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Step 1: The Penname
First, before you can write your Aeris Resurrection Fic, or any other fics, for that matter, you need a fanfiction.net username. If you are wondering why this is more important than things like plot development and characterization, remember that you are not just creating an account, but a wonderful, flawless alter ego. A beautiful name is important because, after all, how else will Sephiroth know that he's supposed to fall in love with you when you insert yourself into your stories? If you're really lazy, you can combine the first name of your favourite female character in the game with the last name of the male character you'd most like to date, or whatever combination best fits your gender and sexual orientation--though not to be blatantly sexist, but if you're writing an ARF, chances are that you're female. Example: Tifa Valentine, or Reno Strife, or Lucrecia Gainsborough. However, this approach severely limits your options should you choose to branch out into Mary-Sue fics in the future, unless you have no qualms with incest. You get more points for effort if you use actual words in your name, (Angel's Kiss, Heaven's Cloud, or Love Enduring come to mind), or use something Japanese. But if you're really creative, then you can make up your own name. If you think it sounds ridiculous, then remember, there is actually a character in the game named Yuffie. You can't do any worse than that. Think of something poetic and romantic that evokes thoughts of running water and cool breezes, preferably something with the letters C, J, L, Y, M, and TH, and oddly-placed vowels. Things like Corienawyn or Jaellyna work. It doesn't have to be particularly euphonious; what's important is that it looks good on paper. My personal favourite is Jycellaemynthia. Come on, say it out loud. Jycellaemynthia. With a name like that, after all, everyone will take you seriously. They'll know that you are an enlightened being who was inspired by the muses to write this beautiful tale of true love. Your real name is Prudence, but no one needs to know that. Step 2: The Title Now, some of you might say, "But Mina, shouldn't we actually write the story before we think of the title?" Oh, how naive. You see, since you don't actually know where the story is going, what's the point of waiting until you finish it to title it? You know that Aeris will come to life, and that it will be about love; isn't that enough? Think of something sad that makes absolutely no sense, like Tears of Love, Shadows and Echoes, or Damaged Wings. My Immortal is good (albeit overused), but you risk a lawsuit. Just make sure that your title contains one of the following words:
-Shattered Resist the urge to title it She's Ba-a-aack... Step 3: The Author's Note Now that you have your title and fanfiction.net ID, you need to introduce your fic. Some authors choose to give us far too many details about their personal lives, frightening their readership in the process. Example: AN: Sup? I'm writing this at two in the morning, and I've had a really bad day because my boyfriend just dumped me. Lately, I've been thinking of killing myself. I've got a rash on the back of my leg that won't go away, and I'm kind of hung over. However, this approach dulls the mystique of the persona that you have created. You are Jycellaemynthia, after all, purveyor of truth and beauty, the embodiment of Mary-Sue-esque perfection. You are above rashes and hangovers. You are much better off with an introduction that is simply an expansion of your summary, and giving as few details about your personal life as possible. Some writers of ARFs get right down to business, to let readers know what to expect. AN: This is an Aeris Resurrection Fic. Cloris, mild Tifa x Reno. R&R But those are the types who think of their art form as a product. No, you are not a Tifa Valentine. You are Jycellaemynthia! You must sell your masterpiece. Start by at least pretending that the resurrection is a genuine plot twist, to build suspense. That's what real authors do, isn't it? AN: One year after Meteor, Cloud is haunted by memories of Aeris, when a mysterious woman from his past appears. Who it could be? ;) Notice the winking smilie, without which your readers will never figure out that you are coyly leaving them in the dark as to the identity of the mystery woman. Nothing shows that you are a sophisticated and serious writer like inserting a cute little happy face made out of punctuation marks to get your meaning across. Write your disclaimer in case Hironobu Sakaguchi reads your story and decides to sue you out of jealousy, and off we go! Next part: How to open your ARF, the deus ex machina/resurrection, and the fateful moment when the two lovers are reunited.
~Evil Mina |