Questions for Writers
I enjoy reading other people's answers but can't imagine why anyone would be interested in mine--other than the kind folks who tagged me -- @demora00 and @flowertrigger. How many works do you have on AO3?
7 What’s your total AO3 word count?
217,449 for only 7 works. Told you I'm wordy.
What fandoms do you write for?
Schitt's Creek. I can't imagine writing for anything else.
Top fic by kudos:
From the Sunny Day I Met You -- by a mile. It’s all about timing. I'm thrilled to get half as many for anything I write now.
Do you respond to comments?
This is a big thing with me. Comments are ever so much more satisfying than kudos (but please do leave kudos!). I respond to every single comment, usually within a day, sometimes immediately. If I didn't respond to your comment, I didn't see it (and I'm so sorry!). If I stumble on new-to-me comments even years later, I'll respond. I match my responses to the comments. A couple of words or an emoji (those are fine, shy people!) get a "Thanks!" I give long, thoughtful comments long, thoughtful responses. I've had the most wonderful experience "chatting" back and forth with people who comment on every chapter. That kind of engagement makes it feel as if all my efforts have some purpose beyond scratching a creative itch.
I'm not one of those super popular writers who gets a zillion comments for every chapter. If I were, I hope I would still respond to each, though it would take me longer and I'd be less verbose. But who knows? Maybe I'd throw my hands up in resignation. I'll never find out. I don't intend to guilt trip those who don't respond to comments. It takes a lot of time and mental energy that not everyone has. I also know that few people are as "into" comments as I am. I'm probably extreme in this regard, but if I don't get a response to my comment, I don't leave any more comments for that writer. This is not an indictment; I figure they're just not into comments. I find it too frustrating to type into a void, especially if I take the time to leave a long, quotey, gushy comment and never get any kind of reaction, not even a "thanks!" or a thumbs up or whatever. I end up feeling embarrassed and worry that I've been overly dramatic or annoying. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?
David didn't remember to pack his charging brick at the end of Sunny Day. That's about as angsty as I get.
Do you get hate on fics?
I'm too under the radar and my fics are too mild-mannered to elicit much negative energy.
Do you write smut?
No, nope, uh huh, never. Beyond the fact that I'd be terrible at it, I enjoy finding ways to explore sexual situations beyond the literal "this goes here and that goes there; moan, groan." I write a lot of words about sexual conversations, reactions, and so forth, but leave the mechanics to the reader's imagination.
Crossovers:
I don't write them, but I think a gimmicky crossover between Murder She Wrote and SC would be fun. (Spoiler: Roland did it.)
Have you ever had a fic stolen?
Yes, my own computer stole an entire chapter from me. After a prolonged freakout, I was able to grab it back with a series of CONTROL Zs.
Have you ever had a fic translated?
Only if you count my betas helping me convert Southernisms to standard English.
Have you ever cowritten a fic before?
No. I’m probably too much of an obsessive control freak to be tolerable as a co-writer.
All-time favorite relationship?
Me and my coffee while I write about Patrick and David.
What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?
If an idea makes it from my brain to an outline, I eventually finish it. The idea that will probably never be anything but thought bubbles is a sick fic sequel to Sunny Day.
What are your writing strengths?
Dialogue, plot, relationship arcs. Also writing mechanics, grammar, and style basics like parallel structure, verb tenses, avoiding word repetition, maintaining POV--basically, the skills that got me an A in my college composition class.
What are your writing weaknesses?
Description, images, symbolism, metaphors -- basically, the high level skills that get better writers an MFA.
Thoughts on dialogue in another language?
No puedo. Ne peut pas. Hiki ole. Chan urrainn. Ant-kay.
Favorite fic you’ve written?
Ubi Caritas. I spent the better part of two years obsessing over these college boys. I miss them every day. This has been around a while and also I worry that my answers are cringy so I'll skip tagging.
