A friend of mine, who prefers to be a lurker for now, has been 
keeping track of the arguments we've been having on just how to write and 
design a fanfic, and he asked me if I would retype what he feels about 
the subject and post it for him.  I agreed, so here it is.

	"Through various friends' email accounts, I've noticed something 
unusual and rather disturbing passing through the ML.  It is the current 
'How to Write a Fanfic' guide.  Though one need not listen to me, I will 
pass on one small piece of advice to those endeavoring to instruct 
others. . .don't.  You see, writing is an extension of one's self.  The 
key to writing is not something like proper characterization, it lies 
much closer to a person than that.  The true cornerstone to writing a 
fanfic, writing anything, creating anything, is a gift we call 
imagination.  With it will come its sister, inspiration.  If one is 
properly inspired, the writing will become a temporary passion.  Like all 
passions, it will take you into its uncompromising grip and it will break 
you until you are each the other's master.  You will struggle with it in 
an endless dance.  It will take your form, and you will take its.  You 
will achieve the paradox of creation. . .
	Imagination is the fuel to the fires of the passion.  With it, 
the passion will either burn out, or it will consume you in its wild 
parade.  The Child of this flame is called Creation.  Creation is brought 
about by something I could only call a spiritual enema. . .forcing out 
all that does not belong to the new form.  What is left will envelope the 
owner in a purer world.  He will be forever seeing yet eternally blind, 
because that will is always changing.
	Things like proper characterization will become something of a 
moot point.  The character will right true within the writer's secret 
world, it will be there for the story.  Anything given to those wishing 
to learn the art of writing will inevitably be tailored to suit the 
writer's needs.
	One wishing to write, to create, should not look to others for 
guidance.  Those maps are not false, they merely provide one way to 
travel in another country.  One would do better to follow the roads that 
run through his own heart. . ."

                                    Lochmeadow

	I think I probably agree with the above myself.  Trying to create 
a set guideline for writing a fanfic is as moronic as the thought of 
'civilized warfare'.  It looks good in theory, but not in practice.  I 
have a poster in my room, with my own philosophy for life, whether 
writing or living or anything else:

	RISK:  TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

	I do my best to live by this, and I'll do my best to write by 
this.  You all should do the same.

                                       Ryoga Hibiki
                         Wielder of the Bladed Belt, Friend of P-Chan

	P.S.- Flames will be ignored, but discussion is encouraged.