lilolilyr asked:

4, 8, 18 for the fic ask? 🙂

Thank you!!! 🙂

4) How do you choose which fics to write?
When I was writing fanfic it was mostly by prioritising.

I’ve said before about my lists. I get an idea – it goes on the list. Say I get an idea for an event – it goes straight to the top, everything else has to wait. When I finish a WIP/there’s no events etc. I can then pick off the list. Invariably though what happens is I don’t pick the oldest idea, I usually pick whatever is newest because it still has the shiny quality. In some ways the list is a bit of a death sentence for ideas.

8) Post an out-of-context spoiler from a wip
I can’t really do this because I’m not writing fanfic anymore. Sorry. I post a line off my art the other day about “librarians win with what they know – not magic” but that’s all I have for you.

18) Do you enjoy research? Which fic of yours required the most research?
Answered here 🙂

You get two bonus questions because of the repeat/skip 🙂

3) Do you share your fic ideas, or do you keep them to yourself?
This is tricky. There is honestly nothing I like more than talking about my ideas. I can exhaust anyone and everyone. I remember back in the day when we did TMI Tuesday I used to be desperate for people to ask me. I would try and bait the question sometimes. It was probably kinda attention seeking and I should be more sorry than I am. I don’t know if this also tied into how I always feel like an outsider. Although I shouldn’t be claiming I feel invisible when I’ve had so many wonderful asks lately (I seriously do appreciate you guys so much).

The trouble is though, what happens if you never get round to writing the idea? Having talked about it, that feels a bit like a promise made, and a debt unpaid. It’s never my intention to tease. I just genuinely love my ideas and wish I could will them into existence. I want to read them!

All of this is about fanfic ^^ and I mostly don’t talk about my doomed ideas anymore. Sometimes I’ll make a reference because I’m nostalgic, because I wish I had got round to writing it. Also because I wish it could live somewhere other than in my head.

For my original novels I’ll make vague references sometimes, and I would love to talk about them, but I’m hesitant to share. I’m protective I guess.

24) How do you choose whose POV to write in?
(in which I apparently have a lot to say)

sarcasticsciencefictionwriter asked:

For the Fanfiction Writing ask: 2, 18, 29, and 48, please! 😁

Yay thank you for the ask!

2) Where do you get your fic ideas?
Ask me at the time and I’ll know. Ask me now and I’m not sure. Some are obvious. Like if there’s a specific prompt and then my brain chewed on it and lightning struck boom and it coalesced and came together into something.

As you are a Sanctuary friend let’s take some of those fics:

• Happy Ending = the song “this is the way that we love / like it’s forever / and then live the rest of our lives / but not together” and I was like, make it fluffy. I don’t know. I was just coming off writing Our Darkest Hour.
• Choosing Fate / Time Will Tell = the tropes. I was like let’s do an arranged marriage AU. Pretty sure I was watching Bridgerton at the time as well. And then I wanted to see if I could make Soulmates a trope I could like.
• Life Without Purpose = for a Zombies in July event
• Gentlemen of Blood = I was given the title, and had to think of a fic to go with it. That Bond quote by M came into my head of “when they say they have people everywhere, you don’t expect one to be in the bloody room” plus the Sherlock Holmes movies.

I don’t know, does that answer it a bit? My brain is a mess and it just needs prompting for it to spark basically.

18) Do you enjoy research? Which fic of yours required the most research?
Nope I’m too lazy. I get easily frustrated. If I can’t find the answer quickly I get annoyed. The internet is wonderful and I want to strangulate it sometimes. It’s like I know the information must be there, but can I find it? It’s no wonder I am drawn more and more to making my own worlds, because then I can just make everything up and don’t have to worry about if I’m right or not. I just have to be consistent within my own story.

The aforementioned Happy Ending actually took a surprising amount of research, which to be honest probably ruined the fic because once I had all the stupid marriage details, I had to include them because I had bothered to look them up dammit. Haha, I know, why self? Also Odyssey: Future’s Legacy had a lot of history in it and I had to make all the timelines line up. Let me tell you timezones + international travel = headache. I’m pretty sure Warehouse 13 never paid attention to travel times on the actual show but I made everything plausible.

29) What’s something about your writing that you’re proud of?
Already answered here 🙂

48) Who is your favorite character to write for? Has this changed since you’ve started writing for that fandom?
This is very close to question 41 (here).

Ok well let’s go with Sanctuary fandom. I’m going to go left field and answer with Nigel. Which isn’t exactly true but I will explain. Nigel is like the forgotten member of The Five a lot of the time. He’s the one that didn’t live until the 21st century and the one that isn’t romantically linked with Helen. There’s very little known about him and I was surprised and delighted as the more I referenced him, the more cohesive he felt in my mind. He got an actual personality, backstory, goals etc. So while Nigel isn’t a favourite character, I do enjoy how I developed him.

Bonus question as you had a repeat!

