Writing Meme!
I stole this from n0t-again. It looked like too much fun!
1. Of the fic you’ve written, of which are you most proud?
Probably my long fic Carve a New Path, because it’s a continual reminder that I perhaps have the ability to write a story rather than just a bunch of one-shots. I like to think I did a good job with the characterization on that one, and the opening and closing scenes were some of my favorite to write of everything I’ve written.
I also have a soft spot for Count the Days because I’ve always wanted to try my hand at second person. I’m still surprised that I managed to cross that goal off the list during my earliest writing attempts.
2. Favorite tense
I’m most comfortable reading and writing in past tense. But I’ll read anything if it’s well written. And sometimes present tense just nails an atmosphere like nothing else can.
3. Favorite POV
Third person limited. I like to be securely anchored in one character’s head. I have a bit of a love/hate with first person, because when it’s good it’s really damn good (the Dresden Files books are such a guilty pleasure of mine. And I loved the Matthew Swift books, which use a combination of first person singular and first person plural. It sounds weird, I know, but it works), but first person can also be so excruciatingly terrible when it’s bad. (though I suppose that could be said of anything)
4. What are some themes you love writing about?
Sorting out misunderstandings, sex with power plays (hmmm, that may sum of practically all of the fic I've ever written...)
5. What inspires you to write?
There’s something really satisfying about looking at a completed story and thinking, I did that. It’s also cathartic to take ideas from my head, where they are flickering and insubstantial, and cement them onto the page where they can no longer squirm out of reach.
6. Thoughts on critique:
I am awful at giving it, but am grateful to receive it (I reread that and realize it comes out a lot dirtier than intended). Sometimes it’s embarrassing or painful to hear, because I have the type of personality that likes perfection on the first public try or nothing at all, but I am well aware that is a ludicrous and impossible standard. And so anyone who is willing to point out my mistakes to me gets automatic bonus points from me.
7. Create a character on the spot... NOW!
Lol, there’s a reason I stick to fanfic. I’ve got nothing. I’ve never aspired to write original fiction, because character creation isn’t something I enjoy.
8. Is there a character you love writing for the most? The least? Why?
As anyone who hangs around my blog knows I love Prussia to pieces. He is my baby and almost everything I write is somehow about him. I love his stubbornness and violence, I love seeing him defiant until he isn't, I love him cursing and swearing. etc.
I don't think there's any character I dislike writing, because otherwise I wouldn't write them. But I find Switzerland particularly difficult to get a handle on, personality-wise.
9. A passage from a WIP:
This is less of a WIP and more of an outtake that’s not going into a wip: (basically, Germany has Prussia right where he wants him (on his back on the table, with Prussia’s legs hooked over Germany’s shoulders), only to realize he’s lacking something important). I feel I should warn for this being mostly unedited...
“Where are you keeping it?”
Despite the sweat soaked skin and arched back, Prussia looked at him in a way that could only be classified as a mockery of innocence. “Hm?” he asked, eyes comically wide.
Frustration gave way to impatience and Germany frowned. “You know what I mean.”
Beneath him, Prussia stilled, one white-blond eyebrow raising almost to his hairline. The damn smile never wavered as he answered, “So unlike you to be unprepared, West. Maybe you can ask one of the other nations waiting in the hall. I know for a fact France always has some on hand.”
The whole act was completely inappropriate given their present circumstances, yet so very typical of his brother that Germany couldn’t help the tug pulling at the corner of his mouth. He schooled his features into a stern glare, determined to play his part. “You planned this whole thing from the beginning and you expect me to believe you forgot this one thing.” He tiled his head, assessing. “I know you better than that.”
No answer was forthcoming save for an amused smirk, and so Germany did the first thing that came to mind. He raised his hand and brought it down squarely over the firm flesh of Prussia’s ass.
His palm met bare skin with a loud crack and he glanced over just in time to see Prussia’s eyes go wide in shock. The resulting echo bounced from wall to wall and Germany feverishly hoped no one was listening at the door. Swallowing tightly, he looked down at his hand, tingling jolts running like electricity from fingers to wrist.
