What is Fanfiction?
Have you ever sat down to watch a show, something you think might be a fun little distraction, maybe the newest advertised series you keep hearing about, or the one that pops up first in your recommended list on the streaming service you’re flipping through? So, you watch one episode, and then another, and suddenly you’re four hours deep into binge watching something that ends up being so consuming, so compelling, where you feel connected to the characters, the story, the setting, that when those final ending credits roll, you feel a deep sense of almost... loss when you realize you’ve managed to consume the whole thing in a weekend.
So, you look for other things to watch that are similar, chasing those same feelings that were evoked by the series you’ve just finished, and coming up short each time because while those new series might be good, they aren’t the characters you grew attached to, or the setting isn’t quite right, or you find yourself continuously thinking about the other series.
“What if they hadn’t figured out that world-saving problem at the last second?” or “What if he hadn’t caught her at that airport and confessed his love to her before she got on that plane for France?” Then you wonder, has anyone written a story about those characters from that show?
Then you might find yourself looking for stories in a place that hosts fanfiction writers. Those people that cater to those exact questions, writing something called “fanfiction” for fun. Fanfiction, for those who may not know, refers to stories or even novels written about already existing characters, settings, or worlds from media (books, movies, stories, etc.) compiled on sites like Fanfiction.net, Wattpad, Archive of Our Own, and a handful of others.
This author found themselves writing fanfiction years ago on Fanfiction.net after deciding that one of my favorite characters in one of my favorite shows really should have gotten more screen time and been treated better as a strong character earlier on. I found a community of writers and readers who had similar ideas, each producing their own stories about the characters they liked from that same series.
It started with a short story about two characters that I thought should have ended up together purely because they were my favorite two characters, even though in the show they rarely had any interactions, and then spiraled into over 13 years later finding myself writing a 130K+ story that is still ongoing published on my favorite platform, Archive of Our Own.
The non-profit, Archive of Our Own (AO3), is more accessible compared to the older Fanfiction.net, and has strongly emerged as the most popular fanfiction site. AO3 is dedicated to sharing and protecting writers and their stories.
If you, like me, are looking for a place to publish, or to read, or to investigate the world of fanfiction because you love your shows and you want to read more about their worlds and their characters, then look no further and check AO3 out for yourself.
And if you happen to like Naruto, maybe check out a story called “Sleeping in a War” and enjoy this author’s current labor of love. https://archiveofourown.org/works/11285568/chapters/25245042.
What is Fanfiction? By Eleboppers
|
|
|
As promised in our last newsletter, each month the Gazette will host a group promo highlighting a variety of romance genres. The August event is Romance Anthologies and includes both Romancing the Holidays novels.
Help us to grow participation in these events by posting this link on your social media or in your author newsletter.
|
|
|
Up next month, Women's Fiction / Mainstream Fiction with Romantic Elements. If you've written a book in this genre and would like to promote it...
|
|
 Moonshine and Magnolias
by Abigail Sharpe
Wendy Marsh didn't cultivate her cool and in control vibe on purpose, but she's just fine with it. It keeps everyone at a distance, and helps her manage her job more efficiently. But her boss-babe armor starts to fall apart when she unexpectedly inherits her family's Inn alongside her lazy cousin, and the hot history professor staying on the property just might be the crack that slides Wendy's life into complete chaos.
History professor Rob Upshaw is on the hunt for the X that marks the spot of a lost family treasure. He doesn’t know where the X is or what it may contain. He doesn’t know if it even exists. His X-rated thoughts about the beautiful but uptight innkeeper won’t help, even if she may hold the key to his quest.
Falling for Wendy should be the biggest X of all, but Rob’s willing to explore the entire alphabet with her. Then she finds out the truth of his search, and nothing may be able to sway their developing relationship from discord back to desire.
Until August 22, you can download Moonshine and Magnolias for FREE! Don't miss out!
|
|
 Romancing the Holidays – Volume 1
A dozen ways to fall in love at the holidays.
Come celebrate the holidays with these dozen unique romances, ranging from sweet to steamy and all ending with a happily-ever-after. This anthology of short stories, written by multi-award-winning authors, including New York Times best-selling author, Alyssa Day, will transport you from Labor Day and Halloween antics to Christmas and Valentine romantics.
Its stories will whisk you away into contemporary, historical, and paranormal worlds where love prevails. So, savor the authors featured in this enchanting book and bet your heart on some romantic cheer while you enjoy these twelve ways to fall in love.
Proceeds from this novel benefit First Coast Romance Writers, a non-profit chapter of Romance Writers of America that helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.
https://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/anthologies/
|
|
 Romancing the Holidays – Volume 2
Looking for a Happily Ever After? How about fourteen of them?!
Romancing the Holidays, Volume 2 is a collection of romantic short stories all with the happy ending you crave. Genres include: contemporary, historical, paranormal, romantic suspense and young adult.
And what better time to find romance than during the holidays? Escape into these Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Three Kings Day and Valentine’s Day adventures, and swoon anew with each couple as they fall in love.
Proceeds from this anthology benefit First Coast Romance Writers, a non-profit chapter of Romance Writers of America that helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.
https://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/anthologies/
|
|
 Writing Sprints - A Multi-Author Experience
What is the first thought that pops into your head when you think of the word sprint? Perhaps a runner aiming for that finish line in a marathon. Or someone racing to the corner café in the morning for coffee before work. Writing sprints are similar in concept. There’s a finish line and a ticking timer. Your feet may not be moving but your fingers are, whether they’re flying on the keyboard or gripping a pen that zooms across the page.
