Post by Draconic Peteriv on Jan 3, 2006 13:28:33 GMT -5
Introduction: As you know, there have been quite a few Adventure Quest Stories appearing on Ultimate Adventure Quest. Here is a guide to show you how to get noticed and how to write a story that will get everyone noticing you here and the Battleon Forums (That is, if you are a member or not banned from the site).
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Getting Started:
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First of all, you will need a Word Processor (I suggest Microsoft Word or Open Office). After finding one, this is the time to think: What am I going to write about? What is it that people want to see when I write? How long should it be? I suggest going to fanfiction.net, Creative Writing Section in the Battleon Forums, or Bob and George on this forum in order to find these answers.
A key thing is to study the styles of popular authors on the Internet like Art of Blade who writes “Stoker Tawson: Unpleasant Bite.” If you are wondering why his story has become so popular, just look at his style. It is unique and fresh, a blend of humor and vocabulary, with a hint of mystery that keeps you hooked. That is why studying others is important, because by watching a numerous amount of techniques, you can make your own. This will give you a powerful mixture of information from your ideas mixed with others.
*Note: Do not come up with a title on your first try, you may regret it later. Instead, write your first chapter or prologue and think of a suitable title, as titles are the hardest idea a writer must come up with.
Finally, begin making a rough-draft about who your characters are and the style you want whether it is angst, happiness, or anything else that comes to your mind. After coming up with a vague idea of what you want to write, the hard part is coming up. Now you have to actually write the story!
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Writing the Rough and Good copy:
-----
There is one mistake that nearly every single new writer makes when they first post a short story or a introduction to a long one, they don’t think about grammar. Sure, your idea may sound interesting and maybe you took all day to write it, but nobody will bother to read the story if it does not make sense. For example:
“Wat waz that he slured makng monkeys dance like apes
Me knot now.” Said he “Okay.” “Fine then” Then we h@x0|2$?
Sadly, this had happened before, and the writers are curious as to why nobody will read their stories. Let us take a look at the paragraph.
First of all, the writer had no ambition to fix the numerous amount of spelling mistakes. This is either caused by a bad Word Processor or they just typed it in and posted. Easily fixed by either looking at what they are posting or using a spell checker (i.e. Google Toolbar).
In the second paragraph, the writer mixed up words with other ones; instead of “not” he said “knot” and replacing “know” with “now.” Once again, these mistakes rarely occur, but most of the time the writer should see them. If they appear commonly throughout the story, then the reader will note that the writer is not trying his or her best at grammar.
At the end of the second paragraph, the writer used 133t speak and the writer connected speech paragraphs together. Always separate paragraphs with people talking from other paragraphs, as the reader will be able to know if the story is explaining or a character is talking. 133t speak is not something a reader is usually comfortable with, unless it is a comedy. Other then that, no 133t speak in stories.
Stories and short stories are usually considered done when at least four paragraphs are completed. If there isn’t enough, the commenter will complain that the story was choppy or incomplete. If it is too long, the commenter will complain that it is too big for a chapter or Prologue. So, try to stay in a zone where you are positive that it will not take a reader too long to read one chapter.
*Note: Always save your writing on a disc or in a file for later use, for your story may be accidentally deleted by a board clean up.
The beginning is usually the most important, because it decides what path your story is going, to a good or bad ending. Start by developing characters, giving subtle descriptions while explaining scenery whenever a character enters a new area. That is the key to remember, so keep in mind that you must be descriptive in order to achieve greatness!
The middle paragraphs usually contain action and excitement, or perhaps help develop the conflict that began in the first chapter. This is the part where a reader will want to see something great be achieved, so be creative when you get here!
The ending can be a cliff-hanger, (An ending leaving you in the middle of a ending conflict) a surprise, or a just an ending to lower down the tension levels. All in all, it is more to worry about then the middle paragraphs because you must find a perfect time to stop writing in a suitable place.
After that, look over the story, fix any problems, and save it onto a file. You have just completed a good copy. With that done, post it on whatever website or forum you want, and if you want comments always put it at the bottom and in bold to get it noticed…
-----
Getting Noticed:
-----
The last section of my guide and this is something nearly every single author wants to achieve. We writers need someone to read our stories in order to find out if it is pleasing to read and if it was worth the trouble writing in the first place.
