Index

My profile is long. On top of having lots of stories, I also critique and mentor. So, here is a run down of the sections so those who want can use the Find Function to jump to the section you want.

- Index - Lays out the sections.
- Bio - Brief bio of what I’m willing to share.
- Critique - My stance on critique and why I critique the way I do.
- Misconceptions - Misconceptions certain writers have
- Excuses That Don’t Cut It - Because it cuts back on the excuses that tend to be used a lot after I’ve left critique the writer doesn’t like.
- Writing Tips - Because I’ve mentored quite a few writers over the years so here are the tips I’ve given them so they can easily find them when they want.
- Series - Because I’ve a lot of stories and decided I finally needed to do something to help people find what they’re looking for easier.

Bio

I’ve written and published fanfiction for some time now, celebrating my fifteenth year doing so in early 2021. In those years, my writing has grown a lot. I’m also a dyslexic writer, which shows up more frequently in my older writer; I don’t go back and edit quite a few of my older stories because I want others with learning disabilities to become good writers. True, the struggle with grammar will never go away, yet that struggle means you have to work harder as a writer.

I’m also known as a darkfic writer, identified by one of my readers when I first started reading. That means I like my whump, yet I’ve also a preference for happy endings – though, not all the time. I also love crossover and AU, with a firm belief that a good crossover/AU is carefully planned out rather than simply doing whatever a writer wants it to do. Yes – I’ve some out there, headcanon.

I also consider myself a neutral shipper. This doesn’t mean I don’t have personal preferences, particularly when it comes to what is shipped in my writing; it means I attempt to approach a story with an open mind regardless of whether the pairing is my OTP. Of course, this isn’t to say I’ve not been turned off specific pairings. I used to think that would never be the case, yet since I started publishing, I developed a few NoTP; more often than not, it’s not the pairing but the pairing fanbase that turned me off specific pairings.

Series

I created this section because I realized the number of stories I have would make it possible for readers to navigate unless I list out the stories for my different series, mainly since there are quite a few. I’ll try to keep the series lists current with what the latest in a series is. Also, some stories within a series use the title I’ve given after the series title for their titles.

I also note I am not against people writing spin-offs of my work or using my OCs, though if you want to change the ship, please ask—I want to avoid ship wars and wank. And don’t plagiarize and respect my moral rights—see “Do Writers Have ‘Moral Rights’?” by Edward Hasbrouck, but some of what that includes is properly crediting me, though if it’s simply using a favorite headcanon, no need to credit as headcanon aren’t story elements which can be copyrighted.

Non-Crossovers
(Not there are some exceptions if the series is meant to be a non-crossover series)

And you thought there is never a girl online?

- And you think you're actually a gamer? - LON Reality, Awkward Terms, Loss not Win (Stardew Valley crossover)

Avatar: The Last Airbender

- To Lose or to Gain – To Lose or to Gain, To Lose or to Gain: Iroh’s Child, To Lose or to Gain: Untrecherous, To Lose or to Gain II: Flames of the Future
- To Lose or to Gain: Side One Shots – To Lose or to Gain: Morning Tea, To Lose or to Gain: Ilah
- To Lose or to Gain: Boiling Point – To Lose or to Gain, To Lose or to Gain: Boiling Point
- Burning and Burned – To Lose or to Gain, Burning and Burned
- Four Avatars – Rewrite planned
- Sister Avatar – Rewrite planned – Sister Avatar (rewrite will be called Sisters of the Avatar as that’s a better name)
- Currently Standalone – Seizures, What the Future Holds

Astra Lost in Space - Unnamed - Stories where Ulgar is his brother's clone rather than his father - Don't Make Waves, If Only Not Away, Lost in Misdirection

Ayatsuri Sakon –

- The World is a Stage – First Words, The Black Rose, Stage Fright
- Currently Standalone – A Plotting We Shall Go, Bookstore, Cherry Blossoms, Driving Lesson, Merry Christmas, Normality, Sayoko’s Puppet, Searing Depths

Bleach

- Admiration and Understanding—Admiration, Deserted Memories, Understanding: A Self Journey, Understanding: A Self Journey, Understanding II: School Daze
- Aizen’s Kingdom—Admiration, Aizen’s Kingdom, Aizen’s Kingdom: Mother Cat
- Care Package—Baby Care Package, Care Package
- Cyber Trap – Tied in Theme, Cyber Trap, Finding Friendship: Pokemon Journey (Pokemon Crossover), Time in the Game (My Time At Portia Crossover)
- Finding Friendship – Finding Friendship, Finding Friendship II: Earth Shattering, Finding Friendship: Cuts
Finding Friendship: A Pokemon Journey – Finding Friendship, goes AU, Finding Friendship: A Pokemon Journey Pokemon Crossover)
- Finding Friendship: Rose Petaled bLiss – Finding Friendship series, goes AU at some point possibly, Rose Petaled Bliss
- Finding Friendship: Side One-Shots – Rose Colored Bliss
- Fishing – Fishing, Yotsuri Taisho
- Liking Oneself – Liking Oneself, Liking Oneself II: Thank You
- Liking Oneself: Side One-Shots – Liking Oneself: Star Wars
- Liking Oneself: De-Zombifaction – Liking Oneself, Liking Oneself: De-Zombification
- Lost Child – Lost Child, Lost Child II: First Christmas (uses OC from Softly Snowing)
- Lost Child: Tobiume – Lost Child, goes AU, Lost Child Tobiume
- Noumen Honshin – Noumen Honshin, Noumen Honshin II
- Shinanai Paranoia – Shinanai Paranoia, Shinanai Paranoia: Lock Down (AU chapters)
- Shouniaisha Taicho – Prequel (see my co-writer Evil Humour’s profile), Shouniasha Taicho, Touchan Taicho
- Softly Snowing – Softly Snowing, Softly Snowing II: Academy Years
- Sub Ubi – Glacius Sub Ubi, Immunda Sub Ubi
- Surasshu – Admiration, Desserted Memories, Surasshu-- Poilice Call (Ayatsuri Sakon Crossover)
- Time in the Game – Finding Friendship, goes AU, Time in the Game
- Currently Standalone (Chapter) – Breath of Life, Cancer, Christmas Nightmare, Coffee Flavored Angel, Cold Glass Soul, Diamond Treasure, Frostbitten Mistletoe, Glitch, Kyoukai, High School Girl, Letters to Father, Let It Snow ,Letters to Father, Life of Simplicity; My Sunshine, My Strength; Negirau Atashinchi, Not Mine Valentine, Of Birthdays and Siblings; Our Neice, Our Daughter; Red and White, School Stinks, Secret Santa, Straberry Halloween, Strawberry Pumpkin Fields
- Currently Standalone (One-Shot/Drabbles) - 1000 Years: One Shots, 1000 Years: One Shots (Part 2), A Difference in Ice, Admiring a Child, As the Sun Sets, Bittersweet, Bleach: Live Action One-Shots, Bleach: Diversity Writing, Born Oldest, Breaking One’s Heart, Broken Trust, Chatter, Clues in the Snow, Code of Honor, Coffee, Cold Hands, Daffodil Confessions, Dead Dumb Luck, Decision, Doggies, Drowning, Effects of War, Embellishment Embarrassment, Eww to More Eww, Fake Bankai, Feels Like Home, Hinamori’s Letter, Fight Break, Frozen, Grandma’s Gift for Momo, Ganny and the General, Hating Dried Persimmons, Holidays, Hurt to Protect, Ice Cold Eyes, Ice-cream, Invasion Army: One Shots, Irony of Isshin, Mama’s Boy, Maru-Maru, Medicine for Matsumoto, My Child, Myself or Yourself, Mysterious Ways; Past, Present, Future; Personal Toy, Reversed Misery, She’s A Quincy, Shuugi Chousenjou, Small Family Child, Sweet White Nothings; Sweet, Sweet Child; Talkative, The Starnritter’s Secret, The World Spins Like a TopTrial, Why Don’t You Kill Me? Twelve Days of Siblings, Watching With Laughter, When’s Your Birthday

