Sometimes, when you're writing fanfic, it is required for the
plot you've chosen for one or more of the characters to act "out of
character" in small ways or in large.  Often, this OOCness will be
such that a large proportion of the readership is jarred out of their
willing suspension of disbelief.  (WSD is strangely enough more
easily disturbed by off characterization that by violations of the
laws of physics.  Go figure.)
      There are a number of ways of dealing with this:
      1.  Pretend there's nothing wrong.  "No, really, Relena
Peacecraft is clearly a horrible bitch and a closet serial killer. 
Just because the writers of the TV show never brought it out on
camera doesn't mean it isn't true."
      2.  Build up to the OOCness in the story, showing step by step
how the character came by their new personality.  This is generally
the most praised method, but it can get in the way of the meat of the
story the author actually wants to tell right now.  Plus, it can be
difficult to judge how much lead-up you need.  In the fic in
question, this method is applied to Nabiki, but not quite well
enough.  She seems to go from 0 to 60 in under a page.
      3.  If the story is a long one, or being released in chapters,
the author may claim in the author's notes or in responses to C&C
that an explanation for the OOCness will eventually be forthcoming. 
I see this one a lot.  Sadly, readers on the FFML tend to be an
impatient lot, particularly when it comes to their favorite
characters acting bizarrely, and unless you are a well-established
author with a reputation for keeping your word, this will seldom
mollify them.  Quite a few readers won't be waiting around for the
explanation.
      4.  Have the OOCness noticed by the characters themselves. 
This is a useful plot device for indicating that you're not pulling
method one, and to show the reader that method three is actually what
the author has planned.  If Akane is acting unusually bitchy for
extended periods of time, have people in the story notice this and
comment upon it.  
      As a last note on OOC, it's generally bad form to have multiple
characters suddenly have dubious characterization with minimal
explanation.

      On the story itself, it occurs to me that Nodoka's "he's
eleven" line could be punched up a little bit for comedic effect.

      "Okay, so if Ranma ate the 10cm mushroom, he's just a little
over ten, physically--"
      "No, dear, he's eleven now.  Don't you remember, we had a party
for him last week?" said Nodoka.
      (Other person's name here) remembered.  Ranma's mother had
decided that having your chronological birthday made you a year
older, regardless.  And as she'd been deprived of celebrating Ranma's
birthday all those years, Nodoka had thrown an enormous blowout of a
party, combining what the woman thought was the ideal celebration for
both an eleven-year-old boy *and* girl.


For what it's worth,
SKJAM!
      
      


		
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