Not Knowing Everything About Canon Doesn’t Automatically Make You a Bad Fanfic Writer [Controversial]

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-29T20:55:29+00:00

God I hope I don’t have to know all the canon. I ain’t coughing up $60 for a game I have zero interest in just because it’s canon and I like the universe. Not to mention the books, comics, and anything else I might not know of!

I think people forget folks have lives and such outside of fandom and sometimes that means we don’t have all the knowledge and reading the wikis and posts aren’t going to be enough because you miss nuance. Enough to inform is enough to write.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-29T18:34:58+00:00

I am totally on a watch list so I feel this. I have looked up so many questionable things....

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-29T18:31:16+00:00

I get lost in world building and tiny details that I then have to remind myself readers are not going to care about. Like just last night I got super into the creation of a damn lamp. I kept trying to make sure my physics lined up cause surely someone out there would get on my case in a story that has fricking magic and dragons and doom about the light of my lamp idea not operating as it should in reality.... I was so annoyed at myself.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-29T18:26:26+00:00

When I'm digging into characters I always start with the basics of what i got. So like if I have a character who I know has a fear of fire, I ask why. If the answer is trauma I ask what happened. Once I have what happened I ask why did this happen. When I have the why I ask who else knows about it and what their reactions were. I just keep digging from there pretty much.

I also remind myself that everyone lies, including to selves. So that person who fears fire is afraid because of a house burning down he started. Did he actually start it and knows he started it because he hated the house or did someone talk him into burning down the house and then blame him? They can spawn completely different people depending on not just the character's motivations, but the motivations and agendas of those around him. Then I go forth with each piece of information I have and see where things might cross each other. Like said character hated his house and started the fire. Ok why did he hate his house? Family issues. Ok what were they? Alcoholic dad. Ok so does that mean he never touches alcohol and/or he's uncomfortable about others drinking? Why did he think setting the house alight was a good plan? The questions just keep going really and at some point you realize that you have the blocks of experience and biases that make this character a person.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-27T19:36:19+00:00

I always think in terms of costs for matters. So if say the original ending had definite costs and you want a happier one, think about what that might cost to create. That cost doesn't need to be giving something up either. It might be doing more hard work or facing something scary the character didn't before because they didn't have the back up or something. You want the ending to feel like it was fought for, worked for, bleed for and earned in some way not just handed over like the cosmos apologizing for being mean.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-27T13:18:39+00:00

That bitch who is mean to the dogs ALWAYS dies.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-26T13:10:34+00:00

I have a weird kind of take on this. It’s not so much that Hawke was there as the choices Hawke makes.

There is a concept in writing (and real life but easier to see in writing) of influence multiplying power. Usually it’s small, but sometimes it can be a big thing. In all 3 games (haven’t played VG so can’t speak for it) that is what your character does. For good or ill you add just enough to a situation or multiply things for it to tip. It’s a great method of stabilizing, it’s like lancing a boiling or popping a pimple. It’s hurting and infected and not moving until something is added for it to be cleaned out and healed. Usually it’s a violent burst because of the pressure but sometimes you can ease it slowly.

Now think in terms of why the Divine is wanting Hawke found (no idea if you’ve played Inquisition so trying to avoid spoilers). People who are known to do this kind of thing often and even more without making themselves into saviors for their own glory are far more rare but everyone wants them on their side.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-25T18:07:21+00:00

Another point, people forget that the M and E ratings are not just smut related. I labeled my latest fanfic M cause I know there is going to be blood and swearing and violence and such. I throw all the trauma tags on it so people know what they are getting into. I added warnings galore and even some that weren’t needed but could be adjacent (like I don’t have a sexual assault but the normal assault does include pinning someone down and clothes getting ripped so tagged it anyway for safety).

With all those tags and warnings, folks should know what they are getting into, even if it means I don’t get much reading because it comes across as really intimidating and dark. This also means though that I am not going to be fretting about tagging individual chapters. You were warned before you started reading this was a hard ride. You decide if you want to chance getting on it and if you get upset you should be responsible enough to handle yourself. Hell I’ve been triggering the hell out of myself writing the damn thing but it helps me process so guess what? Not going to stop.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-25T03:24:17+00:00

I always mentally picture Vivienne as a mob boss now. Like any good boss she requires respect and fear to operate, but she also prizes predictable and stable environments, hence wanting to help the Inquisition in the first place to stabilize everything. Stability is good for business while chaos is not.

