cabenson | Meme post

cleo2584asked “What are your thoughts on the writing process—your own and in general?”

Truth is, I don't think I have any thoughts on the writing process. I don’t follow one, nor am I able to recognize on in another author’s writings. I read for pleasure, I write for pleasure, I vid for pleasure. But in an attempt to answer this question, I’ll try to give some insight as to how I get things done.

Nine times out of ten, I am inspired by a phrase, a line of dialogue or a lyric. I can usually develop some type of theme to my story based on this little dab of words (ex: “After the Rain”, “Query”), but sometimes, it just spews out of me with no control (See “Bicycle Built for Two”).

That other one time out of ten, Mr. Pinot writes the story and I just post it and hide.

I love to write scenes that never appear on screen. I feel that as viewers, we are often gypped when it comes to closure with certain characters (I’m talking to YOU, Dick Wolfe!). I love writing dialogue that fills in the gap between onscreen scenes as long as it appears to be plausible in canon (ex: Transitions). I enjoy writing flirty, fun comedy, but in truth, I prefer to write deep, brooding angst. That is who I really am...or is it?

I have never researched for any of my stories with the exception of the fic I am currently writing(and more than likely, my final fic), off and on, for the past year. I have done massive research for the two Ship Manifestos I have written, and hope to be able to eke out one more for posterity. I enjoy writing "episode guides" like The Hoyay Hall of Love, but time keeps me from doing all the ones I want to tackle.

I have moved away from writing and into the vidding world, but every now and then I get an idea and throw it down on a scrap pf paper. I have lots of scraps of paper on my desk ;)

As to what I like in reading other people's work, it's fairly simple. I love a great missing scenes fic, and if it's done just right, you can go back to the ep it's based on and see things in a totally different perspective. I have to like the show/pairing or I cannot get into the story. I am not a romance reader outside of fandom, so unless it has characters I am invested in, I will probably pass. Now, I say this and then years later catch a hoyaytastic ep of some show and then go, "Damn, where was I when THAT was happening?" I also like AU, but only in one fabdom, Bad Girls. Since their love was canon on the show, AU's stoke my imagination a wee bit more.

Pet peeves in other peple's writings? Writers that sneak cutsy little real life facts about the actresses, or nicknames from interviews into their stories. It's okay if it's done as snark, but I cannot see Sam and Janet referring to each other as "Turtle" and "Gazelle" as they are screwing in a supply closet on base.

Also, stories that go on and on and on with no end in site. Put a fork in it already!

Anyway, these are just some of my thought. I could write a whole lot more about how and why I got into writing, but it would go on for days. I hope this is what you were looking for.