Here is a bunch of Letters which I have received and sent to Red Death, as well as letters involved in discussions we have had. I will post the letters in full as they appear in my web browser, simply pasted here, in the order they have been received. I will also give an explanation of when/what they are from as best I can.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Re: Konnichiwa, Minna San....
Date:
Wed, 17 Feb 1999 11:40:08 -0800
From:
Red Death <reddeath@lvdi.net>
Organization:
Ranma 1/2 Superhighway
To:
"Kaoru L. Shimitsu" <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>
References:
1
> Konnichiwa, Sir Death. *Grins* I would ask of you to change my
> link from the bard.htm to chaos.htm (The front page of my homepage
> web).
Sure thing. Happy to do so. <click click click click click> Done!
Truth be told, you're the first author to request changes to their
listing.
> I would also like to know if you have read what I have thusly
> written so far in the series.....
Matter of fact I have. And I'm very impressed. I haven't read that
many fics that bring H & D out to the forefront like this, and with such
rich characterization, no less. Great style, rich story.. Hoping more
is forthcoming, I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter.
Watch for my new section, "Recommended Reading". You'll be surprised.
Red
--
Ranma 1/2 Superhighway -- http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/
Links to any fic that I can find!
Another Massive Update: February 8, 1999!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Letter was my original letter to Red Death, where I asked him to change the link to my page, and asked if he had read the story since it was on his page, I always like to know if people who link to me have read the stuff they link to, just to make sure they aren't just wildly linking to everyone... not that there is anything wrong with that. =)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Red Death <reddeath@lvdi.net>
To: Kaoru L. Shimitsu <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>; Fanfiction Mailing List <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 1999 9:55 PM
Subject: [FFML][C&C][Ranma][Fragile Clay] Episode Five part one.
<snip>
Okay.
First off, it's a very good next installment of a rather good fic.
It starts out very well, and is a pleasure to read... but it does have it's
problems. No fic is perfect.
Daisuke seems quite over-intelligent. It was like listening to a
psychoanalyst preach to a restaraunt full of advice columnists. In the
same scene, it occurs to me that Ukyou is more sensitive to Ranma's
feelings than she's ever been. She never seemed to have the usual
fiancee-fantasies or overconfidence that you'd expect. Now, this may be
intentional, this may not. <shrug>
Genma. I didn't recognize this Genma. I thought the Genma from Quantum
Destines had put in a cameo. Sensitive, determined to make amends, and
caring about the welfare of his son. I just can't get my mind around it.
I suspect that an explanation or Genma-centric section is forthcoming. If
so, great, disregard this part. If not, there should be.
Nabiki. <grin> *This* I loved. I can really see Nabs getting this annoyed
at Nodoka under the circumstances. Nicely played, at least in my eyes.
Soun? Perfectly done. Fits right in.
The only truly major drawback I could see with this part of Ep5 is the same
one that plagued the previous four: Hyperpunctuation and needless
overcapitalization. Its really distracting to the eyes to push thrugh a
half-dozen ?!?!?'s. Trimming down on these would be a significant plus.
All told, this section was very good despite its faults, and I'm looking
forward to reading future parts.
Red "!?!?!?" Death
Ranma 1/2 Superhighway
Links to any Ranma fanfic that I can find!
http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/index.htm
ICQ# 3799370
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Second letter is from a response to the first section of the episode I am currently writing (3:1, or Episode 5). as you might note in this letter, the hyper punctuation is mentioned as well. After this particular letter I went carefully back over what I had written of the episode to try and get rid of the hyper punctuation. I am not sure if I've eliminated all of it, but I am sure I got a lot of it.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Red Death <reddeath@lvdi.net>
To: Kaoru L. Shimitsu <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2000 2:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Fragile Clay Fan Club] Info up the Wazoo
Please remove me from this mailing list. I rarely have time to read fanfics.
Red Death
Ranma 1/2 Superhighway
Links to any Ranma fanfic that I can find!
http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/index.htm
ICQ# 3799370
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Letter Was kind of startling to me, for one, RD runs a links site, and I kinda think he reads all the stuff on it.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Red Death <reddeath@lvdi.net>
To: Kaoru L. Shimitsu <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2000 11:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Fragile Clay Fan Club] Info up the Wazoo
At 08:31 PM 01/01/2000 -0900, you wrote:
>> Please remove me from this mailing list. I rarely have time
to
>read fanfics.
>>
>>
>> Red Death
>
>
> Uhm, RD, you've already
*READ* Fragile Clay. O.o At least
>I do believe you read most of it. I can remove you from the list
if
>you really want.
<nods> I do. I have read it, up to a chapter or so ago, but
havent the
time to read more.
I've had to stop and concentrate on other things.
Red Death
Ranma 1/2 Superhighway
Links to any Ranma fanfic that I can find!
http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/index.htm
ICQ# 3799370
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This one includes my three sentence reply, and his reply to me. As far as I can tell, he still has time to read fanfiction and stuff... then again, I haven't put out the next section of 3:1
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Firstly and foremostly, I shall name the things of which I
shall commend the author upon, Since there are certain things which
I would like to praise about the overall story.
Looking carefully through this first part, I notice that the
author has a good grasp of the english language, and has a talent at
using words in the correct manner, as well as an impeccable sense of
grammar. These things I admire in a work, and these things are to
be highly commended for their rarity.
The potential of storyline is great, and sadly it shall have
to remain only POTENTIAL.
Now I get into the dirty part of this sort of business. The
things which irked me.
Characterization: There are so many things wrong I cannot
begin to name them. Despite the premise of Ranma being heavily
emotionally scarred due to this revelation, I sincerely cannot
believe he would break down in this short amount of time. Ranma
would not start off with heady crying and instant feminine feelings
due to residual femininity from Childhood. The only thing that I
must find commendable in the portrayal of Ranma is that throughout
this first part, he stays fairly loyal to Genma despite finding out
(As should be, since GENMA is the person he grew up with, and
despite a person's flaws, our parents are people we tend to love
despite them).
