ACTIVE / COMPLETED STORIES:

Green and Gold (Harry Potter & InuYasha) - Chapter 16 is up! Working on chapter 17: 0 percent done.

archiveofourown.org/works/1821292 - For any explicit scenes mentioned in my A/N's, check out the NSFW version at Archive of Our Own.
/works/15199139 - A NSFW collection of standalone stories based on G&G.
/works/3235529 - There's an Art Masterpost if you're curious to check out the sporadically-updated, illustrated visual narrative!
/phoenixtakaramono/green-and-gold - A song playlist I use as inspiration for the story.
/post/156495484465/a-playlist-representing-the-relative-atmospheric - The list of inspirational songs.
- A platform for atmospheric clues and hints for each installment being written. Feel free to send any Asks!

Tales of Natsukashii (Harry Potter & InuYasha) - Chapter 2 is up! Working on chapter 3: 50 percent done.

/works/15199139 - The full MA version of the collection based on G&G.

Finders Keepers (Tales from the Borderlands) - Chapter 5 is up. Working on chapter 6: 10 percent done.

/works/5249987 - Can only be read exclusively on AO3! A Handsome Jack/android!Rhys premise.

/works/13974741 - There's an Art Masterpost if you're curious to check out the sporadically-updated, illustrated visual narrative!

It's not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish (The Umbrella Academy) - Chapter 1 is up. Working on chapter 2: 15 percent done.

/works/18123218 - The full MA Ben/ Klaus twoshot version, written for a friend.

Resurrected Retrograde (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) - Prologue is up. Working on chapter 1: 0 percent done. On hiatus.

/works/7712263 - Can only be read exclusively on AO3! A Dio Brando/reincarnated!Jonathan (Kujo Jotaro) premise.

Trivial Affections (Ouran High School Host Club & Harry Potter) - Chapter 10 is up. Working on chapter 11: 1 percent done. On hiatus.

Golden Abyss (Black Cat) - Chapter 4 is up! Working on chapter 5: 1 percent done. On hiatus.

Ad Infinitum (Aquarion EVOL) - Chapter 2 is up. Working on chapter 3: 1 percent done. On hiatus.

Moonlight Sonata (Death Note) - Completed.

FANART FOR MY STORIES! :)

For Moonlight Sonata:

Moonlight Sonata- by the lovely SoushiKaito: /#/d5a7nqz

(It's really quite a beautiful take of Light playing the violin, and I'm honored that she was inspired by an oneshot from my earlier writings. The linework is crisp, and I like the blending of colors and the contrasting BG!)

For Green and Gold:

Sesshomaru & Harry- by the exquisite Naoru (Suisou): /post/137611950088/and-again-the-something-completely-different-in

(The little story behind this illustration and the amount of effort she put into it left me marveling throughout her entire progress as it blossomed from a WIP pencil sketch to final digital illustration. It's very much indicative of her style she's been developing over the years. Also, a hint for ch14.)

Sesshomaru- by the exquisite Naoru (Suisou): /post/179757253058/finally-finished-this-older-drawing-sesshomaru

(Can you believe this illustration was originally inspired by my trip to Japan and China? She really is an amazing gift. The somber color palette is gorgeous.)

Sesshomaru & Harry- by the lovely kitcat1925: /post/178747157367/fan-art-for-green-and-gold-by-phoenixtakaramono

(The little details of our couple, like the gloves and the manifestation of their magical binding, make the illustration. I'd never thought I'd see the day that G&G's Head Auror Harry Potter was drawn in anime form, but this has impressed me. With how our protagonists are juxtaposed against each other, it's visually impactful.)

Sesshomaru & Harry- by the lovely kitcat1925: /post/184241217297/more-fan-art-for-the-fan-fiction-green-and-gold

(A dynamic illustration of Harry's and Sesshomaru's duel in ch10! It's captured the magic of the fight scene!)

For Finders Keepers:

Handsome Jack & Rhys- by the exquisite Naoru (Suisou): /post/139963108898/wip-i-wip-ii-wip-iii-wip-iv-this-was-an

(Again, it was a series of WIPs I was privy to. It was interesting how she experimented with colors and how she was trying to tell a story with the use of knickknacks and composition. It's quite haunting!)

Prologue- by the exquisite Naoru (Suisou): /image/152114065483

(She'd illustrated the scene where Handsome Jack is examining android!Rhys in the office! It was a great experiment of what could be done with a different color palette. It's hauntingly lovely.)

Arm over the Shoulder- by the exquisite Naoru (Suisou): /post/160336619798/i-had-a-bit-more-time-so-i-was-faster-finish-than

(This is really powerful. It also has a bright, pleasing aesthetic and color palette, with Jack strolling forward while we gaze into android!Rhys' piercing gaze.)

Commission- by the talented c0njidraws: /post/174872225647/a-commission-piece-for-phoenixtakaramono-based

(I'd sent her the chapter outline while ch5 was still a WIP, with the occasional sneak peeks, and essentially requested, “whatever inspires you, have at it!” I love how dynamic the illustration turned out with their poses and the gorgeous color palette!)

Note to people: Welcome to my profile! Look around, look around! You're certainly welcome to browse through my ramblings. If you wish to PM me about anything other than questions for any of my stories, I'd appreciate if you'd please scroll through my PERSONAL OPINION CORNER section first below before contacting me. Thank you!

Now then, to those that believe strongly against same sex relationships, I would like to warn you most of my story content has relation to such. I like taking up the pairing challenge. If it goes against your beliefs...I respect you and let's please be rational, sensible human beings who part peacefully. If homosexual romances are not your cup of tea and you don't want to give my stories a cursory look, you could simply click the back button and read other marvelous fiction!

WRITER'S BIO:

Age: 24

Occupation: Interior designer and realtor (with a general contractor B license a WIP)

Degree: Environmental Design (creating spatial experiences based on the psychology of user interaction and narratives...in short, everything from architecture to interior design, from residential to commercial to exhibition. I specialize in residential design.)

