TTA-FANFIC WRITERS' GUIDE by Renee Carter Hall (renjef@earthlink.net) Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Basic Writing Tips The Real Basics Dialogue Other Style Issues Format 3. TTA Fanfic Tips Copyrights Writers' Block Script-Format Stories Been There, Done That: Overused Plots New Characters Crossovers 4. Editing Help 5. I'm Done. Now What? 6. On Feedback 7. Recommended Reading ***** 1. Introduction Greetings! This document is intended to be a kind of Fanfic Writers' 101, to help current and aspiring fanfiction writers hone their craft and write the best fanfics they possibly can. While I'm no expert on this topic, I am a writer (both mainstream and fanfic), and I have taken the liberty of writing this to point out some of the things that make good fanfics and, well, some of the things that make the reader stop on the first page and get a cheese sandwich. Bear in mind, everything here (unless otherwise noted) is just my humble opinion, but many books and classes on writing will tell you these same things. If you want further tips, I have a "Recommended Reading" section at the end that will point you toward more information. Now, let's get started. ***** 2. Basic Writing Tips This section will give you some hints on how to avoid the most basic errors that turn readers off. THE REAL BASICS By this I mean all the English-class stuff: spelling, grammar, etc. It cannot be stated strongly enough: It is *crucial* that fanfics have correct spelling, as few typos as possible, and correct grammar. No one will enjoy your story's wonderful plot if they can't even figure out your sentences, and a lot of spelling errors will make you look like you have the I.Q. of an eggplant. I've heard it said that things like spelling and grammar don't matter much in fanfic, since it's a more informal type of writing and no one expects you to be a professional anyway. I say that's hogwash. Whether you write for a living or write the occasional fanfic between your two jobs, you are still putting out a piece of written fiction with your name on it, for others to read. That means that your fanfic should be easy to read and worth reading. Anything less is a waste of your time and your readers' time. (This is especially true for a fanfic writer's debut. If your first fanfic is hard to slog through and not worth the trouble, some may assume that any others from you will be the same way.) First and foremost, the first draft is never meant to be the final draft. Once you've written the first draft, set it aside for awhile (at least a couple of days, if not weeks) and come back to it. This will let you read the story again with a fresh perspective, and then you can start rewriting. When you read your story again, ask yourself whether your idea is really fresh and original (see "Been There, Done That"), and whether it's a fanfic you would enjoy reading. Is the plot complex enough without being confusing? Do you tie up your plot's loose ends (even if you're leaving room for a sequel)? If you're writing a serious story, are there enough moments of humor to keep your readers from falling into therapy-requiring depression? To put it simply, is this worth others' time to read? As for spelling and typos, proofread your story at least twice. Run a spell-check, but don't rely on that--they can't pick up misspellings if your error spells another word, or if you leave out a word. One hint I've heard is to read your story backwards, word by word. This forces you to focus on each individual word, instead of glossing over sentences because you've read them so many times. Another common error is using the wrong words--"your" instead of "you're," "there" instead of "their," and so forth. Again, these are errors that will make you and your story look foolish. There are many stylebooks available to help with grammar and other style issues; get one and consult it whenever you're unsure. You may also want to have someone else proof your story (see Editing Help), but always check it yourself first. (For other references, see "Recommended Reading.") DIALOGUE One of the greatest sticking points I've seen in fanfic is stilted dialogue. By this, I mean dialogue that is out of character, too formal, awkward, and often too long. There is no real way to tell you how to keep your dialogue real, but here's one tip: Watch at least one episode of Tiny Toons and write down what each character says in a list (one page for Buster, another for Babs, etc.). I know this sounds tedious, but try it. This exercise can show you how each character, because of their personality, has a different way of saying things. It will also tune you in to the dialogue used in the show and, hopefully, give you a sense of what the right "sound" is for the Toonsters. Also, as you re-read your story, try to picture the lines being spoken in each character's voice. Occasionally ask yourself if this