So what is a writing sprint? It’s basically a timed writing session where a group of writers come together and either work on their own writing projects or follow a prompt. It’s a great way to build a writing habit if you’re feeling unmotivated, or to battle writer’s block if you’re feeling stuck. Or to just feel part of a creative community. Even if the writing isn’t any good – no one else needs to read it but you.
Any group of writers, small or large, can participate in writing sprints. However, a large group writing sprint, such as at a conference, is a very different experience than participating in one within a smaller group. This is true especially if the group meets regularly and the members get to know each other’s work – even if only in concept. Sharing out your writing is optional, and the time is mostly spent on advancing your own writing.
I participate in a weekly writing sprint via Zoom with a small group of writers, and it’s been such a wonderful experience. I’d love to share our process.
Before the sprint we decide on its length (we usually opt for 25 minutes). Then each writer shares their goal for the writing time. Some goals may include: Am I drafting a short story, a scene, or a chapter? Revising for characterization? Outlining a new story? Meeting a specific word count? Sometimes we set more than one goal, and sometimes we change the goal for each sprint (if we’re doing multiple sprints in one session). Once the goals are shared with the group, everyone puts themselves on mute, and the group moderator sets the timer and off we go.
After the timer goes off, the moderator unmutes themselves to let us know that the sprint is over. We check in with each other to see how well we met our goals. Sometimes we discuss any issues or challenges we faced during the sprint and try to help each other resolve them. This is not a critique session – it’s just a few minutes of brainstorming. The aim of the sprint is to move our own work forward in the company of others who understand the process.
In the end, it’s all right if you don’t reach your goal(s) during a sprint. The important thing is that you’ve moved further along in your writing. After each sprint I’m always pleasantly surprised at how much work I can accomplish surrounded by other creatives. If you're in a writing group and have never done a writing sprint, give it a try. You may be amazed at how much you'll all enjoy the process!
Writing Sprints – A Multi-Author Experience
By L. Lusiné Torossian - https://ltorossian.wordpress.com/
|
|
|
Fixing Wonky Word Formatting
Okay, fellow writers.
I use Word, and I’m not ashamed to say it. I used it in my day job for the past 20+ years (though now I have a new job and they don’t use it!), and I’d like to think I’m a pretty decent user. Word has tips and tricks and hidden gems, and I’m going to share one of the most useful things I know.
Sorry, Mac users. I’m a PC woman. But you should still be able to follow along.
This trick fixes wonky formatting. Usually. Like, 90 percent of the time. Or maybe 85. The point is, if you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your manuscript, you can use my Sooper Sekret trick to fix it.
The general idea is to paste your manuscript into a new document, but without the last paragraph mark. Word stores a lot of information in that last mark, so you don’t want to take it with you.
- Open a new document, then open your manuscript.
- Put your cursor at the end of your manuscript.
- Then press CTRL + A on your keyboard. This selects the entire document.
- Now, this next part is tricky. Using your keyboard, press CTRL + SHIFT and don’t let go! Then press the left arrow key until the last sentence in your document isn’t highlighted any more.
- Let go of all the keys.
- Press CTRL + C to copy the still-highlighted parts of your document.
- Then go to the new document and press CTRL + V to paste your manuscript.
And that’s it! You may need to reformat your manuscript for spacing and tabs and page numbers, but whatever was wrong that you couldn’t figure out? Should be fixed.
And don’t forget to save!
Fixing Wonky Word Formatting by Abigail Sharpe
www.facebook.com/AbigailSharpeBooks
|
|
|
NATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN ROMANCE FICTION AWARD
NERFA FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
The NERFA finalists were proactively announced in no specific order. Congratulations to all of the finalists and thank you to the reader judges.
Contemporary Romance
Accidental Homecoming by Sabrina York
The Agent by Nancy Herkness
Lost Dreams by Kari Lemor
Historical Romance
Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum
Highland Prodigy by Willa Blair
Home In Wylder by Jane Lewis
Midstream Fiction with a Central Romance
The Healing Summer by Heather B. Moore
Dead Sound by Anise Eden
Loving Summer by Carole Brungar
Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Redeemed By Fire by C J Bahr
HUNTER'S HOPE by Alyssa Day
Ancient Enforcer by Katie Reus
Romantic Novella (15k to 40k words)
Falling for Irish by Katie Reus
Unintended Target by Katie Reus
Operation Santa by Tina Susedik
Romantic Suspense
Cold Cruel Kiss by Toni Anderson
Cold As Ice by Toni Anderson
Tactical Revenge by Kari Lemor
Best First Book
The Refusal by Eve M. Riley
The Astronomer's Obsession by K. Lyn Smith
Cole For Christmas by Janet Raye Stevens
Winners will be announced in the September 15th edition of this newsletter.
The purpose of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA) is to recognize and bring attention to the best romance fiction each year. We rely on the experts — romance readers like you — to help us accomplish this important goal.
Contest Sponsor
The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award is sponsored by First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW). FCRW is an independent non-profit organization for both published and unpublished writers. The organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in romantic fiction through monthly meetings and workshops where published and unpublished writers share knowledge about the constantly evolving publishing industry.
|
|
|
|
|