Writing Style: Overwhelmingly detailed and hopefully a lot of thought put into a project! When I'm passionate about something, my enthusiasm cannot be contained! I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to writing, but I will bend the rules from time to time if I feel the need to do so. Suggestions are generally welcomed so long as they're reasonable. I'd like to try anything at least once so long as it fits the context. Mm, I update slowly, because if I haven't run out of inspiration or time, I usually let an idea hibernate in my head for a while to understand what has been well-received/understood, what has flown over people's heads, or where people think I'm taking the plot. I'm fond of taking branching scenarios and, based on reader feedback, then deciding where to go with them. I also like to touch on cultural aspects in my stories and having characters interpret a scenario/dialogue from various perspectives. So, multiple POV shifts are to be expected. I basically like writing content that gets readers speculating on what's going to happen next. I take particular pleasure in one's growth and life's lessons. I also like challenging preconceived notions every now and then. It doesn't mean I consistently break all the rules, but I definitely do question some of them, especially those that don't make much sense or have become so mundane it's become trite.

Update Schedule: Usually 2-4 months, to max years. Depends on the priority, and if I've got the inspiration.

Preferred Reading Content: Long, well-thought out plots and character development, with a bit of originality. I adore detective fiction and crime novellas. Literature with historical content, action, suspense, believable romances, relateable characters and/or extraordinary villains are also great pluses for me. Sci-fi on the other hand...well, Star Trek fanfiction has grown on me. Futuristic, technological terminology can overwhelm me. The same applies for the fantasy genre. Guilty pleasures include silliness such as PWP, nonfiction classics, humor, purple prose, satirical pieces, supernatural and/or trashy romances.

Personality: I'm generally a mild-mannered, open-minded designer who likes listening to feedback, and trying to understand where they're coming from before voicing my penultimate reply. Similarly, I can be intense and eccentric, so I try to balance between being both reserved and friendly to maintain tactfulness and respect. Most of the time I'm like that annoying woman who smiles a lot or laughs in awkward and/or stressful situations and blathers on a lot. However, I don't tolerate nonsense. I love hearing from people and trying to understand where they're coming from before any penultimate reply. Courtesy is exceptionally significant to me, so my patience can be tested when those lines are crossed. Reasonable amounts of maturity, flexibility, and honesty draw me like honey. For lovely people, I try to be enthusiastically warm and welcoming in our interactions. I like surrounding myself with people of great attitudes and great drives; people who are focused but can crack a joke.

PERSONAL ADDRESS TO FLAMERS:

This is the most I'll say: regardless of whether you log in or post anonymously, you're still racketing up the number of reviews I have, thereby making the story you're flaming even more popular. You're certainly entitled to the right of your freedom of speech and/or the right to be a git. I understand that you are being true to yourself and not following the crowd. It's admirable that you're willfully expressing your singularity. But while I feel flattered that my story elicited a passionate response in you, instead of feeling hurt, chances are I am more embarrassed that you've wasted your efforts on me. Don't be juvenile. Ask yourself what your goal is. If you want a story to fail, you have better luck pretending it doesn't exist and that reading it is beneath you. Don't contribute to the hype if your goal isn't to give it more free publicity. A "bad" review is not going to deter people from reading the story or the author from continuing it. Very little reviews will. If you're roasting the person solely to be an outlier to a popular story, know that it may be seen as a joke if the tone of your vernacular is ludicrous or dramatically different from everyone else's opinions. If you're flaming because of your beliefs, you have very little effect trying to force it on others.

If you pretend to be different anonymous reviewers just to bolster the validity of your argument, don't. It's irritating and only makes yourself seem pathetic. Writers can tell. Even other readers can. You're not fooling anyone. You don't realize how obvious it is to us. Don't even attempt it. There's a subset of writers who can be fueled by spite, and I unfortunately fall into that category. Meaning, for whatever complaint you're trying to deceive me on, chances are I will just do the opposite of what you want. If your goal is to stir the pot and cause trouble, I thank you for increasing the story's popularity, but just be aware that you'll be ignored.

Flames won't make me change or delete my stories or my account or the scene or any character decisions that bothered you. Nor will I give you attention in my stories or Author Notes. I will not address your existence in any of my chapters. I see no purpose in giving you attention. We're above pettiness or schoolyard bullying. There is no point trying to upset me. There is no point of me upsetting you. And there is no need of us interacting if we cannot extend each other the same courtesy and civility. I'm certain you're a smart individual with better things to do than trying to get my attention. Any interaction you'll get from me is very rare, dear. I know when to pick my battles.

GENERAL ADDRESS TO FLAMERS

However, if you intend to target other writers, in the words of the late kydasam, "it takes courage and character to place something so intensely personal as the stories I've read out on public display."

Please try to exercise restraint and common decency, lest you contribute to their lack of self-confidence. Please think about the person behind the screen that you're trying to belittle or demotivate. Not everyone has a thick skin or a hardy sense of humor. Or even the ability to accept criticisms without taking it as some form of a personal attack. It's one thing to be cynical or wanting to give someone a reality check. It's another to be needlessly cruel. If you are feeling frustrated or jaded by a trend you keep seeing, don't take it out on others. Words have consequences. You are not giving them humility by trying to shred their egos. You are not converting them or having a trolling fun time, than you are cyberbullying them. It's easy to hurt people. There are some people of more extreme and/or sensitive souls that I'm frightened to see their self-esteems be torn into pieces. It's not a joke to them. Many writers I see on this site are of a young demographic whose writing skills, psyche and self-confidence are still developing. And whether it's an exaggeration or not, there is an alarming amount claiming depression and online victimization. In all honesty, life's too short to waste it by dwelling on provocation and negativity. Both of you have a life to live and things to do than to be stuck in this cycle.

