It's meme time again!

[aragarna]

(I should probably change the banner, but I love that one too much)

This is almost the weekend, and it's not like I have millions of others things to do, right?
Spotted on several journals, and the code conveniently borrowed from elrhiarhodan, though it's angelita26 who originally brought it to LJ.

There are forty writerly questions below the cut. Take a look and give me the numbers for up to four of the questions, and I’ll answer them the best that I can.

1. Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.

2. Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?

3. Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?

4. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?

5. Share one of your strengths.

6. Share one of your weaknesses.

7. Share a snippet from one of your favorite pieces of prose you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

9. Which fic has been the hardest to write?

10. Which fic has been the easiest to write?

11. Is writing your passion or just a fun hobby?

12. Is there an episode above all others that inspires you just a little bit more?

13. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?

14. What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?

15. If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?

16. If you only could write one pairing for the rest of your life, which pairing would it be?

17. Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

18. Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?

19. Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?

20. Describe your perfect writing conditions.

21. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

22. Choose a passage from one of your earlier fics and edit it into your current writing style. (Person sending the ask is free to make suggestions).

23. If you were to revise one of your older fics from start to finish, which would it be and why?

24. Have you ever deleted one of your published fics?

25. What do you look for in a beta?

26. Do you beta yourself? If so, what kind of beta are you?

27. How do you feel about collaborations?

28. Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

29. If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

30. Do you accept prompts?

31. Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?

32. How do you feel about smut?

33. How do you feel about crack?

34. What are your thoughts on non-con and dub-con?

35. Would you ever kill off a canon character?

36. Which is your favorite site to post fic?

37. Talk about your current wips.

38. Talk about a review that made your day.

39. Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?

40. Write an alternative ending to [insert fic title] (or just the summary of one).

Comments

[leesa_perrie]

Oooh, another meme! (Which reminds me, I need to do that other one I said I'd do...) Anyway, here are the four questions I've chosen!

14. What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?
15. If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?
17. Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?
28. Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

14. What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?

hmmm that's a tough one. I don't really know. It wasn't directly an advice, but I personally feel it's wrong: when people use fanfic to "correct" the canon. Like the canon had to be fixed. (You know, like people not liking Peter's behaviour, so they're re-writting history). I've seen that in a couple of feedbacks and it irks me a little. But that might just be because in the case it occured I didn't feel that canon had to be fixed, because I disagreed on how people interpreted canon...


15. If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?

Oh fun one. :-) I'd like to see some of the episode tags I wrote inserted in the episodes. Otherwise, for the cuteness factor, The Cutest Thing (http://aragarna.livejournal.com/9609.html). Just because seeing Peter with a tiny little baby in his arms... ♥♥♥

17. Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

I generally write from start to finish yes. Apart from the BB I'm currently writing, which is made a indidual scenes, and at some point I thought it needed some additional scenes in between. But I don't really work like that. I can have "written" later scenes in my head, but when I write it's usually in order.

28. Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.
Argh this one is sooo tough. I really don't want anyone to be left out. :-/
I'd say sholio, for the way she gets the voices right. Even in the most unlikely AU, the characters really sound like on the show. Also, because she writes great Peter stories.

anodyneer, because she writed wonderful Peter/El and Peter stories.

And finally frith_in_thorns, who writes the exact h/c I like. Lovely but never what I'd feel over the top (neither in the h nor the c), and gen. *g*

But I honestly love a lot more authors!

[leesa_perrie]

I'm not too keen on the 'fix canon' type of fic either. There's a difference to changing something in canon as part of an AU and writing something that is expressly to fix something. The latter usually jars, as it becomes clear in the fic that the author Did. Not. Like. This. And. Wrote. Fic. To. Change. It (capital letters all the way through sometimes, the 'I hate this' is so strong). I understand the need some people feel to write this, but it's not my thing.

On a lighter side, yes, I'd like to see that fic filmed! I've wondered how Peter would be with his own kid(s) and suspect it would be a lot better than he is with other people's! :)

I'm more chaotic writer, often not knowing where the fic is going beyond a certain point, sometimes only having one scene and nothing more! Still, there was that time that 'one scene' hung around for a year or so and then, pow, suddenly became a fic (in SGA)!

