So you say you're a little new to the world of writing Avatar fanfiction, and don't want to end up on our site? Well, take a look at this parade of horrors, consisting of things garaunteed to launch your fic into the SUCKY. Avoid these like you would nutjobs with chainsaws, and you'll do fine. If you have these sprinkled through your fic... well, the road to salvation is long, and you might want to get started soon.

"You've written a bad fic if..."

• If Aang isn't the last airbender/Avatar. He IS, damn you!
  
  
• You misspell the character's names, such as "Saka", "Kitara", or "Zucko". Research the names, guys!
  
  
• The main character in your story has the same name as you.
  
  
• Or, it's not something cool, but something eye-rolling. Like "Echo".
  
  
• Your character is a "mysterious" person who enters the Avatar world "mysteriously".
  
  
• At the end of your fic ... it's all just a bad dream. Double points if it was a wet dream.
  
  
• You couldn't be bothered to spell-check your story, giving us headscratchers like "imiditally". OR, you spell-checked your story while you were stoned, giving us "soccer" instead of "Sokka". Do it RIGHT, people!
  
  
• You hand-draw pictures of your characters, expecting other people to view them.
  
  
• We are introduced to Zuko while he is having a temper tantrum/wangst session.
  
  
• Your story features a child who has any of the following:
  a) Super powers (above average/not normal bending powers, extraordinary martial art skills)
  b) A bizarre pet.
  c) Dead parents (the Fire Nation did it)
  d) A disturbing crush on Aang.
  
  
• Taken directly from Hanako's site: "You start your fic with a soppy quote from the latest lame chart-topping hit. Double points if the word "love", "pain" or "heart" are in the title. Triple points if the song's by Jewel."
  
  
• You don't bother to capitalize. Or punctuate. Or you use chat speak. You lazy bastard.
  
  
• You ditch all canon characters and create a universe of your own, with OCs flying out the wahzoo. And expect people to love your "Avatar" fic, even though none of these characters are at all interesting.
  
  
• If "show jokes" are abused. Yes, the Sokka's "ruffage" is very funny, just don't overuse it. Likewise, Iroh might like tea, but he doesn't have to have his lips locked to his teacup the whole fic.
  
  
• If any character is downplayed to make another look better. For example, Iroh being portrayed as a silly, senile old man, in order to emphasize how 1337 Zuko is. Iroh is very clever, powerful, and in control of himself, NOT some goofy guy. RESPECT the characters.
  
  
• If your love of a certain character becomes painfully apparent through a fic where that character does outrageously amazing (and angsty) things while other character sit back helpless and do NOTHING.
  
  
• Your OC can bend something that ISN'T one of the four elements, like light, luuurve, or styrofoam peanuts.
  
  
• Appa/Momo either:
  a) Eat something they ordinarily wouldn't (out of stupidity).
  b) Aren't written in the fic (even though they play important roles), because you consider them too insignificant/troublesome to do so.
  c) Die to make room for cooler pets. Or to make room for the "bigger" characters.
  
  
• Aang either:
  a) Sees Katara in a SEXUAL light.
  b) Dies. To make room for your OC baby. (You've done Aang WRONG, Arekisu!)
  c) Is somehow beaten by your fabulous OC.
  
  
• Katara either:
  a) Is bitchy. Because you don't like her.
  b) Is powerless. Because you don't like her/want her to be captured by Zuko/can't write fight scenes.
  
  
• Sokka either:
  a) Gets his ass beaten to a PULP by Zuko. Doesn't even land a single punch in retaliation. Because Zuko is soooooo much cooler.
  b) Is snide and snarky. So when your OC tells him off so clever like, he can just go crawl back into his sulk-cave.
  c) Gets hit by his own boomerang.
  d) Isn't IMMEDIATELY suspicious of your OC.
  
  
• Iroh either:
  a) Drinks tea. All the time.
  b) Eats pork. All the time.
  c) Acts like he's high. All the time. Iroh is SMARTER than that, people!
  
  
• Zuko either:
  a) Punches, kicks, or fire-attacks someone (shirtless!) while gritting his teeth and saying, "This is for my honor!"
  b) Punches, kicks, or fire-attacks someone (shirtless!) while his muscles ripple, saying "This is for my honor!"
  c) Punches, kicks, or fire-attacks someone (shirtless!) while clutching Katara/your OC to his chest and saying, "This is for my honor!"
  
  
• Jet either:
  a) Gets his ass kicked by your OC.
  b) Seems to forget about Katara because of your OC.
  c) Isn't immediately suspicious of your OC.
  d) Doesn't hate the Fire Nation (double points if it's because of your OC.)
  
  
• Character rape. In the literal sense. I don't want to hear about Zuko molested at the hands of Zhao and/or Ozai! That's WRONG!
  
  
• Dead relatives. Who come back to life.
  
  
• Your character has a scarred past. Or, you give a canon character a terrible past–even MORE than the one they already have! Leave Zuko ALONE, dammit!
  
  
• If any of the following show up in your Avatar fanfic:
  a) the Teen Titans.
  b) Danny Phantom.
  c) American Dragon: Jake Long.
  d) Survivor.
  e) Who Wants To Be A Millionare.
  
  
• You kill off the entire cast of Avatar. Or nearly do so. (It's funny in a disturbing way how many times Arekisu comes up on this list)
  
  
• You copyright your characters. Like anyone's going to steal them, for God's sake. If I want a crappy OC, I'll make my own, thankyouverymuch!
  
  
• Your fic is in present progressive; third person plural point of view. OR Present emphatic tense; third person omnipotent point of view. Write in past tense ALWAYS, unless doing a fic from a character's perspective only.
  
  
• You've ended your fanfic with ... "THE END ... Or is it?" Don't leave us retching in fear at the prospect of continuation of your crappy fic.
  
  
• You've put a disclaimer at the beginning of your fanfic that reads: "Please excuse the spelling and grammar in this story." FIX IT, you lazy bum! Don't just plug that at the top of your fic and expect that to make everything peachy keen and excuse your laziness!
  
  
• Your format is weird. People will not read your story if it's wonky looking.
  
  
• You have A/N notes in the middle of a story. Do you MIND? I'm trying to READ here!
  
  
• If "cross-benders" show up in your fic, such as people who can bend earth AND fire. One element per character, folks.
  
  
• If any character, at any time, in any way is affected by their "horomones". I don't want to see Zuko reduced to a horn-dog because he just can't "control himself". Nor do I want to see Katara lord over the male population with her PMS-powered bitch-tyranny. HOROMONES DO NOT EXCUSE OOC, DAMN YOU ALL!!!!
  
  
• The summary includes {character}xOOC. Granted it's probably true, but still, get your acronyms right!
  
  
• You have a character paired with Zuko who heals his scar, double points if it isn't Katara, triple points if she isn't a waterbender...