Ben Kosse replyed to "Ryouga's" post:

[snip essay]
    There is one thing wrong with the essay, and that is the fact that this
is a *FANFIC* list. A fanfic, almost by definition, is an extention of an
existant series. This requires some special considerations apart from a
completely original story, as follows:
    Characterization

<snip>

       However, this doesn't mean that different aspects can't be followed.
Example: I just finished reading a story (Yearnings), where Priss very
nearly forces Leon to have sex with her. Even though the only thing we see

Priss

doing with Leon is giving him the brush off, it made sense in the storyline
for this to happen.

Umm, Ben, they did have sex in "Yearnings".  Whether it was forced?  I doubt it.

<snippage>

    Mechanics.
       I'll fully admit that I can't spell (and there will probably be a
few errors here which aren't typos). I do know my grammar pretty well,
though, and usually only make typo mistakes, or "silly" grammar mistakes
(like forgetting
to type in a verb or something). However, this doesn't mean that I don't need
an editor (as Jeanne Hedge will tell you :). 

I think of a fan fic "editor" as someone familiar with the universe you are
writing in (or at least with the characters you are using).  This person
reads your story with an eye to plot holes, funky writing errors (to/too,
your/you're there/their/they're), characters acting out-of-character for the
situation/premise you have them in, etc.  I know from past experience that
it is possible to get too close to your story, and what you (the writer)
think makes perfect sense makes absolutely no sense at all to the reader. So
I think an editor should also let the writer know if that's a problem or not.

I don't think there's a thing wrong with the editor (if you even use one)
making suggestions as to alternate ways the story could go, or different
ways to phrase something, or any other comments.  It's up to the writer to
decide if the editor's suggestions are useful, or get placed in the circular
file.  In the last story I wrote I had 2 people doing major editing for me,
and 4 others kibbitzing around the edges.  I didn't use all their
suggestions, but I *did* use quite a few.  I know not all the comments I
make on other people's stuff gets used either.  As I said, whether to use it
or not is the writer's perogative.

<snip>

	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.

    I hope that you read this and can see where I'm coming from. I agree
that you must write in whatever way you can do best (I just sit down and
write, others plan their story before touching it). 

I just write, but I know where it's going to end up.

But, fanfics require
that the author pay attention to someone else's characters and universe. Not
following those will usually detract from the entertainment value of a story.

Of course, it would help if I followed my own rules, right Jeanne? Remember
all the sloppy characterizations I used in Scared out of Control, and the
grammar and spelling mistakes you caught? ^_-

Well, it would be a little odd if you had Priss run screaming from a Boomer
while Nene waded in and took on all comers :)


Jeanne Hedge

     jhedge@waterw.com ==================== 75512.1214@compuserve.com

           "Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition."
                                       -- Timothy Leary

     ============ http://www.accsyst.com/jhedge/main.htm ============