Absolute Chaos Discussion Boards
Fic Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: mare on May 19, 2012, 09:19:43 PM
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I think I started doing this a long time ago and then we stopped. So, let's start it up again. Everyday I will post a different question. Feel free to answer & debate. Also feel free to post your own question as well. That's why there's an (s) in the thread title lol
Okay, first question:
Do you prefer to write in first person or third person, and why?
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Third person. I like writing in first person and sometimes the story just calls for it, but I prefer third person these days because I find it a lot easier. With first person you really have to write using your character's distinct voice, and sometimes that can be really hard to find. With third person you can just use your own voice as the narrator.
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Definitely third person, I've always found it easier but I have been attempting first person through challenges, so my next new story may be in first person if I can swing it. I've been getting better I think over time.
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I usually prefer third, though first is a fun challenge sometimes. I like third better because it offers more flexibility and doesn't have to be written to sound like someone's real way of thinking/storytelling. I like to use more descriptive, flowery language, and that just doesn't work for first person.
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I agree, Julie about using more descriptive language. I always find myself having to cut down my vocabulary when writing in first person (especially if I'm writing Nick's POV lol) because the way I write wouldn't be the way that people talk!
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I prefer third person too. I've written challenges in first person and enjoyed writing them, and I think I've even written a couple of stories in first person, but like you say, you're limited then.
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I tend to write in first person most of the time because I think it's much easier, for me anyway. I am not a big fan of writing a whole lot of descriptions so I guess it makes more sense that I would enjoy the first person thing over the third.
Okay here is today's question:
Do you tend to write one of the boys as your main focus for a story or do you center it around an original character instead?
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At least one of the Boys is always the main focus of my stories. When they include original characters, they are always secondary or equally balanced with the Boys.
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Now, I always try have the boys as the main focus. When I do include original characters, they're secondary to the boys. I used to put the focus more on the original female characters, but as my writing has evolved I've found I've gravitated more towards the boys being the main focus. When I'm writing BSB fanfic I've found I want to write more about BSB. When I find myself wanting to write more about original characters, or the story becoming more about original characters than BSB I'll just turn it into original fiction (I did this with my Nano novel a couple years ago.)
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^ that is a smart way to think! I have said it before like a thousand times. They are BSB fanfics not some random chick fics lol
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^ that is a smart way to think! I have said it before like a thousand times. They are BSB fanfics not some random chick fics lol
I think there is an opportunity to use original characters though. You can have the main character/main focus of the story be one of the boys but have the narrator be someone else. That would still qualify it as bsb fanfic, I would think. If the narrator is still talking about the main character, even if they are an original character the focus is still on the boys. I don't think it needs to always be them doing the "talking".
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I am pretty much the same as Julie when it comes to original characters. I give them and whichever one of the guys I'm using equal face time in the story to balance things out, especially in my AU series I'm doing. It is BSB fanfic like you guys said, so I try not to focus on the original character too much.
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I think there is an opportunity to use original characters though. You can have the main character/main focus of the story be one of the boys but have the narrator be someone else. That would still qualify it as bsb fanfic, I would think. If the narrator is still talking about the main character, even if they are an original character the focus is still on the boys. I don't think it needs to always be them doing the "talking".
Yes, I agree. If the other character is there to support or even if it's told through their eyes as well as the boys, that's different. I have loosened my opinion on that over the years. But if the main character is not one of the guys and they are only a supporting role, to me it's not a BSB fanfic.
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I usually have the boys as the main focus in my stories, but I've also written ones with an original character (random chick and even guilty of using my own name in the past too, lol). I will read either if I like the story :)
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Here's today's question:
If you could pick one of your stories to be turned into a movie, which one would you pick & why?
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I'd pick Save A Prayer, because I love action/adventure type movies with a bit of disaster thrown in too :)
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Song for the Undead because 1) zombie movies are awesome, and 2) sweat-streaked, ragged Backstreet Boys (or equally attractive actors) shooting zombies on the screen would be hot.
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I would enjoy watching these movies about Backstreet Boys who are ragged and fighting for their lives. I'm picturing Nick all sweaty and running through the jungle now. It's a nice mental image.
I've always sort of envisioned In Pieces as a movie, where the chapters set in the past were all in black and white and shot dramatically, like some sort of really old romance movie. Completely ridiculous because that plotline is all about Nick banging a groupie, haha. but maybe the contrast would work? lol
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I think I'd like to see Shadow Woods as a movie because if some the creepy scenes lol
Tonight's question: Where do you get your story ideas from? A dream, a movie, show?
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I get my story ideas from all of those places and more...
My dreams are a huge source but I might see TV or a movie that gives me an aspect that I like and I might include.
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I get my story ideas from all over the place! I have taken aspects from my own life, (or in the case of Running Up That Hill, the boys lives) I draw inspiration from songs a lot, and my interpretation of them.
I do have one fic that's not posted yet where I sort of knew the plot of a show, thought to myself "I wonder what would happen if Nick was the main character?" so I watched the show for purely for research so I could write a fic in that universe centered around Nick.
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I get ideas from real life, TV/films, dreams and songs.
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Okay, we'll clearly I shouldn't have started this until after school was over. FAIL
So, here are a few make up questions.
How do you feel about stories with more than one sequel? Do you tend to write them? What makes you continue to write on one story?
Do you read any other fanfic fandoms besides the Backstreet Boys? What about when it comes to writing?
If you could steal one persons fanfic and claim it as your own, which one would it be and why?
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It's okay, I need to catch up anyway!
My story ideas usually come from movies, books, or other fanfics. I think every story I've written in the last few years, with the exception of challenges and collabs, has come from one of those places. I don't rip off other people's ideas, but they often inspire me to write in a certain genre or take a similar premise in a different direction.
I wish I could be one of those writers who literally dreams up story ideas, but my dreams are usually not interesting enough to be inspiring.
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How do you feel about stories with more than one sequel? Do you tend to write them? What makes you continue to write on one story?
It really depends on the storyline. Some stories are complex and epic enough to warrant being split into several parts. If they're planned out that way, and there's a reason for splitting them up rather than writing one long novel, then great. But sometimes I feel like endless series are just the result of poor planning or an inability to let go and move on to something different. I've been there before; I've written sequels because I had more ideas after finishing the original or wanted to try to recreate the magic, and I've also ended stories early simply because I was sick of writing them and vowed to finish telling the story in a sequel later on (which never happened). I learned my lesson, and now the only way I'd write a sequel is if I truly had a different, but important idea that related to the original story. Otherwise, I prefer to just keep stories together and make them epic stand-alones.
Do you read any other fanfic fandoms besides the Backstreet Boys? What about when it comes to writing?
I don't read any other fandoms. The only other fandom I've attempted to write in is Harry Potter. I haven't had any success writing solely HP fanfic, but I'm writing a HP/BSB crossover right now.
If you could steal one persons fanfic and claim it as your own, which one would it be and why?
It'd probably be a story like Mare's "The Importance of Fly Fishing" or Susan's "The Market" - a simple story that finds the beauty and humor in small, everyday moments, rather than relying on huge problems to create an interesting story. I tend to write epic novels that are overly dramatic and filled with angst and suspense and whatnot, and I do like those kinds of stories, but I admire authors who keep things short, sweet, and simple, because I have a hard time doing that.
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Thanks, Julie :)
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You're welcome!
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How do you feel about stories with more than one sequel? Do you tend to write them? What makes you continue to write on one story?
Depends. So far I've only done a story with one sequel. I did start a third story, but I deleted it because I was sick of writing about the characters, even though I felt that the third story would wrap up some loose ends. It really depends for me on if the three stories work together to tell a complete story, while still all being stand alone enough that there was reason enough for them to be split. I'm just so story ADD that I can't really see myself ever doing that. I don't even think I'll write a story with one sequel again, to be honest.
Do you read any other fanfic fandoms besides the Backstreet Boys? What about when it comes to writing?
Yeah kinda, BSB has always been my primary though. I did some Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing stories when I was in high school. I also write in Avatar: The Last Airbender but not a lot. I don't really read in any fandoms without writing in them - because once I start to read I get the itch to write something of my own. That's how I started in Avatar more recently.
If you could steal one persons fanfic and claim it as your own, which one would it be and why?
Dani's Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon, which is probably not a shock to any of you I'm sure LOL. I loved that story so much, it conveyed the way that I interpreted that song perfectly. It's written beautifully and the characters are all completely in character with how I picture them, yet all the drama that happens is totally conceivable. That's difficult to do when it's Brian who's the "bad guy." If I ever wrote a romance fic that was half as good as that one, I'd consider it a success!
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How do you feel about stories with more than one sequel? Do you tend to write them? What makes you continue to write on one story?
I've never written a sequel as I like to wrap it all up in one story. I've read sequels though, and as long as there is still some story to tell and it's good, I'll read it.
Do you read any other fanfic fandoms besides the Backstreet Boys? What about when it comes to writing?
In the past I've read Take That and Twilight fanfics. I've written a couple of Take That stories, a Supernatural/BSB one and a Twilight one. I don't really read them anymore and tend to stick with BSB.
If you could steal one persons fanfic and claim it as your own, which one would it be and why?
Tough one! I think I'd go with Song For The Undead because I've been reading it since the very beginning and love the way it's written. I keep saying I'd love to see it as a movie or a book because I think it would be awesome!
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Thanks, Steph!!
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How do you feel about Kevin's return? Will it impact your writing in any way?
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I'm thrilled about Kevin's return! I don't think it will impact my writing much, though, because I still included him in the stories I wrote during his absence. Having him back in the group will just make it easier to include him in stories that aren't AU.
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I don't think I have to answer that cause I'm pretty sure everyone here can guess both of my answers to the questions concerning Kevin's return and impacting my fanfic. :-D
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How do you feel about stories with more than one sequel? Do you tend to write them? What makes you continue to write on one story?
I have one story that has more than one sequel but the third has not been completed. The two vampire stories tell the story but I decided to explore the one who turned all the boys into their vampire selves. It is fanfic when it brings up the boys but I feel it is more original fiction since they are only part of her story.
I do have a third story/plot for my Chronos stories too but it is still being worked out. I always knew if Chronos Project had a sequel it would end up a trilogy because of plot points in the second that would be revealed would lead to the third. But I decided to take a break from the characters for a bit.
I think if the story warrants more than one sequel than it is fine. Each story needs it's own plot focus though and not just more of the same, which I HOPE I do. LOL
Do you read any other fanfic fandoms besides the Backstreet Boys? What about when it comes to writing?
I used to read a LOT of different fandoms back in college and even a few years ago on fanfic.net but now I am focusing on reading the stories on AC. I have a couple of stories that involve other fandoms, there is one on AC called Broken Mask that is a Final Fantasy fanfic and Wulf's Bane is a huge crossover fic that has a large portion from Legend of the Dragoon though there are several other fanfic aspects.
If you could steal one persons fanfic and claim it as your own, which one would it be and why?
Any story I have read and loved I wish I could claim as my own. I would claim Rewind by Carter-Orange, Whatever the Night by Mare, and The Archangels by Reb are the first ones that come to mind. They are all such fantastic ideas and well written. Sure Reb's isn't finished and I'd LOVE more from that one but what she has so far is just...wow.
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Thanks, Lore! :)
What do you think is the most over used fanfic plot?
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There are definitely fads in fanfic, where certain types of storylines are really popular for awhile and then fade out, but one of the plots that has always been predominant is the typical "Sad girl with hard life who doesn't feel worthy of love meets Backstreet Boy, who somehow falls in love with her, teaches her how to love again, and makes her life worth living, until lots of drama (usually involving love triangles and/or babies) threatens to tear them apart" romance. There are different takes on it; sometimes Mary Sue has been abused or somehow traumatized in her past, and sometimes she just lacks self-esteem because she's overweight or "not traditionally beautiful," yet the Backstreet Boy manages to overlook all her issues and fall in love with her, baggage and all. It's the typical wishful-thinking fantasy fanfic. I think a lot of people started writing fanfic as teenies out of wishful-thinking fantasies, so it makes sense why there are so many like this. And some of them are good! Overused doesn't equal bad; plots only get overused because there's something appealing about them.
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I think Julie summed it up. :)
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Yup I agree Julie summed it up!
Do you guys think there are any overused non-romance plots? Or is there not enough non-romance BSB fic for there to be an overused plot that's not in that genre?
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How do you feel about Kevin's return? Will it impact your writing in any way?
I'm so excited for his return, when I heard the news I screamed and danced around my living room like a loon! It will make it easier to include him in my non-AU stories rather than have him just pop in every so often.
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Thanks, Lore! :)
What do you think is the most over used fanfic plot?
Thanks Lore :)
I agree with Julie on this one.
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Yup I agree Julie summed it up!
Do you guys think there are any overused non-romance plots? Or is there not enough non-romance BSB fic for there to be an overused plot that's not in that genre?
I think the non-romance ones are the fad ones I was thinking of. When I first started reading fanfics, the popular storylines I read were the ones about Brian's heart problems, the stalker/kidnapping stories, and the car/bus crash stories. None of those storylines are very popular anymore, at least not on AC, although they still pop up once in awhile. Then there's the vampire stories and the alien stories and the BSB kid stories... they all went through phases when they were popular and then sort of fizzled out.
Along with romance, though, I think storylines with suspense or the hurt/comfort angst element will always be popular.
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There's not enough non-romance BSB fic for me and I'm over joyed that kevin is coming back!!!!!!!
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How do you think you are perceived as a writer? do you think people pigeon hole you into one style or genre?
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Carterkid I'm writing a non romance if you'd like to check it out. Weird World. It is a science fiction action/suspense type story.
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Overused Fanfic plots? Hmm. I haven't seen any recently but back in the day it was the "boy meets girl, girl goes on tour" kind of romance stories. I've seen a lot of variety lately which is really nice.
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I have no idea how people would perceive me as a writer. I'm sure it used to be that I wrote a lot of Nick romance but since I don't so much any more I'm not sure. Maybe I'm seen as someone who writes really nice bromance fics about the boys? lol or more likely someone who writes a lot but never posts anything is probably more accurate.
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I think I'm viewed as a sci-fi/fantasy author though it's not all I write. In fact, Chrono Project is my first sci-fi fanfic and my one fantasy is still sitting at 13 chapters unfinished. I have the vampire fics but those aren't sci-fi or fantasy. HEH. I have suspense/supernatural/romance stories before my string of sci-fi's this year.
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I'm not sure how other authors see me. I write in a lot of different genres, mostly romance and comedy back when I first began. I've branched out since then. I don't know if I am seen as someone who only writes Nick or not, I've written about all the guys really.
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I have no idea how other writers see me! Maybe as someone who'll give anything a go? Someone who likes to write Nick? I really don't know.
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I'm not sure how people see me either - probably as a snob who judges people for their poor grammar. :P LOL If anything, I'd be pigeonholed as "the cancer queen" for my medical dramas, but I think I've demonstrated over the years that I can write in a wider variety of genres. My medical dramas just tend to be the most successful!
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Okay, so the next logical question here is what's the first genre that comes to mind when you see any of the authors named who have posted in the thread? Or what'd the first story you think of when they are mentioned? Only one story.
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With SakaSteph, I think of Running Up That Hill, mostly because I think it's the only one of hers I've read - sorry, Steph, that's super lame of me!! I also think of Steph as someone who likes a lot of different fandoms and isn't afraid to experiment in writing for different fandoms and different websites.
With Lore, I think of her vampire stories, as well as her sci-fi/fantasy stuff, though I know she also has some romances under her belt! I also think of 00Carter because that's the story I got to know her through writing together. :)
With Tracy, I actually think of Star Wars because of her story Attack of the Clones and its sequels, even though I know they have nothing to do with Star Wars (though she is a fan)!! I know she's written a lot of romance, but I associate her most with my favorite story of hers, Figured You Out, which is a suspense.
With UK Steph, I actually just think "variety" because even though I've only read a few of her stories, they've all been vastly different! She writes action/adventure stuff like Save a Prayer, drama/fantasy like Rewind, historical fiction, romance, short stories for challenges... Steph does it all!! So I definitely agree with her answer - she's someone who will give anything a go!
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LOL thanks Julie :) I am actually rewriting the clone series as one story, Weird World. I've also been wanting to do like a BSB/Star Wars type crossover but don't have enough ideas right now to begin it.
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As for the question though....
Julie. I think of Curtain Call right away. I haven't read all of her stories but she's great at descriptions and writing drama.
Although one thing will never leave my mind. "do you know the muffin man..."
Sakabelle I am always reminded of Sailor Moon cause we both love it so much, but story I would say Running Up That Hill. I haven't read much of hers but I see she is into so many fandoms which is great. I love variety. She's super fun to talk to.
Lore (Purpura) I think of Science Fiction. There isn't enough of it for me to read and I have read a bunch of her stories but the one that is sticking out for me is Chronos Project, its brilliant.
Mare- You've been my favorite author on the site since I joined, you're the queen of suspense in my book. I've read virtually almost all of your work on AC. I will always associate you with the Biblical Trilogy (Mizpah) such a good series.
Carter Orange I have read a few of yours and we don't talk often but I really enjoyed Save A Prayer. Jordan's death by bot flies sticks out for me. I also like that you're willing to write almost anything.
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Julie - I do think of the "cancer queen" when I first see her name but I also see those cancer patients coming back as Zombies in an attack on Himtak by Dr. Rough. ;) LOL
Tracy - Weird World and Figured You Out are the fisrt stories that come to mind... and my mind thinks of the Weird Al song The Saga Begins which is about Star Wars... LOL I kind of think of science fiction when I think of her because she is such a fan of sci-fi ;)
SakaSteph - the bun head picture! And teletubbies. Running up That Hill is the only story I know of hers and that's only from seeing it mentioned. I've actually not read any of her stuff *ducks* I shall put one on the list post haste...
