Fic Writing Meme

Took this from newsbypostcard ! 

What made you start writing fanfic?

In the summer of 1997, a little band called Hanson broke onto the scene with an infectious little ditty called MMMBop. I adored them, and for the first time in my young life, I had unfettered access to the internet, whereas before I'd only been able to dabble under parental supervision. This deep dive brought me to the fledgling Hanson fanfic community, wherein we were ALL the next door neighbors of Isaac, Taylor, and Zac. I started writing my first fic on an Angelfire page right then and there. 

After Hanson, I moved into Gundam Wing, then Lord of the Rings. I also dabbled in X-Files and Dawson's Creek fic, of all things. During college/a few years after, I dipped out of fanfic and fandom entirely, but rediscovered it in about 2012 when Supernatural Dean/Cas stuff drew me in. It was a slippery slope to the MCU from there, and I've been comfortably playing in that sandbox ever since. 

Which of your own fanfics have you reread the most?

Probably Proprietary Information, just because it's the one I need to go back to most often for sequels, etc. I hate reading my own stuff, so I try and revisit as little as possible.

Describe the differences between your first fanfic and your most recent fanfic.

My first fic was legitimately a barely disguised self-insert in which the main character fell in love with Taylor Hanson after he moved next door to her. I am absolutely sure it was dreck, but I have no way of knowing, as it has long since been purged from the Internet. I'm sure I relied heavily on cliches, and I'm sure my self-insert was an absolute Mary Sue. But I am so glad I wrote that dreck, because it was what I needed at the time, and I am of the firm belief that every word I have ever written has helped me grow into a better writer.

Do you think your style has changed over time? How so?

Yes and no. I think going to journalism school for undergrad has helped me hone my language and be very judicious with what I want to say. However, I have never been one for purple prose or an overly-wrought metaphor. Just The Facts, Ma'am, whether those facts are description, dialogue, or anything else - I'll be sparse, but hopefully effective.

You've posted a fic anonymously. How would someone be able to guess that you'd written it?

Overuse of the phrase "level best." I swear to God I have to cut ten of those little bastards out of every chapter I write.

Name three stories you found easy to write.

Proprietary Information, which was a dream, probably because I wasn't that involved with fandom as a whole yet, so I didn't have the expectations of, "this is cliche!" "This trope sucks!" "Ew modern AU!" "Ew!" "Ew!" "Don't use epithets!" "Only use some epithets!" "Bucky can only be written THIS way" "Steve can't do that!" and so on, and so forth. I do love fandom, but holy shit, it can be prescriptive. 

Under One Small Star was also easy, in that I wrote it quickly and had fun with the process. I would also say that The Voyager was a relatively easy process, although harder than the other two.

Name three stories you found difficult to write.

I hit a huge block on Family Placement, largely because of the issues outlined above that I didn't have with Proprietary Information. I let other people's voices get in my head about what was and wasn't "acceptable" in fic, and started writing to please them rather than to please myself. Which is absolute nonsense, and I've since gotten over it: write whatever the fuck you want. It's your bliss, and who gives a shit if anyone else likes it? 

Hooked Into Machine required a total overhaul/rewrite because the first draft didn't spend nearly enough time with Bucky and his mental state. And finally, merBucky may be the death of me. Christ, I've been writing it since May of last year and I have no idea if it's even GOOD, I just know that it's LONG.

What's your ratio of hits to kudos?

I haven't done the ratio, but I average between 7-10%? Some of my stories are much better, and some are much worse. 

What do your fic bookmarks say about you?

That I am fandom agnostic so long as things hit my id!fic tropes. Also, that I hide a lot of my kinkier/weirder bookmarks.

What's a theme that keeps coming up in your writing?

Huh. I'm not sure that there is one! Other people might find ones that I haven't seen. I guess I write a lot about found families and mental health.

What kind of relationships are you most interested in writing?

Flawed ones, where the characters are recognizably human and make mistakes. I don't want to write pod people, but at the same time, I won't write drama for the sake of drama. 

For E-rated fic, what are some things your characters keep doing?

There's usually an element of power exchange, even if it's subtle. Also, giggling and laughter are big with me. If you're not laughing during sex, what even is life? 

Name three favorite characters to write.

Peggy is my favorite, Bucky is my easiest, Steve is my most rewarding. 

You're applying for the fanfic writer of the year award. What five fanfics do you put in your portfolio?

Family Placement, The Voyager, Under the Bridges of Fame, Vague Fancies and Carnal Appetites, and (because the universe loves it, even if I don't feel the same devotion) Tiptoe Through the Tulips