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emmagrant01Most (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.
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.
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no subject
Date: 2005-08-25 03:26 pm (UTC)• How long did it take you to get your fic "noticed"?
I'm new to HP (Harry/Draco) fandom, but I was in another for about three years. Although I wasn't the "most" popular, I still felt like I had a good following, with comments such as, "Well, if Anansay wrote it, it HAS to be good!" While those comments lifted my spirits to soaring, I grounded myself with the knowledge that not everyone (would) like my style of writing.
• How and where did you post your fic?
At first, on ff.net. Then I got my own site (which I can't update anymore, long story. *pout*) Now, mostly on LJ.
• Who supported or helped you along the way?
Fellow writers and discriminatting readers. They told me when things didn't work, or when something caught their attention, either good or bad.
• What advice do you have for new/underappreciated writers?
(I'm SO one to say this! *sarcastic*)Don't worry about reviews. Even the New York Post critics are biased based on their own likes.
Write for yourself; if you like it--the story/your writing--then others will eventually flock to it, because you will not have quit.
If you are a Fandom Newbie (or underappreciated writer):
• What questions or frustrations do you have?
Frustration: there are SO many writers in this fandom (compared to the other one I was in) that I sometimes feel like I'm just another mediocre writer in a slew of wordy people. I know there are writers who just BLOW you away with their writing, be it descriptive or narrative or charaterising or imaginative, etc.
For some questions: I might ask why there are comms such as: harrydraco AND harry_draco, and others with relatively the same name, same posts, almost same memories. I've chosen one: harrydraco, because it was the first one formed. And I've friended others that leaned in different directions.
• Who has been helpful and supportive for you so far?
No one, really. Being a newbie to this fandom, I'm just getting to know the people.