Quick Stats

Name: Rini

Sex: Female

Age: legal enough to vote and buy legal controlled substances

Favorite Color: Purple

Well Known Weakness: shoes, pocketbooks, electronic gadgets, and video games, especially the Halo Universe

Secret Addiction: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Squad (I'm a Washington Redskins fan, so this is my secret shame)

F.Y.I. Rant

In order to cut down on confusion, I am making a statement about fan fiction in general and my writing in particular.

Everything on fanfiction.net is AU. Some authors write within the confines of canon, some don't.

I am one of those who doesn't. My writing, the stories I create, are strictly AU. I may write a story with a canon scene as its starting point, as its foundation, but that is it. I have written a story within the AU of other (with permission and with proper credit given) authors. I have even written an AU of an AU of something I've already written. If I ever write within canon, the story shall be labeled as such.

Being that everything on fanfiction.net is AU, as none of us (that I know of) are the creators of any of the books, comics, tv shows, anime, cartoons, etc., then we should be mindful of that when we review fellow authors work. The purpose of a review is to give constructive criticism. If you don't like a certain pairing, don't read it. For an example, I absolutely hate and loathe the Marauders in general and Jily in particular, both in canon and in fan fiction. Therefore, I rarely read it. When I do, when I review the story, I keep my personal feelings about the characters/pairing in check and instead focus on the craftsmanship of the story. There's a story on my favorites list that features Peter Pettigrew as the main character. There's also a WolfStar pairing on my favorites list. The craftsmanship of the story supersedes my personal dislike of the characters.

We need to respect each other as authors. The point of being on here is to have fun. Some of us actually write for a living or are currently writing their first book to publish with a major book distributor and writing on this site give us a chance to relax, to have fun, to make new friends. The last thing we need is to have our work, something that we have spent time on, being belittled and degraded because how we choose to write our story doesn't fit "your vision" on how it should end.

I rarely put author notes on my stories and I was debating to start doing so. I have decided not to. I think basic reading comprehension should let a reader know if what they are reading is based within canon or not. Personally, unless an author's note is a trigger warning or something similar, I find them unnecessary. As an author, our writing should be so good that an expanded author note explaining the story itself shouldn't be necessary. If you're in need of one, then maybe my work isn't for you.

*rant over*

How I Got Into Fan Fiction:

I've been reading fan fictions on this site since the mid to late 90s (a long time, I know). The first fan fiction I read was named "Sailor Moon Millennial" and I fell in love. The author (who has since disappeared into the vacuum called Real Life) had abruptly stopped posting, but she/he had recommended some fan fiction for the followers of the epic to read between updates. These suggestions lead to fanfiction.net. Then I disappeared into the Real Life vacuum (graduated high school, went to college), but my love of fan fiction remained. So when I wasn't busy typing pages and pages of material for my professors (demanding people, I tell you), or partying (hey, that's what you're supposed to do with your free time, right?), I would read fan fiction and wish I was talented and brave enough to publish my own work. Fast forwarding to 2012, I found myself with some free time on my hands and awaiting my most recent purchases from *sad face* the now defunct company Borders. So I navigated to the site. I re-read some old favorites in the Sailor Moon fandom, some that had been completed during my absence, and some that are not. Out of curiosity, I searched the Harry Potter listings, as I was slightly disgruntled with the series and was looking for alternative universes I could live in. The result - I found authors who were like-minded and wrote pretty well. I signed up so I could leave signed reviews. It wasn't until March 2012 when I published my first attempt, which is (ironically so) titled "Abandoned." It's the result of being awake for almost 36 hours straight.

Since my return to the site, I've added Harry Potter, Avatar: The Last Airbender and the video game Halo to my fandom list. However, a girl never forgets her first love and I still have Sailor Moon fan fictions that I follow and periodically I search the archives for new stories. I'm hoping because of the revival of the Sailor Moon franchise (go on the website and search 'Sailor Moon Crystal') that those who have ceased updating because of a lack of inspiration will find it once more.