Still, there was no answer.
“Well? “ Germany smacked him again, transfixed by the way the skin around the garter strap shook with the resulting vibrations. “Answer me. Or you’ll be sore before we even start.”
A laugh greeted him.
It was answered with another open palmed hit.
Prussia gasped, legs tightening around Germany’s shoulders. “West, you kinky fuck, I think-“
Smack.
“you want to be caugh-“
Smack.
“-to be caught!” Prussia barely got the words out between the mouthfuls of air he was sucking in, the sounds of his shaky gasps filling the room. He managed a wink through lidded eyes, a lazy grin spreading around the corners of his mouth. “That all you’ve got?” he breathed out.
10. What are your strengths in writing?
Um, I think I’m good at action scenes. And maybe porn.
11. What are your weaknesses in writing?
My style is very plain - I tend to write what characters and thinking and doing and leave it at that. I’m not good at beautiful descriptions or meandering metaphors. I have trouble thinking up enough plot to fill more than a short one-shot.
12. Anything else that you want to know... (otherwise known as Fill in the Blank):
I spent over 15 years lurking and reading fic and staring at a blank screen any time I tried to do any writing of my own. I’d resigned myself to the fact that fiction wasn’t something I would ever figure out how to do, and so no one was more surprised than me when it kind of happened one day out of the blue (yes, there was alcohol involved. I think it helped). Anyway, what I’m saying is that I love writing and I’m really happy I finally figured it out!
Sometimes I think I’d like to be a professional writer. But then I remember that I hate making original characters, and that in all honesty, if I had to depend on my writing for money it would probably lose its charm as a fanciful hobby.
Also, once I got completely wasted on Cosmos, mojitos, vodka shots, and Brandy Alexanders, almost crashed my friend’s bicycle cycling to the next bar, lost my wallet, found my wallet (money, credit cards, and ID intact), and then got on a plane to Las Vegas the following morning. This has nothing to do with writing, but I wanted to share.
1. Of the fic you’ve written, of which are you most proud?
Probably my long fic Carve a New Path, because it’s a continual reminder that I perhaps have the ability to write a story rather than just a bunch of one-shots. I like to think I did a good job with the characterization on that one, and the opening and closing scenes were some of my favorite to write of everything I’ve written.
I also have a soft spot for Count the Days because I’ve always wanted to try my hand at second person. I’m still surprised that I managed to cross that goal off the list during my earliest writing attempts.
2. Favorite tense
I’m most comfortable reading and writing in past tense. But I’ll read anything if it’s well written. And sometimes present tense just nails an atmosphere like nothing else can.
3. Favorite POV
Third person limited. I like to be securely anchored in one character’s head. I have a bit of a love/hate with first person, because when it’s good it’s really damn good (the Dresden Files books are such a guilty pleasure of mine. And I loved the Matthew Swift books, which use a combination of first person singular and first person plural. It sounds weird, I know, but it works), but first person can also be so excruciatingly terrible when it’s bad. (though I suppose that could be said of anything)
4. What are some themes you love writing about?
Sorting out misunderstandings, sex with power plays (hmmm, that may sum of practically all of the fic I've ever written...)
5. What inspires you to write?
There’s something really satisfying about looking at a completed story and thinking, I did that. It’s also cathartic to take ideas from my head, where they are flickering and insubstantial, and cement them onto the page where they can no longer squirm out of reach.
6. Thoughts on critique:
I am awful at giving it, but am grateful to receive it (I reread that and realize it comes out a lot dirtier than intended). Sometimes it’s embarrassing or painful to hear, because I have the type of personality that likes perfection on the first public try or nothing at all, but I am well aware that is a ludicrous and impossible standard. And so anyone who is willing to point out my mistakes to me gets automatic bonus points from me.
7. Create a character on the spot... NOW!
Lol, there’s a reason I stick to fanfic. I’ve got nothing. I’ve never aspired to write original fiction, because character creation isn’t something I enjoy.
