9 questions with ripuptheending
This week: @ripuptheending talks keeping characters in character; moving from short form to long form, and why you need to keep on writing.
ASS: What do you most enjoy about writing fanfiction?
ripuptheending: I suppose I love the idea of never having to leave behind the characters and the worlds that I’ve come to love so much. I also have a tendency to work out my own feelings when I write fanfic much more so than I do with original fic!
What aspects of writing do you find difficult when you write fanfiction?
I only discovered fanfic a few years ago and I devoured everything I could get my hands on. I just remember thinking how incredibly talented these writers were to take existing characters and stories and give them a totally unique spin while still holding true to the original content. I especially loved when I’d pick out exact lines or references to the show used in completely new ways. Long story short: I bow down to the incredible talent in this fandom so just the actual act of writing fic at all terrified me and still does! I get stuck in my head a lot and it took a lot of encouragement from other writer friends to make the plunge from little drabbles on twitter to writing a story! Most days I still feel like a little fish who got lost in this great big pond of talent, so that definitely makes it difficult to write at times!
Have you ever received hateful comments on your fic and how do you deal with it?
Fortunately, I have never received hateful comments about my fanfic. I have, however, been targeted for some of my original fiction. It’s taken a lot of years but the best way I’ve learned to deal with it is to just remember that in most cases, it probably has nothing to do with me at all. And it’s definitely not due to a character fault or a moral failing on my part. That person most likely has something going on in their own life, so I send out a positive thought and go on my way.
Conversely: what’s been some of your favorite feedback on your fanfic?
I’m just going to put it right out there and say I love every single bit of feedback I’ve gotten, whether it’s to mention a stubborn typo I missed or to say they liked the story. To be honest I’m still blown away by the fact that anyone reads my writing anyway so it all means a lot to me. I read every single message I get but I’m usually not sure how to respond. I wish AO3 had a comment like button!
How do you handle writer’s block?
Not very well honestly! I’m usually good while I’m working on something but as soon as I’m done my brain short circuits and forgets how to word. I’m still working on it and definitely don’t have all the answers, but I’ve found that I do best when I just allow myself to have an off day rather than beating myself up for it.
Which Supernatural fanfic of yours are you most proud of and why?
I love all of my fics for very different reasons, but if I have to pick just one I’d say Soul Survivor. That story was, and probably always will be, the most difficult thing I ever wrote. Not only was it my first challenge, it was my first casefic and I am not a plot based writer. More importantly though, I wrote this story during a time when my whole world had just been turned on end. The story didn’t beat me and neither did my life. This fic will always remind me of that.
What/who has had the biggest influence on your writing?
It probably goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway: read, read, read! I read over 300 full length DeanCas fics in around a 3 month time period before I ever even considered the idea of writing fic. (No. I am not joking! I read really fast and was very depressed when I first found the fandom. The stories helped get me through :) ) I’ve been a writer my whole life but I can see a drastic difference in my writing since I started reading more. Also, just having other writer friends to talk to. That was something I never had before I got into this fandom. These days that usually involves multiple challenge chats and a lot of yelling into the void (aka brainstorming and editing) with LoversAntiquities/tragidean.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on final edits for the DeanCas Tropefest mid-winter 5k (ed: fic is up now, here). This year’s theme was an AU under 5k! It was a lot of fun to write but that’s all I can tell you about it until posting, which starts this weekend. Spoilers! ;)
If you could give one piece of advice to a new and/or struggling writer, what would it be?
You can’t fix a blank page.
I don’t remember who said it originally but I love it and it’s so true. Just keep on trying and get the words out there. That’s the hardest part. Everything else can be fixed later.
Here be awesome... Tumblr: ripuptheending.com AO3: RipUpTheEnding
