RE:
POSTED BY: KayleeGirl
UPDATED: Friday, September 21, 2007 00:43
VIEWED: 45259
PAGE 1 of 1
I've just started to read the stories in the Blue Sun Room and I have to say I'm overwhelmed at the amount of stuff there is to read.(Any suggestions from you are welcomed!) So far, the work I've chosen to read is really good.
As a fellow writer who belongs to a writer's group where we dig into the hows and whys of writing, I'd really like to get some similar insights into all of you who write fiction for our shiny and beloved verse.
So, for those of you are willing, here goes:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Much thanks, in advance, to all of you!
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Hey Kaylee girl - I have started 2 Fan Fics and though neither of them is anwhere near ready to be read yet I am enjoying learning about the process just from doing it...
1.) I was talking with others who had written fan fic - some of which I had read and realised I could put the little stories going on in my brain into writing and expand on them until they might be of interest to others...
2.) At the moment it is to get something to a stage where I will post it here and let others enjoy (hopefully) and critique (in a constructive way) and perhaps teach me more about the art of fiction writing - I am just using one of my favourite topics to do so!
3.) When I get there I hope to recive (as I mentioned) constructive criticism but I wouldn't say no to positive supporting comments too!! I am reading other people's work too and I think it takes a lot of courage to put something out there to be judged so I never just have a negative reaction no matter how much I might not agree, there is always an element of 'so this is how someone else sees this character' and some 'wow - this took a lot of time, thought and effort to get to this stage'...
Great topic to start by the way - good to see you posting a new thread KayleeGirl!!
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"I can put one foot in front of the other - I'm Magdalena, & I'm marching with the 76th" http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I usedta write a long time ago when I was a kid, but I haven't written a word of fiction for at least 20 years.
I got hooked on Firefly, can't get the characters and 'Verse outta my head
I write what inspiration gives me. I don't rework much, just go back and correct spelling and typos. I've posted 2 pieces, about 6 months apart, and I've got another half dozen that won't quite gel for me.
I write what comes, and if I think it's finished, I post it to share. Critiques don't matter much, but then I don't get much negative feedback. If I wrote something that I thought was really great, and everybody thought it stunk, I would have to examine myself and what I wrote, see if they were right or me.
Comments are great, tho". Folks pick up on stuff I didn't even realize I'd done.
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Quote:I'm yet to post something here, but I am working on one at the moment. Eventually I'll get it up. Maybe.
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
So, for those of you are willing, here goes:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Much thanks, in advance, to all of you!
Anyway, why do I write?
Well, why do some people play music? I write a lot; have been for ages. Some of my earliest memories are of writing. I write because it's natural for me to. I'm happiest when I write because it's a way to express myself.
What's my goal as a fanfic writer?
I don't usually write fanfiction, but a lot of the things I've written have been similar to Joss's in terms of the themes I like to explore. Plus, we all love the 'Verse, so why not?
Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Personally, I go in for critiques provided that they're constructive criticism. You simply cannot grow and mature as a writer if you're not getting feedback. Sure, it's nice to get a pat on the back from your peers, but there's more benefit in having them take a look at it and dissect it a little, telling you what works and what doesn't. Even pointing out grammar and syntax problems can help.
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Right, here goes:
Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I started to write cuz I had some ideas that I would like to see. Simple as that. There's certain plots and ideas that I would like to have seen, but due to F*x, never did. I've only written 3 chapters of one story so far, but got a ton of ideas for the future
What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
My goal is simply to write an entertaining story. I normally have something I'd like to achieve - a scenario, a relationship etc. I find that fanfics are great for exploring the 'what ifs' - things that would never happen if the series had continued. Non-canon relationships, character deaths etc.
Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I like both. Obviously, if someone likes something I've wrote, and leaves positive comments, that gives me motivation to write more. But if I've posted some complete shite, I would like people to let me know. If I've got a character's voice wrong, or wrote them in a way that contradicts how they would act, I would like to know. Just so long as it's constructive not 'that was rubbish, try harder you dolt'! But naturally, as a sensitive person, the nicer the feedback, the more I appreciate it! 
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www.myspace.com/32dan32
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Well... I wanted more M/I, to be honest. I wanted to try to write something novel length without the pressure of having to create worlds and characters of my own. Plus, I wanted more M/I goodness. So, "Over the Hills and Far Away" was born. After that, I found I enjoyed writing short stories because its easier to focus on technique, tone, all those fun terms English teachers make you memorize sophomore year of high school. :-)
When reading fanfiction in the BSR, I stumbled across a bunch of stories written in script format. These were the Virtual Firefly scripts -- www.stillflying.net. It's a virtual continuation of Firefly. First, VFF finished off the first season with six original episodes, ending in a script adaptation of "Those Left Behind", the season finale. In between season one and two, the headwriter, George, started a thread looking for more volunteers. And, being such a fan of the virtual series already (I have never been so impressed by fanfic before, and am still impressed), I couldn't pass up that opportunity.
So, I became a VFF writer. It was a neat challenge, since I'd never really written in script format before, and I still have problems breaking the "information wall" (luckily, editing fixes that!), but, wow, such a great experience. There are so many talented people involved in this project. I can't say enough about them. Gwek, D.C., Cohnee, Matt... I am so lucky to work with these guys. They are all so amazing and I have learned to much from all of them.
In this season, we're trying to retell the movie as if it occured over 22 episodes instead of two hours. You should check it out. Its very exciting! And George does such a great job of ensuring that all the episodes are high quality. Really, you should chek it out. Everyone should! Start from the beginning, and if you aren't impressed at first keep going. Like all TV series (or, err, in this chase, virtual TV series) it took a few episodes to find itself. Which isn't to say that the first few episodes aren't good, they really are, but like Buffy season 1, they don't showcase how good later episodes are. www.stillflying.net. Go read!
To answer part two (even though I've written so much already, I must seem so self-involved, lol)...
To date, I have written:
9 standalones and/or drabbles (I think only 8 are arcieved here, though)
1 novel length fic ("Over the hills...")
And with Virtual Firefly:
- 2x04: "Fireworks", co-written with David Elmer. I wrote primarily acts 3 & 4.
- 2x05: "Monsters", co-written with Matt Engstrem. Matt developed the episode. I wrote the first draft because he was busy with Real Life. Then Matt cleaned it up.
- 2x11: "Lilac", the first episode adapted from the movie -- which, ah! because it means Joss was the co-writer, preassure..
- 2x13: "The Breathing", co-written with D.C. Washington. I wrote Jude/Inara scenes only. They rest is all D.C. and, wow... I really love this one.
- (upcoming) 2x15: "Untitled", co-written with Thomas Cohn. He wrote the Serenity side, I wrote the Inara stuff. I am very excited about this one. Its being edited now.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
Well... since about thirteen or so, I've known I wanted to write. (I'm twenty now, if they matters). I started writing fanfic to develop skills as a writer. To learn to construct plots, to play with imagery. All that fun stuff. My goal is to become a better and better writer. :-)
With VFF, my secret ambition is to write a fan favorite episode. But, I think that's every writer's secret ambtion. So maybe its not a secret? *shrug*
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I love supportive comments. So nice! There's this great, wall, glowy feeling... But I like criticism, too. Its more useful, overall. You have to learn how to judge it though, you know? Not all criticisms are good or right -- which in itself is a cirticism, because if you are get
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Because i loved the series and was gutted to know it had been cancelled. There was so many different things, so many different potentials and twists that could have come out in later series as well as character explorations. When i wrote my first fic i hadn't read much firefly fanific, it was only after i posted it I was reced several lj sites. My first fanfic just came to me from a prompt on promptsomeslash website.
I'm currently working on one ficathon piece, one set of general challenge fics. Written about 8 by muyself, two are a series, three were prompted, the other three were general ficlets. *grins* I like roundrobin writing too and writing with another author, we've done about 4 or 5 fics together.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To have fun and enjoy it, while putting somethign out that other people can also enjoy. Oh and it's nicely destressing after work lol.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Both. Supportive comments i love, but anything that can be improved on (and not in a 'ew i don't like that pairing, change it way') I appreciate. When someone betas for me i like them to be as harsh as possible.
~I don't wanna be...a murderer~
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
1) Just one so far: http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=11876
though I've written other fiction. I was struck by inspiration while watching "Out of Gas". I couldn't help wondering what happened right after Kaylee got hired. How did she manage to convince her folks to let her fly off with a bunch of strangers?
2) Rather like Joss, I suppose -- tell a story that wants to be told. Secondarily, I love language and want my prose read smoothly and effortlessly. I write more for my own amusement and to "scratch the itch", though I'm always happy to know that my work is enjoyed by others.
3) Not much to base an answer on here. I wouldn't resent critiques, but frankly I think my skills are pretty decent so the product is rather hard to find fault with, at least technically. Wow, did that sound conceited or what? Anyhow, if you read the story I linked to, by all means hit me with your best shot. Er, do I use too many commas, maybe?
Edited: KayleeGirl, I just noticed that you've already read my story. Thank you for the nice comments!
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I'm pointin' right at it!
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Much thanks, in advance, to all of you!
1. I wrote my first one just for fun, to show others here my take on the 'verse. I've technically written 6 fics, but only 3 are in the Blue Sun Room, the others are being beta'd.
2. My goal as a fanfic writer is to share my feelings on all the characters, I feel that writing fanfics is the best way to express that. All I really want to do is entertain, myself and others who read my fics.
3. I do look for critiques on my work (though supportive comments are great), I like to see what others think I can improve on seeing as I am fairly new to it all. There are some much more experienced writers out there who's critiques are really useful. I write the stories to entertain you guys so if there's something about it you don't like then I fix it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> Scorpion owns all <~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I wrote my first fic because I had a little plot bunny (inspired by another fic) that I had to set down. Life was pretty dull then, and the FF obsession was strong, so that dribble turned into a small novel. That was The Fish Job, and was followed by the much longer Easy Tickets. I'm currently working on the third in the series, which is turning into a gorramn monster!
But I have to say - I do love writing it!
Quote:
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
At first, I just wanted to play in the `verse more, since the series was all cancelled and everything. Then I posted and got addicted to the thrill of taking readers for a ride.
I also write because I like the kind of stories that few fic writers (that I've found) tell. I'm not into stories that are mainly based on romantic relationships, even if they're brilliantly written. Really, it's just not my thing. Ditto with shoot-em-up gunfighty adventures.
I try to write the kind of stories I would want to read: heavy on the angst and psyschology, addressing all kinds of relationships, good and bad, and also containing little bits of the world at large. Politics, economics, technology, all those crazy social issues, etc... For me, the jobs/adventures are just a way to dig into this juicier stuff.
So my goal? I guess it hasn't changed - I want to play in Joss's `verse. The most satisfying way to do that, for me, is to write about it.
