SHAX'S FANFICTION WORKSHOP
A writers' advice column

Part 1 - Before we begin

Writing fanfiction is different to writing original fiction. You should 
realise that, inescapably, you are using plaiguarism to some degree. You are 
using somebody else's characters and plots. But even the writers of Archie 
comics are essentially fanfic writers, the only difference is that they have 
official permission to print their work. The creators of Sonic have always 
been excellent sports when it comes to the existence of Sonic fanfiction, 
probably because it doesn't hurt their commercial interests as much as it 
helps them. So you shouldn't worry about breaking the law or getting sued no 
matter how much artistic licence you use. It hasn't happened yet and I can't 
see it happening. Be aware, though, that you should never, ever attempt to 
write fanfiction in exchange for money. That is venturing into the realm of 
unethical artistic robbery, and you will get yourself sued.

But let's not talk about that. Let's talk writing. At present I'm writing 
this column because I want to set a few things straight about this obscure 
sub-original style of prose. Interestingly, you would think that writing 
fanfiction would be easier than original fiction - after all, you don't have 
to invent as many characters or scenes. But there are some strange unspoken 
rules, many of which you will learn in the course of your writing, barriers 
that you must transcend.

Writing is a long process. You beat it level-by-level, like a videogame. 
Writer uses Descriptive Prose attack, evolves to Level 2. The strange thing 
is that you will find yourself being extremely proud of a work, and one year 
later you will embarrassedly want to shove it under the carpet where nobody 
will see it. I want to assure you that it is okay to be proud of your work. 
Great, even. I hope you do, otherwise you might not evolve to the much 
sought-after Level 2. Check out my fanfics some time, season one, which I 
wrote a few years ago. I used to flaunt them everywhere, show people how 
talented I was, now I hate them so much that I'm re-writing every single one 
of them so I never have to look at them again. That's progress.

The first thing I want to tackle is your motives for writing. Ask yourself 
honestly why you are writing. And don't lie. The best thing about talking to 
yourself is that you know when you are lying. Ask yourself:

Am I writing because I enjoy it?

Am I writing because I want attention?

Am I writing because I want to improve my skills?

These questions I have written in order, I think, of importance. Your answer 
to all three should be yes. All of them are important, and you shouldn't 
downplay the importance of any of them. But if you get them out of order, 
you might have problems.

A condescending tutor might tell you that the second question, the seek for 
attention, should not factor into the equation. This is a cliche, and is 
unreasonable. We are human beings, and we cry out for attention every day. 
The praise we recieve drives us forward. It is our fuel. If we get no 
praise, we write better to achieve it. If we get lots of praise, we write 
better to repeat it. If you don't want to show your work, if you are 
embarrassed or intimidated, then your praise reserves will dry up and your 
desire for the art will shrivel and die.

But praise is a double-edged sword. You have to keep your ego under control. 
Most of all you have to be patient. This is alchemy, my friend, and for 
every one part of praise, you have to mix in three parts of enjoyment. You 
have to enjoy what you are doing.

Do you find yourself asking, "Why don't people read my fics?" Do you even 
ask it out loud? Do you ever ask people what they think you should write 
about? It's quite possible that your desire for attention is overthrowing 
the enjoyment you get out of writing.

NEVER, EVER ask people what they want you to write about. They want you to 
write about Sonic the Hedgehog or other official characters, that's all. 
Beyond that, you ruddy well tell THEM what you're going to be writing about. 
You need to strengthen your self confidence, write about your own ideas and 
present them as your own. Develop a style. Otherwise, you will fizzle.

You also need a desire to improve yourself. I rank this as less important, 
because it usually comes packaged with the other two desires whether you 
really think about it or not. But you should recognise it, because there is 
a problem if you're showing no noticable improvement after a time. Even the 
best writers in the world refine their skills.

One of the most important words you will ever hear in your life: Read.

Read other fanfiction, but not only that. Read original fiction, published 
fiction. Absorb it, take it in. Try to emulate it. Tell yourself you want to 
write like this person, and do it. I don't mean stealing their story, I mean 
borrowing their style. You will absorb styles that you like, and discard 
ones you don't. Eventually you will create your own, and it will grow.

Your style is like a chao. Instead of feeding it rabbits from Speed Highway 
and fish from Emerald Coast, you feed it novels from Dymocks and stories 
from the State Library. Everything will mix together and create a unique 
creature, that is your style. And synonymous with growing a style is 
improving your writing. You will also dramatically improve your vocabulary 
and your comprehension of correct grammar.

It takes time. If you've written for a year, you've done well. If you've 
written for two years, you can probably look back at your first fics and see 
a noticable improvement taking shape. I've written for five and a half 
years, and the improvement is absolutely astounding. If you last that long, 
you will thank yourself again and again.

This is really all the philosophical theory you need to prepare yourself for 
writing fanfiction. If you're serious about it, you need to realise that you 
are in this for the long haul. Set goals for yourself. Next, if you're ready 
to proceed, I'll get into the more practical stuff - how to write, when to 
write, and what to write.

Until then, I leave you with this advice: Enjoy what you do. You're not 
getting cash out of this, it's not a job. It's a hobby. Your life comes 
first. Your work comes first. Your study comes first. Don't let it feel like 
an obligation. If you're serious about it and you love it, it's gonna be a 
whole lot of fun. A whole lot.

~Shax