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Hi there! My name is pokeystar and I am a Harry Potter addict.
First, I’d like to thank everyone who nominated “Maffy the Grumpy House-Elf” to represent the creature fic trope this month at Hawthorne & Vine - I’m grinning like a loon.
In everyday life, I’m a library technician. Happily married for fourteen years (May 2, 1998 ← day of the Final Battle, yo!), I have a step-daughter and two (living) furbabies.
Norbert and Bella at the Dog Park
Other than writing, I love to cook, bake, travel and watch tv/movies.
In Harry Potter, I’ll read any pairing as long as it’s well-written. I write mostly dm/hg, ss/hg, pp/hp and lm/hg. I cannot write smut to save my life.
On with the show!
What got you interested in writing this particular trope?
The funny thing is, I didn’t think I was writing a trope, particularly creature fic.
Because I’ve always wanted to - I have an idea for a Veela spoof, if I ever find the time or motivation to write it.
What specifically do you love about it that inspired you to try your own take on it?
What I love about creature fic is: primal instincts at the forefront, the soulmate aspect, the smut, the opportunity for absurdity or humor.
Do you have any favorite stories you've read of this trope?
I must confess that my favourite creature fic is a slash pairing story (Harry/Draco) entitled “Drop Dead Gorgeous” by Maya/Mistful. Harry is the Veela. Unfortunately, Maya pulled all of her stories off the internet and has requested that they not be shared.
And oh! scifichick774’s Only Logical, in which Draco Malfoy has werewolf characteristics, like Bill Weasley. And he teams up with Hermione Granger.
Is there anything you'd like to see done with this trope to take it in a different direction?
I respectfully decline to answer this question, on the off chance that I actually write the story I’d like to.
How did you get into D/Hr?
I read an essay on Snape fanfic that led me to Severus/Hermione, which led me to Roman Holiday by Anna (Part of the Travelogue Trilogy, third part unfinished; also ss/hg and bw/hg). The story begins with Draco and Hermione’s summer romance. I was hooked.
How long have you been writing D/Hr?
Since December 2007, I think.
This is the first dramione I ever wrote.
Field Test One
He saw her reaction.
It was infinitesimal, but he caught it. He would have bet the Manor on it.
Her hands always betrayed her, that slight curl of her fingers, signaling her desire to strike out.
So he repeated the comment. He always sought confirmation. Especially, and most enjoyably, with her.
Besides, it wouldn’t do to risk the ancestral pile without verification.
“That was a very elitist thing to say, Granger.” He said this in the most neutral tone possible. A drawl would certainly contaminate the field test.
Yes. There it was: that fascinating curl of slender digits that he hadn’t seen since… well, he hadn’t seen it in a long while.
Lost in pleasurable reminiscing, he almost missed her spin on her heel and walk away from him.
It was a deep and sharp gratification to realize, that being compared to him, drawing parallels between them, bothered her most of all.
Well, then, maybe this Ministry job would be less boring than Zabini claimed.
~curtseys~
What is your writing process like?
Idea strikes. Or, receive prompt, then idea strikes.
At this point, sometimes I'm lucky, and whole scenes or bits of schtick occur to me, and I write them down.
Ponder ponder ponder.
Bounce idea off someone. Hubby (rarely). Akasha, PJ or Bluey (usually).
Weird confluence happens in which media/culture conspire to feed idea or kill it.
Ponder ponder ponder.
Get another idea. Comparison/contrast either kills first idea or makes it stronger.
Research/Blocking/Plot Outline <-- I always need a map, even if it's as sketchy as "stuff occurs."
Write. Usually in longhand, to start. Try not to edit in writing mode. Pace varies from slog to fast. Research mid-stream if needed.
Edit.
Hello, insecurity, my old friend.
Feedback/Beta.
Post.
Honeymoon period.
Burn out. Reading frenzy.
Sign ups for tempting fest or idea strikes.
Repeat process from start.
How did you come up with the plot for this story?
Well. The prompt (from the Ring in the New Year with Draco and Hermione exchange!) was “involve Hermione's quest to better house elves' lives”.
My first idea was to have the elves kidnap Hermione, and Draco as the hostage negotiator.
This did not hold up under the first round of pondering - my muse prefers to torture Draco or lay the smackdown via Karma.
Hence, Draco as house-elf.
What is your favorite thing about this story?
I was struggling with the beginning a bit, and then I happened to watch the parrot sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Suddenly, the structure, and opening clicked into place.
Is there something about it that surprised you?
The bit where Draco tries to communicate with his parents as an elf. It turned out more poignant than I expected it to. But it balanced the absurdity beautifully.
Was there a part that was difficult to write? If so, why?
To be honest, the ending was difficult. I wanted it to be fluffy without being fluffy, you know? I hope I achieved that.
Do you have a favorite line of dialogue from the story?
It’s going to seem a little odd out of context, yes?
“Yes. This elf is discontented. He is loutish and ill-mannered. He thinks only of himself. He is disrespectful and outright rude to Mother.” He paused to draw in breath. “In short, this is not a happy elf.”
How did you come up with the title?
Interestingly enough, I received this prompt while working on a story entitled “Hogwarts House-Elves Housekeeping Files: vol. 1990s” with a group of friends for OWL’s House Cup competition. And the house-elves of that story are all very cheery, for the most part.
I wanted to get away from that. I figured Draco would definitely be a grumpy house-elf. So the tricky bit was figuring out Draco’s elf name. Once I had that, the title was obvious.
What is one thing you want people to take away from this story?
Laughter, a smile, and a brighter day.
Oh crap, that’s three things, isn’t it?
Okay. Got questions? Bring it!
