@hooksandheroics: the apparitions, they seem real is a WIP, but the first chapter stands alone quite well, and I’m a total sucker for presumed dead/amnesia stories
@lyresandlasers / aMassiveDisappointment: you might’ve expected me to choose one of their E-rated stories (all of which are indeed extremely hot), but FYI, if you write an 80s high school AU featuring a significant mixtape, I am guaranteed to read the hell out of it One Way or Another
@callioope: Lyra lives + Jyn meets Cassian under another name, before he knows who she really is (two of my favourite tropes) = an instant favourite Whatever I Do (I Do It to Protect You)
[ send me three fic writers and I’ll share my favourite stories by each ]
everything in s3a, without a doubt. everybody was separated, passive or ooc to serve as a humanized plot device, and most of the relationships between the mains were destroyed or neglected. plus a nasty helping of BYG and a really terrible use of the sci fi set up. was not a fan.
Jade had a chance to sit down with author @hooksandheroics, Jazz, who is also known by the same moniker on AO3 was kind enough to share a little bit about herself with us.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Jazz: I'm a 20-year old college student currently taking (and trying to finish) Philippine Arts, to major in Production Design and Playwrighting, also with a couple of part time jobs. I'm also a short, very uninteresting Filipino with two dogs named Thor and Loki, both divas in their own rights, and a Pokemon trainer. Shut up, that's a legit description of myself. I live in the Philippines with my family, hate the bus but still take it, love snow but have never experienced real winter (yet), and write fan fiction in my scarce spare time.
What drew you to the Bellarke dynamic?
Jazz: Oh man, where do I start? Actually I do know where. I think the ultimate OTP-worthy ship is one where you see "Person A and Person B" text posts on Tumblr and think they can both play either. There's this rare kind of equality in Bellamy and Clarke in canon, where one looks at the other in dire situations, and draw strength from each other, call each other out on their crap when necessary. They offer and take a special kind of solace in each other that I think no one else can offer. They're also best friends, which I think is the most important part. Basically, post-apocalyptic relationship goals. Without being in an actual relationship. But we're working on that.
What are some of your thoughts for the future of their relationship in regards to the show?
Jazz: I think (and hope) they'd stay how they are. What I mean is that I think they'd grow harder, however way the wars and their lives want and lead them to be, but still find their way back to each other at the end of the day. I'm really looking forward to seeing them work together again in future episodes. With their story lines keeping them separate this season, I kinda miss seeing their strong chemistry onscreen. Hopefully, their stories bring them back together again because, man, they work alright alone, but when they're together, they're a force to behold and fear.
How and when did you get into writing Bellarke?
Jazz: Funny story (not really), I kept seeing gifsets of this blonde girl in a stark white room on Tumblr and people yelling in the tags, I initially thought the show was some sort of an abstract/absurd mix. Anyway, I got into Bellarke because it was the dominant ship at that time (season 1 finale) and I thought that asshole black haired guy and that hard faced blonde girl look really good together. I know, shallow. But that's how I usually start shipping things. So I binge-watched. Took me a while to finish the first season and the first few episodes of the second one, but just in time to witness the season 2 hug in real time. I started reading fan fiction soon after, and then I got to writing too because how could I not? My first fan fiction in the Bellarke fandom is about how after the hug, they literally get a room and kiss.
Have you ever written for any other fandom?
Jazz: Yeah, I have. I was fifteen when I first started writing fan fiction for Heroes, and then I got into a couple more fandoms after that. My most recent one before I got into Bellarke was Once Upon a Time where I wrote for Captain Swan.
What’s your favorite thing to write? (tropes, settings, etc.) Do you have favorite side-pairings or characters you also enjoy including?
Jazz: Modern AUs, for sure. When I found out that the guy playing Bellamy (Bob Morley) is half-Filipino, I made it a mission of mine to write fics where he speaks Filipino every once in a while. I also love writing kid fics, childhood best friends to lovers, and superhero AUs. I usually write fluff and smut, but when I'm feeling particularly dramatic, I write angst. My favorite side pairings are Minty (Miller and Monty), and Wellven (Wells and Raven). I also love the Blake siblings dynamic as well, and would take every opportunity to put that in.
Do you find it easier/funner to write Bellamy or Clarke?
Jazz: Oh man, that's a toss up depending on how I feel the story should go about. I love writing Bellamy because he has a snarky inner dialogue with himself, but mostly because he's a huge nerd infused with sass and self-deprecating humor. Clarke's a little harder to write, but no less fun. She's always a delicate mix of lovely knowledge and snark and hardheadedness, and I love it. I guess that's important to me, that I love writing both so that I can write them in fics.
What do you find challenging about writing the Bellarke relationship?
Jazz: I think the fact that they started out as people who think the other was an adversary and then seamlessly transitioned into a best friendship is kind of challenging to translate into an AU, to find a situation that parallels canon to fully capture that kind of journey.
Can you spoil or tease us with any upcoming projects?
Jazz: Ooh, well I'm currently writing an estranged childhood best friends to lovers superhero AU. It's something that's been niggling at the back of my mind ever since the season 2 finale, never had the time to write because of school and work, but now that I can squeeze in a couple of hours ever day, I decided to start it. It's now 8500 words strong at the moment and not even close to finishing. It's rated M in the least, so expect the sex. Also, since I'm still heartbroken over recent events involving the Blakes, this is also heavy on their sibling dynamic. Also: Bellamy as a firefighter.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Jazz: Oh man, when I first started writing as a fan fic writer, I just posted whatever I felt like posting even when I know they're not that good (because nobody ever really started writing with the dexterity of a professional). People would usually tell you where you're going wrong or what doesn't work, you just have to find it between hateful words. I used to get flamed a lot, believe me. But as usual, I got to assign meaning to those reviews. Those are what I did. I think the only advice I can give to people that are just starting out is to write with the intent to learn how to be a better writer. As a non-native English speaker, I learned grammar and spelling by writing with bad grammar and spelling and by having the desire to better myself. I think if you have that kind of desire, you're already doing well.
Be sure to check out Jazz on her tumblr and AO3, and keep an eye out for her future projects!
