Writing Guide
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A Scientific Guide to Blood Drinking: Accurately Writing Vampires by leeksoup
Fandoms: Vampires (general), No Fandom, Original Work
06 Mar 2023
Tags
Summary
A collection of information on vampiric blood drinking covering both sides of the exchange. Major topics include: the side effects of blood loss and subsequent survivability, the math behind the volume of blood drunk, bite recovery, and more taboo topics such as human farming and blood as lube.
Rated M for violence, death, and sex. Each chapter has its own rating and warnings.
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Tags
Summary
I see a lot of 'don't know how to tag' tags on fic and had to figure out a lot of this through a combination of research and figuring out how it worked as I went along, but thought I'd share what I learned in the hopes it might help someone else.
Tl;dr: Be nice to the tag wranglers, and the tag search is your friend. That, and looking at the norms in the fandom you're posting in, and copy-pasting tags in is very useful.
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A guide to Writing by DeleriousSquid
Fandoms: writingaid, Original Work, guide to writing - Fandom
31 Jul 2024
Tags
Summary
This is a little guide I put together and will be updating as often as I can! I hope that this is useful to those who want to write their own stories and fanfictions out there! Please provide feedback and commentary even if it is constructive criticism! Thankyou!
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,807
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Kudos:
- 2
- Hits:
- 72
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Tags
Summary
Most general writing advice is, at best, functional but woefully limited, and, at worst, too narrow and more reflective of personal predilections or biases to be of any use. It does not help that so little people have the vocabulary to analyse prose on a technical level.
Rather than provide literary prescriptions, I shall instead proffer this personal repository of prose analyses of various writers that I think are pretty neat. This is both a writer's notebook and a mini-course in prose.
One needs no gurus to advise you on how to write. The best way is, always, to turn to the works of those you deem masters, judge what is on the page, and apply it to your own style.
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Tags
Summary
Most general writing advice is, at best, functional but woefully limited, and, at worst, too narrow and more reflective of personal predilections or biases to be of any use. It does not help that so little people have the vocabulary to analyze prose on a technical level.
Rather than provide literary prescriptions, I shall instead proffer this personal repository of literary analyses of various writers that I think are pretty neat. This is both a writer's notebook and a mini-course in prose, and perhaps poetry and drama too.
One needs no gurus to advise you on how to write. The best way is, always, to turn to the works of those you deem masters, judge what is on the page, and apply it to your own style.
(revised from my previous discarded attempt - any non-excerpted text is CC0 1.0 Universal)
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Tags
Summary
An in depth guide on how to best write relationships between trans people and cis people.
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Teaching with the Feelies: A Didactic Manifesto by iahklu (zedpm)
Fandoms: No Fandom, Original Work
30 Apr 2025
Tags
Summary
Fifteen tips for living, creating, and teaching at the same time.
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Tags
Summary
Non-excerpted text is CC0
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 4,113
- Chapters:
- 1/?
- Collections:
- 1
- Hits:
- 13
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FanFic through the Lens of Classical Reception Studies by HesterStarling
Fandoms: non fiction - Fandom
04 Apr 2021
Tags
Summary
On 4th March, I was very excited to be invited to speak at Confusion21, the name of this years Eastercon, the UKs longest running sci-fi convention. I was speaking on the relationship between fanfic and classical reception studies, and how when seen through this lens, fanfic could reveal a huge amount about the communities who produced it.
The transcript is here, for folks who are interested! Next time someone gives you gip for writing fanfic, wave this at them!
Note this was a short talk, and as such is not exhaustive.
Bookmarked by malstorm
02 Nov 2021
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
FanFic through the Lens of Classical Reception Studies by HesterStarling
Fandoms:non fiction - Fandom
General Audiences
Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
No category
Complete Work
04 Apr 2021
Tags
Show warningsShow additional tags
Summary
On 4th March, I was very excited to be invited to speak at Confusion21, the name of this years Eastercon, the UKs longest running sci-fi convention. I was speaking on the relationship between fanfic and classical reception studies, and how when seen through this lens, fanfic could reveal a huge amount about the communities who produced it.The transcript is here, for folks who are interested! Next time someone gives you gip for writing fanfic, wave this at them!
Note this was a short talk, and as such is not exhaustive.