*Never, and I mean never try to attempt to fool someone into reading your story or make a bad comment in order to get it noticed. For example, some writers like to say, “You idiot, read my story or die!” If you think this will get you noticed, then please attempt to say that to someone random on the street. I’m sure that they will enjoy beating you to pieces…
A signature is a very good thing to have, as it helps others find out where your story is because all they must do is click the link or picture. If you want to get really noticed, perhaps making your own signature with a picture and a small introduction to your story will get you the attention you desire. This is more effective then words because pictures usually grab the attention better then just a link.
Finally, posting around to make comments on other stories or just becoming friends and known by others that you exist is something to remember. Most of the time, readers will judge you by your post count, so be noticed by posting everywhere. However, try not to do one sentence posts as readers will pass over you and everyone will still not know who you are. Make a point when you post, as this will get you respect and some may even check out your story…
-----
Final Note:
-----
Remember, if you want to write about Adventure Quest, go research the weapons, spells, and storyline of everything. Many will be baffled if you make the Ninja Breath a weapon that instantly kills Akriloth. Keep in mind that you can go forward or backwards in time for Lore, but make it so that people will know that they are still witnessing events taking place in Lore.
The last thing is never, and I mean NEVER try to self-insert you. You will see that most readers will find it that you are giving yourself godly powers that make you invincible, and the story can easily predicted. Thus, nobody will read it and you are left with only your dream of being Artix comforting you…
Do not be too OOC (Out of character) as this will look silly and odd. Have you ever seen Zorbak talk about how beautiful the flowers look today as he skips in a field of buttercups? No? Then you understand what I am talking about. However, if an emotion calls for it, you can alter some of the characters like Artix is angry sometimes even though he looks cheerful constantly. That is when it is okay for you to do this.
Another little note, if you are posting the story in two different areas, (i.e. Me posting Lost in the Inevitable in UAQ and AQ Forums) then remember to say that you are the writer in both forums with proof. Plagiarism is not acceptable anywhere and you may suffer severe consequences depending on what the moderators do to you…
So, remember to be original when you write and try to have at least a decent amount of grammar when you post. Hope you had a good time reading this and so long for now…
-----
Guide Finished
-----
-----
Getting Started:
-----
First of all, you will need a Word Processor (I suggest Microsoft Word or Open Office). After finding one, this is the time to think: What am I going to write about? What is it that people want to see when I write? How long should it be? I suggest going to fanfiction.net, Creative Writing Section in the Battleon Forums, or Bob and George on this forum in order to find these answers.
A key thing is to study the styles of popular authors on the Internet like Art of Blade who writes “Stoker Tawson: Unpleasant Bite.” If you are wondering why his story has become so popular, just look at his style. It is unique and fresh, a blend of humor and vocabulary, with a hint of mystery that keeps you hooked. That is why studying others is important, because by watching a numerous amount of techniques, you can make your own. This will give you a powerful mixture of information from your ideas mixed with others.
*Note: Do not come up with a title on your first try, you may regret it later. Instead, write your first chapter or prologue and think of a suitable title, as titles are the hardest idea a writer must come up with.
Finally, begin making a rough-draft about who your characters are and the style you want whether it is angst, happiness, or anything else that comes to your mind. After coming up with a vague idea of what you want to write, the hard part is coming up. Now you have to actually write the story!
-----
Writing the Rough and Good copy:
-----
There is one mistake that nearly every single new writer makes when they first post a short story or a introduction to a long one, they don’t think about grammar. Sure, your idea may sound interesting and maybe you took all day to write it, but nobody will bother to read the story if it does not make sense. For example:
“Wat waz that he slured makng monkeys dance like apes
Me knot now.” Said he “Okay.” “Fine then” Then we h@x0|2$?
Sadly, this had happened before, and the writers are curious as to why nobody will read their stories. Let us take a look at the paragraph.
First of all, the writer had no ambition to fix the numerous amount of spelling mistakes. This is either caused by a bad Word Processor or they just typed it in and posted. Easily fixed by either looking at what they are posting or using a spell checker (i.e. Google Toolbar).
