Fanfic meme

[sheryden]

1. How did you start writing?
I don't ever remember not writing.  I've made up stories since I was a little girl, and after I wrote a story about a boy and his fire engine, and my teacher gushed all over it, I decided I wanted to share my writing with others.

2. How did you choose your penname (and why)?
It's just my username, and there's really no cool story behind it.  It's an alternate spelling of Sheridan, and for some reason, I flatly refuse to capitalize the "s."  For original fiction, I use my real name.

3. What was your first fanfiction?
I honestly don't remember for certain.  It might've been something for the Marvel Comics fandom.

4. How do you write? (without a draft, with a draft etc...)
I actually like to write out a draft by hand, and then type it up once I've gotten a skeleton.  I dislike doing everything on the computer, because I like the tactile feel of holding a pen and touching the paper.  Plus, you can mark it up and make squiggly lines and comments.  You can't do that on a computer. 

Anyway, after I get it into Word, I often have two separate files--one for the main draft and one for notes and material I've pulled out of the main draft.  If I decide to use something from the note file, I can just copy it and put it back into the main story.  Also, some of that material becomes later chapters or separate stories.

5. What's your favorite character/pairing? (Not the one who like to read about, but the one you like to write about.)
Probably my all-time favorite character to write about is Daniel Jackson from Stargate: SG-1.  I just love his voice.  I also quite like to write Nick Stokes from CSI.  As for pairing, this might surprise people, but my all-time favorite pairing to write for is Sean Cassidy and Emma Frost (from the X-Men).  Their voices and their chemistry are epic win and so much fun to play with. 

6.  What genres are you writing for?
Well, I'm a fair hand at angst.  I also quite like to write humor.  My favorite pieces are generally a mix of the two.

7. What's your favourite fanfic fandom (if you're only allowed to choose one)?
The Stargate fandom, hands down.  I'm waffling, of course, and including both SGA and SG-1.

8.  Why are you still writing (or have stopped)?
I still write because I love it and because I have to write.  I honestly can't imagine not writing.  If I go for a while without writing either original fiction or fanfiction, I get cranky. 

9. When are you going to retire from writing fanfiction?
Retire?  *snerk*  You make it sound like some guy named Bill From Accounting is going to throw me a party with cake, plastic cups, vegetable dip, and a banner that says "Happy Retirement!  Good Luck in Florida!"

10 .  What do you plan to (would you like to) change in your writing style or working style?
I don't know.  I like to experiment with different formats and mix genres a bit.  I guess maybe I'd like to work on taking more risks.

11. What do you love (or dislike) about writing fanfics?
Well, I love writing, whether it be original or fanfic.  With fanfic, it's fun to have to "color within the lines."  Someone has already created a character and a world, and I'm just playing with it.  It's fun to take and idea and see if I can fit it within the confines of the fandom I'm writing.

I dislike not having a deadline. If I don't have a deadline, I'll fuss and fuss over a piece for ages.   I'm like that in all my writing.  When I wrote my Master's Thesis, I insisted on a deadline.  I handed it in the day it was due, and not one second earlier.  That's why I like to enter challenges and ficathons.  

12. Are you going to write original stories some day?
Been there, done that, still doing it. 

13. What are your plans (for the next few months) when it comes to fanfics)?
Well, I'd like to finish a few things I have sitting on my computer (most notably that damn Sheppard/Lorne story).  I'd also like to write a number of Lorne-centric pieces, pairing him with Ronon (which has to be done in a couple of weeks for a challenge--see, deadlines ftw), Teyla, and possibly McKay.  I'd also like to try my hand at a Jack/Ianto fic, but Ianto's voice is driving me crazy.  And I want to write a McShep piece in the worst way.  I have the jones in epic proportions.  But first, I have to get this damn Sheppard/Lorne story out of my head.

14. What would you like to add?
I often write to music.  It helps me focus and shut out background noises.  And I have a secret desire to write a Lorne/Michael fic.  I don't know why.