A note for myself and other writers (especially of Fanfiction)

Don't let your emotions and excitement affect the way your characters react to a situation. Ask yourself what THEY would do, not what you WANT them to do. Some characters are predisposed to violent mood swings, and they can be kept so throughout your writing. But those who aren't need to be kept that way. There are certain situations in which the moods can shift dramatically (i.e. a romantic date interrupted by a phone call with news of a familial death or a sunny picnic ruined by a gale) but most scenes need to transition smoothly from emotion to emotion. Arguments are harder to write. A person can go from being uncharacteristically angry and lashing out to extremely guilty or embarrassed in a matter of minutes. My advice? Use the dialogue you have written as a guide. Ask yourself how your character(s) would react to what is being said. Allow a period of cool-down or reflection if necessary. Have them run away if they are afraid of confrontation. Make them cry with frustration if they are prone to.

And, most importantly by far, read it aloud. If it feels awkward, or sounds off, then change it. Spend time refining it until it clicks. Don't be lazy. Ask for a second opinion if you can. I have found that everyone really is a critic, and in the case of writing, it is extremely useful to listen to what others say about your story. If it sounds wrong to one person, then chances are it will sound wrong to others. The people reading your stories most likely won't have doctorate degrees in English. Write for the common people, but never publish anything that wouldn't make your English teachers proud.

-Love, Alithe Cambre