Quote:
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Hey - support is always a good thing, it's so scary to post! But postive feedback isn't enough - I'm very much into critique. I do a decent job with the technical grammar issues (um... my very wise beta readers do, actually!) so the critique I'm most interested is more a discussion of the creative aspect: my take on the BDH's, how well my original characters work, and the storyline in general. I like it complicated, and I like to tell it in a non-linear way. I tend to err on the too complicated side, so it's very necessary for me to know if it makes sense to someone seeing it for the first time. (Ummm... I hope to write original fic someday, so it's all a learning process! Seriously, this fanfic thing is better than a creative writing class.)
Wow - see how wordy I am? This is why my fics keep getting so long LOL!
Good thread KayleeGirl!
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I'm the president. I don't need to listen.
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Quote:
Originally posted by magdalena:
I was talking with others who had written fan fic - some of which I had read and realised I could put the little stories going on in my brain into writing and expand on them until they might be of interest to others...
I can relate! I've been a writer for a long time (fiction for myself and non-fiction in my job), but I'd never written a fanfic before one of my friends asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I said, "A new episode of Firefly." We both started tossing out ideas and one caught in my brain, so I started writng -- and will post it soon.
I'm looking forward to reading your stories, Magdalena. Thanks for posting on this topic!
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Hey there NewOldBrowncoat, I'm so glad you've started writing again. I've had some dry spells myself when the muse just wasn't movin me. And I agree that this verse gives us a lot to write about...
I'll be looking up your stuff and giving it a read soon. Keep writing! And thanks for your coments!
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1) I'd just discovered Serenity, then Firefly. An idea popped into my head, germinated into something approaching a story for a script, then insisted on being let out to play. (This had never ever happened before.) I wrote it down. I discovered FFF and (gulp) posted it. I could not believe how completely audacious and egotistical I was being, and was prepared for a request to cease and desist. Much to my surprise, people actually seemed to enjoy it. Hundreds have at least gotten through the first few lines before quitting, judging by the numbers at the top of each entry. I'm up to about my 15th as of last night.
2)My goal? Write until the story feels "done", or the ideas stop popping in to take over my brain, or enough people let me know they've hadenoughreallythanks. I don't really have a set goal.
3)Supportive comments give me the warm fuzzies and just encourage me. Constructive criticism is very much welcome, "you suck and this sucks" without telling me why it (or I)remind you of a Shop-Vac is just annoying, and possibly rude. What part(s) did you not like and why? Is it just that you don't like when someone gets shot or pregnant, or do you really feel it's completely out of character and unsupported for "X" to do "Y"?
Keep in mind I can feel free to ignore your advice, but I still like to hear it. By the same token "shiny" is nice, but "shiny 'cause I really liked this part" is better.
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>1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I don't think I can even count how many I've written. You can find them by clicking on my name.
Why did I start to write? Because I wanted more stories about my favorite, and not so favorite, characters.
>2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
It's a hobby. I do it as I have time and when inspiration strikes. I really don't have a goal. Unlike many I've noticed here, I have no aspirations to be a writer of any kind.
>3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I like them both. Critiques typically point out something that I've overlooked being so closely involved with the story I'm trying to tell.
I'm big on characterization. I want to make sure I get the characters voices right. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
Because that is so important to me, that is what I typically critique, if its even needed, in another's work if I decide to leave feedback.
"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."
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KayleeGirl, I hope you realise you've opened quite the can of worms here. 
Many are the writers here, there and everywhere, and many are their reasons for doing what they do:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I haven't brought any Firefly fic to completion yet, but I'm moving right along with the first one, an adventure mystery that I'm trying to find a beta for. In the works are an epic adventure and then a post-BDM action/political thriller. Ambitious, you say? Well, what writer isn't? These first three are stand-alone, but they share an underlying River/OC thread that I aim to bring to fruition in the third one.
So, why am I writing the first one, let alone the other two? I think when it comes to writing fanfic, what it all comes down to is that we writers - whether we're Browncoats, recovering Trekkies, 'Gaters or DueSers - just want to immerse ourselves in this world we've grown to love. We want to explore new horizons and new ways of life that our heroes never got a chance to experience because the creators, in their finite wisdom, never thought of them first - or in more obvious cases, because the rug got yanked out from under their feet. 
Then of course, there's a desire to share these ideas with fellow fans, to provide them with another glimpse into the 'verse. As a writer, I like to share; as a reader, I like to see what my fellow fans have up their sleeves, if it's a genre or a topic that interests me.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
As Uncle Joss has been quoted, "I poured my heart and soul into that show. I believed in it with every fiber of my being." That's why some of us write, it's how we open our hearts and souls to the world. It's all about expressing your love for something. It's not just Firefly that I express my love for - there are other things (and characters) that capture what little heart I have left, and I feel to share it with the rest of the world. Having said that, I also like to see what the rest of the world thinks of my work. In other fandoms I've experienced unimaginable difficulty getting any feedback, so here on FFF I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best....
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Oh, hell, when it comes to feedback, I'll take what I can get! 
Shepherd's hair
Was wild and free
And that's what caused
River to flee
FIREFLY
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1. I wrote my first story for two reasons. In 04, I rediscovered the series upon hearing that they were going to continue the show in a movie. When I saw the show again, I remembered what I loved about it in the first place. I discovered this site, and after reading some really good fanfiction, I decided to contribute to the site my own spin on the stories I was reading. And my first actual story was more of a spin-off of another story I had read. It was this story called Not So Happily Ever After, and it dealt with Zoe having a miscarriage and the impact it has on the crew. And I just wrote a story that filled in some of the gaps from the first story. Since then, I've written about six stories since then, which share some continuity. The first story was THE SERENITY GIG which is basically the Silee wedding told from an outsiders perspective. I was an amateur wedding videographer at one point, so I just channeled my experience doing wedding videos into this verse to do an alternate spin on the Silee nuptuals. QUINTESSENCE OF DUST is a tiny epilogue of sorts to that story. BLUE HAND BLUES is part 2 of what I call my Shooter Trilogy, which are three stories that are influenced to some degree by my original character, Lucas Anyong aka. Shooter. SHOTGUN TAM and THE REPERCUSSION OF SHOTGUN TAM is sort of a meditation on violence and "what if' scenario that I'm sure Simon would have faced at one point in the series. And my latest story is my two years in the making epic called YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN, which is almost how I would have ended the series if I were in charge of the show. That's my part 3.
2. My immediate goal is to get YCGHA finally posted and finished. I'm a terrible procrastinator, so it usually takes a while for me to post new material. It amazes me how writers like TamSibling or ScrewTheAlliance can write 10 page plus chapters a day. But as far as goals go in my stories, I always try to go against the grain and do types of fanfic stories that have been written before, but in different ways. Like I do Silee stories, but I avoid the "I wuv you Simon, let's fuck" stories I tend to see a lot and write about them down the line when they've been a couple for a while and have an actual relationship. And when it comes to Gabriel and Regan Tam, instead of having them as shallow and disowning like most people tend to write them as (Gabriel moreso than Regan), I picture them as more tragic characters. As parents who not only know what has been done to River, but are destroying themselves over the guilt of what they've done.
To make it short, my goal is to write incredibly good stories and to take these characters in opposite directions from what the majority seems to think they should be.
3. Both. I love the positive comments because it tells me that all the time and energy I spend writing these stories is appreciated. But I also like it when constructive critisism comes my way. It lets me know what neds to be improved so I can tell a better story.
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"Wait a minute, you're not Santa! You're not even robots!! How dare you lie in front of Jesus!!!"
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Quote:
Originally posted by tathraseventeen:
I don't usually write fanfiction, but a lot of the things I've written have been similar to Joss's in terms of the themes I like to explore. Plus, we all love the 'Verse, so why not?
Why not, indeed! One of the things that kept Star Trek going after cancellation of the original series was the market for new novels and stories set in that universe. I'd like to see all of us writer-Browncoats look to our fanfic with that in mind. Who knows where the first house-published original Firefly fiction will come from? Could be from one of you who are posting here.
Explore away, tathraseventeen!
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Quote:
Originally posted by Gladiator32:
On getting critiqued:
Just so long as it's constructive not 'that was rubbish, try harder you dolt'! But naturally, as a sensitive person, the nicer the feedback, the more I appreciate it!
I'm the same way, Galdiator32. I like to know what I can do better as well as what I've done wrong. I'm glad that so far so many of you feel the same.
When I read your work and leave a comment, I promise to be gentle!...And thanks for joining in on this thread!
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
1. The mood just struck me one day. I had envisioned a character in my mind and then decided that the Firefly universe was the best place for him. I decided how I wanted him to interact with the characters and major plot points I wanted covered and then wrote the story around those ideas. I've written the first part and am currently writing the second part to William Finds Serenity, which is posted in the Blue Sun Room. It is my first.
2. My goal is to simply write stories that other fans can find enjoyment in. It's also good practice in writing that other projects I have simmering on the back will benefit from.
3. I like critique, as long as it is constructive. I am the first to admit I am far from a great, even good, writer, and I know not all of my ideas float well with everyone. I want my readers to be honest, whether what they have to say to me is posative or negative.
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I'll be in my bunk.
XO of the 76th Battalion http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.myspace.com/babywiththepower
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Acadia, thanks for your post! I just recently discovered www.stillflying.net and was impressed by the concept and the way the site is set up, let alone the writing. I was wondering about the writers though and...here you are to tell me about yourself and the rest. That's great.
I will be reading all the episodes, but it'll take me a while. I've got a lot of catching up to do!
Question: is it important to read them all in order? (Oh well, I'm already curious to read your stuff first, so it's pretty much a moot question, I guess.)
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Quote:
Originally posted by annuette:
What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To have fun and enjoy it, while putting somethign out that other people can also enjoy. Oh and it's nicely destressing after work lol.
Well put! While writing my first piece I was having so much fun. It was really nice to be in the verse with these characters while I was writing and not thinking about my own day to day stress.
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Hey Gomithrous, thanks for your post!
Here's a new question for you and all the others:
What else do you write besides fanfic? Are any of you writers of other genres?
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Other than fanfics I write poems on occasion but I need some damn good inspiration. With a poem generally comes a song and tabs and stuff but I do mostly write fanfics (and stuff for school but I don't think that counts).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> Scorpion owns all <~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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*grins* It's always nice when something can make you forget the annoying or bad altogether. *hugs*
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1. I had never written any fan fiction before Firefly. My first story was accidental lol. It was the product of frustration, at being unable to write another Firefly story.
I kinda went in at the deep end with a really short horror/thriller. It focused on River, and I still have no clue where the story idea came from lol. It was a Halloween story, and had never been written to spawn a complete series.
My early stories are relatively short, but I packed them with hidden details and plot seeds to work on later. (Writing style outlined in #2.)
I have written about 12 stories. 7 of which span across two horror series. The horror series are called Schism and Resurgence. The fifth chapter of the Schism series was my favourite to write. It is 13 pages long, and was the chapter that bridged the gap between this and the next series. (Which I never thought would happen.) It also broke the habit of writing short chapters.
