Date: Feb 15, 2015 05:32 pm Title: Portraying Michael: The basics
Michael deserved to be put on pedestal.. That's my opinion and I am sticking with it... lol
Author's Response:
In what way? To what extent? I think the greatest gift that he never truly got and always wanted, was to be treated like a human.
Date: Feb 15, 2015 04:57 pm Title: Portraying Michael: The basics
Once again, I am so glad that you decided to post this. One of the things that really hit home with me was the glorification. I finished a few months back and the readers were pissed with me, simply because Michael didn't end up with the main girl. And I had perfect reason for him not to. In the story, I didn't portray Michael to be a bad person. He wasn't the best like many readers portray him to be like but he wasn't the worst either. He tried to pursue a relationship with the MG while he was still married to her sister, he constantly screwed her around and made her his second best. The MG later found another guy who would make her his first and only and long story short they ended up together. Some readers were highly upset, some even stopped reading the story half way through and one reader even went as far as to tell me they hated my story. No matter how much dirt Michael did in the story involving the MG, the readers always found a way to justify his actions and hardly ever acknowledged that he was wrong just because he was Michael. The MG was usually always at fault and was hated in the end for not choosing Michael over the other guy.
It was as if the readers were so infatuated with Michael, they felt he could do no wrong, in real life or in fiction.
It honestly annoys me when fans put Michael on a pedestal as if he a saint. They act as if Michael was totally innocent and free of flaws. Like you said, the man was human. But that seems to be a fact that some fans forget
Author's Response:
Readers have a HARD time seeing Michael not get the girl. I speak from experience of being one of those readers in several stories. I can only think of one or two stories when I was actually like "No. OG, back away from Michael. If you end up with him, you are a moron". In those, that wasn't the intention, but I rather like that you didn't do that. It isn't as romantic of an ending, but it is a healthier choice for the OG.
With regards to your reader, it could be that she's been in unhealthy romantic relationships and/or was brought up in some way to accept that kind of treatment. I do think that is the case in many of these stories.....sometimes it's hard to spot emotional abuse when it is happening. Add to that, the allure of Michael, and many seem to turn a blind eye.
Fans....shoot, it reminds me of when Oprah asked MJ if he was a virgin or when Sawyer asked if he and Lisa had sex. I remember watching that live and even as a kid going, "No shit Sherlock". Many people had a hard time acknowledging him as a man, first and foremost.





Date: Feb 15, 2015 04:21 pm Title: Portraying Michael: The basics
Oh and I meant to tell you in the last email I sent that I was unable to read Jerk?!? on MJJEternal because I don't have an account and when I tried to make one it said that registration had been disabled by the administrator. D;
Onto writing Michael:
This was actually another very helpful thing of advice. I am a person who has trouble writing Michael because... well, I choose to go with the imagination of what I PERSONALLY thought of him to be. But sometimes you have to come out of that shell and at least ATTEMPT at trying to get some facts about him right than just writing what you thought happened or should've happened. Which is why when I write Year '93 I'm hoping it'll be different from my other works because it will be solely based on (your favorite word) RESEARCH. With of course my imagination mixed in to thicken the plot and make it interesting.
I know how some writers stick to that ONE Michael and never try to change his personality but I am one who is all about change. I'll write about naive and shy Michael, I'll write masculine outgoing Michael, and as you all know I love to right my baaaaadddd boy Michael and then of course I'll write a simple normal Michael living a life being famous (or not)... but the one Michael I have not yet tried is the one that required me to do research, but I guess now I can scratch that off my list since I'm going to attempt it, LOL.
I'll definitely be looking back on this when I start writing more chapters for that story. It's obviously a lot of help now. It's really too bad (but not really since you love it) that you spend most of your day writing because I know a story written by you featuring Michael would be the best thing on earth.
Author's Response:
Click on the "contact us" option at the bottom and let them know you want to join. They should get back to you within a day or two.
Research is awesome. <3
I like the diversity in your various depictions of Michael.
Ack. You are giving me WAY too much credit. TBH I think I make a better editor than I make a writer.





