Mike Loader wrote:

The usual gang of malcontents in the Keep of the Four Worlds on Kmuck
were discussing this very fact, and we came to the conclusion that the

main failing of the average alt-universe fic is that it starts with an

idea: what if Ukyou had been a better martial artist than Ranma, what
if
Nabiki didn't exist and Akane managed the family finances, etc. Then
they
retell the manga based on this change. This is dull and boring. After
the
initial novelty wears off, the readers fall asleep.

The vital difference between a failed and successful alt-universe fic
seems to be a driving goal/plotline that pulls the reader along and
keeps
them interested.
 

I know the feeling, the first true alternate universe fic I did (Ranma:
Destiny of Shadows) started off as a simple what if, but soon became a
tribute/send up of other alternate universes. Still somewhat serious. I
can't say exactly how it differs from other alternate universe stories
(it'd spoil the ending), but I think it's a bit different than other
alternate universe storys.
 

BTW I don't consider my Ranam-ototo mini-series a real alternate
universe story...since it actually fits in with the events from the
first anime episode to the Back to the Happosai episode. It could have
happened :)

--
Jim Lazar

E-Mail - mailto:jimlazar@earthlink.net
Home - http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar
FanFiction - http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime

"You made Akane whose daughter?!?!"
"Genma's."
"Has she hit you with her mallet yet?"
"Several times, actually."