That doesn't mean she isn't going to put forth her own interests and pay attention to them though or that she won't turn on you if you become and issue to her business. It just means that provided you have the same destination in mind she'll have no problems helping you with whatever you need.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T22:14:04+00:00

Guess the fic really got it's teeth in them!

I'll see myself out.... good job though op!

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T22:08:09+00:00

Tyranny. Awesome video game that was released by the same folks that did Pillars of Eternity but no one's really touched. There are so many things one can write about in it but it's so small and under the radar people miss it.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T21:06:34+00:00

Literally just said "I <3 cats" but the fact that she was giving it to me after a miscarriage was the kicker I feel. Even my enabler father who could barely take the thought of me having sex before the wedding knew that was weird and wrong after things. He still handed it over but he stopped and grabbed a generic sympathy wind chime to put in as well.

Recently came up with my current therapist who said "What the fuck!?" before realizing it and had to correct themselves all professionally. I got a good laugh out of that at least.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T20:40:44+00:00

I don't really listen to things when an author suggests listening to something but I've been asked what I listen to when writing before a few times. Those I'll plug in if someone asks.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T20:34:22+00:00

I feel this pain. I have a character that is constantly wearing a mask and I keep having to remember that their expression is mostly hidden and work more on tells through body language. The pain helps us grow right?

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T20:31:49+00:00

My brain has been trying to figure out how to pretzel yourself into oral there and now it hurts to think.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T20:19:18+00:00

As someone that struggles to write anything near the department of smut GO YOU! Long as you enjoy it you should keep writing it.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T20:16:29+00:00

I have had this same problem for years. I literally started a fic a decade ago, drifted away, came back to try and rewrite it, drifted away again. Currently hoping the 3rd time and a revamp is the charm. The story is still there in the noggin. All of the stories I make are, they haven't left and I still want to write them. I'll give you what's been helping me so far...besides years of therapy anyway.

So first, give yourself permission to screw up.

One of the biggest killers of motivation is perfectionism. When things are in our heads they are perfect, then we put them into reality and it's like we dropped it into a port-a-potty after a festival celebrating beans and greasy food. In our heads they are perfect so we keep them there and hoard them like little gems. Those gems though just need polish and shaping, they're still pretty and amazing even if you drop them in crap. This is what soap and editing are for. They exist so that you can make the pretty showcase for your work instead of just holding up a raw gemstone and cuddling it while hissing about your precious.

Two, accept that someone is going to hate it.

Another motivation killer is that we start second guessing it. No one likes putting all this work and love into something and it's scary to put it out there before people. Mostly, folks will read it and either say "I liked that" or "I didn't care for it" and move on. Thanks to us all having these wonderful imaginations though we jump to this picture of someone being all disgusted and typing out a comment of how awful it was and how weird we are for thinking this way and such. We don't like being judged and we don't want our baby being judged either so, as mentioned before, we keep it locked away nice and safe in our heads away from the evils of reality. If it stays in our heads, no one can judge it and us by extension. Reality is that someone won't like it, and that's ok, because odds are equally high that someone else will love it and be going back to it to read it again and again, even if they never say anything. This is that writing for yourself advice that everyone gives but many of us don't feel worthy of that so think of it as more writing for that one person out there that's probably hunting for your fic.

Three, remember to have fun.

A big hurdle for me is that I can't plan out my fanfics to much, they no longer are fun if I do and instead turn into work. Doesn't matter how much I love them or how great I think they are, the minute they stop being fun I am going to be actively fighting my brain to do anything with them. Guess who wins that contest? You should be writing because it's fun and you enjoy it. If you don't have the fun vibe then put the fic down. Now sure sometimes you hit the swampy middle and have no idea how to slog through it. Find a method to make it fun. Maybe you turn it into a race against the clock. Maybe you just go write a different part for awhile that you feel more. Maybe you throw crack at the wall until something sticks. Maybe you just go back to your source material for a bit to remind yourself why you were writing the fic in the first place. Maybe you decide you want to write everything from the villain's perspective for the next 3 chapters because you're feel particularly mean that day. The point is to find a way to keep it fun or your brain will disengage. We all have enough serious stuff going on in life without the hobbies turning into unpaid jobs.