Akane. Akane is far too sappy, her mode of speech more
reminiscent of Kasumi with a slight dose of personality.
Downplaying her anger is commendable, but it hampers the overall
portrayal of Akane, and I find it difficult to believe (Simply by
telling me) that she must have treated Ranma so badly because her
(Subconcious) friend was taken away from her.
Akane is prone to emotional and compassionate behavior.
Granted. However, the strangeness that just rubs me the wrong way
has to do with how lovey dovey she acts with Ranma halfway through
the story. I am not so sure people, in real life, work this way,
considering there are a thousand and one things Akane can hold
against Ranma.
There's also the speculation that Akane has not, nor has
ever, had lesbian tenencies. Granted, this is your interpretation
of Akane, and everyone perceives this particular situation
differently, so I shall leave it alone.
Nodoka: I cannot say an awful lot about Nodoka. She seems
accurately portrayed, when correlating to the Manga and Anime.
Flighty, emotional, but generally a very sweet and caring person.
At least in this, I can say Nodoka was portrayed well. *HOWEVER*, I
do not see Nodoka as being so instantly accepting that Ranma is a
guy. Yes, the author did mention that she wasn't REALLY prepared
for it, but even pretending to tolerate it takes a great deal of
time and emotional soul searching on a parents behalf.
Genma: I should shoot the author for developing an
unhealthy bias against Genma. The only person who seems to harbor
any emotional liking of Genma is his son, which is debateable,
considering she doesn't know whether to kill him or hug him and not
let go (As quoted from the story). Bad form, *BAD FORM!* I say. A
writer should be neutral and caring of each character on a somewhat
level measurement, creating bias's and dislikes tend to cause bad
portrayal not JUST of the character being disliked, but in the
others as well (One relationship effects all).
Nabiki: I had an identical problem with Akane. Since when
does AKANE or NABIKI say "ICKY" or other such cutesy and rather
girlish phrases?? I don't see their speech patterns being anywhere
near some of the things that happened in the story. Also, Nabiki
seems rather non important to the overall story, and she seems
downplayed. Oh, and there is more Genma hating from Nabiki (I am
not at all surprised at this point, though I've only read Numero
Uno.)
Kasumi: Just one peeve i have to mention. Why is it
everything is so damn convenient in this story??? Forgive my
language, but I get to twitching when everything just seems to work
in the authors best interest. Why I bring this up in the Kasumi
section is the doll... that was basically the driving point for this
minor annoyance of convenient happenstances.
Okay, now that I'm done Rambling about individual
characters, for other things.
Speech Patterns: There are several "CLONE" Sort of scenes,
where people talk the same as other people. Nabiki and Akane for
one example... Nodoka and Kasumi.. lalala. Oh, and I personally
was wanting to tear my hair out, considering the author tried way
too hard to make Ranma's speech bad. It became so bad it became
annoying to read.
Conveniences: I find it convenient that Genma happened to
disappear, that the Amazons were not upset (Instead directing their
anger at Genma), That Nabiki hates Genma for what he did (Ooooh..
she's done worse), That Happosai is the excuse for Ranma being Male
(Who didn't see that coming?), that... ah, hell. I could go on and
on. I became utterly annoyed after starting to read this story.
Gender Dysphoria: Now then. Speaking as someone who scores
a pretty damn high score on the tests for determining
transsexualism, I will say this much. This isn't as easy as the
author makes it out to be. This is a hard, tough decision that,
despite Ranma's curse (Which makes things easier) is NOT anywhere
easy to make. There is also no amount of *EASY* coping involved
with ANYONE who is involved in the situation.
I find it demeaning and trivializing that Akane, Kasumi,
Nabiki, and everyone else just ACCEPTS Ranma as female and rally
against genma (Which I am beginning to *GAG* over by now), and
despite how everyone says "Oh, it's Ranko's choice, don't force it,"
in the story, they *ARE* Forcing it. ESPECIALLY AKANE.
Ranma being who Ranma is, I cannot believe in any sense of
the word BELIEVE that he would just drop everything he is in favor
of being a girl. Doesn't work.
SUMMARY: Overall, I have to say that the story, in and of itself was
well *WRITTEN*. That means it had good grammar, spelling, and
general organization of paragraphs. The storyline, in general, is
straightforward. I suggest renaming this to "Nodoka's Daughter" or
"10 Things I Hate About Genma". Maybe "Death of a Genma" or some
other such thing, since the author obviously has a hate for...
GENMA. Although the story was very well written, it left a bad
taste in my mouth and my stomach wanted to abandon through my throat
it's resting place.
A NOTE FOR ALL THOSE HOSERS WHO LIKE THIS FIC: All the power to you.
Obviously you haven't read much fanfiction out there. Leifker, Zen,
Lawson, Perry all put this fic to shame in the general keep-ability
of most readers. I don't much care for pandering to the popular,
and I never have. I read what I like, and if I don't like it, then
I either leave it alone (My usual reaction) or I write about what i
didn't like and found obnoxious (Which is what happens when everyone
gloats, raves, and oozes about how good a fic is, and I read it and
become disappointed).
To clear this up, let me make a point that I am not the end
all and be all of opinions in the universe. I simply have my own,
which should be accounted for by people with brains when making
decisions (I believe). We should listen to the opinions of others
and weigh them with our own opinions of things, hence why I go to
movies people tell me that SUCK, and I end up liking them.
Over the time I have known some authors, some have suggested
stories to me, telling me they were above par and very good.
Quantum Destinies, Ranma & Akane: A Love Story, The Bitter End,
Hearts of Ice. Until now, I haven't disagreed with anyone about
what is good and what is bad.
However, THIS was BAD.
*Throws the fic to the Trollocs, they tear it to shreds then
die of poisoning*
Doesn't mean the author can't improve... we shall see. Oh,
and if the Author reads this, don't take this personally, and don't
get discouraged. My first Ranma fic was utter horse crap, and I'll
admit it freely to the public. It was HORSE CRAP! That's why nobody
knows the name of that first fic. If I gave up when I had made
that... piece of @!%@^ Fic, I wouldn't be where I am today. Which
is pretty much NOWHERE (Whoo.... Hoo...).
