Once upon a time, not so very long ago, I rather hated fanfiction.

I thought it was lazy, indulgent, and perhaps subtly disrespectful to the original work. I thought it was like going to an new acquaintance's house and rearranging their furniture without asking permission. "You can't have everything you want--not even in fantasy!" I thought. Even though I'd never seen any fanfiction that was not lazy and indulgent, I had my doubts.

Then one day, I discovered Don't Panic!, a Lord of the Rings fanfic, and fell in love with it. And after that, I read the sequel and fell in love with it, too. Not only was the author's love and respect for Tolkien's world evident, but her depiction of the characters made me want to be a better person! If by some miracle you should ever read this, boz4PM, I really am in your debt. Thanks for showing me what fanfiction can be.

And now, funnily enough, I'm trying to write it myself. It's okay, I'll stand still as everybody hurls the rotten fruit. ;)

(Seriously, though, thanks to all who take the time to review!)