I am just your normal reader of Fanfiction, trying my hand at writing Fanfiction.

Archive Of Our Own Link: https:///users/Invoke_static/works

Sorry if updates are not 100% on a schedule. I have found I write better when I actually want to write that story instead of meeting a deadline.

Some rules I found on Clearwing-Yuta profile and I found it was really good advice for people writing Fanfiction.

Fanfiction Failure Metarules for Writers

Things to look out for as an author to help you win more than failing at fanfiction.

Fanfiction Failure Metarule #1-- Readers will absolutely love a completed work but will invariably pick apart and inadvertently attempt to destroy it if given a hand in its creation. Be especially wary of open forums and chat channels in this regard as they usually have opinionated folks who haven't ever written anything or anything in nearly forever. Either has a healthy self-image or screen your pre-readers carefully to avoid this failure.

Fanfiction Failure Metarule #2-- The phrase "...that's just another excuse to (plot device)." indicates you are dealing with a person of below average insight as to how fiction is written. These people should not be allowed to influence your work in any way because everything is a means to an end and is therefore "an excuse" to achieve that end. For example; "...(plot device) is just another excuse to lock Ranma as a girl." This is an empty statement attempting to hide behind factual expertise, a bludgeon used by particular readers that don't get their way or don't approve of your plot. It contains no value beyond personal opinion and should, therefore, be treated as such.

This is something I really stand behind there have been times I felt like I shouldn't do something incase people look at it as just a plot device

Fanfiction Failure Meta rule #3-- There is no impossible in fanfiction. Every once in a while, you'll run into that anal-retentive plot nazi that will say it simply can't be done like that. It doesn't matter what 'that' is because 'it' simply can't be done, and they are, of course, the foremost authority on such matters. Normally this advisement is made by people that don't know they're closet creativity thieves; people who don't realize that their favorite series usually has either plot holes you can drive a death star through or that same series has Lucky God martial Artists, Flying airships, and springs of drowned Asura-zebra-octopi-phoenix-yeti-bulls. Sadly, their disagreements usually come down to little more than the opinion of what is in reality- say it with me -magical bullshit. As such, these people should be given as little creative share in your work as possible. All that said, there is a difference between the broken ideology of "can't be done" and the more realistic "shouldn't be done". Consult the Rules of Fanfiction Failure for a head start on those.

Fanfiction Failure Meta rule #4-- "It's been done before!" is never an excuse not to do it again. Some of the best works you will ever read in fanfiction "have been done before," and it's still amazing how these will be the first words out of reader's mouths when running an idea past them- even though they absolutely HAVE to know somewhere in the back of their mind that this is an empty statement because half the fics they enjoy "have been done before". Don't take this one personally. It's reflex. Smile, nod, and continue writing anyway with Rule of Fanfiction Failure #8 somewhere in the back of your mind.

Fanfiction Failure Meta rule #5-- Fanon is not a sin. That's right, folks, it's time to drop the rosaries and stop going to those cleansing ceremonies because contrary to what you have been led to believe, fanon is not the end of the world. What is the end of the world is not knowing the difference between fanon and canon. Even if you don't know, your readers will, and there's a good chance that your fic will deserve the smack-down heaped upon you even as your pitiful cries of "no flames" go unnoticed in the fic summary. Fanon often personalizes a fic and can- and I stress can -make it better than the original source material, but like Fan Fic Failure #13, knowing what you're doing to canon before you rape it at the alter will make or break a fic.

Fanfiction Failure Meta rule #6 Do what they tell you not to or shouldn't. Who are 'they'? They are the know-it-alls of fanfiction, even other authors. This particular rule is a close cousin to metarule #3 and has served me well over the years. Do they tell you not to put specific dates in your fic? Do it. They tell you that writing about X will only cause problems. Go for it. Not only will you set your work apart from theirs as unique, but your readers will also appreciate you tackling subject matter others are afraid to touch. Trusted prereader advice should always take precedence over this rule but always keep it in the back of your mind. Asking yourself 'why' somebody advises against certain material is half the battle whether you take their advice or not.

Reviews!

And here's something concerning 'REVIEWS', which I copied from 'Heartless demon wolf' and 'Toa Solaric' and 'Clearwing-Yuta'-

Writers - all of them, from famous authors to subtle FF writers- ALL depend on the feedback from our readers. Vision Dominican brought up an interesting albeit tragically true idea:

"Lack of reviews is the greatest killer of fanfic writers out there. We at the Institute wish to let the public know of how they can pitch in to save our dying writers."

This is 100% true seeing a review on my fanfic really does make my day and I have read and responded to everyone I get and I love hearing back from people even if it is negative in nature.

1) Drop a review at every other chapter. It may not seem like much, but reviews are actually what many of us want to see. That, and hits. Hits do make us happy but we don't really know if people like our story or not.

2) Visit our author page. Those kinds of hits really make us happy. It's where we showcase our entourage of friends, beta readers, and stories. Some of us even tidy up with set areas for upcoming story ideas and character bios.

3) Send an email. I really do love talking with my readers one of my readers I have sent 200 PM's between us. So drop a review or PM me I don't think a single writer hates talking to their readers."

What you call being "too lazy to review" is what we call "a flame to the pages" as the writers. That one minute or two that you felt "too lazy" to review is another minute of creeping discouragement that all writers feel as they begin to think...

"Why am I even here…?"

"What's even the point of continuing?"

"My skills must be terrible…no one cares for my story…"

"I'll never be a good writer...I quit."

These are only a few thoughts that go through every writer's head- that go through MY head- when we put out a chapter/story with all our heart and soul within, and we sit there…and sit…and wait…and not a single person says even a word. Sometimes I just think the chapter is bad if I get 525 people that read the chapter and no review even a simple "good job I loved the chapter" means a ton to writers.

If you're not a writer, you have NO IDEA how much that hurts to the writers.

If you ARE a writer, then I'm sure you know just how great it feels when someone is kind enough to leave a heartwarming and encouraging review, and you read it, smiling while thinking…"Wow…fuck...I did it…!"

So, why not give fellow writers the same luxury here?

Too many times I've seen epic and utterly beautiful works of literary art fall to pieces before finally being abandoned due to the terrible discouragement that the lack of reviews can cause.

Sometimes, it is so severe that the very writer himself decides to quit, denying the world his skills of writing that I'm it would have deeply enjoyed.

So…

Just one minute, that's all it takes. Just a few gentle taps of the fingers on your keyboard, a few seconds or so of your time, and your words can SAVE a writer from a dark demise.

Do me and new writers a favour: Go find a story, ANY story, anywhere here on, and see if you can help it. If it has very little / no reviews at all, just check it out, and say whatever comes to mind good or bad we really all do want the feedback.

And enjoy the thought in mind that you could have just SAVED that story, with just a few taps of the keyboard… We have all come across that story that we love and then it just stops a simple review could have kept it going.

If you agree with what I have said then please copy and paste any part of this story you wish onto your profile. Modify it in any way you see fit; there is no need to use my exact words. You make it say what you want it to say!