Dear Brothers and sisters,

The discussion on the Megami list about fan fiction is a good one, and I
really enjoy it.  There's some good ideas in here!

I wonder, though, what kinds of "contininuity" make for "valid" fan
fiction.  First I look at the basic appeal of a given series, AMG for sure.
I find the characters credible and likable as people; I want to see how
they develop and mature over time; their personal dynamics and
relationships are absorbing; and they live in a version of the world that
I'd like to live in.  So for me, PLOT isn't so much a driving force for
continuity as CHARACTER / PERSONALITY is.

I haven't written much lately - just two short "how-to" recipe stories
featuring Skuld - but I try to portray her in such a way that the reader -
even the novice reader - would find her as delightful and charming a person
as I do.  (Could our world not use a skoshi more delight and charm?)  I try
to write as an expression of love to the characters involved.

The breaks in continuity that really bother me occur when someone tries to
recreate Bell or Skoo-chan (or even Urd) as some kind of demon or dripping
porno queen - as a person who has *nothing to do* with the PEOPLE who
inhabit the original A&M world - the people who we know, and love.  As long
as we love, honor, and RESPECT those people, our stories can't be too far
off the mark!

Hmmm...Maybe some of us can discuss this at Katsucon - Y'all come, heah?

Love,
Mendo Charlie
MAISON OTAKU