Like I'll Ever Get to It...

[lls_mutant]

I'm curious. I can't be the only one who feels this way, but I feel like pontificating.

I got one of those nice but fluffy reviews today. One of those "you are a great writer, please write more!" reviews. Those are really nice, I admit. But they just aren't the same as when you see a name that you respect on a review, and you click it, and it's a LONG review. It tells you what they liked and what they thought could use improving and all that, and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy because not only was it a long review and a good review, but this person read your fic and liked it.

This could go into a feedback monologue, especially about how I should be better myself at leaving feedback. But that's not where I want to go.

There are people I really respect as writers in fandom. There are people I really respect as writers in my pairing. And the converse is true- there are people on my list that really respect me (I assume) as a writer or an interesting person.

And yet, we probably haven't read each others' best stuff. Why? Because our labors of love are in fics that somehow turn the reader off.

Take Accidentally In Love. It's focused on Remus/Sirius, so if you don't ship them, you ain't gonna read it, right? Right. Plus, it's novel length. So people who don't have the time or desire to read a fic that long are going to be turned off by that. Finally, it's a WIP, and I know people have been burned by WIPs before. And yet, that's where my best writing is, bar one or two stories.

This isn't a "whine about people not reading my stories" thing. For one, AIL doesn't really lack for readers, but two, those are all damn good reasons NOT to read it. It's also not a "people shouldn't ignore good writing just because it doesn't have their pairing" type post.

This is a masterpiece post. What do you consider your masterpiece? Which piece of fanfic do you wish everyone would read to see what you can do? And provide links, because IF (HA!) I get time, I want to read them. (For the record, mine is Mentors. Link is on the sidebar.)

Comments

[gunderpants.livejournal.com]

Loneliness of the Short Distance Runner. It's my most personal fic, I poured a lot of soul and blood into it (and still do), and it's an example of how my writing has changed over time.

[lady-nimua.livejournal.com]

I've never posted anything-just saw Mentors and and and GAH OMG MENTORS I LOVE IT SO MUCH *faints*

it seems it's useless commenting day for me. sorry.

[kyasuriin.livejournal.com]

hear hear! (or is it here here? I can never remember)

at the same time though, a review is better than no review. But I do agree that long reviews are special because it means that it moved them to spend a few minutes and let you know what they liked because they care enough to do that.

I agree with you on Mentors. It's possibly my favourite. I just love the character of Alphard so much. so much!

my masterpiece? Probably Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer... and then Fall. There's a lot of me in that one/those ones.
here is version 1.0 (Remus' POV)
&
version 2.0 (Sirius' POV)

It's one of those fics that turns people off immediately because of the first person perspective but once you get into it I think it's really quite good.

& *hugs* because I feel like I haven't been keeping in touch lately.

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

No question whatsoever: Stopped.

Stopped contains some of my best writing, not to mention being a good story in its own right, but just the same, it's a story that a lot of people wouldn't want to read. First, it's gen, and a lot of people prefer stories that involve romance, sex or both. Second, although all of the Marauders are vital to the story, the main character is Peter Pettigrew, who has to be one of the most hated characters in HP fandom. And third, it's sad. Heartbreakingly so.

(It's done well on LJ, and fairly well at Skyehawke, but it's never done well at Fiction Alley.)

And thank you for the suggestion. I'll definitely read "Mentors."

[a-t-rain.livejournal.com]

Mine would be Running Close to the Ground, which has a lot of strikes against it -- Peter-centric (some would say Peter-apologetic), full of sympathetic-but-not-glamorous Death Eaters, written in first person present tense with a somewhat non-linear narrative. I'm actually surprised it's gotten as many readers as it has, although I do think it's a good story.

