2008: A Year Of Fic In Review
I shouldn't be wasting time, I should be writing! Except that my brain feels like mush, and I don't feel like I can do any real writing because of this. So, it's time to procrastinate with year-end wrapping up memes...
January
Tohoku - Tezuka leads Fuji to Tohoku in search of something; Fuji leads Tezuka home to find it. Tezuka/Fuji, 1200+ words, G.
Technically, Tohoku doesn't count for 2008, because I'd written it for christmas_cacti 2007. Unfortunately, reveals were delayed, and I couldn't claim it as my own until January, so here it is.
February
Crossing Boundaries ch7
Finished at long last. Writing with chaineddove was fun, but oh lord, working across that many time zones while holding down a full-time job that started at that time of day? NEVER AGAIN. *cries*
Launching - Sanada helps Yukimura, the first time. Sanada, Yukimura, 600+ words, NC-17.
lady_of_water begged me for a birthday story, and she kept coming back to ask me if I'd written her something yet. So I finally told her to hold on, and wrote this for her in something like twenty minutes. She seems to have liked it. ^_^
His Grandfather's Dragon - Tezuka inherits his grandfather's dragon, but he isn't sure he's worthy. Tezuka, Sanada, 1450+ words, G.
Promise - Yukimura visits his egg. Yukimura, 400+ words, G.
When I first wrote the Dragons of the Rising Sun AU, I thought only fans of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series would enjoy it. I never expected to bring in so many new readers! O_o It was incredibly heartening, though. If I can bring people into other fandoms, surely I can interest them in original work? ^_^
Survivors - Those left behind will remember. Tezuka, Sanada, mention of Fuji and Yukimura, 650+ words, G.
After months of trying to come up with something for marourin, I ended up writing this. Unfortunately, she didn't like it very much. *winces* Another day, another attempt.
Postcards From Tokyo, Winter - The Winter 2008 Postcard(s). No ratings, these are real-world safe.
March
A Deeper Calm - A very chaste romance-that-is-not-a-romance. Fujiwara Sai finds Touya Kouyou in the afterlife. Touya Kouyou/Sai, 2400+ words, PG. Side story to Pearly Gates.
She-who-shall-remain-nameless wanted to read Touya Kouyou slashed with Sai. I couldn't imagine TK doing the dirty (nor Sai, actually), but those two seemed like the perfect romantic couple--lots of emotional resonance, nothing physical, very shudou. And so this was born, though it sprouted seeds in a Denny's restaurant in Ikebukuro while I was surrounded by 5 other people. ^_^;
Clash in the Clouds - Tezuka and Sanada face Yukimura and Fuji in an exhibition match. Tezuka, Sanada, Fuji, Yukimura, 2150+ words, G.
I wanted to work on writing action scenes, and I'd promised to write a sequel to His Grandfather's Dragon... so I wrote this. Possibly cliched plot twist, but this fic was still important on a personal development level. ^_^
Pearly Gates (2 parts posted) - Ogata finally arrives at the great go salon in the sky. Ogata, various HnG, 2100+ words and counting, G.
I don't know when this hit me, honestly, but it did. I'd wanted to write an afterlife AU ever since I read aishuu and jennifier_d's Paved With Good Intentions, but I wanted it my way. Thus... Pearly Gates.
Narrations: Cheap Tricks, Heard Over Tokyo
April
Discovery - With the (unknowing) help of Yukimura and Fuji, Yanagi teaches his dragon Inui about data one can measure--and data one can't. Yanagi, Inui, Yukimura, Fuji, 1400+ words, G.
Writing this to fulfill a promise, I originally thought this would turn out to be short and plotless, but something else crept in. All I can say is, it's amazing what things come out when you shake empty containers hard enough.
Untroubled Sky - Iijima and Isumi meet for coffee some time after the end of canon. Iijima, Isumi, 600+ words, G.
