Fanfic Writers of the Future.

I was being dot_catty (in response to this), but it hasn't nearly enough aggrieved flames yet. So I thought I'd point you lot at it. Being as this journal is read by both fanfic writers and those who not only construct their own characters but are published writers in the non-vanity paper sense.

Some things are written to be read; others are written to be written. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the second — it's excellent training wheels for the first — but the two should not be conflated. Folk forms in general, and especially those where the creators are also the audience, are fatally susceptible to terminal anticriticality, wherein pointing out that shit stinks drives the afflicted into a blind rage. I don't have a problem with the existence of fanfiction itself; I do have a problem with those who not only take it far too seriously, but demand I do so as well.

Oh, and I'd just like to link to this again.

(I wonder what my friends-of list will look like tomorrow.)

East London Goths take over the King William IV.

A thoroughly successful eastlondongoths meet. Next up: Sluts East! Congratulations to valkyriekaren on her most über organisational skills!

( The seating )

valkyriekaren had an amazingly good mesh top under a corsety thing and a flowing velvet skirt. countess_sophia was wearing trousers, but was very flowy and had some locals tell him how individual he was. The locals near us were utter sweeties. gothicbarbiecat's MP3 player is incredibly cute. We had lots of cameras and took lots of icons photos. mr_eleganza went into a huge Denmark rant, where he pointed out that Denmark is the only country in the world where Blockbuster has to stock porn to stay afloat. And how south Sweden and north Germany rightfully belong to Denmark, if not for those meddling English four hundred years ago! But at least the Danes can civilise us with porn.

The King William IV is a working-class pub near the tower blocks, but is very pleasant and well-behaved, even on a Friday. Although the beer was WATERED DOWN. The London Pride, ESB and Stella, in any case. The Leffe seemed unadulterated, though. Also, it's a smokatorium. The music didn't start until later and wasn't too loud. And the Thai food was reportedly fantastic. We acquired a local called Michael who asked if we were a band.

redcountess was exhausted after a very busy week and was much missed. But she did get more birthday presents — a KFC Aragorn and Uruk-Hai from ruthi and Cookie, and two DVDs (My Man Godfrey and His Girl Friday) and a book, The West Wing: Official Companion, from princesssulky and duster340.

It was a fantastic night and we look forward to more. Just take care in your choice of beer.