Greetings fellow members of the Fanfiction Mailing List. My name is Charlie, and I have
a some questions. I am currently working on a peice for Ranma 1/2. While this is partly due
to the fact that my other work, entitled: Lineman, didn't elect much of a response from the
readers. This might be due to the fact that Serial Experiments Lain might be considered a
rather obscure anime, and my follow mailing list subscribers may very well have never
heard of it. Taking that into consideration, I have decided to try my hand, or rather, keyboard,
at a Ranma Fanfic. Ranma 1/2 seems to be a relatively popular basis for stories on this
mailing list, and I am not as familiar enough with Sailor Moon, Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and
Tenchi Muyo to consider using one of them as source material.
Still, I have one or two questions regarding Ranma 1/2 that desperately require clarification
before any more work can proceed. Please read further if you feel there is something you
could contribute.
1. Regarding the various 'curses', is it nessecery to _drown_ in the spring in order to be cursed or
will mere contact with the water needed?
2. If only contact with the cursed water is required, how much water. Also, how much water is
needed to activate a cursed?
3. What is the general layout of the Tendo home and surrounding land?
4. What types of buildings are in Nerima? i.e. Is Nerima primarily a residental neighborhood
(such as the typical American suburb), are there any office buildings, high-raises, factories,
etc...
5. Does Japan have a national investigative agency?
6. What is the general attitude concerning foriegners. This question is directed towards a daily
encounter scenario. For example, if a foriegner (or small group of them) walks down the street,
would they attract a lot of attention from the local populance? Would they have a problem
with normal public interaction? I assume urban dwellers have become used to tourists and the
occassional business man, but how would their feelings be towards protracted contact? (What
if an American moved in next door?)
7. Does the average Japanese policeman carry a sidearm at all times? In addition, how readily to
the Japanese follow instructions from authority figures (firefighters, police, crossing guards, etc..)
And finally, I need help with names. I have become aware that asian names often have a
meaning attached to them and that this meaning often reflects, or supposedly reflects, the
persons nature. Wether or not this is a universal trait I am unsure (someone tell me what Charlie
stands for.) but it has foiled my plan for simply making up pesdo-japanese names for my extra
characters. If anyone has an idea for a character name, please send it to me! An on-line
'book of names' would be extremely useful. I have placed short discriptions of the chracters below
to help with the naming process.
Male- (20-30 years old) Observent, very dry sense of humor, above average intelligence, shy
Male- (25-30 years old) Above average intelligence, good communications skills, knowledgable.
Female- (18-25 years old) Cheerful, bubbley personality. Flight Attendent.
Female- (18-30 years old) Office intern with government agency. Innocent.
Male- (30-40 years old) Slightly naive, egear to please, above average intelligence.
Thank you for thanking the time to read and respond to my request. If I decide to use your name, ideas,
information, I'll be sure to inform and credit you in the work. I deeply appriciate any input you might have.
And finally, forgive my spelling.
Thank you
P.S. For those of you who did respond to my first fic, I thank you and apologize for not e-mailing all of you
in response. All comments were constructive, positive, and I work forward to producing more
(hopefully) high quality work in the future.
-Charlie
"Get your mind out of the gutter, its blocking my view."