An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: James Potter/Lily Evans Potter
Characters: James Potter, Lily Evans Potter, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadowes
Additional Tags: Emails fic, Alternate Universe - College/University, Marauders Era (Harry Potter), It’s like 2007 because when i see them in modern culture it’s the 00s, Fluff, Drabble
Summary:
Emails between Lily and James & co about a missing notebook.
Do you guys remember TLOL - These Lines of Lightning by @deadlysansa here on tumblr? Lord knows I do.
Still one of my all time faves, even though it hasn’t been updated in ages and is possibly abandoned. It’s well worth the read. The whole depiction was just *chef’s kiss*!
Thank you very much for taking the time to do this! You can find her on ao3!
1. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I think my dialogue, it’s definitely what gets commented on the most. I enjoy writing really fast paced conversations that feel natural and bonus if they’re funny. Like, people don’t take turns to speak in long monologues in real life, why would they do that in fiction?! Dialogue, to me, is the best way to show character dynamics which I think is one of the most important things to the Marauders fandom.
2. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your stories?
I love writing characters doing totally mundane stuff during a scene! I had no idea, but I learned how much more believable i find my stories if, for example, character A simply cannot get a tin open when they’re speaking. Is that niche? I don’t know. But it did surprise me, a lover of fantasy and magical things, that I consider it so important.
3. Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer? If so, what they?
I feel pretty bold giving out tips like I know what the hell I’m doing. And this is probably what everyone gets told, but don’t tell your readers, show them. Your description paragraphs shouldn’t feel like a list! I also am a HUGE fan of ambience videos when writing. Like, ‘sitting in a pub with music in the other room and it’s raining’ kind of thing. Whatever scene I’m writing, I’ll pick the appropriate vibe. I feel like I’m in the room with the characters and it gets me in the headspace so well.
4. What do you think makes a good story?
All the best stories are character driven. Character vs. Plot has been debated forever, but I’m stating my case for character all the way. Of course we want a good plot, but if I don’t care about the person involved, then actually, I don’t care about the story. Write somebody to root for, who you know inside out and everyone can relate to, or look up to, or feel like they’re a friend.
5. What is the first book that made you cry?
The first one I remember crying about was My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson. I was about 10 and completely traumatised. It had such a shock twist and I was so upset about it. Wilson’s books are for kids but they’re all actually pretty twisted. However, no book made me cry like the end of Veronica Roth’s Allegiant…
6. Does writing energise or exhaust you?
Depends. If I’m forcing it, it’s so, so draining. But if I’m on a roll I feel so productive and energised. The best feeling is when you can’t WAIT to carry on writing. Writing emotional scenes can also leave you tired, just from thinking (and relating) so hard.
7. Have you ever gotten reader’s block? If so, what are your tips to overcome it?
Absolutely! I’m probably in one right now. I work a lot which means my free time is so valuable, and it’s hard to let yourself sit down and read when you feel like you have a million things to do. It sucks! Also, sometimes it’s difficult to get into an intense fantasy book (which are my favourite), so I find the cure to be romance novels. Ugh, they’re so feel good and fun. Plus there are ALL the tropes we crave in fanfiction. My favourite is The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker. Bonus, romance novels always make me want to write Jily.
8. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
Sure, it’d just be a very different book to a highly emotional person. I mean, most crime novelists haven’t actually been involved with crime, it just fascinates them. So you could apply the same thing to other forms of writing. I like to think it helps, though, feeling your emotions. How many artists and writers convert their pain and joy into fiction? I would like my heartbreak to serve me well somehow!
9. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I would tell her that it’s not just a hobby.
10. What was your hardest scene to write?
Listen, all angst scenes. I find writing scenes where characters are miscommunicating really hard. I’m like – how do I hint that they want something without outright thinking it? It personally fries my brain. It can make me go round in circles. (Just like the characters. Poetic justice I guess). I am fully aware that the entirety of TLOL is built on miscommunication at present, so you can see my issue here.
11. What is your favourite childhood book?
I’ll be cliché and say Harry Potter – come on! Percy Jackson a close second. Just another bisexual obsessed with mythology thanks to Riordan.
