Fic year in review: A little late but none the worse for wear.

[bironic]

I was going to be nonconformist in my conformity and post a year-in-review in April, one year after my first House fic, but so many of you who joined the fandom mid-year are posting now that I feel silly holding off.

A quick note first to say I've borrowed nightdog_barks's "favorite line" category and added two more: one for noting what I did in the story that I hadn't tried before, and another for "favorite bit of feedback" that I hope doesn't seem too much like gloating; for me, feedback is one of the most enjoyable parts of posting fanfiction on LiveJournal, and I wanted to point out some of the comments that have stayed with me.



APRIL

I'd been watching House since mid-Season One but hadn't read much fanfiction and hadn't written any; I was still mostly into Harry Potter. Then I decided to join the fandom and signed up for the House Het Ficathon, which produced this. When I finished writing, I dove into the fanfic, and the rest is history.

Dissonance – 3,700 words

First: House fic. Fic posted to my LJ. Fic based on a set of challenges.

I tend to write in a similar style to whatever I've been reading, and immersing myself in Eliot for two days definitely rubbed off on this one. I'm very proud of it and think it's one of my best, even with its melodramatic moments. They say you should write what you know, and I drew more from my own life for this one than I have for any other fic yet. I think it's also relevant that when I wrote "Dissonance," I'd only read a handful of House fics, so the characters were almost entirely canon in my mind rather than fanon.

Favorite line: When he is not playing he speaks to her of tempo and theory, composers and composition, and unlike in the early days when James tried to tell her about his work and filled her head with sickness and sterile Latin, she is beginning to sense the passion in this instrument and likes the feel of the Italian words in her mouth: capriccio, sostenuto, gioioso, vivace.

Favorite bit of feedback: "I can already tell that this is one of those stories that I will get mixed up with canon."



JUNE

Need – 2,500 words

First: 1sentence fic. Non-chronological structure. Story with Grace in it.

I'm very fond of this one, too. The structure forces you to pay close attention to every sentence, which I enjoyed as a stickler for detail. The only thing I'd change is shortening some of the long sentences with too much packed into them. I wouldn't mind revisiting Wilson/Grace one day in a more traditional format.

Favorite line: The day after her encounter with Boyd, she comes in wearing a smile and a deep red cardigan and skirt in place of her usual muted attire, and—he squints—yes, some makeup too, and he glances down at his own white coat, white shirt, pale blue tie and grey slacks, and feels irrationally as if he's been bled to sustain her.

Favorite bit of feedback: "I actually caught my breath[...]"



AUGUST

Third Time's the Charm – 4,130 words

First: Harry Potter fic. First-time story. Romantic/sexual encounter between boys. slashfest fic.

This was so much fun to write. The third section came first and fastest, followed by the title and then the first two sections to fit it. I hope to write more MWPP fic, but if it doesn't happen, I'm content with just this one.

Favorite line: "I can't believe you fucking bit me, wolf-boy," Sirius said with more amusement than malice, still catching his breath.

Favorite bit of feedback: "That has to be the most inspired 'coming out' conversation I've ever read."


A Helping Hand – 8,670 words

First: House/Wilson story. Explicit slash story. Posted NC-17 story. Fic from House's perspective. Longest completed, posted fic to date.

I wasn't sure how implausible this was when I wrote it, particularly the first part, but it's growing on me, thanks in no small part to people's enthusiastic reaction to it. There's a lot that I like about it. I do find it more clinical than sexy, so I'm surprised when people say they think it's hot (though I do think it has a few hot moments). Needs a few revisions. I'd like to do another House/Wilson first-time story or one with an intimate scene that's more sexy so this isn't the only one to my name.

Favorite line: Toss-up between "Your wife already left you; there's no reason to hide here anymore." and "God, House—"

Favorite bit of feedback: "For example, House was talkative and invasive (asking about the patients, cracking jokes, etc) when he was jerking off Wilson and had nothing to lose. Once he himself was in a vulnerable position- wanting that attention back- he became reticent, and Wilson respected that. We can see how carefully he approaches House, not because he himself is worried about rejection but because House is uncomfortable with his arousal. This is just so true of them."

Number of times the word "hand" appears in the story: 69 (heh)
Number of times the word "awkward" appears in comments: 13



SEPTEMBER

Four Times James Wilson Heard Gregory House Play the Piano (And One Time He Didn't) – 740 words

First: "Five Things" fic.