[x-mulan-x.livejournal.com]

Hey there!
Well first off I truly admire you. I love your work even though its exceedingly long :P only joking. I read most of your work, ie Deny Thy Father, Mentors, Accidently in Love,First Kisses (this was yours wasn't it?) and Accio Bananas on Immeritus. (Please write more of these last two fun little ficlets as they made me howl with laughter - we devoted a whole chat at Immy to Accio Bananas one night in which we were all in stitches) and fell in love with the way you developed the characters. I love Alphard in Mentors it adds another dynamic angle to Remus' character, though I must say Accidently in Love is my favourite of your longer fics as I love the way you utilise all the characters especially in the scene in which the Dementors attack at the Quidditch game where James is playing for his team and his and Lily's parents are watching.
Anyway getting off track lol. I've only written one fan fiction 'Families - Can't Live With Them, Can't Kill Them!' I found it intriguing to write about Sirius and his family. How he came to resent them and how they tormented him. I also explored his relationships with other characters which aren't always canon and thus I guess this doesn't appeal to a lot of readers. However as I was writing it I felt my writing abilities really did progress, and I was always buzzing with ideas for it. Other stories I've written in the past didn't hold the same thrill and buzz as this one did and thus this is the only one I'm truly proud of. I enjoyed writing it so much that I am now currently writing a sequel.

[aome.livejournal.com]

Draco In Darkness is my 'masterpiece' in that I normally write one-shots (or, at most, 2-parters), so it felt very much like a once-in-a-lifetime experience to write a Schnoogle-length story (although it's still fairly short, by Sch standards). I wrote it in the space of one obsessive month, and as it grew and flourished, it just meant so much to me, to have that complete an idea, and to feel good about it. The reviews I received were beyond my wildest dreams. I would love to write another Sch-length story, but I don't think I have it in me, anymore. This is it. H/D

Silence isn't a "masterpiece" in the traditional sense, I suppose, but it means the most to me, personally. I'm not sure it's "see what I can do" in terms of my true writing ability, but "see something that means a lot to me". Unrequited Ginny femslash

And yeah, I know what you mean about boggling when Certain Respected People read your work. But I'll take any feedback, no matter how long or short, from anyone. :) Lurkers drive me nuts.

[marilla82.livejournal.com]

It's funny that you posted about this today. brak4werewolves and I were just discussing this exact topic.

I agree on every point you covered. Specifically this: It tells you what they liked and what they thought could use improving and all that, and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy because not only was it a long review and a good review, but this person read your fic and liked it.

I don't write much. So, that leaves little opportunity for people that I hold in high regard to comment on my fanfic. However, I have had a couple fantastic reviews. You were one of them, actually. But you know that already.

Lately, I've noticed a lack of comments, even on widely read authors. It's sad, because the immediate feedback is a big draw for fanfic writers.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you're someone that I admire: as a writer, an educated woman, and a mommy.

[ignipes.livejournal.com]

Also, I think that the reviews don't always reflect who's reading what. (For example, I have read "Mentors," but I'm pretty sure I never properly reviewed it (if at all?), because it was one of those things I put off to think about and then flaked on, flakey flake that I am. *g*)

I don't really think I have a masterpiece. I always tend to think that my next story is going to be the best, but it so rarely is. Probably the most impressive accomplishment is Man-eaters, because it's a longish, rather complicated story with actions and original characters and all that, but it works. The writing is kind of heavy (and exactly the kinds of things you despise, what with all the lengthy descriptions that have nothing to do with explaining anybody's emotions and six long chapters all in the dreaded present tense ;) ). But I'm still fond of it. I haven't really found the patience to write anything as long or involved since then.

That's kind of sad to admit, though, because it was only the second story I wrote in the fandom, and it'd be nice to think that I could improve over time, you know? Ah, well.

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

I think I told you before that I'm waiting for you to finish AIL before I read any further - I did read the first several chapters, (and I do love it) and it's not like I don't think you'll finish it, either. But I generally prefer to read long fics like that when they're complete, because there's nothing more frustrating for me than to forget half of the story in between chapters being posted. It's why I haven't read Feast For Crows yet and I'm re-reading the first 3 books again first. It's not a matter of the story not being memorable - I do remember the plot and the general gist of things - it's the details and the nuances that I forget in between.

Anyway, masterpieces of fanfic. I don't know if it's a 'masterpiece', but I was really pleased with my merry_smutmas fic, Running to Stand Still. (NC-17) After the death of his brother, Sirius searches for a way to reconcile his past with the present. Set Post-Hogwarts, Christmas, 1980. The person I was writing for requested hurt/comfort and happiness, so I had to give it a somewhat happy ending, though if I had been writing it for myself, I would have ended it a bit less... happily. Heh.