Baby-Sitters Club (2020)

- Life Moments – See for each character, each story starting with the character’s name in the title while number is not a part of it – it indicates the episode it ties into.
- Life Moments: Claudia – 1-Friendship, 2-Making the Grade, 3-Mathmatical Sollutions to Life (purposefully misspelled title), 4-So Not Janine, 5-That Room, Oh!, 60 My Art, My Way, 7-On the Road
- Life Moments: Dawn – 4-Thankful, 5-Judge Not, 6-Life is Life, 7-Turtle Good
- Life Moments: Kristy – 1-Control; 2-Boys are Evil, Girls are…; 3-Supporitng Women, 4-Jealous, 5-Brat, 6- Happy Horcrux
- Life Moments: Mary Anne – 1-Growing Up, 2-Life Just Is, 3-Of Grandmothers and Mothers, 4- New Look, 5-Humpty Dumpty, 6-Finding Home
- Life Moments: Dawn – 1-Fear, 2-Alone, 3-Accepted, 4-Playlist, 5-Guilt, 6-Style Up

Beauty and the Beast – Currently Stand Alone – Kingdom of the Beast

Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Tutoring a Herdman – Tutoring a Herdman

DC Comics

- Beyond the Night – Beyond the Night: Beyond Justice (One-Shots), Beyond the Night: Beyond the Team, Beyond the Night II: Evermore, Beyond the Cave
- Beyond the Fool – Beyond the Night: Beyond Justice (One-Shots), Beyond the Fool
– Beyond Incredible – Beyond the Night: Beyond Justice (One-Shots), Beyond Incredible
- Beyond Titans – Beyond the Night: Beyond Justice (One-Shots), Beyond Titans
- Bats in the Attic – Beyond the Night series up to everything but Beyond the Cave, Bats in the Attic
- Ice Cold - Beyond the Night: Beyond Justice (One-Shots), Beyond the Night: Beyond the Team, Goes AU, Rise to Action: Ice Cold
- Robin’s Need – Gotham’s Need, Robin’s Need
- Tybalt’s Revenge – Beyond the Night series up to everything but Beyond the Cave, Tybalt’s Revenge
- Currently Standalone One-Shots Tied to Beyond the Night – Note: Some start with Rise of Action in their titles— All By Myself, At Least fifteen Years, Bat Lemons, Bird’s Nest, Christmas Crash, Comrade, Cancerous Thoughts, Cat and Mouse, Evading, Free Falling, Hunted Heart, Imitation, In the Blood, Kill the Disgrace, Madness, Nightwing Returns, The Eeriness, The Past, Twin Engine Crocker
- Batfam Not so Directly Tied – Damien’s Batman, For Life

Digimon

- Digital Duo – Same theme—One-In-Two Secrets, Taming Destiny, Reja, Sad Blue Eyes
- Tri-ad Effect - (hints at above theme) Digital Nightmare, Blanketed

Free! - Free!Dom – Free-Dom

Great Uncle Dracula

I'll Be Back - I'll Be Back
Monster Bullies – Fire Bully, Zombie Bully
- Monstrously Different – Deja Vu
Okami Otaku – Okami Otaku
- Stand Alone One-Shots – By the Lake, Distance of Summer

Harry Potter

Note – The Mirror Multiverse (contains some crossovers) is comprised of smaller Mmultiverses, Upside Down Mirror, Granger Yet and Draco’s Mirror which may at times overlap, but these stories may title wise start off with one of these, though there are a few exceptions. I’ve left them out to make it easier to read. To keep things clean, the crossovers for Harry Potter will be here as well. Granger Yet