Fastest I've ever written a fic of this length (Sunday night to Monday afternoon). I'd been wanting to do some House/Wilson backstory involving the piano for a while, and the "five things" meme provided just the right framing. More evidence for the argument that writing quickly instead of over several weeks or months can produce good fic. It's certainly easier to maintain a tone that way. Only thing that bothers me about it is the abundance of "to be" constructions -- lots of "was" and "were" in there instead of stronger verbs.

Favorite line: Wilson lowered the tap as much as he dared and listened for his friend in the music.

Favorite bit of feedback: "This is so lovely, and basically defines why I read fanfic in the first place."



OCTOBER

Good Intentions (150 words), Wet (205 words), Mutiny on the Bounty (350 words), Welcome to Whoville (720 words)

First: Set of very short ficlets. Stories based on six prompts each. DS9 story ("Mutiny"). Crack fic ("Whoville"). Holiday fic ("Whoville").

After a little pondering over the prompt sets, each of these came together smoothly. I like them all, even if "Welcome to Whoville" stole the show.

Favorite lines:

"What's the worst that could happen?" ("Good Intentions")

"You look like a hedgehog," House said affectionately. ("Wet")

"You must know that choosing me as your companion on this adventure invites a multicultural reinterpretation of history." ("Mutiny on the Bounty")

He reached into his lab coat pocket and tossed a box of Chanukah candles beside it. ("Welcome to Whoville")

Favorite bit of feedback:

For the first three: "The potential for harm in Wilson's optimism in the first one is chilling, and I love House's hedgehog remark in the second. The sweetness of that makes the longing at the end all the more poignant."

For Whoville: "Oh, My God. *dies*"

(Though what really made me happy was playing a part in inspiring mer_duff's Workhouse play and daasgrrl's Grinch parody.)



NOVEMBER

Sestina: House post-infarction – 450 words

First: Completed sestina, ever. Post-infarction fic. Single, sustained, strong emotion.

This wasn't the first sestina I started -- that honor goes to the still-incomplete fifth one -- but it was the first I finished, and I think it may be my favorite. After I chose the end words, I wrote what's now the fourth stanza and built the poem around it. The last line owes a lot to early Season Six of BtVS.

Favorite line: What's the opposite of painkiller / Because that's you

Favorite bit of feedback: "It reads like one long scream of agony--and I mean that in a good way."


Sestina: "A Typical Day in Diagnostics" – 330 words

First: "Meta" sestina.

This one came pretty easily. It was fun to write a sort of parody of the show, in verse no less, and sneak in a few H/W hints and fannish jokes along the way. And I don't usually write with such an energetic tone, so that was a nice change of pace.

Favorite line:

Cuddy
Refuses to authorize radical treatment, Foreman
Returns with two bruises and no evidence, House
Retreats to one of his hiding places with Wilson,
The seizing patient throws up on Chase,
And down in the labs steadfast Cameron
Clears all suspects.

Favorite bit of feedback: "[...] it is like a carousel, and they keep going around and around again."


Sestina: "Breaking the Cycle" – 400 words

First: Wilson-centric sestina. Attempt to specifically address what I believe are Wilson's as-yet-unacted-upon feelings for House.

...Not much to say about this one, actually. It took some work to get it to come together. I like the opening stanza and the next-to-last one best. In a few months I may come back to this one and tweak the middle some more.

Favorite line: Closing his eyes, he leans into his friend / And shows him exactly why he isn't.

Favorite bit of feedback: "It's amazing the different ways you use the same words again and again and how varied the images formed from them are."



DECEMBER

Spin – 700 words

First: Story constructed around a single metaphor. Drabbles.

Am pleased with this one, particularly the central metaphor and the simile with the black hole, although the story has more plot summary than I'd like. I'd wanted to do a Hanukkah fic with Wilson and this was the best thing I could think of to do in the few days before the holiday ended. If nothing else, it continued to support my theory that structure is my fic-writing friend (simile within drabble within metaphor within canon, anyone?).

Favorite line: Then, when he's been reduced to a helpless, hollow husk, he'll watch House seethe and collapse into oblivion.

Favorite bit of feedback: "I like how you say so much in so few words and how you can recount the events of the Tritter arc and still have them feel fresh."

Number of times the word "metaphor" appears in comments: 6


Sestina: "The Truth in Dreams" – 362 words

First: Hm. First fic that wasn't a first of some sort.

High hopes distort one's opinion of one's finished product. Maybe it's the fact that I ended up addressing several Grand Themes in House's life rather than focusing on just one or two points, which is how I usually work. A little more distance will doubtless help me decide how much I like this one.

Favorite line: [...] his dreams / Warp and swirl like a face or a leg / In a fun-house mirror.

Favorite bit of feedback: "...I could spend hours analysing it."