I have also written an angsty story about Kaylee, the first chapter of an unfinished Wash comedy, two original character stories in the style of a newspaper article, and a short, funny one dealing with Friday the 13th.
2. Goals: Keep writing! Never stop writing! :) I hate the idea of running out of plot ideas. I have an organic approach, and try to keep things fresh. The emotional truth of the character is the most important, and keeps things interesting.
3. All feedback is important. There would be no chapter two, three or four etc without any feedback or support. It all helps a writer to learn.
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Recommendations:
The Destiny and Vengeance series by SoulOfSerenity is a cracking read. It features original characters as well as the BDHs, and has a lot of solid dramatisation and characterisation. The cliff hangers are the best! Wonderful, mature and action packed stuff.
I also enjoyed the Inara/Kaylee stories by TheCowboyFromHell. It is a slash fic, but it written in such an emotional and mature way. I was never a fan of the genre until I read this series. It reads like canon.
There are a lot of great writers out there, like AmDoBell, Channain, LucasHarper and loads, loads more..
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CF: Love the avatar! You created a plot bunny though. Crossover! Muppet Firefly.
Kermit would have to be Mal, which means Piggy would have to be Inara because
a)she'd never let anyone else play his love interest
b)they're so good at that banter
c)it's the most glamorous female with the most costume changes.
She would,however, refuse to dye her hair for the role.
KERMIT/MAL: Piggy, are you sure you can't just wear a wig?
PIGGY/INARA: Just say the line, frog.
KERMIT/MAL: Sheesh. Howdy Inara. My, I love what you've done with your hair. Blonde suits you. Shiny.
PIGGY/INARA: Why thank Vous. Moi wanted a leetle change.
But who would play Jayne... Fozzy?
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We've had whole threads here on Muppet Firefly, SR. Sorry I don't have links. IIRC, somebody has done some pretty nifty Muppet-fly artwork as well. In the BSR, perhaps?
"Pigs... In... The... Blaaaack!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm pointin' right at it!
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Hey KayleeGirl... as a starving artist, er, well, not starving, per se, but, kinda hungry at the moment... I thought I'd chime in as to the whole mental process that goes into my writing.
1) I write fics because it makes me happy. Sometimes I have an idea for an episode that I think would translate well to text, and when it comes to original works of fiction, I've just got this crazy sense that maybe, just maybe, I'll strike a nerve with my readers. My Firefly fics, however, are all in their beta phases, none have gone public yet :(
2) My goal as a writer is to write things that are both engaging and interesting. I like to make people react to my stories. Whether that reaction is gut-busting laughter, or tears, or deep thoughts as to the nature of the universe, well, it depends on the story.
3) I take any comments I can get on my work, critique or support. I don't tolerate flames though, and have vehemently replied to several idiots on fanfiction.net and fictionpress.net about their behavior.
Also, it helps that I'm crazy. Totally, unabashedly, incontrovertibly, crazy. Why else would we write?
______________________________________
http://www.myspace.com/citrusblast
The best way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. 
- Oscar Wilde
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Here's a new question for you and all the others:
What else do you write besides fanfic? Are any of you writers of other genres?
I write war stories. Some are short, some are novel-length, but they're usually set during World War II and strongly character-driven. I like to explore fictional characters' motives for fighting a war, how other characters feel about the war they've chosen to fight, and even some bits and pieces about the home front. As far as the front lines, I've mostly written about the U.S. submarine campaign in the Pacific; on the home front, I've dabbled a little with people who worked on the railroads to keep the front lines supplied (being a railroader myself, this is something I feel more than worth exploring
). Needless to say, some of these details are creeping over into my own exploration of the Firefly 'verse.FOX watch out,
Warns Uncle Joss:
There's some Rivers
You shouldn't cross.
FIREFLY
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
My first story started because I was intrigued by Jayne's character. We know he cares about money, sex, and guns (listed in no particular order); but occasionally we see there is depth to him (like when he's mulling over the death of the mudder who saved his life). The hypothesis evolved into a story of how Jayne came to be the man he is today. Once I had the character story together, I realized I had too much plot for a single fiction, so I started a trilogy. In each book of the trilogy I focus on the back-story of a different character.
Firefly fic is fun to write because just knowing the plot isn't enough to finish the story. The characters are fun to play with and stretch into different situations. The stories i write are on the long-ish side (~70 pages each), so it takes a few months to write each one. I started in September 2006. The first two books are posted in Blue Sun and the final one of the trilogy is in progress... Book 1 starts here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=13632
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
My goal is to entertain the audience! What surprises me most is how much I've learned about writing by trying to write character stories in the style of Joss. I'm definitely going to apply what I've learned to other original fics I write... In the end, I want fame, glory, and to be a world reknown novelist. On the realistic end, if they ever start commissioning official Firefly novels, I'd like to revise the work I do and request publication through that route.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Both are nice. I like when people hypothesize about what will happen in the next chapter or how they think the story will end. If it's a part of the story that isn't written yet, I may incorporate those ideas. It's difficult to be true to 9 primaries plus added villains, so comments and critiques often help me stay more true to the voice of the characters and to the original storyteller. Critiques are especially helpful should I enter the aforementioned revision and novelization phase of the work.
"Just like handgrenades, you don't want to run into a horseshoe stake in the dark." -Gouda, FFF.net
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oops.. double post! edit undo! edit undo!
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Acadia, thanks for your post! I just recently discovered www.stillflying.net and was impressed by the concept and the way the site is set up, let alone the writing.
Yay! I'm glad you're enjoying. Just fyi -- all of the writers post on the stillflying messageboard (some less frequently than others, though).
Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Question: is it important to read them all in order? (Oh well, I'm already curious to read your stuff first, so it's pretty much a moot question, I guess.)
Hmm. Sort of? Not so much in season one. In season two, though, I would try to read in order, especially episode 11 onward, when we get into the serenity storyline.
Arcadia (aka Greyfable and/or Katie)
www.stillflying.net -- picking up Firefly were Joss left off. We will hold 'til he gets back.
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I've loved writing fanfiction for years, but I had a long break from writing. And I don't know, I think the combination of missing writing and getting really into Simon/Kaylee was what sprung my first idea and I decided to go for it. I mostly start writing from ideas that come to me in the moments between awakeness and sleep.
I've written two series, one in 24 parts, the other in 5 parts plus 3 one-shots. All of them Simon/Kaylee
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
Have fun writing stories, improving my english and writing skills. Maybe one day I can write my own original stories, but right now I'm happy with fanfiction.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I love getting all sorts of comments. The Positive are good for my ego, the Negative often points out things I should work at.
I pretty much only write fanfic right now, the two fandoms I focus at for the moment is Firefly and Gilmore Girls. Right now I'm working on a long story for GG.
*~*~*
"Joss, if you kill him now I'll stuff a compression coil up your ass sideways!"
~ Kaylee, "Serenity in 2000 words or less"
Kaylee's the perfect woman!
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i made a FanFic a while ago and havent done a second part to it cuz ive been too lazy. it has nothing to do with the 'verse but it is connected to Firefly.
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Hey everybody!
I wanted to say thanks to everyone of you who's been posting and a special thanks to those who have made recommendations on what to read in the 'Sun Room.
Here's a question for y'all -- something that's been making me wonder:
Does anyone else think 8 months is too short a time between the end of the series and the BDM?
I know too long a time with River growing crazier everyday would be bad (especially for Jayne), but isn't it too short a time for a) Inara to become an important force at the new Companion Training House, b) Book to have become so comfortable at Haven, and c) the rest of the crew to have visited Haven so often that they are welcomed like part of the community?
Have any of you dealt with this yet in your fanfic?
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Good question! Gives me a chance to prattle on for a bit .
Eight months does seem too short for all the reasons you say. Gotta note though: I think River was heading toward saner, not crazier. She was triggered and her Miranda memories were awakened, and that could have happened at any time.
I think Inara could get into the House in so short a time, because she's already very respected and powerful (as Nandee pointed out) The situation with Haven is the one that seems a little odd, though if the crew did something to save the colony, it could work.
How I deal with this in my fic? Let me expand the question a bit, because it's been on my mind with the fic I'm working on now.
My theory regarding the movie in general: obviously, Joss would have done many things differently if he'd been able to continue the TV series. He talks about all the decisions he had to make in order to put his 'verse on the big screen and make it marketable, like focusing on the action and cutting the romance stories way down.
So (blasphemy here, sorry!) I don't like how many things worked out. I don't mean to blame Joss or put down the movie - it was fantastic and he fit so much in there! But I don't want to include his movie decisions in my personal canon. It's like letting the movie industry boss me around, which poor Joss has to do but I don't.
An example - Simon and Kaylee getting together was more like a little bone (really don't mean the pun) thrown to the fans. It completely lacked all the interesting twists and depth that a relationship between this two characters deserves, and which you know Joss would have made much of, if he'd been able.
In my fic world, I consider the info revealed about the Alliance and River and the Reavers to be true, and other things like Kaylee and Simon hooking up eventually and Wash and Book dying. But I don't buy all the rest of it as set-in-stone canon. So - eight months? I would have no problem changing that if I needed to for a fic.
May Joss and the FF purists forgive me!
-----------------------------------------------
I'm the president. I don't need to listen.
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Feel a bit silly answering this since I haven't finished anything yet, but... what the heck.
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Stories written to date - none 
The reason for writing the stories I am now is to explore what happened post-BDM. I especially want to look at how the signal has changed the Firefly 'verse, the relationships between the characters (not just romantic ones) and how the characters themselves may have been changed by the events of the movie.
That and... I really like writing. Especially screenplay. I never have time to write and I miss it, so my New Year's resolution is to make time! (and to give up junk food, but that's for another thread)
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To write something fans think is almost as good as the show. I seriously don't think it'll happen, but I'm damn well gonna try!
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I've no problem with critiques. Well, I might get stroppy if everyone hates it, but I won't go off in a huff telling myself I'm really a creative genius and they just don't understand the brilliance of my work or anything. Well, not for very long.
Graphics available at www.desktophippie.com
Blog available at http://desktophippie.blogspot.com
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Here's a question for y'all -- something that's been making me wonder:
Does anyone else think 8 months is too short a time between the end of the series and the BDM?
I know too long a time with River growing crazier everyday would be bad (especially for Jayne), but isn't it too short a time for a) Inara to become an important force at the new Companion Training House, b) Book to have become so comfortable at Haven, and c) the rest of the crew to have visited Haven so often that they are welcomed like part of the community?
Have any of you dealt with this yet in your fanfic?
Haven't dealt with it yet, but....are you sure you don't mean the beginning of the series and the BDM? 'Coz if that's what you meant, yeah, that is too short a time. Especially given Mal's contention in 'Trash' that his first encounter with Saffron was "'bout half a year back". Since OMR took place in mid-late October 2517, that would put 'Trash' some time in, say, March or April of 2518 with the BDM happening only two or three months later. Maybe barely enough time for Book and the crew to get comfy at Haven, but not enough for Inara to leave Serenity and become so well established at the training house.
