John S.
Fan fiction writer and beta reader
John S. writes long slow-burn fan fiction across a handful of fandoms, with a weakness for fix-it fics and rivals forced onto the same side.
He betas for friends, keeps a running list of tropes still to try, and writes these guides for anyone about to post their first fic.
Articles by John
How to write fanfiction, from the first idea to the first comment
A beginner's guide to writing fanfiction: finding your premise, keeping characters in voice, pacing chapters, tagging honestly and posting your first fic.
7 min read
How to make enemies to lovers fanfic feel earned
How to write enemies to lovers fanfic that lands: friction with real stakes, the turn that changes everything, earning the switch, and a beat sheet to steal.
6 min read
Fanfic ideas: 50 premises you can drop any characters into
Fifty fanfic ideas grouped by type: rivals, friends who might be more, hurt/comfort, missing scenes, odd rules and side characters. Any fandom, any ship.
6 min read
How to write a slow burn without losing readers in the middle
How to write a slow burn fic: where the payoff goes, the milestones on the way, what to put in the middle chapters, and how to keep readers from giving up.
6 min read
Fanfic AU ideas, with a note on what makes each one work
Twenty fanfic AU ideas, from ghost and wrong number AUs to regency ballrooms and end-of-the-world radio, each with a note on why it works for a ship.
6 min read