Ah well. I am finished ranting... that's the end, you can
put down the guns now.
--
Sincerely....
Shimitsu Kaori.
Lost "Dragon-Gal"
of Shimitsu-Ryuu.
Princess of Chaos.
"What makes a curse is simply the view, a blessing to some is a
curse unto you, But
acceptance can conquer that fear you hold high, through acceptance
comes peace.....
are you willing to try?"
-Quote from Kaori Shimitsu.
My Homepage at!
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/chaos.htm
The FRAGILE CLAY WEBRING is at
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/ring.htm
ICQ UIN: 28514115
Want to Join the Fragile Clay Fan Club???
E-mail me with [FC Fan Club] In the subject line!!!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is my much heated commentary on a story called GENMA'S DAUGHTER, written by Deborah Goldsmith. I later apologized numerous times for my scathing attitude, however, I was a bit upset at having everyone recommend to me something that I didn't think was all that good. The most misunderstood part of the letter, which upset the most people, was that I called a bunch of them Hosers, which I use as a comical reference and don't take seriously myself.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
> I guess the biggest place I differ from some critics is here. This
character
> is *not* Ranma as we know him. This Ranma is a girl, Ranko, who
has been
> raised as a boy, and acts macho and blustery in an attempt to live
up to the
> way he/she was raised. She is not comfortable being a boy; she
feels like a
> girl inside. The Ranma in the manga is very comfortable being a
boy. This is
> an enormous difference. They could not possibly react to things
the same
> way.
>
> Sure, a girl trapped in a boy's body could act like a boy, could
even act
> like Ranma if they were raised that way, but their feelings and
motivations
> would be different from Ranma in the manga. To me, the interesting
part
> about this story idea was that I could see someone acting like
Ranma due to
> being in this situation; it's an alternate explanation for Ranma's
behavior.
>
> I guess my summary is that Ranko's motivations are completely
different from
> those of the manga Ranma, even though their *behavior* (prior to
the
> revelations about Ranko's past) is very similar. If you have
trouble
> accepting this change in the character, then the story is not
going to work
> for you.
And let me clarify *THIS*. I am a *TRANS SEXUAL*. Someone
who's body does *NOT* match who I am inside, I am fundamentally
female to the depths of my being... and I know more about these
situations than you do. Which is why I was incredibly offended by
the trivialization of these situations which show through your
writing.
Try and RESEARCH such things before going and writing about
them.
> >
> > Akane. Akane is far too sappy, her mode of speech more
> > reminiscent of Kasumi with a slight dose of personality.
> > Downplaying her anger is commendable, but it hampers the overall
> > portrayal of Akane, and I find it difficult to believe (Simply
by
> > telling me) that she must have treated Ranma so badly because
her
> > (Subconcious) friend was taken away from her.
> > Akane is prone to emotional and compassionate behavior.
> > Granted. However, the strangeness that just rubs me the wrong
way
> > has to do with how lovey dovey she acts with Ranma halfway
through
> > the story. I am not so sure people, in real life, work this
way,
> > considering there are a thousand and one things Akane can hold
> > against Ranma.
> > There's also the speculation that Akane has not, nor has
> > ever, had lesbian tenencies. Granted, this is your
interpretation
> > of Akane, and everyone perceives this particular situation
> > differently, so I shall leave it alone.
>
> I have had other people tell me they think Akane is in character.
I can see
> your points, though. My premise in the way I wrote this is that
Akane *is* a
> compassionate person. It always seemed to me in the manga that
with her
> friends she was very different: friendly and loving. I never saw
her brain
> Sayuri or Yuka with a mallet, or be angry to them. She is still
angry here;
> look at how she treats Hirota; when the boy comes to hit on Ranko
at the
> beach, Akane is irritated. She is furious at Genma and wants to
kill him. To
> me, she's the same. Ranko is now in a different category: "best
friend,"
> rather than "annoying unwanted fiance," so she treats her
differently.
Just for the record, Ranma and Akane were deeply in love, and I
doubt Akane would let gender problems get in the way of her love...
(Summarizing, I think the reasons for Akane's "FRIENDSHIP" with
Ranko are bunk, and don't hold up to emotional critiquing about such
events actually happening).
I am not a pro pro Cannon person, I only suggest people see the
manga for what it is and try and work with what's in it towards
wherever they want to go, not throw it out the window in favor of
their own (Excepting Alternaverse cases, which I can honestly
accept).
> I also have to say I am a sappy person. It tends to contaminate
everything I
> do. I have a little too much Kasumi in me. It's hard to write dark
things
> when you have even a little bit of Kasumi in you. Oh, excuse me, I
feel this
> urge to go clean up the kitchen.
Keep practicing, this situation didn't pan out because it lacked
the angst and dark turmoil beneath the characters personalities, not
to mention, as others have, these just don't seem like the Ranma
characters. Not at all. Only person who seems close to realistic
is... Tofuu. ^^;
> > There's also the speculation that Akane has not, nor has
> > ever, had lesbian tenencies. Granted, this is your
interpretation
> > of Akane, and everyone perceives this particular situation
> > differently, so I shall leave it alone.
>
> Is this "guilty until proven innocent"? What is there that leads
you to
> believe Akane is a lesbian? She certainly seems to me to have
romantic
> tendencies towards boys in the manga, at the same time as she
finds most of
> them irritating.
*Whistles Innocently* I have my sources, and one must also
remember that Takahashi was poking fun at common day gender roles in
Japan... so it is very likely she had Akane as a bisexual, and would
be ironically fitting with her relationship to Ranma.
> Why is thinking Akane doesn't have lesbian tendencies
"speculation"?
> Wouldn't it be the other way around, that thinking she *does* is
> speculation?
Both are speculation, look speculation up in the dictionary. In
any case, I was severely disappointed how fast Akane dropped Ranma.
It just didn't seem real, believable, and was another one of those
annoying things. (When I say drop, I mean drop romantically).