Upside Down Mirror – The one-shot titled just Upside Down Mirror is a Neville as the Boy Who Lived AU to which I attempted writing a prequel called Upside Down Mirror: Another Side which ended up snowballing. Big time.
- Upside Down Mirror Background One-Shots: Muggles and Sardines, Who, Little Doll, Broken Black
- Upside Down Mirror: The Man Who Lived – The Man Who Lived
- Upside Down Mirror: Saving Regulus – Saving Regulus
- Upside Down Mirror: Old Magic – Old Magic
- Upside Down Mirror: Grimley Yet – A Grim Tale (Grimley Yet not in the title), sequels will tie into Granger Yet mini multiverse, A Grandparent's Perogative, Grimley Yet
- Upside Down Mirror: Free Falling – Free Falling
- Whispers of the Veil - Whispers of the Veil
- Upside Down Mirror: Nightingale Mirror – Crossover with Good Witch—Black Arrival, Restless, Mother Hen
- Upside Down Mirror: If Not For Magic – Crossover with Picnic at Hanging Rock—If Not for Magic
- Upside Down Mirror: Black and White, Or Not – Crossover with Worst Witch—Black and White, or Not; Blackest Black,
- A Touch of Fluffyness - Touch the Clouds, Plush It, Staying With Sirius for Christmas
- Are You Sirius? - Are You Sirius?
- Black and White - Black and White, or Not, Blackest Black
- Breath of Fresh Air - Breath of Family, Mulling it Over
- Flickering Breath - Breath of Family, Black Flickerings
- Full of It - Mouth Full of Snow, Hated Gathering
- Indignity of it All - Indifferent to Indignity, Indignity of a Padfoot
- Leap of a Golden Snitch - Leap of a Golden Snitch
- Not Our World - Cute Little Button, Who is Stubby Boardman?, Not Our World
- Obscured Away - I of the Storm, Obscured Away No More
- Place for Former Jailbirds - Place for Former Jailbirds
- Pottery Pieces - Pottery Pieces
- Silent Blackness - Silent Despair, Vulnerable Child
- Truth About Orion Black - Death, Life
- Unwanted Ones - Unwanted Surprise, Unwanted Nightmare, Fleeing the Unwantedness
- Winter Black - Snow Don't Stop Me, Pacing the Winter, Gifts and Things, All Wrapped Up, Goosed
- One-Shots Not Directly Tied Into Upside Down Mirror— A Magical Carol, Baby Bird Black, Double Meaning, Hopelessness of a Black, I of the Storm; Important, or Not; Itty-Itty, Lost on the Wind, Nobody Knows Screwed View, Shaved Not, Son of a Dog, That Painting, That Place, Uncontrolled
- Chapter Works Not Directly Tied In - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, Black Curioisities, Portrait Between the Pages, The Silent Place, Three Witches, What You Can't See
- Dear Rabbit (Granger Yet Background One-Shots) no amnesia for Regulus - Pages in a Book, Amortentia Rabbit, Dear Rabbit, Flatlined, Distraction, Rabbit Hole; New Normality, New Awkward; Which Room, Bonding, Being Oneself, Beach Summer, First Meal, Anniversary, Hidden Scars, Granger Family
- Granger Yet – UDM as well – Pewiwinkle, Prince and Princess, Granger Yet
- Eliza and the Other Bookworm - remix of my favorite Mary Sue OC series based on what it might have been like had she gotten a chance to rewrite while also using the UDM and GY headcanons - Eliza and the Otherbookworm
- Half-Identity – UDM as well, not Dear Rabbit (series) – Hidden Memories, Reasons Why; Unexpected, Completely; Black Invite
- Ghost Sighting - Ghost Sighting, Ghost Sighting II: Finding Ghosts
Granger Christmas Yet – UDM as well - Warm and Snug, Black Mulling, Ugly or Not
- Not Our World - Champagne, Cute Little Button, Who is Stuggy Boardman?, Not Our World, Hushed Ripples
-- Tie In Not Our World AU - Christmas Cat, Homelessly Searching
- Not So Muggle Moments - Remix series of the Muggle(born) Moments series on AO3 - Familiar Face, Best Witch, I Promise. Flames of Insanity
-- Best Witch, I Promise - Best Witch, I Promise
- Stepping Into the Black Family - Stepping Into a Nightmare, Forced Step, First Stepping Stone, Step in the Right Direction, Snowballs Chance
- Granger Yet AU – No Amnesia – UDM as well, Don Lockhart, Laughing Dog
- Granger Yet AU – Amnesia – UDM as well, not Dear Rabbit – Amnesie
- Granger Yet One-Shots Not Directly Tied In - A Grandparent's Perogative, Don Lockhard, If I Had a Sibling, The Granger Way, Ghostling
- Who is Stubby Boardman? - Truth About Orion Black - Life, Not Our World: Who Is Stubby Boardman
- Draco’s Mirror: Eight Years of AU One-Shots – Draco’s Mirror: Stone Throw Away (Year One)

Note – Here are my Harry Potter series outside of the above series, not including crossovers.

- Finding a Hero – (Rewrite Planned, Lord of the Rings crossover) If I Had A Sibling (old fic explaining why Elizabeth isn’t around in canon), Finding a Hero, Draco’s Delima with one-shots The Hobbit Song, Antics of Hobbits and Spider Web
- Finding a Hero - Rewrite all starting with Finding a Hero - The Black Family
- Forget Me Not - Krum/Hermione series - Meetings, After Everything, Forget-Me-Not Wedding
- Mary Sue in a Barrel – (Ties into Finding a Hero), Mary Sue in a Barol, Mary Sues in a Manor, Mary Sues Ahoy (Pirates of the Carabean added in)
- Muggle Ghosts – Crossover with Bleach, Grim Reaper (some minor changes regarding how I see Regulus since writing this), If I Had A Sibling (old fic explaining why Elizabeth isn’t around in canon), Muggle Ghosts, Muggle Ghosts One-Shots
- That Isn’t Me – That Isn’t Me I, That Isn’t Me II, That Isn’t Me III
- Stand Alone Chapter – Heads and Tails, Linbh a Athrú; No Magic, No Life (Naruto Crossover); Red Nosed Reindeer, Witch Next Door
- Stand Alone One-Shot – Auror Substitute (Winx Club crossover), Mittens, Mistletoe, and Magic; Out of the Dark
- Understairs - Understairs

Horseland

Horseland Christmas – Accident, Horseland Christmas, Umbridge the Muggle Principle (no, she’s not a Muggle – the kids are)
- Christmas at Horseland – Accident, Icy Depths, Twilight Obsession
- Typical Arguement – Typical Arguement, Typical Point of View

Middle Earth

- Enfeeblement of the Rings - (Critical analysis through story of The Rings of Power) - What Love Brought Forth, Dear Traveler, Progenitor, What Would He Think of Harfoot?, The Voice of Durin, Dinner With Dwarves, And of Short Hair

Naruto

- Frostbitten Sand – Frostbitten Sand
- Ghost in the Sand – Ghost in the Sand
- Suna no… Yamiji Ouketsu (inspirational piece), Suna no Mugetsu Re-ky
- Perfect Worlds – Perfect Worlds
- A Grain of Sand… - A Grain of Sand Among the Leaves
- Hidden Village – Hidden Village
- The Chunins, Again – The Chunins Again
- Demon Planet – Nuclear Sands (inspirational piece), Demon Planet
- Backstage Politics – Backstage Politics
- Act of Idolization – Backstage Politics, Act of Idolization
- Scattered Puzzle Pieces – Scattered Puzzle Pieces
- High School, What a Drag – Scattered Puzzle Pieces, High School, What a Drag
Cotton Candy – Crossover with Dispicable Me, Cotton Candy Crossover (original, shorter piece), Cotton Candy
- Stand Alone Chapter Pieces – (similar themes) – Demon Planet, Kintsugi, Publically Forbidden, Secret Memories
- Stand Alone One-Shots – (similar themes) - Burnt Beyond Recognition, Cold Rain, Ducks in a Row, Gensodai Wanai, Not a Date, Rain of Imperfection, Rustling of Leaves, Tears Don’t Fall

