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I¶ve been an FF.net writer for 9 years. I wanted to say it was drugs that influenced me, but I
believe this is for a research paper, so I¶d provide a more serious answer.

I used to send fanfics via e-mail to a separate couple fansite, when the webmistress told me
to post them on FF.net, where it can get more feedback. The thought of getting more people to read
my work encouraged me, and that¶s how I ended up on this site.

           



It gave me lots and lots of practice on my English vocab and grammar, that¶s for sure! ½ But
more significantly, it helped me survive my lonely, isolated years at high school. At the end of every
day, I always have something to look forward to²reviews, e-mails from fellow fanfic pals, etc.

                     
         

No, not really. I think it¶s more of the other way around, my school subjects impacting my
fanficwriting, etc.

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It boosted my morale, knowing that there are people outside my family and friends who
appreciate what I do. It also makes me feel really, really proud when people ask if it¶s okay to
translate my stories in their own languages.

With these in mind, I always make it a point that every chapter I write will entertain these
wonderful people who take time to tell me what they like about the story, what can make it better, or
what needs work.

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I was fourteen when I started writing in FF.net, though as early as nine, I was already filling
my notebooks with ³what-ifs´ from childhood anime staples like Sailormoon (and later, Card Captor
Sakura).

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Even before Friendster was the big thing (then it died and Facebook became the BIG thing,
but I digress), I was receiving mails from readers via my Yahoo inbox. Back then, the FF.net
messaging system isn¶t that solid yet.

These people later became my online pals²some for months, others for years. Until now, I
keep in touch with two people, though not via FF.net anymore since I¶ve gone hiatus.

Yes, most of my friends were Pinoys, but a lot of them came from other places, too. Mostly,
they¶re from the United States, but I also am friends with people from Singapore, China, Japan, and
Canada.

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I did little proofreading, as I prefer consuming works as the author intended for us readers to
see. And even when I do review, I don¶t get hung up on technical aspects like grammar, syntax or
what not. I¶m not too confident about my English language grammar and mechanics anyway.

Instead, I rave about the plot, the dialogues²I cite specific parts of the stories that really
struck a chord in me.My reviews state how the story made me feel.

I don¶t know if you¶d consider it serious²more like enthusiastic and hyper and passionate. ½

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I used to read flames the way I watch horror movies: one hand over my eyes while peeking
through the gaps between my fingers. I cringe at flames. But after an hour or two, I¶ll address the
reader via a chapter update. I guess it¶s like how Stephanie Meyers feel²I need people to tell me that
I¶m doing fine and the person who flamed is just jealous of my mad writing skills.

It was very mature, I know. ½

Did the criticisms help me improve my style? Hell no, I¶m still stuck in the dinosaur age of my
writing. But that¶s just because I¶m stubborn. ;)

But it made me more conscious of the veracity and believability of the stuff I write, that I need
to research better, and that there¶s a natural limit to the number of people who will like my writing.

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Because I write various dialogues and lines for my characters, I have learned to widen my
outlook and appreciate other POVs too. In the silences of my characters, I¶ve learned to read between
the lines. While weaving plots, I¶ve learned to see how important certain decisions are in life, and how
the chain of consequences work.

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Different cultures have different nuances, and as a reader, it¶s a privilege to experience these
in something as intimate as reading. Cliché as it may sound, I really do learn something new from
each story I read.

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It gave me a persona that I¶ve grown so fond of that I blur it with my real life. I used to be
introverted, and I worried a great deal about pleasing people. When I started to write as syaoran no
hime 9 years ago, I began to find a part of myself who is quirky, irreverent and sincere. As time
passed, I became more and more like Syao-chan (as my friends call me), until I¶ve realized that this is
the real me. And I love the feeling of having that knowledge!

Until now, I introduce myself as Syao, even at work. ½

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