From: Richard Lawson <rlawson@informix.com>

Subject: Re:[FFML] Gay Fanfiction Out of Control]
Date: Thursday, January 23, 1997 7:03 PM

I do not
deny that authors have a right to write and post what they want.  

That's good.  It's important that you understand and agree with that.

	1st Amemdment, chummer...  Live with it, love it...
 

I'm glad it's out of control.  I'd hate to live in a place where it
*was* controlled.

	"We don't need no education...  We don't need no thought control..."
 

A lot of *all* stories, no matter what subject they're on, are poorly
written.  That's what the FFML is for, to help people improve their
writing.

	Don't say, "almost all" in any situation.  It's bad Journalism and makes your
argument look pathetic.  (Gawd, I'm starting to sound like my teachers...)

Why else do you write?  One writes because one feels a need to express
an idea.

	Amen...
 

Why is this "worse"?  I will admit, these things seem to come in waves. 
For a while, we had a lot of darkfics.  All it means is that one person
reads a story and is sufficiently moved by that story to write a similar
one.  This happened to me; after reading "Within the Candle-Flame" by
Chris Willmore, I wrote "Appearances".  I wasn't trying to "outdo"
Chris; indeed, I admire him for being able to inspire me.

	One writer inspires the other, and we were all inspired by anime in the first
place.
 

Today I read a fanfic
with Kasumi having sex with her father Mr. Tendo.

This is not the first time this subject has been broached.

	It may explain why she acts like such a little drone...  Mental Damage,
terms...
 

Too far by whose standards?  Yours?  Trying to set such standards is the
first step towards censorship, something I think you would have to agree
is something we do not want.

	Don't let ANYONE impose THEIR standards on you!  You are your own person and
it's you r God-given Right to say whatever you bloody well want too!!!
 

We can't force anyone to stop, 

Good.  :)  Again, I'd hate to live in a place where I was forced to stop
writing certain kinds of stories.

	"'Cause all we are is.. another.. brick-in-the-Wall..."
 

Do you have any statistics to back up your claim that people have quit
reading because of stories that offend your sensibilities?  And who says
we are causing damage?  Everyone who reads a fanfic should understand
that it is the author's interpretation of the Takahashi characters, and
as such is not canon.  The original beauty of Takahashi-sensei's
character is or should not be diminished; indeed, it is because of the
excellence of her work that we are inspired to write these alternate
interpretations.

	Amen again...
 

Remember the series you fell
in love with.  Give others the chance to understand the magic.  

We do.  We are.

	Amen^3
 

"Better" by whose standards?  Yours?  I think it is up to each of us to
decide where to use our talent.  I'd hate to live in a world where
someone else decides what the best use of my talents should be.

	Make your own descisions on what your standards are, terms, if you don't like
a story, delete it.  If you don't like what's on TV, change the channel, read
a book, write a fanfic...
	Don't let somebody with an Emperial Complex dictate your life!
 

Whose responsibility?  Yours?  Takahashi's?  Can you speak for her?  I
doubt it.

We are keeping it alive, by exploring alternate issues.  Takahashi's
work begs questions about sexuality that fanfic authors explore.

Fortunately, there is a very simple solution:  

If it offends you, don't read it.  

	Amen^4
 

If you feel a need to express your opinion, do that.  I've gotten
several emails about the whole "Thy Outward Part" series that express
dismay over my interpretations.  They are by far outnumbered by people
who have said they enjoy the stories very much.  Just because it offends
your sensibilities does not mean that other people won't want to read
them.

	I agree, "TOP" is excellent work.
  

               Brad Jones....aka DaBear

Grand Imperial Master Of All Things Ranma, Lord and Ruler Of Anime

Given your statements above, this is not amusing.  You are not the Grand
Master of all things Ranma; you are not the Ruler of Anime.  You are the
Grand Imperial Master and Lord and Ruler of Brad Jones.  To make claims
otherwise is fine - heck, we all live in fantasy worlds, myself
included.  To try to live out the fantasy by trying to set standards for
what kind of Ranma fanfics should be written is carrying the fantasy too
far.

Express your opinion, certainly.  I would not want you to stop doing
that.

But never, ever tell me what I can and cannot write.  That offends me.

	Amen^5.

	And that, terms, is the Official Line from da Zen Gweep.

Berk' "REM" Watkins, The Zen Gweep of Florida!