Tell me about Fan-fiction

[Zhaylin]

I am so thoroughly annoyed with all the good TV shows that have been canceled that I've actually considered writing some fan fiction. But what are the legalities if I want to share what I write? If it's not for profit, does anyone ever complain?

[Man of Steel]

In short, don't sell it, and you're probably fine. Check out www.fanfiction.net for a place to put it up. I have written Star Wars and Discworld fan-fiction before.

[Vampyre]

Yeah, you can write whatever you want and distribute it over the net or something as long as it isn't for profit. If you're still unsure, you can also include a disclaimer stating that you aren't affiliated with the company.

[Zhaylin]

Oh, awesome!! Thanks for the fast reply and the link! Is the material you wrote under MoS? Anything I may come to be brave enough to share will be under Zhaylin. Thanks Vampyre! When I heard "Listener" was canceled, it was simply too much to bare lol.

[Snowy Egypt]

I have some there too. All Yu-Gi-Oh, because I'm a nerd. It's basically a rule (unwritten or not, I don't know) to put a disclaimer before each chapter of you story. Ex: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, Kazuki Takahashi is the owner, things like that. A lot of writers have fun with the disclaimer and find ways to make it their own. I'm going to tell you now, if you were to write about anything that goes against the canon of the show you're writing about, prepare to get flamed. FanFiction.net is FILLED with Canon Nazis that will kill you if they get the chance. Characters of your own design, more commonly called own characters or OCs, are generally accepted for the most part, but if they're too perfect, well, you're on your own. There's more, but those nowadays seem to be the ones that kill an aspiring Fanfic writer.

[Kastro187420]

I have some there too. All Yu-Gi-Oh, because I'm a nerd. It's basically a rule (unwritten or not, I don't know) to put a disclaimer before each chapter of you story. Ex: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, Kazuki Takahashi is the owner, things like that. A lot of writers have fun with the disclaimer and find ways to make it their own. I'm going to tell you now, if you were to write about anything that goes against the canon of the show you're writing about, prepare to get flamed. FanFiction.net is FILLED with Canon Nazis that will kill you if they get the chance. Characters of your own design, more commonly called own characters or OCs, are generally accepted for the most part, but if they're too perfect, well, you're on your own. There's more, but those nowadays seem to be the ones that kill an aspiring Fanfic writer. I'm actually working on a story right now, Bleach Related.. got about 3 chapters done. Maybe I should see how worked up I can get those Canon Nazi's as you put it. Kill of Characters that are popular, and then make them completely out of character.. could have some fun if they are that serious about it. But that'll be for another time. Right now, this story is one I'd like to be seen told, but know it never will, so I'm doing it myself. Got any other tips for First-Time Writers...? Story Length, Amount of Dialogue, How to write fight-scenes, character deaths, ect..?

[Snowy Egypt]

I'm actually working on a story right now, Bleach Related.. got about 3 chapters done. Maybe I should see how worked up I can get those Canon Nazi's as you put it. Kill of Characters that are popular, and then make them completely out of character.. could have some fun if they are that serious about it. But that'll be for another time. Right now, this story is one I'd like to be seen told, but know it never will, so I'm doing it myself. Got any other tips for First-Time Writers...? Story Length, Amount of Dialogue, How to write fight-scenes, character deaths, ect..? Well, I might have gone overboard a little. I've read fics where main characters are killed and the writer isn't hung. But there are some that will go after you. Tips...tips....ah! Try to make sure that your chapters aren't so short that you don't have to scroll down the page. Descriptive fight scenes are the best fight scenes. Dialogue should be fine if you know the characters, but if you do a crossover of three shows or more, don't use every character in both shows. You'll never be able to split the dialogue evenly. Try not to put Author's notes in the middle of the chapter and don't make an Authors note a chapter by itself. That's about all I can think of.

[CoLd BlooDed]

All I will say is I wrote Halo fan fiction for years... and Fanfiction.net SUCKS.

[Man of Steel]

I think my stuff is under the name Joshua Stephens, Zhaylin. And Snowy, Mary Sues and Gary Stus will get you flak anywhere. Kastro, just remember WWWWHW: Who, What, When, Where, How, Why? Apply this to your story and characters, give it a beginning, a middle, an end and a conflict and resolution within that timeline, and as for the rest...go with your gut.