> > Nodoka: I cannot say an awful lot about Nodoka. She seems
> > accurately portrayed, when correlating to the Manga and Anime.
> > Flighty, emotional, but generally a very sweet and caring
person.
> > At least in this, I can say Nodoka was portrayed well.
*HOWEVER*, I
> > do not see Nodoka as being so instantly accepting that Ranma is
a
> > guy. Yes, the author did mention that she wasn't REALLY
prepared
> > for it, but even pretending to tolerate it takes a great deal of
> > time and emotional soul searching on a parents behalf.
>
> I think she tolerates it, but is not happy about it. If she's a
loving
> parent, what else should she do? Tell Ranma "If you don't become a
girl
> again I want nothing to do with you?"
Yep. Welcome to the real world. My *FATHER* has almost said as
much to me, and he is a good man with a good heart. The world is a
cruel, malicious, and generally un-nice place.
Not to mention Nodoka, however odd her sense of honor, DOES
follow the old ways of Japan... and this likely would put Ranma
without a mother, and possibly a father (Depending on how much
influence Nodoka has upon Genma).
> > Genma: I should shoot the author for developing an
> You didn't read the whole thing. As I've mentioned before, the
narrative
> says nothing about Genma. Zero. All the observations about Genma
are from
> the characters. Think about it from their point of view: he's
apparently
> done something horrid, though they're not clear on the details.
He's skipped
> town. Of course they're going to assume the worst. It's human
nature to
> assume the worst of someone who runs away from a bad situation and
isn't
> around to defend themselves.
Yes, I said in this message I didn't read the whole thing, and
from what I've heard, I'm somewhat glad. It was a good idea, but
executed poorly, even though your writing skills are above par some
of the best I've seen, you need to develop some of the other talents
of literature more (Plot, Storyline, Continuity, Conflict, Climax,
Reality of Substance Matter especially.)
> If you think I hate Genma, read part 3. The antagonism of the
characters
> towards Genma while he is gone is dramatic tension, and personally
I think
> it works very well.
Honestly, the Tendou girls haven't much of a right to hold
anything against Genma (Soun Does, Nodoka Does, Ranma Does, and
Akane has SOME right...). Cologne and the others would not give a
flying monkey F%^@# about Genma (Simply by their personality
traits).
I could possibly have stood for Genma bashing from just the
Tendou's, but the Amazon's ruin your believability. Like I said.
*RETCH*.
> This is the same Nabiki who, in the very first chapter of the
manga, had
> both hands to her mouth and was saying "Ooooh! He's cute!" about
Ranma?
Nabiki was fishing for a husband in the first episode. She
would've lost interest after learning Ranma had no money to really
speak of. Nabiki is rather two faced at times, and though I believe
there is a human being underneath that exterior, her motives are far
from giving a damn about anyone else but "NUMBER ONE".
> I think Nabiki is a girl. Every girl can say "icky" once in a
while. I do
> myself, and I'm no spring chicken, believe me. And Nabiki is only
17. My
> nieces are older and say a lot more cutesy things.
Not every girl says "ICKY" and Nabiki Tendou is one of those
girls that doesn't say it. EVER. Any Nabiki fans out there, back
me up on this.
>
> More specifics here would be helpful.
>
> I'm sorry you want to tear your hair out. I'd recommend against
it.
Specifics are Ranma's speech is rough Japanese, not annoyingly
rough japanese, just impolite enough to get the effect he wants, and
he isn't always speaking rough japanese in every single sentance of
the series. He alternates, depending on situations.
> I think Cologne is very pragmatic. She is not going to waste time
crying
> over spilt milk. She is over a hundred, you know. Shampoo and
Mousse usually
> follow her lead. You'll note that Shampoo is much more upset than
Cologne.
Waste time crying over Spilled Milk? Is this the same Cologne
that came all the way to Japan to find Ranma to force him to marry
Shampoo??? The same Cologne that has, time and again, persisted in
forcing Ranma towards her Great Great Granddaughter, despite being
intelligent enough to see Akane loves Ranma and vice versa??? The
Same Cologne who is stubborn, persistent, patient, and plotting???
Hmm. For some reason The Memory Erasing Shampoo popped into my
head a moment ago. I am sure they would attempt to use it on Ranma
to erase memories of ever being a girl, to better secure him as a
fiancee... (And another poster noted that the Amazon's would most
likely be PRO lesbianism, considering men are considered inferior in
their culture, only useful for breeding stock).
I might also note that Ranma, girl or man, will not get away
from Cologne. Cologne has invested WAY too much time, training, and
effort on Ranma to let Ranma slip from her grips, not to mention
Ranma was possibly the most perfect specimen of a man Cologne had
ever come across in her life (Which means much stronger children for
the royal lineage of the Amazon's).
> Comparing Nabiki's pranks (which is I'm sure the way she views
them) to
> abducting a child and forcibly changing its sex doesn't seem
realistic to
> me.
Pranks??? Taking illicit, and naughty, pictures of her own
sister and her sister's fiancee?? Or how about using Ranma's caring
and love to exploit money from him time and again (Not to mention
the entire arc where she was his fiancee and used him again and
again as an object more than a person).
Nabiki isn't as bad as Genma, granted... but she definitely
isn't as compassionate as you think she is.
> > Gender Dysphoria: Now then. Speaking as someone who scores
> > a pretty damn high score on the tests for determining
> > transsexualism, I will say this much. This isn't as easy as the
> > author makes it out to be. This is a hard, tough decision that,
> > despite Ranma's curse (Which makes things easier) is NOT
anywhere
> > easy to make. There is also no amount of *EASY* coping involved
> > with ANYONE who is involved in the situation.
> > I find it demeaning and trivializing that Akane, Kasumi,
> > Nabiki, and everyone else just ACCEPTS Ranma as female and rally
> > against genma (Which I am beginning to *GAG* over by now), and
> > despite how everyone says "Oh, it's Ranko's choice, don't force
it,"
> > in the story, they *ARE* Forcing it. ESPECIALLY AKANE.
