opalmatrix | Dear Space Swapper

Mostly a placeholder, but I have included a bunch of general information that previous authors have found useful.

Preferences

I Don't Like:

Sickly-sweet, coy, cutesy romantic stuff (anything in the "tee-hee-hee, is he looking at me?" category is definitely out)
Extensive use of epithets, or epithets that don't match the character POV (no one should think of his or her long-time lover as "the green-eyed man," for example): these will throw me right out of a story
Characters acting out of character, especially if the purpose is to force them into a relationship (doubly bad if that relationship is romantic or sexual)
By-the-numbers, every-action-described sex. Note that actual sex is fine (I love me some sexy stories) — just don't like it when the descriptions turn into a set of exact stage directions. (See also Ikea Erotica, courtesy of TVTropes)
Mpreg, rape, forced sex (including sex pollen and fuck-or-die), hatesex. Dubcon is OK, especially the sort when the reluctant partner really wants the other person but is just not quite feeling ready yet or doesn't think se wants it in this particular way but gets off on it anyway.
Humiliation or betrayal (without a damn good plot reason) of a character by a friend or lover

I Like:

Strong characterization (including character-appropriate dialog: no earthy, uneducated characters using $50 words)
Positive emotional payoffs that are well-earned
Passions that are strong without being mushy/fluffy
Moments of realization — satori
Friendships - although I am a romantic person, not every relationship must be romantic (I do like the trope of friends becoming lovers, however)
Wry and even dark humor in the course of a more serious story
And I like any of the following "cool bits":
- hurt-comfort
- someone's profile silhouetted against the light
- warm and oversized bathrobes/dressing gowns or sweaters/jerseys
- sudden realization of one's feelings for another
- family-of-choice, nakama, or True Companions
- impulsive acts of valor (especially on behalf of the weak or an underdog)
- finding in a fight that one's ally feels like a protective wall
- senses of smell and touch and memories attached to them
- food descriptions: "food porn"
- a study or library as a refuge against the outside world
- someone gradually waking and smiling when they realize their beloved is there
- brushing long hair or riffling fingers through short hair
- romantic partners who are both competent

I'm quite content with both straight and gay relationships. I do tend to ship the canon relationships, unless it's a character who has had no clear relationships shown in the story. I'm not comfortable with sexual relationships shown in children under the age of, say, 14 or so, and even then it's better in context (teens with other teens or in a societal setting where girls expect to marry by 16-18 anyway).