I think sholio will be blushing by the time this meme has made its way through WC fandom... and frith_in_thorns too! :)

EDIT: Btw, I agree with others - keep using the banner!! :)

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

Please don't ever change that banner!

[dennih23.livejournal.com]

How about numbers 38,29, and 27?

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

38. Talk about a review that made your day.

The reviews I like the most are those saying I get the characters spot-on, or that they would totally see it happening on the show. But if I had to pick one, I'd go for this one left on FF.net on my Peter-pov 5x01 tag. "Awesome, I went in mad at Peter and now I love him all over again. Thanks."

29. If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

wow honestly, I have no idea. :-/ There are some fics or verses I'd love to read more from, but I don't necessarily feel like I could write it myself.

27. How do you feel about collaborations?
I love the author/artist collaborations! I love team work. I've never tried a writing collaboration, but I wouldn't mind trying. I do have an idea for a quite complex story that I would love to share with another writer, though I'm not sure how it could work.

[nieseryjna.livejournal.com]

oo a meme!
hmm how about:
4. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?
9. Which fic has been the hardest to write?
31. Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

4. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?

I have several ideas nurturing right now, including one for you, that you already know about. ;-) After I'm done with my BB, and your story, there's a 5x07 episode I'd like to finally write down. And I have 2 big ideas next. One being a Peter/El stories, where, for whatever reason, Peter sees all the different lives he could have had if he had made different choices, and in all of them, there's still El.

9. Which fic has been the hardest to write?
well, my current BB I guess... The problem with long stories is that at some point I tend to lose the urge to write the story and it becomes more about getting it wrapped up. And that big scene at the end is giving quite the hard time. I know what I want to tell, and it's been in my head for a long time, but I can't seem to find the right way to write it. (working on it today though...)

31. Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?
As far as characters and relationships go, I stick strick to canon. And I rarely diverge from it for the storylines either. I don't really write AU. I might have made up a few past and future stories (or post finale fics that are not obsolete), but otherwise most of my fics are set inside the canon storylines. Mainly because what I'm looking for the most in fanfics is an extension of canon.

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

Oh I just love this idea - "One being a Peter/El stories, where, for whatever reason, Peter sees all the different lives he could have had if he had made different choices, and in all of them, there's still El." : )

[sheenianni.livejournal.com]

Yay, more people with this meme :)

How about 2, 19 and 37?

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

2. Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?

interesting. I haven't thought of that before. I might want to try some true AU. That's something I haven't written, though I'm not against it. I've read a few. But I don't seem able to *really* see the characters outside of the canon settings.

And maybe a crossover with one of the other NY shows I watch (Castle or PoI).

19. Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?

I'd say it's Peter Burke and he stands right next to me.

37. Talk about your current wips.
I usually work one story at a time, so my only WIP is my BB story. 19 276 words and counting. Hoping to make some good progress on it today, so that I can finally send it to my beta.

[sheenianni.livejournal.com]

That would be great to read a Castle crossover :)

Good luck with your BB!

[angelita26]

8, 18, 21

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

I'm rather proud of that post 5x13 sorta dialogue fic I wrote a few months ago. By Your Side Through the Dark (http://aragarna.livejournal.com/69505.html) It's an imaginary dialogue going on in both Peter and Neal's heads while Peter is looking for Neal. I think it works pretty well. I like this bit in particular

No compromise, huh?

Something like that…

You’re a good man, Peter.

You too, Neal, you too. You’ve been doing a great job at the FBI. I’m proud of you.

Still?

Of course. Well, if you didn’t run.

I didn’t! Tell me you’re looking for me.

I am looking for you. I’ll find you, you know that. Look, I’m sorry, Neal. For everything. I wish we had time to talk. I realize now, how much pressure you’ve been under. The difficult situation you were in. And I didn’t see it.

This wasn’t your fault.

You were sending me all the wrong signals. I know you by heart, I can tell when you keep things from me, when you and Mozzie are plotting things on the sides. And you kept committing those crimes…

That was the price to pay.

I wish you’d let me in.

I couldn’t.

