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

[penknife.livejournal.com]

I don't think I count as a fandom newbie anymore, although I really only got active a couple of years ago, so:

• How long did it take you to get your fic "noticed"?

Oh, let's see, looking back ... first three months I was on LJ, nothing got more than one or two comments. "Freefall" was the first story I think more than a handful of people actually read, and it got ... let's see, a grand total of three comments. Whee, BNF-dom, here I come! ... Not quite.

Then, five months in, I wrote "Ephemeris," and started posting drabbles in x_men100, and actually started to get an audience.

• How and where did you post your fic?

On LJ, xmmff for the XMM stuff, my own journal for the HP fic, contrelamontre, and drabble communities. A few pairing-specific or character-specific comms like remusxsirius, xavierfans, cyclops_fans, and oldfriends. Challenge communities. I also have my own website and post to Skyehawke.

• Who supported or helped you along the way?

Oh, lots of people. yahtzee63 was the first person to give me feedback and to talk to me on LJ, for which I will eternally be grateful. andrastewhite encouraged my Xavier love, and minisinoo did the same for my Cyclops love. tartanshell and nestra and marag and marinarusalka have all been marvelous betas, plus several other people who I apologize for forgetting.

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

Write for challenges. It's a chance to put your stories out in front of people who may not read random journals or everything posted to high-traffic comms but who will browse through a challenge archive. Writing for drabble communities can be great, too, if it's something you enjoy -- people are often more willing to give a 100-word piece by a new writer a try than they are to read an entire story by someone they've never heard of.

Post to communities, but don't spam -- pick the one or two you think fit best, and read the posting guidelines -- you're trying to make a first impression, and you don't want it to be person who did not read the posting guidelines.

Also, friend people and talk to them and comment on their stories and participate in discussion. Get out there and interact. It's not that that will make people love your fic -- you still have to be writing stuff that's good -- but it will mean that people friend you, and therefore have a chance to see your stories.