There is a fairly spammy, but still relevant, discourse ahead. You've
been warned.

Please note that I am attempting *not* to violate Netiquette or
established FFML guidelines here.

I recently received a rather negative comment about Hotaru's
statements in chapter two of Suiseiki. The vehemence with which the
author of the comment lashed out against me was unsettling.

No, I'm not going to post a private response onto the list like I've
done once before. I'm not going to name the individual. I just wanted
to make a statement.

You know, I know, and we all know that the opinons expressed by
Hotaru in chapter 2 of Suiseiki aren't quite the reality of what a
nuclear war would actually do to the planet. The commentary from my
detractor was, in fact, rather cold and clinical in estimating
specific figures of the loss of human life in such a situation. 

I rebutted by pointing out that the reality doesn't matter, when
dealing with a 14-year-old's perception of such a thing. Even many
adults fear that a nuclear war would end mankind; most children would
definitely fear such a thing. These comments didn't seem to matter to
the detractor, who continued to counter-argue about actual loss of
life and the actual scope of a global nuclear war.

The fact, folks, is...we're not writing techno-thriller novels here.
We're writing fantasy fanfics. 

In a techno-thriller, the real scope of a global nuclear war is an
important thing to research, as all facts must be terrible accurate
and precise.

In a fanfic, we're dealing with fantasy worlds, where things don't
always work the same as they do in reality. If an author wishes to
depict a blasted, pockmarked Earth, barren and devoid of life, that's
his/her prerogative. It's used to help set the stage, provide a
backdrop with which to deepen the characters. While attention to
details and careful examination of plot devices and scenarios used is
a good idea, there are situations in which such examinations are
moot.

In Suiseiki, the speech Hotaru makes about the possible nuclear war,
and her fear that she would be called upon to use the true power of
Saturn, is not intended to provide a definitive, educated examination
of a world crisis situation. It is not intended to explain what will
definitely happen if there is a nuclear war. It is not intended to be
a thinly veiled political statement, and does not conceal any sort of
agenda or pretense of knowledge on the part of the author.

It is intended to express the fears of a young teenage girl who has
been entrusted with a terrible power, and to explore her character. 

My point is this: when you read something pertaining to the world
around us in a fanfic, that you *know* is probably wrong (or that you
*think* is wrong), if the misinformation is given in a character's
speech or thoughts, stop and ask yourself: "Is this misinformation an
error on the part of the author, or is it intended to develop this
character?" 

And above all, remember: it's fanfiction. It's fantasy. It's not
worth getting uptight over.

That having been said...

Chapters 4 and 5 of Suiseiki will be posted tonight.

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"Godzilla is attacking! What should we do?"
"Lure him to Texas."
"Right! The air there would kill anything!"
*Texas Smoke Storm 98--Nothing Will Survive*
---
The Eternal Lost Lurker
...gettin' ficcy wit' it...
EternalLostLurker@worldnet.att.net
http://www.geocities.com/~etlostlurker

"Heeere leezard, leezard, leezard..."
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