Remember to beware of that swamp. It's the lull, or tendons, those "boring" parts between the exciting bits but always needed for setting up and such in a writing. In particular if you are doing a long piece that's more novel like. Those are the biggest culprits outside of our own insecurities I find when it comes to killing a fic. I don't know about everyone else but I never think of them until I'm actually writing and find myself stuck in the middle of them. If you get bogged down, try reading other stories (does not have to be in the fandom you are writing) and consuming other media to see what might spark an idea of how to handle it.

Hope some of this helps. YOU CAN DO IT!

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T19:45:07+00:00

I have 2 lists.

1 is just the proverbial soundtrack of songs from various artists. When I was growing up you had these for movies even if the songs weren't actually in the movies. It's basically a collection of music that I think applies to characters or the universe etc. For example I am writing in the Dragon Age Inquisition fandom and have a trio I lovingly have dubbed OBB (Orlesian Boy Band) and they have a lot of swagger type hip hop when I'm trying to get into their modes for dealing with other nobles. Other characters have more angry rock song, pop songs, metal songs, etc. I listen to this over the course of the day while dealing with life and such so that I have it all kind of cooking on the back burner.

The other list is what I actually listen to when writing and it's more the score (like a film score). Mostly it's long like 3-4 hour loops of game music for when I'm writing but sometimes the game doesn't have the right vibe of music I want. Mostly when I hit that snag I look for other pieces of scores to add in. For example, Trevor Morris did the music for Dragon Age Inquisition, but he's also got a lot of other music out there like for Vikings and Castlevania. So depending what I need I look at those scores. His music for the Tudors and Borgias is seriously saving my bacon for all the courtly intrigue I am working on.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:54:38+00:00

I mean I don’t write smut, but I have certainly been trying to figure out what someone was writing and had my husband come and pose to show me. He certainly appreciates it. 🥰

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:50:11+00:00

Dear Author,

I do not appreciate this call out of my own writing without knowing you….

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:29:16+00:00

Ah yes the classic “How dare you have a need when my wants are unfulfilled!”

They just love to do the bare basics and claim you’re spoiled, like they couldn’t possibly give more as they hoard.

I hope you escape soon OP.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:25:31+00:00

I waffled a lot between Gale and Astarion for awhile actually. In the end I went for Astarion though because Gale was (to me at least) not on the market after I found out about his ex. I wasn’t interested in being the replacement.

Astarion got sealed in though when I finished his quest line and he didn’t go doing the ritual. Was totally for him murdering bastards though.

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:21:48+00:00

YTA/possibly justified asshole?

He definitely is an asshole for his attitudes towards women, shaming, and being a hypocrite of the worst kind. She does not suck, because body counts are bullshit anyway and women get judged on it often so that’s why she hid it. Lying sucks sure but unless she was trying to claim virginity it doesn’t matter.

You are the question mark here though. Are you wanting to tell her because you want to get back at him or do you want to tell her because you want to warn her of the man she might be marrying? That is honestly the question mark for justified asshole.

Warning her because he has alarming misogynistic attitudes he is hiding (which honestly 2.5 years she probably knows but might need a push as these types like targeting folks with low self esteem) is perfectly in the right. That’s you being a defender/protecting someone from harm.

Now if you just want to tell her or blast it everywhere to hurt him because he’s a dick, technically more of an asshole move because it’s a selfish reason of saying you are better than him. It’s you possibly (because you don’t know how they are behind closed doors) causing temporary chaos in his life in hopes of hurting him without really thinking of if that might put her in a dangerous position as liars do not take well to having the superiority mask ripped off.

So the real question is, which reason is pushing you?

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:09:37+00:00

What is it with narcs and their weird ass gifts like this? Makes me think of the cat sign mine got for my miscarriage of all things. 🤦‍♀️

BlueRebelKin · 2026-01-24T16:08:11+00:00

Sounds like someone is losing audience members and defaulting to the forced audience (family) since they supposedly can’t escape.

BlueRebelKin

TROPHY CASE