1. What exactly is this?

This is the Fushigi Yuugi fanfiction spotlight, hosted by the Fushigi Yuugi Fanzine "The Quill." This is a place where good fanfics are highlighted each month.

2. Who's running it?

Well, the fanfic spotlight is written by Kristi Brownfield (email: kouji@enteract.com). Kristi has been on the internet since 1994. She first watched Fushigi Yuugi in 1996. Kristi and her partner and crime started one of the earlier Fushigi Yuugi webpages, The Shrine to the Almighty Chicken of Doom. The Shrine to the Almighty Chicken of Doom hosts the Fushigi Yuugi Fanfiction Archive, which Kristi has run since 1998. She also write Fushigi Yuugi fanfics herself.

3. What gives you the authority to judge fanfics?

Nobody. These reviews are my opinions only. They are not paid for, nor do they represent the opinions of the entire staff of the Fushigi Yuugi fanzine "The Quill." Think of me as something akin to a literary critic. The fanfics that I highlight are ones that I think are good and like. You are perfectly able to disagree with me, or even to send suggestions to me.

4. So what makes a fic "good"?

I judge fics according to this criteria (in no particular order):

1. mechanics (spelling, grammar, sentence structure)
2. characterization (are the characters believable?)
3. plot (is the plot well constructed? is it believable?)
4. flow (is the fanfic choppy, or does it flow smoothly from one scene to the next?)
5. gut instinct (how does this fanfic make me feel after reading it?)

Okay, that was the Not-FAQ. ^_-

Now for the actual review.

Fanfic: Always, Forever
URL: http://www.pipeline.com/~monica/fanfic/AlwaysForever.htm
Author: Monica Shin

When I heard that the feature for the month of June was going to be 'sexuality in Fushigi Yuugi,' I flipped. It's a great topic to discuss, especially considering some of the threads that were popping up on the FYML at the time the editors decided on the feature. But to find a fanfic that has something to do with sexuality in Fushigi Yuugi? That wasn't a lemon? I had my work cut out for me.

So, what did I pick? Always, Forever by Monica Shin. It's an old fanfic, and I've loved it ever since I read it ... nearly two years ago. I admit it, I failed in my quest to find a fanfic that deals with sexuality. So, I took the next best thing. One of my favorite fanfics dealing with love.

Always, Forever is told from Miaka's point of view, after the end of the TV series. It asks what might have happened if Tamahome wasn't reborn as Taka? Miaka tries to go on with her life. She meets a young man, and they get married. But is that really the end of her love with Tamahome? No, I won't say anymore. It would spoil the ending. Read the fic.

Although, I am not really a fan of either Miaka or Tamahome, I enjoy this fanfic. It protrays Miaka in a strong light that isn't really seen in the TV series (perhaps in the manga). She is strong enough to move on, and live without Tamahome, who she just spent depending on for support and care. Miaka thinks about the situations she is in, rather than reacting. This is a Miaka I could like and respect.

The storyline also flows well, and the reader is able to follow where the fanfic is going easily. The fanfic does move a bit fast, but if the reader pays attention, the fic can be followed.

Yes, best of all, the true reason I picked this fanfic for the feature: it has a happy ending. So, I'm a sap. I admit it. ^_-

Attention!
Next month's feature will not be on fics, but on the writers! We're taking votes as to who will be interviewed for next month at the Form Page. Submissions will be taken until June 15, so please get those votes in!