And here's the promised part deux. Now I know a lot of you are wondering why I'm not posting this in the forums or something. The reason is rather simple: because I know, as an avid reader, I don't go to a website like portkey.org to read the messages in the forum. That's not why I'm here! I go straight for the stories. Thus it only serves as common sense to put this where the most people will probably read it. And I'm sorry if this disappoints some people but there won't be a section on smut. Why? Because as an eighteen year old, I have yet to experience the act. It would be hypocritical of me to tell other people how to write something that even I know little about. In reality, almost all smut stories are merely copies of other stories probably written by experienced authors. Thus, the quality goes down since the writer probably doesn't know what they're talking about. Okies?
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Wasting little time and putting all his knowledge of Hogwarts to good use, Harry made it quickly back to the tower. After a rushed, `poisoned rationality', he was in the common room. Luckily, it was somewhat late since the room was empty. As expected, both Hermione and Ron were waiting up for him.
“Harry! There you are! I was starting to suspect that you had gotten yourself caught somehow,” said Hermione, smiling at him. A roguish grin spread across his face.
“Oh ye of little faith, I just got sidetracked.”
“By what? Getting distracted supposed to be my job!” cried Ron, leaning over the back of a couch by the fire. With a little flourish, Harry pulled out the book and tossed it to him.
“`A Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Harry Potter Fanfiction?'”
“What the bloody hell?” Harry walked over and plopped himself in between his friends.
“Yeah I know. I was kinda surprised too. All I read was the beginning though.”
“Give me that book Ron, I want to see what's in the table of contents.” He passed over the book without a fuss. As if he'd really give one. “Let's see…`Characterization'…`Writing Your Original Character'…`Grammar and Spelling'…”
“Go to chapter two: writing your original character. That looks interesting.”
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Chapter Deux: The Original Character.
Oh lord…the OC, or original character, is often times a necessary part of a fanfiction. However, many authors tend to want to create Mary-Sues and Gary-Sues. What are they you ask?
They typically have such characteristics:
* extraordinarily smart
* color changing eyes
* super strong
* super cool
* have cool toys
* some type of super ability that no one else possesses
While at the same time, the main characters don't have anything special going on that would help them outshine the OC. REMEMBER: your story should be about the main characters, not the ones you create. If you want to make a story using your own characters so much, post it somewhere else.
Harry, as the main character, should not be outshone by a random girl that just so happens to pop up from the middle of nowhere.
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“What the hell?” repeated Ron in surprise. Hermione shot him a whithering look.
“Have you never heard of fanfiction?”
“Of course not. What is it?” Both of the muggle children sighed and shared a glance.
“It would take too long to explain that to you actually. What else is in there Hermione?”
“Hmm…this looks promising…”
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Chapter Quatre: Writing Reviews
One of the best things a reader can do is leave a review for the author as it shows that someone is reading their stories and someone wants to let them know that. Just a simple, `This story is really awesome, keep up the good work' is very appreciated.
However, for some, this isn't enough.
So you could do what others do. While you go through the chapter you're reading and some comment about the chapter comes to mind, write it down in a review to send when you're finished. If there was one line that just made the chapter for you, tell the author that. If you want more action, tell them that too. Most authors, myself included, have no problems with adding a scene here or there for a reviewer who has asked for it. If anything, it makes more people want to review if they see things they really like happening.
Even better, ask questions when you don't understand. Address discrepancies you see when you read so that the author can go back and make the story better.
Nevertheless, you should never, EVER tell someone their story sucks or something equivalent to that. If you don't like the story then dang it, don't continue reading it. How much sense does that make? You don't like the story yet you're still reading it. Never flame someone because the way they portray a character isn't correct. Suggest that they think about rewriting the character because something that they are doing are just really out of character, or OOC. Most people post their stories so that they can receive help with them. Who gave you the right to play God in a world where the only `God' is the original author?
Also, decent grammar is very much appreciated.
`Lke OMG! Dis chappie wuz lke da coolest eva! Update real soon!'
This should never be a review. And never threaten an author in a review, that's seriously unprofessional.
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“Looks like you could learn a thing or two from this Ron.”
“Hey! I know how to use good English!”
“I think what you really mean is proper English Ronnie old chap,” said Harry with a grin, clapping the boy about the shoulder. Ron shrugged the hand off, moving to the armchair on the other side of the fire. With the added space, Harry pressed his back up against the couch while Hermione laid down next to him, drapping one of his arms over her waist.
“It's still a really weird book though,” mused Ron. He snorted. “As if someone would create a book series on your life!”
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And here is the next one. I hope I did everyone a hand with that little section on reviewing. Sorry if it seems a little rushed but I honestly could think of nothing more to put here.
Text from the Wayback Machine's capture of the site, 3 May 2007.