(no subject)

[turps]

In my last post I mentioned how happy I was with getting some awesome comments on my last story. Now I deleted that part and added it back a few times, because what if people thought I was this egotistical big head?

But you know, I am proud and there's nothing wrong with that. So I'm standing here and saying I'm proud of the story, I think I wrote it well.

Now I want you to do the same. No need to dim your shine, it's just me, and I'm asking you to tell me about the story you're most proud of, with links so others can read it too if you're comfortable sharing. A paragraph that you wrote and think is amazing, and hey, copy pasting that here would be awesome. If you're not a writer, tell me about an icon you made that came out well, a graphic or a website you built. Tell me about the kick ass cards you make, that you've painted your walls at home and they look fab. The shelves you made out of breeze blocks and planks.

I want to know. So no hiding your light. Be proud.

Comments

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I think it's awesome that you're proud of your story. Between you and me, I sometimes get fed up at those people who apparently hate all their stories and just think they suck a writers, even when they receive many comments and all. I mean, come on! Plus, you - general 'you' - wrote the damn story, if there's only one person who should like it, it should be you. I won't deny that sometimes a story won't really work for you but your readers will like it much more than you do yourself, but I honestly think this should be an exception. Or else, why keep writing and posting? I mean, if one honestly thinks they suck? False modesty isn't that attractive, imho.

Anyway! lol

And the work I'm the most proud of is my Night series. I'm so proud of that one, seriously. Because I wrote exactly what I wanted to write. This series is exactly what I wanted to create and, well, the whole 'verse thing surprised me because I never imagined writing more than one or two in that 'verse, and I guess this is also something I enjoy tremendously. How I can go back to that AU every now and then and add to the story ;-)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I really am proud of the story. It could have easily gone to badfic land, but it didn't.

I won't deny that sometimes a story won't really work for you but your readers will like it much more than you do yourself, but I honestly think this should be an exception. Or else, why keep writing and posting? I mean, if one honestly thinks they suck? False modesty isn't that attractive, imho.

That's a big part to quote, but yes! Sometimes stories aren't as good as you think they should be, and you still post them anyway. But doing it every time seems to be a weird thing to do.

That is such a fantastic choice, one I agree with totally. What I love about your Night Series is that it does keep the excellent tone and emotional impact through all the stories in the series. Also, despite it being an AU, it's still so obviously Jim and Blair.

It's a series of win!

[kayim.livejournal.com]

Saw this on my friendsoffriends page :) Do you mind if I snag this as a meme? I want to know what my friends are proud of!!

[(Anonymous)]

Of course you can!

The more people who feel proud the better I think :)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

The anon is me. LJ logged me off for some reason.

The comment stands though.

[sperrywink]

Good morning with a meme!

I'm most proud of "I Got 99 Problems" my Criminal Minds Reid/Morgan story. It was a joy to write and I still love it muchly.

You should be proud of your story! It's fantastic!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Good morning to you too! I've just finished reading a very nice Mikey/Pete/Alicia story, in which Mikey got pegged. This may have made me flail in a very mad way.

You should totally be proud of that story! It's very awesome. You got the characters down.

[bayouskye.livejournal.com]

How wrong would it be of me to say that I am rather proud of the ass babies stories, even if I never managed to get back to the series....

Heee!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Not wrong at all! Ass babies are awesome, especially yours :D

[brighton-girl.livejournal.com]

I agree be proud if you write something good!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Too right!

And I'm telling you that you do our fandom proud. Just because I can.

[turloughishere.livejournal.com]

Of course you should be proud of your story, it's a FABULOUS story and deserves every one of those wonderful comments!

I'm really proud of the Life on the Murder Scene icons (http://turloughishere.livejournal.com/384301.html) I made. Working with screencaps is difficult for me but these were so good to begin with and then the colouring techniques I used all worked out wonderfully well. I'm also very fond of the banner I'm using in my layout right now, or rather the wallpaper (http://pics.livejournal.com/turloughishere/pic/00g1q3zg) I made originally 'cause the banner's just a resized version of it. The colouring and the textures work so well for that picture and the mood it conveys.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's the saying out loud that feels weird, like I'm being so egotistical.

I have to agree, those are amazing icons. The banner too. The colours you used fit so well and are beautiful to look at.

Your banner always makes me want to make them soup and invite them home for a cup of tea and a sandwich. It just has that tone about it.

[topaz119.livejournal.com]

Being proud of something you've done, and saying it out loud is totally allowed! But it's definitely an acquired skill. Have you ever seen synecdochic's Monday Pride thread? We all say one thing we did in the past week that we're proud of. It's very telling how hard it is not to say, I did this, BUT ...

