Okkkaaayyyy, I waaas for a little bit thinking of writing a whole book on writing specifically a Minecraft book, going off what "Radishologist" had written in hers. Hers was perfectly fine, I would TOTALLY recommend it; however, I felt as if she had only told how to write A BOOK, not, a MINECRAFT book.. Soooo, I thought I might write a little something along those lines; along the lines specifically to Minecraft. 

What I'm on about: 

     I have found, through writing so many different Minecraft stories, that there are MANY different kinds of universes and such one can explore. In my writing, I started out with one style of Minecraft. I have kept that up and still do write my traditional series' in that style. However, more recent books (and even book ideas in the back of my head) have helped me see how broad the MINECRAFT GENRE really is. 

Let's start with these different "stylized universes" I am so into all of a sudden. 

     Shall we start with a scale? 

     On a scale from one to five, this is the range or "realistickness" I have found in these different versions of Minecraft: 

#1. Basically just the game itself. Complete with in-game mechanics and such. If there are any new items, they are explained away as mods. These kinds of books are verry up-tight, keeping as close to the game as creatively possible. Instead of making up their own lore, these stories often, instead, explain the already existing Minecraft lore with some creative things you totally see fitting into the game itself. 

Little note: with pretty much every Minecraft book containing Herobrine, he is often the go-to character to look at in terms of finding out what kind of "Mineverse" (oohh, that one sounds cool) the book your reading takes place in. 

     In #1, Herobrine is almost always defined as a glitch, and the other villains as hackers. Another thing about these stories is that they often have the differences between "Villagers" and "Players." The interesting thing about the stories in this Mineverse is that there are quite a few who write in this. Actually, wait, no, that is #2. #1 is actually pretty uncommon, mostly because people feel too limited by Minecraft to write so closely to it. And while this is understandable, some of the best concepts you can get from this more realistic approach can be quite intriguing. If done correctly. Off the top of my head, I can really think of one or two books which take this route, and both of them are far more professional than the stories the majority of us here on Wattpad write. XD And, since I am not limiting this to just books, I'd also like to mention the animation series which also fits here. 

     Keep in mind that your characters don't have to move around like they do in the game for it to count here. There can be the bending of elbows, facial expressions, and realistic poses, as long as the graphics of the characters themselves don't suddenly decide to have curves and realistic hair/clothing. 

     The closest books to #1 would be "The Crash(official)," maybe even "The Island(official)" though there wasn't much info given about the mechanics themselves.. and the "Gameknight999 series(well known)" You might be able to consider my own series "Bedrock Breakers," for this too, however I do a lot outside Minecraft in order to make everything scientifically possible, and, quite frankly, it pretty much sucks you out of the game if you try to think of the science behind it... but, I guess since this isn't a question between science fiction and fantasy, it would still fit here. Man, I ramble on too much! LOL. 

     Animationwise, I honestly can't think of any series that would fit besides "Annoying Villagers (by MrFudgeMonkeyz)" and I say that because this series pretty much revolves around the game mechanics and how 'the world is constantly changing.' ...And my own animation series: "Remnants of The Rebellion."

     If you are writing a story like this, here's what I would suggest: Learn more than how to simply play Minecraft. It helped me A TON when writing books like "Stronger Than Legends" that I happened to be learning Java and how to make Minecraft mods at the same time. Simply knowing the code behind what you see helps me all the time with these stories tightly knitted into the game itself. The biggest problem with stories written in the #1 Mineverse is that the writers have no idea how the game actually works, so they just guess and get their facts so messed up that even the average player cringes when reading. Simply knowing how the game works beyond simply breaking and placing blocks has inspired me in so many ways as well. 

     Other than that, if you have any more specific questions about #1, please comment them. I will be happy to answer, and if it is a big enough topic I might even add it in as well so everyone can know as well. :]

#2. Next up is what I'd like to call one of, if not, THE most popular Mineverse to write in. Keep in mind what I have said about #1, but just throw out all the really complicated stuff. In this, there are no real 'mods' per say, just whenever you are actually IN the game you can create whatever you could outside of it. This is the Mineverse most turn to for convenience. In these, they are usually much more focused on the story itself, that they often don't explain the nitty gritty ScIeNcE. Several of my books are written in this way as well. It really is much easier. Just take the game and add whatever from the real world you want, as long as you explain it through some form of.. something that makes sense. Some of the best ways to figure out which stories fit #2 is by taking a look at how characters are described. In #2 characters usually still have an inventory, but are still able to place things on their backs or on a belt at their side. To be honest, though, you are even able to do that a bit with #1, depending on other variables of course.