Total: 14 stories/poems; 23,407 words. Not bad for having a full-time job and dealing with other stuff, but am hoping to do better this year.

What I learned:

• For a slash and het fan who enjoys NC-17 stories and AUs, I sure write a lot of canon-based gen.
• It's a good idea to start writing immediately after getting an idea, and to keep writing until it's done. Like the chances of people in comas waking up, the longer a work in progress sits on my hard drive, the less likely it is to be finished.
• Structure helps.
• Being in this fandom community with excellent work, feedback, betaing and discussion is unspeakably awesome.

Goals for early 2007:

• Finish fifth sestina
• Finish post-"Son of Coma Guy" story
• Finish BtVS slashfest fic
• Either finish the story started for karaokegal's party or scrap it and stop thinking about it
• Write the rest of the fics/ficlets I owe people
• Write another substantial House/Wilson story -- not based on a prompt this time
• Post at least one story a month.

Comments

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

*nods* Impressive. I think the best thing is that you have shown, good poetry can indeed come out of fandom.

It's a good idea to start writing immediately after getting an idea, and to keep writing until it's done. Like the chances of people in comas waking up, the longer a work in progress sits on my hard drive, the less likely it is to be finished.

I have fics started two years ago on my hard drive, that probably won't see the light of day. Fanfic seems to be born of the moment. Often, by the time I return to a WIP, I've lost the original drive that fueled the first sparks. Unless I'm keeping it alive in my head. I don't know how some writers can write long, involved, chapter-length fic and keep it going over several months.

[perspi.livejournal.com]

What a great list!

As you said, having a great community of writers makes the process UNSPEAKABLY AWESOME. So much that I cannot say more. :)

I am so looking forward to this year! And since I took up so much cognitive energy while writing NLC, I'm going to try and pay it back to all of you by being the kind of beta-reader you were for me.

[nightdog-barks.livejournal.com]

*goes back and rereads A Helping Hand*

I can't believe that apparently I didn't comment on this. I find it interesting now that you use the word "assault" to describe House's actions, while Wilson's efforts seem much more gentle.

I mostly agree with the "write quickly" process, but I have had some ideas that needed to tumble around in my head for a month (or two, or three) before I was ready to write them -- Letters of Transit was one, Annals another. I think it depends on the idea and how insane one thinks it is -- sometimes ideas just need time to really come into full view. They're like shadows of ideas; you don't see the whole picture at first.

[elynittria.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad you posted this: I know I missed some of these fics (like "Helping Hand") because they appeared prior to my addiction to LJ. Now I have some "new" (to me) fics by you to enjoy!

I like your list of what you learned. The "write quickly" thing is (unfortunately) true for me, too, although I'm trying to cure that by following purrla's advice of "nulla dies sine linea" (no day w/o a line) to make myself finish half-written stuff.

Being in this fandom community with excellent work, feedback, betaing and discussion is unspeakably awesome.

Seconded!!!

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

Mmm. A good year. I remember being impressed by 'Need' (having not read Dissonance at the time) and I think I've read and enjoyed everything since then. A Helping Hand is probably still my favourite though *g*.

I loved the 'feedback' addition - it made it a complete minific experience. I think the difference between what you say you like to read and what you actually write is interesting, and the possible reasons for that. Obviously, I am encouraging that "House/Wilson first-time story or one with an intimate scene" *g*

[stephantom.livejournal.com]

Another impressive pile of fic from this year! I liked your "favorite feedback" addition. And being in this fandom community is indeed awsome, even though I wish I was more proactive myself - reading and discussing everyone else's work and thoughts is great.

For a slash and het fan who enjoys NC-17 stories and AUs, I sure write a lot of canon-based gen.

Heh. You know, I actually really love both. And as long as a fic is centered on House and/or Wilson, there's not actually that big a gap between them, I think. It's the same basic underlying ideas...

Anyway. Congrats on a year of producing lots of wonderful fic!

[bell]

(Hi" *waves* Jumping in for a quick weekend check-and-hi. And, by the way, I see that you're running the memoryfest, and I was saddened that I won't be able to participate in it.)

Either finish the story started for karaokegal's party or scrap it and stop thinking about it

!! ;__; If you're in need of motivation, know that I've been anticipating the rest of that fic. I really liked it, think that is has great possiblity, and would be greatly disapointed to see it dropped into the Abyss of Forgotten projects.

It's a good idea to start writing immediately after getting an idea, and to keep writing until it's done.

I could not agree more. Rarely will an idea get better/more mature with a lot of waiting. Jump on the boat and get writing!