UKSteph - Rewind is the first one I think of. It wasn't the first story of her's I read but it was the first one I remember seeing her name associated with. As for genre, I really do think of her as a jack of all trades as well.
Mare - I associate with suspenese. I think the only stories of hers I have read have been suspense but I just started to read her stuff ...right as she quits.. typical me. :)
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Julie - I associate with plenty of drama, some romance and a bit of torture thrown in, lol. The story which springs to mind first is Song For The Undead as that's the first one I read of Julie's and it made me want to read more of hers.
Mare - I think drama/suspense and What Lurks Around The Corner is the story which I think of first. It's not the first story of Mare's I've read, but the one which sticks in my mind the most. Loads of twists along the way and kept me guessing.
Lore - I associate with sci fi/romance/AU but I also think she'll have a go at anything. Chronos Project springs to mind as I love the idea of time travel with a bit of drama/romance thrown in.
Tracy - I think will have a go at anything too, but sci fi/romance comes to mind first. Figured You Out is suspense though and I really enjoyed it and that's the one I think of when I see Tracy's name.
Steph - I think of romance/drama especially involving Nick :) The story I think of when I see Steph's name is In Pieces.
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Okay since i'm on my desk top I am catching up on some of my questions. lol
My story ideas come from dreams usually or me laying in bed not being able to sleep and suddenly an idea will flash in my head. I rarely get inspiration from movies or TV.
How do you feel about stories with more than one sequel? Do you tend to write them? What makes you continue to write on one story?
I'm not a fan of sequels usually. I have pretty much regretted writing every sequel I have ever written except Seasons of Change (The sequel to Mel's Tree) I think the biblical trilogy came about because of peer pressure and me finding my writing stride. Everyone kept begging for a sequel and I was afraid if I didn't deliver people would stop reading. Little does one realize most times people stop reading anyway lol The other one I wrote, Scars (there sequel to Protect and Serve) I felt like I had more story to tell but halfway through I just got bored with it and found it almost painful to finish it up.
Do you read any other fanfic fandoms besides the Backstreet Boys? What about when it comes to writing?
I have tried to read other fandoms, I just can't get into them. I don't see myself writing in any other fandom either.
If you could steal one persons fanfic and claim it as your own, which one would it be and why?
Probably Ground Zero by Chaos! It's an awesome story and I wish I had written it first!
I am very happy about Kevin's return. Still not sure how if at all it will impact my writing. LOL
Most overused fanfic plot? I think it depends on the trends, right now it's probably romance based but I remember when it was suspense based, The bus crash, the kidnapped boy etc... I don't really read them anymore so not sure.
How do you think you are perceived as a writer? do you think people pigeon hole you into one style or genre?
I think I'm mainly seen as a suspense girl and I'm okay with that although most of my stuff actually is not suspense but more dramedy. Honestly, I don't think I'm even perceived as a writer anymore, just by people who read me back in the day.
As far as you guys go!
When I think Steph or Tracy, my mind goes to flexibility. They don't seem to be afraid to try new things and constantly branch out. I envy them for that!
When I think Lore, I automatically think fantasy because I know how passionate she is about that genre.
Julie makes me think drama! lol
Saka Steph I think Running Up That Hill because it's awesome.
I hope I didn't leave anyone out. If I did sorry!
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Tonight's question:
What is the one story you have written you wish no one had ever read and why?
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Julie - I do think of the "cancer queen" when I first see her name but I also see those cancer patients coming back as Zombies in an attack on Himtak by Dr. Rough. ;) LOL
OMG I think you just gave me the Curtain Call sequel idea!
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Tonight's question:
What is the one story you have written you wish no one had ever read and why?
LOL There are so many, but one of them would be a story called "End of the Road," which was one of my early fanfics. It was a bus crash story, very much inspired by (ripped off of) Whitney's "Where Can We Go From Here?" right down to the scene where the guys sing Nick out of his coma - no, really. It was - and still is - a terrible, embarrassing story. Its only redeeming quality is that I had Brian get thrown from the bus and impaled on a fence post, which was a pretty gruesome bit of torture for me back then. Other than that... no. Just, no.
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OMG I think you just gave me the Curtain Call sequel idea!
Heeeheeee! Lol <3
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Fanfic I wish nobody had read? Incomplete. It is still up on AC....it was my second story (I've said before it was my first but I am correcting myself)
The story idea I like, and I might rewrite it....one day. The story is about Nick, classic coma story but he wakes up in an alternate universe. All the guys are opposite of themselves. AJ is a priest, Brian a alcohol swigging male stripper, Howie a homeless man, Kevin a bartender with green hair and well manicured eyebrows.
Basically the storyline was cheesy and even had the guys singing Nick out of a coma via 10,000 Promises. Looking back, I wouldn't have posted that now lol
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lmao wouldn't it be great if people could really be sung out of a coma?
There have been a few I wish I had never written. Most of them are short stories but I think one of the longer ones I wish I had never done was Comedy of Errors! It's the one time I got an idea from a TV show and never again! I decided to write it from the end and go backwards. It was difficult and i'm sure it didn't flow and was just plain dumb!
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See but I didn't mention in my story the song didn't work. Nick got hit by a car and killed in the other universe and had to choose which world he wanted to be in. I was half asleep when I posted my answer yesterday lol
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lmao wouldn't it be great if people could really be sung out of a coma?
I'm pretty sure if I was in a coma and the Backstreet Boys came to my hospital room to sing to me, I'd come out of it! I'd have to be brain dead not to! :P
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There are Take That stories I've written when I first discovered fanfic which make me cringe and I'm glad that site is no longer around because I'd die of embarrassment if anyone read the first story I ever wrote. I can't even remember what it was called, but it was typical girl meets popstar and he falls for her immediately, LOL.
As for my BSB stories, yeah, there might be one or two I find a bit cringeworthy but I honestly can't remember half the stuff I've written so couldn't tell you the names of the stories.
As for singing someone out of a coma, lol, I'm sure if I heard BSB singing I'd wake straight up too :)
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What is one genre you haven't written in yet but would LOVE to try?
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Well I have written in almost everything but fantasy and historical.... but right now I'm actually working on a fantasy story collab with a friend of mine. It will be all original characters, I am pretty excited about it.
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I feel like I've written in every genre I've really had the urge to write in, but maybe historical fiction? I have a couple of ideas for historical fiction, but haven't gotten around to attempting them yet. I'm weird because I LOVE history, but don't usually enjoy reading historical fiction, and the thought of writing it is daunting because there is so much you have to get right to make it true to the period.
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I think I've written in every genre apart from fantasy, or maybe my Twilight short story would be classed as fantasy.
Julie, I'm writing a historical one at the moment and am finding that I can't just type whatever comes into my head like usual, I'm having to do a bit of research to hopefully make it a bit believable lol.
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^ I can see that! I've had to do a bunch of research on the Amish for Guilty Roads, and that's just a taste of what it would be like to write a (good) historical fiction.
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Playing the catch up game~
What I think of then I think of specific authors..
With Julie I definitely think of Curtain Call and her cancer stories. Broken/BMS were the first stories I read of hers but I LOVE Curtain Call and I'm really enjoying reading the whole thing all the way through :)
With Lore I think of Chronos Project, even though I haven't read it but I see her talking about it on twitter all the time! I actually don't think I've read anything of hers. I'll get on that!
Tracy is my Sailor Moon buddy lol. The first story of hers I think of is Figured You Out because I loved it so, so much! She also writes so many different types of stories and I see her as someone who isn't afriad to take an idea and run with it right away!
For UK Steph I can't actually think of one specific story and I think that's because she has so many of them! I know I've read a bunch of her stuff but they're all so different and I really envy her ability to branch out and write so many different things.
Mare makes me think of Why I'd Do It All Again because that was one of the first stories of hers I read and it inspired me to move away from romance and try writing something new. Plus that story was amazing and Nick falling out the window always makes me laugh.
What is the one story you have written you wish no one had ever read and why?
Left and Leaving. I hate it. I've only left it on the site because the quality of the actual writing (not the plot/characters) is something I'm proud of. But in all honesty I wish I'd never written that and I'm embarrassed to have it posted on the site.
What is one genre you haven't written in yet but would LOVE to try?
Science Fiction!! And I'm definitely working at it, albeit very slowly. I want the next story I post after Running Up That Hill is finished to be a sci-fi one, but the story idea I have means the entire story will have to be completed before I start posting it. But yeah I'd really love to experiment in that genre and play around in a while different type of world. I envy authors who can do that seemingly so easily because world-building is really difficult for me!
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Story I wish that no one had read, possibly the sequel to More Than That. I have removed it so no one can read it anymore but it was one sequel that should never have been and it was pretty bad.
As for genre to write in that I haven't, I am attempting an angsty story and having a tough time and though I have historical points in Chronos Project I would LOVE to just write a historical fiction.
And Saka, I do not talk about Chronos Project all the time... well not anymore, okay mostly..... alright dammit I do.
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I think I have written in all the genres I would want to. I never did writes romance lol ah well. Maybe next life.
Next question or I guess more like comment
Now that the NKOTBSB tour is finally over, what are your thoughts about it?
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I thought it was an awesome tour but I'm glad we are getting our boys back :)
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I'm glad it happened, because it was actually a really entertaining show and gave us an extra tour before a new album, but I'm also glad it's over. I'm ready for another new album and tour with just our Boys... all five Boys!!
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I really enjoyed it and I'm definitely glad it happened. After This Is Us my fandom was really waning so this past year with the tour really rejuvenated it for me.
I'm sad it's over, but on to the next chapter of BSB :)
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so glad it's over. I never wanted it to happen in the first place. I would much rather the boys have spent that time in the studio recording another album. With Backsteet Time they'd still be working on it and it'd still be released this year ;)
BUT I guess everything happens for a reason and maybe if they did not do this tour then Kevin might not have returned so I guess I will just ignore it happened and stare at Kevin...
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I'm glad it happened because I really enjoyed the show, but I'm glad they are back to being just BSB now and have got Kevin back.
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I am glad that hot mess of a combo is over and I hope they never EVER do it again! Not sure my love for BSB can outlast another debacle like that lol
Tonight's question: If BSB did decide to tour with another group again *sigh* which group or performer would you pick and why?
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None, I want the boys all by themselves. I want an entire show that is BSB and only BSB!! I'm selfish that way.
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Yup me too... I miss them playing the slightly smaller venues. (like the one we have in Winnipeg lol) Even though NKOTBSB was fun.
Although, the 90's kid in me wants to say Nsync... if Justin Timberlake wasn't so popular on his own.
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I think BSB's next joint tour should be with Sphynkter - they could play half the show as themselves and half as Sphynkter, doing 80s hair band covers. That would be pretty epic.
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I could get on board with that! Definitely would be epic.
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Ooh I love that idea Julie! I'd be all over it. I love 80's music. They could play instruments and everything
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Yeah, I like Julie's idea! That would be awesome. But if I really had to see them with another group, I think I'd have to go for Take That even though I'd rather just see BSB on their own :)
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Yeah, we didn't get a real Sphynkter performance on the cruise, and I was disappointed! Sphynkter is hot!
If I had to choose another boyband, it'd have to be 2Ge+her LOL. They're my only other boyband love. A BSB/Spice Girls 90s nostalgia tour would be pretty epic too, I must admit LOL.
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Oh man, yes a 90s BSB/Spice Girls tour would be epic!
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The only other people I would pay to see as a double bill with BSB are Take 6 or Duran Duran & I know that combo would never happen lol
Today's question:
What plot would you like to see make a comeback to the most recent page? Something that's been absent for awhile that you'd like brought back.
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You know I love me some medical drama - I only write them because I run out of good ones to read! LOL Serious accidents, terminal illnesses, catastrophic injuries - bring 'em on! Nothing like the threat of death to amp up the drama! That'd be my pick. :)
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I agree with Julie, I'd like to see some serious injury going on or an AU with the boys as hospital staff would be good *imagines Dr Richardson and needs medical attention*
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:)
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I'm not sure there is a specific plot I'd like to see come back. But since I wrote some, let's have the vampire fics come back!! LOL ...what? you want me to write one you say? Okay if you insist, I'll write another one. :)
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Vamps, yes please!!
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I'd like to read a pre-1900 historical fic! It's been a while...
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There hadn't been a good old bus crash story in long time! Or a stalker/kidnapping fic either lol
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Would like to see some of those too!
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I'd like to read a pre-1900 historical fic! It's been a while...
When I first glanced at your post, my eyes skipped over 1900 and put pre-historical together, and I had a flash of BSB as cavemen hunter-gatherers, wrapped in woolly mammoth furs and roasting hunks of meat over a fire. I don't think anyone's ever done a cavemen fanfic, but I could be wrong! LOL
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There hadn't been a good old bus crash story in long time! Or a stalker/kidnapping fic either lol
Those are all great classic plots; I'd be down for reading any of them! My storyline for the BSB/ER crossover I mentioned awhile back revolves around an epic bus crash, if I ever get around to writing it - right now I have too many stories, too many ideas for other stories, and not enough time/energy/motivation/inspiration/discipline to finish any of them! I'm sure someone will beat me to the bus crash revival.
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I don't think anyone has lol me want big stick. Poke Brian in eye.
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I need someone to combine both stories and do a bsb kidnapping bus crash story lol
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I don't think anyone has lol me want big stick. Poke Brian in eye.
^ Now, I have seen fanfics that are written in "cavemen speak" like that, but I don't think that was intentional or had anything to do with prehistorical fiction... :P
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I need someone to combine both stories and do a bsb kidnapping bus crash story lol
With cavemen vampires!! I'm so on it!
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When I first glanced at your post, my eyes skipped over 1900 and put pre-historical together, and I had a flash of BSB as cavemen hunter-gatherers, wrapped in woolly mammoth furs and roasting hunks of meat over a fire. I don't think anyone's ever done a cavemen fanfic, but I could be wrong! LOL
If it weren't for a lack of linguistics I would totally take that on lol
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^ Now, I have seen fanfics that are written in "cavemen speak" like that, but I don't think that was intentional or had anything to do with prehistorical fiction... :P
I was originally going to say something like that but I decided to be nice lol
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I was originally going to say something like that but I decided to be nice lol
Yeah, that was mean, but I don't think the people who write that way are aware that they write that way, so they won't know to be offended.
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Lmao this is true!
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Yeah, that was mean, but I don't think the people who write that way are aware that they write that way, so they won't know to be offended.
Remember when people would write dialogue in Ebonics because that is how nick was speaking most of the time? Lol that was my question of the day :P
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I have always blissfully ignored the horrible way that Nick speaks in my fanfics lol.
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Yeah, I used to ignore they as well lol
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LMAO I never wrote Nick speaking in Ebonics either, but the appearances he did during his ghetto fab phase made it so hard to write about him! I liked my fanfic Nick better than real life Nick back then LOL.
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Yeah there have definitely been lots of times where fanfic Nick > real life Nick lol
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Nick speak is definitely something I ignore/ed when I write him.
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I love the old school kidnapping stories. That's why in Weird World I incorporated that into the story, plus an accident and threw cloning Nick in for good measure ;) haha. But for real a caveman story would be so interesting to read!
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All these suggestions have given me a good idea, but I need to write the story I've already got going first!
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Give us a plot of a story you are currently working on and haven't posted yet or something you came up with but have yet to write.
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I have a novella in the works about two strangers who meet each other on an international flight and end up traveling together. It's kind of a twist on the bucket list premise, minus the terminal illness. It's only going to be ten chapters long, so it's probably something I'll just wait to post until it's finished. It's only a side project for now.
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^That sounds really interesting, Julie! I'm totally into stories like that.
I have like... a million stories I'm working on right now.
There's one where Nick gets scouted to work for a government operation. He's one of two who are chosen to protect the world from these beings called Angels who have basically come to reclaim it. I was inspired by Evangelion (if any of you have watched that?) and have stuck Nick in that world, with some twists to the plot to make it original.
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Thanks! Hopefully I will finish it sometime so I can post it!
Your idea sounds really interesting too! I haven't seen Evangelion, but it sounds like it'd be a cool, suspenseful sci-fi type of story.
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Thanks! I'm trying to do something a little different with it :)
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Both sound like great ideas. Julie is that going to be an original fic?
I haven't ever seen Evengilion either but it does sound very Supernatural.
The only idea I had that I never did anything with was a bsb/ numb3rs crossover. I was going to have Nick be an Epps and have s home invasion plot.
Working on an original fic this summer about a little girl who always had trouble making friends & moves from NY to NJ and meets some kids who change her life. It's a love story to my childhood best friends.
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No, it's a fanfic (AJ), but it could would work as an original fic too if I wrote it that way.
Your OF sounds like a cute story! The personal touches you add to your stories always make them even better.
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I really love this thread, btw. Now that it's getting to be summer, I'm back in a writing/fanfic mode. I was so busy in May, I hardly had time to even think about that stuff, let alone write anything! I missed feeling like a writer LOL.
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Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I'm hoping this thread will help everyone get their creative juices flowing. Also hoping some of you will jump in with questions because I'm already having trouble thinking some up lol
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I'm impressed you've gone on as long as you have! I feel like we've done so many fanfic surveys around here, we've run out of topics to talk about, but I always love them anyway! I will try to come up with some questions.
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I'm loving those ideas you've come up with and can't wait to read them.
You'd think as I've had this week off work I'd get the chance to write, but sadly all I've written so far is a couple of paragraphs!
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I have a few though they are at the bare bones of simple ideas no plots, except for Apollo's Curse which is listed first.
I keep saying I'm going to write this one next and then another story idea gets in my head and I can't write the one. It's about a world drenched in darkness, a society against the sun, a group of "rebels" trying to bring back the sunshine. It's *gasp* a sci-fi. It's a group story, there is one girl, and AJ is the main focus of the boys.
I have another story idea where people are experimented on to make them "special". Bring out some hidden gene that can give them abilities.