     So, the big things are the characters themselves. Do they sometimes flip their hair up, or mess with it in any other way? Is their clothes able to come off or rub against their skin? Are they still blocky, but have a little more shape maybe? Are laws such as gravity able to be bypassed at times, maybe not when cutting down a tree, but when one is pushed over? All the questions above, if answered with a yes, means that the story is likely fitting with #2. 

     In the #2 Mineverse usually the Players vs Villagers is either nonexistent or very minimal. Some might not even have villagers existing at all, instead everyone just being player-like humans. (Don't mix these up with my Micros though, because I scienced the heck out of that! XD)

     Many stories, animations and books, that fit along these lines are ones such as Stormcause's "Encore" series, pretty much my entire "Descendants of Heroes" series, and BPS' "Animation Life(episodes 1-3)"

     All of these still acknowledge that there is a real world, however they do not go into very much detail as to how. So, I guess you could say #1 focuses more on the science where #2 focuses more on the fiction. :]

     Again, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

#3. This Mineverse is actually quite strange, though I have seen several people use it. (Even the very first Minecraft fanfiction series I ever read.)

     In short, this Mineverse uses the concept of two completely separate worlds: one ours, and the other "Minecraftia" or something. In these, the actual game itself is simply a bridge between these two worlds. This creates an interesting scenario where Minecraftia can be very realistic, and greatly vary between being very similar to the game, to being almost nothing like it. This vast difference can easily be explained, saying that people playing the game simply can't see everything in such detail.

     The freshest one on my head is a fanfiction of a fanfiction I have been reading, which is being written by Potato-Goddess... just replace the o's with 0's. :] I suggest you read it. Another series that easily fits this one is the previously mentioned "first Minecraft fanfiction I ever read," which is the Diary of An Eight-bit Warrior, series.. written by Cube Kid... I think. I haven't been able to read any of them in a while. ;-; I do not remember any animations which are in this Mineverse, but I am sure some exist somewhere.

     The main problem I could see for stories like this would be explaining why and how there are two separate worlds that can only be reached through a game, which most people just ignore, but I like how Cube Kid actually hinted at an explanation a bit in his series, soooo, if anyone can find the next ones to that, I would be delighted. The last one I read was the diary of a cat side-character.

     But enough of the rambling!!.. I hope you guys were able to understand this.. and, on to the next one already! :D

#4. THIS, is likely the second to MOST used Mineverse. "FORGET THE REAL WORLD, WE GOT MINECRAFT!! :D"

     ...Yeeaahhh, I am pretty sure you all see what is coming. In this Mineverse, the real world no longer exists. If it does, then nobody knows about it, because nobody cares! There are MANY stories which go along these lines. Even several of my own, such as "Nothing To Do With Luck!" "(HxR)...'s Sister," "You Versus The Universe," and "Born A Soldier."

     With books like these, you are basically taking your happy little world of Minecraft, and keeping the real world FAR away from your precious little creation, as to not corrupt it with plot holes and ScIeNcE. :> That, however, does not mean it is impossible for these stories to have the real world existing, however, it is never important to the plot other than to give your characters, or even just the readers, a strange looming feeling over everything going on. Sometimes, if this 'real world' is mentioned, it will almost be seen as some greater thing. Some kind of Heaven above the clouds that none can see or prove it is real. (Man.. just realizing my series' pretty much have all of these different things mixed together, just in a way that it really isn't one specific Mineverse..)

     For example, one of my stores in #4, the least popular one: "Nothing To Do With Luck!," there is a real world that is even referenced! However, it is so vague that the readers might simply think that the characters are talking about some sort of in-game gods. Just like with #2, #4 is simple enough that people writing that kind of story can easily focus more on the story itself instead of constantly having to think of their story's limitations.

     Also, with these kinds of stories, the characters are still a bit blocky but just have more realistic hair and clothing and have more shape to them, or are not blocky at all! Usually, in these stories, the villains such as Herobrine are seen more as gods than glitches.

     There are so many people who write in this Mineverse I am not sure I can remember them all, but, I can share a few, but just the writers, since they tend to be the ones to write a LOT as well.
"MineralFox (most)," "StormCause (some)," "GameVoid (all)," "Meizawesomez (all), "DarkDisco7 (most)," "TwilightSpake (all)," and so many more who I am not already following.

