>From David Lerman <mdlerma2@gsbpop.uchicago.edu>

It is harder to comment on what is basically an original story since
readers lack the background of character development that comes from
reading manga or watching anime.

Cobb wrote:

And for heaven's sakes, we can't be expected to comment on anything other
than how the characters correspond to our conception of them.

[Bastion emerges from surrounding darkness carrying a dust old soap box.  He carefully 
sets it on the ground and reverently ascends]

I for one as an author experinced in trying (oh alright attempting) to write
an original story, I've found that you get a better appreciation of character
development that you must create, since no know has any background
on your characters.  Unlike the usual fanfiction in which someone out there
has a comprehension of who the characters are.  Thus with this in mind 
making original stories more of a challenge to write in my opinion, since 
you have to start from the ground up and must not assume anything.
  
This gives an author who writes an original story to improve on character development
something we all emphasize over and over again when writing fanfiction.  So when C&Cing
an original story try to focus upon that aspect, and see if the author can keep the consistency
that he/she portrays his/her characters. 

Thank you for your time.

[Bastion descends and picks up his soap box returning to the surrounding darkness]

Bastion