RE:
POSTED BY: KayleeGirl
UPDATED: Friday, September 21, 2007 00:43
VIEWED: 45173
PAGE 9 of 10
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.
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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. 
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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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