Okay, an actual writing advice thread now that I'm awake. I have no idea what advice of value I have for anyone, but I'll try!

The first two are easier said than done:

1) Don't compare yourself to other writers.
2) Don't get obsessed with numbers.

The first one is very difficult for me. I had to stop reading fic while I'm writing because in that moment, everyone writes better than I do.

We're all here to have fun and give characters we love more life in situations we either didn't get enough of or feel are lacking or are brand new and interesting to explore. If we all compared ourselves to the last great idea in a well written fic, there would never be more!

The second point is difficult as well. We all want validation and to know people have enjoyed. But if the key motivation is 'I can't wait to see how many kudos/likes/retweets/reblogs/comments this gets,' then you're never going to feel fulfilled. You should be writing for you.

The cherry on top of feeling accomplished after I get an idea out of my head and onto 'paper,' is everyone else's reaction. Reading that people felt the same way I did while writing an idea, knowing I evoked that same emotions I felt, is the BEST. Better than any number.

So, for actual writing advice:

3) Outlines don't work for everyone, but at least know your beginning, middle, and end. Even if it's short. I've had varying luck and success: Market Price had no outline at all and that's why now, I do one shots. I'm okay with that, but -

I could have made a longer story than just 6 chapters, had I actually fleshed it out and made an outline. DATRIL had a chapter by chapter outline that worked. Strawberry Wine had a chapter by chapter outline that did not work at all. Cellist has no outline but there is a plan.

I say try outlining once. Especially if you feel stuck. Try outlining in different styles - either chapter by chapter, or just a list of things you want/need to have happen in your fic before the end, even if it's a one shot.

4) If you are writing a multi-chapter fic, don't post until you have the majority of it written, OR, until you have gotten through what you know will be the hardest part to write. When I was writing DATRIL, I knew the most difficult parts would be the funeral and the fight.

I didn't post chapter 1 until after Jamie called Claire in apology, because I knew if I couldn't get THAT right, I would get stuck. This is where I fucked up with Strawberry Wine: I started posting way too soon, wrote myself into a timeline corner, and couldn't go back and fix it

so they've just been in stasis. Had I waited, had I written more, I would have realized for myself it wasn't going to work. At the very least, one of my betas probably would have. This is my biggest one just from personal experience but may not ring true for everyone.

I flopped, put out something half finished, and it's all because I wasn't patient enough. I carry that and hate it, but for others, it might roll off their shoulders. Only you can make the judgement call, but I'll always advocate waiting.

5) Not everyone needs or wants a beta and that's okay! A beta is just a word for 'editor who isn't actually a professional editor and doesn't get paid to do what an editor does to a piece of writing.' I mean, we're not writing classical literature here, but still.

I enjoy having multiple betas for multiple reasons: My abuse of commas HAS to be reeled in, they challenge me when something could be fleshed out that I rushed through, they talk out things that don't feel entirely right, and they also cheerlead.

Not everyone wants this experience and that is just fine. And not every person who has betas or writes fic is available to BE a beta, so I wouldn't ask with any expectation. If you don't feel like a beta is for you, that is 100% okay. I recommend it at the very least for grammar!

6) If you do go the beta route, you have to be open to constructive criticism and be willing to talk things out. It's very vulnerable to hand a piece of writing to someone and say 'please read this and tell me what you think.' I get sweaty every time I send something off.

But betas have pointed out to me repetitiveness, overused phrases/words, and have challenged me when a piece needs to be re-worked because it isn't quite right. You have to be open to it though, and you can't just SAY you're open to it and then shut down at feedback.

Be as open as you can be, because all betas just want to help you put out an incredible piece of fiction!

7) You do not have to write smut in your fic. I know it seems like all fic gets around to it one way or another, but that's not what makes any piece of fic great. Fade to black is always fine! Creative fades can work! A fic where they don't bone down is just as welcome.

8) You can't make everyone happy. So don't try! Write the story you want to write. A lot of people were not pleased in comments during DATRIL. A LOT of people told me what I should do or they wouldn't read it again. Imagine if i'd listened to all of them?

We'd have a very different story in which Jamie is an asshole who deserves to be alone. Seriously, SO many people thought that and said so. My point is, absolutely stick to your guns. You are writing the story and you're in control!

I think that's all the advice I can think of off the top of my head. But I'm happy to answer any questions! I still can't believe anyone wanted this, but here it is. Now....I gotta go do my actual job, lol. Love you all!