On Live Journal: http://mirage-shinkiro.livejournal.com/

On Deviant Art: http://mirage-shinkiro.deviantart.com/

A Guide for New Fanfic Writers: The Quick Guide to Fanfic Writing, Grammar and Culture

About me: I chose the English/Japanese name "Mirage Shinkiro" to celebrate the history and origins of the TF franchise ("shinkiro" is Japanese for "mirage"), and I'm a huge G1 fan. My favorite movies and series include Dune, Chrono Crusade, Battlestar Gallatica 2003, Stargate SG1, and Mushi Shi

The issue of pairings: Okay, so here's how it is: Transformers have a gender but no physical sex. They are shown using several forms of nonsexual and even asexual reproduction in both G1 and G2, not to mention the other universes. Obviously, therefore, terming the pairings as "slash" is both impossible and illogical in this fandom, and so I won't tolerate flames from slash-haters. Likewise, I'm not writing these stories for the sake of sex. Each story has a plot, theme, and character development, and I consider those things more important than any sex that may occur. The sex is an expression or culmination of an issue or theme in the story, or occasionally it is an action early in the story with consequences. Obviously, the lack of physical sex also makes mpreg impossible in this fandom; even if one uses the spark-merging version of procreation, there is no DNA to be passed on, making a comparison with organic sex impossible. Or, if you go by the metaphor created, then one mech is coded female in most sparking stories, again rendering mpreg a moot point. So let's all just relax, have fun, and be mature.

Since there aren't many canon pairs, I've decided to play around with the pairings a lot. My Autobot OTP has become ProwlxJazz (or JazzxProwl--whatever) and OptimsxProwl, and my Decepticon OTP is MegatronxStarscream.

Continuities in my stories: I have two major continuities in my stories plus a few minor ones.

Continuity 1: Post-TFTM AU

In this continuity, several Autobots are temporarily instead of permanently deactivated in the ship battle and attack on Autobot City. Prowl, Ratchet, and Wheeljack are reactivated after significant repairs (and why not? since when can TF be killed in one blast? or for that matter, get permanently offlined by one blast in either the Marvel comics or G1 cartoon?). Some events from season 3 are included, such as Optimus Prime's return, while others are altered or ignored. The stories in this continuity may be set before, during, or after the movie and include "No Quiet to Find," "A Second Destiny," and "Firsts: Red Alert and Inferno."

Continuity 2: Season 2, veering off

This continuity begins in season 2 and is not AU, but any sequels or epilogues set in the 21st century will have veered AU due to the events in the stories. These stories include "Sound and Fury," "Masters of Fate," "Firsts: Thundercracker and Skywarp," "Magic and Loss," "Firsts: Ratchet and Sideswipe," and "A Healing of the Heart."

Continuity 3: PSF, veering AU

This continuity is one I've been working on since May 2009. For an entire year, I thought it too involved and complex to write since I don't tend to write fanfic novels. However, I've decided to write it anyway. It involves an organization referred to as the PSF, which existed in Praxus before it was destroyed. The main character will be Prowl, and the genres will be action, suspense, drama, and romance. Other major characters will be Jazz, Optimus Prime, and the twins. The story's title is "Imperium in Imperio." Other stories in this continuity are "Firsts: Skyfire and Perceptor" and "Firsts: Ratchet and Wheeljack." Also, there is a picture of Maverick and Night Stalker by pl2363 here.