is the way something would be said in normal conversation. Pay attention to conversations around you--supermarket lines, airports, movie theaters--eavesdrop, write down snatches of dialogue. Develop an ear for how people really speak, and you will be able to use that knowledge to write effective dialogue. As for accents (most notably Bugs' and Fifi's), using dialect is fine, but be sure that the lines are still easy to read. It won't matter if Fifi's French accent is right on target if your readers can't decipher what she's saying! And be careful not to overuse characters' catchphrases: yes, Bugs says "doc" and Shirley "and some junk," but take it easy, or your dialogue will start sounding too silly. As a last note on dialogue, be very careful with dialogue tags--"he snapped," "she muttered," "he pleaded," and so forth. Whenever possible, let your characters' words speak for themselves. There's nothing wrong with using "said" repeatedly; it's simple and straightforward, and it lets the reader know who's speaking without calling unnecessary attention to itself. Also use adverbs sparingly ("he sighed sadly," "she said happily," etc.). If it is done well, the dialogue itself will show how the character is feeling. (For another reference, see "Recommended Reading.") OTHER STYLE ISSUES Begin in the middle: One surefire way to lose readers is with a dull opening, something like "It was a sunny day in Acme Acres," etc. Start with an opening that will get your readers' attention; an interesting line of dialogue often works well. The main rule here is to begin in the middle of your story and fill in the background piece by piece as you go, instead of starting with a huge chunk of setting or description. Keep your tense consistent: don't go from "Buster went to Babs' house to ask her for a date" to "Babs smiles and accepts." In my opinion, present tense should *only* be used in script-format stories. (To my knowledge at least, there has been very little fiction, period, that successfully uses present tense.) Using present tense in short stories is simply annoying to the readers, and switching tenses halfway through is confusing and amateurish. Show, don't tell. Don't tell us "Babs was mad that Buster was gawking at the other girl," show us "While Buster drooled, Babs pulled out a wooden mallet and bashed him on the head." You don't have to spell out your characters' every thought; let their actions speak for them. FORMAT Since you must always convert your stories to plain text format before sending them, here are a few notes on some issues unique to plain-text style: Since italics, bold, and underlining won't work in plain text, writers use one of two formats, either lines (emphasizing words _this_ way) or asterisks (emphasizing words *this* way). Either one seems acceptable, but asterisks are slightly more effective and seem to be more popular. Some like to use all caps to show particularly emphasized statements (writing them like THIS or even *THIS*), but while this is fine for e-mails and posts, it can quickly get tiresome when used repeatedly in fanfics. A word of caution: no matter what marks you use, don't overuse italics. Let the words speak for themselves unless emphasis is absolutely necessary. The same goes for using exclamation points--make sure they're really needed. Another earmark of amateurish fanfics is the use of multiple question marks and exclamation points to show extreme puzzlement or emotion. Avoid this as well. To me, nothing makes any work look more silly than seeing statements like "We've got to get out of here!!!!!" One is enough. (And try switching to decaf.) ***** 3. TTA Fanfic Tips This section deals with some of the issues faced by fanfic writers in general and those specifically writing fanfic based on Tiny Toon Adventures. COPYRIGHTS One legally important question for fanfic is whether a copyright statement is needed at the beginning or end of the story. (Essentially, a copyright statement says that Warner Bros. owns the characters and that your fanfic is not authorized or endorsed by Warner Bros.) Simply put, some use them and some don't. While disclaimers are just about always needed on TTBS stories due to their adult nature, mainstream stories seem to fall into a gray area. If you choose to include a copyright notice, something simple such as "Tiny Toon Adventures characters c. Warner Bros., Inc, used without permission" should suffice. As long as readers know this isn't canon, it will most likely fall legally into "fair use." (I'm not an expert on this sort of thing, but I've got more important things to worry about, and hopefully WB Legal does, too!) WRITERS' BLOCK So, you've got your fresh idea, your dialogue is punchy and chock-full of one-liners, you've got your characters this far... and now you're stuck. Join the club. Every writer deals with this at some point, and so there are plenty of techniques to deal with this--some logical, some emotional, and some just plain bizarre. But here are a few of the most helpful, in my experience: 1. Watch several Tiny Toons episodes. Sometimes this kind of inspiration is all that's needed to get things going again. 