Author: Liave Ekeli
Posted: 2/15/2006 1:49:30 PM

First of all I agree with everyone else here who has said not to make characters too spesific.

I usually don't have a complete story figured out before I start writing either. I have mostly ideas or a part of a story figured out and I just go from there. I think it gives my characters some space to evolve on their own, and some of the time I don't know exactly how the story is going to turn out, which for me is a good thing. I don't think it works for everyone though, but it's worth a shot.

Also if you have a piece of a story, or even just a sentence, write it down! It might turn into a whole sotry once you get it on paper, and if it doesn't, then at least you've gotten it out of your head.

Author: Sith_Xavier_Sith  (signed)
Posted: 1/24/2006 7:23:59 PM

Watch the amount of dialoge and discription you have, you dont want people talking back and forth for days and you dont want to have three pages describing the pepples on the ground.

Author: Sith_Xavier_Sith  (signed)
Posted: 1/22/2006 8:15:45 AM

A good technique used by many is to make your characters somewhat ignorant to to most of the universe so as your character learns we, the readers, learn with them.
Saves time explaining and relates readers with the character.

Author: Sunniva  (signed)
Posted: 1/15/2006 8:09:00 AM

When you make up a character don't be to specific about their personality at first. Then you don't have to change it when you have a meek person start cussing like mad(but please no cussing because I will not beta-read it).

Author: Star Traveler  (signed)
Posted: 1/13/2006 4:35:14 PM

When suffering from Writer's Block, read other fanfics (or books) for ideas, and try to write through it, even if half the stories you attempt don't go anywhere.

Author: agap_afima
Posted: 11/29/2005 9:04:45 PM

It helps me to listen to a Star Wars soundtrack when I'm writing something Star Wars. Helps me get in the mood. That's just me, though.

Author: agap_afima  (signed)
Posted: 11/27/2005 5:06:35 PM

Set apart your characters by giving little details about them. (example: He had a small scar on his chin and a streak of gray hair on one of his temples)

Author: Vitalony  (signed)
Posted: 8/11/2005 5:16:24 PM

When making Original Characers (male or female) please try to refrain from the usual physical descriptions. I.e. blonde hair blue eyes, red hair and fiery green eyes. Make your characters a little unique. And not all characters have ot be beautiful/handsome and thin. Some of the greatest characters of all time have not been that good looking. Take Darth Vader for example! He was ugly, but was a totally kick a$$ character. If you want any help with this please send me an e-mail. I'd be happy to help.

Author: Darth_Lucious  (signed)
Posted: 7/29/2005 10:29:41 PM

When making a character, don't make him/her too specific.

Author: Darth_Lucious  (signed)
Posted: 7/29/2005 10:29:32 PM

If making a character, don't make him/her too specific.

Author: Voldader
Posted: 7/9/2005 5:08:21 PM

If having writer's block (I know I do!), try to refer back to a character, object or event from the SW movies or novels that the characters only mention very little. (e.g. Darth Plagius, Outer Rim Sieges, etc.)

Author: valkyrie
Posted: 6/25/2005 3:51:55 PM

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE when writing orignal female characters do try to avoid making them fiery yet innocent. It is a very bad cliche and rather tiresome for readers.

Another one to avoid, is the stunning-good-at-sports-beauty-queen-outgoing-...etc. There must be balance here, people. Make your characters have faults! The more faults they have, the realer and less cliche/mary-sue they tend to be. Bring them down to earth a little and the less two dimensional they seem to become.

I know its not that simple, even I struggle with these perfect characters, but make an effort. No body likes a character they can see right through.

Salute!

Author: Chasity
Posted: 6/14/2005 5:18:57 PM

If you don't like what you are writing don't just throw it away get a second opinion, you could be the next Steven King and not know it. Remember, we are our own wrost critics.

Author: Melkor  (signed)
Posted: 6/14/2005 3:31:25 AM

When in doubt, use descriptive language. This is also handy as a cure for writer's block as it can help redirect your attention.

Author: DarthIshtar  (signed)
Posted: 6/6/2005 9:21:43 PM

My favorite essay on dialogue said that you have to fit your dialogue to station, time period, gender, and characterization. It gave the example of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens and a 4-year-old who approached a baseball hero, convicted of a felony. In the Dickens, a sister says "Refute these calumnities, Nicholas!" Conversely, the 4-year-old uttered the now-famous "Say it ain't so, Joe!" You can't have someone in Dickens style saying "Say it ain't so, nick!" any more than you can have a 4-year-old yelling "Refute these calumnities, Joseph!"

