A basic list of things to consider when writing fanfiction. This list starts with the simplest things at the top.

1. Spelling and Grammar
Run your story through the spellcheck, and make sure all those weird names are spelled and accented correctly. Proofread for grammar and punctuation, and remember to use quotes.

2. Formating
Stories should generally be single-spaced, but with paragraphs short enough to be readable. Each time a new character starts talking, you should start a new paragraph.

3. Use of "Earthisms"
Avoid using "Earthisms" (words and phrases that would be unique to Earth) in your stories. Try to find a suitable replacement word, but if one doesn't exist, you can just make one up yourself. For example, Anakin doesn't go to the refrigerator to get a soda, he goes to the cooling unit to get a flavored drink. And Obi-Wan doesn't check his watch, he checks his chrono. Get the idea?

4. Point of View
Make sure the POV you use in your story is consistant. As a general rule of thumb, only switch POV's when you are starting a new scene. For first person ("I") stories, it's a good idea to keep the same POV throughout the story.

5. Are your characters in character?
If not, they should be! By "in character", I mean as portrayed in canon. Of course, there is some leeway in how you can portray a character in canon vs. "fanon", but the key is to keep it believable. The further from canon your portrayal of a character is, the more you will have to work and build up in your story to make your readers accept your charcterization as valid.

6. Mary Sues
Does your story have a character that is a Mary Sue? There is a fine line between an OC (original character) and a Mary Sue, and if you cross it you are treading in dangerous territory. Mary Sues are not generally liked by readers! If you're not sure about your character, try The Mary Sue Litmus Test.

7. Sex Scenes
It is better to have no sex scenes than bad sex scenes! If you aren't confident in your ability to write sex scenes, it is better not to start with a graphic sex scene (if that's what you want to write). If you need help on some of the finer points of writing sex scenes, find a fanfiction help site that has pointers. And remember: your story doesn't have to have sex scenes, even if it is a romance. There's always the Alfred Hitchcock-esque fade-out.

8. Cliche or Over-Used Plots
These should generally be avoided. If you are new to a certain fandom (or fanfiction in general), you may not be aware of certain plot lines that have been widely circulated throughout the community (HP fans: think Veela!Draco bonds to Harry). In this case, you may want to surf around and familiarize yourself with what type of fanfiction is out there. Of course, it is quite possible to take a "common" plot and make it into an amazing story, so it all depends on the author and finer plot points.

9. Does your story have an end?
When you start out writing a story, it's a good idea to have at least a general idea of what the end will be. This way, your writing will be less likely to ramble and you will have a focus for your story. Also, it is easier to tie the details in your story together when you know where you are going with it.

10. When in Doubt . . . Start Small
If you are just starting out as a fanfiction author, start small! Rather than starting with a long story, you may want to write a few shorter stories first to "get to know" your characters and writing style. Of course, some people jump right in and start with epics, but this approach isn't for everyone. ;)

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