When I first began working on this yarn, I was not fully aware of the
extent of the fan fiction floating around on the web. I perhaps should
have done a bit of research first, but since I began work on Spreading
Wings I have been shocked at the quantity of fan fiction written and the
number of variations on numerous themes upon which those stories were
based. Since having discovered the extent of Ranma1/2 works that have
been written, I have been struggling to avoid using the plot devices,
themes, and conditions other authors have, or are using. It has been
difficult in many cases, and if I have herein used an author's idea
despite those efforts, you here have my sincerest apologies. I will be
even more careful of this issue in any other Ranma1/2 fic I write in the
future.
I have recently discovered that I am very close to treading upon the
turf of Gary Kleppe and the plot line he is using for _Hearts and
Minds_. Gary, I am sorry. If you find what I am doing objectionable, I
will stop writing this yarn and remove what there is of it from the web.
The reasons I planned to use to get the Wrecking Crew into China are
similar but not quite the same, and I had a very different plan of
action for the characters. However, my story is very closely paralleling
your own and is not salvageable if I have to avoid a rescue of the
Amazons altogether. I leave the matter of whether or not I should
continue with _Spreading Wings_ in your hands. Feel free to chastise me
in public or in private if you feel the need. It was not my intent to
plagiarize or upstage you and I should have done a better job of
checking before now.
Thank you for your time and attention,
Don Granberry.