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You've mentioned that you write in HP. No offense to anyone and I'm not trying to offended (as I, too, write slash in that section so...) first you need to take into account that those that read in HP tend to be much younger and haven't exactly learned that there is more to 'bottom and top' than what they see and/or read on the internet. I've had them do this to me too (usually more in Supernatural though since i make the one no one sees as such the 'bottom), i come back with the example of oral sex. The one giving is tending to be seen as the bottom. When, in reality, it's not. the person with the organ in their mouth is the top because said organ is also surrounded by teeth. That rather switches it around. Oral sex, giving and receiving, is a rather neutral act, not seen as bottom or top because of many factors. The bottom is the one that controls what is done and pleasurable, or painful, sensations that are caused on the so-called 'top' in the situation. The same goes for many other acts like it. There is no real 'bottom or top' in anything unless you are doing a D/s or BDSM situation of some kind and the line is made very clear who is what. Other than that, they are interchangeable. As for the emotions... again, I mean no offense, but a great many in some fandoms, especially the ones that cater to those that are younger, don't 'get' the emotion thing. Emotion is a hard thing to convey in so many things, be it fanfic or original. In slash, it seems to be harder than in het because so many don't understand one very undeniable 'truth'; males and females react differently to emotional things and show emotion a different way. For example, a 16 year old Harry is not going to run out of a room screaming and crying when confronted with something. Yet I've seen it portrayed that way more than i care to enumerate here. They also don't realize that how beings were portrayed in the books is very different than they were in the movies. Nor do they take into account, using something you said you write, that characters like Sirius were not as well developed as ones like Hernoine or Ron. Sirius was a rather minor character in both the books and movies, with little character development as opposed to other ones that were more of a 'main character'. So how you portray them is your interpretation of what you saw/read. Nor is it right, wrong or indifferent. When there is no real background of development you have to create it to have a good story. Just because yours doesn't agree with what they interpret doesn't make it wrong. OOC, in the case of the more minor characters, is in the eye of the beholder. They just tend to get pissy when you don't do things according to the way they see the world and, for those, stick up your middle finger and tell them to spin on it. All in all, it comes down to one thing... It's your story to do with what you want. If they don't like it, they are free to shut the page and move on. Their reviews, too, can be easily deleted here. Beyond that, consider the mentality, roll your eyes and move on!

Now, I have been given a really hard time on my stories (Not on AFF, you're all nice (so far...lol)! ) I write Harry Potter Slash mainly centering around the Marauders, and mainly focussing on Sirius Black (with any partner)...people seem to have it in their heads that a gay couple have set roles such as 'bottom' and 'top' I like to mix it up and because of this I have had some rather hilariously useless attempts to make me stop writing. I know I am a reletively good writer, hell, I do it all the time whether Fanfic or Original stories. I am a little bored of trolls using the feedback sections to abuse me because my Sirius Black is 'unmanly' because he bottoms...now any ADULT could tell you that in real relationships the partners can switch back and forth if they so wish...so why is it so terrible that I follow this in my fics? What is it about people's obsession with a certain character being stuck in a definate role? It's not realistic, it's boring as hell and it's actually borderline offensive! Some people have some messed up naieve delusions and It confuses me completely...if anyone reading this can clarify why these trolls (and I use this term lightly...as at least real trolls make me laugh and don't bore me stupid!) continue to plague my internet footsteps I would be grateful. Also, is there an issue with having a male character show emotion in fanfiction or something? People have told me my stories are...erm... 'shit' before (lol, original!) and I cannot understand why they seem so offended if a character is showing emotion! People are so weird! Would love to hear other opinoins on this if possible, I hope I'm not the only one who thinks this way! lol.

There always seems to be some breakdown of communication somewhere that leaves authors and readers frustrated with each other. To open those lines of communication I submit this post, one of two, that will help break down what both writers and readers like to see. These are working guidelines, so feel free to add on your own opinions. I'm only going to post a few that I know of and hope that other people can help feel out the form to its fullest. Remember, don't be unreasonable with your suggestions. Ten Commandments o1) Using author's notes is not necessarily a bad thing, but using them excessively is both annoying and hinders reading of the story. o2) Similarly, making author's notes in the middle of the story should almost never be done. If things need to be noted, make a mark indicating a footnote and explain it at the end. o3) While the size of each chapter is completely dependent on the author's own opinion of how the story needs to go, it can be exceedingly frustrating to see a one page update. o4) Do not hold your story hostage for reviews. It's incredibly immature and it is rude to your dedicated readers. o5) Don't assume that just because you've posted a story that you are entitled to reviews. o6) While everyone has different schedules and RL to deal with, not updating your fic (without any word to your readers) is frowned upon--sometimes it cannot be helped but it is best to try and avoid it if at all possible. o7) Authors should always proofread their story before it is posted. Betas are bonus points and can only really help a story and author.* *There is a whole subtopic in the forums that is dedicated to beta reading. If you're looking for one or would like to volunteer, please go check it out.

It will all stay the same - When I refer to incorporating the site, it is purely for the legal protection it will provide. Would I love to make a living off AFF? Of course! Who wouldn't? But is it likely? Not really. The site doesn't generate enough income for that and I don't see it doing so without major shifts in advertising that I would never take

I prefer my characters to switch roles, and none of my characters is exclusively a top or bottom. You're absolutely right in it being both unrealistic and outright boring. I couldn't enjoy just one position for the rest of my life, so why would I write that? And emotional depth is what makes a character memorable. Men feel emotion, although certain societies expect men to pretend that they don't. Granted, I draw the line at the ever-sobbing perennial bottom (if I cried every time I had sex, I'd worry!), but I applaud you for letting your male characters show emotion. As far as the little whiners who want their uke/seme pairings that never vary, I say let them read a good boy-love manga since I'm quite sure they need pretty pictures to get the point of what they're reading anyway.

You're not the only one that feels that way. It makes me wonder if these same readers would be as offended if the "bottom" were to be riding the other partner. In that instance, they're "on top" even though they're the one being penetrated. But, as you say, naivety will keep them from understanding this. As to emotional depth in a character, I for one much prefer it to pointless PWP. However, if you've talking about the bitties on FFN, well... they tend to be children who want to read only porn. Not all of them, but there're a good number that leave the type of reviews you're talking about who are like that. Some may be absolutely horrid at expressing that they feel your depiction is out of character ("shit" is never a good way to say that), but unlikely abominable syntax aside, most probably it's just the PWP readers.