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Tags
Summary
If you already write smut, this guide is not for you.
And why yes, I do teach sex ed sometimes. You’re going to wonder.
So, you want to write smut. But you don’t feel smutty. Maybe you’ve never personally felt smutty. Maybe the smut words won’t happen. Maybe it’s performance anxiety. Maybe it’s meds. Maybe it’s stress. Maybe it’s WORDS about SEX on the INTERNET, and you CANNOT.
But your story needs smut, and that’s valid. Maybe your plot hinges on it. Maybe you just want to reward your characters with some nice, juicy orgasms. Maybe you want the explicit rating because you know people like explicit content, and you want to learn a new skill as a writer. All valid.
So, we like to outline our stories. Can we outline the sex scenes? Yeah, kinda!
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Tags
Summary
There is a big difference between a trans man exploring his identity/sexuality through fanfiction, and a cis writer misrepresenting what it means to be FTM. If you're a cis writer with the best of intentions, I hope these guidelines and resources will assist you in improving your treatment of trans men.
Chapter 1: Writing Guide, FTM Anatomy.
Chapter 2: Gallery of Trans Men.
Chapter 3: FTM Media Recommendations.
Chapter 4: Racism in Trans Headcanons.This guide was originally posted on my old account, which has since been deleted due to transphobic comments, including threats of violence. I have posted it again anyway, because I take this matter very seriously. Do not repost, copy, or in any way plagiarise this guide. But please feel free to share a link to it, so that cis authors can improve the way that they depict trans men. I have tagged characters which are discussed in the guide, and are therefore relevant. If you encounter this guide while browsing those tags, that's why.
Series
- Part 4 of Original FTM Works
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 15,011
- Chapters:
- 4/4
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 309
- Kudos:
- 1,132
- Bookmarks:
- 398
- Hits:
- 34,546
Bookmarked by malstorm
17 Dec 2021
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
How To Write Trans Men: A Guide by budgie_smuggled
Fandoms:Original Work, No Fandom
Explicit
No Archive Warnings Apply
Gen
Complete Work
13 Jan 2022
Tags
Show warningsShow additional tags
Summary
There is a big difference between a trans man exploring his identity/sexuality through fanfiction, and a cis writer repeatedly misrepresenting what it means to be FTM. If you're a cis writer with the best of intentions, I hope these guidelines and resources will assist you in improving your treatment of trans men.
Chapter 1: Writing Guide.
Chapter 2: Gallery of Trans Men.
Chapter 3: FTM Media Recommendations.
.
.
.
This guide was originally posted on my old account, which has since been deleted due to harassment and threatening comments. Please do not repost, plagiarise, or copy this guide. But please feel free to share a link to this guide, so that cis authors can improve the way they depict trans men, and transmasculine people.Series
Part 5 of Original FTM Works -
How to Write a Casefic by Jolie_Black
Fandoms: Multi-Fandom, Poirot - Agatha Christie, Miss Marple - Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms
11 Feb 2021
Tags
Summary
A multi-fandom meta on how to write casefic. Dos, don'ts, and rules of thumb.
Bookmarked by malstorm
12 Jan 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
How to Write a Casefic by Jolie_Black
Fandoms:Multi-Fandom, Supernatural, The X-Files, NCIS, Lucifer (TV), Poirot - Agatha Christie, Miss Marple - Agatha Christie, Dexter (TV), Broadchurch, Bones (TV)
General Audiences
No Archive Warnings Apply
Other
Complete Work
11 Feb 2021
Tags
Show warningsShow additional tags
Summary
A multi-fandom meta on how to write casefic. Dos, don'ts, and rules of thumb. -
A/B/O: Adventures in Fake Science. by Hells Bartender (Firebog)
Fandoms: Unspecified Fandom
02 Aug 2016
Tags
Summary
This is an attempt to bash weird porny a/b/o dynamics fiction over the head with science. Not that anyone asked for it.
So how the hell does a/b/o sex determination work? And why did a trinary sex determination system evolve in higher vertebrates alongside a binary sex determination system? Why aren't omega males dying in droves from massive uterine infections? Alpha females, what's up with that? Come on in and I shall tell you the very best in fake science and evolutionary history.
