How to Write Fanfiction with Friends: Collaborative Writing Guide
By TagTwist Editorial Team8 min readCollaborative Writing
Writing fanfiction with friends requires shared documents (Google Docs or TagTwist), clear character assignments, and regular communication about plot direction. The key to successful collaborative fanfiction is establishing writing schedules, agreeing on canon rules, and maintaining consistent character voices across all contributors.
Best Tools for Collaborative Fanfiction
Google Docs
- Real-time editing: See changes instantly
- Comment system: Leave notes without disrupting text
- Version history: Track all changes and edits
- Easy sharing: Simple link sharing with permission controls
TagTwist
- Story branching: Create alternative storylines
- Community feedback: Get reader input on direction
- Interactive writing: Readers can suggest twists
- Built-in fanfiction features: Genre tagging and discovery
Other Collaboration Tools
- Discord: Voice chat for planning sessions and real-time brainstorming
- Notion: Organize character sheets, timelines, and plot outlines
- Etherpad: Simple, no-account-needed collaborative writing
- Archive of Our Own: Co-author features for publishing finished work
Planning Your Collaborative Story
Pre-Writing Discussion Points
- Choose your fandom and timeline: Agree on canon compliance level
- Assign main characters: Who writes which POV or character
- Decide on genre and tone: Comedy, angst, romance, adventure
- Set content boundaries: What themes to include or avoid
- Plan story structure: How many chapters, estimated length
- Establish posting schedule: When and where to publish
Character Assignment Strategies
By Character Expertise
- Each writer takes their favorite characters
- Best for writers who know specific characters well
- Ensures authentic character voices
- Good for ensemble cast stories
By Chapter Rotation
- Writers alternate chapters or scenes
- Everyone writes all characters
- Maintains consistent narrative flow
- Good for smaller groups (2-3 people)
Writing Process and Communication
Establish Writing Rules
Communication Guidelines
- Regular check-ins: Weekly video calls or text updates
- Plot approval system: Major developments need group consensus
- Edit permissions: Can you edit each other's sections?
- Deadline flexibility: What happens if someone is late?
- Conflict resolution: How to handle creative disagreements
Maintaining Consistency
- Shared style guide: Agree on tense, POV, and formatting
- Character voice documentation: Note speech patterns and mannerisms
- Timeline tracking: Keep events and chronology consistent
- Beta reading together: Review each other's sections before posting
Common Challenges and Solutions
Common Problems
- Mismatched writing styles
- Scheduling conflicts and delays
- Creative disagreements over plot
- Inconsistent character portrayal
- Loss of motivation or interest
Solutions
- Designate one person as style editor
- Build buffer time into deadlines
- Vote on major plot decisions
- Create detailed character sheets
- Celebrate milestones together
Publishing Your Collaborative Work
Credit and Attribution
- List all authors: Give proper credit to every contributor
- Note individual contributions: Who wrote which parts (optional)
- Shared posting account: Or take turns posting chapters
- Consistent tagging: Use the same tags and summary across platforms
Start Your Collaborative Project
Writing fanfiction with friends can be incredibly rewarding, combining different perspectives and strengths to create stories none of you could have written alone. Start small with a short story or one-shot to test your collaboration style before committing to longer projects.