Date: Feb 15, 2015 04:04 pm Title: Going back to Square 1
I don't know what category my outlining style would be in.
Here's an example of mine:
Chapter 1: Brown Eyes
- Group of kids (enter names here) are at Michael's Place w/o his permission
- Semaj is hanging out with Kearston <---- (her cousin)
- Semaj goes to bathroom, Michael shows up and kicks everyone out
- Semaj notices everyone gone, Michael holds her at gunpoint in headlock
- Drives her home (enter reasons why she can't find other transportation)
- Leaves her jacket in his car, he brings it to her school the next morning
Month: December
Day (of the week): I failed to write it, lmaoooo
And in some cases when there's a particular line I want Michael (or any other character) to say I'll write it down and in corporate it into its rightful spot. I also try to right the events I want to happen in chronological order but usually the dialogue between the characters comes naturally from the top of my mind. I don't know if that's bad or good, LOL. It just works for me and so far I've written 45 chapter outlines for Gangsta Lovin' as you can see I need to right more because I'm creeping up on chapter 37 right now and before I know it I'll be at 45.
Now when you said "outline your main characters" now I don't do that for the chapters... but I should probably start. It seems to make things a little smoother when the drama is around, buuuuutttt.... I usually will outline my characters in how their personalities/maturities are from beginning to end of the story.For example in Gangsta Lovin' under my summary that I wrote in my notebook I have Michael's name, a physical description, and then his personality description and then I write goals for him. By this chapter his personality should be this, by this chapter he needs to be showing this, by this chapter he needs to act like this, ect. I only do it for my main TWO characters; Michael and my OG.
If my goal doesn't meet that said chapters then I just push it with the next goal... and I make SURE that he has it then. I just don't want it to be like chapter 1 Michael doesn't want to be in love, he doesn't want love at all, and then by chapter 7 I'm writing how in love he is and this and that... that is NOT what I want. I want it to be gradual and not just coming out of the blue.
This was great advice though, now on to the next advice chapter!
Oh and I find it sort of funny because like the example of a chapter outline for me above, I can have 6 points (just like what I showed) and have a good 3,000-5,000 word chapter. I find that sort of cool. But yeah! Moving on!
Author's Response:
For chapter one, I'd consider that overplotting unless you are going directly into writing it. If that's written a week in advance, I'd consider it overplotting. I think dialogue is best when it flows...as it often does when written in the moment. I think your character outlines sound fairly on point. I'd only do that for the main characters, as well. Though, when doing the story w/chapter outlines, I'd probably include the characters that will be in each chapter. That way, you can spot if there are too many supporting characters. Remember, too many pics/names to remember mean that the reader is more likely to get confused.
I like your point about having so many words for six points. I think that is key - not seeing this points as simply check marks to speed through. They are to be expanded upon and integrated into a larger narrative.
Date: Feb 15, 2015 02:44 pm Title: Portraying Michael: The basics
taking notes on him counts right?
Author's Response:
Taking notes on him?





Date: Feb 15, 2015 12:25 pm Title: Going back to Square 1
Outlining is probably what I need to be doing the most. I'm so bad about getting like off the plot or having too many conflicts going on. Turns that just after looking back on them don't really seem natural... stuff like that.
In my head I think I'm 'outlining' when I write the chapters on my phone at work because then I transfer them over to Word on my computer and like really drill down and 'try' to catch errors or things that don't make sense.
My stories might seem like they have a lot of views, but it's probably just me going in each chapter 100 times re-reading what I wrote to make sure I'm on track.
PS: I dont' know what goes on in the after life... but one thing I do think is a possibility, Michael's spirit could be all around us right now watching us write these fan fics so whether or not he approved of them or had the time to read them when he was alive... I'm sure he's well are of them now LOL
Author's Response:
Outlining can be a pain in the beginning, but in the end it does ease a lot of those problems.
I think you get a lot of reads ;)
I believe in the afterlife and reincarnation. He could be, though I prefer to think he is looking over his kids. <3
Date: Feb 15, 2015 11:23 am Title: Let's Talk About Sex
@skywriter: You had me crying with your response..lol... Thanks for the answer because I also think it is a bunch of bullshit for some one to claim that Michael approved fan fictions and all genres.. Lol.. You are absolutely right.. When would he have had time ? ... Thanks for answering my question... I am going to call her bluff on that one...
Author's Response:
Her posts seem to have that side effect. Definitely push for a legitimate source. If she references more second or third hand knowledge, I'd be skeptical. Some people are very honest, but a lot are colorful and gloss over important details.





