4 replies to this topic

[kirabook]

Hello everyone! Soon I plan to write my very first Naruto fanfic. *I really really really shouldn't because I have a KH fic that needs to be continued*

It's going to be an adoption of an old abandoned fanfic and I'm going to adapt it to better fit with the new Road to Ninja movie. It won't quite be NaruSaku, as I am not good at writing straight out romance, they will be too young and in busy for romance, and I like more subtle NaruSaku anyway.

That said, I need a little advice on various aspects of it. Of course, it's a time travel fic somewhat -my favorite type- In the original story, Naruto ended up in the past by falling into frog oil. In this, it will be due to Tobi's genjustu. (that's not all of it of course, I just don't want to spoil much)

My first question is, how old would would guys assume Minato and Kushina were when Naruto gave birth? I don't remember any exact ages being revealed. I would guess around 24-25. If they are 24-25 years old, I'd like for this story to occur 5 years before things went downhill for them and the rest of Kohona.

Next question is, should this world Naruto and Sakura get thrown into actually be the past, or should it be the past and the AU from the movie? I think it's going to be mostly real world stuff, but with a mix of things from the AU I'd like to include. I feel I have the freedom to do so since all of this is sorta AU anyway.

When I create this fic, who should I have as the main characters? I do plan to have Sakura and Naruto as the main characters, but so will Kushina and Minato. Should it be Naruto Minato or Naruto Sakura or Naruto Kushina?

When it comes to jutsu names, do you prefer them to be japanese or in english? If in japanese, is having the translation in the author notes a good habit? (*personally I like japanese jutsu names, explanation on what it is doesn't matter too much*)

Hm, I have more to ask, but I'm still getting all this stuff laid out from and changing it from the chapters already written. I'll also reveal more as I go along. I plan to have the first chapter out today, and then I will take my time planning things out for the future.

*Also, do you think it's unfair of my to add this to my own Minato/Naruto father/son community? I mean, there won't truly be REAL NS -until the end maybe- but I did say that I wouldn't add any real pairings into the group. Then again, I know a few of them have vague NH hints at the end *mostly Quill of Molliemon stories* So a vague NS hint should be ok right?*

I don't think I'm a very good writer in general. Especially when it comes to dialogue, but I've been browsing a few threads here for tips on that. But if you have anything specific you'd like me to avoid, feel free to say so. XD

Edited by kirabook, 28 August 2012 - 12:35 AM.

[tricksie]

Next question is, should this world Naruto and Sakura get thrown into actually be the past, or should it be the past and the AU from the movie? I think it's going to be mostly real world stuff, but with a mix of things from the AU I'd like to include. I feel I have the freedom to do so since all of this is sorta AU anyway.

Yeah, this is so tricky because you're writing a story about a plot you have only seen pieces of. (I feel your pain: I'm writing a Menma/Sakura fic with the same troubles.) So my suggestion, which I'm following too, if you choose add the AU world to the mix just writing it loosely. Have the AU themes follow along with the broadest themes that have been put forth. That way when the movie comes out, if it's totally different from what you thought, you don't feel the need to redo your fic, or add parts explaining why you chose this.

Specifically, add the AU pieces as part of a background. Don't go into elaborate backstories for all the characters. Just let Naruto and Sakura encounter the AU Rookies and be just as perplexed as the audience is. Does that make sense? That way you can steer clear of snags you might hit later.

When I create this fic, who should I have as the main characters? I do plan to have Sakura and Naruto as the main characters, but so will Kushina and Minato. Should it be Naruto Minato or Naruto Sakura or Naruto Kushina?

I think that just depends on how your plot turns out. Start writing, and see which characters rise to the surface.

When it comes to jutsu names, do you prefer them to be japanese or in english? If in japanese, is having the translation in the author notes a good habit? (*personally I like japanese jutsu names, explanation on what it is doesn't matter too much*)

I use the Japanese name once or twice, when it's something that's so central to their character. Like 'henge.' But I also make sure to identify it with it's English definition on its first use, and often I shed the Japanese name in favor of descriptive terms about the jutsu. Like saying "the clone" or "an identical copy of Naruto bounced back through the wall, grinning." The Japanese terms may be correct, but the trip up a reader. And if it's a little-used jutsu and/or your only going to be using it for a few scenes, then I wouldn't a Japanese term at all. Just capitalize it to set it apart. Like Haku's Ice Style or Thousand Mirror Jutsu. *I may have just made those up! *

Hm, I have more to ask, but I'm still getting all this stuff laid out from and changing it from the chapters already written. I'll also reveal more as I go along. I plan to have the first chapter out today, and then I will take my time planning things out for the future.

*Also, do you think it's unfair of my to add this to my own Minato/Naruto father/son community? I mean, there won't truly be REAL NS -until the end maybe- but I did say that I wouldn't add any real pairings into the group. Then again, I know a few of them have vague NH hints at the end *mostly Quill of Molliemon stories* So a vague NS hint should be ok right?*

Totally fair! Especially if it's your own community, and the focus isn't completely on NS.

