Cuzosu

So it is. I...can't wrap my mind around that kind of laziness. I understand working with what the creator has revealed, but going purely fan fiction to avoid having to make up back story on a character? The mere thought is giving me a migraine. True. The ones I deal with tend to have their own methods, that's for sure.

"Natural" responses are a boon I am forever thankful for. Hm...I hadn't considered it from that angle before. My own reasons are to explore the depths of whatever character(s) I am writing. Emotionally more than physically. I think each character has a different rapport with his/hers/its respective creator/manipulator. Most of the ones I deal with either try to bribe me, persuade me to join them in ganging up on another unfortunate character, or (as my group from The Were King's Heir do) playfully pounce on me to give me significant looks and/or snarl at me. Could be, could be....

Yup. Nothing like growing up around people who make you think, "I should have said that!" after the fact to make your mind quick on the retort. Of course, it does make for better dialogue. Better back story, however, takes yet more practice. Or a family/personal tendency for pouncing on stories. I've read some back stories on characters that I found...lacking. I'll be kind and leave it at that. Ah, see, I knew we got along for a reason! (Or more than one. )

Practice. My family is full of wits and snarky A-holes and suchlike, so witty repartee is a must. Even my mother manages it sometimes. Indeed.... You're welcome, of course!

*bows* Tongue in cheek. I write some really dry and/or snide bits off the top of my head sometimes. This makes me no less glad that you enjoyed it, though. Yes, it's a bit much when a writer misjudges the situation and throws snark in where there ought to be sorrow or some other such emotion. And anyone who can't tell the difference between sarcasm and whining needs a lesson in writing. Author's circle, anyone? Great minds think alike. Touche.

Yes. I fully agree. And sarcasm and snark are wonderful in almost any circumstances. "I'm too young to die in jail!" "I'm too old to listen to whiners." "But we're stuck here!" "No...but if you don't stop whining, I'll leave you here. It takes two to tango, but only one to run." "Jeez, Char. B, that's a bit harsh, don't you think?" "Doubtful. Char. C's twittering has me looking around for birds." "And the rest of us?" "Let's get the flock out of here." Hints and layered meanings are a favorite of mine, too. And, like you, I love works that make people reread to catch all the meanings--both as a writer and as a reader. Exactly. Yes. Words to the wise...or at least, those wise enough to pay heed, hm?

A valid point, Silenia. Timing and phrasing are very important when introducing skills. If the skill is going to be used shortly, the best three options (in my opinion) are: to have another character present who already knows about said skill. This character would, at the appropriate time, presumably say something like, "Hey, you still practice that like you used to?" flashbacks. Show a scene where the character was using the skill and so would think of it and act without prompting. to have the main character (or another character, if you'd rather) see the skill being practiced in secret. This person can then bring it up as needed. Of course, there's always the option of having the person seen/caught using a different skill that can lead to being asked about the skill needed. "So, Char. B. I saw you picking pockets the other day. You, uh...pick locks, too, by any chance?" Or, for that matter, wearing something that could be considered a tell-tale sign. "Char. A, you wear arm guards. Do you use knives or am I lucky enough to be on the run with an archer who can pick our enemies off at a distance?" "Char. C, you've got calluses like a sword master. If I steal a sword, would you fight with it?"

The main thing I try to remember about back story on characters is that, apart from the main characters, I'm probably never going to know their entire past. I don't want to. I have enough details floating around in my head; I don't need that many more to add to my problems. Also, leaving some details unknown allows for "treats" to give to the readers later, kind of like throwing a dog a bone. Besides, mysterious characters are often a lure, too. The style I like most, as a reader and as a writer, is to only explain the history of a given character as it comes up...except in special cases, such as when using foreshadowing, where there's typically a flashback or a dream to hint at what lies ahead. As a writer, I don't like putting all the info on any character's past into only the first few chapters; it's an info dump...and most readers won't remember at least a good portion of the information.

