Thank you. I don’t write; I KNOW I do not have the slightest bit of talent for long complex and interwoven works of art. However, as a reader I get turned off quite quickly to Draco “Oh, Ginny I know we have just met but I am madly in love with you.” This of course is completely out of character for him. One of the wonderful things about Draco and Ginny as characters, is that although they are both largely undeveloped by JKR, they are both exceptionally complex in nature. As such Canon is able to step in.

As I read your advice -of sorts- to writers, I noticed that you seamed to rant through out the four parts. While I can understand your frustration, the message is lost in your rant. It might be more effective to rethink your approach, at passing on the advice.

This was definitely one of the most entertaining reads I've had in ages (yes, I'm pretending it's a fic). My fav line, Hermione does not equal Emma Watson! You should have added in, nor does she have long legs, a tiny waist, and (miraculously) large breasts! LOL. I like to point out to people they are describing Barbi. And while we're on the subject of 'tiny,' what is it with making a female character weak by describing her as tiny, tiny hands, tiny feet, tiny in size - what is that??? It gets done with both Hermione and Ginny and I hate it. I think people don't get the implications of what they write. Anyway, a few of my annoyances off my (ample) chest.

Again, I'm not logged in but I am quite sure you can already see that. Anyhow, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your posting this. I am working on my first fic right now but may write a one-shot before putting out that one. I am not a great writer but this will certainly help and, even though it will not instantly, drastically improve every person's writings even if they do all heed it but it is much appreciated and as for me, I will do my best to keep the glaring errors away from my fics. Thank you for all the help you have provided in this.

Good essay, Thalia! I agree, much of this did need to be said. The authors who describe a person or a scene to death drive me crazy. There needs to be a fair balance of dialogue, action, and description, all working together for one thing: moving the plot forward. Fic writers must have a genuine love for their plots, these characters, the telling, etc.; if they don't, no one else will. Except maybe their moms. ;)

"Next person to submit a Draco/Hermione fic to this site might get ridiculed. Or fed to the crocodiles. We'll see." LOL! This cracked me up. But, are there REALLY people who submitted their D/Hr stuff here?

Author's Response: We've certainly had submissions of non-D/G fics of all types here, and really, I don't think we can make it any more clear what sort of fic archive this is.

I agree with like most of the stuff you say, I'm sick of people thinking they are wiccan and american foriegn exchange students but one thing I don't agree with. Yes, the timeline is important, but there is a lot of fanfic artists that are use to writing in this time (2005) so making them dare I say, "modernized" isn't the worst thing is it? But everything else you said I agree with, I'm a horrible speller and not that good with grammer so I always have a beta reader. Thank god for them. :)

First, I must say that you have better command of English grammar than many "native" English speakers I know. Second, I agree that all writers need to make peace with the comma. I find myself copying fanfic into Word and changing the Weasley's to Weasleys (and Virginia to Ginevra) just so I can read the stories without clawing my eyes out. Third, as a devoted fanfic reader (it's nothing to read 300 pages' worth of chapters, drabbles, etc. a week), pls limit Muggle movies/musicians/actresses mentioned in stories. Pretty please? I must defend my fellow Americans: some of us (like me) didn't get the full grammar onslaught until first year of high school (age 13-14). Also, many of us read widely as children, even attending schools that required one to read a certain number of books each year (though, in a country of 300M, even if half of the population had this requirement, that leaves almost 3x UK's population with...issues). Sorry to get on the high horse. BTW, Hot Topic is an American retail company that caters to the "I-wish-I-was" punk/gothic/alternative teenage demographic.

Author's Response: Oh, I'm aware of how many schools are in terms of English grammar and the lessons thereof. I actually did all of my schooling here in the US, even though I was born in a foreign country, and... maybe it's because I love to read, or maybe because I DID have to learn English as a foreign language (a vastly different one from my first language at that), but I never thought that understanding basic grammar and spelling was THAT difficult.

Excellent points! The only one I have an issue with is that Muggleborns wouldn't use "magic curses". Believe me, when you live in another culture for any length of time you pick up that culture's sayings and mannerisms in a heart beat. I work with a British lady and now "bloody hell" is a regular part of my vocabulary! :)

Author's Response: Granted, but when I see fics where everyone down to Aunt Petunia uses "Merlin" every other word, it's just annoying.

Let me start by saying I am not a writer, just a grateful reader. I agree with most of what you wrote, the icing on the cake being author notes in the middle of a story...that drives me bazooka (even more than slang, Americanisms, Netspeak, etc) and when I come upon that I just stop reading. Anyway, nice essay.

Thalia- thanks for this. Could you lend suggestions on finding a beta? I have asked a few people but no one has been able to help. It would be a great help to some of us who don't know many people here but don't know how to go about finding a beta as well.

Author's Response: I know of many sources on livejournal, if you are at all involved in that. Included is the community http://www.livejournal.com/~hp_beta. Another place to look is the Writer's Corner section of Fictionalley Park on Fictionalley.org. A good source for canon information is the indispensable HP Lexicon.