Neopets

- Misfit of Darkness – New Version—Misfit of Darkness
- Misfit of Darkness – Old Version – Why Are There No Boy Faeries?, Dark Misfit: Family Matters, Dark Misfit II: Broken Wings
- Misfit of Darkness Spin-Offs – Faerie Summer, Fighting Light, Ghost Meetings Fate Entwining, Twisting Summer

Phantasy Star Online 2 –
Fangs of Sucession – Gonna Protect, Sticky Hands, Troublemaker
Untitled - Endless Road

Pokemon – Washed Ashore – Washed Ashore: Pokemon are Real, Washed Ashore: Pokemon are Real – Pokemon Radio Signals

Redwall

Fading Rose Petals - Fading Rose Petals
- Second Chance – Rewrite planned, Germaine’s Secret, Second Chance
- Tie In One-Shots - Take Freedom, Give Freedom

Riddle Story of Devil – Stand Alone – Scars of Europa

Rockman.exe – Split Dimension – Rewrite planned, Split dimension

Sirius the Jager

- Child of the Dark Moon – Child of the Dark Moon, Child of the Dark Moon II: Moonlit
- Misc. AU to Child of the Dark Moon - In and Out, Up and Down

Stardew Valley

Buried Truths – Higurashi style over arching theme, minus the horror – Burried in the Sands, Stuck in a Bottle
Rock Between Us - Rock Between Us
Rocky Relations - Rocks and Stars, Ice and Stars
- Stand Alone – Game Time, Graffiti Ceiling, I’m Not Yours, In This Post Apocalyptic World, Ordeal

Xiaolin Showdown – Time Slip – Minor rewrite, Time Slip, Soul of the Dragon

Voltron: Legendary Defender – Sometimes DotU

- Abuella Knows Best – Stand Alone One-Shots crossover with One Day at a Time (2017), Abuella Knows Best, Mama Knows, My Cousin Lance, Tia Madre
- Among Us – Among Us, Virus Among Us
- Black and White – White Nightmare, Black Dream
- Gemini, - Closely tied (Ryo/Rachel) – Gemini, Touch the Sky; Gemini, Letters to the Sky
- Imaginaru Alu – Imaginary Alu, Dreaming of You
- Sun and Star – Crossover with Young Justice, Sun and Star, Sun and Star: Cuts and One-Shots (need to pull chapter and put into Sun and Star
- Trip to Kissuiso – Crossover with Hanasaku Iroha, Welcome to Kissuiso
- Wings of Home – Imaginary Alu, Wings of Home, Wings of Home II: Wings of Change
- Winter Tree – Winter Tree: Roots (Prequel DotU world), Winter Tree
- Currently Stand Alone Chapter Works – Aniki, Arrival, Broken Wish, Damatte Iru, Devil’s Advocate, In for a Crazy Ride, Moon Princess, Tattoo in the Sky, The Awaited (Naruto crossover)
- Currently Stand Alone One-Shots – 30-Day: Challenge: July, A Little Christmas Cheer, All My Fault, Anxiety of Seperation, Are, As it Seems, Blackest Night, Purple Apocalypse, Cave of Fate, Crashing Heart, Crushing Waves, Coran and the Sea of Fog; Food for Two, or Three; Goodbye KittyRose, Lucky Silver Sun, Resolve, Road Trip, Silver and Gold Cracks, Summer Anxieties, Summer Cacophony, Void, Wedding Bells, What Home Means, Worst Sibling Ever

Winx Club

WinK and See - A series exploring the differences between 4Kids and Cinelume/original versions - Bully

Crossovers

Note – Some of my crossovers are in the regular section which has to do with them tying into some of the regular fics either by over reaching theme, or by being a spin off of an existing fic. All Harry Potter stories are with Harry Potter

48 Christmas Wishes/The Santa Clause

- Make or Break – Make or Break

- Elf in the Shed – Elf in the Shed
- Frustratingly, Magically Family - Fakely Family, Photo Finished
- One-Shots – All in the Book, Bernard Cares, Blinded by Cam, Bottom Letter, Brilliantly Not, Coffee Crush, Crashing Christmas Tree, Figgy It Out, Frosty Comfort Zone, Jinglesnaps, Not Cupid Fated, Quick Trapped, Upiside Down and Snowing

Avatar: The Last Airbender/DC Comics – Currently Stand Alone One-Shots – Forged in Fire: Blue Spirit, Forged in Fire: Changing Directions, Forged in Fire: Currents of Air, Forged in Fire: Framed, Forged in Fire: Jaybird, Forged in Fire: Painted Lady, Forged in Fire: Team, Forged in Fire: Tripping

Avatar: The Last Airbender/Xiaolin Showdown – Stand Alone – Mother Dearest (written in 2009, four years before The Search was released)

Ayatsuri Sakon/The Ruroni Kenshin – The Ruroni – The Ruroni

Beast Christmas Pageant Ever/Boxcar ChildrenStand AloneBest Different Ever

Boxcar Children/Voltron: Legendary Defender – Stand Alone – Anxiety of Seperation

Bleach/Naruto/One Piece Stand alone one-shot Kurosaki Hoo-ah Dinner Thank You

Bleach/Wallflower – Hollow Hugs – Hollow Hugs

DC Comics/Miraculous – Currently Stand Alone – Bantered, Free Falling, Ompressions, Fatherhood

Dreamlight Valley and Santa Clause - Dreamlight and Dreamwell

Dreamlight Valley and Santa Clause - Dream in an Ice Cave, Dream of Mistletoe

G.I. Joe: Sigma 6/X-Men Evolution – Human on the Team - Janome, The Lies We Tell, First Day of School (X-Men Evo only), That’s How It Crumbles (G.i. Joe: Sigma 6 only), Human on the Team, The Problem with Rile, Cyber & Saber, Paintball