Some random love story ideas are floating around. And another vampire fic.
I keep supressing new ideas because I want to finish Severed Identities and I have the third Chronos story still to write and I want to try my best to finish Empty.
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Do you think there is any subject matter that should be off limits when it comes to writing a story? Is there anything you would never write about?
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If I tell you all my awesome ideas I'll find them on the most recent page tomorrow! :P
Here's a question... what do you do when the chapter you're working on just won't come out? Do you try and visualize the scene, or perhaps write ahead and come back to it?
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Do you think there is any subject matter that should be off limits when it comes to writing a story? Is there anything you would never write about?
I don't think anything should be off limits; writing is all about creativity and freedom of expression. That said, I guess there are things I choose not to write about. I don't kill off Backstreet kids, for example - Baylee, Mason, James, and AJ's spawn are off limits. I don't do slash. I guess that's about it LOL. And the things I said I don't do, I probably will do someday just because I vowed I wouldn't; that's how I roll LOL.
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If I tell you all my awesome ideas I'll find them on the most recent page tomorrow! :P
Here's a question... what do you do when the chapter you're working on just won't come out? Do you try and visualize the scene, or perhaps write ahead and come back to it?
I wish there was some trick I used every time to get past this problem, because I could use it right now on pretty much all of my stories! LOL
Here's the list of things I usually try, in any order:
- Turn off the TV, the internet, any music I'm tempted to sing along to, and all other distractions
- Try to visualize the scene like a movie (good suggestion)
- Reread the previous scene(s) or chapter(s)
- Read other stories/books in a similar genre/style
- Watch movies/shows that could be inspiring (I rely on this strategy too much, and it rarely works)
- Listen to instrumental music (classical pieces or movie scores) that fits the mood of the scene
- Talk to someone else about the story and the scene you're stuck on
- Write something else (a short story, a challenge, a scene for another story, anything!)
- Take a walk and think about it
- Take a shower and think about it
- Take a nap and dream about it
- Drink another Code Red, Dr. Pepper, or the caffeinated beverage of your choice
- Start a different story and abandon this one completely
The ones that actually work out best for me are getting rid of distractions, reading, talking to someone, taking a walk or a shower, and drinking caffeine. The other suggestions could be why I take so long to update sometimes. ::)
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Those are all really good suggestions Julie! My favourite things out of those are turning off all distractions and going for a walk to get my brain moving. Though lately I have been really bad about jumping around when writing a story and writing random chapters instead of writing in order. It's good and bad, because obviously the chapters I have worked on turn out really well because I'm super inspired for them and have more time to look them over when/if it ever comes time to post.
As for things that I consider to be off-limits, I agree with Julie in that I personally would never kill off an existing, real life, Backstreet kid. (Nick's pretend spawn however...) I also don't do slash but that's not really for the same reason, I just don't think I could ever conceivably picture any of the boys in a relationship with each other. They all like boobs too much. I dunno, it's never been something I've been into and I've still only ever read one really good slash story that I found to be believable-ish.
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I agree, killing fictional kids is fine! LOL And I'm with you on slash; it's just too unrealistic in our fandom. I'm sure it'd be much more believable with NSync fanfic LOL.
I've never been able to write scenes out of order like that, although sometimes I wish I could jump around and write the parts I'm actually inspired to write first.
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I am so totally the opposite. I wouldn't hesitate killing off the bsb kids but as for bsb themselves, that was always taboo lol all the misc... people in their lives are fair game. Lucky for them, I usually didn't care enough to include them in my stuff or Baylee probably would have been toast with his matching clothes mother more than once.
I tend to shy away from writing rape scenes or things like that. Not a big fan of incest either lol I think that should be off limits. Slash is something I'd never write but I wouldn't write a visual in general.
I could never write something out of order. When I would get blocked I just stepped away from the story for a little bit. I actually never listen to music when I write. It needs to be totally quiet.
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It's funny how different things bother us. I have no problem killing wives or even the Boys themselves, but for some reason, I could never bring myself to kill off one of their kids. As much as I hate fictional kids, Rose and I made up some for Undead just so we could kill them off without killing Baylee.
I don't think I've ever written a rape scene; I don't know if I'd consider that taboo, but it's not something I've ever had the urge to write, either.
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Don't think I could bring myself to write a rape scene either.
Though, I did write a really stupid one in my first ever fic where Nick gets drunk, tries to rape his girlfriend and the whole story is about how he's got to deal with his horrible drinking/rape problem. But I was like 13 then and it was obviously just done for over the top drama.
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I don't think anything should be off limits for writing if there is a point to having it in the story. It is, after all, fiction. though there are subject matters I choose not to read so I avoid certain stories I know that they are in. I don't tend to include real wives or children in stories just because I'm not their fan so why would I write about them. I have used them, and Leighanne and Baylee are currently in a story, but in general I make up wives/girlfriends and children. I'm not sure if I could kill one of the kids either, even if it happened before the story started.
To write a chapter when I am stuck, hrm. I sometimes re-read previous chapters. I have been really good about outlining some of my stories lately so sometimes outline more of the story, later chapters. If I'm really stuck I pester my friend at work and make her listen as a gab outloud. IF I can ever get a friend on Messenger I'd chat with them but I hardly see anyone on lately.
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Hmmmm limits when it comes to writing? The person I was when I began at AC is totally different now, I initially was against writing semi graphic sex scenes (I've done it) rape scenes (I've done it ala FYO) Killing Nick or any boys off *giggles innocently* and finally slash.
Writing slash is definitely not my cup of tea, I have read some and it wasn't bad, but it isn't my thing. Other than Slash, I am pretty much down for trying just about anything, writing in any genre. I've grown so much as a writer in the last year or so and I have everyone at AC to thank for that.
To answer Julilly's question, when I am stuck on an idea I do the following-
1. I watch a movie or some TV for inspiration.
2. Talk to my friends, they usually give me some good ideas.
3. I get good ideas at work, when I am keeping busy and letting my mind not think about the story I'm stuck on.
4. A nice hot shower helps clear my head, or I take a nap.
5. Reading through my old work or just picking up a random book, magazine or manga helps.
6. Playing music. The 400+ song playlist is good for inspiration.
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I have another question and I wanted to write it now before I forgot it lol
Do you have an all time favorite scene or chapter you have written in any fanfic that makes you say, wow...that was pretty great if I do say so myself? And don't lie and say "Oh, i've never thought that!" You know you have, so just fess up now! lol
And yes, at the risk of sounding like an ego maniac, you can name more than one if you'd like! lmao
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For me, probably the scene in Figured You Out where Nick tries to climb out the bathroom window...that scene was one of my favorites in that story. There are just so many moments in that story, looking back I think "damn, did I really write this? Or did I dream it?"
Sorry if that sounds egotistical. I'm just so darn proud of that story :)
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It's a bit weird, there are some scenes I remember being really proud of at the time of writing them and now when I look back I see they weren't as great as I remember them. But I guess that's proof I've grown as a writer!
That being said, the scene that springs to my mind that I'm proud of isn't even posted on the site. Fail. But I'll say the first chapter of Running Up That Hill, particularly Kevin's POV where he tells off AJ and crashes into Nick in the hallway afterwards is still something I'm proud of.
Also the weird thing about slash is that I was all about it when I was 15/16! Not in BSB fandom, but in Gundan Wing fandom slash was where it's at. No one would read your stuff if it wasn't slash lol
Also Tracy, I remember that scene in FYO. It really was one of the best! (But of course the whole story was fantastic :))
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Now that I think about it I do take a shower when I'm trying to work things out too. Husband has caught me talking to myself in the shower quite a few times when I'm discussing a story with the showerhead. LOL.
One scene I am very proud of is in Wulf's Bane (the fanfic). It's a scene where Nick and Albert are bringing a very wounded Rose into a small town to be healed. Describing the clinic/hospital they end up at is my favorite. I wrote it years ago but I still remember it. It might have stuck out because my friend, Amanda who is very descriptive writer, told me that she loved how I wrote the scene. So add her admiration on top of my own like for the scene it has been a fave of mine forever.
I know you are all expecting me to have a scene from Chronos Project and I do, what do you know! LOL My scenes in that story are the sexual tension scenes between Julie and Kevin. The one that sticks out the most in my mind was when he was strapping something to her thigh... mmmmm.... *thoughts wander off* I also liked a majority of the jumps in that story, all the historical stuff I wrote for it. Loved writing them.
Then I have scenes that I loved when I wrote them at the time, like SakaSteph, and when I look back on them now I cringe a bit.
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It's funny how different things bother us. I have no problem killing wives or even the Boys themselves, but for some reason, I could never bring myself to kill off one of their kids. As much as I hate fictional kids, Rose and I made up some for Undead just so we could kill them off without killing Baylee.
I don't think I've ever written a rape scene; I don't know if I'd consider that taboo, but it's not something I've ever had the urge to write, either.
Right, I could never kill off real kids, but I have no problems killing off the Boys or their wives. I create fictional kids if I wanna kill off kids LOL. I don't know how I feel about rape scenes. I don't think I could ever write one, just cause someone close to me went through that, and so it's even more touchy than it would be otherwise. I've never had the urge to write one either though.
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I have another question and I wanted to write it now before I forgot it lol
Do you have an all time favorite scene or chapter you have written in any fanfic that makes you say, wow...that was pretty great if I do say so myself? And don't lie and say "Oh, i've never thought that!" You know you have, so just fess up now! lol
And yes, at the risk of sounding like an ego maniac, you can name more than one if you'd like! lmao
I have to say in RMTW. The scene where Nick and AJ are at that carnival and he tells AJ on the roller coaster. The idea of that was inspired by a chat with Julie, but the scene came out perfectly. Like I re-read it and was just like... wow that sounds just as good as it did in my head! LOL. Which, is something I almost never think.
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It's funny that you asked that today, Mare, because I was going to ask if anyone had ever found themselves actually enjoying reading one of their own stories, not for writing/proofreading's sake, but just as a reader?
At the risk of sounding like an ego maniac, I started reading Curtain Call the other night to catch up to where you had left off in your reading/reviewing for the challenge, Mare. I have it on my Kindle from when I made all those fanfic ebooks over Christmas break, but aside from flipping through it to make sure it looked right, I'd never tried to actually read one of my own stories that way. I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying it - not cringing at cheesy parts, not noticing typos or wishing I'd worded something differently, but actually just enjoying it! I've never had that experience with one of my own stories before; I didn't think it was possible LOL. I usually like what I'm writing as I'm writing it, but after it's done, if I ever go back and try to read old stories, most of them just make me cringe.
Like Steph said, there are stories or scenes in stories that I remember thinking were really good at the time, and then I go back and look at them and shudder at how embarrassingly bad they are. Sometimes it's better to just take pride in the accomplishment of actually finishing a story and never really look at it again LOL.
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I have to say in RMTW. The scene where Nick and AJ are at that carnival and he tells AJ on the roller coaster. The idea of that was inspired by a chat with Julie, but the scene came out perfectly. Like I re-read it and was just like... wow that sounds just as good as it did in my head! LOL. Which, is something I almost never think.
Right? That almost never happens! It's miraculous when it does. That is a really great scene!
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See, as much as I loved Broken, I do think Curtain Call is the better story. You did an amazing job with that one.
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Thanks, Rose. I love the basic storyline of Broken, but the quality of writing in Curtain Call is much better, and the level of cheesiness and melodrama is much lower LOL.
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Actually that would be a great question for tomorrow maybe, Julie lol I think it's different enough to use and maybe people would have a different answer. I have yet to read one of my stories in its entirety unless editing it or changing it to OF. I have gone back and read chapters of things especially after people have left feedback on a chapter I don't particularly remember or ask a question about something I can't recall within a certain chapter.
I was thinking about trying to read one this summer but we'll see lol
As far as scenes, there have been a few I've been very happy with but myind always goes back to two from Why. The falling out the window when Kevin calls scene and the dropping the McDonalds bag scene lol I actually made myself laugh when I wrote those and knew people were going to love them.
I think another favorite of mine was my musical chapter in 5 BSBS. I admit I've gone and read that chapter more than once lol
What does it say about me that I didn't mention any of the serious scenes? There's been a few of those too but I don't want to over do it. When you've written 77+ fics there's bound to be a few favorites I guess? Lol
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Thanks Steph :) I had so much fun with that story.
Mare I loved that scene with Nick falling out of the window, that was a really funny moment.
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It's funny that you asked that today, Mare, because I was going to ask if anyone had ever found themselves actually enjoying reading one of their own stories, not for writing/proofreading's sake, but just as a reader?
I actually just recently went back and read a few of my stories. The whole time I was thinking "I wrote this? Really?" It just didn't feel like it was something that had come from my mind.
I did enjoy them though, it was refreshing to go back and relive those story lines.
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Not gonna lie. I read my own stuff all the time, especially when I get a new reader for something I wrote a long time ago, just to refresh my memory. Besides FYO one of my favorite stories is Jizzle Of Oz, the line about Howie's hair products always makes me giggle.
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^ Like you and Mare said, I do that too, go back and read parts of my stories when someone reviews after awhile to refresh my memory or just for fun. But I rarely read one "cover to cover," mostly because most of them make me cringe and also because I just don't have the attention span. I wouldn't have the attention span to get through all of CC without my Kindle. It was just an interesting experience to realize I was actually enjoying reading it. I try to write the kind of stories I would enjoy reading, but I feel like it's hard to get that same kind of pleasure out of reading your own stuff compared to someone else's. And, to be honest, if someone was like, "Oh, I only read my own stuff!" I would probably think they were a huge ego-maniac! LOL
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I actually just recently went back and read a few of my stories. The whole time I was thinking "I wrote this? Really?" It just didn't feel like it was something that had come from my mind.
I did enjoy them though, it was refreshing to go back and relive those story lines.
And was that a good thing or a bad thing? LOL It is fun to go back to old stories, half of which you've forgotten. It's like looking at old photos of yourself - a lot of them are awkward and embarrassing, but you still enjoy reliving those memories. There are certain stories that, even if parts of them make me cringe now, I had so much fun writing that they will always have a special place in my heart.
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And was that a good thing or a bad thing? LOL It is fun to go back to old stories, half of which you've forgotten. It's like looking at old photos of yourself - a lot of them are awkward and embarrassing, but you still enjoy reliving those memories. There are certain stories that, even if parts of them make me cringe now, I had so much fun writing that they will always have a special place in my heart.
There were moments of both good and bad! Lol there was a couple "what was I thinking?" moments along with some "that was a good idea! Go me!" :P
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Along the lines of what we have been talking about in here, if you could pick two stories you have written as a before and after to show us how much you have grown as a writer, which two would you pick?
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This was an easy question. I am so sorry for bringing up this story again though, I'm sure you're all tired of me talking about it lol. For the before I'd say Incomplete, my first story I wrote at AC. It's just completely different from how I write now. For the after, I am pretty sure you guys can guess which one I will say. Figured You Out. For me FYO is my best work, and I am just proud of myself for taking that chance and writing something darker than what I would normally.
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This reminds me of the review you left me earlier for CC. :)
I'm gonna cheat a little and pick three that go together, my three cancer stories. :P
1. "Don't Wanna Lose You Now" http://www.dreamers-sanctuary.com/vault/dontwanna.html
This was one of my earliest fanfics; I wrote it around April of 2000, when I had just turned 15. It's a Brian story, because Brian was my victim of choice back then, although Nick is the one who dies in it, from complications of surgery after giving Brian his bone marrow to save his life LOL. It's really cheesy and amateur. The writing is very simple and more tell-y than show-y; there are some chapters that are only a few paragraphs long with no dialogue because it's all summary and other chapters that are mostly dialogue with not a lot of description in between. I'm pretty sure the only research I did for this story involved looking up things in my Lurlene McDaniel books, because that's what it was clearly inspired by.
2. "Broken" http://absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=5354
Three years later, I gave this type of plot another shot, after obsessively plowing through the Swollen Issues series. When I started Broken, I was a 17-year-old high school senior, and I was taking AP English, where all we did was analyze the symbolism in classic literature, and you can totally see the influence of that in my awkward attempts to include symbolic imagery in the first half of this story. On the other hand, I had gotten better at showing, not telling and now tried to show EVERYTHING, so that it took 17 chapters for Nick to even get a diagnosis and ended up being 150 chapters long! I also went through a phase with song lyrics... I had a whole playlist/soundtrack of songs that inspired me, and I pasted their lyrics into the beginning and ends of chapters, sometimes in the middle, which I realize now is really cheesy and distracting and annoying! But I did learn how to research with this story; it's a lot more detailed and medically accurate than the last one, although there are still some mistakes. What's interesting is that I think the quality of writing gets drastically better even from the beginning to the end of Broken. What happened is that I started college right in the middle of writing it, and I think making that huge transition and "growing up" in real life helped me grow up as a writer too, because everything I've written since Broken has been so much better than anything I wrote before it.
3. "Curtain Call" http://absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=10159
I started this one about seven years after Broken and just finished it last year. I wasn't sure what the reaction would be when I started writing another cancer story, and I worried people would see it as a pathetic attempt to recapture the "magic" of Broken, which was my first story that got pretty popular. So I set out to learn from my mistakes in Broken and make this one as different as possible, simplifying the storyline, telling it from first person, writing a female lead who was very different from Broken's Claire, toning down the melodrama, and getting rid of the song lyrics and soundtrack and all the stuff that made Broken cheesy. Broken taught me a lot about how to research for this kind of story, and I now had access to resources that weren't even on my radar when I started Broken - everything from Google, Wikipedia, and YouTube to medical journals and personal blogs. The result is that CC is super detailed and, as far as I can tell, mostly correct. The premise may not be as believable, but in terms of writing, it's a lot better.
Sorry, that was a super long answer!