Date: Feb 15, 2015 10:58 am Title: Going back to Square 1
I'm more of a mind map kind of writer. I never really write down my mental notes. I'm starting to learn from that though with CTTG. I started jotting down points for future chapters even while writing the current ones because I figure plot structure that will fit the story in the future. It really helps. Especially for the last chapter.
I think I'm guilty of over plotting. Like you mentioned I had too many antagonists in the kitchen. Some are still necessary but I've taken a red pen to those who would only make things more complicated than they need to be. It's all a learning process for me.
After reading each of your segments I mentally go through my mind trying to figure out if anything fits for any of my stories. When it does you're usually spot on and I try to implement your recommendations for the next chapter without loosing the focus of my initial trajectory.
Thanks for this!
Cant wait for the Consistency segment!!
More soon <333
Author's Response:
Mind maps are also written, their just more free flow ;)
I think it's easier to overplot when it's all in one's head. Putting things down on the screen (or paper) gives that visual alert of "too much" when the screen gets crowded or you find yourself on the Xth page.
I'm glad you find this helpful. I was so sure that I'd be told to "shut up" after the first segment or two.
It's going Michael then Consistency, so hopefully it'll be before next Sunday.
Date: Feb 15, 2015 09:54 am Title: Keeping Readers/Getting Reviews
very good points! Going to take a lot into consideration
Author's Response:
Let me know if they help :)
Date: Feb 15, 2015 09:45 am Title: Developing a strong female lead character - UPDATED
**applauds** :-D great advice
Author's Response:
-bows- thank you :)
Date: Feb 15, 2015 09:42 am Title: The Significance of Research
Cool - but if Michael is not 'Michael' (if you know what I mean) then he may talk/act differently?
Author's Response:
Yes, though if he is based on Michael, I'd expect some characterological similarities. I will write more about "writing Michael" soon :)
Date: Feb 15, 2015 09:39 am Title: The Basics
Good advice. I try to do roughly 2k per chapter. I am struggling with read count at the minute :/
Author's Response:
Welcome :) If you are struggling with reads, my first thought would be to look at your summary (and image) as well as your first chapter. Those are what I consider to be the most crucial in drawing a reader in.





Date: Feb 15, 2015 09:32 am Title: Going back to Square 1
yassss outlining!! let's make coherent stories peopleeee ;) ;)
although i've definitely been a victim of overplotting. in fact, i am at the moment! yaaaaay! so frustrating when you realize it'd be pretty dang hard to get to the original point you had plotted months and months ago.
i hope you do a part on writing michael soon! i feel like that'll be crazy interesting. a lot of material to work with there...
Author's Response:
LOL agreed. I think it's fairly obvious when an author doesn't have an outline for their story. As a reader I am usually left at a complete loss as to what they are trying to do, at least once or twice.
If you feel like it'll be hard, maybe it's time to take a step back and wonder where you are going to add a chapter and/or if you still want that to be your original point. Sometimes things do change when the storyline is over-structured.
I'll hopefully do that one in the next few days. I honestly didn't think I'd get this one done until Wed at the earliest. Sleep is for the smart, and sometimes I'm just not that smart....
Date: Feb 15, 2015 05:10 am Title: Going back to Square 1
ah the memories of writing outlines in high school lo those many years ago..
I am one of the writers who can actually cope with not actually writing the outline..instead I just plan the chapters and how I want it to go in my head, as well as the course of the fic..and chapters usually turn out ok content wise. but maybe one of these days I will try the outline, not sure yet.
Author's Response:
I still always outline. It makes filling in gaps easier. When it comes time for a certain segment (or in this case, a chapter), I start by filling it in more. What I want to see happen. That quickly gives me an idea of what I want to convey and how to transition between one point and another. It sounds like you are able to maintain the full "set" mentally, which I'm envious of. I do that, but then I feel like I forget a detail or lose the essence with which I wanted to convey a bit of information. I think of it as how Michael used to always have a recorder or paper on his person. He wanted to capture the inspiration when it came, so as to make sure he didn't lose it.
Date: Feb 14, 2015 08:17 pm Title: Going back to Square 1
thanks for taking me back to creative writing lol