Great-Uncle Dracula/Santa Clause - Christmas Claws and Christmas Elves

Harry Potter/Lockwood & Co. - Buried Within, Locked Inside

Marvel/Leverage - Passing the Spidery Past

Misfit of Demon King Academy/Rage of Bahamut – Lucifer Chained

My Time At Portia(Sandirock etc.)/Stardew Valley

- Sebastian’s Time in Portia – Sebastian’s Time in Portia, Emily’s Swan Song
- Blackest Feather – Emily’s Swan Song, goes AU, Blackest Feather: Crushed Feather, Blackest Feather: Smokey Feathers
- Time to Call Mother – Sebastian’s Time in Portia series, goes AU at a pont not yet written, Minutes Passing By
- Stand Alone One-Shots Same Multiverse – Boxed In, Crushed and Crushing, Geeglers, Ghosting Reality, Hotdog Musings, Minutes Passing By, Must Confess, Time Last Summer, Via Vivi, Where the Home (Heart) Is

Naruto/Phantasy Star Online - Sands of New Genesis: New Beginnings

Naruto/Pokemon – Gaara’s Vulpix – Gaara’s Vulpix (one-shot collection)

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis/Stardew Valley - Fallen Star

Star Trek/Voltron: Legendary Defender - Stand Alone - Captain Mother

Winx Club/X-Men Evo

- WinX – Dimentional Rip
- WinX – Original Version, WinX: Melody

X-Men Evolution/Young Justice - Gotham System -Foster Siblings, Running, Summer Nights, Hit Rock to Break

Other

Nguzo Saba (2022) - NanHoliday Rush - Rush not Away the Kindness, Mya's Voice, New Traditions for New Family, Rushed Away the Radio Waves, What's In It, Rush of Lights, Rush Not Away the Hard Work
Twelve Days of Fandom (2022) - A Partridge in a Pear Tree (Pokemon), Turtle Doved Out (Harry Potter), Three French Hens, a Pidgeon and a Rabbit (Harry Potter), Call Out (Wednesday), Rings and Rings (A Christmas Prince), Goosed (Harry Potter), Of Rats and Swans (Ratatouille/Trumpet of the Swans), Fallen Stars (Stardew Valley), Drumming Away (Stardew Valley), Piped Out (Stardew Valley), Leaping Black (Harry Potter), Twelve Ladies Dancing (Harry Potter)
- Fanfic Bootcamp 2018 - DC Comics - Impressions, Free Falling, Normality, Lost and Found, All By Myself, Fatherhood, Gotham's Need, Stars of the Night, Running
- Write to Rank 2018 - DC Comics - Imitation, Cat and Mouse, Echoes of a Tarantula, Kill the Disgrace, In the Blood, Twiin Engine Crocker, Madness, Nightwing Returns, Cancerous Thoughts
- Write to Rank 2020 - Beyond the Action - DC Comics (All titles start with Beyond the Action) - Evading, The Past, Bird's Nest, The Eeriness, Comrade, A Bit of Magic (Harry Potter), Ice Cold
- Write to Rank 2021 - Forged in Fire - Young Justice/Avatar: The Last Airbender (All titles start with Forged in Fire) - Framed, Team, Tripping, Blue Spirit, Currents of Air, Jaybird, Changing Directions, Burned, Painted Lady
- Write to Rank 2022 - Wild, Wild Sandrock - My Time at Sandrock - In a Split Moment, Out There, Abandoned Down, Rocketing, Puss in Boots, Skitter Scatter, Unsure, And the Stars Fall (Phantasy Star Online 2), Unopened Past
- Write to Rank 2023 - Stars Align - Strange Proposal (Stardew Valley), Cusp of the Old World (Stardew Valley/My Time)

Critique

Aristotle once said, “there is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.” Choosing to publish fanfic means choosing to do something, say something and be something, which implies critique should be expected by anyone desiring to publish rather than something they wish to avoid. They place the onus of preventing critique, not on themselves where it belongs. Still, on their readers—they expect the reader to know proper etiquette involves asking a writer if they allow readers to leave negative comments. That isn’t proper etiquette, but the Community Etiquette section of the rules clearly states, “Respect the reviewers. Not all reviews will strictly praise the work,” meaning readers don’t have to ask permission to give feedback the writer may not like.

And this isn’t the only site to clarify that readers don’t have to ask permission to give writers feedback they don’t like. No, feedback the writer doesn’t like isn’t a flame. Flames aren’t reviews that point out issues in writing, nor are they reviews that the writer isn’t old enough to have an account and should wait a bit before posting. Critique isn’t a flame. Flames are—they’re reviews which tell the writer never to write again, that they shouldn’t ship the way they ship. Even if some of the reviews include critique, the parts which tell a writer never to write again or not ship what they’re shipping are still a flame. Some will argue flaming is something that happens quite often, but from my experience, actual flaming occurs rarely.

“But Yemi,” someone might say, “What about the writer getting their feelings hurt? Surely you don’t understand what it feels like to be critiqued.”

Except, as a dyslexic writer, I do know what it’s like to be critiqued, nor can I sympathize with someone who wants to avoid the negative feeling that comes from having a flaw in their stories pointed out to them because of what you’re asking for is to have only positive comments left in a space where the reader should have the freedom to say what they want to say about your story, minus of course actual flames. It doesn’t matter if it’s subjective or objective. They’re allowed to say what they want in the reviews/comments. And, there are sites out there that will enable you to turn reviews/comments off. It is, as I said, the onus of the writer to avoid the critique, not the job of everyone else.

As for the way I critique, I critique the way I do for a reason. I once sugar-coated my reviews as some suggested I do, only for writers to voice their feelings as if I were talking down to them. I used to leave suggestions on how to fix things as some have suggested I do, only for writers to voice they felt I was trying to tell them how to write their story rather than believing they were either smart enough to figure it out on their own, or intelligent enough to ask for help if they wanted it. I’ve had the sandwich method suggested, even though many essays indicate this doesn’t work. The idea behind these suggestions is that I would receive less negative feedback on my negative feedback if I made these changes, yet I received more negative feedback when I did do these things.

Of course, someone every so often quotes, “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” The first problem is the saying doesn’t mean what they think it does, in that it doesn’t mean, “if you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say anything at all,” but instead it means “if you don’t have anything polite to say, don’t say anything at all.” Of course, some will argue that telling someone the truth is impolite when in writing it’s not. The phrase is also about people, not writing. Do you know what’s funny, though? Most of the time someone quotes me this, I have said something nice to them. Sure, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as when blatant plagiarism is going on or something else.

