Do you remember your first introduction to fan fiction?
Reading about the infamous Kirk/Spock slash stories. Mind you, I have yet to actually read one, but I remember reading about the fanfic phenomenon in a Trekkie book. And thinking, "Oh my." Then years later, at the dawn of the internets, I discovered some X-Files femslash. And thought, "Oh my!" And then I hit the motherlode: Xena. And thought, "OH MY!"
What main character that you've written femslash for, would you most like to hit upside the head?
Possibly all of them, because at one time or another, they have all resisted my bidding and seem to have minds of their own.
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?
I've written very short, drabble-like pieces that were het or male slash; the big difference among them is I'm more confident about getting graphic/erotic with femslash. Boyslash is just another world, and I worry too much about getting things right or making it believable.
Have you ever been tempted to write a Mary Sue?
Happily, no.
Are there certain genres you find easier to write for?
I'm lousy at writing action/adventure, so I'm better at wordy angst and bizarre comedy.
Do you research subjects before you write them and, if so, in how much detail?
Yes, I do a lot.I try to be very conscientous about detail in order to avoid anachronisms. For long, historical pieces, I'll do a lot of reading (e.g., "Coup de Grace.").
What's your preferred length of story to write and read?
For reading...about any length makes me happy, as long as it's good.
For writing...I get a lot of satisfaction from completing something long. But for that cheap, immediate hooker-like gratification, a couple thousand words might do.
Can you touch the tip of your nose with your tongue?
Do you ask all the girls this question? Or is it just me?
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?
There are a lot of writers I admire, particularly in the XWP fandom: My colleague LN James, for example. And I'm not just saying that because she gave me money for my botox treatments. I've always been a big fan of XWP fic writers baermer and B Morgan...and Lord knows who else I am forgetting.
Ever wanted to head butt another fan for dissing your pairing?
No, but there have been I've wondered, "If you don't like the pairing, then why are you reading it?" At the same time, I am always tempted to read pairings I don't like; it's a challenge to see if I can become "convinced." (Usually, I'm not.) I suppose we all share an odd fascination with things that repulse or bother us, though.
Do you have a favourite cliché, one that you'll read with joy even though it's been done to death?
Silky thighs, feather-light touches...all that Harlequin Romance stuff. In the hands of a good writer, a cliche can be wrung out for all it's got!
Would you lend me twenty pence if we were stuck at Charing Cross station and I was dying for the loo?
You have to pay money just to go to the loo there? How disappointed I am in your otherwise civilized country! But all right, here you go....
If you've written real person slash how does it differ from writing about fictional characters?
I haven't gone down the RPS path. Yet. I'm scared. Hold me!
Do you find you're more inspired by subtext, maintext or barely there text shows?
I can't get excited by barely-text shows. If I can't see any kind of spark or ambiguity in the relationship between characters, it doesn't inspire my imagination. Yes, I am thick.
Where do you get your inspiration for specific stories; missing or extended scenes from the show, ideas from other shows or real life situations?
My real life is pretty boring, so...usually I am inspired by filling in the gaps--by exploring what may have happened between this scene/episode or that.
Do you like cheese?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufJTqT5gMg0
(And damn, that's gonna go on my lj!)
Every read over one of your stories months or years later and thought 'What the hell was I thinking!'
Constantly. I mean, I don't constantly reread my stories, but every time I go back and I look, I find it miraculous that I was not on crack when I wrote some of those things.
Why do you write fan fiction?
It's kept me out of trouble for many years, I must say. And somehow along the way, it made me a better writer.