Writing Fan Fiction.

If you've never written fan fiction, here are a few pointers to get you started. If you have any questions, any of staff members will be happy to help you out.

For a basic guide to the world of fanfiction and what certain terms mean, have a look at this link from the BBC.

Some tips for good fan fiction writing.
(Seasoned writers, please feel free to write in with any additional tips!)

1) Know your fandom and know your context.

The best kind of fan fic are the ones that feel like they belong to the fandom, that they're in keeping with the feel and genre of the series. With Hex an important aspect is it's innate Britishness and so fan fic should be consistant with these established settings of modern Britain and for those plots that are based on the past, with the McBain family for example, a little research might be necessary to make that plot setting feel realistic. Be warned, the site owner is a Historian so she's a little picky about these things.

2) Be consistant in character behaviour.

We're all writing for a cast of characters that have had certain character traits, ways of acting and speaking and skills and suchlike established by the show. The behaviour of the characters in the fic should be consistant with this. Obviously they respond to the situations we put them in but those responses should be realistic. People shouldn't develop miraculous powers that they wouldn't realistically have. Again, especially for non-Brits that the British way of speaking and slang will give a more authentic feel to fiction.

3) Introduce realistic non show characters.

If you're introducing a new character, great, but make sure they are suitable to the Hex-iverse i.e that they fit in to the style of the show and it's settings. It's also good to make them well rounded rather than token characters unless they're just the postman who says "morning" then hands over the letters!

4) Check spelling and grammar.

Try to check spelling as carefully as possible as it can be confusing to read a badly spelled post especially if its a word that means two different things if spelled wrongly. I'm not the worlds greatest speller so I tend to re-read my post and then check any words I'm not sure of, usually by copying my post in to word to check. It takes about 5 seconds.

5) Write speech creatively.

Reading a page of people just talking to each other can be really boring. eg.

"get lost."

"no you get lost."

"no you."

Also it can be confusing to read as it's not always obvious who's speaking. Think about discribing reactions, tone of voice, expressions.
some examples:

"How could you?" Cassie choked the words out between sobs that shook her.

"We could teach her a lesson!" Thelma said grinning mischeviously.

"Because you're weak!" Azazeal spat back.

There are also loads of alternatives to the word said...

6) Never use text/chat/leet speak in your fic please

Just don't...

7) Be clear on the time setting....

It helps readers to know where in events your fic comes compared to the series, even if it's an "alternative version of events" kind of story that re-interprets the events of the series people need some idea of where it comes.

8) Real relationships....

Again the better fic is where relationships develop in a natural way, even if you are exploring a relationship that isn't canon from the show, it shouldn't necessarily have the characters leaping in to bed with no other interaction. Even though we have a slash section for the more explicit stories these still need to be well written. Stories that are just glorified porn will just be turned down, so think about how you can make your story realistic. Graphic sex is not the be all and end all.