Part theorizing, part helpful guide. This one goes out to all you people who just want fictional worlds to make sense. I'm right there with you.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 23,029
- Chapters:
- 9/?
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 365
- Kudos:
- 1,150
- Bookmarks:
- 565
- Hits:
- 39,115
Bookmarked by malstorm
02 Mar 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
A/B/O: Adventures in Fake Science. by Hells Bartender (Firebog)
Fandoms:Unspecified Fandom
Teen And Up Audiences
No Archive Warnings Apply
F/F, F/M, Gen, M/M, Multi, Other
Work in Progress
02 Aug 2016
Tags
Show warningsShow additional tags
Summary
This is an attempt to bash weird porny a/b/o dynamics fiction over the head with science. Not that anyone asked for it.So how the hell does a/b/o sex determination work? And why did a trinary sex determination system evolve in higher vertebrates alongside a binary sex determination system? Why aren't omega males dying in droves from massive uterine infections? Alpha females, what's up with that? Come on in and I shall tell you the very best in fake science and evolutionary history.
Part theorizing, part helpful guide. This one goes out to all you people who just want fictional worlds to make sense. I'm right there with you.
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Mistakes to Avoid When Writing TOS by WeirdLittleStories
Fandoms: Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek
14 Feb 2015
Tags
Summary
A number of people write TOS stories because Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are so iconic or so delicious or so wonderful, even though their understanding of Star Trek comes mostly from The Next Generation or Deep Space Nine or another of the Star Trek series. To keep your story within TOS boundaries, here are a few things to keep in mind.
This is an essay, not a story, and it's about the television show, not about the movies featuring the same cast. (The movies were somewhat different than TV-show-era Star Trek; this essay is only about the show.)
Just Added: Chapter 2, on how to make Kirk and McCoy talk like Americans, even if you aren't one. :-)
Bookmarked by malstorm
09 Mar 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing TOS
WeirdLittleStories
Summary:
A number of people write TOS stories because Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are so iconic or so delicious or so wonderful, even though their understanding of Star Trek comes mostly from The Next Generation or Deep Space Nine or another of the Star Trek series. To keep your story within TOS boundaries, here are a few things to keep in mind.This is an essay, not a story, and it's about the television show, not about the movies featuring the same cast. (The movies were somewhat different than TV-show-era Star Trek; this essay is only about the show.)
Just Added: Chapter 2, on how to make Kirk and McCoy talk like Americans, even if you aren't one. :-)
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Gender is More Than Clothes: Writing Trans and Non-binary Characters by A_LoveUnlaced
Fandoms: No Fandom
09 Dec 2021
Tags
Summary
1. Don't be afraid to write us. We don't bite (unless you're into that).
2. We are more than shapeshifters, robots, and Janets.
3. Trans people can be great murderers, but they're probably not murderers because they're trans.A resource for cisgender authors to write trans and non-binary characters.
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The Ultimate OMEGAVERSE Guide by orphan_account
Fandoms: All Media Types, omegaverse - Fandom
03 Aug 2019
Tags
Summary
For everyone looking to understand the Omegaverse.
You will get a basic knowledge of the Omegaverse as well as some of the extra genders which are not seen often throughout fics though they balance out the world of the Omegaverse. This can be used either for a modern setting or for a more primal setting.
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Tags
Summary
There is a big difference between a trans man exploring his identity/sexuality through fanfiction, and a cis writer misrepresenting what it means to be FTM. If you're a cis writer with the best of intentions, I hope these guidelines and resources will assist you in improving your treatment of trans men.
Chapter 1: Writing Guide, FTM Anatomy.
Chapter 2: Gallery of Trans Men.
Chapter 3: FTM Media Recommendations.
Chapter 4: Racism in Trans Headcanons.This guide was originally posted on my old account, which has since been deleted due to transphobic comments, including threats of violence. I have posted it again anyway, because I take this matter very seriously. Do not repost, copy, or in any way plagiarise this guide. But please feel free to share a link to it, so that cis authors can improve the way that they depict trans men. I have tagged characters which are discussed in the guide, and are therefore relevant. If you encounter this guide while browsing those tags, that's why.
