Charles Lewis <clewis@virtu.sar.usf.edu> writes:

On Tue, 2 Jan 1996, White Wolf wrote:

All your points are valid.  The problem stems from the vast LACK of 
published Ranma material here.  There's FAR more fanfic material to read 
than actual Ranma stuff.  So when you look for a model to follow, which 
is it going to end up like?  And the problem is only getting worse.  The 
amount of new Ranma stuff released each month is one video and a few 
comic books, vs. a dozen fanfics.

Well, even the "established" fanfics (where they have a more complete 
reference of the series) have problems.  I help to edit the Daigasuke no 
Ranma, and I get into arguments with Paul, David, and John about pacing, 
characterizations, etc.  (of course, I'd like to think that I'm helping out).

       You are, of course, quite right.  The simple answer is to read
Hitoshi Doi's synopses -- and the impressive number of manga translations
available.  It is, of course, absolutely no solution for the real thing
... but it does give you a _much_ better feel of how Nettouhen looks
around, say, episode 100 (an episode which we won't see in the states for
several years).

Well, isn't one of the problems the fact that since we won't see the episodes 
for so long, some writers are writing without an adequate background.  That's 
why when I started December's End, I decided to make the cut-off after 
(american) manga volume 5, and I stated so in the first chapter.  Its because 
I have those released references on hand.  And my "FAQ" reference file on 
the storyline is currently fifteen pages long!"

       Then again, the real question at hand is whether people are 
really writing Ranma fanfics ... or fanfics dealing with Ranma.  The 
distinction is becoming increasingly less subtle.

Well, December's End was originally based on the idea of magic coming into the 
world.  I just decided to use Ranma characters because I didn't want to have 
to deal with developing new characters (though I do introduce new ones, 
because they make the story more interesting to write.  However, these new 
characters should not take the spotlight away from the main characters.)


JK