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I very rarely go back and read my old stuff from back to front, though sometimes (as some of you have also said) I'll go back and read a chapter of something if someone leaves a review and I've forgotten what's happened in it.
As for things that display how I've grown as a writer? I have this horrible teenybopper website from when I was fifteen that not only includes a bunch of self insert Nick fics, but also includes "banter" between my friend and I before every story lol
But as for stories on AC, I guess probably In Pieces. I'm still sort of proud of it, but now when I look back, it was really far fetched and the worst part about that is when I was writing it I was trying really hard to make it not so.
This is sort of weird for me to say, but I think in contrast to that, my challenge story Nick's Dirty Kicks would be the one to read to see how far my writing has come. It's got a completely ridiculous plotline, but I do think that the level of actual writing in it is pretty good and I'm really proud of the way it came out. I don't think I would have been able to do a story like that justice back when I was writing In Pieces. This story has the element of humour I probably would have put in back then, I just don't think I would have conveyed them as well.
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Is your teenybopper website still online, Steph? ;D LOL I think any of us who started writing as teenies have sites/stories like that!
I loved your Nick's Dirty Kicks story so much, and what made it so funny was the fact that you took such a ridiculous premise and wrote it so "seriously" - and so well! Sometimes I think our best writing comes out when we write something completely out of our wheelhouse, whether it's for a silly challenge like that or just a different genre, like Tracy did with FYO. I know for me, when thinking of scenes I'm most proud of writing, like Mare asked about yesterday, I don't think first of the dramatic scenes from my medical drama type stories, because I'm so used to writing those, they don't stand out to me. The scenes I'm most of are scenes I really had to stretch myself to write, like the action sequences in 00Carter or the first zombie attack in Undead, stuff I'd never written before and probably wouldn't have been able to write well ten years ago.
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It was your author's note at the end of your CC chapter that gave me the idea for this question lol
This is where typing on my iPod isn't going to work on this question so I'm going to wait until tomorrow to answer it do I can be ramble and long.
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I kinda thought so! :) Ramble away! LOL
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Thanks for the compliment on Nick's Dirty Kicks, Julie :) I really enjoyed writing it. I think you're right when you say that some of our best writing comes from trying something totally out of the box. I know that's definitely what happens for me. Now that I've gone back to writing romance I find myself growing really frustated with it actually, because I feel as though since I've written so much of it that it should be awesome, and I almost put myself on a pedestal when it comes to writing in that genre and nothing that comes out sounds good enough to me. Also, there are only so many ways to write a dramatic kissing scene, lol.
Is your teenybopper website still online, Steph? ;D LOL I think any of us who started writing as teenies have sites/stories like that!
...http://www.angelfire.com/mb/aslongasyouloveme/
In a word, yes. LOL. I hope it provides you with some entertainment.
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Thanks for the compliment on Nick's Dirty Kicks, Julie :) I really enjoyed writing it. I think you're right when you say that some of our best writing comes from trying something totally out of the box. I know that's definitely what happens for me. Now that I've gone back to writing romance I find myself growing really frustated with it actually, because I feel as though since I've written so much of it that it should be awesome, and I almost put myself on a pedestal when it comes to writing in that genre and nothing that comes out sounds good enough to me. Also, there are only so many ways to write a dramatic kissing scene, lol.
...http://www.angelfire.com/mb/aslongasyouloveme/
In a word, yes. LOL. I hope it provides you with some entertainment.
LOL I know what you mean with the romance thing - I get the same way with drama, specifically medical drama. I always come back to it because it's my favorite genre, but sometimes I do get tired of trying to find creative ways to write the same types of scenes.
And thanks for the link! LOL I get a kick out of looking at these old sites, with the hotmail email addys, the Bravenet guestbook, and the little animated dolls! So 2001... oh, the nostalgia!! :) I remember when my website used only Comic Sans and had a different tiled background and midi on each page - so tacky!!
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LOL I know right? Everyone had those silly little dolls back in the day. I remember I had quite a collection of midi files on multiple floppy disks..haha! 2001 was good times.
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Along the lines of what we have been talking about in here, if you could pick two stories you have written as a before and after to show us how much you have grown as a writer, which two would you pick?
I could if I hadn't deleted every embarrassing story from the face of the internet years ago lol
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Along the lines of what we have been talking about in here, if you could pick two stories you have written as a before and after to show us how much you have grown as a writer, which two would you pick?
http://absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=112 A very old story, called Blind Within The Shadows. It's very cheesily written. It's the whole "Nick's long lost twin" thing with a bit of the supernatural thrown in. Think of like the old school disney remake of "Back to Witch Mtn." lol where twins put their hands together and there was a glow... (anyone know what I'm talking about?) Not the same, but very clearly inspired by that. It's all around just cheesy and bad lol. Then again, I was sixteen when I started it lol. Lots of telling, less showing, and so yeah.
http://absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=9551 I feel some of my best writing is in Song For The Undead. I've definitely grown a LOT and it shows very well in this story. I've had a lot of people say they can't tell who writes what really, and it's such a huge compliment cause Julie's a very talented author. The detail and the way the story is written, I'm just very proud of it and the fact I've gotten good enough to be right there with her.
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LOL I know right? Everyone had those silly little dolls back in the day. I remember I had quite a collection of midi files on multiple floppy disks..haha! 2001 was good times.
LOL I still have a whole box of old floppies with my website files and pics from around that time! Too bad I have no floppy drive to put them in anymore; that would probably be entertaining.
This is the oldest version of my site I can find online via the Wayback Machine: http://web.archive.org/web/20011116205355/http://dreamers-sanctuary.com/ It's from 2001, but after I revamped to get rid of the Comic Sans, lurid backgrounds, and midis, so it doesn't look as horrible as it did originally.
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http://absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=112 A very old story, called Blind Within The Shadows. It's very cheesily written. It's the whole "Nick's long lost twin" thing with a bit of the supernatural thrown in. Think of like the old school disney remake of "Back to Witch Mtn." lol where twins put their hands together and there was a glow... (anyone know what I'm talking about?) Not the same, but very clearly inspired by that. It's all around just cheesy and bad lol. Then again, I was sixteen when I started it lol. Lots of telling, less showing, and so yeah.
http://absolutechaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=9551 I feel some of my best writing is in Song For The Undead. I've definitely grown a LOT and it shows very well in this story. I've had a lot of people say they can't tell who writes what really, and it's such a huge compliment cause Julie's a very talented author. The detail and the way the story is written, I'm just very proud of it and the fact I've gotten good enough to be right there with her.
Um, have we talked about the Escape to Witch Mountain remake before? Because I totally know what you're talking about, and I LOVE that one! My favorite version of that movie! It's on YouTube! http://youtu.be/VdgkiScbuMA
And thanks for the compliment! I feel like we bring out each other's best and make each other even better with our collabs! I feel the same way about you with 00Carter - some of my best writing has gone into that story because I feel the need to live up to you and Lore and Kelly and all the other talented people we've had writing it along with us.
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LOL I still have a whole box of old floppies with my website files and pics from around that time! Too bad I have no floppy drive to put them in anymore; that would probably be entertaining.
This is the oldest version of my site I can find online via the Wayback Machine: http://web.archive.org/web/20011116205355/http://dreamers-sanctuary.com/ It's from 2001, but after I revamped to get rid of the Comic Sans, lurid backgrounds, and midis, so it doesn't look as horrible as it did originally.
I greatly enjoy how it's the Over The Rainbow edition of the site, lol. Also that you have frames! I never could figure out how to get frames to work back then, haha!
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LMAO Yes indeed! I had to get some help from Jenna of Swollen Issues fame to figure out how to do frames! I think that was why I revamped, cause that was the first version with frames - I was so proud! Hahaha
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Um, have we talked about the Escape to Witch Mountain remake before? Because I totally know what you're talking about, and I LOVE that one! My favorite version of that movie! It's on YouTube! http://youtu.be/VdgkiScbuMA
And thanks for the compliment! I feel like we bring out each other's best and make each other even better with our collabs! I feel the same way about you with 00Carter - some of my best writing has gone into that story because I feel the need to live up to you and Lore and Kelly and all the other talented people we've had writing it along with us.
I think so LOL. Yeah that old story of mine was totally inspired by that. YAY for you finding it on youtube! I haven't watched it since I was a kid but I still remember it. And awwww thank you! I gotta agree, you've written some epic scenes for 00Carter, like the alien baby scene lol.
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Mizpah was the very first story I have ever written and I cringe when I just open it up. I feel like it's kind of all over the place and not that well put together and loaded with tons of grammatical errors! Back then I was just getting to know the boys and trying to get a sense of who they were so a lot of that story is so cliche in the way they act or speak. lol I also had barely written anything before trying on that one. I had started on Mel's but it was in its very early stages so Mizpah was my attempt to do something I had previously only just read. I winged it! lmao
I started to notice a change in my writing while working on Fly Fishing. Where before I used to rush and try to get out a chapter a day, this one I took my time with it and really tried to visualize the characters and the scene and then wrote it down as I saw it. I feel like just by doing that I kind of elevated my writing a bit. Things started to flow and my descriptions weren't as in your face but became much more subtle. It's like by then, I finally got what it took to write a story and I hope it's just gotten better with every one since.
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Do you think there is any subject matter that should be off limits when it comes to writing a story? Is there anything you would never write about?
I would never write things like incest and I can't see myself ever writing slash unless it was a challenge. I also don't like to kill off the real kids (but I have no problem killing anyone else off!) Not sure if I would suggest something should be off limits because it all comes down to personal taste.
If I tell you all my awesome ideas I'll find them on the most recent page tomorrow! :P
Here's a question... what do you do when the chapter you're working on just won't come out? Do you try and visualize the scene, or perhaps write ahead and come back to it?
When I'm stuck, I disconnect my internet so that I'm not distracted by things like Twitter. I try to imagine the scenes in my mind, or I'll just close my word document and come back to it later. I like it to be quiet when I'm writing.
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I have another question and I wanted to write it now before I forgot it lol
Do you have an all time favorite scene or chapter you have written in any fanfic that makes you say, wow...that was pretty great if I do say so myself? And don't lie and say "Oh, i've never thought that!" You know you have, so just fess up now! lol
And yes, at the risk of sounding like an ego maniac, you can name more than one if you'd like! lmao
My favourite scene of all is from Save A Prayer and it's where Jordan's head is crawling with bot flies. It's really gross, but it's something I think stands out, lol.
Another thing I wrote that I was proud of is a short story called Resistance which is not posted. It's a Jason Orange (Take That) story and I put a lot of emotion into it I think.
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I actually just recently went back and read a few of my stories. The whole time I was thinking "I wrote this? Really?" It just didn't feel like it was something that had come from my mind.
I did enjoy them though, it was refreshing to go back and relive those story lines.
I never usually read back anything I've written, but I did recently and couldn't believe I'd written it, lol.
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Along the lines of what we have been talking about in here, if you could pick two stories you have written as a before and after to show us how much you have grown as a writer, which two would you pick?
I'm so glad my first attempts at fanfic have vanished off the face of the earth! The first one I posted on AC was a story called Forces Of Nature, which is a bit cringeworthy as it's about a girl called Steph (LOL) who jumps into bed with AJ at the first opportunity. I've never read it back since posting it.
Erm, I suppose one which would show I've grown as a writer would be Rewind.
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Todays question:
How do you come up with your story titles? Does the title come first or later on as you're writing it?
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Mine are usually song titles (but not always). Like with Save A Prayer, it's a Duran Duran song and the video shows them in a jungle, which is why I chose it. Rewind is a Paolo Nutini song I like which kind of inspired the story a little.
I usually think of the title as I'm writing the first chapter.
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I can't start a story until I have a title, so that's one of the first things I brainstorm after coming up with a new idea. I get a lot of my titles from songs, too, mainly BSB songs. These days I prefer using something from the lyrics to actual song titles if I can help it, but I still use a mix of both. The titles I come up with on my own are usually short and simple.
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:'( I just answered about five questions and since my dumbass wanted to make my font orange I deleted it all....I'll try again later. ???
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Unwinding Truth came from the lyrics of a Muse song. Lore chose that one and it fits the story well :)
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Thought I'd throw out a question...
If you could pick a story of your own and a story of another fanfic author to be published which would you choose?
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I usually just use song titles or lyrics from a song that inspired the story. I'm like Julie - I can't start writing the story until I have a title. For some reason I just find it very difficult. In that case I'll usually just listen to music and try to find something that fits.
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I would love to rewrite Broken as an original story that could be published. I still love the basic storyline and think it would work as an original; it would just need to be totally de-Backstreet-ized and trimmed down, and I know I could do a better job of writing it than I did the first time around. That said, I've had that goal for about 5 years now and still haven't made much progress on it LOL. I'm finding that it's a lot harder than it sounds to completely reimagine and rewrite a story.
Hannah had mentioned wanting to write Something Beautiful as an original, and I think that one would turn out really well. A similar story that would make a really good novel is The Market by Susan. Interestingly enough, in thinking of all my favorite fanfics, there aren't that many that I could see being translated well into original fiction because so many of the ones I read are very BSB-centered. I don't think they'd have the same magic without "the Backstreet Boys." Like I said in another thread, I think AUs work best, but I don't read many AUs.
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Most of the time, titles pop into my head first and then I write the story with the exception of my last one. I seldom use song lyrics for anything including titles with the exception of Why I'd do it All Again, which I got from Memories. But technically i'm not even 100% sure they say those actual words lmao
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^ I think they do, but I always sing "I would do it all again... just want you to know!" when I see that title LOL. I haven't listened to Memories in forever!
Edit: Listening to it now to rectify that situation!
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For me, I would love to get Shadow Woods published. It's ready to go but since being rejected by Random House, I haven't done much with it.
I could see a few fanfics making it as a real story. Maria's Yesterday's Blue Skies comes to mind as well as Broken. I agree about the AU thing. I think it would be much easier to see an AU done as an original fiction and i'm also not a huge reader of AUs so not totally sure. I'm sure there are a lot of great ones out there. I think Steph's idea for Rewind would make a great OF as well.
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^ I think they do, but I always sing "I would do it all again... just want you to know!" when I see that title LOL. I haven't listened to Memories in forever!
Edit: Listening to it now to rectify that situation!
lmao good you can let me know if they say it. I know there's a pregnant pause between the words Why and everything else.
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Yeah, they sing, "But I... I'd do it all again." I don't think there's a why, but that's okay. They're explaining why they'd do it all again LOL.
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:'( I just answered about five questions and since my dumbass wanted to make my font orange I deleted it all....I'll try again later. ???
Oh, I hate when that happens! LOL
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Yeah, they sing, "But I... I'd do it all again." I don't think there's a why, but that's okay. They're explaining why they'd do it all again LOL.
LOL But I'd do it All Again doesn't quite have the same ring.
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For me, I would love to get Shadow Woods published. It's ready to go but since being rejected by Random House, I haven't done much with it.
I could see a few fanfics making it as a real story. Maria's Yesterday's Blue Skies comes to mind as well as Broken. I agree about the AU thing. I think it would be much easier to see an AU done as an original fiction and i'm also not a huge reader of AUs so not totally sure. I'm sure there are a lot of great ones out there. I think Steph's idea for Rewind would make a great OF as well.
You should try sending Shadow Woods to some other publishers! It's the kind of book the YA crowd would really love.
Thanks for the Broken mention! I know just how I would de-Backstreet-ize it, but I keep second guessing myself and changing my mind on basic decisions like point of view and setting, and so I just keep starting it over and never really getting anywhere with it. I guess if I do finish a draft of it one day, I'll feel like a real writer, because I don't revise nearly as much on my fanfics as I have for that project LOL.
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LOL But I'd do it All Again doesn't quite have the same ring.
Nope, it doesn't!
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^ It's not as fun when you do original fiction. It's taking me ten years to work on this story i'm writing lol Making it about the boys is fun, taking them out is sad :( poor boys of course unless you're Howie in which case he's like "Ha! Suck on that guys! Now you know how it feels!!"
Yeah, i'm probably going to send out to some other places, it's hard when you don't have a literary agent. I could just go to my old publisher and probably get it done but they suck ass so i'm avoiding them this time around and trying for a bigger publishing company.
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Julie, I definitely think a rewrite of Broken would be great publishing material! I loved that story so much.
Mare, I haven't actually read Shadow Woods but your writing as a whole is wonderful so I really think you should keep trying to get that one published.
I don't think any of my stories would work if I changed them to OF and tried to get them published. My romance ones are very centered around the fact that Nick's a Backstreet Boy, to the point where it's completely integral to the plot. It couldn't be taken out, or he'd at least have to be in a band. But it'd be easy to figure out at that point so..not really worth it.
Running Up That Hill would not work at all as OF LOL. I can't even imagine changing that around. Everyone would know that it's a story about the Backstreet Boys - it's not exactly a secret that their tour got postponed! Haha.
Actually, I did have an AU up on the site a long time ago about the guys as high school students and I did rewrite the bulk of it during NaNoWriMo one year with the intent of getting it published. Then I hit 50,000 words, closed the document and never opened it again. So it's sitting at 2/3 finished. One day! Maybe NaNo this year I'll finish it.
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Good luck with it Mare, I've not read it yet, is it still on here?
Thanks for the Rewind mention too :)
The story of mine I'd pick if I had to would be a cross between Maybe Tomorrow and a Take That short story called Resistance. Because they are both AU and set in World War 2, I could blend them together well and make them OF.
As for someone else's story...hmm... tough one! There are so many I love, Broken, Sinister Devotion, Curtain Call, It Stays With You, Song For The Undead, Ground Zero, Remember Me This Way, Chronos Project, Why I'd Do It All Again, Ray of Hope...
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It is still on the site, Steph and thanks for the mentions.
