Janet,
Thanks for your response. To delve into the question even further, what do readers look for or expect in the "romance?" What is it in the relationship between M&S that specifically draws the reader in and keeps holds the interest until the end?
I appreciate hearing from you.
All the best,
Debby K

I love to see the romance between Mike and Sully too. and the historical aspects of your stories.
I like the endless love which Sully and Michaela shares

i can't wait for your new story

Fanette

Thanks for your remarks, Fanette. I appreciate hearing from you.

I should mention that my questions about what readers like to see in fan fiction, are not necessarily specific to my stories but apply to any DQ fan fiction. I think writers gravitate to writing what they themselves would like to see. When an author spends weeks and months working on a story, she has to like what she's writing and to see the vision for the characters.

Do readers look at what the writer has done, and say, "That's not my vision for them." "That's not how I see them." "They would never do that."

From the responses so far, I understand about the romance and history. Those are things which are very important to me. Now, taking that a step further, what specifically are the most romantic settings you like in the world of DQ fiction? What historic elements are most meaningful to you?

By the way, the new story has LOTS of history in it.

All the best,
Debby K

Hi,

I've gone through all your stories, so first off, you're an awesome writer, very prolific, and I love how each and every story is a self contained one while at the same a part of a much grander scale in terms of characters/history etc.

What do I like to see in DQ fanfiction, which does not apply to yours specifically, are those that speak of the romance before they married or things that led up to the romance. (I like to torture myself with angst.) Many of the episodes from Season 1-3 were great, but in many cases, I believe that more of the romance between them could have been further developed (most notably, Another Woman, etc), things where huge issues were brought into the open, however because of time constraints, things were rushed.

Aspects that are applicable obviously are continuity from the show and what I would have loved to have happen (not completely following the movies). I always believed that they would have more children (thank you Debby for your wonderful characterizations of their children) especially with how much love they have for each other.

I like stories where their love is rosy all the time (meaning more angst with happy resolutions). I like how you meld these obstacles with their own issues and then the history behind the plot. It makes the reading so much fun. I love hearing more about the children as well and how MS interact with them. Another aspect, especially if they are married is how each of them deal with unforeseen jealousy, even when it is unreturned on the part of M and S. Maybe that is carried through from my issues with David, Catherine, etc...where things worked out (albeit sometimes offscreen).

Anyways I hope that makes sense. Thanks again for writing these wonderful stories. Am I horrible to ask for an update on how the new story is coming along?

:)

Thanks for your in depth analysis, Yoyo. I remember "Another Woman" very well. I actually stopped watching the series when that aired. I didn't like Catherine as an artificial roadblock to the continued romance of Michaela and Sully. I did not resume watching DQ again until "Abduction."

Of course, as I have written these stories over the years, I recognize the usefulness of placing obstacles in the road of M&S. We know they would never betray one another, but misunderstandings and jealousy can spice things up a lot.

I appreciate your evaluation of what romance means to you.

All the best,
Debby K

I also appreciate your kind comments about my stories.

I have composed 6 chapters of the new story.

Debby K

Oops, I realized I made a couple typos in my previous post!

I meant that I liked stories where their road to their love isn't rosy all the time (but with happy resolutions). I was typing way too fast!

But thanks for the response! :) Thanks for the update as well!

I love reading DQ fanfiction because the characters stay alive. I believe I have read every fan fiction story that has been written at least once. Some stories, of course, I like better than others, but I can't stand missing any. I save my favorite stories on my computor and reread them ofter. Why I love some stories more than others is hard to explain. My favorite story of yours is an odd choice, but it is the one where M & S that they are going to die in a cave and they write letters to their children. To me that was so powerful. Maybe it is because I love children I don't know. I watched DQ origonally for two main reasons. I loved Jane Seymour and knew who Joe was and because it was a show staring a strong female. I grew up when women were no where near to having equal rights. I needed role models and Michaela Quinn was a hero, a role model for me. I love best the fan fictions where she is still that strong character that I loved. I hated those stories that have one of your couple die or have them mary others. That is just not DQ to me. I am not a fan of stores written about other characters such as Colleen or Preston. I like the CS characters in fan ficction just not as the main chatacter. I also love the modern day stories. If the author keeps M & S in character I love seeing them and how they would react to our world as it is today. Debbie I hope you continue your writing I will be there to read everyone!!!!