What I like to Read:

If a story has a good summary or a lot of reviews, I will give it a try. However, don't ask me to read or like the following – HP: Jily or anything where the "good and awesome" Marauders (I hope you can hear the sarcasm as you read that) are the main characters. I got enough of that in canon. Also, if any of the Slytherins are evil with no attempt to understand their point of view, I'm passing on those stories too. Umm, I'm not a prude, so fluff/lemons/smut stories don't bother me, as long as they are well written. However, I don't like student/professor relationships, even when the student has been aged up a bit in an attempt to make it acceptable. Ick . . . I also have a thing for good girls being with the bad boys, so the traditional pairings do nothing for me. As a result, the main 'ships I sail on are Zutara, Snily, and Dramione. I do appreciate a good Drinny every now and then – I think had politics and blood feuds were not in the way, Draco and Ginny would have been great friends/lovers. The only traditional pairing that I can stomach (and it's because there's no one else I can see her with) is Serena/Darien, although I've seen some good stories where she's paired with Diamond. In regards to relationships, the creator of Sailor Moon got it right the first time.

Fan Fiction Pet Peeves:

I hate it when some authors put in their summary of their stories that the characters are "out of character." The purpose of a summary is to tell your potential readers about the story. Once I read the story, I think I'm intelligent enough to come to the conclusion that the character(s) are OOC.

I also find it irritating when an author says "if I don't receive x amount of reviews, I will not update." There's nothing wrong with having a review goal – it's a way to see how many readers are still with you and how many have come on board since you started your work. To withhold a chapter because you don't meet said goal – childish. Luckily, I don't follow authors who do that.

My biggest fan fiction pet peeve has to be authors/reviewers who use their stories/reviews not to tell a story or to critique but to bash. There are forums where they can do that.

What's Currently in the Works:

In an effort to improve my writing and to get some direction on yet to be published story that I'm working on, I've joined and proud to be a student of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft Wizardry (Challenges Assignments) forum. I decided to join after reading a one-shot by SummerLeighWind (who's an amazing author, by the way) because I found the concept interesting. You're given an assignment, optional prompts and you're responsible for writing a story. Sounds easy, right? LOL . . . It is and at the same time, it isn't, but I am having fun with it. We're divided into our Houses (I'm Slytherin) and we receive and lose points. I'm also working on a series of one-shots that will eventually lead to what i hope will be a multi-chapter story of epic portions. Some of my assignments will coincide and others will not. I hope you will enjoy what has been written and I also invite you to check out my favorite stories and authors list. I promise you won't be disappointed by any of my recommendations.

What's Published:

"Lies" AU - An ever evolving and growing alternate universe where the men and women of the HP world open their eyes to their own faults, to the faults of the ones they love and how this knowledge changes them.

Lost (part of the Classroom Assignments Collection)

Unexpected Help (part of the Star Light, Star Bright collection)

Your Happiness is Paid by His Misery Such Lies My Husband Told Me: Lily (sequel to YHPHM)

Crossroads (part of the Classroom Assignments collection, follows events of SLMHTM: Lily)

Too Late (part of the Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble collection)

Such Lies My Wife Told Me: Ted (part of the A Thousand Words collection)

Disowned (part of the Classroom Assignments collection)

Such Lies My Husband Told Me: Narcissa

Such Lies My Wife Told Me: Arthur

Finite Incantatem (part of the Star Light, Star Bright collection, companion to Arthur's story)

Shopping Trip (part of the Star Light, Star Bright collection)

Today (part of the Star Light, Star Bright collection)

Home (part of the Star Light, Star Bright collection)

"The Raid" AU - An AU where an ill-fated raid on a party that has been reported as a Death Eater gathering leads to the death of Narcissa Malfoy husband and unborn twins. The stories will follow Narcissa and Draco as they make their home in Muggle London, only rejoining the wizarding world when Draco receives his Hogwarts letter.