Series
- Part 4 of Original FTM Works
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Here Be Dragons: the ‘Creator Chose Not to Warn’ Tag Is Useful, Necessary, and, Yes, Ethical by road_rhythm (orphan_account)
Fandoms: No Fandom
31 Jan 2020
Tags
Summary
It's come to my attention that a subset of fandom doesn't like AO3's "Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings" (CNtW) tag, and really doesn't like CNtW fics with actual surprises in them. So here is my point-by-point response no one asked for to each of the objections I've seen to CNtW's existence, variations on CNtW's use, and why tagging CNtW does not in fact make you an asshole (but harassing people for it kinda does).
Bookmarked by malstorm
28 Nov 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
Here Be Dragons: the ‘Creator Chose Not to Warn’ Tag Is Useful, Necessary, and, Yes, Ethical by road_rhythm
Fandoms:No Fandom
Not Rated
Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Other
Complete Work
31 Jan 2020
Tags
Show warningsMetaEssaysAO3 Tags - FreeformAO3 WarningsTagging DebatesArchived From TumblrPolemic
Summary
It's come to my attention that a subset of fandom doesn't like AO3's "Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings" (CNtW) tag, and really doesn't like CNtW fics with actual surprises in them. So here is my point-by-point response no one asked for to each of the objections I've seen to CNtW's existence, variations on CNtW's use, and why tagging CNtW does not in fact make you an asshole (but harassing people for it kinda does). -
Tags
Summary
More information than you ever wanted to know about co-writing, complete with the four kinds of co-writing, why you should co-write, and how to do it. Because we get asked this question a lot.
No really.
It's pretty much the first question everyone asks.
So consider this Meta our answer
Series
- Part 1 of Writing Metas
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 4,215
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 24
- Kudos:
- 177
- Bookmarks:
- 58
- Hits:
- 5,497
Bookmarked by malstorm
28 Nov 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
[META] How to do a co-write by FanficAllergy, RoseFyre
Fandoms:Original Work
Not Rated
No Archive Warnings Apply
Gen
Complete Work
03 Jan 2017
Tags
Show warningsMetaWritingCo-Writtenhow we do all the thingswe get asked this question a lotand rather than repeat ourselves we wrote a metaConsider this our FAQEssaysNonfiction
Summary
More information than you ever wanted to know about co-writing, complete with the four kinds of co-writing, why you should co-write, and how to do it. Because we get asked this question a lot.No really.
It's pretty much the first question everyone asks.
So consider this Meta our answer
Series
Part 1 of Writing Metas -
Amazon's Rings of Power: A Two-Pronged Failure by Anonymous
Fandoms: TOLKIEN J. R. R. - Works & Related Fandoms
29 Nov 2022
Tags
Summary
A critical pseudo-essay/review about Amazon's Rings of Power. In three parts. Yes, I will be taking cheap shots at the writers.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 3,729
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 2
- Kudos:
- 29
- Bookmarks:
- 2
- Hits:
- 1,114
Bookmarked by malstorm
28 Nov 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
Amazon's Rings of Power: A Two-Pronged Failure by Anonymous
Fandoms:TOLKIEN J. R. R. - Works & Related Fandoms
General Audiences
No Archive Warnings Apply
Gen
Complete Work
29 Nov 2022
Tags
Show warningsNonfictionReviewsEssaysThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (TV 2022) SpoilersAnalysisMeta
Summary
A critical pseudo-essay/review about Amazon's Rings of Power. In three parts. Yes, I will be taking cheap shots at the writers. -
A Brief Guide to Handcuffs (and how to escape them) by goldenmeme
Fandoms: Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms, Elementary (TV), White Collar, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Bones (TV), Sherlock (TV)
30 Oct 2014
Tags
Summary
For all those plots that involve your favorite characters stuck in a pair of handcuffs without the key, here is everything (and probably more) that you need to know about how to get out of them.
Bookmarked by malstorm
28 Nov 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
A Brief Guide to Handcuffs (and how to escape them) by goldenmeme
Fandoms:Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms, Elementary (TV), White Collar, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Bones (TV), Sherlock (TV)
General Audiences
No Archive Warnings Apply
Other
Complete Work
30 Oct 2014
Tags
Show warningsMetaHandcuffsEssay
Summary
For all those plots that involve your favorite characters stuck in a pair of handcuffs without the key, here is everything (and probably more) that you need to know about how to get out of them. -
Tags
Summary
Analysis of Colonel Everett Young as a military officer and commander of the Destiny. It is not complimentary.
