Slashing Couples (or just good story development)
I know I've left a couple projects half-finished since the last few weeks, and I feel bad about that. I finally found a job and seeing as something is causing money to disappear from my bank account, I really dodged a bullet by securing it. In any case, I've been reading fanfiction again and I've singled out some important rules to writing slash that won't make me hit the back button as soon as I've seen it. Of course, some stories that are fairly short don't necessarily need to follow rules like 3, 4, or 5.
1) Good grammar is a must. Dialect is fine, but when you make mistakes just because, that's not.
2) Let both characters have personalities and justified wills. One person is not there just to be the object of desire for the other. Normally you're trying to have them be in a relationship. There needs to be give and take or at least the acknowledgment that give and take is what should be happening (even if it's not). Also, just because there's a fight doesn't mean that one person is evil and to blame for everything all the time. People have their reasons for doing things. If the character doesn't and really is evil, see 7.
3) Have more than the 2 characters that are being slashed together. Not having any other perspectives or storyline is pretty boring and melodramatic, but not having the 2 characters interact with anyone other than themselves it the worst.
4) Have an event-driven storyline. Something's got to be happening to force a change in a relationship. You can write just based on the character's feelings, but it's really hard to be unique with just that. You'll sound like 1001 other stories.
5) Write in several conflicts. It's easier to keep interest going if you have several conflicts intertwining. It also gives you inspiration on where to go next when you get stuck with one storyline. The story just feels more complete overall this way and is satisfying to read.
6) Be plausible. In terms of actions, this goes for every story. If someone gets stabbed, they're not going to die immediately usually. Have a rational character call the hospital for heaven's sake. If someone dies, unless they've been legally emancipated, their parents are probably going to show up. Just be sensible.
7) Be plausible (2). Now, I'm not saying there aren't depressed or anorexic or phobic or manic people out there, but don't make characters overreact. There's nothing more annoying than someone who only whines or acts pathetically not self-possessed and weak. There's also nothing more annoying than a character that decides to cut themselves out of thin air or announces without shame that they've been sexually assaulted. That's not how emotions and society work.
1) Good grammar is a must. Dialect is fine, but when you make mistakes just because, that's not.
2) Let both characters have personalities and justified wills. One person is not there just to be the object of desire for the other. Normally you're trying to have them be in a relationship. There needs to be give and take or at least the acknowledgment that give and take is what should be happening (even if it's not). Also, just because there's a fight doesn't mean that one person is evil and to blame for everything all the time. People have their reasons for doing things. If the character doesn't and really is evil, see 7.
3) Have more than the 2 characters that are being slashed together. Not having any other perspectives or storyline is pretty boring and melodramatic, but not having the 2 characters interact with anyone other than themselves it the worst.
4) Have an event-driven storyline. Something's got to be happening to force a change in a relationship. You can write just based on the character's feelings, but it's really hard to be unique with just that. You'll sound like 1001 other stories.
5) Write in several conflicts. It's easier to keep interest going if you have several conflicts intertwining. It also gives you inspiration on where to go next when you get stuck with one storyline. The story just feels more complete overall this way and is satisfying to read.
6) Be plausible. In terms of actions, this goes for every story. If someone gets stabbed, they're not going to die immediately usually. Have a rational character call the hospital for heaven's sake. If someone dies, unless they've been legally emancipated, their parents are probably going to show up. Just be sensible.
7) Be plausible (2). Now, I'm not saying there aren't depressed or anorexic or phobic or manic people out there, but don't make characters overreact. There's nothing more annoying than someone who only whines or acts pathetically not self-possessed and weak. There's also nothing more annoying than a character that decides to cut themselves out of thin air or announces without shame that they've been sexually assaulted. That's not how emotions and society work.