I have been reading fanfiction for about seven years now. I have read some very good stories. Some of you are very talented. I have also read some poor, plotless, or ill concieved stories. Some of you need some work and encouragement. I don't beleive in flaming, just constructive critisism. I realize some writers are very young and may only need a push in the right direction.

I read fan fiction much more than write it, and as a reader I have to say: What is with all the relationship centered fics? It gets really boring reading about how he loves her, but does she, or will she realize she loves him too. Or the many variations of this idea. It is not that I am against romance, I like a good romance as well as the next person, but in fan fiction I have found that so many romances dwell on how the couple get together, (usually because they are twitterpated with each other) that the authors neglect to add in conflicts between the couple so that they have something to overcome. The best romances are the ones where the couple come together at the end after overcoming their issues, action/adventure, suspence, and danger together. The most interesting romances are when the couple start out as enemies that are forced to work/be together for some reason. I am not anti romance, but I am anti sappy romance.

Angel, Buffy, and Smallville are the only shows I watched on a regular basis. I read mostly Angel-centric, or Clark-centric fics as Angel and Clark are my favorite characters. I am not a shipper. I don't like fluffy stories or character bashing. I don't like Connor, although his last appearance on Angel redemed him a bit for me. I miss the old Cordelia. I like Spike, but dislike Spike/Angel ships. By that same token, I like Lex, but dislike Clark/Lex ships. It is not that I am against slash in general, but with some characters it ruins their characterization.

Ships I find interesting as long as they are not all sweet and fluffy:

Angel/Cordelia (friendship based/romantic) -- Lex/Cordelia (interesting dynamics)

Angel/Buffy (passionate or friendship) -- Lex/Lana ( actually Lana and anyone but Clark)

Clark/Buffy (much in common, friendship or romantic) -- Clark/Lois (great rivalry prefer friendship, but open to romantic)

Clark/Chloe (friendship, but open to romantic) -- Lex/Anya (possibility of hilarity)

Occaisionally I have found an author that has made me not mind Clana in their story. It is because the story itself is so well written, and the Clana in it is not overbearing. One such story I can recommend is "Condemned Memories by Jazzmaster."

Pet peves in fanfiction:

Clarks obsession with Lana. It is very annoying, and it makes Clark look like an idiot. I would like Lana much more if she were not such a canon Sue.

Character bashing- unless the character is evil and it is done in a humorous way, or if done as a parody.

Fluffy sappy stories-BORING

B/A or C/A stories that are way out of character.- Angel has feelings for both these women.

Blood tears- this is not Anne Rice people!

Purring vampire-A vampire is not a cat! I'm sorry but that is just cheesy.

Angel saying or thinking "MINE" in regards to his significant other in any fic- that is just so out of character.

AU fics that have everyone as human... you might as well just write for a soap.

Marysues and or Canon Sues, need I say more.

Crossovers that favor one group over the other; this makes all the characters very ooc.

I love Buffy/Smallville crossovers, but only a few are written well.