I don't quite understand why I like writing Iijima, but I do. I sympathize very much with his frustrated ambition. The poor boy, he tries so hard, and tries to be practical, but inside him he really doesn't want to let his dream go. *hugs*
Two Departures - A quick look at Tezuka and Kawamura, post-Nationals. Tezuka, Kawamura, 900+ words, G.
I haven't written anything that failed this bad since... oh lord, I don't know. In a long time. I mean, as a quick character sketch, sure, it was okay. But as a fic... what was I thinking? *facepalms*
Bicycle - Hikaru and Sai, outdoors. Hikaru, Sai, 100 words, G.
And of course, there was narrating: Sounds From Afternoon Go Games.
May
S.A.I. - When Ogata is sent to assassinate Professor Yang Hai and retrieve the program he's working on, Yang Hai offers Ogata a new role to play. Ogata, Yang Hai, Sai, 4600+ words, G.
There are fic-writing notes at the end. To this day I will maintain that desperation makes us do crazy things, and one of the craziest things I've ever done is write about an assassin whose cover story is a Japanese go title-holder.
The Day The Fighters Died - We thought it was just fireworks. We were wrong. 500+ words, G.
I don't know where this bunny came from. I woke up one morning in Denver, and immediately wrote this down. I can still see it in my head, the balcony/verandah, the three women on cots looking out on a cityscape, and the fighter, gray-green, nose pointing up, held perfectly still in place, the pilot working the controls frantically to get free. This fic is currently in revision and will eventually (when done) be sent on its rounds to the SF magazines. I don't expect very much from it, but I'd like to actually get it done.
June
Sinfonia Cantabile - After Chiaki completes his first symphony, it is Nodame who makes sure it is heard by the world. Chiaki, Nodame, 1800+ words, G.
Squeezed out in a fit of pique because I was so frustrated at my inability to write anything. Writer's block is HORRIBLE.
Postcards From Tokyo, Spring - The Spring 2008 Postcard. No rating, real-world safe.
July
Pearly Gates ch2.
ontogenesis was rather instrumental in getting this one out, because without her I would never have been able to write Goldfish Grace.
Sleep - To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question. Shakespeare parody. 200+ words, G.
I maintain that I must have been on crack when I wrote this. >_>
August
Climb Every Mountain - Tezuka Kuniharu teaches his son to climb mountains and scale greater heights. Tezuka Kunikazu, Tezuka Kuniharu, 600+ words, G.
The first draft of thephoenixboy's prompt was all wrong--it involved Sanada, his grandfather, and kendo... except that I got quite a few things wrong. So I tossed it out and started over, and Tezuka just... happened. *sheepish*
Childish Things - After his seijin shiki, Momoshiro seeks out his childhood friend. Momoshiro, Echizen, 450+ words, G.
Ever since I first saw the movie Hackers in 1995, Corinthians 13:11 has been with me, circling my head, never leaving. Who knew it would take me 13 years to actually use it in a fic? O_o Even then, I didn't use it, strictly speaking... just the title.
September
No fic posted, but I did narrate Windrunner. The narration is here; the fic itself was written in November 2007.
October
Hotel Starlight - Iijima and Nase play blind go while doing it for the first time in a bathtub. Iijima/Nase, 4900+ words, NC-17.
This post says far more about the writing of this fic than I could ever say anywhere else. I will just repeat this: I learned an incredible amount writing this, most of it having to do with casting and re-writing when the point of the story changes. Being too good at seeding can backfire. So can sex-by-numbers.
Ten More Minutes - Some people just don't like waking up in the morning. Ryoma, Nanako, Karupin, 200+ words, G.
Written for the Milestone Request post, and because I myself fail like this. ^_^;
November
How To Date An Older Man - Chitose Miyuki decides that unless she takes matters into her own hands, Tezuka Kunimitsu is never going to realize what he's missing. Pity she's decided to follow the advice of a dating website... Chitose Miyuki, Tezuka Kunimitsu, 4850+ words, G.
