3.1 Story Types Specific to Fanfiction

ie. plots which are hard to classify because they aren't exactly plots

Now the thing (or at least one of the things) with fanfiction is this; you don't have to stick to traditional storytelling. And over the years, the bunch of people writing all this stuff have come up with their own types of story.

Look, I'm not entirely sure how to explain it, except by saying that one of it's those things you see which are common in the fandom, but which would rarely be considered a story anywhere else. A Truth or Dare fic may be a story, but first and foremost; it's going to be a T/D fic. It's like this whole different… class of stories. And this is what I'll be attempting to cover in this section.

3.1.1 Truth Or Dare Fics

Just out of curiosity, I ran a search for T/D fics on the PJO fandom. Then, because I figured I couldn't start talking about something without knowing what the heck it was about, I ran through them.

The first one made me blink, and question the meaning of life. Well. Of fanfiction, at any rate. The second made me beat my head against a wall. The third was actually better, except for the massive character mutilation that was running in circles all around the fic. Or maybe it was just a lesser, more bearable evil when compared to the first two. When you've just sat through two confessions of love (one concerning a hunter, no less) you start looking for anything which is not that. Even if it's exhibiting suicidal tendencies by prank-calling the gods.

Research has never been this horrifying, and that's including that time I ran a search on medieval methods of heinous torture.

It's just… picture this.

There is a Camp. It's not an ordinary Camp. There is fighting area with the sand still soaking up blood. The Camp borders a beach and a stretch of forested land with god alone knows what in it. There is a rock climbing wall… with lava running down it. There are archery targets. Javelin targets. Presumably, there are shotgun targets. Winged horses occupy their own set of stables, right next to their less privileged counterparts. There are probably greenhouses. Arts and Crafts centers. A music cabin where the Apollo campers refuse to let in anyone who cannot carry a tune. And heck; there are cabins, each tailored to fit the primary characteristics of the people they accommodate.

And yeah. These kids, who are unable to sit still for much longer than three seconds or so, who by their early teens have seen plenty of blood and guts and gore are going to sit around a table, giggling and playing Truth or Dare.

*cue headdesking*

I'm making a wild guess here and stating that it does not happen that way, okay?

Sure, make them play T/D. I can actually think of a few things which can be done with that (and no, it's not the confessions of undying love). But I have to tell you, you'll have to be one heck of a ficcer to pull it off. And most people who start off in the PJO fandom are, to be brutally honest, complete amateurs. A complete amateur and a Truth or Dare fic does not a good combination make.

But then again, most of the more experienced writers would balk at the idea of writing a T/D fic, except in parody. So maybe it's the other way round. And in the interest of not turning this Guide into a bitchfest, I'm stopping this tangent.

So, if you must write a T/D fic, here are a few things you ought to keep in mind.

First; nobody confesses their love for anybody else. This is important. Truth or Dare is not where lasting, healthy relationships are made. Also; people don't confess their love that easily. Especially not teenagers. And especially not teenage boys. Love is a powerful writing weapon, kids; just look at Severus Snape from Harry Potter. Don't abuse it by confusing it with teenage infatuation.

Second; Not everybody is in Camp all the time. The Hunters rarely visit. Nico probably spends most of his time wandering around the globe- he's about the only person who can do that easily. Percy and Annabeth are summer campers, and prefer to spend the rest of their year away from there. Luke, Beckendorf and Silena are dead, and the powers that be probably aren't going to grant them a temporary reprieve so they can participate in the ultimate Truth or Dare challenge.

Logic and reason are your friends, not your foes. Negotiate with them. Don't throw them into your deepest dungeon and start howling LALALALALAAAAA in an effort to keep their voices away.

Third; the Greek Gods are… not nice people. Just pick up any random myth and realize how blatantly understated that is. They are not the kind of people you prank call; unless you're looking for creative ways of committing suicide.

Fourth; the OOCness. Not every girl is shy and cute and just dying to admit she likes a guy. Not every guy is embarrassed but sincere and glad to have a reason to admit he likes the girl. They have individual personalities, people. Use them.

But seriously; try to avoid the things. TD fics are usually giant black holes for all sorts of good fic-writing elements like characterization, plot, logic and so on.

Stay tuned for Karaoke, Lists and Songfics! Among other things.