     Again again, have any questions.. just ask. :]

#5. The, last one!.. Can summed up in pretty much TWO WORDS:... "..Hek Minecraft..." Yup. This one is pretty much just taking Minecraft out of the topic, but still technically, it is Minecraft. I dunno! This one is confusing! I personally never really mess with this one. So, just imagine the real world, but with Minecraft monsters and well known Minecraft characters.. And, that's pretty much it.

     Depending on the story itself, this kind of Mineverse can either be a masterpiece or a disaster. Aaan, there is pretty much only one story I have read where this is pulled off correctly... mostly just because this one isn't very common. And thst book is called: "To Walk." Sooo, read it... if you want to... (gore warning.)

     Now, to really qualify for this, your characters don't have to necessarily look entirely natural, they just have to have lost a large majority of their blockinss, and are far from pixely. The world around is one, extremely detailed and real-like, and two, have apostlely NO mentions to the real world... Because, in a sense, that world IS the real world.

How to use this in formation:

     Because, to be honest, it is one thing to know this stuff, and another to actually use it. At least with these different "Mineverses" in mind, it can help you see how you structure and imagine your story and the world it takes place in.

      Minecraft is a fairly easy place to start imagining things. It only gets easier as you keep writing and experimenting to see what works for you. That is what I have been doing, and is why I have so many different kinds of Minecraft in my stories now. It is fun to play around.

     So, the steps I would actually suggest you try out here for a specific "Minecraft Story" are simple.

1: Pick out something you like about the game, whether it be exploring, fighting, mining, redstone, or simply punching your friends. Use that specific interest as a side drive for your story. It is good to help start you off. For me, I began my very first Minecraft book, "Stronger Than Legends," interested in the fighting aspect. So, I came up with creative ways one can fight, as well as taught some basics on fighting as the story progressed. These things are often SO subtle that hardly anyone can notice them, but can be entertaining and add to the story if done correctly. Even in a more recent story idea, my little game-idea circles around your inventory, of all things. Having the character depend on the little items they have been given in order to get out of tough situations, as well as coming up with creative ways to use things commonly seen as useless. Just little, tiny, things like that.

2: Choose and stay within your limits, because if you don't, things will fall into insanity really quick. What I mean is, come up with limits for a character's strength, both physically and power-wise, have they special abilities; Pick a Mineverse, and stick with it. Don't start your story imagining it #1 and then end it imagining it as #2 or #3. People can tell when you do that. Most readers can pick up in thst kind of stuff almost subconsciously, getting confused half way through the book when they no longer know how to imagine the characters. This happens a lot more than you might first think, even in official books, such as The Crash.

3: Make sure your story fits well in the realm of Minecraft. It is sad to say, but some stories just don't fit in a blocky world like Minecraft, or even a land known as Minecraftia. I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but several times I have either lost interest or felt somewhat confused when the story completely left Minecraft altogether. And not necessarily the game, but the sense the game gives you. There is a feeling of some kind you get when you play the game. You know what I mean? A sense of endless opportunity; a feeling of little limitations; of escape. The worst thing to do would be to shove a story into it that took all the charm out of the idea of Minecraft. I am not even sure if it would be considered a Minecraft fanfiction at that point. To avoid such a problem, think back to a time when you were playing the game, or in a point in your life where you felt something similar, and, just think about it. Exactly what was going on then? What made you feel that way? How, did you feel? Simply thinking of all this should help. Simply put: Don't try to turn a Minecraft fanfiction into a political debate or some kind of dread-filled story focused mostly on how a character has been crippled by depression. Such things CAN be in your story, but NOT as the main focus. The main focus for any story that takes place in a game so concerned with creative freedom should be working to support those same ideas, even if just subtly or even as a goal or struggle. Many of my Minecraft stories, for example, are centered around the characters fighting for the ability to express their creative freedom in their lives, and to overcome whatever is keeping them down. That, I feel goes along well with the basic concept of the game... Of course, that is just me, and it can be different for everyone. A part of creative freedom IS the freedom to have different opinions, after all.

     So, what is your opinion on these three basic steps? Did you like reading about all the different kinds of Minecraft I have found in stories? Feel free to comment ideas of your own, as well as questions if you have any. Anyway! I hope you enjoyed reading this, and that it at least helped you brainstorm... and ta-taa! :D

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3/12/2020
3005 words. :]