Historically, fanfic has not been treated seriously, but an excellent way to continue is to reject critique because doing so proves that fanfic shouldn’t be taken seriously. Sure, I get not calling out really old grammar issues in a really old story that will likely never be edited for said grammar issues unless said issue has an actual effect on readability. Still, we should take it seriously, like it once was back when fanfic was being written in fanzines where only a tiny handful of people would ever see it compared to how things are now that we can post it online.

Taking it seriously doesn’t mean expecting perfection, but I’d argue a young writer who’s written their first Mary Sue is just as serious of a writer as someone who’s taken the time to craft a well-written AU. This brings me to a strange irony, in that I’ve seen writers who claim I take fanfic writing to turn around and argue their writing seriously isn’t as atrocious as “those Mary Sue writers,” which in turn results in me quickly losing respect for that person, as often a young writer first Mary Sue isn’t as bad as these individuals make it out to be, and some write stories far worse. But then, if they’re also of the mistaken opinion that by writing only canon characters, they can avoid the Mary Sue issue altogether.

Misconceptions

Speaking of misconceptions, there are certain ones I’ve seen crop up I’d like to address.

First, there is a misconception regarding what plagiarism is, in that I’ve seen plenty of writers think plagiarism means “word for word” copying of a work. Yet, if this were the case, a written work couldn’t get in trouble for plagiarizing a visual piece and vice-a-versa. Many don’t realize plagiarism includes—and this is a quote I found on plagiarism dot org a long time ago—“copying so many words or ideas from the source material that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you credit or not.” However, I suggest reading their reading an article posted in August of 2021 called, “Why is it still plagiarism when I paraphrase and use my own words?”.

Of course, that essay is about paraphrasing in academic writing, so I’ll clarify that the only paraphrasing a fanfic writer should ever do to fall under what is known as fair use is brief paraphrasing to summarize events that you’ve based your story on or quoting one or two lines of dialog which are essential to conveying something within your writing, such as a character remembering something said to them. RTB (Reading the Books) and WTS (Watching the Series), or reactionary fics as some call them that quote the material are not in fair use like the majority of fanfic is, but I’d like to add it is possible to write such a story without quotes. An accurate parody also won’t directly quote the original work, nor will it paraphrase action for action what is going on in the movie.

Second, there is a long-standing misconception that admitting to fair use is an admittance of copyright infringement regarding fair use. The logic is that any use of the work without the writer’s permission is copyright infringement. Yet, as the courts have clarified, fair use is the legal exception to the writer’s permission when it comes to copyright, and thus if something is in fair use, it is not copyright infringement. Most fanfic is considered in fair use, but not all—fanfic which plagiarizes- are in fair use.

Third, fanfic—we’re talking fictional fandom, not real people fandom, which isn’t allowed here—is defined as derivative work not created by the original creator. Yes, there is such a thing as professionally published fanfic where the writer either received permission to write in a tie-in novel or the work is now in the public domain. Yet, in the same regard, if something isn’t derivative, the result isn’t fanfic.

For example, having a bunch of OC running around a magical school doesn’t mean it’s a Harry Potter fanfic. It could just as easily be a Worst Witch fanfic or a Little Witch Academia fanfic, to name a few stories where magical schools exist. Simply calling the magical school Hogwarts doesn’t make it Hogwarts; the things that make it Hogwarts are needed, but the same applies to characters. Similarly, a witch with brown hair could be Hermione, Mildred, or Akko. In the same regard, two stories having a magical school and/or two stories having a witch with brown hair doesn’t equate to plagiarism.

Forth, an AU or Alternate Universe story isn’t a story where anything the writer wants to happen goes. The genre originated within the science fiction genre. Still, this genre from the 1800s—no, I didn’t define the genre—was based on a scientific theory that the number of possible alternate universes is infinite. Still, it’s important to note that possible alternate universes don’t include impossible ones. I’m bringing this up because I enjoy writing AU, but I take the time to craft my AU out, so they are possible, and I like reading the ones others create. Yet, in contrast to the hard work other AU writers and I put into their stories, there are writers out there that think slapping the AU label onto their story means “free from criticism,” which is a slap in the face of the hard work other AU writers put into their stories while also being an attempt to redefine the genre.

Fifth, a Mary Sue (female characters) or a Gary Stu (male characters) is a character the universe bends unbelievably for. While definitions (ones from those who know what they’re talking about) will vary, the fact a Mary Sue is a character for whom the universe bends unbelievably doesn’t change. We should stop vilifying this type of character. By this, I don’t mean they should be free from critique. Arguing that the term is an attack against female characters and female writers argues that female characters and female writers shouldn’t be critiqued. I mean, writers shouldn’t be shamed for writing one, particularly young writers for whom the Mary Sue is an integral part of their journey to becoming a better writer. (In fact, I’d argue these are some of my favorite Mary Sues.) It goes back to the difference between a flame and a critique, in that a flame will shame a writer for writing a Mary Sue, while the critique will point out why the character is a Mary Sue.

The funny thing is, I don’t have to call the character out for being a Mary Sue for the writer to get mad at me for calling out their character for being one, so this idea that getting rid of the term will somehow solve the problem—particularly when what is meant by getting rid of the term is to remove all criticism of female characters and female writers, which is where the real ire comes from—that a valid complaint regarding the character and the writing has been brought up, but getting rid of the term wouldn’t stop people from claiming criticism of female characters is an attack on females. Nor would it stop people from claiming a character who is strong because they bend the universe is the same as a character who is strong without doing so.

Sixth, the only difference between an OC (original character) and a canon character is who created the character. That’s it. Working with only canon characters doesn’t mean you’ve not gone into Mary Sue or Gary Stu territory, nor does the second person POV being from a canon character make your story an “exception” to the rule banning second person POV. In this same regard, a writer doesn’t need only to use OCs in their story to be considered in fair use.

Excuses That Don't Cut It

Your bio says everything I need to know ~ So, I have edited since someone tried this excuse, but that was because I’d not updated for a few years now and wanted to streamline. Specifically, someone claimed they might give my stories a chance if only my profile didn’t contain information they considered useless simply because said information was useless to them without regard to whether others would find those things on my profile useful—this section about excuses that don’t cut it started because I repeatedly heard particular excuses. Still, writers were less likely to use them when I was open regarding why the issues didn’t work. I also mentor young writers, so my section with writing tips is a valuable resource to refer back to quickly. However, what bothered me was how this reader admitted to overlooking a writer simply because they have a long profile.

I don’t care—*rant!* ~ When someone tells me, “I don’t care,” sometimes with a thank you anyways included, I not only believe them, I’m okay with this. However, when someone claims “I don’t care” only to go into a rant, the truth is they care.