I was surfing the web aimlessly when I stumbled across Wikihow and the titular how-to. As soon as I read that title, I knew I wanted to write this, and I came up with a draft of the first scene on the spot. The rest of it, unfortunately, didn't come as easily, and it took me two months to finish this. Luckily, people seem to like it. ^_^; *wipes sweat off brow*
December
Krai (1 of ? parts posted) - In the last week of the last month of the last year of Yukimura Seiichi's last life, Yanagi Renji meets someone new... Yanagi, Sanada, Yukimura, others, 1000+ words and counting, gen.
Krai came about when I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out what to do for willow_lotus. I'd asked to be assigned readerofasaph, because although I knew nothing of Yanagi Renji (fic-wise, anyway), Lynn sounded like she really, really, really wanted me to sign up. So I did, to please her, and then decided since she was responsible for me joining the exchange, she should bear the responsibility. Worst decision ever--because it was Lynn, and I knew Lynn and Lynn's incredibly high standards, I knew I was responsible for writing something she'd like or else.
I stressed out like nothing else trying to write this. Everything I came up with, I discarded as too trite, too boring, or too unrealistic. With the deadline one week away, I overdosed on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series, read 8 books in 48 hours, and had the most boring vampire fic ever to exist pop into my head. Well, I decided now was as good a time as any to test my friendship with readerofasaph! ^_^; I wrote 1000 words, angsted over them, decided I couldn't finish the entire thing before the deadline, and submitted. As far as I know, readerofasaph hasn't decided to kill me yet. *relieved beyond measure*
Total Year's Output: 36,050+ words.
Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you'd predicted?
I barely squeezed past 36k! This is pathetic. T_T Less than predicted, definitely.
What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January 2008?
The Temeraire crossover with Prince of Tennis was completely unexpected!
What's your favorite story of the year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you happiest.
S.A.I. Oh, it warmed my ickle SF-loving heart indeed. ^_^
Do you have any fanfic or profic goals for the New Year?
Yes. As I said in this post, 2009 will be my Year of Tying Loose Ends. In fanfiction, I will be doing my best to finish all my WIPs. In original fiction, I aim to submit at least one short story (if not more) by the end of the year.
January
Tohoku - Tezuka leads Fuji to Tohoku in search of something; Fuji leads Tezuka home to find it. Tezuka/Fuji, 1200+ words, G.
Technically, Tohoku doesn't count for 2008, because I'd written it for christmas_cacti 2007. Unfortunately, reveals were delayed, and I couldn't claim it as my own until January, so here it is.
February
Crossing Boundaries ch7
Finished at long last. Writing with chaineddove was fun, but oh lord, working across that many time zones while holding down a full-time job that started at that time of day? NEVER AGAIN. *cries*
Launching - Sanada helps Yukimura, the first time. Sanada, Yukimura, 600+ words, NC-17.
lady_of_water begged me for a birthday story, and she kept coming back to ask me if I'd written her something yet. So I finally told her to hold on, and wrote this for her in something like twenty minutes. She seems to have liked it. ^_^
His Grandfather's Dragon - Tezuka inherits his grandfather's dragon, but he isn't sure he's worthy. Tezuka, Sanada, 1450+ words, G.
Promise - Yukimura visits his egg. Yukimura, 400+ words, G.
When I first wrote the Dragons of the Rising Sun AU, I thought only fans of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series would enjoy it. I never expected to bring in so many new readers! O_o It was incredibly heartening, though. If I can bring people into other fandoms, surely I can interest them in original work? ^_^
Survivors - Those left behind will remember. Tezuka, Sanada, mention of Fuji and Yukimura, 650+ words, G.
After months of trying to come up with something for marourin, I ended up writing this. Unfortunately, she didn't like it very much. *winces* Another day, another attempt.
Postcards From Tokyo, Winter - The Winter 2008 Postcard(s). No ratings, these are real-world safe.
March
A Deeper Calm - A very chaste romance-that-is-not-a-romance. Fujiwara Sai finds Touya Kouyou in the afterlife. Touya Kouyou/Sai, 2400+ words, PG. Side story to Pearly Gates.
