Avoid writing a terrible Harry Potter fanfic by being respectful of the original work. Don't add in elements that are completely out of place, like modern technology that doesn't exist in the wizarding world. Develop your characters well. Give them flaws and growth, not just make them super - powerful from the start. Also, pay attention to the tone. The Harry Potter series has a certain charm and tone, and if you go too far in a different direction, like making it overly comical when it should be more serious or vice versa, it can make the fanfic not so great.
Read the original books thoroughly. This way you'll have a good understanding of the characters, the magic system, and the overall world - building. Don't try to deviate too much from the established lore in a way that doesn't make sense.
It could be because the plot is full of holes. In a good Harry Potter fanfic, the plot should be somewhat consistent with the original series. If this 'raven' fanfic has a really disjointed plot, that would make it terrible.
One thing that can make a Harry Potter fanfic terrible is if it completely goes against the established lore of the series. For example, if it gives Harry a completely different backstory that doesn't fit with what we know from the books. Another aspect could be really bad writing, like having a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes that make it hard to read. Also, if the characters are really out of character. For instance, if Hermione suddenly acts like a silly, air - headed girl instead of the intelligent, strong - willed character she is in the original series.
Well, without having read it, it's hard to say exactly. Maybe it's a fanfic where the author took the concept of Ravenclaw and did something really off - putting with it in the context of the Harry Potter world. It could be that they misinterpreted the traits of Ravenclaw students or made up some really strange storylines related to Ravenclaw that made other fans think it was terrible.
The author should first be passionate about the Harry Potter world. Really study the characters, their motives, and their development in the original books. For instance, understanding why Harry is so driven to fight against evil can help create a more engaging story.
You need to really get into the minds of the original characters. For example, think about how Harry would react in a certain situation based on what we know about him from the books. Don't create outlandish scenarios that have no connection to the Potterverse. Also, use the existing lore and build on it in a logical way. If you're creating new spells or magical creatures, make sure they fit within the framework of the world. And most importantly, write from the heart but also be self - critical. Edit your work and don't be afraid to cut out parts that don't work.
Get feedback from other Harry Potter fans. They can point out things that might be off - kilter with the world of Harry Potter. Also, stay true to the themes of the original series. The series is about friendship, courage, and the battle between good and evil. If your fanfic goes against these themes in a really strange way, it won't be well - received. And don't overcomplicate things. Keep the plot simple and focused at first, and build on it gradually.
To avoid writing a cringey Harry Potter fanfic, it's important to be true to the source material. Don't try to force new ideas that don't fit. For example, don't make Hogwarts a modern - day high school with cell phones and social media. Also, when it comes to relationships, let them develop naturally like they did in the books. And read other good Harry Potter fanfics to get an idea of what works and what doesn't. You can learn a lot from more experienced fanfic writers.
In order not to create a Mary Sue in Harry Potter fanfic, think about the world J.K. Rowling has created. Your character should fit into that world. If they are too different in terms of power levels or behavior, it might be a sign of a Mary Sue. Also, don't give them all the answers all the time. Let them learn and grow. They should be part of the story, not the center of the universe in the fanfic. For instance, if there is a mystery in Hogwarts, they can contribute to solving it, but not single - handedly and without any mistakes.
First, proofread your work carefully for grammar and spelling errors. Use tools like spell - checkers if needed. Second, really study the characters from the original work. Understand their personalities, motives, and backstories so you can write them in a way that's true to the source. Third, plan out your plot before you start writing. Make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and that the events flow logically from one to another.