it's just memes, really ...
May. 7th, 2003 02:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarea
Angel season finale tonight! Yay! I have no idea what to expect, but that's for the best, really. Despite a confusing and less-than-stellar season, I think it's been my favorite show. That either speaks for how good it is or how bad the other shows have been.
I really should be working, but ...
Green Day baby!
1. Are you male or female?: She
2. Describe yourself: Jaded
3. How do some people feel about you?: Basket Case
4. How do you feel about yourself?: No One Knows
5. Describe your girlfriend/boyfriend/interest: Tired of Waiting for You
6. Where would you rather be?: Welcome to Paradise
7. Describe what you want to be: I Want to Be on TV
8. Describe how you live: 2000 Light Years Away
9. Describe how you love: Dominated Love Slave
10. Share a few words of wisdom: Nice Guys Finish Last
How does your writing process begin?
One of two ways: I get a spark of creativity, in which all the words/ideas come tumbling out (really the preferred method), or I open up a Word doc and force myself to write because I know I should.
Do you build your stories in your mind first, or do you outline?
All my stories are built in my mind to some degree before I put them to paper/keyboard. If it's a shortish story, I don't bother with a formal outline. Anything remotely long or involved and I have to have some idea where it's going.
How many stories are you currently writing?
Dozens. Seriously. In my head, I'm always writing one of them. But really, actively writing on my computer, I'd say two -- The Slow Autumn and If You Only Knew. However, I've got two ficlets that probably wouldn't take that long to write if only I could concentrate, and a couple of other things that I've started but probably won't go back to any time soon.
Do you write chapters at a time or only post whole stories?
In XF, WIPs were a minority -- in every other fandom, they are the norm. I prefer to post whole stories, no matter how long, but I find it difficult (especially in a WIP-centric fandom) to get myself motivated to finish something really long, when people don't really expect a long story to be done from the get-go, anyway. The great thing about non-WIP stories is that you can go back at any point during the writing process and change something, and it won't hurt. Once you've posted a story, however, changing things becomes infinitely more difficult and less desirable.
If you write chapters, do you write them in one sitting, or slowly over several days or weeks?
Weeks, man. I'm a slow, deliberate writer. I will never be accused of being prolific.
Do you print before posting? Revise? How much or little?
Occasionally I print, but find that it's annoying to have to go back and make the same changes to the soft copy. But I edit all. the. damn. time. If you left a story with me, I'd constantly change it. It's probably what slows me down when it comes to writing; before I start in again, I usually reread what I've written, and inevitably I start making changes to the old stuff rather than write new stuff.
Do you use a beta reader? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Especially in the beginning, when I finished a story I just wanted to post it, unsure if I would be able to take any criticism. I know I'm literate, I have high confidence in my own writing/editing skills, I'm not afraid of being flamed for having poor grammar. However, what I've learned from years of fanfic writing and having some really great writers/editors around me is that -- one person cannot catch everything, and there is always room for improvement. I'm not afraid (any longer) of constructive feedback, and if it means my story will be that much better, then I say bring it on.
How often do you post new stories or chapters?
Yeeks. The one answer I know is true: Not as often as I'd like. It would typically take me weeks if not months to get something out.
Do you revise after posting?
I try not to, but there inevitably always seems to be something that needs to be edited. However -- when it comes to WIPs I try not to change anything significant, because that's just annoying. Suddenly an author goes, "Oops, never mind, that person isn't dead after all," and it's like everything you read before was useless. So if I'm going to post a WIP, I make sure that my outline is pretty damn solid. And even if it turns out I'd rather have done something else instead, I force myself to work around it rather than make significant revisions to the story.
How do reviews affect your writing? Have you ever changed a story because of reviews?
Since I hail from a fandom where I finished stories before posting (in all but two cases -- one I wrote 12/15 chapters first, the other was a co-authored WIP that was never finished), I can't say that I've changed a story from reviews. Changed a story because of a beta reader's comments? Definitely. However, given that I'm pretty hardcore about having a solid outline before I post a WIP, I can't see that a review would change my mind much wrt the story. (Unless it's some silly little typo thing, then yes, of course, I would change it.)