I don't think I'm a very good writer in general. Especially when it comes to dialogue, but I've been browsing a few threads here for tips on that. But if you have anything specific you'd like me to avoid, feel free to say so. XD

Don't say bad things about yourself. Ever. Cardinal rule. As far as writing, every writer started as a "bad writer." No one started good. Not Hemingway. Not Shakespeare. Like your writing, writers are simply a work in progress. They change with the process of each piece, just as the finished product changes them. The fact that you are not only starting new works, but self-evaluating and sharpening the areas you think you might need improvement shows what a very good writer you are!

And about the dialogue thing...I've thought that way too. But this summer I've been reading some romance novels — not bodice-rippers, but fun, flirty ones — and I'm so surprised by how much dialogue there is! Heaps and heaps of it! So I've changed my views on it a little. As a reader, I am swiftly carried through the story, without even realizing it. As a writer thinking about the conversations and exchanges in the book, I realize that the author is able to more quickly convey plot points and emotions by putting them in the mouths of the characters than any amount of background paragraphs. The author cover a ton of territory in a single page, all through dialogue. Needless to say, I'm trying to add more myself now.

Anyway, all the best! Hope this helps!

[PachucoDesigns]

It's going to be an adoption of an old abandoned fanfic and I'm going to adapt it to better fit with the new Road to Ninja movie. It won't quite be NaruSaku, as I am not good at writing straight out romance, they will be too young and in busy for romance, and I like more subtle NaruSaku anyway.

If you intend to include NS at all (which I presume you do to some extent, given your audience here), then you are correct; subtlety is key. This is something most fanfics grossly lack. If you are going to introduce any points of romance, make sure to use a human sense of doubt and inhibition, especially given their as-of-yet unconfirmed feelings (especially Sakura). Refrain from outright flirting and make out sessions, because it's just not believable. And for all that is holy, please, PLEASE do not inject the common arguments of the shippers into the context. Do not refer to any compliments of Sakura's forehead, do not refer to the importance of hugs, do not refer to the removal or use of honorifics or supposed terms of affection, do not refer to parallels between other pairings (especially in the case of Kushina's suggestion to marry a girl like his mother), and do not insist on any speculation concerning the meaning of "warm smiles." I've seen way too many stories do this, and they read like circle-jerk propaganda. Stay away from that at all costs.

That said, I need a little advice on various aspects of it. Of course, it's a time travel fic somewhat -my favorite type- In the original story, Naruto ended up in the past by falling into frog oil. In this, it will be due to Tobi's genjustu. (that's not all of it of course, I just don't want to spoil much)

My first question is, how old would would guys assume Minato and Kushina were when Naruto gave birth? I don't remember any exact ages being revealed. I would guess around 24-25. If they are 24-25 years old, I'd like for this story to occur 5 years before things went downhill for them and the rest of Kohona.

Best way to approximate that is to go from references of known age. Kakashi and the other Jounin at the time of the Konoha 11's upbringing were in their late 20s to early 30s. Around the time Naruto was born, Kakashi and his team were about the same age as team 7, as to be expected from new graduates/genin. So, the same could likely be said for Minato and Kushina. Late 20s-early 30s. 28 is a safe number.

Next question is, should this world Naruto and Sakura get thrown into actually be the past, or should it be the past and the AU from the movie? I think it's going to be mostly real world stuff, but with a mix of things from the AU I'd like to include. I feel I have the freedom to do so since all of this is sorta AU anyway.

Well, that depends on your intentions. What is the conflict of the story? What is the goal? Is there a lesson to be learned? You'd need to know all of that before you start planning a setting. It's never really a good idea to write straight ahead without a plan. It can cause inconsistences and rambling.

When I create this fic, who should I have as the main characters? I do plan to have Sakura and Naruto as the main characters, but so will Kushina and Minato. Should it be Naruto Minato or Naruto Sakura or Naruto Kushina?

Once again, that all depends on what your intentions are. Is this more for the growth of Naruto, or for Sakura? Given that you are using both couples, I assume you are going to do something concerning parallels (remember what I said earlier, be careful). So, who has what to learn, and from whom?

When it comes to jutsu names, do you prefer them to be japanese or in english? If in japanese, is having the translation in the author notes a good habit? (*personally I like japanese jutsu names, explanation on what it is doesn't matter too much*)

Personal preference, honestly. I mainly like Japanese, but it's because I'm familiar enough with the series to understand the jist of it. If you plan on showing this to those who only follow the dubbed anime, then it's best that you at least parenthetically give the translation.

Hm, I have more to ask, but I'm still getting all this stuff laid out from and changing it from the chapters already written. I'll also reveal more as I go along. laugh.gif I plan to have the first chapter out today, and then I will take my time planning things out for the future.