11) Do you write scenes in order, or do you jump around?
I’m a very linear writer. I literally can’t write out of order. Sometimes this trips me up because I think if I sense that something I have written isn’t right (aka the foundation is rocky) then I grind to a halt and stop making progress. Now with fanfic which I never tended to revise that heavily, that’s fair enough – I’m not going to do a complete redraft but with original work? Ehhh.

It is generally speaking better to revise a complete draft, to see the entire picture. I can’t recall where I first heard the expression but I have applied it to drafting ever since – “there’s little point in polishing a turd” – aka, I don’t know what I’m going to have to cut until I can look at the whole thing, so don’t waste time polishing a scene that might not make it. But yeah getting frozen because I have to be linear, but something isn’t right, but I shouldn’t waste time fixing it – frustrated mental scream!

Oh another point! I have a friend that exclusively jumps around, I don’t think they could write linearly if they tried. I have always wanted to ask them, but haven’t dared in case they think I’m judging them (and I’m definitely not!), whether they find foreshadowing/thematic arcs/character emotional journey’s etc. harder to write as it’s out of order. For me, I can’t imagine getting my head round it backwards but clearly people do it, so that’s a me problem. But yeah no I have to be linear.

chartreuseian asked:

Hey hey 😄 For the fanfic writer asks!!

10, 17, 29 and 41

Hey thank you so much for the ask!!

10) Do you work on multiple wips or stick to one fic at a time?
I thought I had already answered this but must have been for a previous ask meme. I’ve done a few of them lately and it’s such fun, thanks for playing all.

Anyway! I actively work on just one. More live in my brain obviously but ping-ponging between projects just makes progress so glacial it gets really discouraging. So one at a time 🙂

17) Do you have a writing routine?
I guess? I turn the PC on. Boot Plottr, open NovelPad. I get my planner and write down the scene I’m working on that day. I decide what my goal is for the day. Lately it’s been more time-focused rather than goal. I have a horrible habit of not focusing if I say “do X number of words” and then I sit there forever being miserable. Much better to give myself a time limit, and whatever I get done is all I get for the day. I keep hoping it will teach me to spend my time more wisely but alas there are still days I procrastinate badly.

29) What’s something about your writing that you’re proud of?
Already answered here 🙂

41) Who’s your favorite character you’ve written?
Hmm. What I enjoy the most I think is when I can hear the character, and I feel like I captured their voice. That doesn’t happen a lot. It has happened with Claudia (Warehouse 13), and I had it happen quite a bit in my Librarians/Sanctuary crossover. I think it helps if the characters have phrases they often use.

But favourite character to write just generally? You know I’m tempted to say Nikola. I went through a phase where I felt like I should tag every fic I was writing with “Nikola is a good friend” because it was just coming out that way. He’s a snarky bastard who talks a good game but he doesn’t fool me, he can bluster all he wants but I know how much he cares for his friends.

Although I have liked writing Eve in my Librarians fics.

Bonus question because you had a repeat 🙂

52) What’s the average word count of your fics?
943,505 / 81 (as I have 2 fanarts on AO3) = 11,648

Given my propensity for lengthy multi-chaptered I am surprised it’s that low, but then I guess there are a fair few oneshots as well, and it is an average.

I’m bummed it’s close to a million but not over it. Makes me wonder if I scrape my HD for all the prompt ficlets I never posted anywhere other than tumblr, or the fanfic I never finished/posted, if I would get there. I doubt it. I’ve probably got 20k or so but not nearly 60k. Sad.

truedairship asked:

1, 14, 27, 29 for the writers ask:)

Thank you for the ask!! ❤️

1) Do you daydream a lot before you write, or go for it as soon as the ideas strike?

I would absolutely LOVE to be able to write as soon as I get the idea. Back in the day I did sometimes do that and it was free, and fun, and so exhilarating until I ended up with half a dozen WIPs and felt so stressed about it all.

Honestly most of my ideas live on a list for years before they get written – if they ever do. It’s something that depresses me if I think about it, how so many ideas will never be realised because the ideas never stop. It would take me years – a decade or more – even writing solidly to write everything on my list now. To be honest because of this outside when I first get the burst of the idea, I try not to daydream about it too much. I can’t work on everything, all at once, and I don’t want to forget anything and then get that nagging feeling that I had a better idea if I ever do get round to working on it.

14) What is your favorite location and position to write in?

At my desk, on the PC. For my original novels I’ve been planning in Plottr (and have that open on one side) and drafting in NovelPad (open on the other side). I need that reference. I am so unbelievably spoiled having an UltraWide monitor (and before that I had dual screens) that I don’t function well without. I have attempted to write on the iPad and I get frustrated and give up if it’s anything more than a simple oneshot with little/no planning. If I can’t have it open in one window, then it’s a PC job.

27) What area of writing do you feel strongest in?

Revision analysis I think 😛 and yes I do know that’s not probably what the question meant. It’s by far my favourite part of the writing process (planning is second). I feel like I’m quite good at spotting where it needs improvement and then brainstorming how to fix it. I adore that rush when the brain goes like lightning and it all just clicks together. The execution (drafting) as always is infinitely harder. Very much “how do words work” as big picture – plot, character background/arc, theme etc. I am fairly confident but the actual description, making it all happen part, not so much.

