On Sun, 25 Feb 1996, Jon K. Hayashi wrote:

What qualities make a good fanfic?  What qualities make a bad fanfic?  Is there
any sort of quantifiable that beginning writers can use or is it simply "I 
liked that one."?  How much of it is mechanics vs. type of story vs. genre?

	For me, I like the fanfics where issues and aspects of a 
particular title are explored, when the original series has not done so.
	Turn-offs: Excuses for fights between characters from multiple 
titles, unless the story itself is unique--I don't like the usual 'Goku 
would cream Superman' types.
	As for continuity, who cares?  Fanfics are not canonical so why 
work so hard to do the impossible?  Unless of course, the tale you want 
to tell relates to a specific time-line in the series.  I think most of 
us are forgiving on this point.  I mean, in the case of OMG! most of us 
have no idea where to base are tales when the anime is somewhat removed 
from the manga. (The recurring pattern is that the stories take place 
after OAV#5; I wonder why?)
	Sloppy writing makes a story hard to read, thus it's not 
favourably read.  However, lacking flowery prose isn't a detriment 
either! :)

	--Omega

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