Just for go-se and giggles I'd conjecture that the BDM actually takes place somewhat later in 2518, which in some respect would make writing my two oncoming fanfics easier.
Now here's a question I'd like to pose to my fellow fanficcers:
What do you think of the issue of Mary Sue-ism? Do you consider this much of an issue in the Firefly fanfic community? And what's your opinion of original characters who are not Mary Sues, but still an obvious act of self-insertion? The line between self-insertion and Mary Sue is very fine indeed, but where should it be drawn?
Waiting with bated breath to see what's said on this one.
Inara and Mal
Argue what's canon
"I'm not a whore;
The term is Companion!"
FIREFLY
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Oh that is a perfect question to ask, since I myself have strayed somewhat into Mary Sue territory.
If any of you have read my stories, you know that I have created an original character named Shooter. This is somewhat ironic since I in general am not a big fan of original characters. Sometimes it works, but for the most part, I just ignore them. When I wrote my first fanfic (THE SERENITY GIG), not only had I just rediscovered FIREFLY, but I also began a somewhat sort lived career as an amateur wedding videographer. And so, real life intersected with fantasy, and so I decided to write my version of the Silee nuptuals story, but with a twist. Instead of a third person omniscient, it would be a first person account by someone who kind of knew the bride from way back when. I subscribe to the 'small verse' theory. And of course, I based the character of Shooter on myself in some aspects. While I am from the Outer Rim (or Saskatchewan as I like to call it) and have a passion for film and did wedding videos, I can only hope that I have an actual career in film, as opposed to filming war footage and being involved in propaganda.
I actually discussed this with another fanfic writer here on this site, and she says that Shooter isn't a complete Mary Sue, because Shooter does not go out on a date with Kaylee. On the contrary, he is there to film her official day of unavailability. And his feeling toward her is more on the lines of childhood crush that won't anount to anything instead of a regular friendship. So while Shooter does have aspects of myself in there, I'm smart enough to make him a distinct character that could easily inhabit the 'verse. I now picture him as an Orson Welles/Werner Herzog/Stanley Kubrick type mixed with the filmmaking aspects of Howard Hughs from THE AVIATOR. Someone who'd probably yell at someone "WHERE THE HELL ARE MY GODDAMN CLOUDS!!!" He's incredibly humble and civil and friendly when it comes to Mal and Co., but when it comes to filmmaking, he's a somewhat egocentric and insane genius.
I'm actually planning on doing a one-off story of Shooter about how far he's willing to go in order to get important footage. It's a story that involves Reavers, a rocketpack, censors and a freefall plummet towards a planet. But as per YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN, I have him as somewhat of a catalyst for the events in the story. He sets things in motion at the beginning, but near the end he's more of an impartial witness. I have this funny bit with him in the next chapter when it comes to his reaction to Signal.
In short, if it works, it's fine. There's no problem with writing characters that have aspects of the writer in them (that's what all writers do, get over it). But when it becomes obvious that the story is just wish fulfillment that has nothing to do with canon, then it becomes a problem.
As per the 8 month thing, I just go along with it. I think it's 8 months from SERENITY the pilot to SERENITY the movie.
**************************************************
"Have you ever fired two guns whilst jumping through the air?"
"No."
"Have you ever fired ONE gun whilst jumping through the air?"
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Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:
Feel a bit silly answering this since I haven't finished anything yet, but... what the heck.
Don't feel silly! I haven't posted my first one yet and here I am starting this thread. I aim to feel a bit silly -- it always helps me to loosen up so I can get back to the writing. Keep posting and let me know how it's going! And welcome to the writers of the 'verse. (Writers of the Black? Scribblers on the Rim? We really should have an official name for our Firefly writers group. Any suggestions?)
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Quote:
Originally posted by Steamer:
...are you sure you don't mean the beginning of the series and the BDM? 'Coz if that's what you meant, yeah, that is too short a time.
Ai ya! Hwai leh! You're right! Mal does say in the BDM that Simon brought River on board eight months ago. Boy, that doesn't even seem enough time to get through all the episodes (not to mention that it gives Wash and Zoe even less time together!) I'm going to just have to write it off as pressure on Joss to get the movie made. Maybe he just likes the sound of 8 months as a time frame? Inara tells Book that she's known Mal for eight months in "The Train Job." (Blasphemy, I know!)
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Hey everybody! I haven't written any fanfics on Firefly (so far) but I made 5 episodes on Lexx and I think they are all very cool. So I thought I could help with my experience:
1. Why did you write your first Lexx based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Because I love my show so much and I won't to see its characters visit other planets, have more adventures. When I begin a story I have no idea how it will end, so I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen next together with my readers. It's like watching an episode for me.
Another reason is that I personally am a creative person and love to write stories and express myself. I'm tired of all that main-stream on TV and I try to be original with my stories. This brings me pleasure, it's like satisfying a need.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
I don't have a real goal, just as mentioned above to satisfy my needs and to make a continuation of my favorite show. This is also a continuation for my readers, so I also make other lexxians happy this way. Plus, it proves my fandom and if a newcomer comes to the site, they'll think "Hey, the show is over for 5 years, but they still write their fanfics and love their show, it must be good!"
Also, I'm looking to improve my english by writing, I'm a foreigner and I'll have a big exam on english in a 6 months or so.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I love critiques! It means people have read my story and enjoyed it enough to make competent opinions about it. Supportive comments keep me going, but eventually both I and the commentators get tired of them and eventually I end up writing in my ff thread all alone, while the others read silently. I want critique also because I want to know where my weaknesses are as a writer, which ideas does my audience like and if I describe what happens vivid enough, so they understand all of what happens.
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Hey everybody!
I wanted to say thanks to everyone of you who's been posting and a special thanks to those who have made recommendations on what to read in the 'Sun Room.
Here's a question for y'all -- something that's been making me wonder:
Does anyone else think 8 months is too short a time between the end of the series and the BDM?
I know too long a time with River growing crazier everyday would be bad (especially for Jayne), but isn't it too short a time for a) Inara to become an important force at the new Companion Training House, b) Book to have become so comfortable at Haven, and c) the rest of the crew to have visited Haven so often that they are welcomed like part of the community?
Have any of you dealt with this yet in your fanfic?
My own personal opinion, nope! 8 months seems just about right. Any longer would be too long, and anything shorter would be too short.
It's very likely that Inara set up the new training house. She could have her pick of top level places on just about any world. Nandi did mention that she came very close to taking over the guild. Since Inara seems set on avoiding Core planets (for reasons as yet unknown) it makes sense that she'd help Sheydra (who seems to be an old friend) set up a school.
As for Book being comfortable on Haven, and the gang being welcomed there with open arms - I imagine that shortly after he decided to leave Mal and the gang wound up helping Haven with some problem or other, and Book wound up staying behind. That would explain why the people of Haven were so grateful (having been helped with whatever problem and given a new preacher to boot) and why they welcomed the crew with open arms. If the girls at Nandi's place are anything to go by, Shepherds are highly respected on rim worlds - much as companions are respected on core planets - so it wouldn't take too long to get comfortable anywhere.
Actually, that scenario would make a cool fic! Must write that... or does anyone else wanna? I call Fanfic Challenge!!!
Graphics available at www.desktophippie.com
Blog available at http://desktophippie.blogspot.com
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Quote:RimWriters?
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
...And welcome to the writers of the 'verse. (Writers of the Black? Scribblers on the Rim? We really should have an official name for our Firefly writers group. Any suggestions?)
*hears a chorus of "Ghost Riders In the Sky" in his head*
Yippie-aye-oh,
Yippie-aye-ack...
RimWriters in the black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm pointin' right at it!
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
It just sort of...came to me. I thought that one of the things about having the show not last very long, but still have such rich characters, is that there was a lot of fodder out there to explore. So I started exploring and it just sort of wrote itself.
As for what I've written...I've done two multi-part stories (Atonement and Spirited Away), my nine part series called "Nightmares" which contains one story for each character (which I consider my "personal best" up to this point), a few ficlets, and I'm about two chapters into another multi-parter.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To have fun, mostly. If others enjoy what I write, then that's just the cherry on top! :o)
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Oh yes. Praise is wonderful, but with so many talented writers out here, I'll take critiques as well. As long as they're constructive and not just a "This sucks!"
4. What else do you write besides fanfic? Are any of you writers of other genres?
I blog. I don't know if that counts, though. I've also had a particular story inside me for ages, I've just never been able to get it on paper.
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Quote:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I fell in love with the characters - it's that simple. I had been writing Star Wars fan fics for almost 15 years, but never knew there would ever be a place to post them. Once I found FFF and the BSR though, I got really hooked. My first few stories focused on my favorite characters and once I started to get shiny feedback, it was all downhill (or prolific) from there!
As far as how many stories I've written - I'm not sure ... it's a lot! I have a few epic stories and a lot of one-offs. Just click on my name above if you're interested to see more.
Quote:
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
I am actually an aspiring professional writer, so for me it has something to do with honing my skills.
However, my overriding goal has always been to give all of us fans more of the 'verse we love - it was taken away too soon and so I think most of the fic writers on this site would tell you that we just like to explore. Joss created such rich and flawed characters and had so little time to fully tell their stories that the possibilities are literally endless. As a writer - or anyone with even a modicum of creativity - that's just a challenge you can't pass up!
Quote:
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I honestly like critiques and supportive comments. My beta is pretty spectacular, so I don't often feel that I've really missed the boat on the major things (i.e. grammer, characterization, plot), but I like to know what people think!
Thanks for opening this thread - it's fun to see why people write ...
***
So ... explain to me your obsession with all things evil?
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
I've just started to read the stories in the Blue Sun Room and I have to say I'm overwhelmed at the amount of stuff there is to read.(Any suggestions from you are welcomed!) So far, the work I've chosen to read is really good.
As a fellow writer who belongs to a writer's group where we dig into the hows and whys of writing, I'd really like to get some similar insights into all of you who write fiction for our shiny and beloved verse.
So, for those of you are willing, here goes:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Much thanks, in advance, to all of you!
Hi Kayleegirl
I have read some of the other posts as to why ppl write and put their stories up here. My reasons are likely the same. To borrow a line from Mal in the Train Job eps " We aren't thieves, but we are thieves...point is"
I'm not a writter, but I am a writter. Point is it's because I just feel a strong need to explore something that should have never stopped in the first place ( namely the tv story of Firefly) and it's fun.
I have about 30 stories with a range of different ideas that I've posted. Some are 1 or 2 chapters long but the longest is 20. They are all continuous.Meaning that I may have stopped writting them but they aren't finished. I can always pick up again. The main thing that has had me jot down some of what I feel is because The Joss verse feels somewhat real to me. With many untold events. Like a tree with many branches. I will take one of thoes branches and follow it out a ways.
