turps | (no subject)

(no subject)

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.

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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.

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.

That's not lame at all! I know I've looked back on fics where I attempted to write certain issues and just cringe now that I know better, so feeling validated when people who know whereof they speak tell you that you've done a good job makes complete sense.

concepts that I'd planned from the start

I admire writers who can say this sort of thing, because I can count the number of times I've actually done proper plotting or concepts on one hand. It would make my writing much tighter if I did, but I really struggle with it. How did you decide on the contrast between decay and light? Is it something suggested in canon, or an independent idea that appealed to you?

Also, did you do research? I know talking to

callmesandy, she always says that she has an ENTIRE BACKSTORY for every character no matter what she's writing. The thought of which work makes me want to curl up and weep, but I am fascinated that such a diligent and intensive process yields results for her! I lose interest if I have to do too much research.

And since I'm on a roll here with the nosy questions: did you do anything consciously to keep the story from getting melodramatic? I love hearing other writers' tips and tricks for achieving mood/atmosphere/genre and avoiding (like you mentioned in another comment) veering into badfic territory, heh.

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