How to plan any Fanfic → Writing Guide

🍃 Character Creation

CHARACTER PLANNING

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People always assume you need a title before you can start a book and that's just not true! Many, if not most, actually don't have a title for a best seller until after they've finished writing the book. While you need one to post on Wattpad, leave it until after your planning stages.

The same goes for your description and cover. Leave them until after your plan.

Now, we'll get onto your master plan next but first, you need the subcategories. The first one is the character plan as it will determine things that happen in your master plan.

So, here are the ones I use!
Simply pick apart things you do and don't use! E.g. if you don't use a cast, don't include it in your plan.
You'll thank yourself later if you have it actually planned in your own drafts.

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CHARACTER TIPS AND THE MAIN PERSON PLAN

First of all, some advice about your Main character.

Underrepresented characters are good to use for multiple reasons. The main reason is that people can feel included where they don't usually. The second reason is that there aren't as many so yours will stand out.

Examples: Disabled, Neurodivergent, Non-white characters, Non-UK/Non-US characters, Non-powerful characters, and characters who are not rich.

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Researching the traditions in the country your character lives in, (if they have) what the effects of the disability are, and trying to avoid stereotypes can only improve your story!

E.g. don't assume all English people are from London or are posh and drink tea or not all autistics are emotionless introverts.

The more you relate to your OC, the better you are to write them as well, just a tip ;) So like me, I'm autistic and writing my autistic OC is a lot easier than writing someone who is the opposite of me.

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THE ACTUAL CHARACTER PLAN

Character cast: Someone who has lots of graphics can help.
Even though you have a cast, you should still plan a description.

Character name:

Hair colour, eye colour:
Gender/sexuality:
Height, weight:
Skin colour, scars, marks:
Are they disabled, LGBTQ:
Nationality (born):
Living or raised:

Birthday:
Predicted age at the start of book:

Birth parent's names (+ alive?):
(if applicable) foster/adoptive parents:

(If applicable - one for each sibling - they might have their own plan too)
Sibling name:
Sibling age difference:

Main personality traits:
Examples: opinionated, rude, shy, optimistic, unlikeable, bold.

How they see themselves:
E.g. They see themselves as funny or beautiful.

Likes:
Dislikes:

Economic (e.g. rich/middle class/lowerclass):
Do they care about this?:

How they were raised:
e.g. raised to be kind or honest. raised themselves, got along with siblings etc.

How they bring that into current life:
e.g. try to be honest now, help others, ignore others ect.

Any traumatic or influential moments:
E.g. got into F2 crash, parents killed by Voldemort, in the battle of NY ect.

Any other notes that you feel you need:

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Fandom specifics to add on:
These include F1, Harry Potter, Marvel and Game of Thrones
(These may expand but these are what I specialise in right now.)

Scroll past this if not needed to sub-character plans
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F1 specific notes:

What season does it take place in:
What season will it end in:

What is the goal by the end of the book:

For a driver OC:
What team do they drive for:
When did they join that team:
What teams have they previously driven for:
Do they like that team:

For a non-driver OC:
What job do they do: E.g., mechanic
What team/company do they do it for:
How did they meet their love interest:

Harry Potter specific notes:
What year are they in:

What house are they in:
Do they know the golden trio:

What family do they come from:
Are they well-known in the wizarding world:
What is their wand type:

Marvel specific notes:
What movie does it include:
Are they a part of the avengers/X-men etc:
Was the OC super in any way:

Is the OC bad or good or neutral:
How did the OC become apart of the movie:

Game of Thrones specific note:
What season does it start in:
What is their house:
What houses are they allied with:

Which rulers do they support or are they their own:
What is their purpose in Westeros:
Do they mean well:

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SMALLER PLANS (SIDE CHARACTER)

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Now you pick apart what you do and don't need but do you have any additional tips that you like to add? Any that show up a lot will be added to the above!

Character cast: Someone who has lost graphics can help.
Even though you have a cast, you should still plan a description.

Character name:

Hair colour, eye colour:
Gender/sexuality:
Height, weight:
Skin colour, scars, marks:
Are they disabled, LGBTQ:
Nationality (born):
Living or raised:

Birthday:
Predicted age at the start of book:

Small family info:
Main personality traits:

Likes:
Dislikes:

Current circumstance:
E.g. are they going through something?

Any other notes that you feel you need: