I am inordinately fond of crossovers when done RIGHT. (I am sure all too many of you are familiar with crossovers done wrong.)

I also am odd enough to occasionally -- very occasionally -- enjoy self-insert fanfictions. However, as those occasions happen to be Mel and Christy's "Warped Mirrors" and most of Eyrie Productions, Unltd.'s output, I flatter myself that I am at least in good company.

I dislike being told "This is my first/second/whatever story, so no flames please!" I could understand a request for honest criticism rather than flames, but flamers are notorious for not listening to requests to cease and desist, and there is no earthly reason why the newness of the writer should deter criticism. (I can see that it might cause a critic to choose different words when criticizing, as a new writer may not recognize the standard technical terms, but if writers are never criticized they will never improve. They may not agree with said criticism -- and it may well be dead wrong -- but just thinking about WHY the story is right and the critic is wrong will help the story's writer write stronger stories in the future.)

Similarly, I detest disclaimers that claim "So-and-so is my original character, so do not use her/him/it without permission!" Forgive me if I err, but I understood that half the nature of fanfiction involves using other people's characters without permission. The only justification for double standards is when the situations qualitatively differ -- few among us would choose to judge small boys and grown men by the same standards -- and if anyone wishes to use my original characters, they have at least as much right as they do to use those of a published author. All I would ask -- and this at least is only fair -- is that one should credit one's sources. If anyone for some reason wishes to use one of MY original characters (not that I know why one would), let them state that Such-and-such was created by me and provide a link or address.