> > Ranma being who Ranma is, I cannot believe in any sense of
> > the word BELIEVE that he would just drop everything he is in
favor
> > of being a girl. Doesn't work.
>
> I am very sorry to hear that you are gender dysphoric. I wish you
the best
> of luck in finding your own personal path.
I didn't ask for your pity. I told you why you are inaccurate
about this story, and why it is offensive to me and anyone else who
might be gender dysphoric.
> I think you are missing something. Ranko was born a girl. She
lived the
> first four years of her life as a girl. She has a birth
certificate to prove
> she is a girl. She has darling pictures and home movies to prove
she is a
> girl. This is a somewhat different situation than someone who has
been
> biologically male from birth saying they feel like they are
female. Maybe it
> shouldn't be, but people tend to give more weight to facts than to
feelings,
> even though that's not always the right thing to do. Note that I
am not
> criticizing gender dysphoric people here -- far from it -- but
that Ranko
> has rather more ammunition on her side to prove she really *is* a
girl. It's
> kind of hard to say "you're not female" to someone when they are
waving a
> birth certificate and baby photos in your face.
Actually, it's very easy to tell a person they aren't.
Especially parents. That is the cruel thing about most situations
like this, the parents propogate it. I don't really care much about
all the "EVIDENCE" you throw into the mix. This isn't a situation
which Evidence will effect... especially with someone like Ranma.
I also cannot believe Ranma has always had a liking for his
curse, which again brings up the topic that these are not Ranma,
Akane, and everyone else. They are figments of your imagination.
They really should have different names, seems like you just
borrowed the Ranma crew to tell a rather unrelated story.
You may not be criticizing Gender Dysphorics, but you are
insulting them without even realizing it.
> Also, some people *do* give the proper weight to feelings, and
respect to
> the people who express them.
Don't preach to the choir, honey. I deal with people every day
which have heavy emotional problems, GD, Bipolar Disorder, Manic
Depression. I live by compassion as a rote, so feelings matter a
hell of a lot to me.
> Yes, the characters try to not give their opinion to Ranma, and
fail.
> They're human.
Yes, Humans are flawed. However, all of us are flawed in
different ways. I do not see half the people forcing ranma towards
female doing so. It just is not their personalities.
Which *AGAIN* brings up the fact that these do not seem like
Ranma characters, but people you made up from Scratch for
convenience sake. You yourself have said these are not the
characters we know, so why the hell did you use their names if they
are completely different people?
> Part of the reason I latched onto this idea by Steve is that this
situation
> is ideal for exploring Ranko's own situation without getting too
wrapped up
> in other character's reactions. I wanted to write about what this
was like
> for *her*. Having this irrefutable proof that she actually *is* a
girl
> removes any right other characters have to tell her she's not.
Then it just
> becomes a matter of "what is best for her? what should she do?"
I don't have much to say to this... only because I've already
replied to it. You seem to have decided the characters were going
to act completely OOC before even starting on the story, so
obviously nothing I say will conduct any sense of honor and justice
to the actual characters.
> I wanted to explore what this was like for *Ranko*. I could have
written
> reams about the other character's difficulties in coming to terms
with this
> situation. The story is already approaching 200 pages and is not
even done
> yet. There is really only room in this story to explore Ranko,
unless I want
> to make it truly enormous, which I don't. It's like Nodoka's
kitchen: there
> isn't room in there for everyone.
Hmm??? Oh, right. I've already wrote REAMS of stuff, on this
sort of subject. I take it slower, and don't worry about how long
it will be. It will be as long as the muses wish it to be, and
rushing just makes people gag at the rushed feeling.
In short... you SHOULD have written Reams abot her coming to
terms, because how it is right now it is laughably bad in the
realistic sense. People don't react this fast to things. People
change their minds, they change them back, and then back again....
People struggle with things, they don't just come to a conclusion
and decide "Great, I'm sticking by this."
That happens rarely.
> One thing I am dissatisfied with myself is that Ranko/Ranma does
not spend
> enough time agonizing over this. As she says later on, "Letting go
of being
> Ranma is the hardest thing I've ever done." I didn't show that
very well.
> However, "agonizing" means fretting over the same thing over and
over and
> over and over again, and while that is sound psychology, it makes
for boring
> reading. I felt that if I wrote 30 pages where Ranma was saying
"Should I?
> Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I?" that people would fall asleep
(me
> included). So having it happen over a week is utterly unrealistic,
but this
> is fiction, and I think it works better. My experience has been
that people
> get tired of hearing other people whine for prolonged periods of
time.
Boring Reading??? My fans would beg to differ about what is
boring. Without realism in such emotions, there is no connection to
the readers, and that is what any author worth their mettle must do.
CONNECT.
Either that or offend. =)
I will say this much. Fiction is not good fiction unless the
fiction is believable as Reality. Thus, your fiction is bad
fiction. Very bad fiction. Not only could I not believe it was the
Ranma crew, I couldn't believe that they were real people, and I am
a pretty imaginative person (As my friends can attest to).
> I'm sorry you didn't like it. I like Fragile Clay. Are you going
to write
> some more of it soon?
Thank you. ^^; It is a struggle for me to write, in many
different ways, the most being my Attention Deficit Disorder. I am
struggling, and the muses will gift me with a burst of creativity
some time to finish the first part of Volume 3.
I would like to apologize to you for seeming to be so harsh on
my criticism, I usually am more polite in it. However, I do see
that you have some potential to improve, and that your writing
skills themselves are very good, so take my harshness into account
and learn from it, don't cast it off as the words of some mad woman.
--
Sincerely....
Shimitsu Kaori.
Lost "Dragon-Gal"
of Shimitsu-Ryuu.
Princess of Chaos.
"What makes a curse is simply the view, a blessing to some is a
curse unto you, But
acceptance can conquer that fear you hold high, through acceptance
comes peace.....
are you willing to try?"
-Quote from Kaori Shimitsu.
My Homepage at!