Now as for as getting responces. They are great. Good and bad. It lets you know that ppl are reading what you have to say and that you've moved their emotions in one way or another. The good comments make you feel good and the crits help you to see what you need to do to get better. I welcome both and btw welcome or not you may get either so best thing to do is not to worry about getting crits.
One thing I will tell ppl about fanfic. It is like artwork ( it is just like that and I do draw a bit too). You are putting youself out there for everyone to see. Almost like stripping down nekid. Some will like what they read, some won't, thing is as a writter you have to have the guts to post it in the first place. Sometime ppl have a hard time doing that because they are scared what folks will think and say. But do it then move on.
Some ppl are timid. The web gives you a chance to put your feelings out there. So post those stories, or post thoes comments. The thing is, you do have a voice and you can say what you want to say. Any lurkers out there who want to join up and be heard, do it. It feels good.
Z
PS: I wear a plad shirt and live on the planet Pluto so chances are I will never meet any of my browncoat friends anyway. That's a joke. I don't wear plad....
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Please everyone do yourself a favor and read all of her fics they are fantastic.You will be hooked I promise.
Mac Daddy
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>And what's your opinion of original characters who are not Mary Sues, but still an obvious act of self-insertion?
Hate them. Won't read the story or typically anything else by that writer if I read something that is such a clear, obvious mary sue.
"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."
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Quote:
Originally posted by Steamer:Now here's a question I'd like to pose to my fellow fanficcers:
What do you think of the issue of Mary Sue-ism? Do you consider this much of an issue in the Firefly fanfic community? And what's your opinion of original characters who are not Mary Sues, but still an obvious act of self-insertion? The line between self-insertion and Mary Sue is very fine indeed, but where should it be drawn?
First of all, I have to admit that I had to look up the term "Mary Sue" to find out if I understood what you were talking about -- that's how new I am to the fanfac world!
To get down to the question....I can understand the whole wish-fulfillment thing -- I do that whenever I day dream about being in this verse or any other favorite show -- but in any of my written work?
Because I've been writing other types of fiction (not fanfic) for a long time, I have to say that practically every character in my stories reflects a bit of me. We all can only write what we know, so while a character might not be totally me, I am in a sense every character I've ever created while I'm writing about her, him, or it.
Roger Rosenblatt recently said (on a segment of Charlie Rose), "Writing teaches you what you think." That's how I feel about most stuff I write. I do find myself creating main characters who embody much of my fears, frustrations, philosphies, etc. so I can work those out for myself. And if I can't live it in real life, I can certainly have the experience in the virtual reality of my words on paper! How cool is that! (File that one under "why I wanted to be a writer.")
Fanfic, I find to be a bit different though: I'm writing it for other reasons: to visit the verse for awhile, to keep Serenity flying, and to figure out how well I know the characters Joss Whedon created. Now for me, that last one means that any new characters I add have to make sense in the Firefly verse. They have to be a foil for one of Joss's characters or help move the plot forward. Any new character, as well as any of Joss's, have to stay true to what he's already created. Mary Sues? I don't see them as part of my exploration of the verse.
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P.S.
On a lighter note...just wanted to say to TamSibling that "Cocoa" was the second piece of fanfic in the 'Sun Room that I read. It was brief but so good, it's still on my mind! I'm eager to read more of your posted work.
(I'd be reading some posting after this if only I didn't have the need for a littel thing called SLEEP...)
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P.S.
On a lighter note...just wanted to say to TamSibling that "Cocoa" was the second piece of fanfic in the 'Sun Room that I read. It was brief but so good, it's still on my mind! I'm eager to read more of your posted work.
(I'd be reading some posting after this if only I didn't have the need for a little thing called SLEEP...)
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I write it because, like most folks here, I wanted MORE FIREFLY and there wasn't any more.
My goal is to write stories that make people keep reading -- stories that make their jaws drop, that make them check obsessively ten times a day for new fic. When somebody read something I wrote and says "Holy crap! I want more of this!" I know I've done what I meant to do, and what I'm trying to do.
To that end, if anybody wants to suggest what would have done more to make the story absolutely completely gripping, well, I want ot know about that.
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Their simply isn't enoff story's about FireFly, their's the movie, and one small, lonely series of The Vers, it's not enoff, their need's to be more.
I've been doing FanFic for meny year's, since I was a teen. I have done alot of x-men/Doctor Who/Movie/book based fanfiction, thow I have not really posted alot I've written hundred's of story's. To date I've done two FireFly story's witch I will not be posting, but I am working on something I'm hopeing to get up soon.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To expand on the univrse that has already been created. To do justice to the charter's and to write a beliveable story.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Yes, I love constructive stuff, but I hate it when people are just negative and rude, that's no help to me at all. postive commant's are great too, but I like to read what people like about the story, not that it's just great all around :)
Hope that answer's some of your Q's ;)
Bex's
xxx
The Operative: Are you willing to die for your beliefs?
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: I am...
[they draw. Mal fires first, and the Operative is forced to take cover]
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: 'Course, that ain't exactly plan A.
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
(Writers of the Black? Scribblers on the Rim? We really should have an official name for our Firefly writers group. Any suggestions?)
Hm, how about "'VerseWriters"?
Zoe catches
Wash off guard
"Take me, sir
Take me hard!"
FIREFLY
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Quote:
Originally posted by Steamer:Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
(Writers of the Black? Scribblers on the Rim? We really should have an official name for our Firefly writers group. Any suggestions?)Quote:
Hm, how about "'VerseWriters"?
Someone said they see "verse" as meaning all the worlds JW has created. When I say the 'verse, I'm speaking strictly Firefly-speak, though. What do others think about this?
We've also had "Rimwriters" as a suggestion.
Anyway, I guess my next question is: are any of you interested in starting up (or does anyone already have) a bulletin board for the we-who-shall-be-named serious Firefly fanfic writers to form an online writers' group?
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Quote:
Anyway, I guess my next question is: are any of you interested in starting up (or does anyone already have) a bulletin board for the we-who-shall-be-named serious Firefly fanfic writers to form an online writers' group?
I been meaning to ask if there was a thread here where writers hang out, discuss writerly stuff?
And for a name , " Marginal Folk" or "Marginal BrownCoats"?
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Oh, fun topic! Who doesn't love answering listed questions? *g*
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I wrote my first Firefly-based story because I already had some slight experience writing fanfiction from my prior Farscape fandom and Firefly was like oil on those rusted.. uh.. hinges? The complexity of the 'verse and its characters just inspired me and gave me a tremendous amount of creative energy, after my initial avalanche of purely analytical lj posts was over.
Writing about the 'verse is a way of exploring it more deeply. Plus, the added benefit of feeling like I "made something" and getting feedback for that. Interaction, communication, praise!
Inara captured my heart and mind the most, so I wrote "Five Things that Never Happened when Inara Serra Left Serenity" to give a picture of how undecided the 'verse is, how open in a good and bad way. It's not all about Mal. It's all about choice.
Not my best work ever, but it was a start.
Since September 2005, I have written to date, um... 49 finished and separate pieces, both drabbles and a bit longer. And 3 unfinished series of 4 chapters each.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
Two-fold.
One, I want to explore an aspect of the characters in depth, turn it into a statement or thesis about those characters and their interactions and ultimately make a point about humanity in general. (That last one is sort of only a tiny aspect of it, though, hehe.)
Two, I want to progress in my writing, feel the satisfaction of making the words and their rhythm form exactly the kind of emotional picture that I have in mind. "Make something pretty", basically.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I love critiques, mainly because all my fic has a point (usually, even the fluff) and I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove discussing the show. To death. All opinions are lovely.
I also love supportive comments, because it's a pleasure to know that someone likes your work.
The only kind of comment I don't like are the ones that show that very obviously the person didn't take the time to really read the story. Praise or criticism about something I didn't write... kind of hard to make sense of.
More people should reply to this thread, it's fun to read everyone's motivations!
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Quote:
More people should reply to this thread, it's fun to read everyone's motivations!
Well, it's fun to read, at least.
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I still writing my first one. I posted the 28th "chapter" last night. Why did I write it? I'm not sure. I kind of just had to.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To tell a good story, one that I enjoy and one that others enjoy.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Ok, this is tricky, and, I suspect, going to make me regret this. In my 'blurb' I always remind readers that I write for my own enjoyment, and that I would prefer comments only from people who enjoy.
Nonetheless - I am not adverse to some critique - or indeed suggestions from those reading it about what they would like to see more of. One of my OCs was named (inadvertently) by one the readers (ManicGiraffe) and I've recieved lots of (unasked for but geniunely, deeply appreciated) advice from several readers (MG again, and TamSibling spring to mind) and ideas for directions the story could/should go in (thinking here especially of LeiaSky and tkid).
If there is one niggling thing destroying a reader's enjoyment, I would be more than happy to try and remedy it (obviously, as long as I can within the parameters of the story I'm telling). I would perfer to recieve those kind of comments in the form of a private message however.
I do wish more people commented. I keep to my own policy and never comment on anything I don't enjoy - whether that's from personal taste or because something is, in a more objective sense, genuinely bad. I don't always come up with comments that I think are insightful or anything (I think BlueEyedBrigidier has the best supportive commenting writing skills ever), but I always get a thrill when I get a notification that someone's commented, and I figure most writers are egomanics and probably do to, so I pretty much always comment, even on very old stuff that I read (though there I might only comment every few chapters or so if they aren't stand alone).
On the subject of OCs
I've seen some very good ones, and some very bad ones. I try not to be too judgemental - I write original work too, and I think in most cases little bits of the author end up in ever truly fleshed out character. Writing is one of the most naked things you can do with your clothes on.
I don't necessarily like OCs, but they can't be avoided: the BDHs have to interact with others, even if only as villians. And sometimes they have to fill a gap on the ship (for example, in my story Simon needs a doctor, so we (I) have to get him one).
I can pass an eye over author insert or author-avatar insert (not the author, but something like the author could/would have been). Done well, that's no worse than knowing that Joss Whedon will probably always insert himself in a Wash/Xander 'everyman' (exceptionally funny everyman) way.
I can even live with ones that occassionally veer into the realm of Mary-Sue like competence. Again, that can happen in the nonfanfic world, and some of those characters are enjoyable enough. I can even live with them if they 'got the girl', or whatever, as long as it's plausible (Tara at points in Buffy might be a real-life example).
What I personally can't bear are the Mary Sues who are always the best at everything, have done everything, got the girl (or guy) and everybody loves, except the original love interest, who has to have an exceptionally antagonistic relationship with the OC. I probably could even live with these stories, but the OC is also invariably the main character, not the BDHs, and he/she just can't be avoided.
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Quote:
Here's a new question for you and all the others:
What else do you write besides fanfic? Are any of you writers of other genres?
I write a lot of different stuff. Most of it is scifi, fantasy or a little of both; some of it is more cyberpunk. One of them, my nano project is actaully mainstream literature! That was a surprise. But then it was NaNoWriMo, and anything can happen then.
I tend to work as the muse hits - so I rarely only have one project - at the moment it's my fanfic and a fantasy novel.
