Well, maybe not that frequently asked... :-)

General questions

What happened to the news page?
I decided that i'm to lazy to update it, that's what happened. From now on I'll just use the Forum...

Why are some stories on the Anthrofiction.com website, but not here, or here and not there?
Because Steve is such a swell guy and his site was the first place to publish my Fang story I've decided that some stories will be published there first, to give him the extra hits. The stories that are published here is because I want some hits, too...

Can I use your characters in my own story
If you don't mess with my main characters, introduce sex-crazed hermaphroditic fox-taurs, accept that I have the final say and will expect to be in on the editing process, who knows?
If you ask politely, and send me an outline of the story, I'll consider it.
After all, Mike Regan from The Raccoon's Bookshelf sent me a beautiful piece, and after only very minor changes(like making Anthony drink Tea instead of koffee), it was allowed to be put up. his next story was a challenge from me, and because it was based on events mentioned in the diaries, and close dialogue between us, it and the sequels are considered 'canon' for the UEC universe.

Story related questions

In the first Diary Masmah is black-and-white, but in later stories she's brown. Why?
Ooops....
She IS supposed to be black-and-white, and one day I'll fix that.

The aliens have spacecraft, but our computers are better? How can this be?
There's no law that says computer technology must follow the same pace as on Earth.
And if you look at the SR-71 Blackbird, the supersonic spyplane, it was constructed using no more advanced computers than slide rules, and you can't create much better craft today if you use the same power plant and material limitations as back then.

Questions about writing

Any good tips?
Yes...

1. Keep a small notebook or keyboarded organiser with you at all times. Whenever you hear an interesting fact or get an idea you can note it down immediately.
2. OUTLINE the story! A story without a plan tends to just die off...
3. Get someone to edit for you. 'Self edited' usually means 'full of errors'...
   Make certain your editor isn't too kind on you.
4. If your editor points out a mistake you do often, note it down on a 'cheat sheet'.
   Then use this sheet on all future pieces BEFORE sending it to your editor.
5. Don't hesitate to search out information on technology. If you design a RAM-scoop powered spacecraft where the scoop is 400 meters wide, or uses a fusion reactor running at 2000 degrees(Centigrade) you're just inviting Trekkies to ridicule you.
   (A RAM-scoop needs to be GIGANTIC to power a ship of any decent size, and a cold fusion reactor runs best at 800 degrees, or so some claim)
6. No language is perfectly logical. It's only Star Trek linguists who can deduce an entire language by listening to a short recording.
   And written languages are even worse...
   For a good idea I suggest you read up on the Japanese language...
   (To Japanese readers: It's not meant as a critique. But you DO have 1945 Kanji symbols(pictograms) and two syllabaries (Phonetic alphabets) of 46 symbols each, so it's a good example of how complex it can be. :-)

Can I take a look at your 'cheat sheet'?
Why not?
here it is. Actually, it isn't mine, not completely, for it contains several points that I don't need...

Any other hints?
Yes, one...
During the program 'Before we ruled the Earth' on Discovery channel it was mentioned that Pine resin contains enough Turpentine to be used as fuel for torches.
This may be used in Fantasy or Adventure stories. Just remember to take the season in consideration.