"This floxed me." *glares at typo, smacks self in the head* That's what I get for being unable to decide whether to type "foxed" or "flummoxed"....

I am hungry. It's lunch time.

"Don't Forget to Remember Me" Carrie Underwood

I am...going to take a bath. And then have some fun with my man.

"Who Needs You" Clay Walker

I am hoping I get to catch up on my sleep before getting sent on the road for training. I am also proud: my man and I have our CDLs, which means we'll have job opportunities for the rest of our lives.

"Ain't Killed Me Yet" Eric Church

When I review, I try to leave an honest, in-depth collection of compliments, critique and suggestions on how to improve. Generally, I start out with how I felt about the story as a whole, and if I don't have anything positive to say, I don't review. (That whole, "Not all authors have thick skin" thing.) I tell the author if I liked it, if I felt it had potential, if it intrigued me, if it made me laugh. Next, I note what spelling or grammatical errors I remember seeing, what they should have been and why, AND that it's not a big deal, just something they might want to get a beta for because spell/grammar checks often make mistakes that a human eye can catch. Then I move on to a scene by scene cover of the chapter/story. I comment on how in character people were if the story is fan fiction, and if they're not in character, I share my thoughts on how acceptable the reasoning for that is. I cover the realism of the emotions felt by the characters, because I'm big on psychological cause and effect. Also because I think it helps the reader connect with the story when the emotions are realistic, whether or not people are in character. If there's action, I'll cover how the fight scene seemed to me and how it might be improved (if I think of that; sometimes I miss that one). In telling the author what I liked or disliked in each scene and how it might be improved if needed, I also like to throw in what I thought of the interactions between the characters, the way the thoughts came across, and how much attention to detail there was. Some writers are great at dialogue but suck at background details, such as scenery/surroundings. These are also important details, if mostly noted briefly and in passing, and they help a reader grasp the world the author is writing in. For fan fiction, not so much background detail is necessary, but it's still nice to read. As I'm bringing my review to a close, I usually cover the details that really got to me (good or bad) again, restating why I had the reactions I did and why I felt it was or was not appropriate--and, if not, what suggestions I had to make it more appealing to readers. Then I enthuse a bit more over the story, bringing it to a close on a high note, and end it with my signature phrase and my username, which are as follows: May the words just flow, Cuzosu (I find that "May the words just flow" and similar phrases of writing encouragement often seem to help others get past writer's block, so I try very hard not to leave it out. Encouraging another person to write more is a wonderful way of helping them learn to accept concrit and hopefully getting them to the point of figuring out how to correct some of their own mistakes. It may not always work, but I think it's worth the effort.)

I agree, though I often have a hard time reading the extremely popular pairings, simply because I like to read material that is well written and (hopefully!) well edited, and it seems to me that the more popular a pairing is, the lower the percentage of well-created stories. While I may be (am) mostly a yaoi fan, I do read the occasional het...and once or twice I've found yuri I enjoyed, though I don't go looking for it. *shrug* I'm just not as into other girls as I'm into guys. Not that I go for body alone, but in anime and manga, there IS a trend of overly feminine girls. Even Rukia is more girly than I am, and that...doesn't interest me. I am completely uninterested in fluttery, pretty facades and/or giggly morons, no matter if their hearts are in the right places. Nel appeals to me more than Rukia or Orihime. So does Tia, for that matter. Yoruichi's so much like a cat even in her human form that I can't find it in me to dislike her, though I like Urahara more. (And yes, I believe there are yaoi references in Bleach, whether or not they were meant. Why else is Urahara forever stabbing Ichigo with his sword cane/Zanpakuto? )

"Chicken Fried" ZBB (initialized because I'm braindead and don't want to have to try and spell things right now....)

