My topic is "a fictional character falls in love with its writer". I have the PERFECT ideas, but I just don't know how to write them. Does the character fall in love with ME, as the writer? Or should the story be about someone writing a book, and in THAT book, the character falls in love?

If you are the writer of the story that the fictional character is in, then yes, it's you.

But if you are writing about a fictional character in someone else's story, then it's the author of that story.

But the problem I'm having is how to write a story within a story? I mean, just italicize it?

Not necessarily.

Here's an example of a nice, short story-within-a-story:

http://pinkmonkey.com/dl/library1/oval.pdf

See what you think.

Wow. I've always loved Poe, but it's so hard for me to break down his writing and understand it. Haha. Thanks, though! It helped a bit!

When exploring the concept of a fictional character falling in love with its writer, there are several approaches you can take. Let's discuss two potential angles for your story idea:

1. Character falls in love with the writer: In this approach, the character within your story develops feelings for you, the writer. They could be aware of their fictional nature and develop a sense of longing or curiosity about their creator. This approach can be reflective and explore themes of existentialism, the power dynamics between creator and creation, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.

2. Character falls in love within a story: Alternatively, you can write a story where a character within a book or story written by the main character falls in love. This approach allows you to delve into the complexities of the creative process and its impact on the characters' lives. It provides the opportunity to explore themes such as authorship, the influence of storytelling on emotions, and the boundaries between the fictional world and the real one.

Deciding which approach to take depends on the message you want to convey and the themes you wish to explore within your story. Both options have their own unique storytelling potential. You can consider the tone, focus, and philosophical questions you want to address to determine which angle is the best fit for your ideas.

Remember, when writing, it's essential to continuously develop your characters, their motivations, and their relationships. Allow them to evolve organically within your chosen framework and consider how their emotional connection affects their journey and the overall plot.