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/chaos.htm
The FRAGILE CLAY WEBRING is at
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/ring.htm
ICQ UIN: 28514115
Want to Join the Fragile Clay Fan Club???
E-mail me with [FC Fan Club] In the subject line!!!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is my Reply to Mrs. Goldsmith's original story, it's far less acidic than my original one, but I think maybe I come across as too pompous. Not like that all the time, which is a good thing.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Red Death <reddeath@ldvi.net>
To: Kaoru Shimitsu <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2000 2:31 AM
Re: [FFML] Re: [FFML][C&C][RANMA]Genma's Daughter, Part 1
I am simply amazed at the level of arrogance and gall coming from you.
You first say that this is you opinion, and that it is not the "be all and
end all," yet you come across as trying to be some sort of fanfic overseer.
> And let me clarify *THIS*. I am a *TRANS SEXUAL*. Someone
>who's body does *NOT* match who I am inside, I am fundamentally
>female to the depths of my being... and I know more about these
>situations than you do. Which is why I was incredibly offended by
>the trivialization of these situations which show through your
>writing.
What you are or are not means squat in this instance. Whether or not you
are offended by something someone else wrote as a work of fiction is
equally irrelevant.
Despite the fact that these charcters are originally anime characters, they
are also supposed to be human beings. No two human beings will ever see a
situation the same way. This is the gift (or curse) of the human quality
of the "Point Of View." Like certain unmentionable body openings, everyone
has one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.
> Try and RESEARCH such things before going and writing about
>them.
Why? Then we'd all be writing nonfiction. Try to loosen up a bit.
>
> Just for the record, Ranma and Akane were deeply in love, and I
>doubt Akane would let gender problems get in the way of her love...
>(Summarizing, I think the reasons for Akane's "FRIENDSHIP" with
>Ranko are bunk, and don't hold up to emotional critiquing about such
>events actually happening).
Welcome once more to the vagaries of the human being. Friendships and the
reasons behind them can be, and usually are, so incomprehensible as to be
one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Emotional critiquing? What in the stars is that? "I don't think you're
really angry. No, no.. you can't convince me otherwise." Perhaps the two
were "deeply in love," but at what point was that really true? This fic is
apparently set midway in the original story, so they may be in love, they
may not.
> I am not a pro pro Cannon person, I only suggest people see the
>manga for what it is and try and work with what's in it towards
>wherever they want to go, not throw it out the window in favor of
>their own (Excepting Alternaverse cases, which I can honestly
>accept).
You ARE a "Canon Fanatic." You have acknowledged that here.
>"I only suggest people see the manga for what it is and try and work with
what's in it"
That little statement is the clincher. Working strictly with manga/anime
contents and events is what a canonic story is comprised of. Going outside
the original intent/plot is the entire point of fanfiction. The
manga/anime is, as far as fanfic is concerned, only a basic jumping off
point. "Where can I go from this point?" "What would happen if.." "How
about this?" You have lost sight of that fact.
> Keep practicing, this situation didn't pan out because it lacked
>the angst and dark turmoil beneath the characters personalities, not
>to mention, as others have, these just don't seem like the Ranma
>characters. Not at all. Only person who seems close to realistic
>is... Tofuu. ^^;
This entire line of thought is completely irrelevant.
You're reading your own personality into those of fictionalized characters.
Just because you would agonize and get angsty over something does not mean
that everyone else will.
> *Whistles Innocently* I have my sources, and one must also
>remember that Takahashi was poking fun at common day gender roles in
>Japan... so it is very likely she had Akane as a bisexual, and would
>be ironically fitting with her relationship to Ranma.
Your sources mean nothing. That is the "real" world, not the fanfic one.
And this little bit about what Takahashi "very likely" intended is probably
one of the most arrogant and offensive things I have ever read on this list.
How is it you can DARE to make assumptions on what Takahashi (or any other
original author) did or did not intend with their own work? Do you have a
direct phone number for her, which you can call and ask? Unless this is
indeed the case, then you are *way* out of line. Try to stay to the topic
at hand: analyzing a fanfic creation in the hopes the author can use your
input to make their work better, not claiming to be the one and only expert
on Ranma 1/2.
>> Why is thinking Akane doesn't have lesbian tendencies
>"speculation"?
>> Wouldn't it be the other way around, that thinking she *does* is
>> speculation?
>
> Both are speculation, look speculation up in the dictionary. In
>any case, I was severely disappointed how fast Akane dropped Ranma.
>It just didn't seem real, believable, and was another one of those
>annoying things. (When I say drop, I mean drop romantically).
Thats a good idea, I suggest you do so. I'll even help.
To speculate means to theorize based on incomplete information.
Thus the idea that Akane *might* have bisexual or lesbian tendencies is
speculation, as it is the belief of something that may or may not be so,
without any sort of confirmation.
Believing that she does *not* have these tendencies is not speculation,
merely the lack of it. You'd simply be going along with what is laid out,
taking things as read.
> Yep. Welcome to the real world. My *FATHER* has almost said as
>much to me, and he is a good man with a good heart. The world is a
>cruel, malicious, and generally un-nice place.
None of which means diddly in regards to this fanfic.
>> > Genma: I should shoot the author for developing an
And you should be removed from the list for even posting this little
statement.
I will recommend to the admins that they do so.
> Yes, I said in this message I didn't read the whole thing, and
>from what I've heard, I'm somewhat glad. It was a good idea, but
>executed poorly, even though your writing skills are above par some
>of the best I've seen, you need to develop some of the other talents
>of literature more (Plot, Storyline, Continuity, Conflict, Climax,
>Reality of Substance Matter especially.)
>
You didnt read the whole thing and yet you're putting on the air of "I Know
All"?
I'm rather glad you didn't, now that I think about it. I'd really hate to
see what you might spew out if you had.
And you have no place to criticize any of these facets of literature. I've
read Fragile Clay, and to hear you saying this about anyone else's work is
quite near the ultimate in the pot calling the kettle black.
