Claiming my erised fic, and some musings on where I'm at with my writing in general

[omi_ohmy]

I wanted to post about writing - looking back over last year, and ahead - and I wanted to post about erised, so here is one squished-up post about them both.

First, hd_erised. I was so proud of myself, keeping up with the reading. And then I got sick with various colds and bugs several times in succession, and Christmas happened, and I'm all behind. I will keep reading though, once I've finished catching up on all the other things that slid when I was ill. Now that reveals are up and I can say that I wrote The Moon Looks Lovely Tonight, which is 35k of non-smut with house-sharing, gentle silliness and a bit of bed sharing. I wrote it for the wonderful dustmouth, whose work I adore and who gave me my own erised gift - the amazing Shoreline - in 2013. :)

Many thanks to indyonblue for pre-reading and to firethesound for betaing for me (and suffering my punctuation abuse) with such enthusiasm and at short notice. Many thanks, too, to icmezzo for hand-holding and support while I was writing. <3

I loved the gift I received, I Don't Need Saving, Potter, from isinuyasha. So many things I like! Harry and Draco in robes - Harry in Auror uniform *drools* - and there are buttons and collars and boots and a wand holster... plus a bit of humour and gallantry. In other words, perfect

Now onto the second topic. My writing. I looked at how much I'd written over the past three years, and it's around 17 fics in both 2012 and 2013 (35ish in total - I don't have the spreadsheet open, lol) with a total of 380k words, and then 3 fics and 69k in 2014. So, a bit of slow year. I've had many more commitments so maybe it's that, although I think it's also becuase I've written so many of the stories I wanted to tell - there's not so much leaping out of me at the moment. I'm fine with that, because I write as it gives me pleasure to do so and I'm enjoying it more without worrying about loads of deadlines. Maybe in this coming year it would be nice to write some short ficlets again - I enjoy how much more immediate something feels when I've written it in an hour. Or maybe I'll finally write some OF. I think it would be nice to spread my writing wings in this way, but at the same time I like that fanfiction is safe and familiar, whereas OF feels like such a big commitment.

I'm feeling pretty good at the moment. I've spent the past few years sorting myself out in various ways - physically (although this has slid and I need to start running again), mentally (I'm studying) and emotionally (I've had some counselling). This month I'm doing a big spring clean and finally getting my rather chaotic home into order. Writing has been a huge part of helping me back to a good place, and I intend to keep going with it, but at a pace that suits me and my life. We'll see how it goes. :)

And let me just finish by wishing you all a belated Happy New Year, and lots of <3 for all being so wonderful.

Comments

[citrus-lime.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year, dear! <3

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

Thank you! How are you? It feels like it's been ages since I last spoke to you.

[citrus-lime.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm fine, thank you :) yeah it's been ages since I was last active in the fandom. Lately I haven't even been active in any of my fandoms!*cringe*

[this-bloody-cat.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year to you as well! It's good to hear you're doing well :)

I absolutely adored your 35k of non-smut (and frankly, who needs smut when the writing reads so beautiful, and there are owls and renovations and bed-sharing, and building a new life with friends all over the place? ♥)

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you. That is really heartening to hear - I decided to write what felt right, but wasn't sure if it would be what readers in general wanted. So hearing that one, at least, enjoyed it means a lot. <3

[geekslave.livejournal.com]

Happy New year!

Good luck with your writing this year!

Stacey

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

Thank you, on both fronts. :)

[evilgiraff.livejournal.com]

What a lovely positive post :-) Happy new year, bb! You have been a significant part of why 2013-2014 were pretty damn good for me - roll on 2015 and more of the same!

I feel exactly the same about OF. I have lots of setting ideas, but very few (ie zero) about character/plot. That's always my failing, though, and why fic is both a springboard and a safety net for me.

One last thing - I have been meaning to tell you this ever since I opened it. DH gave me this book for Christmas, and I laughed and laughed. I'll let you know how good/awful it is when I've read it! :D

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure there's a more significant reason for your happiness than me, which is a terribly British way of saying thank you, and I'm glad you've had such a good year (and made such a gorgeous baby! *melts*). <3

I can't remember, have you read Captive Prince? Maybe not as we are all still waiting for the last book. But you should, because wip or not it's fantastic. Anyway, CS Pacat does great writing posts on LJ. I've found these two particularly helpful:
How to start writing a book when you have no ideas
A technique for how to start writing characters
Her post on exposition is masterful, too.

Omg, Heat Wave! Is it crap? I bet it is, lol. I love how wonderful your husband is. He knows you so well. :D

[evilgiraff.livejournal.com]

Never heard of Pacat, I'll get googling!

Not started Heat Wave yet, but I'm rather hoping it's dreadful... H was very pleased with himself :D

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

You HAVE TO read Captive Prince. It is soooo good. If I can work out how to share/lend you stuff on my kindle I will do that.

[birdsofshore]

Hello! Good to see you around these parts :) I'm glad you're feeling good and getting shit done!

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

Hello! I would have replied yesterday but I FELL ASLEEP. I woke up this morning feeling human. First time in a month, lol.

Getting shit done is most satisfying. Now, to keep up the momentum...