What is the most satisfying part of writing for you?
Being able to go back and read the story I wanted to read. Because that's really why I write -- I'm writing the story that I want to read. Another satisfying part of writing is being able to participate in intelligent discussions with other writers/readers, and part of that is sometimes getting detailed, thoughtful feedback.
The least?
Getting half-coherent reviews questioning my writing, style, or plot from people who clearly should not be dictating such things to me or anyone.
Do you aspire to professional writing someday, or are you content to write for your own pleasure?
Of course I aspire to it. But if I were limited to writing for my own pleasure, I'm not sure that it'd be that disappointing. It's pretty damn fun. And besides, technically I do write professionally. <g> I'm just not getting to write what I want.
What training have you had as a writer?
Like![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
trixiefirecra, I read a lot -- that's about the best training you can get. And of course, basic schooling, and my degree is in English Lit. But I can't recall taking any formal writing courses or anything. Writing is just something I do.
What do you read for pleasure?
Nearly anything in the fiction/literature section, especially chick lit. I also like teen novels, romances, mysteries, the occasional sci-fi or horror, and most recently, historical nonfiction. I'm not as into poetry or biographies as I think I'd like to be. <g>
Who is your favorite living author? Dead?
Living? Possibly Diana Gabaldon or Meg Cabot. Dead -- Jane Austen or L.M. Montgomery.
I really should be working, but ...
Green Day baby!
1. Are you male or female?: She
2. Describe yourself: Jaded
3. How do some people feel about you?: Basket Case
4. How do you feel about yourself?: No One Knows
5. Describe your girlfriend/boyfriend/interest: Tired of Waiting for You
6. Where would you rather be?: Welcome to Paradise
7. Describe what you want to be: I Want to Be on TV
8. Describe how you live: 2000 Light Years Away
9. Describe how you love: Dominated Love Slave
10. Share a few words of wisdom: Nice Guys Finish Last
How does your writing process begin?
One of two ways: I get a spark of creativity, in which all the words/ideas come tumbling out (really the preferred method), or I open up a Word doc and force myself to write because I know I should.
Do you build your stories in your mind first, or do you outline?
All my stories are built in my mind to some degree before I put them to paper/keyboard. If it's a shortish story, I don't bother with a formal outline. Anything remotely long or involved and I have to have some idea where it's going.
How many stories are you currently writing?
Dozens. Seriously. In my head, I'm always writing one of them. But really, actively writing on my computer, I'd say two -- The Slow Autumn and If You Only Knew. However, I've got two ficlets that probably wouldn't take that long to write if only I could concentrate, and a couple of other things that I've started but probably won't go back to any time soon.
Do you write chapters at a time or only post whole stories?
In XF, WIPs were a minority -- in every other fandom, they are the norm. I prefer to post whole stories, no matter how long, but I find it difficult (especially in a WIP-centric fandom) to get myself motivated to finish something really long, when people don't really expect a long story to be done from the get-go, anyway. The great thing about non-WIP stories is that you can go back at any point during the writing process and change something, and it won't hurt. Once you've posted a story, however, changing things becomes infinitely more difficult and less desirable.
If you write chapters, do you write them in one sitting, or slowly over several days or weeks?
Weeks, man. I'm a slow, deliberate writer. I will never be accused of being prolific.
Do you print before posting? Revise? How much or little?
Occasionally I print, but find that it's annoying to have to go back and make the same changes to the soft copy. But I edit all. the. damn. time. If you left a story with me, I'd constantly change it. It's probably what slows me down when it comes to writing; before I start in again, I usually reread what I've written, and inevitably I start making changes to the old stuff rather than write new stuff.
Do you use a beta reader? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Especially in the beginning, when I finished a story I just wanted to post it, unsure if I would be able to take any criticism. I know I'm literate, I have high confidence in my own writing/editing skills, I'm not afraid of being flamed for having poor grammar. However, what I've learned from years of fanfic writing and having some really great writers/editors around me is that -- one person cannot catch everything, and there is always room for improvement. I'm not afraid (any longer) of constructive feedback, and if it means my story will be that much better, then I say bring it on.