Oh, and you wanted suggestions of stuff to read...
Try my fanfic! It might not be to your taste, of course, but I think it's good.
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Quote:Can I just say, because your post makes you sound pretty cool and possibly open to me saying this - I've never read your fic because of that blurb. I go through the blurbs in the BSR hoping to be enticed and drawn in by hints about the story. With yours I get something completely focused on the writer. It makes me, as a reader, feel unimportant and even unwanted. It's jarring. Kind of in my face. (BTW, I'm also put off by the blurb with the yackety-schmackety bit. It tells me nothing about the story, and could easily be put into the fic header. Why oh why is it in the blurb?)
Originally posted by girlfan:
Ok, this is tricky, and, I suspect, going to make me regret this. In my 'blurb' I always remind readers that I write for my own enjoyment, and that I would prefer comments only from people who enjoy.
So, girlfan, based on your post here, you clearly are interested in the reader's experience, and open to improving as a writer. Maybe not open to hostile feedback - but who is?
So really, that blurb you use is selling you, and your fic, short!I think you'd get more readers and commenters if you moved the "I write for my own enjoyment, etc" stuff to the inside of the fic. Maybe put it both before and after the story text so everyone will get the idea.
Quote:I totally agree with this! I actually do send private mails to writers when I find some silly little thing that detracts (and I consider it a compliment when others do the same for me.) Then the writer can fix it or not as they choose, but my nitpicking isn't there for the world to see.
I would perfer to recieve those kind of comments in the form of a private message however.
In fact, I almost sent this whole thing to you privately. Maybe I should have?
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I'm the president. I don't need to listen.
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Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
Can I just say, because your post makes you sound pretty cool and possibly open to me saying this - I've never read your fic because of that blurb. I go through the blurbs in the BSR hoping to be enticed and drawn in by hints about the story. With yours I get something completely focused on the writer. It makes me, as a reader, feel unimportant and even unwanted. It's jarring. Kind of in my face. (BTW, I'm also put off by the blurb with the yackety-schmackety bit. It tells me nothing about the story, and could be put into the fic easily. Why oh why is it in the blurb?)
So, girlfan, based on your post here, you clearly are interested in the reader's experience, and open to improving as a writer. Maybe not open to hostile feedback - but who is?
I think you'd get more readers and commenters if you moved the "I write for my own enjoyment, etc" stuff to the inside of the fic. Maybe put it both before and after the story text so everyone will get the idea.Quote:I totally agree with this! I actually do send private mails to writers when I find some silly little thing that detracts (and I consider it a compliment when others do the same for me.) Then the writer can fix it or not as they choose, but my nitpicking isn't there for the world to see.
I would perfer to recieve those kind of comments in the form of a private message however.
In fact, I almost sent this whole thing to you privately. Maybe I should have?
No, this is ok. I'm a little nervous of the back and forth on this board, because it's not troll-free. I appreciate your idea, and I will actually switch to that format. I should have realised that it would make some perfectly reasonable fair minded readers feel put off.
Oh, and its just my opinion but the stories yackety-shmacky blurbs ones are often really good, so try not to let the blurb put you off too much (and I do understand what you mean - I've always found that blurb a little off putting - so it was an especially telling example).
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Quote:
Originally posted by girlfan:
Oh, and its just my opinion but the stories yackety-shmacky blurbs ones are often really good, so try not to let the blurb put you off too much.
Hmm. Lesson to me to be more open-minded? Oh yeah.
But, like many readers, I don't have time to read everything. I have to be selective, and that's what those blurbs are there to help me with!
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I'm the president. I don't need to listen.
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That's what the blurb is there for, to draw in readers who might be interested in the content of the story. I like the blurb to actually TELL me something about the story, the pairings, etc. I'll usually skip it otherwise because more often then not, I'll actually click on the story, start reading, and then be turned off because its not something I'm interested in - which could have easily been solved by putting in a description.
"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."
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Quote:
But, like many readers, I don't have time to read everything. I have to be selective, and that's what those blurbs are there to help me with!
Your point is very well taken, thank you. I'm actually going backwards through my stories to change the blurbs right now.
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Leiasky:
That's what the blurb is there for, to draw in readers who might be interested in the content of the story. I like the blurb to actually TELL me something about the story, the pairings, etc. I'll usually skip it otherwise because more often then not, I'll actually click on the story, start reading, and then be turned off because its not something I'm interested in - which could have easily been solved by putting in a description.
This is another valid point. But what do you do if/when it's not really clear to you (as a writer) what the pairings are or will eventually be? Do you just mark it as it appears in the individual "chapter"?
Also, I sometimes worry that that would be misleading - for example, if I described Roses as Silee, wouldn't most Silee readers find it an inaccurate description? If I say Mal/Inara, doesn't that kind of imply that they've moved further off of the fence then they have in my story (or at this point in my story)?
It's possible that the gulf between what I do and don't know about the protocols of this board and fanfic are skewing my perceptions slightly.
Suggestions on this point will be genuinely appreciated.
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Quote:
Originally posted by girlfan:
This is another valid point. But what do you do if/when it's not really clear to you (as a writer) what the pairings are or will eventually be? Do you just mark it as it appears in the individual "chapter"?
It all depends on if I like the story. I like cannon pairings, and rarely, if ever, read any others. If a story I'm enjoying moves off that, I usually stop reading, but it will all depend on how emotionally invested and interested I am in the story.
Quote:
Also, I sometimes worry that that would be misleading - for example, if I described Roses as Silee, wouldn't most Silee readers find it an inaccurate description?
Not until you put one or the other of them with someone else. But, that's just my opinion.
Quote:
If I say Mal/Inara, doesn't that kind of imply that they've moved further off of the fence then they have in my story (or at this point in my story)?
Put 'cannon pairings - if any', would be my suggestion.
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."
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Quote:
Originally posted by girlfan:
It's possible that the gulf between what I do and don't know about the protocols of this board and fanfic are skewing my perceptions slightly.
Suggestions on this point will be genuinely appreciated.
I have similar problems, in that I don't think of my fics as being about any particular pairings.
But now we've totally hijacked this thread - sorry KayleeGirl! It's totally my doing! There's a thread about story notes here:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=12&t=26124
we could chat more about this there.
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I'm the president. I don't need to listen.
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
I've just started to read the stories in the Blue Sun Room and I have to say I'm overwhelmed at the amount of stuff there is to read.(Any suggestions from you are welcomed!) So far, the work I've chosen to read is really good.
As a fellow writer who belongs to a writer's group where we dig into the hows and whys of writing, I'd really like to get some similar insights into all of you who write fiction for our shiny and beloved verse.
So, for those of you are willing, here goes:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I've published two and have a third slowly (SLOWLY) progressing. I write stories to answer questions I have--for example, with "Going Home" I wanted to answer the question, "Why didn't Mal just go back to his family/the ranch on Shadow after the War?" When I answer my question, my goal is to develop the character(s) in some way that gives me and my reader a deeper understanding of who they are.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
See above.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Critiques are as welcome as supportive comments. Writers should always be looking to improve their work, and how else can you do that but by getting feedback? Professional writers get edited; fic writers often don't, so they miss out on the critical comments that an editor would normally be giving.
I have a beta--a very good one--to play the role of editor, telling me what is and isn't working, and maybe making suggestions along the way. I try to return the favor. Writing at its best can be collaborative, as the reader's comments help the writer to come up with new ideas and approaches. That's what makes it more than just mental masturbation!!
Much thanks, in advance, to all of you!
"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."
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>1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story?
Lots of writers at the time were writing Simon as some stuck-up one-dimensional twit, and I wanted to redress the matter. And Firefly rocks.
>And how many stories have you written to date?
Ah. A month after I'd posted my Simon-the-multi-dimensional-character story, I accidentally deleted it from fanfiction.net. And discovered to my horror that I'd somehow deleted from my hard drive also.
So I've kind of written and unwritten one Firefly story.
>2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
Lose weight. Seriously. I wrote a Kung Fu The Legend Continues series where Kwai Chang Caine was chased by giant spiders, and I wound up losing 25 lbs trying to figure out what kind of sounds a giant spider would make, etc.
>3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Either; both are compliments - someone's taken the time to actually give me feedback and trusts that I won't overreact if the feedback isn't perceived as being positive.
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Quote:
Originally posted by tkid:
I wrote a Kung Fu The Legend Continues series where Kwai Chang Caine was chased by giant spiders, and I wound up losing 25 lbs trying to figure out what kind of sounds a giant spider would make, etc.
Chased by giant spiders? This sounds like a great idea for the continuing adventures of Bill Pardy, a sequel to Slither!
Too bad about your losing that Simon story. I would have liked to read that one. For me, Simon is the most difficult characters to write about because I don't feel too much of a personal connection with him. I need some insight into who he is.
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Quote:
Originally posted by girlfan:
This is another valid point. But what do you do if/when it's not really clear to you (as a writer) what the pairings are or will eventually be? Do you just mark it as it appears in the individual "chapter"?
So, you post as you're writing the piece and don't wait until you've written the entire thing? Wow, you're much braver than I am! I tend to write out an entire rough draft, revise, and have someone beta for me before I even think of putting it out there for the world to read.
So...
NEW QUESTION: how many of you post as you go and how many post only after you've finished a story?
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
So, you post as you're writing the piece and don't wait until you've written the entire thing? Wow, you're much braver than I am! I tend to write out an entire rough draft, revise, and have someone beta for me before I even think of putting it out there for the world to read.
So...
NEW QUESTION: how many of you post as you go and how many post only after you've finished a story?
I think probably for people new to fanfic the lure of the submit button is pretty hard to resist.
Also, it can be both fun and helpful to let reader comments have an influence on the direction of the story.
The comments are a wonderful fuel for the muse, too - the immediate (esque) response to your work is a great reward.
For me, it's partly all of those reasons, but it is also influenced by one more; there was a writer (don't recall the name) who would sometimes type stories in the window a bookshop. As each page was done it was taped up in the window - this is kind of my way of doing that - forcing a sort of continuity on myself. What's gone before can't be rewritten (though I will eventually revise the whole thing). You can only just carry on from there.
That's a pretty fun challenge.
*** *** ***
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Quote:
Originally posted by girlfan:
[ there was a writer (don't recall the name) who would sometimes type stories in the window a bookshop. As each page was done it was taped up in the window - this is kind of my way of doing that - forcing a sort of continuity on myself. What's gone before can't be rewritten (though I will eventually revise the whole thing). You can only just carry on from there.
That's a pretty fun challenge.
Harlan Ellison used to do that. One of my favorite writers -- prolific, gutsy, and great. At one convention I attended, he was supposed to lecture, but read us a story he'd just finished writing instead. It was "Shatterday" (which ended up being chosen for the first episode of the new "Twilight Zone" series).
Excuse me for hijacking my own thread for a moment!