Author: ben
Posted: 6/6/2005 4:01:52 PM

During a lightsaber battle always describe:
1.)The Location (this gives you a much easier picture of the fighting stlye which will be used. and the emotions during the fight (eg:mustafar =firey,anger,hate,suffering)
2.)the movement of the blade (blurred,spinning)
3.)always describe the fighting stlye (defensive,traditional,quick) this gives a better picture of the characters movements.
4.)words exchanged during the battle (IMPORTANT:Never leave out the emotions during a fight. The conversation is the most important part. There has to be a reason for the fight.

if you have any more questions email me

Author: Nakomelingen  (signed)
Posted: 6/5/2005 10:03:47 AM

A wide variety of word choice keeps a reader interested. Choose words that can appeal to each of your senses and your writting will be much stronger.

Author: darthvadersplot
Posted: 5/26/2005 9:51:52 AM

Here are more than one tip.
1. Write an outline of what you would like to happen. Then if it is different, it might be better. If not, you can change it.
2. At least try to learn about the characters. You want to know how they are, background and such. Only with already thought up characters, though.
3. Try to have one of the characters as YOU. It makes it more personal and I have found that it makes chapters and stories longer.
4. Write about what you like. It makes it just as fun.
5. Don’t always write about the same thing. Like romance. If you like something else to, write a story about it.
6. DON’T steal ideas. If you found an idea you like, give credit to that person. Or at least say you used it.
7. Last but not least, the fighting. Yeah, drawing can help, but it might also work if you watch a movie and see what looks good. Then base it off that. But, add variety. Try sword fighting, shoot outs, death defying stunts, anything. Believe me it works.

Author: ChaoticBliss  (signed)
Posted: 5/10/2005 3:47:38 PM

Avoid using passive voice whenever possible. It will make your writing stronger and more polished.
In short stories, let the characters do the talking. We want to hear their voices.
Use semicolons sparingly.
Rarely use exclamation points. Let your words create the excitement.
And when writing use a FANBOY word after a comma. FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So), and ONLY use them when there are seven or more words after the conjunction.

Author: Kaido Rokk  (signed)
Posted: 4/2/2005 9:43:36 PM

When your are writing, be specific. Don't just say, he walked down the street. Say, the young many sauntered down the empty street. Giving good descriptions make your reader feel like the story is real, not to mention interesting.

Author: Bria921  (signed)
Posted: 3/31/2005 8:29:26 AM

Drawing out ship movements really helps if you're gonna write a space battle. Just take a piece of paper, draw out the planet, defenses, what ships/who's attacking who. It gives you more of a feel what you're doing by the time you start actually writing the battle.

Author: darth_grievous1  (signed)
Posted: 3/27/2005 11:59:33 AM

Don't let anyone but you dictate your writing style. Also, try and limit the numberof charcaters in your story. After a while, it may get confusing. If you get stuck, stop. Get up and stretch. Have a snack, or a drink. Experiment with different words.

Author: General Reiser
Posted: 3/25/2005 6:52:16 PM

develop your story as much as you can, what might make sense to you could be confusing to others, remember, always think of your audience

Author: DarthIshtar  (signed)
Posted: 1/25/2005 9:01:58 AM

Do not be afraid of your original characters, but do not cheat yourself and your story by making them throwaways or developing them on the fly. Have them there for a purpose.

Author: Robert H. Gordon Jr.  (signed)
Posted: 12/1/2004 10:35:20 AM

Try placing yourself into your story and see if the path that is chosen by your characters and the resulting outcome is probable and even possible. This way you avoid the fantastic.

Also, look beyond the presumed depictions and take into account the unknown. This will help to flesh out any original characters that you create.

Lastly, come original. Lucas laid out a never-ending galaxy with such variety as one would be limiting their own ability just sticking to the established central characters.

Author: Sani Atasa  (signed)
Posted: 11/14/2004 9:51:37 AM

Oh, and I forgot, music in the mood of what you're wanting to write helps a lot, too. Do be carefull, however, because the music can also influence what you're writting.

Author: Sani Atasa  (signed)
Posted: 11/14/2004 9:49:21 AM

If you're havving a blank moment, turn away from the story/poem/song/ whatever and play a board game, or some cards, or anything that has to do with stratagy. Word games can only make things worse, enless you're looking for a certain word to use, then leave the stratagy games behind and play a word game.

Generally, games like Stratego, chess, minesweeper, solitare, spider solitare, freecell, and scrabble are good. If you don't like these games, what SW fan doesn't have something ke Rogue Squadron hanging around?

Author: Scoke Faofa
Posted: 9/13/2004 7:34:00 AM

When you are writing, don't be redundant with your words. You have all of the vocabulary in the world with you when you are writing, don't just write, for instance, Obi Wan said. Write Obi Wan exclaimed, or stated instead. The Thesaurus is your best friend when you are writing. Use it well, if you get stuck with your words.

Author: Tym Knyspel  (signed)
Posted: 9/9/2004 10:11:29 PM

Always make your story flow. (Like the Force!). Just as everything has a place in the Force, so should everything in your story. The best stories written have an ending that ties the whole story together.

