If you can see a progression in my work, that's good. I have been writing fanfiction for almost four years, and I don't think that time was wasted. People rag on fanfiction because it's not fanfiction writers' own plots and stories. But I see fanfiction as a tool--a stepping stone for writers learning to use their newfound skill, who aren't ready yet to plunge into the world of original plotlines and characters. And besides that, it's fun! Stories often have such unsatisfying endings, or simply don't go on long enough. Fanfiction is a way for a story to live on.

If you're looking at my stories it's probably because you searched for me, or for a specific story. A Life Half Lived was my farewell to the fanfiction world. As that story came to an end every bit of Tolkien (the only fanfiction I've ever attempted) flowed out of my veins. I look back on my years as one of the fanfiction community with pleasure, and I will never forget the joy of hearing others' opinions on my stories. I may go on to be a writer, and I may not...in either case, I will always remember that my foundation in writing began with the love and comraderie of fanfiction.net.