I don’t have the time ~ Yes, actually, you do, but more importantly, it is a choice whether you take the time to do something or not. Things like running your story through a grammar check to catch spelling errors only take a few minutes. On top of this, every time a writer posts a rushed story through, it bumps a writer who didn’t rush their story off the front page, which means they have less chance of getting noticed.

It’s just for fun ~ I’ve never posted anything I wrote just for fun, nor do I understand why someone would post something they wrote just for fun, which brings me to what is meant by this excuse, that receiving negative feedback ruins the fun of receiving only positive feedback. This is after the writer chose to post their story, but there is an expectation that an exception should be made regarding how the review system is used. How is it right to demand an exception be made for them regarding how a site is used? It’s not.

I went to preparatory/private school, not public/I don’t make straight A’s in my English class ~ I originally had these excuses separate from each other, but I’ve since combined them. I don’t see these excuses much, the first only once and the latter only a few times. What floors me is that someone, mainly when said excuse was made, thought attending preparatory/private school meant they were getting a worse education than someone in public school. As for not getting straight A’s, that’s not the same as getting a failing grade, but as a dyslexic writer, I want to note that you don’t have to get straight A’s to be a good writer. Some writers who make straight A’s in English are bad writers.

I like that style, so I use it all the time ~ Originally, this was “I like MSN chatspeak, so I use it all the time,” but this honestly applies to any style the writer uses as an excuse not to improve. Thankfully, I don’t see stories written in MSN chatspeak like I used to. Still, I’ve seen writers who nix beginning capitalization or use no punctuation at all, which makes it difficult for someone to read their story.

Not using grammar is a part of my writing style ~ Actually, breaking grammar rules is not considered to be a part of a writing style, though, under certain circumstances, it can be a part of the narrative voice; this is because grammar rules are there so people can read your story with ease. While not banned on other sites, some styles are prohibited here—no exceptions.

It’s not a grammar issue and a part of my writing style ~ Is it? Let’s start by saying style, voice, and tone doesn’t mean the same thing, but I suggest reading “A Word About Style, Voice, and Tone” by the University of Maryland Global Campus. From there, it’s important to note that while a writer’s preferred style may stay the same from work to work, voice and tone do not. The other important note here is that it’s not a style if it is not internally consistent, but it is not an overall reaching style if someone can point out an inconsistency. The last note is that style can be critiqued, such as a style that uses first-person narrative, noting that the voice doesn’t match the character the POV is written from.

I’m dyslexic (etc.) ~ So am I, but I’ve improved a lot since I first started, but I don’t believe this idea that dyslexic individuals can’t be good writers.

You’ve no right to criticize anyone if you can’t use grammar properly ~ Good job telling someone with dyslexia that they’re not allowed to critique non-grammar-related issues, but aren’t you aiming at the easiest thing to criticize anybody in writing for? It's interesting how I don’t touch upon grammar and spelling unless it affects my ability to read the story and instead focus on plot and characterization issues. My writing’s not perfect—nobody is, but because nobody’s writing is excellent, you’re arguing nobody should ever critique.

I’m a published writer - So is everybody else who published a story on this site, but the fact you make money off your original fiction doesn’t make you a better writer. Getting a publishing deal doesn’t mean you’re a good writer. You’re also arguing fanfic is more minor than original fiction. In reality, the only difference is who wrote the work, not whether money is made off it, as there is such a thing as professionally published fanfic. The real kicker, though? Writers who bring up the fact that they’ve professionally printed writers in defense of critique—having looked at examples of their work when I can—aren’t good writers. Still, these writers love thinking they’re better than “that Mary Sue writes,” yet I’d argue the young Mary Sue writer is better than them.

It’s just fanfic - Which in turn argues original fiction is better than fanfic despite the only real difference being who wrote the work. (I mean, professionally published fanfic exists—you know, the stuff that is officially sanctioned by the copyright holder or for works that are in the public domain.) You’re also arguing for an exception to the rule to be made.

It’s just a hobby - And? The fanfic for you is called “casual leisure” doesn’t mean it’s that way for everybody. Still, you’re wanting someone who does fanfic on the “serious leisure” basis to take your aim at something that—,. I quote Wikipedia (Jan 2022)—“is intrinsically rewarding, short-lived, pleasurable activity requiring little or no preparation” seriously, whereas for the one doing it for “serious leisure,” the hobby is “the systematic pursuit of an amateur, hobbyist, or volunteer that is substantial, rewarding and results in the sense of accomplishment.” More importantly, a hobby can’t be both a “casual leisure” and a “serious leisure.”

My story is famous ~ There’s a phrase out there, “popularity doesn’t equate quality,” but measuring the quality of your work based on popularity isn’t an excellent way to measure, mainly if, like me, you write for very niche fandom, ships, and headcanon. Also, one of the things I’ve seen in forums discussing fanfic is disgruntlement that low-quality work is as famous as it is while higher quality work people have read goes unnoticed, to the point some writers quit. The other thing I’ve noticed when this excuse is used—well, the writer’s story or body of work isn’t as famous as they think it is.

You’re just jealous - This ties into the “my story are popular,” but some take it a bit farther and point to the lack of reviews I have. This is a significant headbanger when I have stories with more reviews than the writer’s ever received, but bringing up the lack of studies is also a headbanger when the lack of thoughts on specific stories are reflective of me writing for rather niche fandom, ships, and headcanon that tend to be overlooked, not to mention whether the story is a one-shot or not.

You’re just full of yourself - Which is usually the counter when I point out that the “my story is popular” and “you’re just jealous” excuses don’t work, which makes this excuse somewhat ironic. Often this is a counter when nothing else can be thought of. It’s also always done without any proof, though…

You’re just being rude - … is often used as proof of the above, but this always comes down to “because I said so.” Well, sort of. Often the “because I said so” is the person trying to impose their ideas of proper etiquette on others, such as claiming reviews are for only leaving positive feedback and that readers must ask to reject any form of negative feedback—that the reader is rude for doing so if they don’t get permission from the writer. That’s just one example I’ve come across.

Your review is unsolicited - Unsolicited should not be confused for “not wanted.” It means (Oxford Dictionary) “not asked for, given or done voluntarily.” The argument then follows that the writer didn’t ask for the negative feedback, yet—well, they decided to post their story to a site that allows reviews, which in turn means they’re asking for reviews. To argue that they didn’t ask for negative feedback circles back to dictating to readers what kind of reviews they can leave after the writer asked for thoughts. Because reviews were asked for, the review is not unsolicited. It isn’t the type of review the writer wanted that doesn’t suddenly make it not asked for.