Author: MJSLSBS  (signed)
Posted: 8/29/2004 8:47:21 PM

i find that if your stuck for an idea for a story but i want to write base it on an events/s of your life

Author: Kenobigirl  (signed)
Posted: 8/24/2004 9:14:44 PM

You can be inspired anywhere and at anytime. It could be two AM, but you still had an idea! An idea could come to you in a dream or when you are outside among a variety of people. So a good thing to do is: keep a notebook with you! A small hand-held one works perfectly. You don't want to get inspired and not have anyhting to write your idea on; you may forget it later if other things cross your mind.

Author: Kusco
Posted: 8/13/2004 7:40:22 AM

When thinking out a story it's good to have a few major points of plot or action that you want to get to, parts that you know you want in a story. That way they act as stepping stones, or goals in completing the story. That way if you get stuck you can ask yourself what you need to have happen to get your characters to that certain scene that your excited about. The rest can be made up while you go and allows the story to take on a life of its own. Some of the best stuff I've written is the stuff I use to get to these "stepping stones". It also makes these few planned scenes a lot more fun to write because you may have been planning them for sometime. But don't be afraid to variate from them if all the stuff you've written before makes the scene impractical. It's also a good idea to think of what themes you want portrayed in the story. Above all just keep at it.

Author: Lord Darth Attar
Posted: 7/5/2004 6:54:19 PM

For some reason, this works for me. When writing, be in a quite place where you don't have to comprehend anything. Clear your minds and use the Force (seriously). I mean it, it works. When I am in a clear-minded quiet environemnt, I can type and even think up to FOUR TIMES FASTER than I usually could.

Author: Bant428  (signed)
Posted: 5/14/2004 1:30:57 PM

if u read a good piece of literature and feel inspired to write, either wait @ least a week afterwards or write and keep it to yourself, then look back later on. you might be ripping off and not even realizing it...

Author: Master Zephyr  (signed)
Posted: 5/5/2004 11:17:22 AM

I find that if you think there is a flow problem leave the story for a few weeks or months and pretty much forget about it. Then after that time come back and read it again. With some of the non-Star Wars fics I have written I found that this works wonders. It also helps out the Beta-Readers in their job.

Author: Danialla-Rahl  (signed)
Posted: 4/30/2004 1:12:40 PM

Be creative. There are a thousand "how Amidala feels when Anakin leaves her". Think of something completely different. It's so crazy that it just might work! *cape flaps in the breeze*

Author: KSA  (signed)
Posted: 4/7/2004 8:17:45 PM

The only advice i can give is to simply write, write, write. Reading has also helped me. I try to get a basic idea of what I want (genre and the like) and then read as much about that as I can. That sparks my muse. Then I just write until what I want to say comes out.

Or if you drink chocolate milk. I've written my best stuff with a chocolate milk in one hand.

How strange.

Author: Hermione Organa  (signed)
Posted: 4/4/2004 8:42:20 AM

For whatever reason, I find that listening to favourite music that usually DOESN'T have words works for writing fan fics. For example, I listen non-stop when I'm writing Star Wars fans fics to each of the Star Wars soundtracks, I own them all. It's fun and I don't get distracted because they don't have comprehendable words that I can sing along to. It might work for someone else too... I usually get very hyped up with lots of ideas whenever I listen to music (which is usually movie soundtracks).

Author: MJSLSBS
Posted: 3/16/2004 9:08:54 PM

I find if your doing homework and you can't think properly- writing a story or something else clears your brain so you can write better- and do more homework. it works both ways i find- weird but true for me.

Author: The Stormtrooper Shrink
Posted: 2/11/2004 6:22:08 PM

Considering I've never even tried to get archived...yet...it seems a little pretentious to give advice to people that have been, or better. But I thought, well, why not?

I've found that having a notebook in your bag is a great help. When I'm in the shops, or on the beach, I'm always getting hit by some person or some object that just hits me in the eye and says "This is a good character" or "This is a good plot". And if I leave it too late, I forget. That little notebook is an absolute must for me.

I also find that forcing yourself to write is a bad idea. Sometimes I begin a fanfic or some other writing task really well, and I feel I can finish it in no time, but I get bogged after a couple of pages and start writing absolute rubbish. It's a good idea to quit while you're ahead and come back later when you're fresh.

Keeping a diary - probably more a tip for girls, I don't know any guy who keeps one - is something that always helps me. You don't have to use great grammar or anything in it, and after a while you'll find that you'll be writing about your daily life - or just Star Wars, which is about eight tenths of my own diary - in a certain style, and you'll be getting comfortable with it. Once you've found your style, it's pretty easy getting to writing about other stuff.

There...my words of wisdom. Thank you to those who don't snort and those who do probably have a point.

Author: RainTiger
Posted: 1/24/2004 2:57:48 PM

This is a strange suggestion, but when writing fight scenes, draw it out first. I take a piece of paper and a pencil and doodle stick figures fighting how I want the scene to happen. I can often think sort of what I want to happen in the fighting, but I can never write it unless I visualize it. So, ta da!, visualization.