>
> Nabiki was fishing for a husband in the first episode. She
>would've lost interest after learning Ranma had no money to really
>speak of. Nabiki is rather two faced at times, and though I believe
>there is a human being underneath that exterior, her motives are far
>from giving a damn about anyone else but "NUMBER ONE".
Once again, you are trying to pass yourself off as Ranma Expert Numero Uno,
trying to force others to accept your vision of Nabiki Tendou as the only
viable (or allowable) one.
> Not every girl says "ICKY" and Nabiki Tendou is one of those
>girls that doesn't say it. EVER. Any Nabiki fans out there, back
>me up on this.
I'm a Nabiki fan. I most certainly will *NOT* back you up on this.
How the hell would you know? Do you know Nabiki personally? Something
tells me NO.
This is again an instance of you trying to insist that others take your
interpretation of something as law.
> Specifics are Ranma's speech is rough Japanese, not annoyingly
>rough japanese, just impolite enough to get the effect he wants, and
>he isn't always speaking rough japanese in every single sentance of
>the series. He alternates, depending on situations.
So? You're nitpicking at irrelevancies again. Did you ever once give it
some thought that there might be some reason for this Ranma's speech
patterns? I didn't think so.
> Waste time crying over Spilled Milk? Is this the same Cologne
>that came all the way to Japan to find Ranma to force him to marry
>Shampoo??? The same Cologne that has, time and again, persisted in
>forcing Ranma towards her Great Great Granddaughter, despite being
>intelligent enough to see Akane loves Ranma and vice versa??? The
>Same Cologne who is stubborn, persistent, patient, and plotting???
Yep. She has her own ends in mind, I'm sure. How about waiting to see
where miss Goldsmith goes with the character before deciding to play god
and judge it wrong?
> I might also note that Ranma, girl or man, will not get away
>from Cologne. Cologne has invested WAY too much time, training, and
>effort on Ranma to let Ranma slip from her grips, not to mention
>Ranma was possibly the most perfect specimen of a man Cologne had
>ever come across in her life (Which means much stronger children for
>the royal lineage of the Amazon's).
This is another of your "My View Is Right" instances. You're making
assumbtions about things that you could not possibly have any knowledge of.
What Cologne believes, what she plans, and what she wants are things that
generally open to interpretation.
Yes, she wants Ranma to marry Shampoo. Yes, she wants him to give her
strong children to further strengthen her tribe. It's not really gone into
in any more detail by Takahashi.
>> Comparing Nabiki's pranks (which is I'm sure the way she views
>them) to
>> abducting a child and forcibly changing its sex doesn't seem
>realistic to
>> me.
>
> Pranks??? Taking illicit, and naughty, pictures of her own
>sister and her sister's fiancee?? Or how about using Ranma's caring
>and love to exploit money from him time and again (Not to mention
>the entire arc where she was his fiancee and used him again and
>again as an object more than a person).
You didn't read her statement fully, did you?
"Comparing Nabiki's pranks (which is I'm sure the way she views
>them) to.."
They are pranks to NABIKI's way of thinking, in miss Goldsmith's mind.
Try to research things a little before going and writing about them.
> I didn't ask for your pity. I told you why you are inaccurate
>about this story, and why it is offensive to me and anyone else who
>might be gender dysphoric.
Well, you have mine. Not for..well, whatever that term means. You have it
for being a waste of time to any writer wanting worthwhile C&C.
I'm leaning in the direction that it is only offensive to you in
particular. You seem to wallow in self-pity a lot, and want others to
share in the nonsense.
> Actually, it's very easy to tell a person they aren't.
>Especially parents. That is the cruel thing about most situations
>like this, the parents propogate it. I don't really care much about
>all the "EVIDENCE" you throw into the mix. This isn't a situation
>which Evidence will effect... especially with someone like Ranma.
Contradictory little git, aren't you? You've been throwing highly spurious
"EVIDENCE" into this whole self-aborbed diatribe from beginning to end.
My whole point up until now has been to show you that the "evidence" you
keep waving around like a Holy Banner doesnt mean jack s**t in this
context. It is a FANFIC, not real life.
> I also cannot believe Ranma has always had a liking for his
>curse, which again brings up the topic that these are not Ranma,
>Akane, and everyone else. They are figments of your imagination.
>They really should have different names, seems like you just
>borrowed the Ranma crew to tell a rather unrelated story.
Well, you've finally figured out what a fictional character is. This is
especially true of fanfic characters. By using your reasoning there is no
such thing as fanfic, as all of these very entertaining stories would be
original works.
EVERY fanfic author's versions of the original anime characters are
figments of their imagination. There is not a single fanfic out there that
uses the original characters precisely as written by the original
anime/manga creator.
> You may not be criticizing Gender Dysphorics, but you are
>insulting them without even realizing it.
No, it's just you feeling sorry for yourself. Get off the horse, it's old
and tired.
> Don't preach to the choir, honey. I deal with people every day
>which have heavy emotional problems, GD, Bipolar Disorder, Manic
>Depression. I live by compassion as a rote, so feelings matter a
>hell of a lot to me.
Don't use your own personal problems as an excuse. It doesn't justify
anything you're saying here.
> Yes, Humans are flawed. However, all of us are flawed in
>different ways. I do not see half the people forcing ranma towards
>female doing so. It just is not their personalities.
>
> Which *AGAIN* brings up the fact that these do not seem like
>Ranma characters, but people you made up from Scratch for
>convenience sake. You yourself have said these are not the
>characters we know, so why the hell did you use their names if they
>are completely different people?
Read the above section on fictional characters one more time, it might help.
> I don't have much to say to this... only because I've already
>replied to it. You seem to have decided the characters were going
>to act completely OOC before even starting on the story, so
>obviously nothing I say will conduct any sense of honor and justice
>to the actual characters.
Now, don't get into that whole IC/OOC non-issue. It's been done to death
with no appreciable effect. There is no such thing as OOC. The characters
are who they are, regardless of who's doing the writing. It's the author's
job to show us why.
> Hmm??? Oh, right. I've already wrote REAMS of stuff, on this
>sort of subject. I take it slower, and don't worry about how long
>it will be. It will be as long as the muses wish it to be, and
>rushing just makes people gag at the rushed feeling.
