when I go forwards / you go backwards / and somewhere we will meet

[oiran]

from a bunch of people, but most recently rhiannonhero

2003: The Year in Review (Fanfiction and Original Fiction)

Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you'd predicted?

I had no idea how much I might write. I had never shown my writing to anyone before, much less strangers.

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January 2003?

I can't answer that. I never thought I'd write fanfic at all. I thought the idea was a big joke, and if I'd started in a fandom other than SV, I might have continued to think that. There are too many good writers in SV fandom for me to not take it seriously, after all.

What's your favorite story of the year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you happiest.

Several, for different reasons: Kyoto Song, Saturn Return, Anticlimax, Spares.

No, I'm not going to pick a single, ultimate story. There's no such thing.

Did you take any writing risks this year? (See above for unexpected pairings, etc.) What did you learn from them?

Posting stories was a risk for me. When people meet me, I do not seem shy or introverted, and apparently you need to know me for awhile to realize what an insecure and fragile flower I am, but posting stories is still nerve-wracking for me, though the trend has moved steadily toward giddy and away from nauseated.

A lot of my writing has been done for challenges, and sometimes the parameters have caused me to really reach…and I don't always make it. I have written several things that didn't work as well as I'd hoped, but I'm not ashamed of them (though occasionally I wish to explain them, which is why everything on my site has author's notes).

I wrote a story that was original fic in the guise of fanfic (Midnight Cowboys). I was very, very nervous about this, but it ultimately was exceptionally well-received.

In trivia: I wrote a longish story without using the word "and" (and if I ever find out whose challenge that was, I'll kick her shins). I think I've written the only Chloe/Lucas story ever, which is more of a factoid than an accomplishment.

Do you have any fanfic or pro-fic goals for the New Year?

1. Take more risks, even if I'm pretty sure no readers will like the results. I've mostly been wrong about that so far, so it's not actually that much of a risk.


2. Be less impatient with myself and the process.


3. Try to get something--anything--published in the world of paper.


4. Finish some of my WiPs. It's a rather daunting list.

The New Year: 2004

I'll be posting a story tomorrow that I am really happy about. I think starting off with a new story is an excellent way to begin a year. (so hurry up, remaining betas!)

Comments

[vissy.livejournal.com]

I have to say Kyoto Song was one of my favourite SV stories of the year too - I re-read it often.

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That makes me so happy! I love knowing people like something I've written, and I can never hear it enough ;)

[justblue0162.livejournal.com]

You're right, you don't come across as introverted at all. Then again, I'm so insecure it never occurs to me other people might be as well. Anyway. I'm glad I had the chance to meet you! And I'm going to be checking my flist like a fiend until you post the new story. *hugs*

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Fandom is a font of bravery, is it not? I have met so many people sight unseen in the last year, which is nothing short of miraculous.

You need to write more. Mads and I agree.