*Also, do you think it's unfair of my to add this to my own Minato/Naruto father/son community? I mean, there won't truly be REAL NS -until the end maybe- but I did say that I wouldn't add any real pairings into the group. Then again, I know a few of them have vague NH hints at the end *mostly Quill of Molliemon stories* So a vague NS hint should be ok right?*

Choose your audience beforehand, then use that as a means for planning for what will best appeal to them.

I don't think I'm a very good writer in general. Especially when it comes to dialogue, but I've been browsing a few threads here for tips on that. But if you have anything specific you'd like me to avoid, feel free to say so. XD

Well, if you dont have much experience, you are doing the right thing by asking advice. I'm always happy to give feedback if you're willing to share what you have. And as for what to avoid, once again, I refer you to my first answer.

Edited by PachucoDesigns, 27 August 2012 - 06:13 PM.

[kirabook]

About the main character thing, I plan for all 4 of them to be the main characters, but I just wasn't sure what to list them as on the fanfiction site itself since it only allows 2. XD The order of focus will probably be Naruto - Minato - Sakura - Kushina. I already know what the ending will be, and a lot of what will happen *since it is an adoption* I just wanted some advice on the technicalities. Which would attract more readers? Naruto and Minato as the characters? Naruto Sakura? Or Naruto Kushina?

So, the general plan for this fic is, instead of strictly being thrown into some AU as Tobi intended that night, Naruto jumps to action last minute instead of just standing there shielding his eyes and attacks whatever that orb is. I refuse to believe that villains are able to plan everything out, so at first Tobi will be haughty about Naruto not being able to break his -insert orb name here-, only for it to begin cracking, causing an even bigger reaction than in the movie -I imagined one more closely related to what happened between Naruto and Sasuke at the Valley of the End- and instead of landing just in the AU, they actually end up in the past, before they were born *I'm going for about 5 years*

I'm debating if this will all end up being an out of control mega genjutsu or if they are actually thrown into the past. -for reasons I shall not reveal- Then I figured, they'd technically be in the past, but some characters get extremely affected by Sakura and Naruto's unnatural presence for the time that they are there. Also, given that this is the the post, the Kohona 11 won't be around. But there will be others that will make some fun. XD

There won't be any OC's. I'm not comfortable with writing them. *I had I fanfic so far, and one that is a small side story, with only 1 super minor OC*
I actually feel that my writing has gotten worse over the years. After writing college papers and whatnot, I feel like it's wrecked and disordered how I used to go about things before. I might over-exaggerating, but I don't really know. *sigh* I'll get better, I'm just pessimistic about myself a lot of the time. XD

As for the romance, again, when they go to the past, they won't quite be themselves. They'll be younger, in a strange place where nothing seems right (since it's the past, it's even worse than the movie setting really). I think that dramatically hinders any real chances of romance other than playing around or very serious moments that might not even be considered romance (for example, the scene we saw in the movie when they were by the fence. Tense, confusion, sadness, maybe even anger, and depending on how you look at it, romantic. But we can't be sure, we haven't seen everything yet. But from what I've seen translated, it's definitely a deep moment)
The most I would ever write in the romance department is... a hug and an occasional smile. It's not going to be romance centered, so I'm not going to write a paragraph on what they may be feeling at the very moment or what they feel afterwards, similarly to Kishi. He does it, and later, there is rarely actual thought about the previous incizent, he just adds on without much being revealed to the reader. Besides.... ...I can READ very romantic -perverted- things, but writing it... Impossible. Everything I wrote would be cheesy and unbelievable. To summarize my sudden rambling, I won't be very descriptive when it comes to that.

MinaKushi on the other hand, I will try something sometimes. They are an truly official couple, I think it will be easier for me. XD

But yeah, I ask here because Sakura is going to be truly involved and will matter in this story, but it's not going to be totally romance centered. -just like the manga pretty much- They will have touching moments, but the romance isn't going to to the top priority. By the end of it, they will most definitely be closer, like they were in the movie -but at the very end, I don't mind hinting at the possibility of them being an actually being a couple, but for the rest of the fic, I'd like to focus on the family aspect. That's probably my favorite part of Naruto, NS is second place-

I'm in class as I type, so excuse any cut of thoughts or going on and on about random stuff. I'm switching between this and taking notes on Data Communications *not sure if I'm going to like this class >.>*
I hope to have the first intro chapter out by tonight so people can have a look see, then I will also link the original work. The original work has no real pairings either, and I can't remember if they ever hinted at anything at all whatsoever, but it doesn't really matter. A lot will have to change from the original since it was written a while ago before a lot of things were revealed and it's been abandoned for a while. The author is like, absolutely sick of it, so I don't think she'll care if I insert Sakura in everywhere -if she happens not to like Sakura, I don't really know-

Again, sorry for rambling. @_@