You and the author are strangers. Neither of you know each other's personalities or triggers or personal histories. You don't even know each other's age and living environment, their culture and upbringing. Keep in mind that the person you're attacking may not always share the same mental fortitude. They didn't go through your life experiences. They don't know what you don't like. They may not have the same education you did. They may have dyslexia or some condition that's affecting how they write, but they try their best anyway.

They might be living in tough living conditions or going through a lot currently, and writing is their only escapism. They may write simply for the reason that it makes them feel confident and helps them destress from their hectic lives. They may be writing to minimize their anxiety in social conventions. They may look to positive reviews as a way of bolstering their mood. They might be trying to attract like-minded, friendly reception. They might already be aware of where they stand on the writing-skills spectrum, yet they are struggling to improve. They might already be overly judgmental of their creations but are challenging themselves to try things outside their comfort zone. They may be writing personalities they wish they were instead in real life, or incidents they wished happened or have happened. They may be writing about their idols.

When it is their own personal fantasies they're writing about, there is little point of censoring them when it does not affect you or the world as a whole. Yes, your eyes may burn and you wish to wreak vengeance for the amount of time you'd wasted on them, but taking someone down a peg is only a momentary thrill. Don't bring vulnerable people down. Your words have an impact.

Even "shitty authors" with "shitty stories" can mature as a writer with the proper encouragements and constructive criticisms. It takes time for skills to mature and be polished. It's our responsibility to nurture their talent, not to stop them from writing completely or to make them feel like worthless human beings. We should support young or amateur writers whose level of writing aren't as good as those you're expected to, but are still brave enough to post what they made for public eye.

HOW TO WRITE A CRITIQUE AND HAVE THE WRITER TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY:

First of all, what is constructive criticism? "It is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one. The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome." Then it is up to the recipient to agree or to disagree, and to ultimately decide what to do with it.

Second of all, "if you give a critique that results in the writer feeling like they never want to write again, it is you who has failed as a [critic], because you've extinguished someone's desire to create. As a [critic] your job is not to 'make this piece of writing better,' but to understand what the writer wants to achieve and help them achieve it." If you complain that their writing sucks, that is not constructive criticism. That is only an opinion. Consider following up with useful tips, techniques, examples, and/or suggestions to help better their craft and help achieve what you think the writer needs to improve on.

Third of all, I realize the issue is because self-proclaimed critics don't know how to write constructive criticisms. The effectiveness of a concrit is tied to one's experience/ skill in customer service and in their EQ.

Ask yourself if you've ever written a critical review which was ignored or met with a prickly lip or met with the ever-so-common "don't read it if you don't like it." Answer: it mostly has to do with the way you've constructed your crit, and how it'd come across to the stranger. Ideally the authors you'd want to nitpick are the ones that can take it, or are mature enough to detect the difference between a crit and an actual "flame." Unfortunately, not everyone has a thick-skin or have come to understand that crits are not a personal attack. Not every writer welcomes crits on their stories. Which brings me to my next point: this is the only time I'll address this issue and recommend advice on how to craft constructive criticisms:

1. Read the whole story first. Then read the Author Notes. Comb through them. Skim if you must, until you are sure you are able to back up your statements. Whatever problem you may be having in their initial few chapters may have been already resolved at a later point in the story. If you're critiquing their plot and characterizations, be careful. There is a fine line between analyzing written pieces and jumping to hasty conclusions. Make sure you did not misunderstand their content. There's nothing more embarrassing than submitting a crit and getting a reply back from the author asking if you'd even read the story. If they can disprove your statements, any further advice from you is going to be looked at with a pinch of salt. Don't insist that you're right and they're wrong. You're the one spending your valuable time writing a review. You don't want it to be wasted by having it be ignored or doubted simply for the fact they think that you didn't attempt to give their story a chance and had instead rushed to judgement. Unfounded crits that go against their plot/ headcanon are the biggest reasons why they won't listen to your advice. If they feel like you won't even listen to them, they obviously aren't going to waste their time on you. And if, for some reason, you and the author get into a lengthy debate about the fanfiction and it turns out to have been a misunderstanding on your part...well, besides being a gigantic waste of both of your times, both parties are left with a lasting impression of each other that could have been easily avoided.

2. Fact-check the lore. Review canonical facts, especially if you're trying to use the original source material to back up your claims. Make sure the evidence you're presenting the author is valid and doesn't in any way contradict your claims. It's kind of...embarrassing if you inform the author with something that isn't true. The nicer writers will tell you that you've gotten it wrong. The meaner ones will laugh at you. You want them to think you are an expert, so they have more trust in your advice. But don't shove your knowledge in their faces. Don't be that insufferable know-it-all. Chances are they'd get confrontational and defensive if you show off your superiority by pointing fingers with a holier-than-thou attitude. We get it. You're a die-hard fan. Relax. The author is also a fan of the franchise. Be a teacher that you've always liked. Be a good senpai/ upperclassman, imparting your wisdom and sharing observations to the class. Your objective is to back up your claims eloquently. But make sure the author hasn't stated that they are making it AU (reinterpreting the fandom as an "alternate universe") or OOC ("out of character"). This includes warnings such as "not strictly canon" and "canon divergence." They're already warning you not to expect things kept to the nose because of their creative liberties.

