kokiden

Yes, sure. I'm fifty. I've been reading since I was five and became an avid reader somewhere between the ages of eleven and thirteen. I've always been a good speller, and my extensive reading has made me somewhat sensitive to the rhythm of the English language. I was a French literature major in college and took about one third of my classes in English literature, so I had a lot of practice writing essays and reading and analyzing literature. I always wanted to write , and did write as a teen and young adult, but gave up about fifteen years ago. A year ago November, I started writing fan-fiction in the Narutiverse. Since then, I've written over a hundred chapters and stories, though I've hit a writer's block since September. At the same time, I started working as a beta reader and found I enjoyed the work. I've reviewed and edited over a hundred pieces. Some of these were original fiction. Right now, I'm working on an original story for one of my fan-fiction-writing authors and am enjoying it a lot. If you'd like to see a sample of my work, I'd be happy to e-mail something to you. In addition, I'd like to see your story before agreeing to work on it. You can e-mail me at barbjo@gmail.com

I'm glad I saw this thread. I've been wanting a way to reply to kind reviewers as well! I'll try the author notes, but will look forward to future upgrades to the site.

There are no things a character can and cannot do--it's just your preference that they act "within character" as you see it. If an author chooses to push the boundaries of the character, there is probably something they're trying to convey by doing so. It might be fun to try to figure out what that is. I think there's a difference between setting out to entertain and please readers and catering to them. The reader can't order up what they like--they can only read what the author has written and like it or not like it. Of course the feedback that your fiction wasn't liked for a specific reason is very helpful. But I can't respect readers who dislike something just because a character surprised them.

It sounds like she wants to experiment and hang out with this other guy. You sound like a really, really good guy. I think you can find someone better than her. I know it hurts, but you're both still young. Try not to be too crushed if she leaves you. In fact, it might be better if you could find it in yourself to call it quits. I know that's kind of intrusive and probably unwelcome, but... you know, if you told her you wanted to back off, you might find out what her true intentions were. If she even knows.

My thing that raises my hackles is people ragging on me about writing characters "out of character" in fan-fiction. It's my fiction, I'm trying to tell you something, please just LISTEN. I'm a writer (I hope), not a catering service! That said...I wonder if it pisses you off so much, because maybe it makes you feel misunderstood. You'd rather readers said "Gee, TheAdrians really researched this well, and I know TheAdrians is really smart and wouldn't do this without a good reason, let me read on with an open mind!" Anyway...that's kind of how I feel about such things. "I'm trying to talk to you here!" Anyway...I find that the best response to such comments is to be very genial and openhearted about it. Sometimes I joke, but I think that tends to give readers the impression I'm not willing to listen to their criticism, so I'm trying to back off of that. So, to this one, I would say "Actually, sickle-cell anemia occurs in xyz populations at abc rate. If you want more info, check out this link!" Usually, if I treat people with kindness, they eventually return it, and I eventually get the kind of recognition that I like.

HOORAY! I am thrilled that I could help

That's great! Yeah, and that's how it feels too. I always feel that about depression, too. "Who ordered this stupid depression? NOT ME!" Also, the fact that you are imagining it as a literal block might help take the piss out of it. HAH! You're just a stupid block. I could put you out on the street and let cars run over you!

I think you can be fairly creative with the meditation, as there isn't just one way to meditate. Here is a description of one meditation session: Breathe slowly in and out for 10 breaths. Imagine blue air coming in, red air going out, in order to promote calm. If I am feeling ill or troubled, I imagine a gold light surrounding me as I meditate, or a white light for protection. I take an image to focus on for my meditation and keep it in my mind. The image is often of a natural object, like a flower, rock, or tree. I keep an image in my mind as I continue to breathe. Each time stray thoughts enter my mind, I let them drift away. If the image evaporates, I bring it back. When I feel I have achieved that I want, I finish the meditation with 10 breaths; with each breath I may repeat a phrase or sentence that represents an attitude or hope I want to cherish. I open my eyes. Meditation position: I usually meditate in a sitting position, with my hands on my knees. If I want to receive energy, I may place my palms up and imagine energy or light flowing into my palms. I really think you can imagine it in other ways; but I hope these images give you some ideas to go on. I'm really glad you asked the fight question; I hate writing fights, and I need lots of help!

So...how on earth did you do this to me???? LMAO

I'm afraid I almost always listen to Kurt Elling, whether I'm working at work or working on a story. His songs have wormed their way into my long fiction in a couple of places. They're very passionate and spiritual, so they definitely have a way of focussing certain emotions in me that sometimes connect with what's going on in my story. If it weren't Kurt Elling, it would be some other kind of jazz. The only problem with jazz is that it tends to make a strong personal statement which could quite possibly conflict with the spirit of the story. But it's very inspirational, because the best jazz speaks deeply from the artist's heart, just like I wish to be able to do with writing.

I'm new to AFF. I started out posting at LJ, and still do. I recently started posting my fictions at Deviantart.com, because I have friends there who claim to be too lazy or clueless to read it on LJ Gotta love 'em! I started posting here, mostly because my long fic didn't really fit well into the subject matter of my LJ community, and I thought it might find a better audience here.

