Do you remember your first introduction to fan fiction?
Oh yes. 2000, I think, might have been 1999. It was Bad Girls: Helen/Nikki specific. I think it was the stuff on the official site I found first, but once I'd found that, I searched for and read every single piece of Helen/Nikki I could find. Not long after that I found Pink Rabbit's site and for some reason read some Stargate SG1: Sam/Janet, was entranced, watched the show, and jeez, I was hooked. At this point I was all about reading; used to print loads of stuff off, so that I could lay with my new baby, breast-feeding, reading, and getting her to sleep (often used to drop of myself) :)
Then, in 2001, my daughter was starting to sleep through the night, and I just needed something else to occupy my 'personal' time, what better than fanfic writing?
The rest, as they say, is history.
What main character that you've written femslash for, would you most like to hit upside the head?
Now that just has to be Sara Sidle. I adore the Catherine Willows/Sara Sidle pairing but Sara just annoys me so much.
Is your fan fiction writing limited to femslash or do you also write gen, het or male slash? If so, is there a difference in style or content (besides the obvious) between them?
For lots of reasons, I only write femslash, although I guess a couple of my drabbles have been nearly gen.
Have you ever been tempted to write a Mary Sue?
Um, I'm never really sure I know what a Mary Sue story would look like, but when I read back over my older stuff, the first story I ever wrote comes as close as I imagine it can be. That story, despite being about Sam/Janet (Stargate SG1), had a large section written around my hometown of Sheffield, UK (yeah, don't ask), and also included a physical therapist, and children… so, yes, Mary Sue –ish.
Are there certain genres you find easier to write for?
Fluff, romance, mush, sap, all that, with the occasional angst.
Although, this year I've tried to branch out a little, tried to challenge myself a little more; not sure how successful I've been but I've really enjoyed my writing again this year.
Do you research subjects before you write them and, if so, in how much detail?
I'm going to say yes here because I do, but I only really use the internet, and to be honest the information you get is only ever as good as the people who put it out there. It's like I research the locality of Las Vegas because I write CSI most of the time, for example I researched the layout of The Bellagio for some story or another, but I've never had the pleasure of really being there to know if I really got it right.
But yes, research is important, and I do try.
What's your preferred length of story to write and read?
To write, I probably prefer shorter medium length things. I wouldn't like to guess at my average, but I would say I really have to work hard to go over 6,000. I have written a couple of longer pieces but it's hard.
To read, I prefer over 10,000 words. I like to take my time and really savour the depth of story.
Why do I prefer to write shorter stories when I prefer to read longer stories? Well RL has a real part to play in this. By the time I have the little one in bed, after homework, reading and what-not, there aren't many hours left in a day, so I write short, easy to finish, easy to post things. I'm really not one for writing 'Part' fics because it would just take me too long to finish.
Can you touch the tip of your nose with your tongue?
You've got to be joking.
Are you, yourself, a fan of other fan fic writers and, if so, who are they and what is it about them that appeals to you?
Oh yes, quite a few.
In no particular order;
Geonn, because he was and will always be the first;
L, because her writing makes me think and has lead to a treasured friendship;
Ann, because her writing makes me smile;
Corbeau's Alcove, just because;
shatterpath and stormwriter, because they tried something different and got me hooked;
and, of course, Ralst, because she writes wonderfully and also brings so much pleasure to we readers through this site.
Ever wanted to head butt another fan for dissing your pairing?
No, I couldn't care less; I have my favourite pairings for my own reasons.
Do you have a favourite cliché, one that you'll read with joy even though it's been done to death?
This one's easy: first time stories, um, as long as any declaration of undying love is realistic.
Would you lend me twenty pence if we were stuck at Charing Cross station and I was dying for the loo?
Yes, in fact I'd give it to you.
If you've written real person slash how does it differ from writing about fictional characters?
I don't write it, I wouldn't write it; a real person is just that, a person that lives the life they want to live; they don't need me to write it for them.
Do you find you're more inspired by subtext, maintext or barely there text shows?
Definitely subtext or, yeah, barely there text, it is the subtle glances and the hidden words that give fanfiction its beauty.
Where do you get your inspiration for specific stories; missing or extended scenes from the show, ideas from other shows or real life situations?
Lots of everything, but the biggie is my music. I adore music and listen to it whenever I can, and one of the most important times is driving around the English countryside between meetings and such, with the windows wound down and the music blaring. It's then many of my stories come to me; with a lyric here, or a melody there. I tell you its wonderful :)
Do you like cheese?
Yes.
Every read over one of your stories months or years later and thought 'What the hell was I thinking!'
Jeez, yes. I look back at my early stories and think, God, I hope I've improved from then. Oh, and some of my stuff is so corny, it makes me cringe, and yet it also makes me smile, so…
Why do you write fan fiction?
Just as my disclaimer intimates, I write to maintain my sanity. By that, I mean the time I spend on my writing, and the thinking I do for my writing, helps clear the cobwebs of an ever busy life. I have a wonderful daughter and partner, a loving family, a job I adore, and a life that gives me great pleasure, and yet, there is always that little bit of something missing. My writing helps fill that gap; helps me not to dwell in the place where the grass is greener.