I never wanted reviews ~ *sigh* Then why did you post your story on a site which allows for reviews when there are sites where you can opt-out of receiving reviews and comments. Arguing you want to read their story doesn’t fly when there are again sites where you can opt-out. Doing so, though, doesn’t mean readers can’t comment on your story elsewhere, though. The same thing goes for the I’m just archiving my stories excuse in that you’re archiving your account publically.

I was drunk ~ Good for you. You decided to write while intoxicated, followed by the decision to post your story for everyone to see, but now you don’t want any repercussions for doing so.

This is my story, so I can do whatever I want ~ So? You can do whatever you want with your story doesn’t mean your account is free from receiving criticism. Stephanie Meyers’s Twilight series didn’t get a pass on criticism simply because she could do whatever she wanted.

AU means “author’s version” - No, it suggests an alternative universe. Thankfully, I’ve still only seen one or two people say this, but they’re effectively arguing it’s okay to lash out at people who call their work out for not being perfect, their story breaks site rules, or they’re not old enough to have an account. More importantly, don’t blame others for feeling and take responsibility for yourself.

This is my version, so I can do whatever I want - Again, this doesn’t mean your story isn’t free from receiving criticism. Still, now you have the other complaint of attempting to write a “better version” than the original writer. Which, yes—there are series like Twilight where the writers are going to be writing a “better version,” but when I see this excuse—well, those who write Twilight fix it because they loved the series don’t refer to their versions as a “better version,” of which the latter does come across in the tone of the writing.

My work has nothing to do with you - Why? Am I not a part of the fandom as the writer is? Isn’t what you wrote is a response to fandom? What the writer is trying to do is try to limit their target audience to “like-minded” people, and they get to decide who gets to be invested in what they write. That’s not, though, how it works.

Not all AUs are based on canon material. You do realize you’re arguing that an alternative universe to the canon material doesn’t have to be found on the canon material. If it’s not based on the canon material, how can it be an alternative universe to that canon material? I think the writer is trying to avoid writing original fiction using the copyright names of characters and places rather than writing fanfic.

I warned the characters would be OoC - There is a difference between warning the readers that a character is acting out of nature in a way that will be explained later on and not bothering to keep the characters in character. Still, if the writer didn’t worry about keeping the surface in character or used lousy logic for making them out of nature, the characters being OoC is fair game when it comes to criticism.

I am/was a young writer - If you’re ready to use the site, you’re prepared for critique, but if you’re not prepared to critique, hold off on posting until you are prepared. Don’t expect an exception to be made for you or wish to dictate how people review your stories. (Yeah, flames are different.)

Critiquing young writers makes them quit - Does it? Given the number of young writers I’ve critiqued that have stuck with it, I find this hard to believe. I also don’t appreciate ignoring the real reason some young writers quit, such as being bullied at school to the point they struggle with taking critique, which is meant to help them. More importantly, we shouldn’t teach kids unhealthy ways of dealing with criticism, let alone their emotions.

The story is old - Which means the writer is asking for an exception to be made and yet again dictating how people are allowed to review the report.

I asked to be told what was wrong via PM - The review system doesn’t exist for “strictly praising” the work, but you want special treatment. Which…

The negative reviews make me look bad - … is often the case. These writers are worried about reviews making them look bad, yet some writers and readers see stories that should have received some form of negative feedback never get it, while other stories which are better written go unnoticed. Some writers want feedback, but this has dropped because of this so-called rule that you’ve got to ask the writer permission to leave negative feedback.

An exception should be made for me because… - I wonder why the writer thinks they’re more important than the other writers on this site.

Feelings might get hurt - It is impossible to go through life without getting one's feelings hurt. I suggest reading “Emotional Acceptance: Why Feeling Bad is Good” by Noam Shpacer Ph.D., and “Fighting Our Negative Emotions Does More Harm Than Good” by Anna Meyer. There are plenty of other articles on that, but – I’m just not going to play that game. We come back to, “to avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.”

Those Mary Sue stories are worse than min, so you’ve no right to criticize my account. - This is last because—well, it’s a great way to piss me off. Still, I will reply by telling you that I’ve read Mary Sue’s stories which are better than what you’ve written, along with how I don’t appreciate piling on others to explain why an exception should be made for you.

Writing Tips

- Learn the difference between a critique and a flame and how to pick out what you can use to grow as a writer. Sometimes the critique is helpful for the story being critiqued, but other times it is useful for future stories. Being critiqued doesn’t mean you have to fix the story critiqued unless you want to, or the critique involves site rules.
- Don’t be afraid of rewriting. I’m not saying you have to rewrite a story, but if you want to rewrite said story to make it better, do so and don’t let your readers tell you not to. It’s your choice as a writer, but I say this, having rewritten some of my own stories.
- Spend time writing what you write and don’t rush; in fact, readers have no right to demand what your update schedule is beyond asking you not to rush your writing. Consider that a rushed story will bump a story that a writer didn’t rush off the front page.
- Be honest. If you’re publishing your stories online, you’re not “writing just for fun.”
- Read, write, practice—which is advice I’ve seen from some of my favorite writers.
Be careful about biting off more than you can chew. (So says the person who has done just that.) It’s okay to start small and straightforward in your writing.
- Don’t change the characters or canon material unless there is a logical reason. Which, it should be noted here that making a character OoC (out of character) doesn’t mean the character is acting differently from the way they would in canon, but that the way the character is acting can not in some manner be logically explained.
Let the characters take the story where it will go instead of forcing the story to go where you want it to go. Yes, I’ve dealt with wanting my plot to go one way while the characters take it another. Said stories were better for it.
- Be respectful. Character bashing and ship bashing (not to be confused with wump and writing a character/ship as they are in canon) are a sign the writer lacks maturity, but this lack of maturity is reflected in the tone of the writing. The same goes for how the writer represents minority groups within their report, but no, giving a character a hard time or even having them act in character for how they are in the canon isn’t character bashing.
- Don’t be afraid of writing a Mary Sue. It’s part of the learning experience, but you’re more likely to create one if you actively avoid doing so. Don’t be ashamed of your Mary Sue either, but love her to pieces instead.
Be careful about self-inserting. There’s nothing wrong with it as writers self-insert all the time, but when you self-insert, remember there are things you don’t want to reveal to people. And yes, writing does tell stuff about yourself.