I get it. It’s okay, Neal. I understand now. I regret the things I said. I thought you didn’t want to change, that you wanted to remain a criminal, and I was struggling with what to do with that.

I just wish you would have understood.

I’m sorry I disappointed you, Neal. It’s all my fault.

How could it be your fault?

You did it for me.

I’d do it again.

Hmm… I’d rather not.

Forgive me, Peter. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just couldn’t bear the idea of you being in jail, when your only crime had been to help me and my father. I had to take you out, at any cost. You weren’t supposed to find out. As long as you didn’t know, it was all good.

You know what’s your problem, Neal?

What?

You always underestimate me.


18. Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?
Nope. Probably should. Sometime I'd write a quick note about future scene or fic idea on a piece of paper, but most of the time, it's all stored (sometimes forgotten) in my head.


21. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?
That varies A LOT, depending on how fast I've written the thing and how long it is. The longer it is, or the harder it's been to write, the more I've re-read it.

awesome story

[(Anonymous)]

(Just found out that I can comment without the need of an account.)
Just wanted to let you know that this fan fic is awesome! You know that I'm not reading fanfics usually, but after having read the part above I read the whole story. I hope we get something that has the same feeling in S6.
donnataft

Re: awesome story

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do allow anonymous comments. :-)
Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I'm actually working on a real (and longer) stories that deals with Neal's kidnapping and Peter looking for him, if you're interested (should be posted early october)

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

How about # 12 & 33 : )

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

12. Is there an episode above all others that inspires you just a little bit more?

Ah good one! Funnily enough, it's not really any particular episode of WC that would inspire me to write, but great scenes or cool plots in other shows. Like, I don't know if you've ever watch Person of Interest, but there's an episode where John has to protect a baby and prevent him to freeze to death while they're stuck in a freeze truck. And that image of John holding the baby tightly against his chest and being so worried for the baby... awwww.... So, now I'm trying to figure out a good way to have Peter in such a situation... ;-)

33. How do you feel about crack?
I love it! It's not easy finding the right idea, so I don't write it often (I've written 2), but I do enjoy writing it a lot.

[sinfulslasher]

Yay, you're playing too! :D

How's about 3, 4 and 10?

(Oh, and never EVER change that banner!!!)

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

3. Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?

Slave!fic. I just don't get it. I don't find slavery anything sexy and I don't understand the appeal. Also, in the particular case of White Collar I find it particularly perverse because I do think some people tend to see Neal as Peter's slave and that's *not* the case at all.


10. Which fic has been the easiest to write?

Who's the Princess Now? (http://aragarna.livejournal.com/36170.html) was ridiculously easy to write. I was just in one of the mood... It wasn't even serious... I even got a little frustrated that I got a record of comments for something so silly that took me 30 minutes, while the very hard ones that took me months didn't get as many comments... ;-)

Another one that was surprisingly easy to write was It's Hard to Explain (http://aragarna.livejournal.com/47554.html). It came all very naturally the day after the episode aired. I wrote it in one flow, and barely re-touched it. Neal's part was a little more difficult to write.

#4 was already taken. Any other question?

[sapphire2309]

How about 1, 20, and 35? :D

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

1. Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.

A Peter/El or Peter-Neal episode tag, generally (but not solely) exploring Peter's thoughts about something. Also lots of smooch (for Peter/El) and friendship (for Pter-Neal). Also, more angst than true hurt.


20. Describe your perfect writing conditions.

A slow weekend, my laptop, at home. Either on my bed or a table.


35. Would you ever kill off a canon character?

Nope, never ever. Even presumed dead I have a hard time with. The last one I wrote, A hole in the Heart (http://aragarna.livejournal.com/88151.html) is probably the hardest I can be on any character. I have a very low threadhold on the pain inflicted to them (physical or psychological), either as a reader or a writer. And it's not as much the fact of killing a character as about the fact it'd be too devastating for those still there.

[sapphire2309]

I love angst too! :D

OMG, I totally get that. Though I might just do that someday, despite all the pain.

[paganlowroader.livejournal.com]

12.
15.
17.
27.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

I've already answered all those questions. ;-)
You get one more chance.