Of the work you've written, which piece is your favorite? Why?
Probably "Another Day". Parts of it were actually constructed from little tidbits that just popped out of my brain at different times, and my original intention was never to try to tie them together. But then Diva wanted this fic for her birthday, and it was the middle of the night before, and I was too tired to start anything new. So I started digging through my notebooks, and I found these, and somehow they all seemed to come together. I wrote a few new sections, added in the time stamps, and there you have it. I still like re-reading that one.
Which piece was the most difficult to write? Why?
I'd have to say "Roof" for this one. As much as I love Andrew, I have a hell of a time trying to write him. The Spike and Dawn parts came easily, but I was stuck on the Andrew parts for quite some time.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a fanfic writer?
I tend to get very good at writing certain characters and time periods, which is nice and all, but when I get too latched in with them, I find it very difficult to branch out to new characters. I connect very easily with some characters, but with others, like Andrew, I just can't seem to get into their heads.
Do you feel that your work has improved as time has passed? If so, in what areas do you think you have improved the most?
Yes. Most of it just has to do with getting older. Some of my early attempts at X-Files fic, while not bad for a twelve-year-old, were more like replays of my favorite stories than original ideas. I suppose the biggest development for me has been finding the line between learning from my favorite authors and copying them directly. My favorite stories and writers are always going to influence me, but I've had to learn to find my own style.
What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of writing fanfic?
I always have the easiest time coming up with ideas and starting stories, but following them through is often like pulling teeth. I have piles of works in progress on my hard drive, just waiting for the day when I'll buckle down and finish them.
What advice would you give to new fic writers?
First, I would say not to get intimidated and give up. Everyong starts somewhere. But at the same time, please, for the love of the baby Jesus, get a beta. The biggest turn-off for many readers is not a crappy plot or even mediocre writing -- it is poor grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. These are simple problems that may not be apparent to you, but I guarantee you that you can find a friendly beta to point them out to you. If you can't find one, email me, and I'll do it.
Do you read other fanfic? If so, what are some of your favorite stories and/or authors?
As time goes by, I sort of hop around between fandoms and authors. Many of my favorite Buffy stories can be found right here at All About Spike. In other fandoms, I recommend the multi-talented Punk Maneuverability and the queen of Clex, Jenn.
Do you write original fiction? Or fiction in other fandoms? (If so, where can we find it?)
Ultimately, I'd like to write original fiction, but that's not happening right now. I wrote a bit in the X-Files fandom before I discovered Buffy, but I'll spare you the pain of reading that. All of my stories can be found at my website, and any and all new stories will be put up there.
This is the part where I say whatever I want.
I'd like to thank all of my fandom friends for their endless support and beta-reading. I'd also just like to say how much every little bit of feedback counts. Even when someone sends me a few words to say that they liked my story, it makes my day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
*****
PS - Thanks for archiving "Another Day". It looks great. :)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pt. 2 -- LJ thinks I ramble. I tend to agree.
Date: 2004-07-01 08:35 am (UTC)Probably "Another Day". Parts of it were actually constructed from little tidbits that just popped out of my brain at different times, and my original intention was never to try to tie them together. But then Diva wanted this fic for her birthday, and it was the middle of the night before, and I was too tired to start anything new. So I started digging through my notebooks, and I found these, and somehow they all seemed to come together. I wrote a few new sections, added in the time stamps, and there you have it. I still like re-reading that one.
Which piece was the most difficult to write? Why?
I'd have to say "Roof" for this one. As much as I love Andrew, I have a hell of a time trying to write him. The Spike and Dawn parts came easily, but I was stuck on the Andrew parts for quite some time.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a fanfic writer?
I tend to get very good at writing certain characters and time periods, which is nice and all, but when I get too latched in with them, I find it very difficult to branch out to new characters. I connect very easily with some characters, but with others, like Andrew, I just can't seem to get into their heads.
Do you feel that your work has improved as time has passed? If so, in what areas do you think you have improved the most?
Yes. Most of it just has to do with getting older. Some of my early attempts at X-Files fic, while not bad for a twelve-year-old, were more like replays of my favorite stories than original ideas. I suppose the biggest development for me has been finding the line between learning from my favorite authors and copying them directly. My favorite stories and writers are always going to influence me, but I've had to learn to find my own style.
What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of writing fanfic?
I always have the easiest time coming up with ideas and starting stories, but following them through is often like pulling teeth. I have piles of works in progress on my hard drive, just waiting for the day when I'll buckle down and finish them.
What advice would you give to new fic writers?
First, I would say not to get intimidated and give up. Everyong starts somewhere. But at the same time, please, for the love of the baby Jesus, get a beta. The biggest turn-off for many readers is not a crappy plot or even mediocre writing -- it is poor grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. These are simple problems that may not be apparent to you, but I guarantee you that you can find a friendly beta to point them out to you. If you can't find one, email me, and I'll do it.
Do you read other fanfic? If so, what are some of your favorite stories and/or authors?
As time goes by, I sort of hop around between fandoms and authors. Many of my favorite Buffy stories can be found right here at All About Spike. In other fandoms, I recommend the multi-talented Punk Maneuverability and the queen of Clex, Jenn.
Do you write original fiction? Or fiction in other fandoms? (If so, where can we find it?)
Ultimately, I'd like to write original fiction, but that's not happening right now. I wrote a bit in the X-Files fandom before I discovered Buffy, but I'll spare you the pain of reading that. All of my stories can be found at my website, and any and all new stories will be put up there.
This is the part where I say whatever I want.
I'd like to thank all of my fandom friends for their endless support and beta-reading. I'd also just like to say how much every little bit of feedback counts. Even when someone sends me a few words to say that they liked my story, it makes my day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
*****
PS - Thanks for archiving "Another Day". It looks great. :)