Q&A with starbird1
Get to know the SanSan fandom’s own little bird, @starbird1!
How long have you been writing fic?
Since late 2011/early 2012. I intended to just try my hand at a one-shot but it kept expanding and expanding as I felt the need to add background and details and then I got interested in putting Sandor and Sansa into certain situations. That became Something to Worship. I mentioned somewhere that that was my first fic and someone complimented my work and asked if I was sure I’d never written fic before. :-) That was enough to keep me going.
Did you write before that?
I hadn’t since college, which was about 11 or 12 years prior. I’ve always liked writing, though, and, after my first child was born and I was housebound a lot, I was dying for a creative outlet. Fic became that outlet. I’ve been hooked ever since!
How long ago did you join Tumblr?
Honestly, I’m not even really here now!
What is the meaning behind your username?
I originally wanted to be Little Bird and, shocker, it was taken. But I like birds and stars and star was part of an old email address I had so I added the 2 together and figured any crazy stalkers would probably assume I like boats, which I don’t, so it seemed both personal and misleading, lol.
First fandom/pairing?
More like only fandom/pairing! Always ASOIAF and always Sansan! No other pairing has made me yearn for a union like I do for these two. I’ve wondered if I should check out other fandoms over the years but never had the time (and didn’t want to get into something else that would lead to another time-consuming obsession!).
How/when did you first notice (or start to ship) Sansan?
When Sandor offered to take Sansa out of KL during the BBB. Sandor really snuck up on me. At first, I was kind of annoyed by his appearances in the book because I figured he was a minor character and I was already struggling to remember who everyone was and how they were related and which houses they belonged to and on and on. Then, when he threatened to kill her if she told anyone the source of his scars, I thought she was actually in danger (oh, those naïve early days, sigh…). I thought he was a rage-y jerk and I had basically written him off when he made those awful comments about Ned’s legs jerking when he was beheaded. Then the BBB scene came and, despite the above, it came across a little hot (forgive me) and I was like, heyyyyy, wait a minute …! Then I saw his previous actions in a different light and I’m a sucker for men who will actually lay bare their feelings so, after that, I was highly interested in all their interactions.
Is there a SanSan fic you’re particularly proud of? Chapter? Paragraph? Plot?
I’m very proud of Seven More. By the time I wrote that, I felt comfortable with both Sansa’s and Sandor’s voices (as felt right to me) and it just rolled. It was so much fun to write. I was really happy with the development of the characters and their relationship. Sandor’s portrayal especially seemed to resonate with people, which made me incredibly happy. As for chapters, I think it’s chapter 10 where someone knocks on Sandor’s bedroom door and his way of getting rid of them was to have him and Sansa make sex noises and Sansa has no idea what’s going on. To this day, that makes me laugh. I was also really pleased with the scene where Sandor convinces Ned to leave town and then announces he’s going with them. I think it’s chapter 13. I wanted that scene to be tense and I felt like I achieved that. I feel like all my best SanSan ideas kind of coalesced into that one fic, to the point that anything I write now feels like an extension of Seven More on some level.
Any comments you’ve received that stick out, even now?
Tons of them. I always appreciate detailed comments where someone tells you what they like and why (or what didn’t work for them and why). I love a good turn of phrase so any comments that include one I remember. The comment referenced above has always stuck with me. Someone told me reading Seven More offered them some relief/distraction from the death of their mother. It just doesn’t get more humbling than that. It’s always nice when someone is excited about what you wrote. It makes the effort worthwhile.
Do you use a beta?
Nope. I have just enough ego to think that I’m actually a fairly good editor. Also, I wouldn’t know what to do with one. I’d feel bad if they made a suggestion that I didn’t agree with so I just muddle on as best I can.
Are there tropes/styles/genres you struggle with? Any that are almost too easy?
Hmm. I have yet to write an unhappy ending so that probably counts. Ditto character death. I once got a prompt during a fic exchange for dub con. I really struggled with that because it doesn’t really fit my view of Sandor. (It turned into Unexpected Gifts.) Basically, I avoid stuff that doesn’t appeal to me (fluff, puppies, sad stuff). I wouldn’t say anything is too easy. I really like the push and pull between Sandor and Sansa so I find myself exploring that in various fics.
When you start a fic, do you know where it will end? Or do you figure it out along the way?
I generally know where I’m going. I’m a planner by nature so doing it any other way would just be chaos!
Do you have any rituals/conditions for ‘getting in the mood’ to write?
Nope. The hard part for me is finding a chunk of time where I’ll be able to concentrate and uninterrupted. I usually spend too much time rereading what I already wrote and then trying to pick up the vibe from there.
Have you ever had writer’s block? Any tips for overcoming it? Not really.
My difficulties usually lie in getting the characters to say or do what I need them to to move the plot forward. Sometimes I find it’s best to just write the junk out of your system. Meaning, just get some words down on the page and fix them up later. Usually if I don’t get too caught up in trying to get it perfect from the start, inspiration will strike and the wording will fall into place. In other words, don’t force it.
Aspirations of publishing one day?
I’d love that but I’m not currently taking any steps in that direction.
What are your other hobbies?
I have young kids so time is scarce but I’m something of a gym rat. Ink and paper are my drugs of choice so I’m always reading at least one book. I’m a passive gardener and an active beach bum. (Yay, summer!) I dull the pain of winter by watching hockey non-stop.
Any tips for writers looking to post?
Jump in already! The fandom needs you! Other than that, I think you just need to be true to the story you’re telling. Readers can sense insincerity and lack of commitment so own your vision and execute it to the very best of your ability. Spelling and grammar count so get that right. It’s also good to let your fic breathe a bit before you publish it. Forest, trees, all that.
Anything you’d like to say to writers in general?
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’ve received hours (and hours, and hours …!) of entertainment and enjoyment thanks to the bravery, generosity, and hard work of others and I love them for it. Oh! And keep me in the loop on any exchanges (despite my absenteeism on Tumblr)!
Anything you’d like to say to readers in general?
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! People have been so kind in response to my work … I don’t even have words. I never ask for feedback because you’re either inspired to leave it or you’re not but I truly cherish the comments and kudos. They warm the cockles of my little shipper heart! And keep me going. :-)
Anything you’d like to say to the SanSan fandom in general?
I’m constantly blown away by the variety and quality of fic and artwork this fandom produces and I’m really humbled to feel a part of it. I’ve “met” so many lovely and talented people. It’s a pleasure!
Read starbird1′s library here!