Aunt Pam's Righteous Indignation; Chick Oggling Tattoos B O D A C I O U S

"Big Love" Tracy Byrd

"Leave the Pieces" The Wreckers CD: Stand Still, Look Pretty

I think my biggest family problem started earlier than this, but...it's a good point. Dear my 10-year-old self, I still don't know how to make Dad listen to things he doesn't want to hear about his wife. (And I'm sorry you'll eventually come to the realization that he's a sexist asshole, because it sure made me feel bad.) So don't bother playing nice; skip school one day after you've turned thirteen and go tell a judge that you want to live with your mom; it will save you no end of BS with...well, her initials are B. S., so you know who I mean.... It will make your dad feel hurt and pissed off, but it seems like most of the things you/I do have that effect. It's not like it makes him more difficult to deal with; he's still the same old angry person to you/me, even though Grandma swears he's gotten better with everyone else. (She'll rave about it, in fact, so don't be shy; tell her you don't want to hear about it when he can't be bothered to show that side of him to his own daughter. She'll feel hurt, but that's as much on your dad as it is on you, make no mistake.) Your step siblings might be good, responsible adults in the end, but if they do it's thanks to your dad, so just stay out of it. The one your age is badmouthing you to your classmates and friends, anyway; she doesn't deserve your time and effort. Keep in touch with your family as best you can. They love you, even if your dad is really dumb about holding grudges against you when he's worked out most of his other anger issues. The twins...aren't a problem you can resolve, much as you will want to. It's up to their dad to boot them out--and the way things are going, he just might. Talk to your grandpa more often. You know, the hermit one. He's one of the few who's always been there for you and who is liked by both sides of your family. He gets cancer at one point; I don't know how much longer he'll be around. You have a lot more in common with your sister than you think you do. I won't scar you by going into the details, but let's just say that some of your tastes have to have had something to do with the way you were raised. The guy you end up with who is willing to compromise, his family can be overbearing and ridiculously demanding. I'm sorry, but try to let him deal with them; you don't want to ruin relationships and drive away his family. Your family is much more accepting, much more willing to like him. (Your grandmother is actually kind of mean to him, believe it or not, because they're both dyslexic. He doesn't usually mind, so let him set the boundaries he wants to draw with your family. Except maybe your dad, but then I'm still rebuilding a relationship with him and you know how he can be....) I know you probably miss Buddy and Grandpa Jamie, but they're still there in spirit. Grandpa Jamie even goes with your grandma to your sister's wedding, and Buddy, you know he's never been one to let his family face danger alone. Try to keep in touch with your closest cousins; seems like either you're moving or they are, and then it's all a mess. When you have problems with the rules set by your dad's wife and your family is involved, let them have at him. Your family will get better results than you will. (It's not your fault, either; your dad's just a sexist idiot asshole. Oh, and the first really big, nearly-break-up fight that your dad has with his wife? It's over you.) Maybe you should stop playing nice with your dad's wife, while I'm thinking of it. I did, and I told him that I would finish any fight she started (and that if I started one, I would come back and apologize later). He tried to tell me that I should, "be the mature one," and I quite nastily rammed it back down his throat. I also later ranted about it to relatives, and I assume some of them managed to beat sense into his head over time, because he hasn't suggested even public dinners with her since. So...stop playing nice. She doesn't deserve it and most of your family wants to beat the snot out of her anyway. Drop by your mom's every now and then, even after you move out. She needs the female contact, living in a house with so many guys. And besides, you know you're probably going to be the child she lives with when she can't live alone. (And, besides that, she likes your intended. She even lets him be the one to take your youngest brother on bathroom trips in public places, which says a lot about her trust. Since your man has no problems with your mom, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll be the one she lives with later in life.) Drop in to see your sister's side of the family, too; they love you as another daughter, and really, aren't they your parents, too, whatever the law and blood connections might or might not say? They don't care about forewarning, either, so just knock. And, whatever else you do, keep writing. Draw, if you have the inspiration--you do wonderful chibis, and that pic of Buddy you'll start is gorgeous, though you haven't finished it yet. But above all, write. Write your original stories; you've got some good ones rattling around in your head, so share them. My 24-year-old self