For the Newbies and Underappreciated Writers

[emmagrant01]

Most (if not all) of us are here in fandom for fun, but a significant number of us really work at it. We would genuinely like to improve our writing and produce fiction that other people will read and enjoy. Many of us spend more time than we reasonably can spare on this hobby, and we would all like some acknowledgement for that, of course. But when you're a newbie in a fandom, it can seem like that acknowledgment is a long way away.

It's been a while since I've been a newbie, I must admit -- but twice upon a time I was a newbie in two different fandoms, and I know what it's like to struggle with the whole "no one is reading my fic or even giving it a chance" thing. Every now and then I see posts about it from newbies, and though I sometimes want to offer advice or encouragement, I never know quite what to say.

So, in an attempt to provide encouragement and advice for new and "underappreciated" writers, I thought it might be good to create a post where people could talk about their experiences. I have no idea how one would define "newbie", so I won't attempt to do so. So if you want to consider yourself a newbie or an underappreciated writer, go right ahead! Likewise, how do you know that you're not a newbie any more? I have no idea! So if you have advice to give, please do so. No need to identify which category you think you belong to. :-)

If you're not a Fandom Newbie (or underappreciated writer):
• How long did it take you to get your fic "noticed"?
• How and where did you post your fic?
• Who supported or helped you along the way?
• What advice do you have for new/underappreciated writers?

If you are a Fandom Newbie (or underappreciated writer):
• What questions or frustrations do you have?
• Who has been helpful and supportive for you so far?

Feel free to comment anonymously, but I would like the tone here to remain positive. I intend to screen/delete any comments that are wanky or bitchy about specific people in any fandom.

Please feel free to pimp this post!

ETA: And talk to each other, if you like. Some newbies are asking good questions, and it would be great to see them answered! :-)

Y'all are awesome! There's some great advice in these comments about getting noticed as a writer and keeping it fun.

Comments

[mizbean.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I still feel like a newbie writer.

If you're not a Fandom Newbie:
• How long did it take you to get your fic "noticed"?

I started small, writing drabbles, which is a great way to get your feet wet and meet people. Drabble communities are very supportive, so I didn't have a problem getting noticed. I still count amongst my best friends in LJ, people who I met in my early days posting drabbles on hd100 and malfoy100.

Once I decided I wanted to tackled longer fics, I looked around for a few challenges that interested me and went from there. I always cross-post to the appropriate communities -- harrydraco has over 1000 watchers which makes it really easy to get your fic read by someone.

• How and where did you post your fic?

I cross-post to a few places depending on the pairing. harrydraco for my h/d fics, the_pimp_cane and hpslash for others. Sometimes, for yucks, I'll try posting at smaller communities just to see if I get any readers from there.

• Who supported or helped you along the way?

People on my flist listen to me wibble and I've used a few of them for beta reading. My husband has been great, if a bit amused. I bounce ideas off him, especially in regards to how men think about relationships.

• What advice do you have for new/underappreciated writers?

Look for challenges that interest you and sign up for them. Start small with drabbles or ficlets. Ficlets are not a big time commitment and sometimes I get more reviews with those. I'm also more willing to click on a link of someone I don't know if I see the wordcount is small.

[luci0logy.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say thanks for mentioning harrydraco. I joined last night, posted my first 3 ficlets and woke up to an inbox of comments and some new friends.

[mizbean.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that worked for you. Hooray for new comments.