3. Avoid belittling or critiquing an author's writing style as much as you conceivably can. This is a battle you do not want to get into. I do not mean grammar, spelling, punctuation, pronunciation, and keeping characters seemingly canon. No, I do not mean their technical technique. I mean an author's voice, their soul, the distinct way they write that separates them from the rest. It is unfair to hold the author's writing style to the standards of the original franchise. Their story is not an official extension of the original author's craft. No matter how much one tries to emulate or reference the original source material, they. Are. Not. The. Original. Creator. They are not them. You are not them. Fanfiction, by definition, is a fan's interpretation of a source material in written form. Taste is subjective. Their style of writing may appeal to another niche market. There is a reason why your crit might be met with instant dismissal or even scorn if you point out their style of writing is not the same as the original creator's or even someone else's. Respect their individuality. On their side, authors instinctively think, "Goodness, if you disprove of my writing style so much, why don't you simply read someone else's or write your own fanfic instead? Sounds a lot simpler than wasting your time yelling at me." There is a difference between writing a constructive crit, and writing an unnecessarily harsh review solely for the purpose of getting the author to write in the style you wish to read all of your stories in. You have to learn how to balance the tone of your words, and not accidentally come off as entitled or worse: coming off as delusional. Be mature about it. Don't box them and have them conform to your own personal wishes that go against the point of writing their own fanfiction.

4. Think about whether it's worth the time to write and post it. Your time and the author's are valuable. Reflect on whether or not you are prepared for their response, negative or cordial, or a lack of one. It is not guaranteed the author is going to implement what you're stating. Also, I would look at previous reviews to see how the author and their fanbase responds to both the positive and the critical reviews. I've seen authors that are open to any feedback, and the authors that are only looking for positive reviews. Meaning, for the latter, they may take it out of context because of hurt feelings when in fact you were writing your genuinely helpful opinion. And sometimes their fans may jump on the bandwagon―with or without prompting―to unfairly bash your comment. Generally there are people that are going to be curious about what you wrote, to see if it really lives up to the hype you're claiming. The mistake or scene that personally bothered you so much may not necessarily be such a bother to them. So think about whether or not it's a concern that must be aired. If you want the author to improve, it's splendid that you are trying to help their story out, whether it be plotholes or characterizations (warning, be careful when you're criticizing their character decisions...it borders on being personal). If you want their story to flunk, you'd do best to just ignore it. Once a story receives a lot of attention, people are going to read it. Bad publicity is still free publicity. It's not just praise.

5. Read through your review before submitting it. Make certain your underlying message is stated clearly. Your mission is to get them to go through the trouble of editing what has already been written. You have to make them think it is worth the effort. You want to look like you know what you're saying. You'd want to appear earnest and sincere. It's generally easier for the author to understand which paragraph or scene bothered you if you reference it in your review, and then suggested how it could be improved with an example and an explanation of why you think they should consider editing it. Think of yourself as a lawyer, presenting your case and evidence to a jury. Be convincing. Explain why yours would be better. You want to win them over, getting the verdict you want. In this case, taking your words into consideration. And like a lawyer, you want to sound like you're learned, that you know what you're talking about over the other lawyer who is claiming otherwise. Also, while typos are understandable, doesn't it make you peeved when you've typed this eloquent response, and after you post it you notice your darn auto-correct had incorrectly changed some of the words for you? Yep, the struggle is real. Seriously though, this incident can be reduced with a second read-through. Although if the author's language is not your strong suit, I wouldn't suggest critiquing their language skills, grammar, spelling, and so forth unless you get someone to help you write your frustrations eloquently. Otherwise they might not take it seriously and you'll end up wasting your time.

6. Please construct your criticism courteously and articulately, as if you're writing to a stranger who is unfamiliar to your personality. You don't need to be refined, polished, or graceful to win their favor. But writing is one of the hardest mediums to convey feelings, so even though you feel like you've gotten the gist of the author's personality, it's still considerably hard to transmute your emotions via written words than by mouth. Authors cannot easily tell your unique brand of wit and humor through your comment. They don't know you, so instead of coming off as lighthearted or matter-of-fact or sarcastic, your words may be taken as a "flame" or an insult or an attempt at trolling. I promise you, if your review sounds relatively articulate and sincere, it's going to catch the author's and other readers' attentions. In a good or bad way, it depends on your syntax and the author's receptiveness. Note that the power of your criticism wanes dramatically when you personally insult an author or their craft. The credibility of your advice also drops a little if your crit is ridden with typos and punctuation mistakes. Now, whether or not it still is taken into consideration depends if it's still valid. But people generally respond well to well-tailored suggestions instead of hostile accusations or crits that seem...slightly sketchy. Your passion and frustration are noted, but you do not need to punctuate it with aggression to get your "final word in." It makes you feel good, but not so much for the recipient of your shameless disrespect of another human being. Obviously they aren't going to listen if you somehow came across as harsh and a bully.

7. Interject what you've enjoyed with what you didn't enjoy as much. Giving compliments is not merely to stroke the author's ego. It is a psychological technique that works for any crit, provided that the recipient is mature or open-minded enough. It'll show that you've made a concentrated effort to try to enjoy their creation, and depending on their maturity the creator should be more receptive to hearing your opinion no matter how scathing it gets. (Note that if the author seems like the sort that doesn't take well to negative feedback yet you still desperately desire to say your piece for whatever reason, you may need to lay the charm on thick. To the point that it feels disgustingly saccharine. When you write about the more negative bit, talk about how it made you feel. Why was it so offensive? You want to garner their sympathy and condolences than their automatic, defensive ire.) You'll want to gift them with a peace of mind and good cheer so that they react to your crit with reason than with emotion. So even if you think they're terrible at something and it feels like pulling teeth trying to come up with something nice to say, don't just jump straight into your condemnation and leave with it. You don't want them to take your advice as an insult or a delusional claim, no matter how affronted you feel. Again, your goal is to try to get them to improve and edit what is considered terrible to you. Either suggest how they might improve constructively or just read a less aggravating story instead. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Meaning, you win people to your side more easily by gentle persuasion and flattery than by hostile confrontation. If you want something, do you get better results through rudeness or through politeness (even if it's faked)?