There are multiple Sirius pairings: Sirius/Regulus, Sirius/James and Sirius/Remus, so from the header and the fact that it was for smutmas, it kind of sounds like Sirius is a bit of a whore, and I'm sure it put a lot of people off. But part of my 'personal' challenge in writing it was to not go down that path - to make all three pairings separate and distinct (especially the James bit because I generally see him as straight with possible bi-curiousity if he discovered Sirius was gay/bi), and it became a story about Sirius struggling with his rather messed up perceptions about expressing love.

It's quite angsty, and it took a while for me to really find the voice I wanted for Sirius, but once I found it, the story just flowed, which is such a great feeling. And the reviews I did get were wonderful.

My other favorite story is The Prodigal which was the "AU Sirius comes back from the veil on Christmas Day in HBP" story. I was really pleased with my character portrayals and the humor, and even though I agonized over writing "the sex scene" (as I always do), it turned out rather well. :)

[musesfool.livejournal.com]

Most recently, in HP, I would say I'm proudest of The Hush of Waiting, because I think it really does capture OotP-era Sirius, and Remus's combination of resignation and hope.

Also, I am completely in love with A Million Light Years from Home, the Sirius-on-Serenity story, because HP/Firefly just should not work, and yet I think I totally pulled it off. *g*

There are others I could list, but I'll be good and not pimp myself too much. *g*

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

I hear you about reviews. Any review is better than none at all; at least the reviewer is letting you know.

And yet, we probably haven't read each others' best stuff. Why? Because our labors of love are in fics that somehow turn the reader off.

Or the fics may be in another fandom altogether. Just sayin'. *g*

(I'm sorry but I haven't read your latest AIL installment yet. I hope to do so soon.)

I think my HP masterpiece is Musings On A Birthday. I shocked myself with that one. But you've already read it. :-P

[momebie.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I've come to find that the things I like about my writing and the things other people like about my writing are very different. Something I happened to do for a challenge, like the AIDS fic, will get very good reviews, and stars and whatnot, while something that I truly loved will hardly get noticed. Which is frustrating, and odd, and makes me wonder if maybe my bad taste doesn't only hold to music. :p

But here is something I've written more recently, since I think I'm getting better all the time. It's R/S a year after Sirius goes into Azkaban. He's fucking up things for another of my fandoms, which is Sandman, but you don't have to know anything about it because the characters literally are manifestations of Dream and Delirium and Destiny. I think that's what scared people, the new characters. Crossover hell. :p I really liked it, and for all I know, three people read it. So that's that. Hehe.

http://katilara.livejournal.com/221626.html

[medicinal-mirth.livejournal.com]

You know, in either of my main fandoms, I've never gotten a ton of indepth reviews. I was never sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, *g*, but yeah -- when I have gotten them, I've been appreciative.

Masterpiece? Uh-uh. I don't have any, and I'm not putting myself down. I just have a hard time thinking that way about my own stuff, you know. There are stories I'm fond of, even if I don't think they're perfect, though.

For HP, I think Safe and Sound in Love of Life is a favorite. There was a lot of dialogue -- which I dreaded -- and I figured it would be a hard sell. Wizards can cure pretty much anything, so why not AIDS? Also, I wanted it to be serious in nature, but have elements of humor, because damn it! Condoms are funny. And I feel I pulled it off pretty well, so ... *shrugs*

I'm not gonna bug you with links to my CSI Grisosm/Sara fics, *g*, though there are several that I look back at fondly, especially as it's a dying fandom for me. One story I really loved wasn't even shippy, but a Nick and Sara friendship piece, and so it didn't get quite as many reviews as my usual fare. But I liked it, and I still do, and I think I wrote it around the time I was starting to feel a lot more confident about my writing, and that makes it special too.

[snorkackcatcher]

Agree with you about feedback styles -- it's the focused reviews from people you know (or know of) that give you the warmest, fuzziest warm fuzzy feelings. (And I reckon you leave pretty helpful reviews.)

