Notes on the help section: I've got questions in the past on how to write a good story. I wrote this to help authors who're just starting out in the slash world. I don't consider myself to be a perfect writer and the below info is really just my opinions, I'm just hoping that they might be of use to some people!

1. A plot bunny: Ok, so now I'm stating the obvious. But, finding a good plot can be hard, so I'm going to try to help. Basically, most of the time all you need is a starting point, and one that hasn't been overdone. The more original your plot (although you gotta make it believable!), the more likely it is that people will read your story and give you feedback. If you're stuck forn an idea, here are some places that usually stock them:

• Material with the characters you're trying to slash. Whether they're from a TV show, a book, or they're real people, you're likely to be able to find something that can inspire you. If you're slashing characters from a book or movie, one of the easiest things to do is pick a moment that you think is missing from it, and write it.
• Other authors. If you ask around, there will sometimes be people that have plot bunnies laying around that they don't have time to write themselves.
• Challenges. Mailinglists and slash websites often run all kinds of challenges. 3 Word and 5P challenges tend to be most common, but sometimes you'll be given the opening paragraph, or a picture, or just a basic plot idea. Shop around and you'll be likely to find a challenge that will give you a starting point.

2. Characterization: Just take a few moment to get into the heads of your characters. Since you're working with someone elses characters, people who read your story will already have an image of what the characters are like, so try not to stray too far from character guidelines if you are not able to back it up with reasons for why they are behaving differently. For example, if you are using a character that is always happy and you're writing him/her depressed, that's fine, long as you give reasons (they could have been hiding their real self). People aren't always what they seem, neither are characters, but there will be reasons for this.

3. A spell checker: Do run a spelling and grammar check on your story before you post it. Also, read through it at least once, preferrably out loud, to catch any additional mistakes.

4. A Beta Reader: This is optional, really, but having someone else read through your story before posting it is a good idea. Especially if English isn't your first language (if you're writing it in English, lol), or if you used to fall asleep in English class. Your beta reader should have a good level of English and should not be afraid to point out any mistakes you might have made. If all you get back from your beta-reader is something like "great story", then they're not much help. We all make mistakes, the purpose of your Beta is that they will find them so you can sorrect them - that way, noone else will know. ;o)

5. The ability to take criticism: We all want feedback, preferrably good feedback. But once you share your story with the general public, not everyone is going to tell you it's the best thing they've read, so don't expect it all to be good. If someone points out spelling or grammar mistakes, thank them - after all, you want them corrected, don't you? If someone thinks you could have developed a certain point or character better - concider it. Constructive criticism is the best form of feedback, because not only does it help you develop as a writer, but it is likely that the people who give it read your story quite closely - and that's flattering, isn't it?

And that's the basic things you'll need. Good luck writing!