2. Put it aside and work on something else. Remember, the "something else" doesn't have to be a TTA fanfic--it can be a letter, a silly poem, another short story... You can even try working on something creative that isn't written, like drawing, painting, working in a garden, any kind of crafts, or music. 3. Find out what time of day is best for you. Maybe your creative juices flow best when mixed with morning coffee, or maybe you like staying up till 2 AM. We all have different "creative clocks." Try to adjust your schedule so that you have time to write during your best time of day, whether that means getting up an hour earlier or writing on your lunch break. 4. Sometimes little things count--certain kinds of music may inspire you, certain foods or beverages, a particular piece of clothing. Rudyard Kipling, for example, could only write in black ink. I write well to various kinds of music (much of my fanfic "Hip-Hop Hoops" was written while listening to the Space Jam soundtrack); sometimes I also will light a candle before I start. It doesn't have to make sense to anyone else--find what works for you. 5. Freewrites--writing whatever comes into your head--can loosen things up, too. Remember, no one but you has to see what you freewrite, and no one but you will see your first draft! 6. If none of these techniques work, set the fanfic aside for awhile and leave it alone, then come back a few days later and see what happens. Sometimes you can simply get burnt out on a story and need a bit of a break from it. SCRIPT-FORMAT STORIES TTA Fanfic can be in either of two formats: short-story (prose) form, or script form. While either are acceptable, most seem to prefer prose form. If you are writing in script format, though, there are a few issues to keep in mind. First, scripts won't have room for much description; they're based heavily on dialogue and brief statements of the action ("stage directions"). If your idea is one that relies on things like one-liners and sight gags, in the traditional realm of cartoondom, a script would probably work fine. It would be a good idea, though, to familiarize yourself with script format beforehand and also read a couple of script fanfics to see what others have done. In my opinion, script-format fanfics are more successful if they are kept true to screenwriting format, and not used because the author is too lazy to write his idea as a fully-developed story. On that note, here are a few other opinions on this from the list: "Either one can be effective, but not a hybrid. Scripts that have too heavy descriptions can be bogged down and boring. Stories without the description are too light and loosely held together." "I like reading some stories in script format as it helps me think in the format of the show." "...I guess script format is better for those writers who are just starting, and have a really great idea for a story, but are not experienced enough to write it any other way." On the flip side: "Script format is good if you're sophisticated enough to understand screenwriting and you're able to describe exactly how things would look if your story were actually animated. But if you're just an amateur, story format is much better." BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: OVERUSED PLOTS I asked the list what plots have perhaps been overdone in Tiny Toons fanfiction. Here are a few opinions: "New girl comes to the Loo, Buster falls in love, Babs gets mad, etc." "Parody. The last refuge of someone who can't create. The author shoehorns TTA characters where they don't fit and imposes a pre-fabricated plot on them." "The pointless crossover. Characters from a non-WB studio introduce themselves and learn to get along with the TTA gang. Nothing interesting happens." [see "Crossovers" for more opinions on this] "An idea that has been used to the max is that Bugs is Buster's dad and that Buster and Babs are married, or will be soon." This doesn't mean that these topics are completely off-limits, but if you are writing a fanfic along these lines, be aware that you'll have to have a new twist, something fresh about *your* situation that sets it apart. Another valid complaint among fanfic readers is that most of the TTA fanfic deals with the major characters, and many of those stories focus on Buster and Babs' relationship. Good quality stories in the same vein as the show, as well as stories featuring some of the more minor characters, will always be appreciated. To get an overview of what's already been done, go to the TTA Fanfic Archives (http://members.aol.com/HKUriah/) and read through the Tiny Toon Adventures