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I'll have to read that one then :)
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Titles are NOT my friends. Sometimes I come up with a title I think is great and I hold on to it until I think I have a storyline that the title will work with. Other times my muse wants to write a plot but I have NO title so I look everywhere for something, I talk people's ears off about it, I keep writing it hoping something will come to me. I've used song titles, lyrics in song, random images that come to mind, Greek gods (yeah that's my new one Chronos Project, Apollo's Curse, Aphrodite's Laughter...)
I solve the -I need a title in order to write it- by calling it "pet name". Rewriting Wulf's Bane I call the OF Wulf's Bane but I am pretty sure I will not be using it for the title. Another story I was working on with a friend we called by the name of one of the cities in the stoy since we never had a title.
As for stories to publish...
I'd LOVE to get Wulf's Bane converted to OF and published but I am currently working on editing Chronos Project to self publish.
I'd love to see Maybe Tomorrow or perhaps Rewind as an OF. Sinister Devotion I'd buy if it were published... I can't remember the title of Julilly's I read last year, the one with the guys kidnapping the girl.... that one would be good as an OF.
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Tonight's question:
What do you find most difficult when writing? Description, plot, dialogue etc...
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Thanks for the mentions, Steph and Steph!
As far as what I find most difficult... I used to struggle the most with description and character development, but I've gotten a lot better at those. For someone who doesn't talk a lot in real life, dialogue has always come easily to me - I guess when I'm not talking, I'm listening, so that helps!
I think what I struggle most with nowadays is just staying focused and inspired enough to write and write well. Between collaborations and my own stuff, I've accumulated too many projects, and it's hard to stay inspired on all of them and find the balance needed to write them all. I know what it's like to be so inspired that the story almost writes itself, and so when I'm stuck with a story that just doesn't go that way for me, I get frustrated. If the writing's not flowing as well as I want it to, I tend to give up and try to work on something else, and so I end up jumping around from story to story and not finishing anything. I didn't used to be one of THOSE writers, so it's annoying that now I am! It just takes me forever to finish a story anymore, and it's hard to stay committed to one project for years at a time before allowing myself to move on to the next one.
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I agree with that, Julie. I love the feeling of being so inspired that I churn out chapters and I get really frustrated when it doesn't happen that I move on to something else. Now I have tons of unfinished projects all of them with multiple chapters (that aren't necessarily the first ones in the story either...ugh)
I have found that dialogue is something that's always come easily to me. Even in my really old stuff, it's not the dialogue that makes me cringe. I feel like what's hardest for me is pacing! I suck at pacing! I've written stories where it's been nothing but a whole bunch of drama, without any build up in between and as a result it came out very rushed. Now, I'm writing not one, but two stories that take place day-by-day and it's sort of a nightmare because I feel like when I write something else my pacing will be way off. After these are done I'm never writing a story day-by-day ever again lol.
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Pacing is definitely hard! You want to build up to the drama so that the character development is there and it doesn't seem rushed, but you also don't want to take forever to do that. It's hard to find the right balance with some storylines.
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Todays question:
How do you come up with your story titles? Does the title come first or later on as you're writing it?
The title has to come first. I'm really anal about that LOL. It's just, if you don't know your title, I feel like you really just don't know your story. It's like when you sometimes see stuff posted here all "Untitled (for now)". It's just ugh lol. Sometimes, a title will just hit me, like inspired. Unfortunately, that's not often. So a lot of the times I'll look at songs (cause I usually have playlists/soundtracks for anything I write), and either use titles or a line from the lyrics. Like "Walked Out Of My Dreams" comes from "Unmistakable", And "Divine Intervention" was inspired by the BSB song of that title, so I just went with giving it the same name LOL. RMTW actually didn't come from that song (Julie I think asked me that when I came up with it), it was just that's exactly what Nick wanted, and one of those rare moments where a title just came as inspired lmao.
So...yeah lol.
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Thought I'd throw out a question...
If you could pick a story of your own and a story of another fanfic author to be published which would you choose?
I really wouldn't mind seeing Undead being published. I'm very proud of what Julie and I created. That, and since it's already so AU, I don't think it would be hard. We'd just have to pull all the song lyrics out really, so we wouldn't have to pay for the rights to use them lmao. That, and name changes of course. I think it could happen. I know we've actually talked about it at times, once we actually finish it.
A story not my own, actually I'd love to see Julie publish Curtain Call. A lot would need to be changed around, since it's very much a BSB story, but I feel she did a better job with it than Broken, and as much as I liked Broken, I think Curtain Call tugged at the emotions a lot more. It just feels more real. Another I'd wanna see published is Shadow Woods, partly cause I know Mare did a great job with the BSB version, and I saw parts of the OF version and it's just as great. :)
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Tonight's question:
What do you find most difficult when writing? Description, plot, dialogue etc...
Pacing myself is hard. It's hard to keep that balance where you don't rush the story. Especially when you're SO excited to get to certain parts. Another hard part is watching tenses. It used to be SUCH a problem with my writing. I could describe, I could delve into character development (I love that actually lol), but tenses killed me. Fortunately, I've really gotten a lot better about it.
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I really wouldn't mind seeing Undead being published. I'm very proud of what Julie and I created. That, and since it's already so AU, I don't think it would be hard. We'd just have to pull all the song lyrics out really, so we wouldn't have to pay for the rights to use them lmao. That, and name changes of course. I think it could happen. I know we've actually talked about it at times, once we actually finish it.
A story not my own, actually I'd love to see Julie publish Curtain Call. A lot would need to be changed around, since it's very much a BSB story, but I feel she did a better job with it than Broken, and as much as I liked Broken, I think Curtain Call tugged at the emotions a lot more. It just feels more real. Another I'd wanna see published is Shadow Woods, partly cause I know Mare did a great job with the BSB version, and I saw parts of the OF version and it's just as great. :)
Thanks, Rose! See, I can't see Curtain Call as an original fiction at all. It works well as a fanfic, but it's too BSB-based, and I don't see a way to rewrite it that would preserve that dynamic. But thanks for the compliments on it!
It would be awesome to try to publish Undead! We'd definitely have to edit, but not completely rewrite, which is appealing LOL.
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Thanks, Rose! See, I can't see Curtain Call as an original fiction at all. It works well as a fanfic, but it's too BSB-based, and I don't see a way to rewrite it that would preserve that dynamic. But thanks for the compliments on it!
It would be awesome to try to publish Undead! We'd definitely have to edit, but not completely rewrite, which is appealing LOL.
You'd basically have to turn BSB into a fictional band LOL. It'd be difficult, but I could see it. And yeah, see Undead wouldn't be AS hard LOL.
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Here's a question, with the whole 50 Shades thing...
How do you feel about the whole Self Publishing trend?
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I'm sort of on the fence.
I think it's a good thing for people to try and get their writing out there. It's always good when people are able to take their creative hobby and turn it into something a little more than just a hobby, or even a full time job if they're really lucky and really good. I don't know, I feel like if you're going to self publish at least have some sense and get your stuff professionally edited. I know that not everyone has that money, but I would hope that people would have the sense to have their stuff looked over by someone who knows what they're doing.
I don't think I'd ever do it, honestly. I might put my original fiction up on kindle for free for anyone to download (just on my own site, not on Amazon or anything) but I think it takes a little bit out of getting a contract and legitimately published. I think there would be something special about a third party liking your work enough to publish it and put it out there on your behalf.
Honestly though I know next to nothing about the publishing world.
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As for Mare's questions, titles are hard for me but most of the time I don't think about it and let it come to me, or I use a song title or play on words.
Dialogue is sometimes hard, my friend and I act out scenes over yahoo messenger and I write the story using what we come up with in brainstorming.
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I would rather go through some kind of professional editor or publishing company myself. I know of people who do the self publishing thing, if they are comfortable with doing that, it is up to them I guess. I wouldn't do it myself. If I was gonna get published I'd rather it be for an original fiction and not something that was edited. Not knocking down anyone that has. It's just not for me.
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To answer my own question, I'm not the biggest fan of the whole self-publishing thing. I feel like it cheapens the process. It's like how auto-tune cheapens the music world. You used to need raw singing talent, now all you need is youtube and a computer. It used to be you needed real writing talent to make it in the publishing world, and now all you need is the right programs. I mean the whole 50 Shades thing is like the Ke$ha of writing. Both just cheapen the real talent out there.
I mean if you really want to turn your writing into more than just a hobby, why do it the easy way? The easy way is never worth it. It's hard to get published but when you do, it's worth it. Look at Mare, she's made it happen. Kelly's made it happen. I just would wonder if I was ever talented enough to do it the real way, if I ever tried to self-publish. I don't want to wonder that. When I feel I have something worthy, I want to do it the hard way and know for sure.
Besides, some people I've seen self-publish brag like they made it on the top ten bestseller's list and it's really annoying. Because it's not that someone thought they were talented enough, it's that they shoved their stuff online and had their friends buy it. So that's a bit of a pet peeve as well.
And again, I really hate what 50 Shades is doing to not only the Literary World, but the bad image she's giving to fanfic writers. Ugh.
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That's kinda lame if they just told their friends to buy it. it kind of cheapens the feeling of accomplishment in my opinion. Since you don't know if these people genuinely liked it or are just doing it because you're friends.
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Tonight's question:
What do you find most difficult when writing? Description, plot, dialogue etc...
Pacing is something I have trouble with as I tend to rush things at times. Also, I don't think I'm descriptive enough.
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The whole self publishing thing...I agree and disagree on it.
I'm sure there are some really awesome books which are self published on Amazon Kindle and I suppose it's a quick and easier way of doing it than going through the other process. If you think you have a good enough story and have someone edit it, then why not!
But on the other hand, anyone can do it and like was mentioned before, they could get their friends to buy it and give false reviews to trick people into purchasing it. It could be awful!
I've downloaded a few free ones and ones which were under £1 on Amazon and some of them have been so full of typos, made no sense at all, crap story or poorly set out. But I've also read some good ones too which have been as good or better than real books I've paid more for.
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You'd basically have to turn BSB into a fictional band LOL. It'd be difficult, but I could see it. And yeah, see Undead wouldn't be AS hard LOL.
True, but I wouldn't want to do that - I don't think I'd ever write a story about a band or singers or the music business if I weren't writing BSB fanfic LOL.
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Rose, I used the same exact analogy with auto tunes etc...
As far as self publishing, I can see why people would want to do it just the same way I can see why people who aren't singers have a go at singing with auto tunes and that's where the problems happen.
I think self publishing is fine for those people that just want to see something of theirs in book form before they die. Don't ever really plan on taking writing seriously & have the money to do it. If that's the case then go for it.
If however you do it just because it's 'easier' and 'faster' then that's ridiculous. Now with the whole e-book thing it's easy peasy to self publish and for free at most places but do I think it cheapens the process? You bet.
The whole process of getting published or rejected is not fun, but so worth it in the end. I only wish I had sent Mel's out to more places and not just one at a time. I sold myself short by jumping on the acceptance letter only to find out later from a Random House person it would have been ideal for what they were looking for.
That being said, I think a lot of people don't even try because they sell themselves short. So many of you have enough natural talent to try it the hard way. It really has to do with what they are looking for and who accepts what.
I know I did work my ass off for over a year during the editing process with my editor. It's a humbling experience. And knowing how hard the process is I do get offended when people assume I self published just because it's the new trend. And I just wrote a novel on the topic lol
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Oh and thanks for the Shadow Woods mention, Rose! I do intend to send it out once I can afford to make a few more copies lol
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I made a start on reading Shadow Woods yesterday in work Mare, but I wasn't logged in to the site and then my stupid boss got in the way grrrrrr!
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I adore Shadow Woods, it was such a good story from start to finish. Among one of my favorites :)
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Aww, thanks guys! :)
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Thanks for the mentions ladies. I've been working on getting Jack into Original fiction...ugh it's a long process though.
I think I would self publish once I got rejected over and over and I just wanted to have a copy of my story in book form, not to sell it. You all are right it does cheapen the whole getting published concept. It seems to easy where is the fun and acheivment of getting a yes on being published by a big publisher.
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I think self-publishing cheapens in one way, but in another it allows for complete creative control and can be a way for those of us who can't afford the editors and all that goes into the actual publishing experience. I mean it's sort of like being an entrepreneur rather than taking a job and working your way up the corporate ladder. There are thousands of crappy businesses started every year but there's the one or two that take over the world quick. What if the kick starters that got some of the more genius companies of today running had gone a more traditional route and never been noticed? I don't know, I think there's some honor going either way - you got noticed by a third party or you made it yourself - but they key isn't in HOW a story is published so much as it is in that the author has talent. Right?
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It's definitely about talent. I just feel that self-publishing is just the easy out. And I know that's why some people do it, so that they don't have to go through all the difficulty of finding a publisher. It's harder, but more rewarding I'd think.
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You know, if you are published by a real place nothing comes out of pocket. The editing, cover, etc... Is done at the publishers expense. If they ask you for money you're being taken for a ride. I didn't have to pay a cent for Mel's. Just the initial cost to mail them my manuscript. It's self publishing that costs an arm and a leg because everything comes out of pocket. The only advantage for that is at the end, you get to keep almost all the money your book makes. But you have to pay to get those books printed in the first place so... Slippery slope there.
I'm Talking about print books of course, and not e-books.
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Tonight's question:
What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?
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Stories that aren't edited properly, as if the writer just didn't seem to care and slapped it all together before posting it. I also don't like summaries that give half the plot away. Keep it simple :)
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I think more than anything I hate walls of text. It's not hard to put spaces in between your paragraphs.
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I pretty much agree with all of you on the self-publishing topic. I see why people do it, but I do think it cheapens the process - the auto-tune analogy is a perfect one. For me personally, I think I'd try to get published the real way (the old-fashioned way) first, and then, like Erika said, if I didn't have any luck there, I could see myself self-publishing. If I had put all that time and effort into writing and editing an original novel, I would want to see it turned into a book one way or another, and self-publishing is a good "other" option. But going through a legitimate publisher is a much bigger accomplishment . For me, the whole publishing thing is all about the accomplishment . I can't think of any reason why I'd want to publish a book, other than just to see it as a book and know that I did that. To be honest, I'm not even sure I would tell people I know that I published a book if it ever happened LOL, as private as I am about my writing in real life. I guess it would depend on the book.
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Gotta agree with Tracy and Steph here - conventions! Spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing - it's all about proofreading and presentation, and some "writers" either just don't get it or don't care enough to do it. If you're not going to put the time into making sure your story is readable, why on earth would I waste my time trying to read it?
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I pretty much agree with all of you on the self-publishing topic. I see why people do it, but I do think it cheapens the process - the auto-tune analogy is a perfect one. For me personally, I think I'd try to get published the real way (the old-fashioned way) first, and then, like Erika said, if I didn't have any luck there, I could see myself self-publishing. If I had put all that time and effort into writing and editing an original novel, I would want to see it turned into a book one way or another, and self-publishing is a good "other" option. But going through a legitimate publisher is a much bigger accomplishment . For me, the whole publishing thing is all about the accomplishment . I can't think of any reason why I'd want to publish a book, other than just to see it as a book and know that I did that. To be honest, I'm not even sure I would tell people I know that I published a book if it ever happened LOL, as private as I am about my writing in real life. I guess it would depend on the book.
It's funny you said that because I had An awfully hard time telling people about my book. It was different telling all of you because that's how you knew me to begin with, but everyone else it took them by surprise lol to know fellow teachers and even a few principals were reading my book was the most uncomfortable feeling ever as well as when people ask me to sign my book. Like a parent of a student or something lol it's always the oddest thing.
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I can totally understand that! I really think I would publish under a pen name and not tell anyone but my family LOL.
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I don't like long paragraphs (walls of text) either. When I write I try to break it up a bit.
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My old eyes can't even handle that anymore. I used to be able to overlook conventions, to some extent, if the storyline was good enough, but nowadays, if you don't know how to change paragraphs between speakers, there is no chance of me making it through your story no matter what it's about!
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My peeves are the same as all of yours with the addition of banners lol
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My biggest peeve has to be poor presentation and spelling. I can't stand huge walls of text and it really puts me off reading. I can forgive the occasional typo because they are easily done, but when it looks like something a child has written, that's when I click out of it LOL.
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My biggest pet peeve is walls of text. I will click out immediately if I see that. It drives me crazy, that and lack of punctuation and spelling. Then, if the person does manage those basics, it's if they can't develop a character. One dimensional characters drive me crazy LOL.
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Tonight's question:
What is the first fanfic you ever read?
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Whoa that is difficult! I think the first story I read was this one that was this series about this girl who was best friends with Nick, got raped by her evil boyfriend and drama ensued. For three stories. The only clear thing I remember about them is her and Nick sitting in a hot tub discussing their relationship and then Nick passes out lol. Either way I was in love with those stories and I think I actually have them printed out in a binder at my parent's house. I hope my mom never finds them lmao. The titles of them were 'Best Friends', 'Healing' and 'Not Everything Turns Out Perfect'.
I also read this other story about this girl who moved to Florida and became friends with Nick and drama ensued. I think that she had secret cancer or something. I actually can't remember much about that. A lot of these stories were just Nick + random girl = drama. I think it was called 'Heaven In Your Eyes.'
I can't believe I remembered the titles of those but nothing that actually happened in them.
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I remember my first fanfic! It was a story called "Blind Love," and I stumbled onto it accidentally while searching for BSB sites on Webcrawler back in the summer of '99 LOL. When I clicked on it and realized I was reading a story someone had written about the Backstreet Boys - specifically, Brian, my favorite - I was like, "OMG, what is this thing called 'fan fiction'?! This is the greatest thing ever!!!"
Anyway, the story was about Brian falling in love (instantly) with a girl named Kristy who was blind. Of course, she has a successful operation to get her sight back halfway through the story, and then Brian dies in a car accident, and the next day, Kristy finds out she's pregnant with his twins. It was written by a 13-year-old, so you can imagine the quality there LOL, but I was 14 and had nothing to compare it to, so I thought it was amazing. Like Steph, I printed the entire thing out and put it in a binder to share with my friends at sleepovers, and we all sat around and read it together and cried when Brian died LOL. I still have it!