Maffy the Grumpy House-Elf
First, I’d like to thank everyone who nominated “Maffy the Grumpy House-Elf” to represent the creature fic trope this month at Hawthorne & Vine - I’m grinning like a loon.
In everyday life, I’m a library technician. Happily married for fourteen years (May 2, 1998 ← day of the Final Battle, yo!), I have a step-daughter and two (living) furbabies.
Norbert and Bella at the Dog Park
Other than writing, I love to cook, bake, travel and watch tv/movies.
In Harry Potter, I’ll read any pairing as long as it’s well-written. I write mostly dm/hg, ss/hg, pp/hp and lm/hg. I cannot write smut to save my life.
On with the show!
What got you interested in writing this particular trope?
The funny thing is, I didn’t think I was writing a trope, particularly creature fic.
Because I’ve always wanted to - I have an idea for a Veela spoof, if I ever find the time or motivation to write it.
What specifically do you love about it that inspired you to try your own take on it?
What I love about creature fic is: primal instincts at the forefront, the soulmate aspect, the smut, the opportunity for absurdity or humor.
Do you have any favorite stories you've read of this trope?
I must confess that my favourite creature fic is a slash pairing story (Harry/Draco) entitled “Drop Dead Gorgeous” by Maya/Mistful. Harry is the Veela. Unfortunately, Maya pulled all of her stories off the internet and has requested that they not be shared.
And oh! scifichick774’s Only Logical, in which Draco Malfoy has werewolf characteristics, like Bill Weasley. And he teams up with Hermione Granger.
Is there anything you'd like to see done with this trope to take it in a different direction?
I respectfully decline to answer this question, on the off chance that I actually write the story I’d like to.
How did you get into D/Hr?
I read an essay on Snape fanfic that led me to Severus/Hermione, which led me to Roman Holiday by Anna (Part of the Travelogue Trilogy, third part unfinished; also ss/hg and bw/hg). The story begins with Draco and Hermione’s summer romance. I was hooked.
How long have you been writing D/Hr?
Since December 2007, I think.
This is the first dramione I ever wrote.
Field Test One
He saw her reaction.
It was infinitesimal, but he caught it. He would have bet the Manor on it.
Her hands always betrayed her, that slight curl of her fingers, signaling her desire to strike out.
So he repeated the comment. He always sought confirmation. Especially, and most enjoyably, with her.
Besides, it wouldn’t do to risk the ancestral pile without verification.
“That was a very elitist thing to say, Granger.” He said this in the most neutral tone possible. A drawl would certainly contaminate the field test.
Yes. There it was: that fascinating curl of slender digits that he hadn’t seen since… well, he hadn’t seen it in a long while.
Lost in pleasurable reminiscing, he almost missed her spin on her heel and walk away from him.
It was a deep and sharp gratification to realize, that being compared to him, drawing parallels between them, bothered her most of all.
Well, then, maybe this Ministry job would be less boring than Zabini claimed.
~curtseys~
What is your writing process like?
Idea strikes. Or, receive prompt, then idea strikes.
At this point, sometimes I'm lucky, and whole scenes or bits of schtick occur to me, and I write them down.
Ponder ponder ponder.
Bounce idea off someone. Hubby (rarely). Akasha, PJ or Bluey (usually).
Weird confluence happens in which media/culture conspire to feed idea or kill it.
Ponder ponder ponder.
Get another idea. Comparison/contrast either kills first idea or makes it stronger.
Research/Blocking/Plot Outline <-- I always need a map, even if it's as sketchy as "stuff occurs."
Write. Usually in longhand, to start. Try not to edit in writing mode. Pace varies from slog to fast. Research mid-stream if needed.
Edit.
Hello, insecurity, my old friend.
Feedback/Beta.
Post.
Honeymoon period.
Burn out. Reading frenzy.
Sign ups for tempting fest or idea strikes.
Repeat process from start.
How did you come up with the plot for this story?
Well. The prompt (from the Ring in the New Year with Draco and Hermione exchange!) was “involve Hermione's quest to better house elves' lives”.
My first idea was to have the elves kidnap Hermione, and Draco as the hostage negotiator.
This did not hold up under the first round of pondering - my muse prefers to torture Draco or lay the smackdown via Karma.
Hence, Draco as house-elf.
What is your favorite thing about this story?
I was struggling with the beginning a bit, and then I happened to watch the parrot sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Suddenly, the structure, and opening clicked into place.
Click to viewIs there something about it that surprised you?
The bit where Draco tries to communicate with his parents as an elf. It turned out more poignant than I expected it to. But it balanced the absurdity beautifully.
Was there a part that was difficult to write? If so, why?
To be honest, the ending was difficult. I wanted it to be fluffy without being fluffy, you know? I hope I achieved that.
Do you have a favorite line of dialogue from the story?
It’s going to seem a little odd out of context, yes?
“Yes. This elf is discontented. He is loutish and ill-mannered. He thinks only of himself. He is disrespectful and outright rude to Mother.” He paused to draw in breath. “In short, this is not a happy elf.”
How did you come up with the title?
Interestingly enough, I received this prompt while working on a story entitled “Hogwarts House-Elves Housekeeping Files: vol. 1990s” with a group of friends for OWL’s House Cup competition. And the house-elves of that story are all very cheery, for the most part.
I wanted to get away from that. I figured Draco would definitely be a grumpy house-elf. So the tricky bit was figuring out Draco’s elf name. Once I had that, the title was obvious.
What is one thing you want people to take away from this story?
Laughter, a smile, and a brighter day.
Oh crap, that’s three things, isn’t it?
Okay. Got questions? Bring it!
Maffy the Grumpy House-Elf