Natasa wrote:

I think many writers imagine they're creating a 'TV episode', not writing a story.

Indeed several people have said this. I don't understand why it's quite so prevalent, as written fiction has so many advantages.

Much greater problem, however, is to present their 'inner voice'. There we move from the realm of imitating the series into the realm of interpretation.

Of course, this is where the character junkies (me for one) love it.

A short story has its own advantages over a play, which ought to be used, but are often neglected. Stream-of-consciousness, the moments when a character is alone and does nothing much in the outer world, but very much happens

within.

I think this is something that (on average) slash writers do better than gen writers, for some reason.

One reason that I find some well-constructed and well-written stories dull is that the characters don't change during the story. Events happen, but the characters often emerge unscathed to fight another day, which is not 100% consonant with the original series.

Not to mention the other elements - I was just concerned with the characters here.

Yeah, many of us have mentioned the freedom to invent interesting monsters, casts of thousands, sexy backdrops &c&c without the budget constraints.

Tavia