I keep meaning to read Mentors, although Accidentally in Love is on the 'sometime I must ...' list -- I'm not bothered by the R/S (although my reaction is more 'ok, whatever' than 'yay!!!'), or the WIP-ness, it's just reading time. :(

Masterpiece? Oy, I don't know -- there are things about all my stories that I don't like, really, except perhaps the very short ficlets. However, the one I really found myself thinking was rather good (or at least, flowed much better than I remembered) when I reposted it was Conspiracy Theory. The gist is: British Auror gets drunk with US colleague and hears some alarming and barely believable stories about his past cases, which touch on real history ... Since it's OC-focused (a few canon characters get passing mentions), has somewhat ironic comedy, and is offbeat it doesn't get nearly as many people reading as I'd hoped!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I'm not bothered by the R/S (although my reaction is more 'ok, whatever' than 'yay!!!'), or the WIP-ness, it's just reading time. :(

Heh. Totally understand, because NTLJ is on my reading list, and it's the exact same thing. WIP? No biggie. Time? Exactly.

I will have to go read Conspiracy Theory, however. I have a fondness for good OCs, given how often I write them myself.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

And except for the first-person tense, the other two strikes are reminding me I MUST read this one. I love working with Peter, and the one thing that annoys me about AIL is that I can't show his POV at this point.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

And I am going to go read Stopped as soon as I get a chance, because I do love Peter fic when it's well done. That's one thing I hate about AIL- I can't work from Peter's perspective and I so want to. Thanks!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I really liked Safe and Sound as well.

Someone mentioned upstream that the other reason we might not read each others' best fics is different fandoms as well, and she was right! :) I know nothing about CSI, unfortunately.

And yeah, I don't think any of mine are perfect, but I was wondering which story people thought they did the best job on. Thanks! :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

while something that I truly loved will hardly get noticed.

Heh. Actually, that's exactly what I was getting at. I know I get frustrated because I think my most widely known piece is Accio Bananas! And sure, I had fun writing it, but it's not the best writing I've ever done. Frustrating. That was partly what prompted my little monologue :)

I'll have to read your Sandman crossover- that's probably why I didn't read it was because it was a crossover, and I'm not familiar with Sandman. But if you don't have to know the chacters.... But the other story that comes to mind with you is Lily Two. I thought you did a really good job with that, and it just didn't get the attention it deserves.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Good point about the fandom!!!! :) I just write in the one (thank God), and so I forget that aspect.

And I agree- any review is better than no review at all, at least you know you're not writing into a vacuum- but while reviews make me happy, it's those long ones that make me extra happy. Of course, I don't often leave them myself, so.... Heh.

I loved Musings On a Birthday. If I'd gotten you for the remix, I would have followed your wish and remixed that one, because it was a kick-ass story :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I've read the first. I'm almost to the point where I can read the second :) (I've read most of your HP stuff, I think.) I haven't tacked the second because I've only seen a few episodes of Firefly. (Another thing that sucks about my husband traveling- I should wait for him to come back before we can continue on the DVD set. :P ) And Kaylee is my new idol. ::Sigh::

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Totally hear you about long fics and stories- heck, I'm only on Clash of Kings and I have to go back and check details.

I haven't read Running to Stand Still yet because of the Sirius/Regulus, I admit. I might give it a try one day, because I love your writing. (I did love The Prodigal.) Is the Sirius/Regulus really explicit? I might venture into it from you, because I know it will be psychological and not "OMGHAWT!" type stuff, but it's one of those areas I'm still a little wary of dipping my toes :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's why this didn't turn into a monologue on reviewing, because I do the same. I'm not great about letting people know I've read their stories, either. Especially if I'm not as familiar with the person.

(and exactly the kinds of things you despise, what with all the lengthy descriptions that have nothing to do with explaining anybody's emotions and six long chapters all in the dreaded present tense ;) )

::snicker:: Despise writing, anyway. I don't know that I always despise reading it (although it's one of my pet peeves with LOTR.) Present tense drives me nuts because then it makes me start thinking and writing in present tense, and I can't do it. I always mess up and go back to past, because it's where I'm most comfortable.

And I know the feeling, because Mentors was one of my early ones, and except for flashes here and there, I don't think I've really come close to it. :P

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

::blush:: thanks.

I've noticed the same thing- a lack of comments for everyone. I think it's harder on the widely read authors, because so often you've commented before with what you like about their writing style, and then it's hard to actually come up with something new to say. And I've been reading less of the newer authors, because there's a time issue and it's hard to sort out who's to my taste and who's not without taking the time. :P

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

It is nice to know you're not writing into the vaccuum of space! I'll take any feedback as well (and frequently give short feedback, so it's not like I can really talk, which was why I didn't!). And besides, you often don't know who's behind that one-liner without a little research.

