Steven released this Spotlight in February, 2001
The Anonymous One, or I'll call him(?) MA for short (writing "anonymous" over and over again correctly is difficult for me to do for some reason), wrote the "A.D. Universe", a series of sometimes short, sometimes modestly lengthy fics that focused on Daria and Co. after high school. To me, MA's fics represented a "simple", yet heartwarming drama of Daria's life, in fact, almost the opposite of Thomas' "simple", yet funny Daria comedies. His stories are put forward in a plain and painfully honest way, with straightforward dialogue, and situations. Let's look at some (but not all) of his fics, without giving away too much of the plots for those who haven't read them yet:
"Slip Up" - Daria has a personal tragedy befall her, and she has to deal with it, but with a surprisingly sympathetic Quinn there as well to help her.
In "Jane's Lane", and "A.D.", Daria deals with the pregnancy of her best friend and sister, and it's difficult for her personally in both (especially with Quinn) because of what happened in "Slip Up". (Uh-oh, did I give away too much, here?)
"Bedtime Story" and "Birthday Girl" deal with Quinn "Jr"., and Daria deals with her niece's needs in both, which are actually cute and simple funny stories.
Coming off of those, MA broadsides us suddenly and shockingly in "Hello Daria", when a stunningly tragic event in the younger Quinn's life changes her and Daria's lives forever. I'm sure even if you haven't read the stories yet, you can guess what I'm hinting at, here. MA's take on this is very moving, particularly with the letter at the end. You'll have to read it yourself to understand what I'm writing about. In a way, while the older Quinn has "faded into the background", sort to speak, she's still going through her daughter.
Anyway, Daria and the younger (though slowly aging along with Daria) Quinn carry on with their lives in "Quinn", and "Words". There are some poignant moments as well here.
MA continues the process in subsequent fics, in "Appendicitis", Quinn gets very ill, and Daria finds someone else special to share with Quinn as a result of it. Needless to say, things are a changing in both ladies' lives.
"Road Trip" is interesting in that MA revives the Daria-Jane dynamic, this time as both are more mature women than as teenagers. They meet someone from their past who stuns them by the way her life has changed...
"Sofa" and "Holding On and Letting Go" deal with two painful losses to Daria and Quinn in very personal ways. MA's writing is very emotional here, but not to the point that it's melodramatic, but dignified.
"Home" seems to bring things back to full circle as the now-mature Quinn comes back to Lawndale.
In closing, mranonymous is a good dramatic writer of 'Daria' fiction who approaches OH's life in the simplest of ways that we all can understand and appreciate. His style to me seems to say, "Keep it simple, stupid". ;D What do YOU (and the author himself[?]) think? Thanks.
Bobby Bickert
What about "The Self-Made Woman"? When I started reading it, my first thought was "Oh, yet another 'Amy is Daria's real mother' fic." Instead, what a shocking revelation! It really blew me away.
Robert Nowall
Well, dispite Mr. A's habit of working his way backwards when writing a series, his are quite readable connections to (usually) Daria's future. His grip on the emotions and behavior of the characters is also good. I've enjoyed everything of his I've seen...
Renfield
Mr A is one of my favorite authors. I was truly mpressed with the non-linear manner the A.D. Universe was originally released. The fics he has done that are not (necessarily) set in that universe are always creative and well done. My congratulations go out.
Author's Response
I was online last night chatting with a fellow Daria fan who rapidly pointed out your post. I have to say it came as something of a surprise. Since I have stopped writing fanfiction I figured I'd just fade quietly into the background so your spotlight was very flattering.
I appreciate your critiques of my stories. The A.D. Series was something that really came by accident. I wrote "Quinn" as a twist fic and the whole series sprang from the idea of how the situation came to be and where it would eventually lead. The response from readers for that series has been very gratifying.
While I am no longer writing fanfiction I do plan of doing a few touch ups to the stories when I manage to find the time. They were fun to write but in my haste to get them posted I let a few things slide that need fixing.
Anyway thanks again for the kind words. I do appreciate your support.