In the second paragraph, the writer mixed up words with other ones; instead of “not” he said “knot” and replacing “know” with “now.” Once again, these mistakes rarely occur, but most of the time the writer should see them. If they appear commonly throughout the story, then the reader will note that the writer is not trying his or her best at grammar.
At the end of the second paragraph, the writer used 133t speak and the writer connected speech paragraphs together. Always separate paragraphs with people talking from other paragraphs, as the reader will be able to know if the story is explaining or a character is talking. 133t speak is not something a reader is usually comfortable with, unless it is a comedy. Other then that, no 133t speak in stories.
Stories and short stories are usually considered done when at least four paragraphs are completed. If there isn’t enough, the commenter will complain that the story was choppy or incomplete. If it is too long, the commenter will complain that it is too big for a chapter or Prologue. So, try to stay in a zone where you are positive that it will not take a reader too long to read one chapter.
*Note: Always save your writing on a disc or in a file for later use, for your story may be accidentally deleted by a board clean up.
The beginning is usually the most important, because it decides what path your story is going, to a good or bad ending. Start by developing characters, giving subtle descriptions while explaining scenery whenever a character enters a new area. That is the key to remember, so keep in mind that you must be descriptive in order to achieve greatness!
The middle paragraphs usually contain action and excitement, or perhaps help develop the conflict that began in the first chapter. This is the part where a reader will want to see something great be achieved, so be creative when you get here!
The ending can be a cliff-hanger, (An ending leaving you in the middle of a ending conflict) a surprise, or a just an ending to lower down the tension levels. All in all, it is more to worry about then the middle paragraphs because you must find a perfect time to stop writing in a suitable place.
After that, look over the story, fix any problems, and save it onto a file. You have just completed a good copy. With that done, post it on whatever website or forum you want, and if you want comments always put it at the bottom and in bold to get it noticed…
-----
Getting Noticed:
-----
The last section of my guide and this is something nearly every single author wants to achieve. We writers need someone to read our stories in order to find out if it is pleasing to read and if it was worth the trouble writing in the first place.
*Never, and I mean never try to attempt to fool someone into reading your story or make a bad comment in order to get it noticed. For example, some writers like to say, “You idiot, read my story or die!” If you think this will get you noticed, then please attempt to say that to someone random on the street. I’m sure that they will enjoy beating you to pieces…
A signature is a very good thing to have, as it helps others find out where your story is because all they must do is click the link or picture. If you want to get really noticed, perhaps making your own signature with a picture and a small introduction to your story will get you the attention you desire. This is more effective then words because pictures usually grab the attention better then just a link.
Finally, posting around to make comments on other stories or just becoming friends and known by others that you exist is something to remember. Most of the time, readers will judge you by your post count, so be noticed by posting everywhere. However, try not to do one sentence posts as readers will pass over you and everyone will still not know who you are. Make a point when you post, as this will get you respect and some may even check out your story…
-----
Final Note:
-----
Remember, if you want to write about Adventure Quest, go research the weapons, spells, and storyline of everything. Many will be baffled if you make the Ninja Breath a weapon that instantly kills Akriloth. Keep in mind that you can go forward or backwards in time for Lore, but make it so that people will know that they are still witnessing events taking place in Lore.
The last thing is never, and I mean NEVER try to self-insert you. You will see that most readers will find it that you are giving yourself godly powers that make you invincible, and the story can easily predicted. Thus, nobody will read it and you are left with only your dream of being Artix comforting you…
Do not be too OOC (Out of character) as this will look silly and odd. Have you ever seen Zorbak talk about how beautiful the flowers look today as he skips in a field of buttercups? No? Then you understand what I am talking about. However, if an emotion calls for it, you can alter some of the characters like Artix is angry sometimes even though he looks cheerful constantly. That is when it is okay for you to do this.
Another little note, if you are posting the story in two different areas, (i.e. Me posting Lost in the Inevitable in UAQ and AQ Forums) then remember to say that you are the writer in both forums with proof. Plagiarism is not acceptable anywhere and you may suffer severe consequences depending on what the moderators do to you…
So, remember to be original when you write and try to have at least a decent amount of grammar when you post. Hope you had a good time reading this and so long for now…
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Guide Finished
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) Nice job. I think that guide will whip a few amature writers into shape! Bravo!! 
Humpy returns!
[glow=red,2,300][/glow]