I haven't read either of your biggies- I'll have to do that. Especially Silence. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Hey, totally understand. We all have those days! :)

And thanks!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Like NTLJ, that's one of those I keep meaning to read. I'm not a fan of R/T, but I think I could handle it just fine in your hands, because I know who's kicking who's ass, and that's as it should be :) It's just that time thing... ::sigh::

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

How about hear here? Or here hear? I don't remember either :)

I agree that a short review is better than no review (and should remember that sometimes!). Those make me smile and make me happy. But it's the big ones that make me smile all day :)

I'd agree with FWSSatF as some of your best stuff. Absolutely love it :)

And ::hugs back::- don't worry, I haven't been very good at it either!!!!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) And you're not joking about my work being exceedingly long- it IS exceedingly long!! :)

Is your Families fic posted on Immeritus? I still swing by occasionally, but I can't read fic there. For some reason, my computer screen does not like the forums, and the messages take up an eighth of my screen. (That's why I've left Immeritus- or at least the biggest reason. :P) But I'd be curious to read it- I love stuff about Sirius's homelife.

[x-mulan-x.livejournal.com]

Aww thats a shame it won't let you on. My fic is on both Immeritus and on Fan Fiction.net. I'm thinking of putting it on my LJ some time if I work out how to do links so that it doesn't fill up people's friends lists.

On another thought I know what you mean about trying to write from Peter's view point, it's very difficult though I'm making a stab at it in the sequel to 'Families'.

[midnitemaraud-r.livejournal.com]

It's definitely more psychological than OMGHAWT! explicit, though people have read it both ways depending on their preferences - it's not non-con or dub-con and while they are very much bickering brothers, they do love each other - not romantically though - it's definitely not about romantic love. They never kiss or snog, but there is a certain tenderness between them that the rest of the world isn't allowed to see.

Though I do mention cocks and describe some of what they're doing... The Sir/Reg is two flashbacks. It's not penetrative - it's touching/frotting. Their 'relationship' isn't about the carnal and romantic pleasures of sex, it's about the sense of closeness, comfort and safety that the euphoria of orgasm gives them. They're brothers, not lovers. (If that makes sense - Sirius is rather a bit messed up about love - both in denying and expressing it.)

(And if it makes a difference, Regulus in my story is only a year younger than Sirius.)

[momebie.livejournal.com]

I was debating between those two when I commented, Padfoot's Delirium is just newer. I think the gen-nes of that one scared people too. Hehe. Or maybe I didn't market it properly because I only really travel in R/S circles and don't know how to find the Lily fans. :)

I'm interested in the other responses here too, because a lot of people say that. The gen fics don't get attenion, and the Peter fics. I am definitely going to go through and read what the other people have posted. Especially the Peter fics. *pets*

[musesfool.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think it works best if you're familiar with Firefly, even more than HP, actually, because it's very much set in that 'verse.

And who doesn't love Kaylee? She's awesome. *g*

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

If we could bend and shape time to our will, rather than it bend and shape us, we could write all the in-depth reviews we want. Alas, that's not to be.

And I'm just beaming that you'd remix Musings On A Birthday if you had drawn my name. Forgive me, but I think "Accio Bananas!" remixed from Hermione's POV would be fantastic. I'd be afraid to touch "Deny Thy Father" or "Mentors" because they're both so complete in themselves.

[marilla82.livejournal.com]

I've only been reading my Flist, actually. This post has actually given me the opportunity to read new fic by other authors.

I meant to share my favorite self-penned fics.

A series of four drabbles written for HP100
Reeling
Untitled

They're all super short, as I tend to get wrapped up in backstory with long fics.

[tesseract-5.livejournal.com]

[Bad username or site: =xellas @ livejournal.com] did this a little while ago, was very interesting I totally found thistlerose through that discussion

for the record: A Question of Balence (La Vie en Rose) (http://www.livejournal.com/community/starcrossedmoon/7162.html) is the first and best thing I think I've written. (clarification, it was the first fan fic I posted, rather than wrote, I tore up a lot of what I wrote priot to this and had a LOT of beta and rewrites).