Why Fan Fiction: I don't consider myself one who gets attached to many, many shows, games, movies, etc. My writing fan fiction is actually all about character development. I like taking strong, but somewhat empty templates of characters, such as that found in Cameron in Terminator: SCC, or Kaileena in Prince of Persia, or the Prince himself and basically playing psychologist. I notice what seems to make them tick, and make guesses and speculations as to how they would develop, and how others around them will treat them and work to bring out the best (or worst in them). Then I like to try and make them identify their flaws and spend much of the story having them learn to fix them. It sounds strange, but you really begin to love the character as a real person, and it can actually be difficult to watch anything bad happen to them in the canonical stories.

Well, that was a bit of a tangent I got off on, but my original point is that, if I want to write fiction, fan fiction gives me a template of a character to work with rather than have to always start from complete scratch.

Writing Patterns: As I said, my stories are often very character and dialog driven. They will usually include a male character who is especially tender with his wife, girlfriend, or love interest, but at the same time has a problem with arrogance and domination of her, which naturally creates tension. My lead female character usually comes from a sheltered or harsh background, is quite innocent, unsure of her future, and loves the protagonist, though she is unclear or uncertain as to how she loves him. A comic relief character is usually present, though he is never a Jar Jar Binks, fifth wheel type, nor is he (or she) obnoxious and annoying to the reader. He is usually very useful and will often have a side romance of his own. I usually try to keep the story, however dark it gets, to have humor and an aura of hope.

Anyway, this is who I am and why and how I write FF. I also do fiction, so keep an eye out in your bookstores!