Anyway. I'm still ridiculously proud of my lone Friday Night Lights story, Texas Forever (http://t-fic.livejournal.com/18030.html). I wasn't writing much last spring, good or bad, but this one came out exactly, perfectly right and my only regret is that the rhythm of the piece wouldn't let me fit in everybody's story, because I know where every single character ends up, but to have put it in would have lost the flow.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I have seen the Monday pride threads. I think they're a really good idea, exactly because it is hard not to slip that 'but' in.

I remember you posting that story. I love the fact that you're so solid in what the story is about, the people and their journeys. That's a wonderful position to be in.

[crowgirl13.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's anything wrong with being proud of a job well done. And that story is *very* well-done. So congrats, hon, on it getting the attention it deserves and YAY for your happiness!

Thank you for posing this question. It had me going back through my indexes and realizing that I actually do like/am proud of my work, especially the poetry. It's kind of impossible to narrow the poetry down to *one* that I'd be most likely to hang on the fridge, so I'll post that over on my own LJ - maybe do a top five or some such- but I've got the *fics* narrowed down to two. The hilarious thing is both involve werewolves. :) So, there's Penumbra,[http://crowgirl13.livejournal.com/17002.html], which is BtVS, Oz at Graduation [Season Three] and Coffee, Cup One,[http://crowgirl13.livejournal.com/14836.html#cutid1], which is HP, a post-HBP Bill Weasley. :) Sorry, about the long links - I can never remember how to embed links in comments.

I shall also be posting this in my journal [if you don't mind]... since you have the best meme-ish things, and I really want to see flist pride.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The comments I've been getting are awesome. People are so great.

Oh, those sound interesting, and means I have something to read for later tonight. Thanks for letting me know about them :D

I'll look forward to the poetry too. I don't read much poetry, if any at all, but your bandom one was so enjoyable branching out will be good.

I don't mind in the slightest. Like I said up thread, the more pride the better. It's a very shiny thing.

Happy Gee. Awesome!

[pensnest]

I couldn't pick one story to be most proud of, but I do know that all the contenders are stories I wrote for a challenge - SeSa, or the Dragon Challenge, or Sparklyglee, or the Reunion Challenge, possible one or two others. Somehow these challenges really work for me. (I think the number of challenges and sources of inspiration really cemented me into popslash from very early on, and it has been so wonderful to be able to write again. I *hate* not being able to write, and for a long time I had nothing to say.)

Maybe... I'm *most* proud of the Dragon Challenge, not just for my own stories but for the way it has brought a lot of really awesome stories into the fandom. Or, maybe I'm most proud of Camp Sparkle.

[nopseud]

We should both definitely be proud of Camp Sparkle, because it's easy to sit around and say, oh, yeah, there should be a popslash gathering, that would be cool, someone should get on to that. But we actually DID it. Twice! We are awesome!

[nopseud]

The piece of popslash writing I'm possibly most proud of is the opening section of the post-Apocalypse. There are other whole stories I like more than the whole post-Apocalypse, but I think that section is pretty much up there as one of my favourite things I've written, fanfic or original. I'm fond/proud of each of my SeSa stories, because I really, really, really hate and fear deadlines, and I've managed to sign up for the challenge and write something which my recipient liked every year. And I'm quite proud of Livin' Doll, because it's different to the usual popslash I write.

I also feel pretty pleased about my part in getting Make The Yuletide Gay off the ground, but that's more a diffuse pride in the whole of popslash fandom (and in the Chief Tech Elf, who did the most kickass piece of programming in a ridiculously short amount of time). The way that everyone pulled together to make sure that SeSa didn't die just filled me with fannish love and pride.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Those are fantastic choices.

The writing in your post-Apocalypse story is amazing. There are still certain scenes I can remember so clearly, and the tone of the story is just right.

Knowing your issues with challenges, I'm not surprised you picked the challenge stories too. Your choey zombie story, still made of win.

The way that everyone pulled together to make sure that SeSa didn't die just filled me with fannish love and pride.

Oh yes. That was so awesome to see!

[puszysty.livejournal.com]

I love this icon to death, it was my first attempt at an animation, and it doesn't look like I created it in paint (but I did!).

As for stories, well, I'm proud of If You Play With Fire because it was my first slash and I still think the quality is good. Too bad I can't get anyone to read it.

[milosflaca.livejournal.com]

can you share the link? :)

[withdiamonds.livejournal.com]

It's hard to talk about feedback that makes us happy, that is extra special because it means we did an awesome job. It feels like bragging, even when it's only squeeing. I got a comment on my last story from someone I've fangirled since the beginning of time, who's never, ever commented on something I've written before, and I wanted to tell the whole world about it, but hi, kind of lame. Anyway. I get you.

I'm most proud of the Epic, no surprise there, and also last year's Dragon story and this year's MtYG story.

