2017 Round Up!
Jan. 31st, 2018 06:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dugindeepI think I've done these quite a bit in the past ... but I've totally stolen the actual topics from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cherie_morte because she just posted hers.
February
Domestic Dreams for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
smpc, 4,000 words, J2, escort verse
April
A Unconventional Contract forsmpc, 2,600 words, J2, escort verse
Mama This Surely is a Dream forspnspringfling
June
Wandering Lost forspn_j2_bigbang, 36,000 words, J2, Jensen's stuck in a small eccentric town and spends the week getting to know all the oddballs, including Jared, who is more than meets the eye.
September
Growing Unease forsmpc, 2,400 words, J2, escort verse
October
The Ruin of Many a Poor Boy forcherie_morte's birthday, 3,000 words, J2, young!prostitute!Jared/older!cop!Jensen
November
Roots Stronger Than You Know forsmpc, 2,200 words, Wincest, coda to 12.04 The Big Empty
December
On Holiday forspn_j2_xmas, 5,800 words, J2, bodyguard Jensen and rich, spoiled movie star Jared
Total Word Count: 57,200
Fandoms that I dabbled in this year, old and new: Same old J2 RPF, but also a quick Wincest piece
My favorite story this year:
When I don't think too hard on it, I would say Wandering Lost because I'd had the idea for years, was drowning in work when Big Bang drafts were due, had nothing that piqued my interest in my folder of WIPs, and dragged a story out of the whole thing. I also really love what became of it after a very strong beta fromkelleigh, who absolutely pushed me to make it better, make better connections in scenes/people, and strengthen the core of it all. I much prefer where it went than where I had planned before she got her hands on it.
But also, the Domestic Dreams verse was not planned, just became something to play with and I feel like it's grown into more for me (and others) to really do it justice.
My least favorite story this year:
I'm not super excited about how Growing Unease unraveled, just because of how I'm thinking of the bigger pictures, but I don't hate it or anything.
Most successful story:
I feel like Domestic Dreams has stirred up the most expressive responses and as a WIP, holds folks' attention more, knowing it's still growing as a verse.
Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion:
At the end of a Big Bang, there is always that feeling that you put SO MUCH heart and soul into it FOR SO LONG that you want the response to just blow you out of the fucking water ... and these days, with the fandom shrinking and attention pulled in so many directions, that just never happens. So there's a large part of me that feels like I wanted much more of a response for Wandering Lost
Most fun story:
I had a lot of fun working in little Easter eggs for my friends into Wandering Lost, and also all the cousins' quotes/lyrics.
Story with single sexiest moment:
I still think about Jared kissing the hell out of Jensen against the garage in Wandering Lost.
Biggest story fail:
It's probably been like three years in the making, butquickreaver and I have been planning to collaborate on a boxing J2 for spn_cinema. This year I got about 5k written, when it had languished at 1k last year ... but it's still nowhere near done and I hate that it's been sitting around so long... along with all the WIPs on my computer.
Hardest story to make:
Continuing on with Domestic Dreams and getting things right becomes more difficult at each stage. I constantly reread past installments then try to think about what more I want to unravel about these guys. That's partly why I wound up posting Wincest for an SMPC weekend because I just couldn't get to that headspace for Domestic Dreams, and didn't want to ruin it by forcing something.
Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you'd predicted?
FAR LESS, but also, considering how busy my life/work was all of last year, I'm rather proud with the quality of what I did than just the quantity for word counts. I don't regret any of the pieces I wrote and posted this year, when normally there are some that I look back on like 'ugh really why did I do that?'
What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January?
Well, writing Wincest isn't brand new for me, but still more uncommon. Also, when you think about it, about 75% of what I posted this year was prostitution and that had never really been my thing lol.
Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them? Writing risks?
I guess writing more prostitution than ever before? I do feel like there is more behind the guys in Domestic Dreams than I had anticipated exploring. Certainly a lot more in my head for Jensen. Also, I kind of like that it's already such a problematic world for them that I don't have to play it safe or perfect for anyone but me. Each installment is gonna hurt somehow and I have no intentions to give it a Pretty Woman ending, and it feels like those who are reading along don't expect it either.
Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters:
I rather like the idea of Jared having to hide so much of himself in Domestic Dreams; that he isn't this bubbly sweetheart that lives in fanon minds. He has a rather boring, high-exec position that he's smart enough to have, even if it doesn't fit the personality we would expect in fics. And in a way, that is a nice flip for readers to think 'we know how fun and open he can be (in what we see of Jared IRL) and it hurts to see him be the exact opposite!'
Biggest Surprise:
How much everyone is loving Domestic Dreams ... it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy (despite the topic lol). ALSO THATquickreaver IS LIKE MY #1 FAN AND CREATING ART FOR IT!!! (all NSFW)
Buying Time
The Weight of It All
Story with the sweetest moment:
I like in An Unconventional Contract when Jensen immediately goes into the domestic facade and Jared is like 'oh, he's starting already okay wow'
Story that made you cry:
I have never cried writing my fics ... I definitely cry while reading others'.
Most eye roll-worthy title:
I guess On Holiday? I was trying to come up with something last minute and it feels like '..... okay.'
Or Mama This Surely is a Dream, which is a line from Marcy Playground's "Sex and Candy" and super cheesy when writing late-1990s J2.
Most intentionally telling:
Domestic Dreams is pretty obvious once you get the whole thing, right? It's Jared's dream for domesticity.
Unintentionally?:
Maybe Wandering Lost ... like we're all wandering lost, trying to find ourselves, our places in the world, no matter how unconventional it may be? IDK. Maybe I'm overthinking it lol.
Most overdue:
I guess since traces of Wandering Lost have been following me around for quite a few years, it would be that one. I've had the idea ever since Jason Aldean's "Flyover States" came out, then the 'my uncle mick said you can't always get what you want' type lines were running through my head since then.
This year's theme and the story that demonstrates it most:
IDK really. I guess something to do with being happy with what you create or don't force it ... and Domestic Dreams is pacing out well, even if I do wish I could write it more often and finish it faster.
Favorite Opening Line(s):
you had something with her that I never had
The words echo in the empty of Dean’s heart, resonating through his cracked chest where meaning used to live.
- Roots Stronger Than You Know
I just love ' the empty of Dean's heart' for some reason. Also 'where meaning used to live'.
Favorite Closing Line(s):
The weight of it all crumbles slowly until the next morning when Jared’s in the shower alone. Thankful for all the water drowning his tears.
- An Unconventional Contract
I remember writing that while sprinting withcherie_morte and being like I JUST WROTE THE MOST ANGSTY ENDING EVER YESSSSS. It also reminds me of one of my favorite songs from The Temptations "Wish It Would Rain", with lines about how he wants it to rain to hide his tears.
Top 5 Scenes from Anywhere You Would Choose to Have Illustrated:
1. J2 kissing against the garage in Wandering Lost
2. So many in the Domestic Dream verse just because :D
3. Something from The Ruin of Many a Poor Boy with young Jared so thin and lanky, malnourished, bruised, and then older Jensen so in love with this wounded animal
The things I've learned this year:
I think I say it every year but ... if I make the time to write, then I can write. But I feel like as I get older, my attention is split more and more among not just RL and fandom, but just so many different things like other TV shows, movies, friends, etc. I just can't make myself do much more for fandom at this time and I'm doing my best to not feel guilty for it.
Fic-writing goals for 2018:
1. Despite what I said in the previous paragraph, I do want to be more connected to writing when I can be - that doesn't just mean my writing, but reading more, keeping up with other artists and writers, etc.