Fan- Fiction Reference Guide, which gives short descriptions of nearly all the fanfics. NEW CHARACTERS Another issue that has been discussed at length on the list are peoples' opinions on inventing new characters to use in their TTA fanfics. Overall, the response was in favor of new characters, with a few warnings. Some opinions from the list: "I think new characters introduced in fanfics is a great idea... Though sometimes having new characters...is a pain and ruins the story if not done right. Some people tend to get too involved with their character instead of the original characters." "...new characters should always be accepted... And do keep in mind that the TTA cast was once new characters!" "Even if it ends up detracting from the story, the new characters are often a pleasant change of pace, if only for one fanfic." "For me that's a bit of a touchy issue. I like new characters, but not when they start 'replacing' the originals." "Mostly, I don't like new characters in the fanfics because they are almost always unfunny, boring..." "To make the [new character] the star, you have to be a very good writer. If he/she's just there as a supportive member, then it doesn't bother me a bit (unless the story sucks)." My personal opinion is that new characters are fine but should be used sparingly and be as well-rounded as possible without taking over the story. Before creating a new character to fill your story's role, be sure that an existing character (major or minor) can't fit the part. There are several minor characters from TTA that don't get much written about them, and every character has his fans! If no existing character will fit, make sure your creations fit believably into Acme Acres and the WB universe. Be modest with your characters--if they have special powers, also give them weaknesses and a developed personality. After all, any Toon worthy of Acme Loo has to be well-thought-out. And since cartoons are visually-based, give readers a brief clue about what your character looks like. (Please note, though, I said "brief." Readers have working imaginations; otherwise they wouldn't be readers.) In addition, if your story has new characters, it might be a good idea to include a note (at beginning or end) specifying if others are free to use your characters or if they must first ask permission. And if you want to use others' original characters in your story, it'd be good manners to contact them first, even if they do state that their characters are free for others to use. CROSSOVERS A crossover story is a story in which characters from two or more shows "cross over." This kind of story involves characters from different shows interacting (for example, The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones). In some fanfics, other characters will cross into Acme Acres; sometimes the Toonsters will cross into another cartoon's world. Overall, crossover stories tend to work best when the crossover characters have a similar style to TTA. For example, the characters of Animaniacs and of other WB shows are pretty compatible. These kinds of stories can be a good challenge for a fanfic writer, as it can be difficult to keep everyone in character. Personally, I feel that such stories should focus more on the plot and not the crossover characters--there should be a valid and interesting reason for these characters to meet and interact, not just "I wanted to put them all in the same story." Obviously, crossovers require the writer to be even more meticulous about keeping characters true to their personalities and keeping the reader interested in the story. Also, bear in mind that crossover stories require readers to have at least a working knowledge of the characters you're bringing in. As with new characters, opinions vary on this subject, so it's best to quote a bit from list members here: "The crossover fanfictions between [WB and Disney] often portray the characters as friends, and generally living in the same cartoon universe. I just don't like that. Although in some fan stories, the Disney characters are used in quick cameo jokes and being made fun of, in the style of the actual shows, and that's the style I like." "While I like crossovers, I don't like it when two shows/whatever are crossed over and the two have nothing in common. Example of this for me is South Park and Tiny Toons. Two different types of comedy, and could not in my opinion do a good crossover." "I think fans should approach crossovers carefully when writing them. In my opinion, I think writers should try to refrain from writing heavy and/or confusing plots... Crossovers should be fun and light for the most part, treated as a 'what if' story." And, in reply to that, this comment: "Certainly, those are the easiest to do...but those with more serious views on things...can be better if written properly. Writing skills seem to play the biggest part in these