Hi Debby ,
I'm not as brave as Lynn and read every single story that is posted because I just can't take it when Michaela or Sully or both are written out of character. Once I notice this after starting to read, I stop.
So, what does out of character mean for me? It means that I can't recognize the very special (or, like the Reverend said, remarkable) love Michaela and Sully shared. I love that couple because it is different from others. If I want to read a 'normal' love story, I can choose between enough books out there. But when I read a DQ story, I want Michaela and Sully. When I don't get them, then that is as if on the cover it says 'Diamonds' but under it I only find broken glass. (The same goes for the townies, of course... although with them I'm not so strict .)
That doesn't mean I don't like stories that aren't focused on M&S all the time... as long as I know they will be together in the end I'm reading patiently... I even love a lot of angst. For me it doesn't matter in what time we get to see them as long as they stay true to their characters: Michaela strong when it comes to her professional and public life but rather insecure when it comes to her private sphere while Sully loves her unconditional but is kind of clueless when it comes to other women. Not to forget that he is an absolute honorable character who unfortunately often first acts and then thinks.
Sorry, I didn't want to write a novel . I love to have other townies in the story as well, but like on the show, my main focus is on M&S.
Can't wait for your new story!!!
Have a nice advent time!!
Marion (Kruemi)

Marion,
I'm glad that you offered your perspective on DQ fan fiction. I agree that it is so important to keep the integrity of Michaela and Sully, keeping their strengths and offering insights into their weaknesses. I have often depicted Sully as brooding, solitary and instinctive, but it's good to give readers reasons for his behavior so that they don't just think "Oh, he's being stupid," or "He's being a jerk." I would much rather readers think, "Oh, THAT's why he's acting that way." Then again, if we want his or her behavior to be a mystery at first, that can work, as well.

I also agree about keeping the love between M&S strong and remarkable. Life is full of abusive relationships and broken marriages. Television is full of reality backstabbing, profit motivated couples. To me, M&S are the ideal, and I don't ever want their bond to be broken or shaken. THEY are the exception to what we too often see around us, and the model for how couples should behave.

It's good to hear from you and from those who have posted here or emailed me privately. I find the discussion to be quite interesting.

All the best,
Debby K

Happy New Year Debby:
Like Marion wrote If Michaela and Sully are not the main characters in the story I don't read it. And about your question what I like about them is the love so different, strong and special that they have.Also their romance time when he recite poems to her and how you describe their lovetime.
I like when the children are part of your stories.
And I can't see you writing about M&S in modern time that won't be you. I love your stories because I have learn alot in them about the Indians,the National Parks and all the important people from that time. Please don't stop writing. Rosie

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rosie. I'm glad you took the time to let us know what you find appealing in the fan fiction stories.
All the best for a Happy New Year.
Debby K

Lynn, thanks for detailing what you like and do not like in DQ fan fiction. I am in agreement with not liking stories that focus on Colleen and Andrew, but I do occasionally use them in my stories for plot purposes. At the moment, they're sort of in limbo. In fact, Michaela and Colleen discuss that very fact in my new story.

I also agree about stories that have M or S married to someone else. Only a few times have I tried to offer insight into Sully's relationship with Abigail, and it was to contrast how much deeper his feelings are for Michaela. It's just a matter of taste and not meant as a criticism of any fan fiction that does have them separated and working their way to each other.

The favorite of mine that you mentioned was "The Cave," and I'm glad that you found it to be a powerful one. It is an awesome feeling to wonder what message we would write to our loved ones if we thought we would never see them again.

As for Preston, I love to use him for comic relief and as an antagonist to Sully. I depict him as obsessed with Michaela (again, a bit of that in the new story), but everyone knows he doesn't stand a snowball's chance with her. I thought the DQ episode of "Dead or Alive" was such a compelling one in showing a more complex Preston.

I am in agreement, though, that M&S should always be the center of the story. I've never thought about writing them in the present, I guess because I love history so much. My family and friends often tell me I live in the past. It's a challenge to see how I can work M&S into the big events of their era.

I appreciate your thoughts.

All the best,
Debby K

Hey, Debby.
First, I'd like to congratulate you for the quality of your fanfictions. They are among my favorites, and I still keep an eye on your website for a new one, even though I lost some of my enthusiasm for DQ FF as time's gone by.
I started watching DQ because I have a strong interest in medicine, then I kept coming back for more because of the romance between M&S, and because Mike became some kind of role model during my teenage years.
One of the main reasons I no longer read every DQ fanfic that comes up, is that I found "my" Sully, so I no longer need to dream about love... the other one, is the same reason as why I no longer watch DQ reruns and watch House M.D or ER instead: there's not enough medical challenges for my taste.
To me, the "Perfect" DQ fanfic would be the one who deals with a strong medical puzzle, or challenge, that takes into consideration historic and social contexts, while displaying a few glimpses of its impact on Mike and Sully's life.
Well, I hope that little speech gives you another "inspiring" POV.
Take care, Debby, keep up the great work!
A.G.

AG, thanks for your post. First let me congratulate you on finding your very own Sully.

Second, I appreciate your observations about a medical mystery. I sort of did a story line about that with Myra's illness and Michaela's use of colloidal silver. If I come across something in my historic research that lends itself to DQ FF, I shall try to incorporate it into the story.

I appreciate your visits to my site and hope you continue to check it out.

All the best,
Debby K