Comments | madmiko: Taking Stock: My Writing Anniversary

madmiko

Taking Stock: My Writing Anniversary

Nov 09, 2009 18:56

I posted my first chapter of my first fanfic, "Hentai Bets," at MediaMiner on November 9, 2006. I thought this would be a good time to take stock of where I am now.

( Boring stats under cut ... )

ff, mm, lj, writing, da, stats, fics

Comments 16

landofthekwt November 10 2009, 02:00:49 UTC

Congrats. I read BWM first and was very impressed. I am IK first, but this story did not have the hanyou abuse that one sometimes sees in SK and IYYYH crossovers. Instead all of the main characters were loved and respected by Kagome and all the rest. The Inuyasha story was not just a way for the YYH characters to turn Kagome into their fuck buddy ( ... )

madmiko November 10 2009, 02:58:27 UTC

"Congrats. I read BWM first and was very impressed. I am IK first, but this story did not have the hanyou abuse that one sometimes sees in SK and IYYYH crossovers. Instead all of the main characters were loved and respected by Kagome and all the rest."

Thank you very much! One thing I like to say about Inuyasha and the other two in BWM is that they are "gone, but not forgotten." Showing the very real, loving relationships they had with Kagome is a key part of the story. She thinks of them often.

"Hentai Bets is very funny. When even Naraku can be funny in the after life you know you have a hit. Maybe that is why it is so popular. Jakotsu as a hairdresser is entirely appropriate for this story. As an IY lover the chapter that bothered me the most was the one where King Enma forced IY to be split into demon and human. The look on his face was pitiful. He really had no choice, but IY as a hanyou was being executed. The human and demon that remained were not really IY. He was dead.You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that ( ... )

luxken27 November 10 2009, 02:21:42 UTC

So, that's a total of 28 pieces. Doesn't seem like much for 3 years. *sigh*

I have written a total of 580,097 words of fic that have been posted.

*boggles* LOL, believe me, that's definitely a chunk of writing change there! And obviously, from the rest of your stats, you are producing quality (and popular!) work, and that's what counts most - not churning it out, but making sure its worthy of being read.

Congrats on three fruitful years, and here's to many more! Maybe RL will slow down enough to let you catch up, but I suspect if you had the choice, you'd take a fantastic RL over a fantastic fandom one ;)

madmiko November 10 2009, 03:09:05 UTC

"and that's what counts most - not churning it out, but making sure its worthy of being read."

True! ^_^ But I also think part of my problem this past year has been over-thinking the "worthiness" of various pieces. Know what I mean? I've been hesitating to write stories because they're not "ground-breaking" or "epic" or "stretching myself." I need to get back to just enjoying telling a story.

"Congrats on three fruitful years, and here's to many more! Maybe RL will slow down enough to let you catch up, but I suspect if you had the choice, you'd take a fantastic RL over a fantastic fandom one ;)"

Thanks! I wouldn't say no to RL letting up on the stress, worry, and frustration. You're very right that I'd take a fantastic RL over a fantastic FL, but why can't I have both? ^_^

luxken27 November 10 2009, 04:24:52 UTC

But I also think part of my problem this past year has been over-thinking the "worthiness" of various pieces. Know what I mean?

Yes I do (unfortunately). Shutting off the inner critic can be very difficult at times, and there's definitely been some stuff I've written that I haven't shared with anyone...but that's the war we fight when we want to consistently put out good work, and not just be attention or review whores.

I've been hesitating to write stories because they're not "ground-breaking" or "epic" or "stretching myself."Well, to some extent we're limited, because we're writing fanfiction - there are certain parameters that come with playing in other peoples' sandboxes that wouldn't be there if we had full control over the universe or the characters. Its hard to think outside of the box when everyone is aware of the box you're in, you know ( ... )

yume_mori November 10 2009, 07:30:55 UTC

28 pieces is actually quite a bit for three years, especially given the length of each piece and chapter. Over half a million words over three years rather speaks for itself. And each piece is truly quality work, which is much better than having a lot of less than quality work.

The difference in the amount of reviews between FF and MM I think has more to do with the audiences. It seems more like fun and funny fanfics get more reviews on FF, while those on MM go for more serious drama pieces. I wouldn't be surprised over the popularity of "The Crystal Forest" because you really outdid yourself on that one. The plot, the writing, the song... Really all well-executed.

madmiko November 11 2009, 03:16:00 UTC

Thank you so much for all the kind words! ^_^ I think I needed to hear that bit about quality over quantity. I just get a little down and feel a little inadequate when I see so many authors with 50-100 pieces, or MORE. I need to stop measuring my work against theirs. It's difficult sometimes, though, when so many of my f-listers here on lj post something nearly every week--some of them post 2 or 3 things!

I have always said there is a big difference in the MM and FF audiences, but I've never quite looked at it in terms of the types of fics they read. You could very well be right!

landofthekwt November 11 2009, 05:15:23 UTC

People write for many different reasons. KK writes mainly daily IK fluff. I write to try to keep comms afloat.(I did realize that the world will not end if I stop writing. Dokuga contest still functioned after I finished Child Birth Complications.) luxken and kmoaton write mainly on their chapter stories. Some people like paynesgrey write in whole different worlds that we never see.

madmiko November 11 2009, 14:13:03 UTC

"People write for many different reasons."

This is so true and I need to remind myself of that. But I admire the way you consistently put out such gems on a regular basis and I just can't help but wish I could do the same. ^_^ Unfortunately, I don't seem to have the discipline to do it. *grins sheepishly*

psyco_chick32 November 10 2009, 18:01:24 UTC

Happy anniversary! (a day late of course -_-;; whoops)

You have a very good collection there, especially for three years! Don't get down on yourself ^_^

(But darn if it isn't starting to call to me NOW when I am trying desperately to focus on THIS YEAR'S NaNo project. *sigh*)

LOL Isn't that the way it works?

So, here's hoping my next year's stats show a different story! ^_~

*grabs pom-poms* You can do it! \o/

madmiko November 11 2009, 03:17:29 UTC

Thanks so much for the good wishes and encouragement! ^_^

renegaderaine November 11 2009, 02:44:59 UTC

All that on top of being a mom, I'd say you're doing very well for yourself!! My stats come no where near comparison, and I MUST know your secret for getting so many reviews on MM!! I have 3 reviewers on my yaoi story, 1 reviewer on my young adult adventure story, and you on my HiKa story, and that's it!

I'm still making my way through BWM. With all my own writing and this incredibly interesting book series I'm reading, it's a bit difficult. There are times though when I'll be sitting around bored, trying to think what I want to do, and BWM pulls me to the computer cause I really want to know what's going to happen next. THAT is the mark of a great story.

madmiko November 11 2009, 05:31:35 UTC

"I MUST know your secret for getting so many reviews on MM!! I have 3 reviewers on my yaoi story, 1 reviewer on my young adult adventure story, and you on my HiKa story, and that's it!You know, I've heard a lot of people say reviews are more plentiful on FF, and I think that has been the case for my one-shots. So, I'm just gonna guess the MM crowd prefers long stories and that I hit it lucky with the Hiei/Kagome fans. Right time, right place ( ... )