Would you feel flattered or angry if someone twisted the plots and character's personalities in ways you did or did not want them to? I might feel frustrated, but I can't imagine feeling angry about it. If I'm a published author who's gained enough attention to spawn fan-fiction, I imagine I'm feeling so good about myself that minor things will just slide off my back. Are fan-fic authors "fake writers" who are just not creative or good enough to write their own best-selling original ideas? Maybe their scared of rejection of their own ideas? I have to admit that I put fan-fiction on a lower level than original fiction, or I did at the beginning. I struggle with that concept. I wouldn't assume that anyone who writes fan-fiction is "not good enough," though. How could you? Perhaps that person just doesn't have the confidence to write their original stories; maybe they need the little boost that comes with using someone else's characters and settings; or like someone said above, they happen to prefer writing fan-fiction. I have to lift an eyebrow at your implication that all original fiction is potentially "best-selling" or that only "best-selling" writings are worthy of being written or read. It's possible that some fan-fiction writers are afraid of rejection; oh no, actually I'm sure of that. But I'm also sure that writers of original fiction can be afraid of rejection. I wouldn't impute motives or psychological weaknesses to all writers of any kind; you're sure to go wrong if you do. Do original fan-fics even exist anymore? Do original story ideas? Do original authors? My writing teacher, Dorothy, reminded us that "there is nothing new under the sun." By saying so, she encouraged us to write our ideas without fear of their having been addressed before. It seems you are young and haven't yet had a chance to see how the world revolves around and around in the same way every 24 hours, that life goes in cycles, that every life has a sort of pattern. That doesn't make life any less valuable or exciting. Each of us experiences it differently as a unique individual. It's the same with fiction. Why do you write fan-fics? Why do you read them? I think it's actually better to ask the questions in reverse order. Why did I start reading fan-fiction? Because I was in between volumes of Harry Potter, and I couldn't wait for more story. I was hungry for it. Once I got started, I was sucked in by the fun and fantasy of it and by the exciting search for a really good story. I saw immediately that there were plenty of them (therefore I'm thorougly puzzled by the young woman who can't find any good fan-fiction yet hangs out at a fan-fiction site. There is a saying in there somewhere...). I write fan-fiction, because in the end I couldn't resist the challenge. Can I do it? Well, as it turns out, I can, and I can get better at it, too. Are fan-fics without the writers consent wrong? I've always been a bit rabid about respecting copyrights and other forms of intellectual property regulation. I don't steal music off the Internet; I don't photocopy novels to hand out to my friends. Yet I'm really happy that fan-fiction is accepted and tolerated. It's a form of creativity, giving a special form of experience to the authors and the joy of reading to the readers. I don't think it's wrong at all, and I'm very glad it's not illegal. Do fan-fics stop writers from coming up with their own original characters and story lines? And if they don't, do you find authors basing their story lines more and more on their fav animes, shows, and books instead coming up with their own ideas? What a question! "Look in your own heart for the answer," as one character says to another in one of my favorite yaoi mangas, Shout Out Loud. Actually that may be a Japanese expression; I'm pretty sure I've seen that in another manga as well. When you write fan-fiction, does it stop your ideas, or does it crowd your brain with new ideas? Does it give you more courage to venture out or does it fill you with fear? For myself, writing fan-fiction has given me the courage to start writing original fiction. I know at least one very fine writer who is honing her skills writing fan-fiction in preparation for working on an original novel. This has been a fun debate; but I'm a bit shocked at some of the narrow-minded notions expressed here! I think a few of you need to get out and live life a little more and find out what it's really all about. That will help your fiction, too.

I don't know if you ever got a proper answer on this, but I read about half of "Bunnie's Angst," and I only found a couple of cliches. The first was "butterflies wheeling in her stomach," and the other was when Bunnie draws a circle on the floor of the tent, which came across as a kind of canned gesture. Other than that, your writing appears to be cliche-free to me. It's great you're aware of the need to keep your writing fresh by steering away from cliches, and I think you succeed better than many!

I'm really divided on this topic, so I was very interested to read what others had to say. I think fan-fiction and original fiction are quite different in a couple of ways. First, with fan-fiction, most authors don't take the trouble to introduce the characters, as we are writing for an audience who may know more about the characters than the author does. I am a bit bothered about that, when I think back to my story and realize I haven't had to go to the trouble to introduce the character the way I would in an original story. The other way that I think the two are quite different is a more substantial reason. I think that fan-fiction is an extension of fantasy--as in daydreams or sexual fantasies. Fantasizing is something I've done all of my life, so I know the process well. To me, fan-fiction is the process of putting those fantasies down on paper and making them coherent and believable to others. I think that's one reason why there is so much emphasis on writing in character in fan-fiction. The author is running up against all of the fantasies and desires of the readers, who feel jarred if the fantasy doesn't move in the direction most pleasing to them. This may sound very negative with regard to fan-fiction, but right now that's all I'm writing. I enjoy writing it, and I see the value of writing it. The writing process is almost as creative as original writing (I say "almost," because we fan-fiction writers do not have to make up our own characters or properly introduce them), and it certainly brings joy to those who read it. There are some immensely talented and skilled writers working in fan-fiction. I have to admit, when I read them, I always think, "Please, please write original fiction! Go to the next level!"