8. Is there a character you love writing for the most? The least? Why?
As anyone who hangs around my blog knows I love Prussia to pieces. He is my baby and almost everything I write is somehow about him. I love his stubbornness and violence, I love seeing him defiant until he isn't, I love him cursing and swearing. etc.
I don't think there's any character I dislike writing, because otherwise I wouldn't write them. But I find Switzerland particularly difficult to get a handle on, personality-wise.
9. A passage from a WIP:
This is less of a WIP and more of an outtake that’s not going into a wip: (basically, Germany has Prussia right where he wants him (on his back on the table, with Prussia’s legs hooked over Germany’s shoulders), only to realize he’s lacking something important). I feel I should warn for this being mostly unedited...
“Where are you keeping it?”
Despite the sweat soaked skin and arched back, Prussia looked at him in a way that could only be classified as a mockery of innocence. “Hm?” he asked, eyes comically wide.
Frustration gave way to impatience and Germany frowned. “You know what I mean.”
Beneath him, Prussia stilled, one white-blond eyebrow raising almost to his hairline. The damn smile never wavered as he answered, “So unlike you to be unprepared, West. Maybe you can ask one of the other nations waiting in the hall. I know for a fact France always has some on hand.”
The whole act was completely inappropriate given their present circumstances, yet so very typical of his brother that Germany couldn’t help the tug pulling at the corner of his mouth. He schooled his features into a stern glare, determined to play his part. “You planned this whole thing from the beginning and you expect me to believe you forgot this one thing.” He tiled his head, assessing. “I know you better than that.”
No answer was forthcoming save for an amused smirk, and so Germany did the first thing that came to mind. He raised his hand and brought it down squarely over the firm flesh of Prussia’s ass.
His palm met bare skin with a loud crack and he glanced over just in time to see Prussia’s eyes go wide in shock. The resulting echo bounced from wall to wall and Germany feverishly hoped no one was listening at the door. Swallowing tightly, he looked down at his hand, tingling jolts running like electricity from fingers to wrist.
Still, there was no answer.
“Well? “ Germany smacked him again, transfixed by the way the skin around the garter strap shook with the resulting vibrations. “Answer me. Or you’ll be sore before we even start.”
A laugh greeted him.
It was answered with another open palmed hit.
Prussia gasped, legs tightening around Germany’s shoulders. “West, you kinky fuck, I think-“
Smack.
“you want to be caugh-“
Smack.
“-to be caught!” Prussia barely got the words out between the mouthfuls of air he was sucking in, the sounds of his shaky gasps filling the room. He managed a wink through lidded eyes, a lazy grin spreading around the corners of his mouth. “That all you’ve got?” he breathed out.
10. What are your strengths in writing?
Um, I think I’m good at action scenes. And maybe porn.
11. What are your weaknesses in writing?
My style is very plain - I tend to write what characters and thinking and doing and leave it at that. I’m not good at beautiful descriptions or meandering metaphors. I have trouble thinking up enough plot to fill more than a short one-shot.
12. Anything else that you want to know... (otherwise known as Fill in the Blank):
I spent over 15 years lurking and reading fic and staring at a blank screen any time I tried to do any writing of my own. I’d resigned myself to the fact that fiction wasn’t something I would ever figure out how to do, and so no one was more surprised than me when it kind of happened one day out of the blue (yes, there was alcohol involved. I think it helped). Anyway, what I’m saying is that I love writing and I’m really happy I finally figured it out!
Sometimes I think I’d like to be a professional writer. But then I remember that I hate making original characters, and that in all honesty, if I had to depend on my writing for money it would probably lose its charm as a fanciful hobby.
Also, once I got completely wasted on Cosmos, mojitos, vodka shots, and Brandy Alexanders, almost crashed my friend’s bicycle cycling to the next bar, lost my wallet, found my wallet (money, credit cards, and ID intact), and then got on a plane to Las Vegas the following morning. This has nothing to do with writing, but I wanted to share.