User blog comment:Adelina Le Morte March/Fanfiction Pains: annoying things I've noticed related to Merlin fanfics/@comment-5939645-20130126214017

There are too many fan fictions in which graphic descriptions of sexual intercourse between the characters is the main or only plot. I'm not prudish at all, but sex has a time and place in a story and only if it's appropriate for the plot. Sticking sex in a fan fiction without a good reason is just immature and smut. You actually demean the characters.

I also grow tired of making Merlin seem so weak that he would allow Arthur to actually execute him. Come on now, the most powerful sorcerer in the world isn't going to let himself be burned at the stake. I admit that Merlin is in love with Arthur... at least platonically....but love doesn't include allowing oneself to be killed.

People have this suicide kick too. Perhaps it reflects their feeling of their own lives. Nothing in Merlin's character in the show implies that he is suicidal. These types of stories are turn off to readers because they are morbid and not believable

Writers should not plead for reviews. You shouldn't need the adoration of people to finish a story. You must be the one satisfied with your story. Don't let people tear you down or give you false praise. Be proud of your creation on your own. BUT.....please finish the story. The majority of writers in fan fiction start a story and never finish it.

Vulgarity has its time and place. I don't think that its keeping with the characters of Arthur and Merlin as per the show. The "F" word repells many people. I hope that the writer's mouth isn't that filthy to use it constantly, but kindly remember Arthur is King and probably wouldn't say it as much as you might.

It's important to develop a writing style that allows a proper sequence in your story and description of places and people. Remember, people are visual and need those things to stay interest in the story. A one-shot story probably shouldn't reall involve more than one scene. This not criticism, but I hopeful helpful advice.