There was also a sequel in which Kristy has her twins and hooks up with Nick, and then Brian comes back to life - yes, literally comes back to life. Oh, teenybopper stories! :P
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Lmao! Just at both of those!
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The very first fanfic I stumbled upon was a visual and I had no idea what it was and didn't actually read it. Thank goodness for that because I probably would have never gotten into writing if that's what I had to base fanfic on.
I remember I had just gotten into BSB, didn't really know much about them but wanted to so I was surfing the net and stumbled on Jenna's website where the name Swollen Issues stuck out like a sore thumb. How can you not click on a story with that title? Lol I was also curious to know what the heck that had to do with the Backstreet Boys. After I figured out it was a story I then decided to read it as well as one she was hosting at the time which turned out to be Ground Zero. I was really lucky to have those be my first fanfics.
Ground Zero wasn't completed on her site and it took forever before I finally found the completed version because Chaos replied to a feedback I sent him. It took him forever to do that lol
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I would have to say Mizpah probably. I can't really remember the exact Fanfic I read first but the first one I remember really getting into was Mizpah by Mare. Either that or the Swollen Issues series. I remember both stories had me so hooked I couldn't stop reading them.
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Aww thanks, Tracy! It's weird hearing I am someone's first story lol
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You're welcome, Mare! I loved Swollen Issues and she had another story called Perfection as well, where Nick had a eating disorder I believe? It was so good. I love reading that kind of angst/drama type story.
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I have to say, out of all my favorite fanfic writers, Jenna writes the most addicting stories! I didn't read Swollen Issues until she and Swenglish were writing the second one, but I got hooked and was so addicted to it, I would check that site multiple times a day to see if perhaps they had updated. ADDICTED. Jenna's Nick and Lizz series was equally addicting back in the day. Her angsty stuff was right up my alley!
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The very first fanfic I stumbled upon was a visual and I had no idea what it was and didn't actually read it. Thank goodness for that because I probably would have never gotten into writing if that's what I had to base fanfic on.
Haha, I remember my first visual too! I didn't discover those until I'd been reading fanfic for a few months at least, but I found a whole site of them and didn't realize what the term "visual" meant until I read one. I did most of my fanfic reading in my mom's classroom at her school, while she worked over the summer, because the internet connection was faster and wouldn't tie up the phone line at home (back in the days of dial-up!), so I was sitting on a school computer in the same room as my mother when this happened. I can only imagine how wide my 14-year-old eyes got and how red my face must have been! But I read like three of them on that site before I clicked off it. :P I guess that was before the days of internet filters to block inappropriate websites - if the school's network had one, it didn't work! LOL
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I have a question for you all - what is the most influential fanfic you've read, in terms of influencing or inspiring your own writing?
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Oh yes I remember reading part of the Nick and Lizz series too. I also remember reading this story about Nick that started when bsb first formed...I can't remember the name of it but it was not on AC. I know there was a scene where Nick and Brian played with lightsabers. I wish I knew what it was called.
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Oh yes I remember reading part of the Nick and Lizz series too. I also remember reading this story about Nick that started when bsb first formed...I can't remember the name of it but it was not on AC. I know there was a scene where Nick and Brian played with lightsabers. I wish I knew what it was called.
I don't know about the light sabers, but was it Come Together? http://www.dreamers-sanctuary.com/dwlyn/cometogether.html
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Haha, I remember my first visual too! I didn't discover those until I'd been reading fanfic for a few months at least, but I found a whole site of them and didn't realize what the term "visual" meant until I read one. I did most of my fanfic reading in my mom's classroom at her school, while she worked over the summer, because the internet connection was faster and wouldn't tie up the phone line at home (back in the days of dial-up!), so I was sitting on a school computer in the same room as my mother when this happened. I can only imagine how wide my 14-year-old eyes got and how red my face must have been! But I read like three of them on that site before I clicked off it. :P I guess that was before the days of internet filters to block inappropriate websites - if the school's network had one, it didn't work! LOL
Man, visuals! That must have been so awkward, Julie, reading those in your mom's classroom! I had read a few fics that had sex scenes in them, but when my friend and I discovered that there were stories that were just the sex part we read through so many of them. And then (this is so awkward) since she liked AJ, and I liked Nick we decided that we would write each other a visual and do a swap. I can't believe we did that! We even wrote them in class on looseleaf and passed them to each other in the hall to read in our next classes.
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I have a question for you all - what is the most influential fanfic you've read, in terms of influencing or inspiring your own writing?
Hmmm, good question! That 'I Need You Tonight' story I read when I was 15 (and was absolutely obsessed with) was something that made me really want to try my best and write something awesome. I guess that's the point when I decided I was really going to try and craft a good story instead of just write out my fantasies.
I think as far as more recently though, it was definitely Why I'd Do It All Again by Mare. Which I think I've mentioned here before. It made me want to branch out and write something that was centered around the guys and their relationships with each other, rather than Nick and his girl drama.
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Man, visuals! That must have been so awkward, Julie, reading those in your mom's classroom! I had read a few fics that had sex scenes in them, but when my friend and I discovered that there were stories that were just the sex part we read through so many of them. And then (this is so awkward) since she liked AJ, and I liked Nick we decided that we would write each other a visual and do a swap. I can't believe we did that! We even wrote them in class on looseleaf and passed them to each other in the hall to read in our next classes.
LOL That is awkward, but I remember lots of authors who would write visuals for their friends or even offer up their services to write visuals for readers who requested them.
Luckily, my mom was on the other side of the room and was completely oblivious to what I was reading LOL.
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I thought of that question after talking about Swollen Issues, because that series was very influential for me. It came right around the same time as Now or Never, which was the start of my "Nick phase," when I started reading and writing more Nick-centered stories, beginning with Broken. I had done a couple of Nick stories before that, but I mostly wrote about Brian or the group. Broken was totally inspired by Swollen, and I spent 5 years writing Broken and BMS, so it definitely influenced my writing "career"!
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I don't think that was the story. I'm gonna read it anyway though, sounds interesting. Thanks for trying, Julie!
I have never read a full on visual. I'm hesitant to read those kind of stories with graphic sex scenes in them, but there is a first time for everything.
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The first fanfic I read wasn't a BSB fanfic it was a video game fanfic, probably a Final Fantasy fic.
The most influential was probably my friend Amanda's fanfic regarding Legend of Dragoon, another video game. Just her style and way with words made/make me strive to write better. I love that she is helping me edit my own stories for attempts at publishing.
That probably says a lot about me that my first and most influential are not BSB stories. I couldn't tell you the first BSB fanfic I read. I had an award portion of my site, a fanfic challenge portion of my site and eventually a review site, they all blur together. I didn't have the experience of printing off my first BSB fanfic and putting it in a binder, but it sounds like something I might have done if I was younger. I DO remember taking my first fanfic around school with me and writing between classes and passing off to Amanda in the halls for her turn.
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Man, visuals! That must have been so awkward, Julie, reading those in your mom's classroom! I had read a few fics that had sex scenes in them, but when my friend and I discovered that there were stories that were just the sex part we read through so many of them. And then (this is so awkward) since she liked AJ, and I liked Nick we decided that we would write each other a visual and do a swap. I can't believe we did that! We even wrote them in class on looseleaf and passed them to each other in the hall to read in our next classes.
People still do that now I believe. Adult people lol
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I have a question for you all - what is the most influential fanfic you've read, in terms of influencing or inspiring your own writing?
For me it was definitely Ground Zero. He made me realize I could write the idea I had playing in my head. Stories like 7 Days and On the Run also helped. Awesomely written action/suspense fics.
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Hmmm, good question! That 'I Need You Tonight' story I read when I was 15 (and was absolutely obsessed with) was something that made me really want to try my best and write something awesome. I guess that's the point when I decided I was really going to try and craft a good story instead of just write out my fantasies.
I think as far as more recently though, it was definitely Why I'd Do It All Again by Mare. Which I think I've mentioned here before. It made me want to branch out and write something that was centered around the guys and their relationships with each other, rather than Nick and his girl drama.
Thanks Steph, glad I helped you decide to branch out because Running Up that Hill is awesome :)
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I typed up a really long answer earlier, went to post it and I'd been logged out :(
Anyway, the first fanfic I ever read was a Take That one, I can't remember the name of it right now, but it was about a woman in her 30s who was in an unhappy marriage. She meets Gary Barlow in a random place (think it was a hotel) and they begin an affair. There were lots of dramatic events along the way, but they end up together in the end. It was an amazing story and so well written. I found myself checking for updates all the time as I was hooked!
So in reply to the other question about which story has been influential, I'd probably have to say that one. If I'd never come across that story or site, I'd never have discovered fanfic.
I think the first BSB story I read was possibly Ray of Hope or one which was very Jericho like and was never finished on here.
Mare, yes I think people still do that with the visuals, LOL. I did one as a challenge on another site about 3 years ago. I find it quite awkward writing that kind of thing, so it was quite a challenge :)
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The most influential? I wanna say Mare really got me thinking of writing suspense. For about two years I was writing romantic comedy, and when I began writing FYO was the turning point. I started writing all kinds of genres, and now I am down to write everything. I also get inspired by Rose and Julie a lot because I love their work as well. Song For The Undead is one of my favorites. So it really isn't one story that inspired me, but several of them.
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Thanks, Tracy! :)
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Tonight's question:
Our newest member Cinzia gave me the idea for this one. Is there a storyline that you want to see covered that no one has really touched on?
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Thanks, Tracy! :)
I'll echo that! :)
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I'd like to see some set during Millennium, I really like that time period. I also wouldn't mind seeing more action/adventure type ones.
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Tonight's question:
Our newest member Cinzia gave me the idea for this one. Is there a storyline that you want to see covered that no one has really touched on?
This is going back 13 years, but going off what came up in the Brian thread about a lack of modern stories about Brian's heart surgery, I always wanted to read about his illness when he was five. I always thought - and still think - that is such an incredible story; it's one of the first things I read about Brian (in Teen People, summer '98) when I was first becoming a BSB fan, and it's always interested me.
When I first started reading fanfic, I read a lot of tearjerker stories about Brian, but none that addressed that, until I came across this short story called "The Dream" (or something like that) that did, only it all turned out to be a dream that Brian's childhood friend was remembering as an adult, when she was married to Brian. That is actually the story that prompted me to try writing my own fanfic, because I wanted to see that short story expanded on. That first attempt eventually became my story "Years of Grace" (which isn't on AC, but it's on my site). I wrote a couple different short stories just about that experience when Brian was 5, but those are the only ones I really know of that exist.
Nowadays, I don't know... I do enjoy reading stories about those dramatic parts of BSB history, but most of them have been written about by at least someone. Steph's doing an awesome job fictionalizing the summer AJ went to rehab with Running Up That Hill, for example. I guess a more recent time in BSB history that I haven't seen someone write a story directly about is Nick's struggle with drugs and alcohol, the cardiomyopathy diagnosis, and his weight loss and total transformation these last few years. I know some stories have addressed it, and Rose's story Divine Intervention, for example, uses it as the basis for more of a supernatural/fantasy storyline, but I haven't read just a straightforwar d account of it. I'd be surprised if no one had written a story just about that, though, so there probably is one that I just haven't read!
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I'd like to see some set during Millennium, I really like that time period. I also wouldn't mind seeing more action/adventure type ones.
The one I'm writing right now (and not posting lol) is set during Millennium and is action adventure-y! Haha. It's that one I mentioned in the other thread where Nick has to save the world from angels. So maybe eventually you'll get to read it!
And thank you for the compliment on Running Up That Hill, Julie :) I should probably update that one day. I'm super stuck with it again even though I've outlined.
I'd have to agree with Julie in that I'd really love to read a modern story about Brian's heart surgery. I'd like the read about that in a very true to life kind of way. I think knowing what we do now vs. the little tidbits they told us then, it could be really interesting.
I'd also definitely like to read a story about Nick's struggles with addiction. There was one that was getting posted on here, but she stopped updating. Too bad, because I felt like it was going to be really good!
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I was looking up websites on yahoo when I came across. "All I Wanted Was Some Cough Medicine" Iby Mare. I,n my head I thought, wow this is a really long title. I clicked on it and I was hooked. I read it in two sittings and I was so mad at the perverted girl that kept creeping out poor young Nick. lol.
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Wow, thanks Erika! I had no clue you even read that one and I agree she was really creepy lol
That story won worst title of a fanfic at one of those anti fanfic awards sites lol *beams proudly*
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I would love to see a story set while Nick was doing his solo thing but in the eyes of the entire group. Their friendship and what it was like during that time.
I'd also love to see a story dealing with the whole Lou thing how it really was for them when he formed Nsync and the allegations about how he was with Nick etc... I know that time period has been written about but I don't think I've ever read a story about the beginning of the end of that relationship. people hdvr always requested that I write one of those but I've always been more interested in reading someone else's take.
I love the old school stuff. lol
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Sounds interesting Steph, I can't wait to read it. You already know how I feel about Running Up That Hill lol.
Another story I'd like to see is maybe one about time traveling, like a back to the future type one
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Thanks Tracy. Time travelling would be cool too!
And yes, Mare, I would LOVE to read an old school story centered around either of those events. I was planning on doing one about Nick recording Now or Never after Running Up That Hill was done but at the rate that's going you'd be reading that story in ten years :P
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Since we're talking about BSB history... do you prefer to base your stories on real things that have happened in their lives or make up your own completely fictional storylines?
Along the same lines maybe, do your stories usually take place in the past (earlier in the Boys' career), the present, or the future?
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I usually write AU but in Figured You Out I set it in the This Is Us era and in Weird World in the Millennium era. As for When I Grow Up, that took place in the past and the future, so
it really depends on the fit for the story.
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I tend to jump all over the place. I don't usually write things set in the future, but I've written stories set in most eras. The only one I haven't done yet is This Is Us.
I do a little bit of both - I try to keep all my stories relatively close to their timelines and I try to keep them realistic and in line with things that have actually happened. But sometimes I'll just randomly make up stuff that totally interferes with real life "canon."
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As for the timeline stuff, no I don't really follow anything. I kinda make things up but in my Nick AU Romance I did follow his career a little. Not perfectly the same but his real life did come into play a bit.
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I poked in here and it's funny because I was just thinking with the talk in the other thread about doing a story about Brian's surgery that it would be really interesting if someone wrote a series of stories about various portions of the Boys' actual history - being really thorough with research - to sort of fictionalize the entire story. Some of the stories would overlap, obviously, but for the most part each "era" could probably be melted down to being mostly about one Boy in particular, which is who the narrative would be in the POV of... I think it would be a really interesting project. It would have to be REALLY well researched, though.
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That would be a massive undertaking, I think! Just doing the one summer when they were on a break from the tour is difficult enough for me, lol.
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There's nothing like a good challenge though... :D
I'm seriously tempted to think about this. I dunno. I'll stick to the one story for now, but I may revisit this series idea in the future.
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You know, I've been tempted to write about the early days, knowing all that we know now. The allegations, the NSYNC bs, everything. It's on my list of ideas to do, but with the way my life's been, lord knows if I'll ever find the time LOL.
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Since we're talking about BSB history... do you prefer to base your stories on real things that have happened in their lives or make up your own completely fictional storylines?
Along the same lines maybe, do your stories usually take place in the past (earlier in the Boys' career), the present, or the future?
I write a bit of both. I add real events in with fictional events and also ones which are completely AU.
I'd say my stories usually take place from Never Gone onwards, I've written one which took them into the future too.
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Since we're talking about BSB history... do you prefer to base your stories on real things that have happened in their lives or make up your own completely fictional storylines?
Along the same lines maybe, do your stories usually take place in the past (earlier in the Boys' career), the present, or the future?
I really like to incorporate as many real life events as possible. I don't really like making fake tours or albums etc... It's easier for me to make it more believable if I make it true to life. What else happens around those real events however are usually made up. lol
Because of my above answer, I tend to write in the past because that's when I had the best handle on them and their personalities. Since my stories are so focused on the relationship they have with each other, writing present day with all the families, wives etc... It gets harder to figure out a way to have them not be in it and I'm all about that lol
I have written in all areas though.
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I poked in here and it's funny because I was just thinking with the talk in the other thread about doing a story about Brian's surgery that it would be really interesting if someone wrote a series of stories about various portions of the Boys' actual history - being really thorough with research - to sort of fictionalize the entire story. Some of the stories would overlap, obviously, but for the most part each "era" could probably be melted down to being mostly about one Boy in particular, which is who the narrative would be in the POV of... I think it would be a really interesting project. It would have to be REALLY well researched, though.
That's kind of what I did for Why I'd Do it all Again and it took a lot of research and a long time to write. It's also the longest fanfic I ever wrote because of all the stuff I had to include lol
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Tonight's question:
Do you consider yourself a picky reader?
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I am a pretty picky reader. I always have been with real books, but I didn't used to be with fanfic. I used to read just about anything, especially if it was about Brian, but I also think there was more to choose from back in the day - more websites to explore, more of the kind of stories I really enjoyed, the dramatic tearjerker and suspenseful stuff. But my standards for things like conventions and presentation were also a lot lower. I knew and followed the rules for paragraphing, dialogue, etc. in my own writing, but it didn't bother me as much to read stories that didn't.
Nowadays, maybe because I've read so many stories, it takes something special to hook my attention and suck me in. Besides the storyline appealing to me, the writing has to be good - I won't waste my time on poorly-written stories. I don't have as much free time (or maybe I just have more distractions), and usually I'd rather spend the time I do have for fanfic trying to write it, rather than read it. I still read it when I find a story I want to read; it just doesn't happen as often.