She-who-shall-remain-nameless wanted to read Touya Kouyou slashed with Sai. I couldn't imagine TK doing the dirty (nor Sai, actually), but those two seemed like the perfect romantic couple--lots of emotional resonance, nothing physical, very shudou. And so this was born, though it sprouted seeds in a Denny's restaurant in Ikebukuro while I was surrounded by 5 other people. ^_^;
Clash in the Clouds - Tezuka and Sanada face Yukimura and Fuji in an exhibition match. Tezuka, Sanada, Fuji, Yukimura, 2150+ words, G.
I wanted to work on writing action scenes, and I'd promised to write a sequel to His Grandfather's Dragon... so I wrote this. Possibly cliched plot twist, but this fic was still important on a personal development level. ^_^
Pearly Gates (2 parts posted) - Ogata finally arrives at the great go salon in the sky. Ogata, various HnG, 2100+ words and counting, G.
I don't know when this hit me, honestly, but it did. I'd wanted to write an afterlife AU ever since I read aishuu and jennifier_d's Paved With Good Intentions, but I wanted it my way. Thus... Pearly Gates.
Narrations: Cheap Tricks, Heard Over Tokyo
April
Discovery - With the (unknowing) help of Yukimura and Fuji, Yanagi teaches his dragon Inui about data one can measure--and data one can't. Yanagi, Inui, Yukimura, Fuji, 1400+ words, G.
Writing this to fulfill a promise, I originally thought this would turn out to be short and plotless, but something else crept in. All I can say is, it's amazing what things come out when you shake empty containers hard enough.
Untroubled Sky - Iijima and Isumi meet for coffee some time after the end of canon. Iijima, Isumi, 600+ words, G.
I don't quite understand why I like writing Iijima, but I do. I sympathize very much with his frustrated ambition. The poor boy, he tries so hard, and tries to be practical, but inside him he really doesn't want to let his dream go. *hugs*
Two Departures - A quick look at Tezuka and Kawamura, post-Nationals. Tezuka, Kawamura, 900+ words, G.
I haven't written anything that failed this bad since... oh lord, I don't know. In a long time. I mean, as a quick character sketch, sure, it was okay. But as a fic... what was I thinking? *facepalms*
Bicycle - Hikaru and Sai, outdoors. Hikaru, Sai, 100 words, G.
And of course, there was narrating: Sounds From Afternoon Go Games.
May
S.A.I. - When Ogata is sent to assassinate Professor Yang Hai and retrieve the program he's working on, Yang Hai offers Ogata a new role to play. Ogata, Yang Hai, Sai, 4600+ words, G.
There are fic-writing notes at the end. To this day I will maintain that desperation makes us do crazy things, and one of the craziest things I've ever done is write about an assassin whose cover story is a Japanese go title-holder.
The Day The Fighters Died - We thought it was just fireworks. We were wrong. 500+ words, G.
I don't know where this bunny came from. I woke up one morning in Denver, and immediately wrote this down. I can still see it in my head, the balcony/verandah, the three women on cots looking out on a cityscape, and the fighter, gray-green, nose pointing up, held perfectly still in place, the pilot working the controls frantically to get free. This fic is currently in revision and will eventually (when done) be sent on its rounds to the SF magazines. I don't expect very much from it, but I'd like to actually get it done.
June
Sinfonia Cantabile - After Chiaki completes his first symphony, it is Nodame who makes sure it is heard by the world. Chiaki, Nodame, 1800+ words, G.
Squeezed out in a fit of pique because I was so frustrated at my inability to write anything. Writer's block is HORRIBLE.
Postcards From Tokyo, Spring - The Spring 2008 Postcard. No rating, real-world safe.
July
Pearly Gates ch2.
ontogenesis was rather instrumental in getting this one out, because without her I would never have been able to write Goldfish Grace.
Sleep - To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question. Shakespeare parody. 200+ words, G.