To tie back a bit into question 1, this year I decided to reboot a series I first started writing November 2015. I hadn’t written in that world since late 2016/early 2017. I have complete drafts of the first 2 books, and half of book three. Anyway in January I tore into it and replotted Book One, reworked characters, went deeper into the world building etc. I kept the main plot points of the book but where before logic was lacking, I hopefully made it make sense. I then dove into redrafting it (finished end of March) and I’m taking a breath before I analyse it again to see how I did this time.

The thing with revision is it’s a learning practice. I read a lot of craft books but when I’m writing it’s impossible to hold all that information in my head. But when I’m looking at something that exists (aka not a blank page) I can see more clearly. At least I hope I can.

Besides I have been told that this makes me an “editing unicorn” as it’s apparently weird to like the revision part of writing haha.

29) What’s something about your writing that you’re proud of?

Hmm the way the question is phrased that doesn’t sound like “name a story, or name a scene, or a line” etc. it sounds like it wants a skill like the above question. But the thing is I feel very much like I am a work in progress myself with my skills. I don’t feel good enough yet, I hope one day I will, but that day is not today.

But! To go back to what I said about the execution being infinitely harder – I like my ideas. I mean I guess I should they are mine haha, but they are ideas I want to see in the world. I write what I want to read I guess (just dammit why do I have to write it? Haha) but yeah I think I am proud of my ideas. Nothing is new under the sun so I am sure they aren’t revolutionary but they mean something to me.

I’m a firm believer in the power of fiction. I feel like attitudes can be normalised. That if we see a lot of hate that hate becomes normal and more people hate. But vice versa if we imagine a better world, if we see diversity in all its infinite amazing combinations on screen/in books, that can become normal, and prejudice will become less prevalent and there might be less hate. I don’t know maybe that’s naive but it’s what I believe. But yeah I guess I am proud that maybe one day my work can play a small part in that.

bookwormchocaholic asked:

Yet Another Ask Meme: 4, 18, 36

Thanks for the ask!! 🙂 🙂

4) Do you have any OCs? Do you have a story for them?
Oh sure lots. One’s I’ll admit to? Actually this is me and I have no shame about it so also many haha. I don’t generally write OC’s. They get such a bad rap that I save those particular imaginings for the stories I tell myself when I can’t sleep, rather than ones I type up and post.

However, there is one exception that I just could not resist. I gave Jenkins a boyfriend in my and the Sins of Atlantis fic. Mordred. I don’t know why maybe I just didn’t like him having been lonely for two thousand years. I tried not to write it but I had such feelings about it. I… ok one day there will be (hopefully) a novel series written by me as a Camelot retelling. I have over 50k written towards it already (none of which was in that fanfic). I know, I know, Camelot has been done to death but hey there’s a reason the Arthurian myth has been around for hundreds of years, it captures the imagination. If I want to write my take on Arthur’s heroic death, and the uncrowned King Mordred and the Knight who would have ruled by his side, if Galahad’s father hadn’t broken the kingdom, then why not?

Admitting to sources of inspiration is probably not wise but I find OC’s aren’t a bad starting point for creating original works. Mind you the same can be said for fanfic “what if” as well. So long as pretty much everything about it changes in some form before the final version – well inspiration has to come from somewhere.

18) First, second, or third person?
Third, always and forever. I have attempted to write first in exercises but it’s not how I naturally think. From day one when I started writing it was always in third. I mostly only read third too. I will read first as I don’t discriminate when I pick books up. However, I think I’m probably more likely to DNF a book written in first. I think I’m less forgiving or less used to it’s foibles I don’t know.

36) How do you come up with fic titles? What’s the one you’re most proud of?
Answered here

(in recompense for not answering have another one. I was tempted to ask “Describe a fic that almost happened, but then it didn’t.” for you but oh merlin so so many and how to choose which to ramble about? I’d be here all week…)

20) Do you work on a single project or many at the same time? How does that work for you?
Back in the day I used to have several WIP’s going at once. Even then that wasn’t the wisest as I got discouraged by what felt like slow progress (as my progress was split across projects rather than concentrated).

These days I have less spoons and I’m not really even mentally capable of doing more than one thing in a day. I would love to be able to write and draw in the same day but I can’t seem to make it happen.

Anyway, I find I can’t swap and change at all really now. So I focus on projects one at a time. For example I’m doing the Librarians gift exchange and I’ve had the assignment for weeks and weeks but I only started it last Monday. I spent March focusing on my novel and I regret all my life choices for that because an exchange deserves a quality product that takes ages to make (because I’ve had weeks to work on it) and I’m terrified it won’t be done in time for the deadline. But I had to choose and I started drafting in January so the novel kinda came first. Anyway, I haven’t touched the draft since I finished it, and I won’t until the art is done.

It really is sad I can’t balance better :/