8. You might want to get rid of insults or anything that can be seen as an insult. It's good to be open and forthright. But there is such a thing as going overboard. Leaving a "bad review" will not necessarily warn or put other people off of reading the fanfiction. You are contributing to the hype and helping the author's story via free publicity. Think of it as a product. There are many products out there on the shelves that suit your tastes and needs better, and both you–the consumer–and the author–the designer–know this. If it isn't worth your time (money), you move onto something better. Let's say you may want to write a user review online. Human factors and statistics dictate those who write a review about the product are biased in the fact that they are the people who feel strongly about it and is fact missing the opinions of a vast amount of people in between. If a user feedback seems particularly belligerent or flattering, as human beings we are inclined to see what the rage is about and form our own opinions. So: if you think you see a tiring trend or if their style of writing or characterization frustrates you, you aren't getting anywhere by verbally attacking someone. Calm down. It is just a story. A fan's inspired story that you are reading for free and that they've written in their spare time. It is not going to influence informed readers into thinking that it's true or canon. It is not going to be published as an extension to the original lore. It did not go through an intensive, professional editing process. It is not written as a transgression against what you love. Don't make this into a crusade to stop people from utilizing certain tropes or cliches or characterizations that you personally are tired of. They are writing for a market that is obviously not for you.

9. Don't start or end your constructive criticism dramatically! In other words, don't leave it or begin with an expression of incredulity or a dramatic declaration like an offended prima donna. You want the author to take you seriously, and not have them scratch their heads or roll their eyes at your comment. If there's any doubt, phrase it into a question like: "those are what I'd noticed, but I'm uncertain if they were intentional?" A questioning tone should give you a lifeline and spare you from their initial hostile reaction or from facing the brunt of their ire if it turns out they were doing it on purpose. Launching headfirst into an offended and frustrated tirade makes you seem childish and temperamental, and that is NOT what you want your image to be portrayed as.

10. Don't try to deceive and pester the writer! There are many forms of deception I'm referring to, but once you critique by pretending to be different persons, all your validity is thrown out the window. If you still feel tempted to follow through because you think you can manipulate the writer via fake mob mentality, please understand that it is because you realize deep down inside that your critique is weak/ unfounded/ singular and because of that you feel like you must take extra steps to try to justify it. Stop. You will only embarrass yourself. Think about it. Readers intrinsically have their own egos; they have unique writing styles, quirks, and likes and dislikes. So how likely is it that different readers can actually agree with other anonymous strangers on this one unique pet peeve, and basically write to the author with a similar syntax or structures of critique? How likely is it for readers to cite another reader to claim "I agree with so-and-so about such-and-such?" The timing, phrase repetition, etc. allow us to spot fabrication and fake reviewer accounts. Use common sense. Don't scheme. You are not the cool mastermind that you think you are. Your goal of writing a crit is to be taken seriously.

AS A PERSONAL NOTE: You are entirely welcome to give me constructive criticism! As you see, I'm open to suggestions and have edited my content based on a few that I've agreed with! I acknowledge my mistakes. But while I generally don't take critiques as a personal attack, I can get irritated by a lack of tact or if I can sniff out discrepancies from what's being claimed. I have to reiterate: I am not fond of superficiality, and generally in written word I can spot a hint of pretense. Note that I am a designer. Criticisms–receiving them and giving them–are a part of my daily schedule. I understand they are to promote the level of my work and make it better than it is. I've also learnt to pick and choose which ones to listen to and which ones to disregard. It doesn't bother me if not everyone likes what I present since everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I can't satisfy everyone's needs, so I focus on the demographic that matters, lest my project become muddled and far from its original vision. But out of respect to those that had logged in and had written eloquently, you may get a civil if not a bit irritated reply back. Because, really? I'd rather my audience to be a respectful and courteous crowd where we can share our insights and opinions freely without dropping insults or taking immature potshots at each other like children. See what I did there? Hasty conclusions are not so much hurtful as it is "smh."

LONG STORY SHORT: The fanfiction you're reading is offered for free, so there is very little motivation for the author to edit their content than if they were paid. Authors are not obliged to listen or to stop writing something per se, if it goes against their plot or if they're disinclined to put in the effort. In other words, don't be sad if your criticism seemingly contributed very little to their writing. Be happy that your words were hopefully taken seriously! If you've made a valid point, your sincerity will influence them as they write future installments or stories like sticky gum. But it doesn't work as well if you make your words seem like a personal attack. Remember, you want your time to have been well spent and not be disregarded! Much luck and happy writing!

PERSONAL OPINION CORNER:

NEGATIVES: I'm not discouraging writers, as there are markets for everything I have issues with listed below, but these are the top reasons that I personally can be taken out of a story or get irritated by. I generally avoid reading anything that has these. And yes, I may generalize to prove a point.

Begging or Holding a Story Hostage for Reviews: To summarize, if you don't (at least pretend to) show confidence in your story, how can you expect us, your audience (strangers), to have confidence in your writing? Begging for sympathy or attention, I’ve noticed, mostly occurs among beginning or younger writers, based on the assumption that it is alright solely because they’ve seen others doing so as well. Begging for mercy is…more pitiful than aggravating; I think it’s demeaning to you and to me. To be honest, it makes the writer seem desperate. Readers need to be hooked. It is a human inclination to form initial first impressions of anything. The instant I see that the author is wasting space by telling me it is their first story, that their story is better than their summary, that they suck at summaries so they’re not even going to try writing one, or that I should simply click to find out more…I’ve already formed the opinion that the story’s most likely not going to be for me. Even if you’re stumped at coming up with compelling summaries, at least try to write something that warns your readers what they’re getting themselves into, or at least succinctly describe your concept so that we can see if it’s for us. Throw in a question. You can even write how you think your story is different from everyone else’s. Give yourself a little credit. You are not making your fanfiction seem cooler or more mysterious by withholding a summary. You are merely wasting the reader’s time and losing a fair amount of interest you could’ve gotten had you advertised your story. You are your own PR agent. There are thousands of other stories out there, so why would you think we’d give yours a chance if we don’t know what we’re reading? Reel us in. If you don't exude confidence/ potential, it demonstrates the writer's inexperience and unreliability. When you beg us to “R&R” or write that you won’t be updating until you get a specific number of votes or reviews…chances are you’ll piss off your fan-base than getting them to rush to meet your quota. You’d have to be extraordinarily confident and decently skilled at writing in order to successfully pull this off. I say this because when I see this happen, the stories that demand this usually fall very short of achieving their goal. Most of all, it comes off as obnoxious and like a spoiled child demanding attention.