Also, I just started reading your new story and I'm not very far, but it's so, so good.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It feels like bragging

That's it exactly. It does feel like bragging, like look what I've done and I want applause. Which isn't true. I just want to squee about people getting what I wrote.

I would have wanted to tell the world about that comment too. I hope you emailed some friends at least, because I don't think it's lame.

Yes, yes and yes! All those choices are awesome.

You're a star for giving my story a try. Thank you :)

[bossymarmalade.livejournal.com]

You have such excellent ideas for this kind of post; I always really enjoy them. And there is definitely a nice middle-ground to be had between "i'm a terrible writer, boo hoo" and "i am the most popular writer in fandom" which we should all feel at ease in accessing.

For me I think it's brains go great with aquavit (http://boudicca.com/unaware/zombie.html): I was working in the magical realism genre, which I love; I got to set it in a little Norwegian town in Iowa that is one of my favourite places in the world; I employed the "Dear Reader" conceit for the first time; and I somehow managed to work in a Venn diagram!! It turned out so much better than I ever thought it would, because seriously, that description sounds like a hot mess. *g*

So give me details on what you're proud of in this bandslash story you posted! I'd like details, because it fascinates me what elements of their writing pleases people.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It makes me happy you enjoy these kinds of posts. I really like to know what people think, and the best kind of way to get stories to enjoy is to sneakily ask for them *g*

And there is definitely a nice middle-ground to be had between "i'm a terrible writer, boo hoo" and "i am the most popular writer in fandom" which we should all feel at ease in accessing.

I agree. There's nothing attractive at thinking you're the best ever, or at saying you suck while posting anyway. But yeah, the middle ground is good.

Oh, story! And see, sneakily finding links to read.

I think what I'm most proud of is I wrote Gerard as having major depression ( which is canon ) and people have been commenting and saying how realistic the writing is. I was very much aware that depression is a serious illness and it would have been easy to get all over blown and woe is me, and from the reactions I've received. I didn't do that.

I'm also proud that people picked up concepts that I'd planned from the start. I wanted to have a link and contrast between the two groups. Mikey and Gee who are trapped in a decaying lifeless house, and the other three, who work for a gardening firm and are about light and life.

That people picked up on that. That pleased me so much. It's like, my words were enough to get a concept across, and that's so cool.

I'm lame, I know this.

[milosflaca.livejournal.com]

mmm... well I have two. I love Two Fish for One Trick and Photographs. I'm very proud of those stories, specially because it's very hard for me to write fics. so there you go.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

You should be proud. They're both good stories. I especially like Two Fish For One Trick. It came out so well, especially as you do find it hard to write.

[bubbleforest.livejournal.com]

This meme is so lovely. And I definitely agree that it's good to find that balance between "I suck" to "I am the best ever!" You've got every right to be proud of your story and I'm so happy you're getting lots of praise for it! I'm definitely gonna try to read it soon.

I think I'm most proud of Deep Greens And Blues (http://bubbleforest.livejournal.com/102024.html) because I fought tooth and nail to finish it and it took a year to get it right, but I'm so proud of some of the scenes in there and the story is so precious to me. Either that, or it's Look For the Angles (http://juppy.org/santa/stories.php?ForAuthorID=83&Year=2006) from SeSa 2006, because everything came together exactly the way I wanted it to, and I think the story's told pretty well.

I'm also proud of the graphics I made for MTYG. The layout was fun to make, and a lot of people ended up using the icons, which made me stupidly happy.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It is hard to get that balance. Donna found the words I was looking for when she said that it feels like you're bragging if you say such and such is good. And it shouldn't. I mean, if you're not yelling you're the best writer who ever wrote, well there's no problem is saying, hey, I did something good. Of course it doesn't feel like that at the time.

I'm so going to read all these stories that have been linked. I think you can tell stories that have been loved. They have a shine of their own.

I so agree about your graphics too. They were used by so many people, and looked amazing!

[ceci2176.livejournal.com]

Yay for being proud!

I have some stuff I'm proud of (ETA: these are all original stories I'm talking about, because it's what's closest to my heart), and the first NaNovel I managed to finish is definitely part of that. Here (http://disabilityqueen.com/library/nanowrimo/2004/going_home_by_ceci.htm) it is in all its raw glory (be warned, it hasn't been edited).

As far as favorite paragraphs go, I have so many favorites (with over 300 characters, that can happen to you)! I finally settled on one, though, from a story still in progress called Fighting for a Chance:

~*~
On a beautiful day which offered a cloudless sky and temperatures well in the 80s, most people were outside with as little clothes on as possible. Jamie Ristau, however, was not like most people and spent the day indoors in his bed; the air condition turned to max and headphones blaring out My Chemical Romance covering his ears.
~*~

*wanders off to try and write some more on her April Fools story*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Being able to finish a nano novel is amazing! You should totally be proud of that.