Another thing that I find helpful is setting a goal. So much per week etc. Which you've done with the once-a-month thing. :D

It's a good idea to start writing immediately after getting an idea, and to keep writing until it's done.

Interesting comment. Are you sorry that your stories are now infected by fanon?

Congrats on your pile of outstandingly good fic, and whatever you end up doing more next year, hope to talk more to you then~.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I look forward to it, and to popping over to your place some more. :) I've got that post-"Son of Coma Guy" fic coming up again for review, so sharpen those teeth and claws.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Ooh -- I didn't think you'd read it, and now you've read it twice! I am honored. And yes, the use of "assault" and the descriptions of House's behavior in contrast to Wilson's were deliberate. House is an offensive man, in both senses. If he strikes out first, it's the other guy who's on the defensive, not him. In this case, I think taking complete control of Wilson to the point of being rough in the first half was House's way to avoid confronting this new intimacy between them -- the intimacy he then faces in the second half.

sometimes ideas just need time to really come into full view.

I think the problem for me is two-fold: first, not letting a fresh idea fade away, and second, not losing momentum on a story I'm already writing. On a rare occasion, an idea will sit quietly in the back of my mind for a while before it becomes a story. "Four Times..." was like that; it was waiting for the right form to come along. The dream!fic, too, that's becoming the post-"Son of Coma Guy" story. But for me it's best to start right away and keep going, or else they just won't get done. I can see why you wanted to let those two stories mature before you started writing, though -- they're long and complex, and you were able to let them flow out almost completed rather than trying to figure out during the writing process where you wanted them to go.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Yes, your "more porn plzkthnx" was none too subtle. I will strive to please in the coming months. (Get it? "Coming"? *facepalm*)

the difference between what you say you like to read and what you actually write is interesting, and the possible reasons for that.

It surprised me, really. I've written (and sometimes still write) some pretty crazy stuff in the privacy of my own hard drive, both fanfic and original fiction -- explicit het non-con, some slash, abductions, PWPs, AUs, sci fi, vampires, Mary Sues, one with a Holocaust-esque setting.... And most of them are very long. And unfinished, which is why "A Helping Hand" got the dubious tag of longest completed (posted) fic. I don't know whether the schism between that stuff and the stories I've written for House has to do with the fact that I'm writing with the knowledge that there's going to be an audience, or that I want people to believe that my posted fanfic could be canon or else I lose credibility, or if it's something inherent in the characters, or if with a little more time I'll start loosening up, or what. Probably a combination of all of those.

Heh. TMI?

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

(Get it? "Coming"? *facepalm*)

LOL.

Yes, your "more porn plzkthnx" was none too subtle.

Well, it could have been WRITE MORE NC-17 OR YOU WILL BE BESET BY VOGLER'S VULGAR VULTURES. Or something *g*. See icon.

I was most interested that you'd written all this 'hidden' stuff! Did you write it with the intention of one day showing it to someone, or was it purely for yourself? I think, as I've said before, that House fandom tends to be really canon-centric. I think it's becoming a bit more flexible now, which is nice.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

WRITE MORE NC-17 OR YOU WILL BE BESET BY VOGLER'S VULGAR VULTURES.

O noes!!11! You know (she said, speculatively), I do have this NC-17 story on the back burner... the one that ground to a halt after the Come As You Aren't deadline passed, and which usomitai doesn't want to see abandoned... Maybe it should be resurrected. There were going to be threesomes. Nothing with threesomes deserves abandonment.

Did you write it with the intention of one day showing it to someone, or was it purely for yourself?

Heh. A lot of it I wrote with the express intention to never let anyone lay eyes on it. It's very freeing. Sometimes after I'd written something I really liked, I'd show it to someone "in on the secret" (i.e. RL fanfic-writing friends). The only RPS fic I've ever done, about a couple of my professors, written one night at college when I didn't want to work on my thesis, I never planned to show a soul, but ended up sharing with a few people and now it's posted on my friend's website with very thinly veiled name changes. Not sure where I was going with this. Maybe to say that writing as if there won't be an audience may help the product in the end, in the sense that it won't trigger one's embarrassment.

I think, as I've said before, that House fandom tends to be really canon-centric. I think it's becoming a bit more flexible now, which is nice.

It is, which is very strange coming from almost exclusively sci fi/fantasy/horror fandoms. It's great when people go a little out there, like simple__man's sci fi story and nightdog's Talarians and that "Saw" crossover and your "Permutations" (and that snippet in the meta fic about House on Mars!).

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

Nothing with threesomes deserves abandonment.

Worthy of a fandom bumper sticker ;)