When writing fanfiction, it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of creating your own version of a beloved universe. However, there are common pitfalls that can make your story less engaging or even confusing for readers. To help you avoid these mistakes, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 things to steer clear of when writing Dragon Ball fanfiction. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll ensure your story remains true to the original material while being creative and enjoyable for your audience.
Number 1: Ignoring Character Consistency
It’s easy to get caught up in creating new, exciting stories, but don’t forget to stay true to the personalities and behaviors of established characters. Avoid making characters act in ways that contradict their established traits. For example, Goku is known for being carefree, not overly serious, so making him suddenly become completely stoic and emotionless can confuse readers and pull them out of the story.
Number 2: Overpowered Characters (Mary Sues/Gary Stus)
While it’s tempting to create a super-powered original character (OC) or make an existing one even stronger, avoid making them “too perfect” or invincible. Overpowered characters can create imbalance in the story and take away the stakes of conflicts. Make sure your characters face challenges, flaws, and growth just like the characters in Dragon Ball.
Number 3: Unnecessary or Forced Romance
Romance can be a fun aspect of fanfiction, but don’t feel pressured to force romantic pairings where they don’t belong. If you’re writing a Dragon Ball story, not every character needs to be paired up. Focus on developing authentic relationships—romantic or otherwise—based on the dynamics that already exist within the source material, or if you’re creating new pairings, make sure they feel organic to the story.
Number 4: Excessive Exposition
While it’s important to provide context, avoid overwhelming readers with long, detailed paragraphs of exposition. Too much explanation at the beginning of your story can bog it down. Instead, show important details through action, dialogue, and character interaction. This keeps the pacing dynamic and allows readers to discover things naturally as the plot unfolds.
Number 5: Neglecting the Plot
A compelling story needs more than just cool characters and epic battles. Don’t focus solely on action and forget about the plot. Even in a Dragon Ball fanfiction, there needs to be a clear conflict, stakes, and a resolution. Make sure your story has direction and purpose, and that every scene serves to move the plot forward, rather than just filling space.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to creating a Dragon Ball fanfiction that’s both engaging and faithful to the original universe. Remember, great stories are built on strong characters, meaningful plots, and thoughtful world-building. Keep these tips in mind as you write, and let your creativity flow!