I maintain that I must have been on crack when I wrote this. >_>
August
Climb Every Mountain - Tezuka Kuniharu teaches his son to climb mountains and scale greater heights. Tezuka Kunikazu, Tezuka Kuniharu, 600+ words, G.
The first draft of thephoenixboy's prompt was all wrong--it involved Sanada, his grandfather, and kendo... except that I got quite a few things wrong. So I tossed it out and started over, and Tezuka just... happened. *sheepish*
Childish Things - After his seijin shiki, Momoshiro seeks out his childhood friend. Momoshiro, Echizen, 450+ words, G.
Ever since I first saw the movie Hackers in 1995, Corinthians 13:11 has been with me, circling my head, never leaving. Who knew it would take me 13 years to actually use it in a fic? O_o Even then, I didn't use it, strictly speaking... just the title.
September
No fic posted, but I did narrate Windrunner. The narration is here; the fic itself was written in November 2007.
October
Hotel Starlight - Iijima and Nase play blind go while doing it for the first time in a bathtub. Iijima/Nase, 4900+ words, NC-17.
This post says far more about the writing of this fic than I could ever say anywhere else. I will just repeat this: I learned an incredible amount writing this, most of it having to do with casting and re-writing when the point of the story changes. Being too good at seeding can backfire. So can sex-by-numbers.
Ten More Minutes - Some people just don't like waking up in the morning. Ryoma, Nanako, Karupin, 200+ words, G.
Written for the Milestone Request post, and because I myself fail like this. ^_^;
November
How To Date An Older Man - Chitose Miyuki decides that unless she takes matters into her own hands, Tezuka Kunimitsu is never going to realize what he's missing. Pity she's decided to follow the advice of a dating website... Chitose Miyuki, Tezuka Kunimitsu, 4850+ words, G.
I was surfing the web aimlessly when I stumbled across Wikihow and the titular how-to. As soon as I read that title, I knew I wanted to write this, and I came up with a draft of the first scene on the spot. The rest of it, unfortunately, didn't come as easily, and it took me two months to finish this. Luckily, people seem to like it. ^_^; *wipes sweat off brow*
December
Krai (1 of ? parts posted) - In the last week of the last month of the last year of Yukimura Seiichi's last life, Yanagi Renji meets someone new... Yanagi, Sanada, Yukimura, others, 1000+ words and counting, gen.
Krai came about when I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out what to do for willow_lotus. I'd asked to be assigned readerofasaph, because although I knew nothing of Yanagi Renji (fic-wise, anyway), Lynn sounded like she really, really, really wanted me to sign up. So I did, to please her, and then decided since she was responsible for me joining the exchange, she should bear the responsibility. Worst decision ever--because it was Lynn, and I knew Lynn and Lynn's incredibly high standards, I knew I was responsible for writing something she'd like or else.
I stressed out like nothing else trying to write this. Everything I came up with, I discarded as too trite, too boring, or too unrealistic. With the deadline one week away, I overdosed on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series, read 8 books in 48 hours, and had the most boring vampire fic ever to exist pop into my head. Well, I decided now was as good a time as any to test my friendship with readerofasaph! ^_^; I wrote 1000 words, angsted over them, decided I couldn't finish the entire thing before the deadline, and submitted. As far as I know, readerofasaph hasn't decided to kill me yet. *relieved beyond measure*
Total Year's Output: 36,050+ words.
Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you'd predicted?
I barely squeezed past 36k! This is pathetic. T_T Less than predicted, definitely.
What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January 2008?
The Temeraire crossover with Prince of Tennis was completely unexpected!
What's your favorite story of the year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you happiest.
S.A.I. Oh, it warmed my ickle SF-loving heart indeed. ^_^
Do you have any fanfic or profic goals for the New Year?
Yes. As I said in this post, 2009 will be my Year of Tying Loose Ends. In fanfiction, I will be doing my best to finish all my WIPs. In original fiction, I aim to submit at least one short story (if not more) by the end of the year.