YAY! I like Jamie's choice of music!

[trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that I'm very, very bad with rereading my own stuff. And I tend to hate everything I write, unless I leave it alone for months and months, then read it like, a year later. And then I wonder how the hell I managed to write it in the first place. Not a very nice process, but because of that I'm determined to say "I AM A GOOD WRITER" in this here comment today.

I love this untitled Letterboys ficlet (http://trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com/590998.html) that I wrote for ephemera in fic_requests. I hardly ever write them because I'm convinced that I won't meet my own standards for Letterboys, which is stupid, right? I tend to write very simply, and I love the slice-of-life stuff, which I like to think I do well. And I love the untitled AJ meets Mason for the first time ficlet (http://trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com/570536.html), because it was gen and I managed to pull it off. Other slice-of-life stuff I liked writing: untitled AJ/Kevin (http://trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com/273154.html), and 50 sentences of Letterboys (http://trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com/413064.html).

I also love Not In A Month Of Sundays (http://trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com/588151.html), and I am so glad Mette made me write out of my comfort zone. There is only ONE mention of AJ in there, and he's not part of the pairing. I'm not so fond of my longer stories, but Hair of the Dog (http://www.juppy.org/santa/stories.php?ForAuthorID=53&Year=2005) is probably my most complete fic to date. I always end up rushing for Sesa, and while I love the plot of Theatre AU a lot ("") more, Hair of the Dog holds a special place in my heart.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

You are a good writer. So I'm very glad you've listed all of these.

I agree, you do slice of life so well. Which is great, you don't need complicated epic stories all the time. Sometimes a boy and his dog is the only thing that will hit the spot.

Also, I don't think it's silly that you hardly ever write letterboys. I tend to do the same with trickc. I can't remember the last time I actually wrote for the pairing. At least beyond a quick ficlet meme.

Lots of awesome links. Thank you!

[llamabitchyo.livejournal.com]

Not a fandom that I expect anyone to be familiar with, but I'll always be proud of a couple of my Suikoden fics.

Zen and the Art of Dragon Sword Maintenance because that was the first time I ever thought "Hey, I can actually be kinda funny." (My twin brother was always the "funny one" and I was the "good, serious one". And finally, I broke out of that box.)

My favorite bit of that fic was actually the footnote:

This presumption was entirely Viktor's fault. Compounding his untreated allergies to carrier pigeons and his boycott of Ninja Express--ninjas, he thought, should not be glorified postal workers--was the simple fact that he just wasn't much of a letter-writer.

Alchemy because that was the first time I really felt that I'd done something both funny and serious.

And I'll always remember how I felt when I wrote this bit, like maybe it wasn't terribly original, but it was exactly what the fic needed:

"I remember thinking at the time," Flik said, "that even a fraction of her love was priceless. And if I treasured it less simply because I wasn't her first love or her greatest love, then... " Flik's voice broke, and Viktor squeezed his hand. He swallowed and continued. "Then God forbid, if I were ever in her shoes."

And Viktor--though he wasn't Flik's first love or his greatest--drew Flik's hand to his lips, and whispered into his palm. "You're priceless."

I think the pleasure I got from just feeling like I got those two fics right is what has kept me trying to write.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

You're right, it's not a fandom I know, but I enjoyed those snippets you posted. Especially as there was a ninja reference. I always enjoy those.

I think the pleasure I got from just feeling like I got those two fics right is what has kept me trying to write.

That's so fantastic. It's such a good feeling when you get something right, you should totally be proud.

[vaudevilles.livejournal.com]

You should totally be proud. I've got that story bookmarked cos it's only a very few people who can tempt me towards another RPS fandom.

Anyway. I'm proud of actually finishing All That Stuff's a Sideshow (http://vaudevilles.livejournal.com/60993.html#cutid1). But my favourite is probably Callus (http://vaudevilles.livejournal.com/52572.html#cutid1) because of the way the story progresses and the themes coming together. I knew what I was doing all the way through that one and I'm a control freak. So.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*smooch* You're a star. Really.

Oh, yes. I love them both too. They read so well and work on so many levels.

[themoononastick]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with being proud of something you've created, especially when you have good reason to be. :)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

That's very true. So you should do it too! :)

[frausorge]

You should totally be proud of Tints!

As for me, I'm damn proud of Patience. I think it's the most ambitious fanfic I've ever written, and I'm also proud that I actually finished the thing after six long years!

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

As I'm in my don't be ashamed to be proud post, I'll admit I just saw it recced and maybe did an air punch.

You should totally be proud of that. It's such an amazing story. One I loved a lot.