#Gotta make revisions and ask for beta feedback etc etc

[coralhoneyrose]

Ya know, since I only write Chrobin, I actually have no idea if everything I write is cursed to be long or if this is specifically a function of the fact that once Chrom and Robin start talking to each other, they just will NOT stop.

Which I like, actually! Their friendship is sold so convincingly in game that I think I (and a lot of people) came away really buying into their comfort with each other and the idea they would have lots to talk about. It makes writing conversations between them a lot of fun even if sometimes that also means watching the word count climb higher while I helplessly try and figure out a way to get them to sTOP FLIRTING ALREADY, GOD

...All of this to say that I am real close to finishing my first draft for the next chapter and that right now it's like 20% Actual Things Happening and 80% Chrom and Robin Just Talking, so :') I hope you all like dialogue asdkj

[alittledizzy]

Hi fellow phanfic writer here. I tend to only write because dialogue/descriptions/etc are stuck in my head or bouncing around and writing is the only way to get them out. As a result I write really short fics or starts to longer fics and then never finish them. How do you write so regularly and keep up the inspiration?

I think setting small goals is what motivates me, and forcing myself to meet those goals even when I don’t want to. 

I feel like I should preface that this is just how it works for me personally and I’m not saying that any fic writer out there has an obligation to write when they don’t want to write. But if I only let myself write when I felt the motivation or inspiration, I’d never finish a fic. And you asked for what works for me, so that’s what I’m gonna give you. :) 

I do work from home so self-motivation is pretty familiar, I have to hold myself accountable for things with work because no one else is going to hold me accountable (until it’s too late). I just apply the same mentality to fic. Generally it’s just sitting down and going, “Okay, this might be crap, but I’m going to try.” results in something that isn’t crap at least half the time. 

If you want to write a longer fic and you’re new to it, try breaking it down into scenes and set a goal for how many scenes you’ll finish in a week. If you’re someone with a really busy schedule and you can only write two days a week, go with that. If you do hit a groove and want to write more, amazing. If you don’t, then at least tell yourself you have to get something written on those days you’ve decided are writing days. 

I have different writing websites/apps I use depending on what level of kicking my own ass is required to get something done on those days where I’m struggling. Write or Die (link) starts blaring loud noises or playing obnoxious songs if you stop writing too long, so you set a time limit and you just have to keep typing something the whole way through. If you want that in theory but less annoying, Written Kitten (link) shows you a picture of a cute cat as a reward every time you hit a certain number of words. I also use draftin (link) a lot which has no timed features but does have a Hemingway mode, which means it disables the backspace or delete. That’s really useful for times I don’t love what I’m writing and I’m tempted to constantly just rewrite the same section and it’s hindering me from moving forward in the fic. 

Less immediate suggestions: having a friend who writes fic that you chat with about fic is really great too. Phandom is just freakishly isolating when it comes to the writing community - at least that I’ve found. You basically just have to approach writers you like and keep approaching them until you make a friend. When I first came into the phandom I totally did that, I just sent out messages introducing myself and wanting to talk about fic (theirs, mine, the writing community in general) and I gotta say, like, no one replied. Or if they replied it was a polite write-off. It has taken me almost two years to really feel like I’ve connected with a group of people I really feel comfortable with. Theoretically fanfic writing challenges would be a great way to meet people, but the challenges that happen in this fandom are super hands off which still has me scratching my head. You can go through the entire process and not end up interacting with any other writers, there’s really no group fun mentality about it at all. So since phandom doesn’t come with any built in structure for it - you’re basically left trying to make your own network. (Coming back after I finish the post to add - there was the phandom games thing recently but I think sign ups already closed.)  

Having a beta reader is also good. And I can’t stress this enough: a good beta reader will give you concrit, and that is a good thing. Don’t look at it like they’re telling you aren’t a good writer because that isn’t what they’re doing. What they’re doing is trying to help you shape what you’ve written into the best version it can be. But it only works if the writer is open minded to hearing advice and the beta reader knows how to deliver it in a way that is constructive and uplifting but honest. (I could go way more into what makes a good beta/writer relationship, but since that wasn’t the question, I’ll leave it there.)  If you respect that this is someone taking time out of their day to try and help you because they respect the time and effort that goes into writing and want to be part of the process, then it’s extremely rewarding and motivating. I feel freakishly inspired after getting back a copy of a fic that has beta revisions, and I always feel way more confident about a story after I’ve re-written half of it. Feeling confident about what you’re writing really translates, and people respond to effort put into fic. And, as with everything, positive feedback and validation is the most potent form of inspiration.

the tl;dr of this post: 

set small, achievable goals and stick with them even when you don’t feel like it

use a writing app or website as motivation if you can’t provide it yourself

find writer friends or join a writing group

get a beta reader