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I really like to incorporate as many real life events as possible. I don't really like making fake tours or albums etc... It's easier for me to make it more believable if I make it true to life. What else happens around those real events however are usually made up. lol
This is how I am. I usually write in the present or just slightly in the future (so that whatever I'm writing about seems like something that COULD happen), although I'll write in the past if it works better for the storyline, like with Guilty Roads, and that can be fun too. Usually, though, I'm such a stickler for reality that I want to make it as believable as possible, and that means sticking to canon. I like to work real life events into my fictional storyline as much as I can, to add to that sense of realism.
Curtain Call takes place during the This is Us tour, and for every concert date, I would look at videos of soundcheck or reviews of the concert to see what stood out that I could work in - the Michael McDonald version of Shattered, Nick forgetting the lyrics to Panic, the soundcheck Nick missed because Lauren was sick, etc. It was kind of a fun challenge to see how many real life events I could make work with my storyline, and it was a little scary how well some of them did!
Even with AUs, there are some details of their real lives I always keep, things like Brian's heart condition, AJ's alcoholism, Nick's dysfunctional family. Those things just seem like such an integral part what has shaped them into the people they are that it doesn't feel like a BSB fanfic without them.
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I suppose I'm picky in that I usually stick to reading the same authors. When I first joined the site, I read and reviewed so many stories until I discovered the writers I liked the most.
If a summary looks interesting, I'll click on the story and give it a go though.
I'll read just about any genre, so I'm not picky that way.
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When it comes to being picky, I'm the opposite of you, Julie. I'm pretty much willing to give anything a try in book form as long as it seems like something I might want to read. If the summary sounds semi interesting or someone mentions it's a good read, more than likely i'll check it out.
Fanfic is where i'm really picky almost to the point of being snobbish (at least i'm sure that's how it comes off lol) You would think i'd be less picky with the free thing but i'm a lefty so I guess we are a little weird! :OP
I just know what I want to read when it comes to the fandom so i'm more willing to skip over things that do not seem appealing to me. If enough people recommend it, I might give it a try, but even then....if it's a girl based romance i'm skipping it. LOL I don't really care how well written it is where as if it's a book i'll jump on it.
Weird lol
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Tonight's question:
Do you truly dislike any of the Backstreet Boys or people close to them and if yes, do you find it hinders the way you write or portray them?
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I really, really dislike Nick's mom and rarely, if ever include her in any of my stories. Luckily in the stories I've written there's hardly been a need for her to show up anyway. The only exception was Nick getting married, and so I just wrote Jane out by having Nick not invite her to the wedding and having a mini drama explaining his reasons why lol.
Lately I also really don't like Aaron, but I'll be including him in Running Up That Hill eventually so I'll have to get over that. It'll help that he was much better in 2001 than he is now, I think.
Yeah, mostly Nick's family I generally don't enjoy writing about. They're so messed up, and not even in that good, I can use this for drama kind of way. Just because I find it sad that with them, you don't need to fictionalize their horrible personalities. Then I just end up feeling bad for real life Nick.
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No, I don't dislike any of the boys. I don't know much about their families as I don't care about them. When it comes to writing, I tend to leave their families out of it, or just mention the occasional name here and there.
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Tonight's question:
Do you truly dislike any of the Backstreet Boys or people close to them and if yes, do you find it hinders the way you write or portray them?
I doubt there's many people who don't already know this but I am not a Kevin fan by any means. I don't think it hinders my writing, I occasionally use him, but he's generally an anal retentive greaseball which is just how he is in my head anyway. :)
Oh, and I also will never use the real names of any of their employees. It's one thing to write fanfic about celebs but when you start throwing in people who are just doing their jobs (ie photographers, managers, etc) it seems weird.
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The only people associated with the Boys that I don't like are most of the Carters, especially Bob and Jane. Of the siblings, I liked Leslie the most, but now I guess I like Angel the most. I really try to avoid writing about the whole clan as much as possible, though.
Everyone else associated with the Boys, I either like or don't know enough about to form a personal opinion on. I like/support the rest of their families, wives, current girlfriends, and kids. They're never major characters in my stories, but I'll include them as needed. I generally don't really know enough about their employees to form an opinion. If I include those people in my stories, it's just a mention for realism's sake.
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I didn't mean I didn't like them lol Though I guess that was the question... I just felt compelled to add that :P
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I've always made Nick's mom a bitch. I don't care for Jane at all, but I did make his father and Aaron nice in the same story. As for Kevin, I'm not really a fan of him. I usually make him mean or an asshole, but in my AU series he is nice. So it depends on my mood. I flat out don't write about Nick's family usually.
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I'm not a fan of the Carter clan so much so that I always tend to do Nick a favor and give him nicer parents and siblings or just don't mention them at all.
Also not a fan of Leighanne so when I have to write her in, I usually do so in passing or portray her as I feel she is in real life lol
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Tonight's question:
Do you truly dislike any of the Backstreet Boys or people close to them and if yes, do you find it hinders the way you write or portray them?
I don't dislike any of the boys or people close to them. It depends on the situation that I'm writing about. For one story, I had to make Leighanne as the "bitch and crazy wife" lol Generally, if I portray a character in a bad light, I try to give them a valid reason to act in a certain way and not just because I don't like them.
Kevin and Howie are the one that I always leave in the background, lol, but I ten to write Kevin as the "overprotective cousin" lol It's so damn fun!
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Yesterday's question since I couldn't get on here long enough to post lol
Honestly, how do you feel about reviews and feedback? Do you give it and how does it affect you when you get it?
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Well everyone knows I love to review things I like, even if it is an old story I will review every chapter.
For me leaving reviews is fun, I like to see the author's responses as well :)
When I get the email notification for a new review on my phone I get really happy. It is a grwat feeling knowing someone enjoyed my work enough to leave a comment. It just motivates me to write more and makes me really happy and accomplished.
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I love reviews! I've never been the kind of writer who threatens or bribes readers to leave them ("I won't update anymore unless I get so many reviews!"), but I do look forward to getting feedback. If I didn't, I'd just keep my stories to myself, at least until they were done. Getting feedback along the way is what's fun about posting a story as it's in progress. A good review makes me smile, makes my day, keeps me inspired, or sometimes even motivates me to go back to a story I've neglected for awhile. Reviews are powerful!!
Knowing that, I always review what I've enjoyed reading. I feel that it's part of being a responsible reader of fanfiction. As readers, we're getting good reading material for free; the least we can do is leave feedback as a token of appreciation. It's an etiquette thing. But like Tracy said, I do genuinely enjoy sharing my thoughts with the writer and getting a response back from them.
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Yesterday's question since I couldn't get on here long enough to post lol
Honestly, how do you feel about reviews and feedback? Do you give it and how does it affect you when you get it?
I think that most of people who post their stories on fanfic site or boards want to receive some feedback. It's a good way to have, hopefully, a costructive feedback and to know if they are good or not. I admit, I love getting reviews, even if it's only one. It makes me happy. And, as RokofAges75 said, it keeps me motivated. There had been times when I wanted to give up and then, just a small comment, and I was smiling like it was Christmas Day. Most of all, I love talking with my readers, see what they think about the characters or what they think it's going to happen.
I try to leave review, especially when I'm absolute in love with a story. Most of the times I don't leave them not because I don't like the story but because I don't know how to explain myself. It's hard to leave a full review when you can't come up with the words and it annoys me when people only leave a simple "I love it" so I tend not to write it and wait for the moment when I finally have all the words ready. :)
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I love leaving reviews to tell the author how much I'm loving the story, and also I'm always happy to see reviews for my stories :)
I don't like writers who threaten not to post until they get reviews, it just seems desperate and makes me think they are only writing for the reviews instead of writing because they love it.
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I love getting reviews too. It just motivates me to keep writing and it's a great feeling to know that someone is enjoying my stories. Although, lately instead of getting reviews I get a lot of emails and tweets about how much they are enjoying or loving my story. Sometimes you don't even know someone was reading your story till they make a comment. lol.
I try my best to give reviews to those stories that I am enjoying. The only time I don't leave reviews is if the story doesn't catch my attention anymore and I stopped reading or my ipod is not cooperating and it wont let me. :shrug:
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I think getting reviews is such an important part of writing fanfic. It kind of helps validate why we do what we do. I mean yes, we all write for ourselves but we post it for everyone else so it's nice to hear that people enjoy it as much as you do. I know when I get a review, even if it's just a "yay that was great!" it always brings a smile to my face. I always make it a point of leaving reviews of things I commit to reading. I think every writer should or they don't deserve to get feedback on their stuff.
I also love reading the author responses to things I say. Another thing I think all writers should take the time to do.
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Tonight's question: have you ever been flamed? (that means given an overly bad review written in a rude way) if so, how did you deal with it? Have you ever flamed anyone in a review?
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I definitely like getting reviews. I wouldn't post if I didn't! It's nice to know that people are reading and enjoying my writing. That's why I especially enjoy AC. Back in the day, when I had my old, crappy website, I never knew if anyone was actually reading anything I wrote. Now I do!
I also really like giving reviews and reading the author responses. I think it's really cool to be able to have that type of dialogue with other writers about their work. Plus I don't really talk with anyone about fanfic except you guys, so it gives me a place to put all my thoughts as I read. lol
As for flaming, I got flamed a few times back in the FF.net days. I wrote this pretty popular Aaron Carter story (that's actually posted under my account here LOL I don't have the heart to delete it) and I got flamed for it a few times, especially at the end when I killed off Aaron's girlfriend in the story. Oops. I also got flamed when I rated one of my stories R, posted the first chapter, and when there was no porn, people flipped out! LOL and even at 13 I was just like "Dude, the story is rated R. Not every single chapter! Let it build up!" Haha. Just dumb teenybopper stuff like that. I've never flamed anyone though. It's kind of a douchey thing to do.
Oh actually I did get flamed recently! I used to do this podcast about Avatar The Last Airbender, and this guy emailed in with a huge hate rant about me, saying I was the worst person ever and how the podcast had no credibility because I was on it. Annnnnd all this because I shipped two characters that he didn't. For serious. Come on dude! Anyway, we read the email on the show and afterwards I got a whole ton of emails from people saying I was the best part of the podcast and how they totally shipped the characters I did. That's not really a fanfic story but it kinda is because he hated me because of my love of fanfic for those two characters haha.
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I have never gotten a bad review....yet. I got some constructive criticism from Steph during the reading challenge last summer, and now that I've gone back and read it...she actually really helped me with some points. I want to rewrite it at some point to make it better.
I've never given a bad review but I did give someone criticism on a story that was not well written. I would never flame someone in a review, I usually don't review if I don't like something.
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Yeah, if I don't like something I usually just don't review. I generally don't give constructive criticism unless asked. I mean, I put my stuff out there for people to read and enjoy, and sometimes it can be a little off putting to get a ton of constructive feedback on something you wrote for fun when you didn't ask for it.
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That's so funny you brought that up because I was going to add on an additional question and that's whether or not you give con crit if it's not specifically asked for lol
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If someone has asked for concrit I will give it, but if they didn't I won't. I always welcome constructive criticism....I wish I got it for some of the stories I've been working on actually, it helps me a bit.
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I don't think I've ever been flamed or flamed anyone. Like others have said, I generally only review stories that I've enjoyed enough to read more than a chapter of, and I keep my reviews positive, unless the writer is asking specifically for con crit. Con crit is designed to be helpful, but only if the writer is open to it; I've seen people get their feelings hurt because they were blindsided by it and took it personally, and I would never want to do that to someone unintentionall y.
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I've never flamed anyone as I think that's really awful. If I don't like a story, I won't read or review it. I don't think I've ever been flamed, although once (on a Take That site I used to post on) someone did tell me that she didn't like how I'd written Gary (I made him an asshole in an AU story).
As for con crit, I don't usually give that either, but last year for the summer reading challenge I did because Tracy wanted to know whether the story flowed OK. I would never want to hurt someone's feelings though and would only give con crit to be helpful. Same goes for me receiving con crit, I'd be alright with it as long as it wasn't something like "hey Steph, your story is crap!" lol.
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I have never flamed anyone & I haven't ever been flamed myself. I only give concrit when people ask for it. As far as receiving it, I don't really mind as long as its helpful. If a story is in progress & somebody notices something that needs to be fixed I'm grateful for the advice or suggestions. If a story is long finished though, it just will annoy me lol
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I would only give con crit if someone asked for it too. I think I've only given it for the reading challenge last year.
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Yes, same here. That goes with the signing up for the challenges lol
Tonight's question:
What is your reading preference & why?
All five boys with no female lead
One boy and one girl only with the others in the background if even
Frick and Frack
Kevin and Nick
AJ and Brian
Kevin and Howie
Howie and AJ
Nick and AJ
Etc... You get the idea lol are there any of the pairings above you wouldn't want to read?
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I will read anything but I usually stay away from stories about Howie, Kevin or AJ...but I do love group stories best.
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Usually all five boys with no female lead or Nick centric. I'll read basically anything that's Nick centric! Love him... as I'm sure you all know. I'm pretty open! I used to really only read Nick romance but I've moved away from that. My favourite pairing to read about if it only concerns a couple of the boys is Frick and Frack or Howie and AJ.
I don't know that I would read a Kevin and Howie story or a Kevin and Brian story. I don't know if they clash enough to make a story interesting... I need clashing and angst or at least a wonderful bromance lol.
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I will read anything paired with Nick but I stay away from romance even though I write it.
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I much prefer stories with all five guys but Nick centered. If I have to read something without all five, I much prefer Nick & Kevin or pretty much Nick with any of them. I admit I'm not interested in stories which focus on the other four. Yup, picky lol
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I prefer reading stories about Brian, Nick, or the whole group. I'm not usually drawn to stories about Kevin or Howie. AJ's kind of my in-between - I like reading him as a secondary character, but usually not the main character.
I don't mind female leads, but they better be interesting and likable if they're going to dominate the story. In a fanfic, I prefer original characters to be in supporting roles; at least one of the Backstreet Boys should be the star of the story.
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I actually really love group stories that are Nick centered. Or the Nick/Kevin dynamic :)
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I don't really mind. I do tend to read Nick/Group/Female Lead stories mostly though.
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Yes, same here. That goes with the signing up for the challenges lol
Tonight's question:
What is your reading preference & why?
All five boys with no female lead
One boy and one girl only with the others in the background if even
Frick and Frack
Kevin and Nick
AJ and Brian
Kevin and Howie
Howie and AJ
Nick and AJ
Etc... You get the idea lol are there any of the pairings above you wouldn't want to read?
I love reading stories centred on the group, I stay away from fiction that are written from the female pov, because most of the times there is no focus on the guys and their dynamics. Of course, I read anything that has Brian as the main character or as the supportive character. Usually, I'm a FrickNFrack lover so I read anything that has Brian and Nick as main character. I stay away from the Nick's one. Sorry but I have read too much and they're mostly all the same. I think that I haven't ever read a Kevin fic lol
As a slash lover, I have read everything. lol And it is the same, just as long as it's a Brian centered and I can read him with anyone (even Justin Timberlake and Eminem lol). But my favorite are FrickNFrack and Brian&Aj.
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Here's a question: Do you tend to write more character-driven or plot-driven stories?
If you're not sure, this article explains the difference and even has a little quiz you can take to find out which style you probably are. http://www.writersstore.com/character-driven-or-action-driven
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Yay, Julie! That can be our question on the night since I had absolutely nothing lol
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Here's a question: Do you tend to write more character-driven or plot-driven stories?
If you're not sure, this article explains the difference and even has a little quiz you can take to find out which style you probably are. http://www.writersstore.com/character-driven-or-action-driven
When I click on this link, it keeps taking me to facebook lol weird.
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Yay, Julie! That can be our question on the night since I had absolutely nothing lol
LOL I kinda figured; I kept waiting for you to post something. This thread is the highlight of my day! :P
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When I click on this link, it keeps taking me to facebook lol weird.
That is weird! It works for me. I'll just paste the part that applies into here.
Character-Driven or Action-Driven?
By Martha Alderson, M.A.
Most writers have a preference for one style of writing over another. Some writers are more adept at developing complex, interesting, and quirky characters. Others excel at page-turning action. The lucky ones are writers who are good at creating both the Character Emotional Development plotline and the Dramatic Action plotline. Become aware of your strength and learn to address your weakness, and you, too, can become one of the lucky ones.
Broadly speaking, writers who prefer writing action-driven stories focus on logical thinking, rational analysis, and accuracy. Action-driven writers tend to rely more on the left side of their brain. These writers approach writing as a linear function and see the story in its parts. Action-driven writers like structure. They usually pre-plot or create an outline before writing. Action-driven writers have little trouble expressing themselves in words.
On the other hand, writers who write character-driven stories tend to focus on aesthetics and feelings, creativity and imagination. These writers access the right side of their brains and enjoy playing with the beauty of language. They are more intuitive, and like to work things out on the page. Character-driven writers are holistic and subjective. They can synthesize new information, but are somewhat (or more) disorganized and random. They see the story as the whole. Right brain writers may know what they mean, but often have trouble finding the right words.
The Test
Take the test to see whether you are stronger at developing Character Emotional Development plotlines or Dramatic Action plotlines.
Fill in the Character Emotional Development Plot Profile below for your protagonist (the character who is most changed by the dramatic action), any other major viewpoint characters and, if there is one, the character who represents the major antagonist for the protagonist.
1) Protagonist's overall story goal:
2) What stands in his/her way of achieving this goal:
3) What does he/she stand to lose, if not successful:
4) Flaw or greatest fault:
5) Greatest strength:
6) Hates:
7) Loves:
8) Fear:
9) Secret:
10) Dream:
Results
1) Writers who filled out 1-3 with ease prefer writing Dramatic Action.
2) Writers who filled in 4- 10 with ease prefer Character Emotional Development.
3) Writers who filled in everything with ease find both the Dramatic Action and the Character Emotional Development plotlines come easy.