things. That and understanding of all the characters involved, and some good ideas about how they would meet and interact." ***** 4. Editing Help The following people are willing to volunteer their services as fanfic editors/proofreaders. Bear in mind, we all have busy schedules, and some may only be willing to edit certain types or lengths of stories. Before sending your story to any of these addresses, please e- mail them first to make sure that they are currently available to edit your particular story. Saracoth, at birkshi@gte.net RedKnox Fox, at mulderc@hotmail.com Chris Riddoch, at socket@peakpeak.com Kevin Mickel, at HKUriah3@AOL.com Questy (RRQUEST@AOL.com) and myself, Renee Carter Hall, at renjef@earthlink.net ***** 5. I'm Done. Now What? First, proofread your story again. When you're done, be sure your story's in plain text format and e-mail it to Kevin Mickel (HKUriah3@aol.com) for inclusion in the next monthly fanfic mailer. Do not post stories to the list. You'll also want to get word out that you have a new fanfic--to get some interest and hopefully more readers and feedback--so post a message to the list telling others to watch for your story, "coming soon to an inbox near you..." Mention the title and a quick (one- sentence) teaser, something like "Find out what happens when the Toonsters build a nuclear device in the Acme Loo science lab!" Or... um... something like that. ***** 6. On Feedback One common complaint of many (perhaps all) fanfic writers is the lack of feedback received on their stories. Frequently, messages are posted wondering why readers don't give feedback. One of the most logical theories I've heard is this: If readers can see that you put a lot of care and effort into your story--if the story is sound and looks professional--you will receive more feedback than you would if the story is riddled with typos, misspellings, and the like. This makes sense, but life simply isn't always like that. Many deserving fanfic authors get little or no feedback at all. The solution to this? Write for yourself, write the story because you want to tell it, and enjoy the fact that yes, nearly always, others are really reading your story even if you hear nothing from them. If you write your story to get lavish praise, you'll be disappointed. Lack of feedback is a great frustration, but while you're free to invite any and all comments, it honestly does no good to whine about it. Also, take all reviews, positive and negative, in stride. Just because two people loved your story doesn't mean you're the best fanfic author ever, and likewise if they hated it, they're not the Great Oracle Judges of Fanfiction. Mainstream writers know that whether they receive acceptances or rejections, it's still just one person's opinion. If you wish to respond to reviews or comments on your story, do so with a healthy dose of politeness and respect. Everyone is entitled to his opinion. It's fine to debate your intentions or the finer points of your plot--in fact, these are often the most interesting discussions on the list--but don't fire back some reply like "you ignorant moron, what gives you the right..." This type of reply will, of course, only make *you* look like an ignorant moron. ***** 7. Recommended Reading For writing tips and help in general, I *strongly* recommend Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style, Third Edition" (Allyn and Bacon, 1979). This should be on every writer's bookshelf, next to the dictionary and thesaurus. This book will help any writer, from those penning business letters to those composing novels. As mentioned before, many books are available to help you with proper grammar and style. Many are similar; personally, I use "The Bedford Handbook for Writers, Fourth Edition" by Diana Hacker (Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press, 1994), which I picked up in my college composition class. A good stylebook is another must-have for writers of any type or genre. For help with crafting good dialogue, I recommend "Writing Dialogue" by Tom Chiarella (Story Press, 1998). Also, for anyone wishing to explore mainstream writing as well as fanfiction, "Everyday Creative Writing: Panning for Gold in the Kitchen Sink," by Michael C. Smith and Suzanne Greenberg (NTC Publishing Group, 1996) is a good place to start out. ***** September 1998, version 1.0 Please note, some of the information in this document (particularly e-mail addresses) is subject to change. Future versions may be written to make such changes. This guide was inspired by "Quality in Fanfic," which can be found at the following site: http://members.tripod.com/~repowers/on-fanfic.html Although this is geared toward Transformers fanfiction, it's definitely worth reading. If it seems I have almost quoted from this document in spots, I apologize and hope the author will take it as flattery; no plagiarism is intended.