How often do you post new stories or chapters?
Yeeks. The one answer I know is true: Not as often as I'd like. It would typically take me weeks if not months to get something out.
Do you revise after posting?
I try not to, but there inevitably always seems to be something that needs to be edited. However -- when it comes to WIPs I try not to change anything significant, because that's just annoying. Suddenly an author goes, "Oops, never mind, that person isn't dead after all," and it's like everything you read before was useless. So if I'm going to post a WIP, I make sure that my outline is pretty damn solid. And even if it turns out I'd rather have done something else instead, I force myself to work around it rather than make significant revisions to the story.
How do reviews affect your writing? Have you ever changed a story because of reviews?
Since I hail from a fandom where I finished stories before posting (in all but two cases -- one I wrote 12/15 chapters first, the other was a co-authored WIP that was never finished), I can't say that I've changed a story from reviews. Changed a story because of a beta reader's comments? Definitely. However, given that I'm pretty hardcore about having a solid outline before I post a WIP, I can't see that a review would change my mind much wrt the story. (Unless it's some silly little typo thing, then yes, of course, I would change it.)
What is the most satisfying part of writing for you?
Being able to go back and read the story I wanted to read. Because that's really why I write -- I'm writing the story that I want to read. Another satisfying part of writing is being able to participate in intelligent discussions with other writers/readers, and part of that is sometimes getting detailed, thoughtful feedback.
The least?
Getting half-coherent reviews questioning my writing, style, or plot from people who clearly should not be dictating such things to me or anyone.
Do you aspire to professional writing someday, or are you content to write for your own pleasure?
Of course I aspire to it. But if I were limited to writing for my own pleasure, I'm not sure that it'd be that disappointing. It's pretty damn fun. And besides, technically I do write professionally. <g> I'm just not getting to write what I want.
What training have you had as a writer?
Like
trixiefirecra, I read a lot -- that's about the best training you can get. And of course, basic schooling, and my degree is in English Lit. But I can't recall taking any formal writing courses or anything. Writing is just something I do.What do you read for pleasure?
Nearly anything in the fiction/literature section, especially chick lit. I also like teen novels, romances, mysteries, the occasional sci-fi or horror, and most recently, historical nonfiction. I'm not as into poetry or biographies as I think I'd like to be. <g>
Who is your favorite living author? Dead?
Living? Possibly Diana Gabaldon or Meg Cabot. Dead -- Jane Austen or L.M. Montgomery.
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:)
Date: 2003-05-07 11:43 pm (UTC)Anyways, I just wanted to say that I really love both your's and Jade's stories :)
Literary crushes? Mr. Darcy all the way :D and Fanfic Draco mmmm....
Actually what prompted me to respond was the Ginny/Blaise thing. I absolutely love Davesmom's stuff. I am a diehard D/G shipper actually. But I was gonna say, that have you ever tried Hermione/Male!Blaise? I am intrigued by that ship. Just wondering your thoughts :)
~714
Re: :)
Date: 2003-05-08 10:44 am (UTC)Thanks for the kind compliment! : ) Ah yes, Mr. Darcy. I didn't include him because the first time I read Pride and Prejudice, I didn't like it. What was I thinking? That changed when I read it again years later. Anyway -- I agree, Mr. Darcy is yummy, but I stuck to the ones that got me all hot and bothered straightaway.
I haven't tried Hermione/Male!Blaise, primarily because I find it hard-pressed to even care about Hermione as a heroine when paired with Harry. I have no idea why she bores me so much in fanfic ... but she does. I am actively trying to change that, but it's hard going. I'm normally a die-hard D/G shipper as well, but I really dug "Aflame." Maybe, as I said, it was because in the story it was obvious that Draco was hung up on Ginny despite her own attraction to Blaise. Davesmom plans to follow up on it -- how awesome would it be if it were a Draco/Ginny/Blaise triangle? I'd be all over that.
no subject
Date: 2003-05-08 02:12 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-05-08 02:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-05-09 03:25 pm (UTC)