2. the plot

THE PLOT. The most daunting, frustrating, terrifying, and annoying part of writing any fanfiction. "Why do I have to have a plot? Why can't they just kiss and get married?" I know. I get it. And I wish. But you're not getting any reads and votes that way— I promise you. The plot is an integral part of your fics, and should supplement the romance going on, and not feel separate from it.

The romance shouldn't be happening in between plot lines. It should be part of the plot. You shouldn't be having the majority of your chapters have the main premise of "Anakin and love interest fight a battle in the clone wars. Then, afterward, they are happy each other is okay. They kiss. Tomorrow, they have to go to battle on another planet. After that, they are happy to see each other. They kiss."

I got it. They battle. They're happy to see each other. Where's the high stakes? The epic romance? The nerve-wracking moments they almost get caught, or die, or get hurt? MAKE SOMETHING DIFFERENT HAPPEN IN EVERY CHAPTER!! PLEASE!!

^ how I feel basically reading the same chapter 3 times

There's lot's of clone wars episodes that your character can become apart of. You can make up your own plots. I personally think the clone wars are the most fun to write because you can literally have them all go on any adventure you want and it will make sense in the timeline. Have your character go on some sort of solo journey maybe. Or have her and a supporting character have a lil moment together. Character development and supplementary relationships are important to the plot, too.

Plus, if your character is a senator of some kind, they have a lot of other things to worry about, so they can't always somehow be going on missions with Jedi, just so you know. Maybe make some original characters for them to deal with. Maybe she's in some kind of plight and Anakin happens to help her. Or maybe he's assigned to her.

I have to tell you, though, I'm so so tired of the senator who's not Padme who could be assassinated so Anakin and/or Obi-Wan are assigned to her protection. I don't read them anymore. I just can't do it.

Make her force sensitive, but not a Jedi! Make her a really rule following Jedi who Anakin helps break rules for a while and she slowly falls in love with him! Make her apart of the Grand Army of the Republic (it wasn't only clones, you know, there's human and other species officers)! Make her a senator's handmaid! The best yet (and hardest to do... but it's a challenge, make people care for your character) make her just a civilian they find on a planet! Make her a late bloomer Jedi they find during a battle! Make her the daughter of the ruler/chief of a small, remote village!

There. I just gave you a bajillion ideas, and I'm sure you can just steal or build off of one of those. You can have her be a senator, but it's overdone, so make it original and exciting.

The one thing I beg of you?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't just make your oc and/or y/n a replacement for Padme. I have seen a few fics where the mc (main character) basically has all of Padme's lines and a couple extra or like the same lines but slightly different. If I wanted that, I would have watched Star Wars. Please stop.

And please don't make it a love triangle. Please. I literally saw it once and I just can't do it. Give Padme purpose and the same kind of drive she had in the movies or don't include her at all. It's an Anakin fanfiction. We know Padme's not winning in your love triangle. I don't want it.

I'm being so annoying about things right now and I'm sorry. (But I'm also going to keep going.)

Even more nitpicking. PLEASE don't give your character a "feeling" about Palpatine. As he gets more and more control, she can not like him or the way he's running things, but even YODA didn't know. Your character is not more powerful than Yoda, alright. They don't have any feelings that Palpatine is a Sith Lord. No one knew. Your character will find out and they can't be like "oh I knew it." Stop. Stop it rn. I am fine if your character doesn't like Palpy. A lot of people didn't, senators and Jedi alike. But don't make them suspect any kind of magical malicious intent. Please. Like, it doesn't make any sense.

Have some original plot lines. Change up canon as much as you like. That's what fanfiction is for— build your own world out of the ones you always loved!