and peered across the street, caramel eyes flickering from store to store. ETC. ETC. ETC.

Another common error is spacing. In order to help the reader read the story more clearly, have a double indent between every paragraph.

Wrong:

He sat in the chair and sighed.
She watched him pull out his paper and place his cigar in his mouth.

Right:

He sat in the chair and sighed.

She watched him pull out his paper and place his cigar in his mouth.

Also, dialogue should be separated from all paragraphs. Only dialogue tags ('he said', 'she nodded', 'he sat', 'she whined', 'he chuckled', 'she chirped') and phrases describing the dialogue or actions surrounding the dialogue should be in the same paragraph.

Wrong:

...and he couldn't think of any reason as to disagree. "Fine," he begrudgingly agreed. "I'll let this slide just this once." "Thank you so much, Natsume!" Mikan twirled once, a bright smile decorating her face. "I won't let you down!"

Right:

...and he couldn't think of any reason as to disagree.

"Fine," he begrudgingly agreed. "I'll let this slide just this once."

"Thank you so much, Natsume!" Mikan twirled once, a bright smile decorating her face. "I won't let you down!"

When there's a time-skip that isn't momentous (ie: weeks, multiple days or years) then use the line presented in the FanFiction toolbar.

Wrong:

We bid farewell and started to our houses.

"What the heck?" I screamed upon my arrival to my house.

Right:

We bid farewell and started to our houses.


"What the heck?" I screamed upon my arrival to my house.

Another idea, recently brought to attention by a reviewer, is thought processes. Direct thoughts should be italicized.

Wrong:

I thought, It should be fine; he won't know.

Right:

I thought, It should be fine; he won't know.

Narratives, however, are not thought processes:

Wrong:

I peered around the corner and tip-toed to the counter.

Right:

I peered around the corner and tip-toed to the counter.

Also, flashbacks are another formatting issue. As a common rule here in FanFiction in general, flashbacks should be in italics. If anything is supposed to be stressed and would normally be italicized, un-italicize the word. Also, don't use bold either. Bold is used for Author's Notes alone.

Wrong:

To me, it wasn't scary - it was fun.

Wrong:

To me, it wasn't scary - it was fun.

Right:

To me, it wasn't scary - it was fun.

Another topic is Author's Notes. They should be in bold and separated by the aforementioned line-breaker. Also, try not to use Author's Notes within the actual story; it ruins the flow you have created.

Wrong:

He sung a soprano (AU: highest key).

Right:

*mentions meaning in Author's Note in beginning of story*

He sung a soprano.

That's all that I can surmise for formatting. If you have any other recommendations for formatting, PM/review and let us know! Thanks!


Readers:

If you notice any of these formatting aspects in an author's story, let them know! They can't fix their writing if they don't know what's wrong with it.

Also, it's awesome to give tips, but remember to explain the components that you liked in their story. Otherwise, they may change that as well. Try to write everything as nicely as possible as well. We appreciate any and all reviews with opinions but some may not find harsh critiques helpful and could take great offense. Just because you can't see one another because we're online, doesn't mean there isn't a person on the other end of your review. That's obvious but many people degrade this fact, finding it easy to flame on someone when they can hide behind a screen.

Reviews don't even have to be long - although, those are exceedingly nice. A simple, "I really like your descriptions but your grammar could use some work; remember that commas aren't semi-colons!" is just as awesome to us as a 5 paragraph essay on tips on scenery : )


Thank you all so much for reading and hope this helped! Any questions? PM or review and we'll be sure to respond. Check out our community, Writing Whims; it has model stories and our staff is always willing to help with any and all questions.

Also, if you have any recommendations or thoughts you'd like to be heard to improve this archive, PM us! We'll be sure to include your advice : )

Sincerely,

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