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Quote:
Originally posted by KayleeGirl:
Harlan Ellison used to do that. One of my favorite writers -- prolific, gutsy, and great. At one convention I attended, he was supposed to lecture, but read us a story he'd just finished writing instead. It was "Shatterday" (which ended up being chosen for the first episode of the new "Twilight Zone" series).
Excuse me for hijacking my own thread for a moment!
I actually did think it was Ellison - but I couldn't remember for sure and didn't want to put misinformation in people's heads.
Anyway, that's where I got the idea. I mean, I might have done it anyway, for the other reasons I mentioned - but that was the deciding factor for me. It is a fun challenge.
Fluffiness is next to angstiness.
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Hi, Kayleegirl. Here's some answers to your questions:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
As a fan of Firefly from the beginning, I'd long been wanting to see the series continued in some form, so when the chance came along to participate in a virtual continuation of the show (namely 'Virtual Firefly', which the lovely Katie/Arcadia has already so eloquently plugged), I immediately jumped on board even though I was already involved in another virtual series (this one based in the Buffy-verse). My writing credits with VFF, so far, are as follows:
2x04 - Fireworks (co-written with Katie/Arcadia)
2x16 - 'Trap' (tentative title) (forthcoming)
Even though Katie/Arcadia so eloquently plugged Virtual Firefly, I wanted to throw out another reccommendation for the project. As a veteran of a couple of other 'Jossverse' virtual series, I can attest to how closely we on the staff at VFF mimic the style of Firefly in our writing; it's one of the things that we've tried very hard to do, and, for the most part, I fully believe we've succeeded with flying colors. If you're a Firefly fan, you should definitely check out 'Virtual Firefly' at least once.
Answering your question about whether or not it's important to read Virtual Firefly's episode scripts in order, I'd say yes, although it's not AS important in Season 1, since most of the episodes that close out that season are essentially standalones. Season 2, however, has a very tightly planned narrative (mostly thanks to Joss's fabulous 'Serenity' film script[s]).
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
I initially got into writing fanfic as a way to hone my writing skills until such time as I could break into writing professionally. However, since that time I've become engrossed in the production of 'virtual series' (many of them script-based), which has caused me to change my vision of what I want to do, professionally, with the writing talent I've been blessed with, and I now want to become a screenwriter.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Having people critique your work, negatively(so long as they are civil about it), or positively, is one of the best things imaginable for a writer (amateur or professional); it's the only way you know what works and what doesn't, and it allows you to present the best finished product possible.
On the subject of OCs:
Introducing original characters in fanfic (of any genre) is fine, so long as the characters are
A) consistent with the characters already inhabiting the universe to which you are adding them
B) Serve a purpose
C) Are fully fleshed out
I'm proud to say that I've helped create several original characters (both for VFF and a couple of other virtual series), and that all of them have adhered to the criteria I just mentioned.
Take my love
Take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care
I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me
Take me out to the black
Tell 'em I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me
There's no place I can be
Since I've found Serenity
But you can't take the sky from me
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Kayleegirl it's been a while since I've posted to this thread and becuase you've added a new question I'll give you a new answer, well a new one concerning why I write fanfic the way I do.
First I am terrible at spelling and all the other things that go with writing a story but once I get an idea in my head it just goes on and on till I have to get it out. My fanfic began with a story called "Spirit of Serenity" about a ghost of an old Firefly captain that was still around after Mal fell in love and bought the transport ship. From that time I've written about 24 or 30 stories. Once I sit down to write I tend to let the story tell itself. There is a general direction I take but as far as having anything mapped out, I didn't do that. I've enjoyed the verse that Joss and company have written so much that I felt compelled to write other stories. I guess it was like going back in history and visiting the cave of a friend who had cave paintings. I wanting to make some cave paintings of my own.
Z
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=D hey kayleegirl! shiny thread! here's my answers:
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
i guess i wrote my first for a number of reasons. primarily, of course, because i love writing! at that time i was on a writing course n writing every moment of the day virtually! also havin just begun to live on fireflyfan.net i had discovered that my fantasies were not singular n in fact there are a whole load of people out there with fun firefly ideas. the subject of my first fanfiction reflects my undying love of wash/zoe.
since then i've written about 30 fanfics i think.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
i write mainly just for the enjoyment of it. plus i find ideas gnaw away at my skull unless i let them out! i also love other people enjoyin my fiction as well so i guess my goal is just to keep likin writin n to write things that people like!
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
both are good! only constructive criticism though. the other kind sorta just makes me sad. i love reading other people's interpretations and suggestions =D
4. How many of you post as you go and how many post only after you've finished a story?
i have had bad experiances of postin a story before it's completely complete n then gettin a bad case of writers block. i have vowed never to do this again! (but sometimes the submit button is soooo temptin on somethin that i love)
i hope this is vergin on interesting!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"the legs. oh, yeah. definitely have to say it was her legs. you can put that down. her legs and where her legs meet her back. in fact, that whole area. and... above it..."
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sofi:
i have had bad experiances of postin a story before it's completely complete n then gettin a bad case of writers block. i have vowed never to do this again! (but sometimes the submit button is soooo temptin on somethin that i love)
i hope this is vergin on interesting!
Glad to hear from you, Sofi.
That's my fear exactly. It's always easy for me to come up with a great beginning, but often those grind to a halt and get shoved in a drawer,never to be completed. So, I've become cautious, too.
It's only recently that I've gotten into the habit of writing from a rough outline and it's helping a lot. Before that I used to just try to figure it all out as I went -- mostly because I wanted to have the fun of being surprised, as if I was the reader. Now that I've gotten more serious about being a writer, for me that's come to mean I should have a finished product before offering it to the reader. (Having said that, I can't promise that if I get really excited about some idea and want some immediate feedback I might not just break my own rule and post when I haven't finished it!)
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Why did I begin to write fanfiction?
I've been writing recreationally for years, but I've never been able to string a story together. Not, at least, until I got into fan fiction. I began my fanfiction writing with Battletech stories (which is the universe the Mechwarrior and Mechassault *shudder* games are set in). The universe was already laid out, pretty much, but it had plenty of wiggle room and I exploited that for all it was worth. You see, I was associated with an online Mechwarrior troupe at the time, and the stories were somewhat based off of their random insanities, and many of the characters were basically the guys we blasted for recreation on a weekly basis. However, during my most ambitious (and sadly neglected) opus, I'd created a plethora of characters based on no living person, people I had utter control over the characteristics of.
You might be wondering what this has to do with Firefly? Here it comes. The characters I'd created, I transplanted. The protagonist of Legacy, Jacob Greyson, was created in my Battletech story as a minor character, ancillary, even. The Kells (Logan, William, and Jessica) were all there, pretty much doing exactly what they're doing here (Pirating, militarying, and bossing Will around, respectively). A lot of my characters come from somewhere else. Of course, in Firefly, I could go much deeper into their characters than I could in Battletech, and eventually I just stopped writing for the latter and focused on the former.
Wow. You're really long-winded, aren't you? Anyway. What are you aiming for?
I have a story planned. It's going to last exactly 4 'seasons', of which, the first two are already finished. When it's done, it's done, no encore. I think. Probably. Well, let's just say there's not going to be a Legacy, Season 5. I'm setting that in stone because for once, I want to be able to write something, have an end in sight the whole time, and know when I've finished it. I've never had that before. Most of my earlier attempts have been abandoned part of the way through. I want to actually finish this one.
Yeah. I'm weeping inside. Anyhoo, are you looking for just the sycophantic applause, or can I get vicious on you?
I'll accept any sort of feedback. It lets me know that somebody's actually reading my work
Great. Another insecure one... So, post as you go, or finish the story first?
If I waited to finish the story, I'd never get it done, strange to say. It's the act of reading what I've already created which spurs me on to create more. Besides, I'm an impatient hun dahn, and I can't restrain myself. Besides, I've got my fan to keep happy. Yes. Fan. Singular.
--------------
I ain't lookin' for help from on high. That's a damn long wait for a train don't come.
98% of teens have smoked pot, if you are one of the 2% that haven't, copy this into your signature.
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Just noticed this thread and have had fun reading other people's responses.
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I wrote my first Firefly story because I was so frustrated with the cancellation of the shiniest series in the 'verse. I wanted to perpetuate and explore the excellent characters Joss had created and push the envelope as far as where they might go from there. As for how many stories I have written, on this site that would be 15 series (going from two chapters in the shortest to the longest, 50 chapters), 16 one-shot stories or shorts and 3 filks.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To write the kind of stories I would like to read and which I hope other people will enjoy. When people stop commenting I will move on and stop submitting stories. No one should remain on the stage after the audience has gone home.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
While wall to wall praise is flattering it is not necessarily instructive unless the positive comments are qualified with the reasons why a story has worked or a character's emotional development has struck a chord. I welcome any comments that are made providing they are polite and informed and I read all feedback. People who email me privately but do not give a returning email address will not get a reply. I am not ignoring them just unable to respond without it.
I have noticed that some people never read a story that is marked up as a Series which amuses me in the sense that some stories are posted as if they are standalone but as you read you realised they are a sequel to something that the author has previously written which can be frustrating, especially if you pick up on a storyline at a later date then want to read the rest of the 'chapters' from the beginning in the correct order.
Lastly, my thanks to those of you who have so kindly commented on any of my stories over my time here. Feedback is the drug that keeps me writing and I confess to being an addict. Anything to keep Flyin'!
Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me...
website: http://unilelu/Alison/Ali00.html
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Why.......wow, big question. It all started with a thread on this site, a discussion of what became of Mal and Zoe after the war. It led to a discussion of them being held by the Alliance, something there are only tiny little canon hints of.
How long were they held? How were they treated? Were they charged as criminals, or were they POWs? I formed and posted an opinion, thought about it a lot more, and finally ended up fascinated and consumed by the idea of that story.
At the same time, I found myself wondering what happened between the time we see Mal completely devastated at the end of the war and the time we see him, cheerful and hopeful, buying Serenity in OOG.
Those two concepts and a lot of others, little things about Mal and his charater, formed into the concept of a story I very much wanted to explore. Wasn't going to happen unless I wrote it, so.......I did.
I'm still writing that story (The Losing Side). I've written on 15-chapter completed fic, a completed one-chapter fic, I'm 2 chapters into a 3-chapter story, and I'm also in the middle of an ANdromeda/Firefly crossover.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
I'm really not sure yet. I think it's an expression of personal fantasy in a way....want more Firefly? Make it up. More time spent focusing on Mal? Make it up. Stories that appeal to you? Tell them. There is too little Firefly, and a lot of gratification in bringing the characters to life in my mind and on the screen - it's a way to spend more time with them.
When I first started writing, it was more for me than for readers....partly because I didn't anticipate having any! But now it's very much about telling a story that moves people, and that grips them or affects them in some way.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
It depends. I owe a lot to the people who have posted critiques, for they have made me aware of weaknesses in my writing that I can then address. I also really value hearing how people are perceiving the progress of the story and what they want to see more or less of. I specifically asked for critiques at one point, and several people were kind enough to give me thoughtful and detailed critiques which were very valuable.