2. Finish that damned boxing fic withquickreaver.
3. Finish my political AU that's been lingering on my computer since 2013 O_O
4. Do Domestic Dreams justice when moving onto Jensen's POV :D
5. Beat 2017's final word count, which really shouldn't be hard since it's possibly the first time I was below 100,000 since I started fandom in 2009 LOL
cherie_morte because she just posted hers. February
Domestic Dreams for
smpc, 4,000 words, J2, escort verseApril
A Unconventional Contract for
smpc, 2,600 words, J2, escort verseMama This Surely is a Dream for
spnspringflingJune
Wandering Lost for
spn_j2_bigbang, 36,000 words, J2, Jensen's stuck in a small eccentric town and spends the week getting to know all the oddballs, including Jared, who is more than meets the eye.September
Growing Unease for
smpc, 2,400 words, J2, escort verseOctober
The Ruin of Many a Poor Boy for
cherie_morte's birthday, 3,000 words, J2, young!prostitute!Jared/older!cop!JensenNovember
Roots Stronger Than You Know for
smpc, 2,200 words, Wincest, coda to 12.04 The Big EmptyDecember
On Holiday for
spn_j2_xmas, 5,800 words, J2, bodyguard Jensen and rich, spoiled movie star JaredTotal Word Count: 57,200
Fandoms that I dabbled in this year, old and new: Same old J2 RPF, but also a quick Wincest piece
My favorite story this year:
When I don't think too hard on it, I would say Wandering Lost because I'd had the idea for years, was drowning in work when Big Bang drafts were due, had nothing that piqued my interest in my folder of WIPs, and dragged a story out of the whole thing. I also really love what became of it after a very strong beta from
kelleigh, who absolutely pushed me to make it better, make better connections in scenes/people, and strengthen the core of it all. I much prefer where it went than where I had planned before she got her hands on it. But also, the Domestic Dreams verse was not planned, just became something to play with and I feel like it's grown into more for me (and others) to really do it justice.
My least favorite story this year:
I'm not super excited about how Growing Unease unraveled, just because of how I'm thinking of the bigger pictures, but I don't hate it or anything.
Most successful story:
I feel like Domestic Dreams has stirred up the most expressive responses and as a WIP, holds folks' attention more, knowing it's still growing as a verse.
Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion:
At the end of a Big Bang, there is always that feeling that you put SO MUCH heart and soul into it FOR SO LONG that you want the response to just blow you out of the fucking water ... and these days, with the fandom shrinking and attention pulled in so many directions, that just never happens. So there's a large part of me that feels like I wanted much more of a response for Wandering Lost
Most fun story:
I had a lot of fun working in little Easter eggs for my friends into Wandering Lost, and also all the cousins' quotes/lyrics.
Story with single sexiest moment:
I still think about Jared kissing the hell out of Jensen against the garage in Wandering Lost.
Biggest story fail:
It's probably been like three years in the making, but
quickreaver and I have been planning to collaborate on a boxing J2 for spn_cinema. This year I got about 5k written, when it had languished at 1k last year ... but it's still nowhere near done and I hate that it's been sitting around so long... along with all the WIPs on my computer.Hardest story to make:
Continuing on with Domestic Dreams and getting things right becomes more difficult at each stage. I constantly reread past installments then try to think about what more I want to unravel about these guys. That's partly why I wound up posting Wincest for an SMPC weekend because I just couldn't get to that headspace for Domestic Dreams, and didn't want to ruin it by forcing something.
Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you'd predicted?
FAR LESS, but also, considering how busy my life/work was all of last year, I'm rather proud with the quality of what I did than just the quantity for word counts. I don't regret any of the pieces I wrote and posted this year, when normally there are some that I look back on like 'ugh really why did I do that?'
What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January?
Well, writing Wincest isn't brand new for me, but still more uncommon. Also, when you think about it, about 75% of what I posted this year was prostitution and that had never really been my thing lol.
Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them? Writing risks?
I guess writing more prostitution than ever before? I do feel like there is more behind the guys in Domestic Dreams than I had anticipated exploring. Certainly a lot more in my head for Jensen. Also, I kind of like that it's already such a problematic world for them that I don't have to play it safe or perfect for anyone but me. Each installment is gonna hurt somehow and I have no intentions to give it a Pretty Woman ending, and it feels like those who are reading along don't expect it either.
Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters:
I rather like the idea of Jared having to hide so much of himself in Domestic Dreams; that he isn't this bubbly sweetheart that lives in fanon minds. He has a rather boring, high-exec position that he's smart enough to have, even if it doesn't fit the personality we would expect in fics. And in a way, that is a nice flip for readers to think 'we know how fun and open he can be (in what we see of Jared IRL) and it hurts to see him be the exact opposite!'
Biggest Surprise:
How much everyone is loving Domestic Dreams ... it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy (despite the topic lol). ALSO THAT
quickreaver IS LIKE MY #1 FAN AND CREATING ART FOR IT!!! (all NSFW)Buying Time
The Weight of It All
Story with the sweetest moment:
I like in An Unconventional Contract when Jensen immediately goes into the domestic facade and Jared is like 'oh, he's starting already okay wow'
Story that made you cry:
I have never cried writing my fics ... I definitely cry while reading others'.
Most eye roll-worthy title:
I guess On Holiday? I was trying to come up with something last minute and it feels like '..... okay.'
Or Mama This Surely is a Dream, which is a line from Marcy Playground's "Sex and Candy" and super cheesy when writing late-1990s J2.
Most intentionally telling:
Domestic Dreams is pretty obvious once you get the whole thing, right? It's Jared's dream for domesticity.
Unintentionally?:
Maybe Wandering Lost ... like we're all wandering lost, trying to find ourselves, our places in the world, no matter how unconventional it may be? IDK. Maybe I'm overthinking it lol.
Most overdue:
I guess since traces of Wandering Lost have been following me around for quite a few years, it would be that one. I've had the idea ever since Jason Aldean's "Flyover States" came out, then the 'my uncle mick said you can't always get what you want' type lines were running through my head since then.
This year's theme and the story that demonstrates it most:
IDK really. I guess something to do with being happy with what you create or don't force it ... and Domestic Dreams is pacing out well, even if I do wish I could write it more often and finish it faster.
Favorite Opening Line(s):
you had something with her that I never had
The words echo in the empty of Dean’s heart, resonating through his cracked chest where meaning used to live.
- Roots Stronger Than You Know
I just love ' the empty of Dean's heart' for some reason. Also 'where meaning used to live'.
Favorite Closing Line(s):
The weight of it all crumbles slowly until the next morning when Jared’s in the shower alone. Thankful for all the water drowning his tears.
- An Unconventional Contract
I remember writing that while sprinting with
cherie_morte and being like I JUST WROTE THE MOST ANGSTY ENDING EVER YESSSSS. It also reminds me of one of my favorite songs from The Temptations "Wish It Would Rain", with lines about how he wants it to rain to hide his tears.Top 5 Scenes from Anywhere You Would Choose to Have Illustrated:
1. J2 kissing against the garage in Wandering Lost
2. So many in the Domestic Dream verse just because :D
3. Something from The Ruin of Many a Poor Boy with young Jared so thin and lanky, malnourished, bruised, and then older Jensen so in love with this wounded animal
The things I've learned this year:
I think I say it every year but ... if I make the time to write, then I can write. But I feel like as I get older, my attention is split more and more among not just RL and fandom, but just so many different things like other TV shows, movies, friends, etc. I just can't make myself do much more for fandom at this time and I'm doing my best to not feel guilty for it.
Fic-writing goals for 2018:
1. Despite what I said in the previous paragraph, I do want to be more connected to writing when I can be - that doesn't just mean my writing, but reading more, keeping up with other artists and writers, etc.
2. Finish that damned boxing fic with
quickreaver.3. Finish my political AU that's been lingering on my computer since 2013 O_O
4. Do Domestic Dreams justice when moving onto Jensen's POV :D
5. Beat 2017's final word count, which really shouldn't be hard since it's possibly the first time I was below 100,000 since I started fandom in 2009 LOL