Certain Clichés/ Tropes: Nothing is original anymore. Therefore we can only take our spin on what is contrived and hopefully make it our own. But sometimes I see lazy or unimaginative recycled writing both in the real world and fanfiction, that I cannot suspend my disbelief any longer. Almost every writer falls into these clichéd traps. It personally annoys me when, in modern timelines, the more "submissive" romantic lead acts in any way inferior to the more "dominant" romantic lead for no other reason than the fact that it is a cute, kitschy Hollywood formula/ trope they do not even bother to make slightly original. It personally annoys me to see any infinitives/verbs related to this person who "sighed" or "blushed" or "whined" or "pouted" or "smirked" for the umpteenth time in what is considered a serious, non-satirical piece. It annoys me when strong characters advertised to be so become two-dimensional cardboard cutouts who do nothing but whine and depend on others without given the ability to act on their own free will irrelevantly to the plot. It annoys me when the protagonists' common sense is lacking or unfortunately have the IQ of a rock when s/he doesn't need to be that way. I have a lot of other pet peeves but, to wrap up, when I read stories that have one or more of what is listed, most of the time the back arrow cannot be clicked fast enough. These stories are the ones I typically do not like to read personally and therefore I typically will not review.

Exercising Etiquette: Be polite and well-mannered, please, if you desire an intelligent, mature reply back. Language is a powerful tool. Also, please consider reading my full response before replying back just in case I'd already answered your question. Common sense and decency still exist in the world, so it escapes me why some individuals do not comprehend or choose to turn them off when intending to interact civilly with someone. It's already bad enough that I see this happening in some reviews for well-to-do fics. As much as I'm aware of the festering pits of the Internet and the psychology of why people act this way, I am forced to put this out as a public service: if you PM or review authors with a request or questions, please be courteous. We are strangers. Don't behave like a self-entitled princess/prince. Don't demand something and expect us to follow through with it if we haven't agreed. I cannot believe I have to write this out for some people. Honestly I try to keep my irritation in check and patiently, politely reply back to any incessantly rude PMs in hopes that they either change their tune or that the conversation could be done with soon. But it comes to the point when they bypass my attempts to end our conversations with an air of finality that I become irritated. We are not under contractual obligation to provide a stranger with more help or to listen to your demand when we feel personally offended by the individual behind it. As a fair warning, some authors aren't as indulgent as I am. Note that we are voluntarily give you attention despite the workloads we have in our own personal busy lifestyle which I'm sure reflects your own. Out of the kindness of our hearts, we put effort into our responses. No one would feel inclined to do more for you when they feel like their previous efforts were rebuffed, ignored, and/or unappreciated.

Melodramatic Angst: Have there been the rare good stories that, despite having pointlessly melodramatic angst, that I've enjoyed? Yes, begrudgingly so. But I find little appeal reading about a hurt protagonist (female or male) who has been beaten, raped, insulted, kicked when they are down, manipulated, betrayed by loved ones, bullied, targeted by everyone, lusted after, stalked, AND so forth. Please note the conjunction. It is of my opinion that having the protagonist go through all the nine circles of hell like a checklist for the sake of evoking reader sympathy is such a needlessly cruel and clichéd tool for authors to constantly rely on, especially if the victim does not come out stronger from it. It also irks me when I read a part of the story where the protagonist is being diagnosed and all of a sudden they are announced to have broken bones, cracked ribs, signs of malnutrition, a history of abuse, a concussion, blood clots, bruises and so forth. Yes, I agree with your healer/ doctor/ nurse/ mediwitch that it is miraculous they are even alive. And how disbelieving they are no one has noticed it. The obvious has been stated. Edit out what's unnecessary; "trim the fat."

Original Characters (OC): It's a double-edged sword. We are reading your story for sake of a certain cast of characters in a certain fandom or fandoms, so when the protagonist shares equal screen-time with an OC I don't care about, I am immediately taken out of the story. I can trudge through it if your story is worth being exposed to the horror that is your Mary-Sue or Gary-Sue character, but I can only swallow so much. I can usually tell they are not going to be great OCs if the story provides me an actual bio of their character, detailing how they'd look and behave, then finding discrepancies from their appearance to the way they are written to act or speak. If they are irrelevant to the plot's progression―literally being a waste of dialogue and unnecessary focus―if I am still interested in the story I skip their scenes as best as I can. Also, I have to close my eyes in irritation when the OC has a foreign name that does not suit the story environment or atmosphere. Give me a reasonable backstory, please. Otherwise I doubt a Gary or Mary would be born in Japan if their parents are Asian (often they will have an Asian name and an English name). I doubt a Yuuki or Kaori would be born in the US if their ancestry weren't of Asian origin or inspired by oriental influence. Give a reasonable backstory of how your OC knows the language or characters. Culturally-speaking, if a foreigner is in a different country for a first time, it's more realistic if they are regarded with curious suspicion than with idealized, widespread acceptance and adoration unless you are able to work it into the plot. If they're in a different time, there will be inconsistencies in understanding each other's slang and terminologies. Also, there are more personalities than a pretty boy/woman who shouts a lot or acts comedically in the presence of a romantic lead in a non-humor fic, smacks an annoying male character upside the head and can beat the tar out of someone without consequences like in an anime, is that cheeky guy/girl who the main character is irritated by but still keeps around for some reason, or behaves the way they are because of an angsty, melodramatic past that I really couldn't care about. Not everyone is going to like him/her. Not everyone is going to bully him/her. Develop them as a character, who learns to stand up for themselves, discovers themselves or the meaning of something, or learns to express emotion or form connections. Anything! I just...argh.