Bookmarked by malstorm
30 Nov 2022
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Bookmarker's Notes
Colonel Young by Fabrisse
Fandoms:Stargate Universe, Stargate - All Series
Teen And Up Audiences
No Archive Warnings Apply
Gen
Complete Work
28 Oct 2015
Tags
Show warningsEverett YoungCritiqueMetaMild Spoilers
Summary
Analysis of Colonel Everett Young as a military officer and commander of the Destiny. It is not complimentary. -
The Rise of Skywalker: The Fail of JJ Abrams by kathyswizards
Fandoms: Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, Star Wars - All Media Types, Skywalker Saga
29 Dec 2019
Tags
Summary
An analysis of how The Rise of Skywalker failed to resolve the story and character arcs of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy and the Skywalker saga.
Bookmarked by malstorm
30 Nov 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
The Rise of Skywalker: The Fail of JJ Abrams by kathyswizards
Fandoms:Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, Star Wars - All Media Types, Skywalker Saga
General Audiences
Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Other
Complete Work
29 Dec 2019
Tags
Show warningsRey/Ben Solo | Kylo RenRey (Star Wars)Ben Solo | Kylo RenSheev Palpatine | Darth SidiousLeia OrganaHan SoloLuke SkywalkerMetaAnalysisCharacter AnalysisCharacter DeathStory ArcCharacter ArcCritique
Summary
An analysis of how The Rise of Skywalker failed to resolve the story and character arcs of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy and the Skywalker saga. -
Guide to Beta Reading (for Authors and Beta Readers) by theirprofoundbond
Fandoms: No Fandom
30 Mar 2021
Tags
Summary
A thorough guide to beta reading for both authors and beta readers. Neither exhaustive nor definitive, but hopefully a good starting point that covers the basics and explains how to get the most out of an author-beta reader relationship.
[February 2025: Minor edits and additions throughout the guide.]
Bookmarked by malstorm
05 Dec 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
Guide to Beta Reading (for Authors and Beta Readers) by theirprofoundbond
Fandoms:No Fandom
General Audiences
No Archive Warnings Apply
No category
Complete Work
30 Mar 2021
Tags
Show warningsFanwork Research & Reference Guidesbeta readingHow to guide
Summary
A thorough guide to beta reading for both authors and beta readers. Neither exhaustive nor definitive, but hopefully a good starting point that covers the basics and explains how to get the most out of an author/beta reader relationship. -
Why Sherlock Cannot Own a Bloody Stradivarius by reyiosa
Fandoms: Sherlock (TV), Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms
16 Apr 2014
Tags
Summary
So stop giving him one for no (good) reason.
(A quick and dirty guide to the professional violin.)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 8,735
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 125
- Kudos:
- 164
- Bookmarks:
- 29
- Hits:
- 2,070
Bookmarked by malstorm
06 Dec 2022
Bookmarker's Tags:
Bookmarker's Notes
Why Sherlock Cannot Own a Bloody Stradivarius by reyiosa
Fandoms:Sherlock (TV), Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms
Not Rated
No Archive Warnings Apply
Gen
Complete Work
16 Apr 2014
Tags
Show warningsSherlock HolmesMycroft HolmesMummy (Sherlock)Sherlock Holmes' FamilySherlock Holmes' FatherMrs. HolmesThe Violin (Sherlock)MetaRantsSherlock's ViolinStradivariusLemme tell you something about violinsViolinsResearchCanon RelatedThe Author Regrets Nothingwhoops this accidentally became a research guidewelpthe more you knowFanwork Research & Reference Guides
Summary
So stop giving him one for no (good) reason.(A quick and dirty guide to the professional violin.)
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Tags
Summary
A practical guide to writing bestiality fic.
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Tags
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The Ultimate Guide to Writing Smut Fic by QuinnAnderson for kali_asleep
Fandoms: Original Work
05 Sep 2013
Tags
Summary
A comprehensive guide to writing both queer and het erotic fiction, written by published novelist Quinn Anderson. Includes lists of sexy words, references, and some general writing tips. Please feel free to use without credit.