12. How long does it take you to write a one shot or a chapter of a fic?
I can write a one shot much faster than a chapter. Chapters can take me weeks and weeks, sometimes months! (my darling TLOL readers will attest to that). You’re investing so much in a multi-chapter story. You keep having to check and evaluate what’s already happened in your story and where you’re trying to go. I’m constantly worrying about doing it justice. All the planning helps in the long run, but it is also a massive pain timewise. Plus, I want to give people something to sink their teeth into after waiting so long.
13. A fic that inspires you?
About 10 years ago I read The Life and Times by Jewels5. It was so popular at the time and I loved it so much. Although my opinions on some of their headcanons differed, it didn’t matter. The fic drew me in totally, it was fantastic. I wanted to create that feeling for people.
14. How do you edit your work?
Nothing too fancy. I write the first draft to track the story and add in all the bells and whistles that make it a proper detailed work that flows later, in random bursts. I probably over egg the pudding sometimes, if you know what I mean. I’m a total perfectionist and I find it hard to leave my writing alone!
15. Where does inspiration come from?
Daily life, shows and other books I read. So I suppose from everywhere. Most writers I think always have their minds switched on to inspiration. I’ve got so many random notes in my phones of ideas or just one line of dialogue.
16. Who has been helpful for you as you write for the fandom?
Oh my god, my amazing readers. I can’t explain how supportive they are, it’s insane. Even when I haven’t written for a while, they are checking up on me personally. The sweetest people on earth, guaranteed. Their reviews and comments are so detailed and genuine that they warm my icy little heart. TLOL readers if you’re reading this - I straight up love you! I’ve been through a lot since starting TLOL, and I know this fic — and the readers will always be there. It’s kind of amazing to have that bond with virtual strangers.
17. What is your fav POV to write from?
Lily, hands down. I love, love, LOVE writing her chaotic, perfectionist, anxious and hilarious internal monologue.
18. What is a fic you would love to write but are worried you won’t be able to accomplish it/nervous it wouldn’t work out?
I would like to write a modern AU where the Marauders are public figures of some kind: musicians or actors for example. But I don’t know if I could make it realistic. Maybe I’ll try anyway, after a bit of research.
19. Do you ever self insert in fics?
Don’t we all? I’ve probably given a lot of myself to Marlene in TLOL, with a fun splash of my chaos for Lily. They are independent from me, but it’s nice to have yourself reflected somewhere in your work, I think. It makes it personal, and only really you will see it.
20. What is the story you’re proudest of?
These Lines of Lightning is my baby, of course. It’s been a big undertaking, but I am determined to finish it. For my readers, and for myself. I’ve been in this fandom for over a decade, and this fic is something I’ve wanted to write for all of that time. I’ve held my versions of the characters in my heart and to my delight, other people are connecting with that too. Readers tell me they have laughed out loud reading TLOL, and that’s a pretty damn good feeling.
21. Do you prefer writing canon jily or muggle au?
Canon, because I love writing about Hogwarts life, but I’d like to branch out.
Thank you for the Qs and for organising this massive event! X
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: James Potter/Lily Evans Potter
Characters: James Potter, Lily Evans Potter
Additional Tags: Marauders Era (Harry Potter), Accidental Kissing, Canon Compliant, Fluff, James forgets Lily isn’t actually his gf yet, Drabble
Summary:
James kisses Lily without thinking. Seventh Year Jily drabble.
Chapters: 1/10
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: James Potter/Lily Evans Potter
Characters: James Potter, Lily Evans Potter
Additional Tags: Once again it is the early 00s, Modern Era, Friends to Lovers, Band Fic, The Marauders are in a band because I cannot seem to let this go right now apparently, Marauders Era (Harry Potter), College au in the first chapters
Summary:
Lily and James went to school together. To be honest, they were barely friends.
So why is it that neither of them can forget the other?
Jily Modern AU (ok it’s early 2000s) and Band AU (ok it’s just James is in the band) spanning across several years.
i need to monitor what i listen to when writing because i’ve learned too many emotional movie scores has these 17 year olds delivering gut wrenching speeches in the school corridors and i’m like how’d we get here
