How to write anime fanfiction
Before you plunge into the world of anime fanfiction, it's important to choose your anime first. It may seem obvious, but you need to remember that the best fanfictions are built around a deep understanding and appreciation of the source material. Your love for a particular anime should extend beyond the appealing characters and gripping plotlines; delve deep into the world-building elements, lore, and subtext. This intimate knowledge allows you to create an authentic fanfiction that is true to its source.
Avoid picking an anime solely because of its popularity. Opt for one that genuinely resonates with you. A deep emotional connection will spark your creative spirit and keep you faithfully committed to the writing process.
2. Understanding Your Characters
Leap beyond the screen and immerse yourself into the minds of your characters. This dimension of the art form requires knowledge of your characters' motivations, dreams, fears, and past. This understanding will give depth to their dialogue, decisions, reactions, and overall journey in your narrative.
An actively engaged audience relishes the suspenseful unpredictability of a well-plotted story, but they also crave familiarity; they want their favorite characters to act in a manner that remains true to their original portrayal. This tough balance between fidelity and freshness is a hallmark of exceptional anime fanfiction.
3. Respect The Original Storyline
While fanfiction provides a platform for authors to explore alternative plotlines, it is essential to respect the original storyline. This isn't a constraint that stifles creativity but rather, a parameter that helps maintain the authenticity of your anime fanfiction.
However, this doesn't mean you can't experiment with plot twists or introduce newly minted characters. The trick is in seamlessly weaving these elements into the original narrative fabric in a way that complements, rather than clashes with, the existing storyline.
4. Confronting Canon and Non-Canon
The terms 'canon' and 'non-canon' are commonplace in fanfiction circles. 'Canon' represents the original material, everything that has been officially presented in the anime. 'Non-canon', on the other hand, includes everything that the original creators did not state, imply, or show. This includes theories, alternative universes, and character relationships.
Your anime fanfiction can lean towards canon, non-canon, or both. Either way, you need to make clear distinctions. If your narrative heavily contradicts the original material, be prepared to defend your choices. Your story will engage readers more if it challenges existing ideas in a constructive manner, rather than negating them outright.
5. Crafting Your Plot
The plot is the backbone of your fanfiction. It's where the fun and excitement lie. Keep it engaging, involve twists and turns, and make sure to keep it true to the nature of the anime. If you're writing a One Piece fanfiction, it's not appropriate to develop a high-school love story plot. It should still be an adventure story.
A good approach to plot development in anime fanfiction is to pick one main event in the anime and build your story around how your chosen characters would react to it. It allows you to explore your characters' depths while keeping consistency with the original storyline.
6. Ratings and Warnings
When considering your anime fanfiction's content, be aware of your intended audience. Setting appropriate ratings and warnings is a crucial part of this. They provide readers with an upfront understanding of what they'll encounter in your work, such as graphic violence, explicit content, triggering themes, etc.
Each fanfiction website has its rating system, but they typically follow age group classifications. For instance, Fanfiction.net utilizes the Fiction Rating system while Archive of Our Own uses a general audience, teen and up, mature and explicit.
7. Using Fanfiction Platforms
Popular fanfiction platforms include FanFiction.net, Wattpad, and Archive Of Our Own (AO3). They provide online spaces where you can publish your anime fanfiction, receive feedback, and interact with readers and fellow authors.
FanFiction.net is the oldest and teems with various genres and fandoms. Wattpad excels in social networking features, facilitating interaction between readers and authors. AO3 is known for its comprehensive tagging and filtering system and the freedom it offers to authors. Choose the platform based on your preferences for the audience, breadthing, and navigational ease.
8. Revising and Editing
The revision and editing process is a crucial phase in your anime fanfiction journey. It allows you to refine your narrative, rectify plot holes, and polish your language.
Consider using Grammarly or ProWritingAid for grammar, punctuation, and stylistic advice. They can help you mitigate common writing errors and enhance your prose. Also, remember that fanfiction is a social activity. Reach out to your reader community or fellow authors and request them for feedback. Their insights could aid your revision process enormously.
Common Questions
Can I monetize anime fanfiction? No, you cannot monetize fanfiction as it could infringe on the original copyright holder's rights since it involves using pre-existing characters and settings.
How long should my anime fanfiction be? You can create micro stories of 500 words or work on epic sagas of multiple book lengths. The brevity or length of your anime fanfiction largely depends on the story you want to tell. But as a beginner, it’s advisable to start with shorter pieces and gradually tackle longer narratives.
Does anime fanfiction have to be in script format? No, you can write your fanfiction in prose or script format. Choose the format that suits your story and preferences the best.
References:
1. Bran, Kendra. "Anime & Manga>FanFiction." FanFiction, 2021. https://www.fanfiction.net/anime/
2. "Posting and Editing." Archive of Our Own, 2021. https://archiveofourown.org/help/posting.html
3. "Writing Fanfiction." Wattpad, 2021. https://www.wattpad.com/112795309-writing-tips-fanfiction
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