Out of Character (OOC) and Bashings: Bashings are only amusing the first few handful of times before they become cartoonishly evil and I just want the character to die in order for the story to focus on something else. I tolerate many creative liberties with a canonical personality, but it is a strike against the author when the character's written in an extreme way that reminds me that they don't act like that in the original material in a non-OOC fic. I like reading a smarter, more powerful character. I like their leap in maturity. I understand the deaging. I agree with your attempt to humanize the character or make them somehow relateable. I could grow to like a unique spin on a character. But when they become as irritatingly weak as a kitten (becoming dramatically dependent) or stereotypically nasty (to the point that I conjure up an image of a villain twirling his handlebar mustache and cackling), I literally have to face-palm.

Romance Clichés: ...I love romances. Truly, I do. But it personally annoys me when it's sex-on-first-sight in non-PWP labeled fics and/or the leads somehow magically fall in love with no reason other than "holy-BBQ-they're-hot! Must have sex with them!" Rushing is only well-managed by a few authors. A shallow attraction, like Disney's the Little Mermaid where Ariel falls in love with Prince Eric and silently endured all these hardships solely because he was handsome, is generally not a good basis for a relationship or a story. I'd like to personally see the author develop the relationship more meaningfully in a chaptered storyline if they're going the realistic, long route. I'd love it even more if there was a credible reason why so-and-so are attracted to each other. I need a reason, even if it's something as quick as s/he resembles someone they know, it's a Soulmate!AU premise, they're the character's type, etc. Also, I understand dubcon and rape is fetishized on the Internet but…I am thrown for a loop when suddenly they are written to resort to this drastic extreme. It’s probably because the topic of "what is consent" is such a serious issue in reality that sometimes I find these fanfics a bit on the distasteful side if they don’t have a satisfying conclusion and it’s just…merely…there. Give the victims closure. Give me a reason other than that you needed to somehow make your MC’s life all the more painful so that you can justify her/him running away to find comfort in another man’s or woman’s arms. I know it’s sexy to a lot of people since it’s just a fantasy, but I can’t muster myself to get behind it despite knowing that. There’s this…innocence and naivete that accompanies this sort of writing which stand out to me. Truth of the matter is, it can be done; writing this is a tasteful way (even in the A/B/O verse, although rare). I’ve seen it and I follow these writers, because they’re exploring something with so much self-awareness and sometimes with social commentary. But I noticed it’s not quite…common and fandoms are instead filled with PWPs that make this hot character have sex with our mentally-incapacitated MC. Out of decency, I have to hold myself back from ruining people’s fun despite there being a part of me that wants to give a reality-check.

Shortening Someone's Name/Cutesy Petnames/Nicknames: Unless it is justified by the plot or character, I have a bone to pick with endearments that essentially replace the characters' names. The original author slaved away picking the perfect names for their creations, so I find it offensive if I don't somehow honor that in my stories unless it is canonically fitting that nicknames spring up due to a situation or a certain character. For example, Nymphadora Tonks is just referred to as "Tonks" due to her canonical distaste for her mother's naming ability, and this is a perfectly good reason that I can live with. Butchering "Draco," a perfectly beautiful name, into the cutesy "Drake" or "Dray" isn't. I simply have a hard time swallowing that characters such as Severus Snape will accept being called "Sev," Sherlock Holmes as "Sher" or "Sherly," Kagome Higurashi as "Onna" or "Gome," Sesshomaru being called "Sessh" or "Sessho" or "Sho" or "Maru," Sirius Black as "Siri," or Inuyasha being called "Yash" or "Yasha." I understand they're supposed to be affectionate endearments to show the depth of a relationship, yet it is incredibly off-putting and demeaning to the character. I make an effort to bypass it in my reading material if an "icky" petname is used sparingly, but a red flag goes off in my head when it essentially becomes the character's go-to address.

Unnecessary Feminization of a Male Character: I, too, have fallen into this pitfall in my early days of writing so I understand why this portrayal is so popular when writing the protagonist. My problem with this currently is that, in slash fiction, these characters can become caricatures instead of a well-developed character, thereby breaking my immersion into the world they're trying to bring me into. There's a lot of hidden skill that goes into this archetype, to make it seem effortless and meaningful. To be brutally honest, this characterization is what distinguishes an amateur writer from an experienced writer, for a decent portrayal of this archetype often relies on the development of characterization, plot, and a writer's skill in order to suspend our disbelief. Originality is the key.

It’s fine when authors are trying to write a unique personality. These people do exist. Not every guy has to be masculine to fit the gender stereotype. But it’s another thing when this feminine characterization becomes a stereotype of homosexual men. It’s not to say that there aren’t guys who don’t fit the mold, and are more “feminine” than what we traditionally expect. I also identify with female authors who cannot help making one or more of their male characters effeminate, because inherently it’s hard to disassociate ourselves from it. There’s also the fact that this particular portrayal is so well-known and within our comfort zone. Kinks are fun. Sometimes writers don't want to write a thought-piece and acknowledge that they're only writing it for fun and as self-care where homophobia doesn't exist in society. I also understand the characters we are writing are ultimately wish-fulfillment characters. But when I read a story where a male character has become “emasculated” and could in fact be a wishy washy, attractive, blushing crybaby with mood-swings, I start losing interest. Characters who are idealized as androgynous beauties are also rarely written well. Without a strong plot foundation to lean on, this teenaged-fetishized personality and physical appearance flummoxes me. To be fair, I am willing to give it a try and continue on…but I need to be eased into either of these characterizations in a non-PWP story, especially if they’re writing the shy damsel-in-distress nymph that has the strength and willpower of a limp stick until the romantic lead gets them mewling in bed. -sighs- Yes, they may spread their legs for whoever they want. But give me a reason why they’re suddenly crossdressing or looking exactly like a woman. (It can be as simple as your character subconsciously identifying that as attractive and empowering.) Please don’t just fetishize it and treat it like thee apex of beauty to strive toward in order to attract a mate. Why is he so willing to be on the “bottom”/ submissive/ the “uke” if it’s his first time? How did he develop a crush on this person if he never once was gay? If it’s his first time wearing feminine garments and makeup, give me his thoughts on it other than “he looks feminine with blushing cheeks, clear perfect dewy skin, lush and pouty petal pink lips, long hair with streaks of color, and soulfully big eyes.” What has made him or her choose this lifestyle? How has his upbringing affected him?