It's a double-edged sword, though. I post my story on several different sites, and discuss it with different people, and critques can differ so much they drive me mad.
For example, one person will suggest that the story is dragging and I need more action, more violence, and crank up the angst, because I'm writing an unrealistically fluffy view of life in an Alliance POW camp. So I write and change things and address those issues and then.......
Someone tells me the story is too dark and angsty and I should lighten things up a bit, and play up the more compassionate aspects of the story.
So I've come to be a little iffy on certain types of feedback like that, and rely more on where I myself feel the story should go.
Positive feedback is wonderful, especially the sort that picks out favorite bits or tells me they were moved by some aspect of the story. I'm egotistical enough to want praise, and it's often the thought of reading the comments the next day that pushes me to put in the extra effort to finish up a chapter and post it.
If I don't get as many comments as usual, I get insecure and wonder if I did a bad job and people just don't want to say it, or whether they were just to busy/tired/whatever to leave a comment.
4. Do you write other things?
My Firefly fics are the first fiction I've written since roughly age 13. On the non-fiction end, I have had many articles (mostly on animal training and related issues) published in various magazines.
5. Do you post as you write, before you know what the completed story is?
I post as I write. I would never, ever finish any of these stories without the
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Not sure, just felt like it. So far I have only one story posted, but two more are coming up.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
Again, not sure, but it helps improve my grammar, which is useful. But I would say my goal is to entertain.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Anything helps.
4. What else do you write besides fanfic? Are any of you writers of other genres?
I write short stories, longer stories, scripts/screenplays. I don't have a specific genre, but I thrive in horror and fantasy.
5. Do you post as you write, before you know what the completed story is?
I plan it out, but when the chapter is done, I check it over and if I'm happy, I post it.
I just realised, I'm not that deep. Oh well.
The Crow: Serenity
Coming March 2007
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Right... well, here goes!
As to 1...
I first wrote about Firefly... the day after I saw the marathon on Sci-Fi (I hopped on the Bandwagon a few years after the initial folks- to them I bestow the utmost honor!). Why I write it? Just cuz it's there- pretty much. I get an idea, I flesh it out, I post it, and folks tell me whether I'm a moonbrain or not. So far? Series wise, about seven or so, with maybe a dozen one-shots, give or take.
2...
I just want to share my ideas with folk. I think that's why most folk do it- they want to be appreciated for what they can do, instead of what they can't (What the world at large judges most folk by, nowadays). And, to improve my writing skills (I dream to be an author!)
and, 3...
while it feels good to see folk acknowledge me as a good writer, I think that all the goodness in the world won't help as much as when somefolk points out what you got wrong or could do better. Now, critiques, the critical ones, are as shiny as Kaylee's smile. Flames... well, they can go die.
That's about it, I think.
and, 4...
I've written a Book!!! It's coming out, May of '07! Called Those Who Inherit the Will of the Damned. I think it's shiny. I had a limit of 100 pages, so I had to do some MAJOR editing (I had planned for a two fifty+ page story, there!) Please, folks... but it! I'm a poor white boy who need the money. I'll post a blog when it comes out!
And, last for now, 5...
I usualy just write as I go, post when it's done (OR, spellchecked, if'n I'm at school). I have the whole plot in my head, and I flesh out the details when I'm typin'. It's worked out so far- I like to leave room for new ideas. Somethin' cool pops up in my head, then I have the lee way to pop it in.
-Danny
Yeah, and I'd like to be the King of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.
98% of teens have smoked pot, if you are one of the 2% that haven't, copy this into your signature.
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Well, I'm not done with any, but I finally decided to write one (screen-play style so it feels more like the show, and so I don't have to deal with physical character descriptions). I'm debating whether or not I should put in the Blue Sun Room, or just leave it in my blogs, because I typically avoid fanfiction like the plague (at least, the ones involving any characters that were developed during the show), and I don't want to be a hypocrite (or something).
But, I think that wanting to write is much the same as wanting to make a computer background - the people who have these skills want to put them to use, and I think Firefly inspires them to make something. Artistic people make art, and they do it mostly for themselves, I think (gratification, an acknowledgement of their skills or courage, etc.) - at least, that's why I'm going to be in it.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To satisfy my urge to create art. To give back. To explore something (I'm not really sure at this point) that wasn't even really mentioned in the series (so that I can take liberties, of course). Ultimately, my goal is a finished product that I can be happpy with.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Well, when I put it up, I want both. I would like people to say, "Here's what I liked" and, "Here's what I didn't like" so I can better identify my strengths and weaknesses. I'll ask that of everyone, because then a criticism that I see once could be chalked up to the reader (although I would still evaluate what they didn't like), vs. a criticism that I see all the time, which would then be something for me to seriously consider (aside from something like "Do more stuff with the crew," because I don't want to sully the 'verse with my bad character interpretations).
EDIT: Just saw this question, so I'll answer it.
What else do you write besides fanfic? Are any of you writers of other genres?
I did poems for a while (when I was depressed, and needed an outlet for my emotions - or lack thereof), and I've kept journals for my own sake (scared the gos-se outta myself more than a few times, too). I've also done random short stories (because, if I don't write it quick, it's usually gone - I couldn't write a good novel to save my life, lol). I've been writing on and off since at least the 6th grade. (I still have a story my English teacher really liked. Scary.)
I've also done poem/songs, despite the fact that they aren't particularly good. It's like writing is in my blood or something.
---
Now, if anyone could point me in the direction of some short(er), original character fanfics set in the 'verse (like mine's going to be), I would gladly read them. Just, y'know, short - I don't have the drive to read as much as I would like, and so the longest I would probably read is 15 chapters (give or take depending on the length of said chapters). Please?
(Edited again because I'm slightly obsessive-compulsive when it comes to writing.)
Rules and voting: http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=22892
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Hey, JamesTheDark, sorry for replying after so long a time!
The fact that you brought in characters from another fanfic universe is interesting. A few years back I wrote a novel (got close to getting it published, but no cigar...yet) and one of my characters from that would fit quite well into the Firefly Verse -- although, she may be a bit too much like Mal. Although...maybe that would be interesting. I'll have to think on it a bit more seriously now.
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Quote:
Originally posted by jetflair:
It's a double-edged sword, though. I post my story on several different sites, and discuss it with different people, and critques can differ so much they drive me mad.
For example, one person will suggest that the story is dragging and I need more action, more violence, and crank up the angst, because I'm writing an unrealistically fluffy view of life in an Alliance POW camp. So I write and change things and address those issues and then.......
Someone tells me the story is too dark and angsty and I should lighten things up a bit, and play up the more compassionate aspects of the story.
So I've come to be a little iffy on certain types of feedback like that, and rely more on where I myself feel the story should go.
Jetflair, I just wanted to confirm your conclusion on taking the story where you think it should go. Good reasoning!
I've been writing for quite a while and I find that the only time that others can give valid advice on plot, theme, and even tone is after they have read the entire story. Critiques on the first parts of a story are fine if they're about proof reading advice, grammar, consistancy in characterization, fact checking, continuity -- basic stuff. But my philosphy is: If you don't know where a story is going, how can you know what needs to be kept in and what can be taken out? After reading through an entire draft of a story, then valid advice can be given.
Do you have anyone to beta your stories before posting? It helps a lot! (She says, now that she has actually posted.) Of course, it also helps to have a clear idea of your story arc and theme before asking for advice or critique. I've recently started outlining before I write and that really helps me to decide which advice to take and which to ignore!
If I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream big.
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Can't even load the Big Damn Thread in it's entirety, so I'll just reply straight off to the top.
I started FF-fic about a year back. I'm a wannabe writer anyway, and was going through a period of writer's block. Then I got sandbagged by a really vivid little scene. I'm now four stories (and 90,000+ words)into what may be a six or seven story arc. None of the original ideas will stay in my head with the heavily armed scary man.
The why? I wanted to find out what happened to these people, mainly. My goal is to write something that Joss might read and think 'damn, I wish I wrote that!'. Something that stays true to the vision.
Supportive comments are always nice! You may find that if you don't write a particular strain of fanfic here, you may get ignored.
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I know it's a while since the original questions were posted, but I thought they were just great questions that I wanted to answer.
1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
I've been writing a story for years, but never shown it to anyone but family and close friends. I read the fanfic on this website for over a year and finally thought about writing my own, for a few reasons. One, because I love Firefly and wanted to carry it on. Two, because I wanted to see if people liked my style of writing. Three, I wanted to improve my writing. It kind of spiralled from there. I was keen for each story to be episode length-ish, with the odd longer one (double episode), as it makes it more bite-size for people to read (and for me to write). However, I'm a great believer in the concept of stories never ending, just like real life. It's a relay-race, one thing ends and another carries on.
Since posting my first fanfic, Hun Dan, back in March (07), I have just posted number 14 this August (07). Have already written 15, 16, 17 and 18, but they are in the queue to be beta'd at the moment. After 18 I will stop that series and skip ahead a few years, before continuing, so of course number 18 will be a finale-type of story.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To have people enjoy a good story that they could imagine happening in the show. To make readers laugh, cry and do a few buttock clenches (if I'm really lucky) at the action moments. That would be my goal in any writing.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
Yes, it's good, bad and ugly comments for me, though I prefer it when people express a constructive opinion, rather than just make a passing statement without reference.
Comments are one of the things that help me stay or leave the direction I'm taking. Having a beta also helps the process, as I make sure I'm taking out bad spelling, punctuation and sentenance arrangement. BlueEyedBrigadier is my beta, and he is brilliant. A good beta, in my opinion, does not try and rewrite your story for you, but helps you achieve your aims. It's not an easy job, and I'm very grateful for his efforts. It also helps if they like your stuff as it gives further encouragement to keep going.
Like AMDOBELL's comments earlier, I do this for me, but I also do this for people to enjoy, so if they stopped commenting, I may lose heart and stop posting - though it would sadden me to do so.
First and foremost I love to write and it's great to channel that into something that other people can get instant enjoyment out of. It means that when I do go back to the other thing I've been writing, I know I've improved my style and it's made me a better writer.
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1. Why did you write your first Firefly based story? And how many stories have you written to date?
Mostly because my mind naturally fills in all those gaps that we aren't shown with something, even if I never get them written down. I enjoy writing, though, so they often do. Another factor is writing a point of view or scene or interpretation that I think is underrepresented. I tend to be in the minority in a lot of opinions, so this factor comes into play a lot. I've written too many fanfics to count, but only four Firefly ones right now.
2. What's your goal as a fanfic writer?
To satisfy my urge to explore everywhere I want to explore in the universes I love, and also to give pleasure to readers.
3. Do you look for critiques on your posted work or are supportive comments enough?
I love when I get feedback. Positive, of course, is good, but constructive criticism warms my heart as well.
--
"My way of being polite, or however...well, it's the only way I have of showing you that I like you. Of showing respect." Simon Tam, Jaynestown
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