To me writing is everything. If I am not physically typing something out than I am most likely thinking of, doing something, or reading to help my writing. Sometimes I do more than one at a time. Case in point: fanfiction. I see fanfiction as a way to work on my writing skills while actually writing.

This is not my first account on FF.N. I have had my old account for seven years and while I cannot bear to delete my previous work I can’t bear to actually link it to my new account. This is intended to be a fresh start and not some way to compare the old to the new. I know the old work sucked; there is no need for me to hear it from others.

I have spent a LOT of time reading fanfiction and have developed a set of standards and rules that dictate what I read (and by extension write). They are:

Minimum length for each chapter— Five hundred words is not a chapter, at least not outside of the ficlet/vinaigrette genera. If a chapter is that short than it probably means that the writer did not take the time to properly describe things and it’s almost all dialogue. If I had wanted that than I would have watched TV. Personally, I won’t post something with less than two thousand words. Prologue, preludes and epilogues, however, are an exception. They’re not really chapters; they just set the mood if you will.

Betas— every story should be betaed, or at the very least thoroughly reviewed for grammar and spelling. There is a world of difference between someone missing a mistake or two and them “cmply skrewing IT upz!” See what I mean? This includes writing in text talk. Even if you intended for it to be seen on the mobile version of the web, it’s not cute.

Canon—I’m more of a stickler for this than most. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for AU, but if you change something at least explain why and “because I wanted it that way” doesn’t actually count. If Lilly suddenly realizes that James is a jerk and decides to hook up with Snape tell us why. What prank did he pull that completely crossed the line and what made Snape forget about his death eater friends? And keep it in character please!!

Mary/Gary sues and Self Inserts—I’m hesitant to talk about this one because this is the most conditional of all my pet peeves. Mary sues can be my favorite characters if they are done right. Take Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket. She is the definition of a Mary Sue, and yet who could not lover her? It’s the same with self inserts. If it’s written well it can turn out really well, but then no one knows it’s a self-insert. And those “a girl from earth suddenly finds herself…” aren’t cutting it. Ever.

Changing the “identity” of a fandom— what I am talking about is taking away what defines a fandom, like all human stories in the Twilight fandom or the no such thing as Jedi or Sith stories in star wars. It completely defeats the purpose.

Cussing—if you’re going to cuss, than cuss. If not don’t. Don’t asterisk the da*n thing out or make up cutesy qusi-cuss words like “oh shitake mushrooms. He he.” The only exception is if the world you are writing in has their own cuss words, like in Star Wars or the characters are kids, because kids like to work around the rules so they make up words to use in place of the ones they are not allowed.

Lemons—if it’s smut just for the sake of smut keep it to a one shot and don’t infest your story with it. Also don’t write it just if all the experience you have is the stuff you have read on FF.N. It never turns out well that way.

Characterization—if it’s a serious story and not a crack fic, than keep everything in character. People change, I get that, but it’s a process not an overnight thing and usually there are hints in the cannon on which direction the character is going. Nowhere in the Star Wars universe has there been any indication that Anakin wanted to leave Padmé for Obi-Wan, on the other hand the Harry Potter books were rife with hints about why Snape was the way he was.

This is especially true when it comes to parings. Don’t try to put two characters who have no chemistry or history together just because you think it’s “hawt.” Life doesn’t work that way so why should fiction. And yes I am talking mainly about slash purely for the sake of slash. If they aren't gay in cannon or even hinted at being gay don't put them together. Two hot guys that are best friends aren't going to fuck just because you think it would be fun to see. Put yourself in the character's position: if someone tried to hook you and your same sex best friend (or opposed sex if you are gay) up just become they think it would be 'cute' it probably wouldn't go over too well.

Mid Fic AN’s and Muse Skits—don’t just don’t. If there is something you need your audience to know put it in the beginning or end. Better yet incorporate it into the story if you can, just don’t interrupt me while I’m reading your wonderful story with you commentary about how much fun it would be to do what the character is doing or how you just couldn’t figure out how to describe something right.

Muse Skits are a waist of space and reader’s patients. If it has nothing to do with the story don’t put it in there. We don’t need to know about what happens when you muse named fluffy Vader has Starbucks. WE. DO. NOT. CARE. Deal with it.

Exceptions--like all good rules these can be broken if they are done well. A good number of the best fics break some of these rules and that's okay. But they do it well. Mostly this was just a little bit of a rant against the twelve year olds that infest the site. I know guys--It's okay I was one of you. These are just the lessons I have learned along the way.

Links:

SwanThief playlist I was telling you about... http:///faux-pax/stardust

My tumbler: http:///

Sacrifices

Some people have mentioned that there was a lot of name dropping in the first chapter of Sacrifces and asked for some sort of index of characters. Knowing that this list is probabally going to grow, I decided to make one. The information presented here is only derived from the published chapters and will change along with what I revieal about the characters. Don't worry, you won't be expected to memorise them. As they become revelent, they will each receve their own proper introduction.

Not OC's

Ben Skywalker—son of Luke and Mara; about four years old

Anakin “Ani” Solo—Youngest son of Han and Leia. About 21.

Galen Marek--a master that Canaan holds in great esteem.

Ahsoka Tano-- Anakin Skywalker's padawan. She's in her mid-teens when order 66 is issued.

Rex— Captain of Anakin's battalion of clone troopers. A clone himself.

Marta Gav-- Caz's now ex-girlfriend.

OC's

Lev—One of Padme and Anakin's other children. He shamelessly organized the betting pool when Canaan announced he had a surprise.

Lor—One of Padme and Anakin's other children. Triplet to Luke and Leia. Anakin once found a box of contraceptives in her room while she was still a teenager which lead to a rather amusing incident that is still joked about.

Lucky Skywalker--Caz's master.

Canaan—has a unique force gift. About 27.

Kali—Canaan's pregnant wife.

Nari--??

Castor "Caz" -- has a diffrent force gift then Canaan. Is on the outs with some of his family for a unclear reasion.