I need literary justification. I personally have an aversion to shallow fetishization and stories that do not show a lot of thought; while others enjoy them, these are the stories I will typically back out of. I find this sort of characterization to be rarely well-conceptualized. It's become such a staple of fanfiction, that it's become stale to me.

The main gripe I have with it is that it’s rarely established for reasons of plot and characterization. It also makes me think the character is weak and pitiful if they aren’t written to learn. Is he really going to automatically seem attractive or convincingly girly the instant he puts on a feminine garment? Is he going to be like, "yes, give me that kimono, give me those kohl-lined eyes, and give me that girly haircut just to look beautiful?" Is he really going to blush or cry all the time? Drag queens take hours just to look convincingly feminine or like their female drag personas; and they have more gumption than whom I’m reading about. Develop the characterization, so that it’s not perceived as unnecessary feminization. Make it count. Not every guy is going to extremely hate or fall in love with this character, once he becomes a girl or like one. “Flaming gay” individuals out-of-the-closet and proud of their sexuality do not always follow the stereotype; nor do they always want to look or act like a carbon-copy of a girl. Please observe real life femme personalities. "Weak" characters have their strengths. Girls have their strengths. Homosexuals have their strengths. Effeminate characters have their strengths. Sure, you can make him as effeminate and girly as you want―go for it; it’s your fantasy―but unless it is relevant to plot/ character development, realize that in a homosexual relationship, you do not necessarily need a "dominant" and a "submissive." You can play with those dynamics. A smaller man does not necessarily mean he has to be "the female" of the relationship, etc. All in all, pursue it if feminization is important to your story but please don't think you have to limit yourself to popular tropes.

POSITIVES: These are mostly the ones that have taken me by surprise, and in a good way.

Constructive Criticisms: Only when they're designed as suggestions of improvement, and not demotivating insults for tearing down a person. Sure, it may initially put a dart in our pride but good authors who care about their craft and reading fan-base are happy to own up to their mistakes by editing their content. But personally while I may give my opinion, the author is not obligated to agree. It makes me happy when authors inform me that they'll be willing to consider it, should they happen to concur. If not, it's their story so I am at peace with their disagreement.

Genderbending: There are many reasons why a character is genderbent. One, the author may have issues writing about same sex relationships. Two, he or she has a plot that requires the character to experience events in the perspective of the opposite sex. Three, they're fulfilling a fantasy of theirs or it is fanservice. Or four, it is a shameless self-insert or Mary-sue/Gary-Sue or OC that is under the pretense of being a fandom character in order to get people interested and racket up story popularity. There are cons with each underlying reason, but sometimes something good can come from them.

Male Pregnancies (Mpreg): ...Personally I don't go out of my way to read Mpreg stories, but there are some well-written ones who celebrate the phenomenon and pay it the respect it deserves. When it's just used for mindless angst-fuel, coupled with unneeded male feminization, I get annoyed. When authors realistically portray it and give it sound reasoning, I am impressed.

OCs: I only feel annoyed with OCs and self-inserts when there is lack of character development or if they don't fit the plot/ setting. With prolonged exposure though, I've grown to accept original characters who are not the main focus. Some authors have also made these OCs important plot devices, but fortunately they are well-written enough that I do not get the impression they are disgustingly perfect or underdeveloped. I'm of the opinion when an author includes OCs, it's difficult for them to maintain focus. So when a story does not veer towards ruin, I can admire the author's skill at making an original character have a decent personality or making us readers root for their demise by our protagonist's hands. I've come across good authors who can give their OCs appearances and personalities that are both attractive and flawed, and write them in a way that suits the environment or plot.

Purple-Prose: Over the years, I have come to tolerate flowery descriptions and poetic rhetoric should the characters and plot hold my interest. It's because of my bemused tolerance and several authors' influence that I have grown fond of purple-prose, should the content be well-written and developed. I mean, I could always skip the hammy bits and instead focus on what's really driving the story. Physical descriptions are the least important to me as a reader personally.

Reinventing Tropes or Premises: I like it when writers turn what is conventional and done to death into something unconventional and inspired. There are thousands of stories out there that have quite a few that unfortunately follow the same formulaic equation that they become predictable at some point. With the amount I read, it comes to a point that I start noticing a trend in the fandom(s), and I grow bored. Thus when someone also notices that and provides us with new content that is both well-written and tongue-in-cheek witty and self-aware, I am very fond of the author and their story. I especially adore when the writers develop their own headcanon at some point in the story that they are able to refuse some reader suggestions and don't need to poll their audience every single step of the way on what to do next. It shows that they're confident in the direction they're leading us, and that's usually a good sign.

Well-Written Stories/ Summaries: Badly-written ones make me cringe and the ones with the most potential, I cannot help but feel sorry for the authors when it is so shoddily written. First impressions are everything. Typically readers like stories that are coherent and don't make us labor through it just to understand a sentence. It's just, however an author's plot may be clichéd, when their story or summary is well-written and grammatically-correct and has the correct punctuation and has correct spelling most of the time, I'm more inclined to give that story a chance. I'm also more forgiving of their mistakes. I identify with authors having typos obviously not intended to show up, based on the syntax of their content. It's something about a well-written story that gives me the illusion that I'm reading a professionally-published book.