If you're referring to Fragile Clay, then I suppose I can understand why
you seem so self-righteous. I mean, from your point of view miss Goldsmith
is treading on your personal topic.
It doesn't matter one whit what you've written reams of, that's YOUR work,
not hers. It has no relevancy to anything.
> In short... you SHOULD have written Reams abot her coming to
>terms, because how it is right now it is laughably bad in the
>realistic sense. People don't react this fast to things. People
>change their minds, they change them back, and then back again....
>People struggle with things, they don't just come to a conclusion
>and decide "Great, I'm sticking by this."
>
> That happens rarely.
I must again use the D-word.
How DARE you even *think* you can tell someone what they SHOULD or SHOULD
NOT write. That decision is up to the author and no one else. Where you
get off telling anyone how to work their craft is beyond me. That one
statement is so offensive it's down right vile.
And you have *zero* right to call anyione's work "laughably bad in the
realistic sense."
First off, there is very little realism involved in any kind of anime.
They're intended to be unreal, the same as many works of fiction.
Goldsmith's fic has no realism problem.
Secondly... you write Fragile Clay. 'Nuff said.
Thirdly, what you're demanding that she write isn't a fanfic at all, it's
your own godawful life story! You want to see your own problems in print,
go ahead and write them yourself, don't try and force anyone else to change
their work to suit your life. "I'm different from everyone else! You HAVE
to write about me! Because I say so!"
> Boring Reading??? My fans would beg to differ about what is
>boring. Without realism in such emotions, there is no connection to
>the readers, and that is what any author worth their mettle must do.
>CONNECT.
Those aren't fans, thats your ego. Really... A webring dedicated to
yourself? Please..
> Either that or offend. =)
Come down from that horse already. There's no one offended here except
you, and no one cares.
> I will say this much. Fiction is not good fiction unless the
>fiction is believable as Reality. Thus, your fiction is bad
>fiction. Very bad fiction. Not only could I not believe it was the
>Ranma crew, I couldn't believe that they were real people, and I am
>a pretty imaginative person (As my friends can attest to).
<blink>
THIS is undoubtedly the most offensive thing I have EVER heard.
I do want to congratulate you, though. You have managed to insult every
fiction writer that has ever put pen to paper with that one little comment.
Do you mean to tell me that Douglas Adams' work is "very bad fiction"? And
David Eddings? Robert Jordan? Terry Pratchett? You have the stones to
try and judge all these writers work by your own limited and self-centered
view of things? My god... And you call yourself a literary person? I'd
barely call you human for that.
How is it that you have such an inflated opinion of yourself? Contrary to
your belief, you are not the Author Almighty, so try and keep your
ridiculous and self-aggrandizing garbage to a minimum.
One of these days you might even make your own work readable to anyone
other than yourself.
> I would like to apologize to you for seeming to be so harsh on
>my criticism, I usually am more polite in it. However, I do see
>that you have some potential to improve, and that your writing
>skills themselves are very good, so take my harshness into account
>and learn from it, don't cast it off as the words of some mad woman.
I'd seriously recommend disregarding everything this person has said.
They're so wrapped up in their own life and problems they can't see
anything but themselves.
Deborah, I sincerely apologize for sending this to you as well as the
poster, but I believed you had a right to know what was said here. If this
message upsets or offends in any way, I'm very sorry, and can only beg your
forgiveness for doing so.
Red Death
Ranma 1/2 Superhighway
Links to any Ranma fanfic that I can find!
http://www.lvdi.net/~reddeath/index.htm
ICQ# 3799370
"You're only killin' time and it'll kill ya right back."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This was his reply to my C&C. I was a little confused by this point, but I am sure that I wasn't THAT acidic to have gotten a response like this?? Oh well, you people decide.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Kaoru Shimitsu <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>
To: Red Death <reddeath@ldvi.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2000 2:42 AM
Re: [FFML] Re: [FFML][C&C][RANMA]Genma's Daughter, Part 1
Incidentally, RD, I've spoken with the author privately.
She isn't as insulted as you apparently are, and neither are the
numerous others who've agreed vehemently with me, of course off
list.
I at least was giving opinions of what the problems might be
in the fic, and I don't appreciate you flaming me just because I
gave my opinion of something.
I formally apologized twice to the author of the fic for my
rather scathing commentary, but, as you will see by many other of
the posts in response to mine, I did have a great deal of good and
worth while commentary mixed with my dislike of the content of the
story.
I, personally, am a fan of Ranma-Girl stories. I try and
read the ones I can get my hands on, because I generally like
reading how many different permutations that these things can
happen.
I am not upset at you, though I am curious as to why you
seem so thoroughly pissed at me to toss insult into every single
comment on my post. I'm fairly sure I haven't done much in the area
of offending you.
I'd just like to remind you again, every single scathing
comment I made or didn't make is just opinion, no matter what the
hell else I say in a post it is my opinion, which means you can
trash it, burn it, use it as toilet paper, or what have you.
It's really not worth flaming me for, considering I think of
you as a friend (And I certainly don't consider the Author of the
story an enemy, considering she was patient enough to see the
quality comments I did make over the distaste I had for the fic.)
--
Sincerely....
Shimitsu Kaori.
Lost "Dragon-Gal"
of Shimitsu-Ryuu.
Princess of Chaos.
"What makes a curse is simply the view, a blessing to some is a
curse unto you, But
acceptance can conquer that fear you hold high, through acceptance
comes peace.....
are you willing to try?"
-Quote from Kaori Shimitsu.
My Homepage at!
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/chaos.htm
The FRAGILE CLAY WEBRING is at
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/Shimitsu/ring.htm
ICQ UIN: 28514115
Want to Join the Fragile Clay Fan Club???
E-mail me with [FC Fan Club] In the subject line!!!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This was my reply to his last e-mail, I never received a response for it, which makes me think mebbe I am on some sort of kill filter.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
That's all the letters for now!!!
-Shimitsu Kaori