Thank you very much. And When I looked at your username, I went "WHOAMFG" out loud, because I'm a huge fan of your story, "The Other Side of Hell." I'm like a lot of stories that pair Harry with OFC's, and I liked Beatrice a lot. Anyway, that story is one of my favorites with an OFC, and it kicks major ass.

 

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it - Beatrice was perhaps my favourite character, though I prefer Lily as a person.

Actually, I found a remarkably informative article just now which I thought I'd share:

http://members.aol.com/MacedonPg/writing.htm

The tone is light enough to keep it interesting and it covers a wide breadth of writing pitfalls. I'm bookmarking it since it's so useful.

If you're unsure of writing characters, use this:

http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html

It's a little too detailed for my liking, since I prefer the more liberal make-them-up-as-you-go-along approach, but I can see how it can be exceptionally useful - particularly for Harry whose character is especially...malleable.

 

I've never read a writing book in my life aside from Chomsky's On Language and Strunk and White's Elements of Style. The first is for hardcore linguistics nuts, the second is for everyone.

 

I bought an old copy of Simon & Schuster's Handbook for Writers at the local library's used book sale, year before last. To be honest, I've barely looked at it. It's dry as a bone. It only cost me a couple cents though.

I also bought a copy of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, though that one I've been reading mostly for entertainment (and it came with stickers).

 

best way is to not right fan fiction. Original instead.

 

I think I need to follow some of these. Especially the outline suggestion; it may actually help me to get something done.

 

Definitely read The Elements of Style. Go for Strunk and White rather than the just Strunk Edition. I've read it and memorized it. You screw up far less as an early writer when you do so.

 

I bought The Elements of Style earlier today. I'm going to read it before I go to bed. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. My outline is almost done, finally.