How To: Write a Wattpad Fanfiction! (Basics, Making Covers, Tips & Tricks + More! )

Summary

In this video, Elijah returns to his channel after a hiatus, sharing personal experiences and offering comprehensive advice for aspiring writers on Wattpad. He emphasizes the importance of scheduling, plot development, character creation, and maintaining a consistent upload schedule. Elijah also stresses the significance of writing relatable characters, avoiding clichés, and adding unique touches to stories. He suggests using tools like Grammarly for proofreading and encourages interaction with readers to build a community. The video is a treasure trove of tips for both novice and experienced Wattpad authors.

Takeaways

• 📅 'Schedule your writing time' - Elijah emphasizes the importance of having a writing schedule to ensure consistency and manage time effectively for book creation.
• 📢 'Communicate with your audience' - Keeping readers updated, especially if you miss an upload date, is crucial for maintaining engagement and trust with your followers.
• 🎭 'Choose your genre wisely' - Selecting the right genre for your book is essential as it influences the writing style and the audience you'll attract.
• 💡 'Develop a strong plot and concept' - Having a clear plot and concept for your book ensures a cohesive and engaging narrative that keeps readers interested.
• 👥 'Create relatable and diverse characters' - Characters should be well-rounded with distinct personalities to make the story more realistic and enjoyable for readers.
• 🖼️ 'Use face claims in fan fiction' - For fan fiction, using face claims can help readers visualize characters but it's important to clarify that it's for representation, not implying real-life relationships.
• 🏷️ 'Craft a memorable title and description' - The title and description are the first things potential readers see, so make them engaging and reflective of the book's content without giving too much away.
• ✍️ 'Proofread and edit before publishing' - Ensure your work is free from errors and well-edited to maintain a professional image and enhance readability.
• 📈 'Be consistent and patient' - Consistency in uploading and patience in completing your work before publishing can lead to a higher quality final product.
• 💬 'Interact with your readers' - Engaging with your audience through comments and updates helps build a community around your work and shows appreciation for their support.

Q & A

What was the reason for Elijah's absence from his channel?

Elijah was not inspired and took a break. He also visited his hometown for two weeks.

What advice does Elijah give for setting a schedule for writing a book?

Elijah suggests having a consistent upload date to ensure chapters are finished on time and to keep readers engaged, but he also emphasizes not rushing the writing process to maintain quality.

How does Elijah recommend notifying followers if an upload date is going to be missed?

Elijah recommends updating followers through the community/communications tab on Wattpad, ensuring the notification box is checked to alert followers of any changes.

What is Elijah's favorite part of the writing process?

Elijah's favorite part of the writing process is creating characters, as he enjoys developing their personalities and backgrounds.

Why is it important to have a clear concept and plot for your book, according to Elijah?

Elijah states that having a clear concept and plot ensures the book has a cohesive direction and doesn't end up with random events that don't fit the overall story.

How does Elijah suggest creating relatable characters for readers?

Elijah advises making characters with realistic traits, vulnerabilities, and emotions to make them relatable and not just perfect or unrelatable stereotypes.

What is the significance of 'face claims' in fan fiction, as mentioned by Elijah?

Face claims involve using real people's appearances to visualize characters in fan fiction. Elijah mentions that it's not necessary but can help readers connect with the characters visually.

What advice does Elijah give for choosing a title for a book on Wattpad?

Elijah advises that the title should be memorable and correlate with the book's content, avoiding being too basic or misleading.

Why is it crucial to proofread and spell check chapters before publishing, as per Elijah's experience?

Elijah emphasizes proofreading to maintain professionalism and avoid reader frustration due to spelling errors, recommending the use of tools like Grammarly.

How does Elijah recommend staying motivated while writing?

Elijah suggests reading other fan fictions to get inspired and motivated, as it can provide new ideas and reignite the passion for writing.

What tip does Elijah provide for starting a chapter or a book to avoid cliches?

Elijah recommends starting with a unique statement or a character's thought that captures the reader's attention and avoids overused cliches like 'wake up calls for school.'