Analysis
Without a firm understanding of points 1-3, you have no front story. The Dramatic Action plotline is what gets the reader turning the pages. Without it there is no excitement on the page.
Without a firm understanding of points 4-10, you are more likely to line up the action pieces of your story, arrange them in a logical order and then draw conclusions. Yet, no matter how exciting the action, this presentation lacks the human element. Such an omission increases your chances of losing your audience's interest; readers read 70% for character.
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What an interesting article. Before reading it, I would've said I am mostly a plot driven writer but besides all the action etc...I fall more into the character driven one according to the article.
I don't write outlines and usually am pretty loose when it comes to the overall make up of the story. My characters are pretty important overall but it is usually the plot I spend more time on. So, I guess in the end, i'm going with both lol Just like i'm ambidexterous, i'm also ambidrivenous. lmao
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LOL I kinda figured; I kept waiting for you to post something. This thread is the highlight of my day! :P
LOL and that's how you can tell you're on vacation!
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aww thanks for reposting that! Yeah it wouldn't work on my IPod but it does on the crappy computer lmao go figure!
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LOL and that's how you can tell you're on vacation!
LOL Yep!
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I've always been more plot-driven. It may come with the territory of writing fanfic, seeing as how our main characters are kind of already created for us, but when I think of an idea for a story, I think of the plot first and the characters second. I try to write dynamic characters who change as a result of the plot, and I think I've gotten better at that over the years, but I still tend to focus on the events more than the characters. I am an outliner and a stickler for accuracy, so that fits with the plot-driven profile too.
Some of the character-driven qualities fit me too, especially with certain stories. I think maybe that's the direction my writing is heading in, which is probably a good thing. It's hard to write a good story without a plot, but as the article points out, readers read 70% for character. A story is nothing without great characters to bring it to life. I think the best authors are the ones who find that balance between plot and character.
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Tonight's question is more of a BSB fun random one. All this older interview talk inspired this.
What is your all time favorite BSB interview and why? As an added bonus, if you have a link to it, that would be awesome! :)
Related question: is there an interview or appearance that inspired a scene of one of your stories? Again, if you have a link that would be super.
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When we were all doing the 1000 Ways To Kill Nick Carter story the George Lopez Q and A inspired the one I'd written about Nick swimming naked with sharks. I don't have a favorite interview per se, but I loved the George Lopez one.
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That is a fun question! The first one that came to mind was the Frank Skinner show in the UK that they did while promoting Never Gone in 2005. There was so much hilarious stuff in that interview, but my favorite part was them reenacting Nick's poop in the sock prank. Epic. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS-Ch1HSioA The best part starts at 4:18. The VERY best part is Kevin's reaction after he pulls out the bonus "surprise" from the sock at 5:28. :D
The 2-hour MTV special they did right before Millennium came out has always been a favorite of mine, too. It was long, and there was a lot of fun stuff on it, like the trivia contest they did with fans. Here is Part 1 of that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKuE-V5pshQ
As far as scenes from stories... I started Identical with their appearance on Leno in 2001, the one where they all showed their special talents - Nick burped on command, Brian did his Donald Duck voice, etc. I can't find a video on YouTube.
I wrote or at least referenced a lot of real appearances in Curtain Call, but my favorite was the soundcheck where they sang "Shattered" Michael McDonald style. SO funny: http://youtu.be/9wI8SDPg1FA (http:// http://youtu.be/9wI8SDPg1FA)
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When we were all doing the 1000 Ways To Kill Nick Carter story the George Lopez Q and A inspired the one I'd written about Nick swimming naked with sharks. I don't have a favorite interview per se, but I loved the George Lopez one.
That was a good one!!
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I just realized I never answered yesterday's question. I tend to write more plot driven stories, I think. Running Up That Hill is definitely the most character driven story I've written, but other than that a lot of my stories have been more focused on the plot and drama. I'm definitely working on creating more well rounded characters and Running Up That Hill has been a good exercise in doing that.
My favourite BSB interview... that's a hard question! There's this one they did on Musique Plus a really long time ago where the interviewer spent the day with them before their concert. The whole thing was very funny, but there was this one bit in particular that I've always remembered, is when they get on the tour bus. It starts at 1:25.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWjc1jen6Fc
LMAO. I love it.
I'm not sure there's an interview that inspired a scene directly (except for when they went on TRL to announce AJ's rehab, I guess) But there was this one they did for Millennium on MuchMusic where the interviewer asked them something, Nick started to answer, Kevin interrupted Nick, Nick gives him this look of death, and Kevin lets Nick continue to talk. LOL. So that moment has always influenced the way I write Kevin and Nick.
I will try to find that one. I know I have it on VHS but I can't ever seem to find it on YouTube.
Also, my answers are super Canadian.
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That is a fun question! The first one that came to mind was the Frank Skinner show in the UK that they did while promoting Never Gone in 2005. There was so much hilarious stuff in that interview, but my favorite part was them reenacting Nick's poop in the sock prank. Epic. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS-Ch1HSioA The best part starts at 4:18. The VERY best part is Kevin's reaction after he pulls out the bonus "surprise" from the sock at 5:28. :D
The 2-hour MTV special they did right before Millennium came out has always been a favorite of mine, too. It was long, and there was a lot of fun stuff on it, like the trivia contest they did with fans. Here is Part 1 of that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKuE-V5pshQ
I've never seen that Never Gone interview before! Thanks for linking it! :) I'm going to watch it now.
And DUDE. I love that MTV Millennium special. I remember watching it when I was 13 and wishing I was one of the girls that got to go to the taping, haha. They only aired a condensed half hour version of it here, and it wasn't until last year I learned it was 2 hours long. It was a nice surprise and I watched the whole thing on YouTube in one sitting, lol.
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No problem! I was really on top of downloading and watching all the overseas appearances back in 2005... not sure how I had SO much free time in college, but somehow I did! I'm not good at keeping up with all that stuff anymore LOL.
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I loved that two hour special as well. I loved when Howie got Nick's birthday wrong lol I really used that special as a way to get to 'know' them personality wise before writing them.
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Okay so I have an answer finally. I loved the stuff they did on MTV TRL when Millennium came out and they were asked questions by fans, followed by the game show. It was funny when they couldn't guess what howie's favorite book or Nick's favorite video game were.
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Yeah, that was a good one to get to see how they interacted with each other. I was a fan of them before that, but that whole Millennium era is really when I went from just a casual fan to a SUPERFAN. That special, along with TRL and Millennium itself, did it for me. Then there was the Disney Channel concert not long after that, and ABC Family aired the Homecoming concert as a special. That was such a great time to be a BSB fan!
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Okay so I have an answer finally. I loved the stuff they did on MTV TRL when Millennium came out and they were asked questions by fans, followed by the game show. It was funny when they couldn't guess what howie's favorite book or Nick's favorite video game were.
That's the one we're talking about too. :)
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Oops I didn't even realize lol. I also loved when Brian went to put the sticker on the girl and almost put it on her boob LMAO!
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My favorite interviews besides the Millenium one we were all mentioning are the ones they did with Sonja Berenzy. I think she is an awesome interviewer. I'm on my iPod so I'll try to find the link when I'm on my crappy computer this weekend. lol
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Okay this is part of one. It will lead you to a bunch of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUQ58x3a8yk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my iPod
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Hers are always good too!
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OMG I love that Frank Skinner interview LMAO. That was freaking classic. Hmm...oh, I know, there was this thing in Japan they did in 2009 I think it was lol. OMG it was hilarious. Random questions like...
Fave thing about being in Japan? And they talk about the damn toilets. Hearing Brian say "asswasher" was freaking classic lmao.
This was the only clip I found online. I have them on my computer though.
http://www.twitvid.com/BMFOU
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Today's question:
Since we had a question dealing with pairings a few days ago, name your favorite story with a pairing and tell us why. I'm only going to list a few but obviously if I didn't mention Thr specific pairing you can add it to the list. I'm just mentioning the more popular pairings.
Your favorite:
Nick and Brian story
Nick and Kevin story
AJ and Howie story
AJ and Brian story
Etc...
Feel free to mention your own if you think it fits the category.
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I never did answer about my fave pairings lol.
Mine's a tie.
It's either Nick and Brian, or Nick and Kevin. I always adored the Frick/Frack bond, and since it did get distant and then close again, it's fun to play with in writing. I almost always tap into it in any fanfic I write at some point or another. Nick and Kevin, I really love their bond in real life. Kevin's always been that father figure/big brother to Nick over the years and I'm just in love with that coming of age type relationship.
Examples?
Something Beautiful by Hannah - GREAT example of the Nick/Brian relationship as it's put through the ringer.
The Importance of Fly Fishing by Mare - Epic showing of the Kevin/Nick bond and how even at the darker Nick years lol, Kevin was doing his best to look out for him.
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Brian/AJ - "Nowhere to Run" http://www.dreamers-sanctuary.com/dwlyn/nowhere.html (http://www.dreamers-sanctuary.com/dwlyn/nowhere.html)
Brian and AJ struggling to keep each other alive when they find themselves held hostage in a convenience store hold-up gone wrong? Yes please!
Brian/Nick - I agree with Rose's pick "Something Beautiful," but I also have to say "Scared of Reality" http://www.dreamers-sanctuary.com/hosted/scared.html (http://www.dreamers-sanctuary.com/hosted/scared.html) Another story about two Backstreet Boys who find themselves in a dangerous situation and try to keep each other alive - I guess nothing brings out the bromance like a good suspense story!
Nick/Kevin - "The Importance of Fly Fishing" http://accidentalchaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=3655 (http://accidentalchaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=3655)
Again, gotta agree with Rose's pick - there's no other story I've read that captures their relationship so well, the way they drive each other nuts, but they way they look out for each other too.
I can't think of any others offhand that really fit a pairing. I realized, going through my favorites, that most of them are either group stories or stories mainly just about one of them. I'm surprised I don't have a good Nick/AJ fav, for example!
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Thank you both for the Fly Fishing mentions :)
It's been hard for me trying to think of stories I have enjoyed that are pairings related because for the most part, I guess I really am just a fan of group stories but the ones that come to mind as great combo reads are:
Nick & Brian: Can You Keep a Secret - This one is just a cute feel good old school Frick & Frack story.
Nick & AJ: Leaving on a Jetplane - loved the way Izzy writes the relationship between the two youngest Backstreet Boys
Nick & Kevin: Pity on a Dime? I think that is what it was called, but pretty much anything by Cecelia. She did an excellent job writing their dynamic.
All old school stories lol
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Another question which is more of a chance to promote your own writing. If you have a pairing story for any of the guys list them and tell us what they are about.
Kevin & ...
Howie & ...
Brian & ...
AJ & ...
Nick & ...
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Shockingly, I have no pairing stories! One of my in-progress stories, Secrets of the Heart, is a Brian/AJ story, but it's not really about their relationship because it's an AU and their lives are totally separate... for now. It's not like the ones we've all been posting. And I did have a collab back in the day, Now or Never, that was a Nick/Brian one, but it's discontinued. None of my other stories, even going back to the old crap, focus on just two of the Boys. It's either one or all of them. Crazy!
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Here's a music question for you all! I was just talking with Steph on Twitter about the Backstreet's Back album compared to the US Backstreet Boys album and how much better Backstreet's Back is. If I'd been the one in charge of choosing which tracks from the red album and Backstreet's Back to include on the US album, I would have chosen much differently!
So here's the question. If you got to choose which tracks went on the US debut album, which ones would you choose? You get 12 tracks, and they must all be songs that were on the original Backstreet Boys (the red album) or Backstreet's Back.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
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This would be my tracklisting:
1. We've Got It Goin' On
2. Everybody (Backstreet's Back) [Extended version with Nick's verse included]
3. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) [Original version]
4. As Long As You Love Me [US/video version]
5. That's The Way (I Like It)
6. 10,000 Promises
7. Like a Child
8. I Wanna Be With You
9. Boys Will Be Boys
10. Get Down (You're the One for Me)
11. All I Have to Give
12. If You Want It to Be Good Girl (Get Yourself a Bad Boy)
Hidden bonus track: All I Have to Give [Pt. 2 The Conversation Mix] :D
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I don't own the red album because I didn't want to lol my song listing would be about five songs long
1. All I Have to Give
2. 10,000 Promises
3. Like a Child
4. As Long as You Love Me
5. Quit Playing Games with My Heart
6. Everybody (I had no clue there was more than one version but I like the one in the video? lol)
And that's about it.
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I didn't know there were different versions of some of those other songs either so I'll just say I like the ones released on the radio lol
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The instrumental part of As Long As You Love Me is slightly different on Backstreet's Back, especially at the beginning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MIBELFORTk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MIBELFORTk)
The original version of Quit Playing Games that's on the red album has Brian singing the first two verses, supposedly because Nick's voice was in the process of changing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7TQoTBoh8k They had Nick record the second verse to put on the US album after they realized he was The Chosen One LOL.
The version of Everybody that's on Backstreet's Back doesn't have the extended beginning, but has the extra verse Nick sings ("So everybody, everywhere..."). For the longest time, I thought that was just something they added when they sang it live, like Kevin's part of the rap in Let's Have a Party (see avatar), and then I got Backstreet's Back and was enlightened. This is the video for that version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6XE1XRiLeY
I think the US got the better version of ALAYLM, but the rest of the world got the better versions of QPG, Everybody, and that whole damn album! LOL
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Thanks for sharing those. I hadnt heard ALAYLM or QPG before. I'm still going with the ones I heard on the radio which were the US versions.
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I missed answering a few!
In reply to the plot driven or character driven storyline, I think mine are plot, but I'm not sure. I just type and see where it goes.
Favourite interviews, hmm, I did like the Frank Skinner one, it was really funny. I also liked this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDdj8A2wH18 LOL
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Today's question:
Since we had a question dealing with pairings a few days ago, name your favorite story with a pairing and tell us why. I'm only going to list a few but obviously if I didn't mention Thr specific pairing you can add it to the list. I'm just mentioning the more popular pairings.
Your favorite:
Nick and Brian story
Nick and Kevin story
AJ and Howie story
AJ and Brian story
Etc...
Feel free to mention your own if you think it fits the category.
I like Nick and Kevin, Nick and AJ, Nick and Brian...basica lly if Nick is in it :)
Favourite pairing stories would be Something Beautiful, The Importance of Fly Fishing, and I can't think of any others right now.
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Another question which is more of a chance to promote your own writing. If you have a pairing story for any of the guys list them and tell us what they are about.
Kevin & ...
Howie & ...
Brian & ...
AJ & ...
Nick & ...
You know, I don't have a pairing story lol. I mean my group stories usually tend to focus on one pair over the other at times. But usually it includes all five and trades off what pair I'm focusing on depending on the story. Though usually it's either Nick and someone, or Brian and someone lol.
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1. Everybody (not the Greatest Hits version)
2. Quit Playin Games
3. All I Have To Give
4. As Long As You Love Me
5. 10,000 Promises
6. If You Want It To Be Good Girl (get yourself a bad boy)
7. Nobody But You
8. Get Down
9. We've Got It Going On
10. I Wanna Be With You
That's all I can think of
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Hm story pairing.
For Kevin and Nick I'd recommend "When I Grow Up"....Nick and Kevin have disagreements because Nick is so young and tired of Kevin acting like a daddy so he wishes he was older. It's my take on 13 going on 30.
For Nick and Brian I'd recommend Weird World...althou gh its a group story much of it focuses on Nick, Brian and Kevin. Its about Nick being caught up in this conspiracy with management and it's a science fiction.
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Ooooh stories I'd recommend. I'd definitely say that Hannah's new one, Borrowed Time has a lot of really great Frick and Frack elements to it! She and Jen do a lot of really good pairing stories, actually! They're all really fun!
I don't know that I've written many stories that focus around a specific pairing... I did a one shot that focused on Frick and Frack from Nick's point of view. It's called February Stars.
And my track listing! :)
1. That's The Way I Like It
2. All I Have To Give
3. We've Got It Goin' On
4. Backstreet's Back (Nick version)
5. As Long As You Love Me (US/Video Version)
6. Anywhere For You
7. If You Want It To Be Good Girl (Get Yourself A Bad Boy)
8. I Wanna Be With You
9. If I Don't Have You
10. Get Down
11. Quit Playing Games (Nick version)
12. Like a Child
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For my own stories, the only pairing story I have ever written is Fly Fishing. Like Rose, I have written a lot of stories where it does feature two of the guys but all five of them are usually in it enough where it doesn't seem like a pairing story.
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Does anyone else have stories which they don't even remember writing?
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Good lord yes lol that survey I filled out made me realize how many stories I had written and completely forgotten about. At one point I'm going to have to go back and read some of the ones I completely forgot about.
We're stealing this question as our question of the day lol
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I've come across loads of short stories on my laptop whilst filling in the questionnaire which I don't remember writing. Reading them over though, I know why some of them aren't posted, lol *cringes*
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I remember writing all of my stories, but there are definitely some that I look at and think, WHY did I write that?!?! I forgot the little suicide phase I went through with a couple of those short stories LOL. Not me personally BEING suicidal, just writing about it. My angsty little 15-year-old self wrote some dark stuff the summer I spent sleeping in the basement!
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I think I'm going to have to go back and dig through some of my really old (and really strange) fanfic and add that in when I fill out this survey, lol. I'm not sure if I can remember everything I've written!
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I have a lot of notebooks and stuff from when I was in high school that I'm gonna go through one day. I read them now and then, sometimes I get an idea from that. The original version of Figured You Out is on my computer, it was named The Perfect Fan back when I first wrote it. I have lots of stories I don't remember writing on my computer lol
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i missed a lot of questions, took vacation for work and internet it seems. I don't have stories I've forgotten I've written it's more scenes I've forgotten I'd written within the stories.
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I think the ones I tend to forget are my short stories, and I forget scenes I've written.