The Raid (part of the Classroom Assignments Collection) 4

A First of Many (part of the Classroom Assignments Collection)

(More Than) Just His Name (part of the Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble collection)

Heavy Lies the Crown (part of the Classroom Assignments Collection)

Works in Progress (yet to be published)

The Return of the Prince

- After leaving wizarding Great Britain for five years, Severus Snape returns when Gringotts contacts him about his unclaimed inheritance. Severus, of course, hopes for a quick entry and an even quicker exit. The Fates, however, has ignored his hopes for years and does so again, and his return is anything but unnoticed. (Part of the “Lies” AU)

The Unconventional Heirs

- Born during a time of great political upheaval and an undeclared civil war within the British wizarding community, a group of upper-class witches, led by Narcissa Malfoy, decides to give their heirs a very nontraditional upbringing. Once reaching Hogwarts, this group of unconventional heirs will turn the preconceived notions about them and their families, upside down. (Part of the “Lies” AU)

Deja Vu AU

- A series of one-shots that where the characters will experience a moment of deja vu and will make a decision (good or bad) based on that feeling.

On Another Note: as a reader of fan fics, i review most of the stories (i say 'most' because there has been time i might have forgotten) i read. i do so to show my fellow authors my appreciation of their labor of love and as an author myself, i love getting reviews, positive or negative. the only way we can get better as writers is if we get feedback on what we have already written. and if you ever so happen don't have an account to leave a signed review - sign up! it's quick, it's easy, and authors like me appreciate because we can respond to you directly. when i initially signed up for this site, it was so i could leave a signed review. then the plot bunny started to throw multiple carrots at me and now i have six published works, one in progress that's uploaded to the site and many others that are on the way. so sign up! review! send a personal message.

I Tweet, I Pin I Tumbl

(remove spaces on the last two if you're interested in following)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/2BeRini

Pinterest: https://www . pinterest . com /2BeRini /

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr .com /blog /2berini

Since You Got This Far - Previous Updates (if you're interested):

Update 03/11/2012:

i'm so uber stoked that i FINALLY have uploaded something. yes, it's a WIP. no, i don't know how long it's going to be no, this isn't the fic stated i was OCD-ing on. that one is on the back burner for now. i hope that you enjoy my story and do feel free to PM me w/suggestions.

Update 04/18/2012:

terrible, awful, dreadful case of writer's block, but I haven't Abandoned my story yet. Real Life is so getting in the way but hopefully, once things settle down, I can start updating my story.

Update 04/23/2012:

i'm so uber excited! i got into Pottermore! *doing my happy dance* i haven't been Sorted yet, but I have my fingers crossed for Slytherin (of course). if you're up there, add me - my username is IceHawthorn15327 Pottermore Update 04/28/2012: i've been sorted in the best House - i got Slytherin! *doing victory dance*

Update 02/02/2013:

it's been awhile since I've updated my profile, but i felt it was time. the end of 2012 ended roughly for me - I lost my mom suddenly October 22, 2012, my great-aunt a week and 3 days after that and my cousin a month after my great-aunt. in short, the last 3 months of 2012 sucked royally. little things still make me cry (like the UPS guy coming to my house) but i'm slowly recovering.part of that recovery is writing. I posted my first COMPLETED story. It's a one-shot, but it seems to be leading me in a direction that I didn't see coming. It will be a series of short stories that will focus primarily on the women in HP.

Update 08/28/2013:

I've been without a computer for a while so I'm happy to report that I have a functioning computer again! Currently, I'm working towards getting a new ISP because I wasn't happy with the one I had. However, I have worked on some new material that I will be uploading very soon. There are two completed, brand new "Lies" one-shots and an in-progress multi-chapter story that will fit right in the "Lies" AU. I don't think it will be a long multi-chapter story, but I will just follow my muse on this one. That is, if I can get my muse to FOCUS on one plot bunny at a time - there's eight plunnies in my little notebook of ideas that are banging really loudly at their respective doors.

Update 01/23/2014:

Happy New Year! Now that I have a reliable ISP, I will be updating my HP "Lies" alternate universe. That is - as soon as this writer's block remove itself. I'm open to suggestions to which direction I should take. I started on writing a one shot based on the elder Lestrange brother before the writer's block hit. I might just scrap it and try again.

i'm in desperate need of a beta. i have two works in progress that i have something written out for, but i need someone to keep me focused. if this sounds like you, send me a PM.

Update 08/02/2014:

i've finally sat down and watched Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. all i can say is - Holy Helljumpers, what took me so long?!? must add it to the dvd collection!