Editing my own stories is work. I resist it. I don't enjoy the idea of rereading my own work, but I force myself to do it. I'm much better than I used to be. In the past, I would simply refuse to go over my work again and hand it in without reviewing at all. I think I have a hard time standing the anxiety of being "betwixt and between." Editing other people's work is enjoyable. It is work, though. Sometimes, I'll find myself in the middle of a protracted beta session, and I'll look up and think, "I'm working just as hard as I do at work!" But like the best kinds of work, editing usually holds my attention and drives me on to do more.

I am user kokiden. My name is Barbara, and I wish to apply as an official beta. How many years have you worked as a beta? I've worked since November 2007 as a beta for two or three members of the on-line community where I have posted my fan-fiction. Provide links to some of the work that you have beta'd. Link the titles. Work posted outside of AFF is acceptable as well. I beta'd most chapters of this fiction for grammar and spelling: http://community.livejournal.com/kakairu/1540332.html#cutid1 I beta'd both chapters of the following fiction for spelling, grammar, and general editing and sense: http://community.livejournal.com/kakairu/1653157.html#cutid1 http://community.livejournal.com/kakairu/1658777.html#cutid1 In which capacities have you served as a beta? (Spelling/grammar, canon, characterization, etc.) Spelling, grammar, diction, flow and style, characterization, emotional impact Which types of potentially objectionable content have you beta'd for? Correspond it to warning tags if possible. yaoi, anal, oral...I think? Is there any type of work you haven't beta'd for but are willing to accept? I think I could beta for anything that I could understand (literally understand) except for nonconsensual shouta. Are there any specific areas in which you would not be willing to beta? I think I could beta for anything that I could understand (literally understand) except for nonconsensual shouta. What are your personal boundaries as a beta? I expect to be treated kindly. I will respect your work and expect you to respect my suggestions, even if you don't take them. What are your weaknesses when it comes to beta work? I'm not the best for keeping writers within canon. With Naruto, I'm only up to the current Shippuuden episodes. I also am not passionate about keeping stories in-canon or characters in-character, as long as the writer has an inspiration to take the story or character somewhere else. The banner I write and beta under is: "It's your story. You put what you want in it." How do you tend to interact with an author when doing beta work? I like to communicate via e-mail. My preference is to copy their story into Word and send it back to them in that format, but if you have other requirements that I'm able to meet technically speaking, then I'll work with you. I'm warm and supportive. If you want me to be direct and stern, I will try. Oh, and I tend to be friendly and chat a little along with my comments. Can you determine an average speed when it comes to performing beta work? It usually takes me about an hour to beta a 1000-word chapter, I'd say. For which fandoms have you worked? Which fandoms do you frequent? Do you consider yourself well-versed on any specific characters? I have only worked in the Naruto fandom, but I'm very well-versed in the Potterverse and have read lots of Harry Potter fan fictions. In Naruto, I'd say I'm pretty familiar with Kakashi, Iruka, Sandaime, Tsunade, Shizune, Genma, Hayate, all of the Konoha Genin of Naruto's generation, the Sand Siblings. Orochimaru & Kabuto. For Akatsuki, the only ones I feel comfortable with are Sasori, Deidara, Itachi, and Kisame (because of where I am in the story). For Harry Potter, you can throw anyone at me. I've read the books several times. I'm very well-read, so if you have a fiction based on an actual book, try me. Have you done any unusual beta work in the past? Well...I have lots of experience proofreading times and numbers. That's kind of unusual in this context, isn't it? I also would be able to beta relatively small amounts in French, if you need that sort of thing. Do you have any quirks when it comes to beta work? Yes. Don't we all? I'm really into spelling, grammar, and style. I try not to be too much of a witch about it, though. I have a few phrases and expressions I try to beat out of my authors. You'll find out what they are if you use me. Even though I have strong feelings about the English language, I do my best to respect the writer's style and not to intrude my own style into their work. Is there anything else that you'd like to include here? I'm enthusiastic and responsive, and I think I can be a good ally for your stories.

February 4, 1958. Please note that my birthday is coming up, and I am older than you. It's polite to acknowledge your elders' birthdays!

This is a fan-fiction that is only slightly AU for the most part; it features Kakashi, Hayate, Iruka...plus Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Neji, & Shikamaru! Title: Recapturing Love Author: kokiden Summary: Hayate sends his ex-lover, Kakashi, on a mission--and into another man's arms. Rating: A+ Pairings: kakashi x hayate; kakashi x iruka; kankuro x neji; shikamaru x temari Spoilers: events surrounding the chuunin exams Feedback: Help me grow as a writer, and please comment! URL: http://naruto.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600095050 Thanks, Barbara (kokiden)