It's called contemplation.

Well, Mom and I just exploded in this huge argument earlier tonight. Of course, it had to happen during the last half of Angel, and it really began with her bitching about me leaving the computer on for the dinky 25 minutes Angel would be on. Oh wooooow. :P She complains about the stupidest things, but the resulting "conversation" or whatever you'd call it did result in some "truths" being unveiled.

So I told her the real reason why Joe and I broke up, and she nagged me to go see a therapist. I'm thinking "NO." But I am considering going to CCSF now, qualms or no. I have to think positive and such... And, drawing from my Dad, yeah, I can get a better job here in SF. But part of me really thinks I should get away from SF... just because it was my original plan... and then also because Dad's right, my Grandparent's aren't getting any younger, and they could use all the help they could get. But then, I don't *want* to leave Mom alone. I'm kind of torn here, and finding myself needing to make a decision rather fast. Well, SOON, anyway.

Besides that...


I'm so proud of myself! It looks good, eh?

I spent time talking to Tea-fan and another WDKY reviewer (I think) earlier... t'was fun, even if my 'Net did get cut off, and I never got the chance to explain to them what happened. :( But I DID manage to swing by janime.biz again and get an eyeful of delicious Seto fanart-- some of which TF sent me! *drowns in drool* WOW! I'm inspired for a few "Bad Grrl" scenes of WDKY... I'm not sure how I'd pull them off, though. They might work better in TJOY.

Speaking of fics, I'm thinking of applying to start a column at FFnet. Most of the other columnists have dropped out of sight, but they have great ideas. And you guys know me, I love to rant. It's just a matter of narrowing down my subject. It can't just be "Fanfiction," or even "Anime Fanfiction," but getting down to a specific fandom is too much. Or a genre. So... what to write about? I can't say anything like "good fanfics," since that's an opinion, but... a column sounds not only cool, but a great opportunity.

Any suggestions?

Yeah, so a lot's on my mind right now... WDKY too, of course, since I really threw myself into researching that earlier today. Er, yesterday. I just realized it's 2:19 am as I type this. X_X And I have to do the dishes, or mom will "wake me up in 3 hours." -.-;

Can you whistle with cracker in your mouth?

Fanfiction Resources

So, while considering Fanfiction column writing and all its possibilities, I have decided to compile a list of Fanfiction resources. Resources can be anything from tips, guides, dictionaries, information sites... This might be an ongoing project, or heck, this might turn into my column! Regardless, here we go.

Issue 1.0

FANFICTION RESOURCES

There exist, quite to contrary belief, many resources on the Internet which will help both budding and veteran fanfiction writers, regardless of their fandom of choice. I have selected a few of these for this, the first issue of FFR, and linked to them.

Focus 001: Columns, Essays, and More
The Fanfic Symposium - A collection of columns, revolving around the many aspects of Fanfiction. Just by perusing their recent 10 list, they have writers touching on Slash, Effiminate Male Characters, Subtext, and Truth.

Turkey City - A lengthy essay focusing primarily on trips and things to avoid in SF (Sci-Fi) Fanfiction. But a lot of it holds true for all of fanfiction. For example, have you ever read a fic where a "rabbit was called a smeerp?" Probably not, but it's the same thing as when someone describes something ordinary and everyday and tries to pass it off as something exotic and alien. Read more about fanfic "syndromes" here.

The Anarchist's Cookbook - Admittedly, these aren't fic related columns or essays, but the Anarchist's cookbook, unbelievably, is an EXCELLENT resource for fics. If you have a bad guy, or good guys doing bad things... anything! even making dynamite, it's all here. I'm using it a lot myself-- but just for the fic information! :)

The Amazoness Quartet - I wouldn't be much of a fic writer if I neglected to mention the AQ. They've been around for years, and they've been immensely helpful to all number of writers and webpage maintainers, such as myself. This group of four intrepid young ladies helps anyone in the Sailormoon fandom conquer their problems-- plus they present a lot of resources for everyone else interested in the biz!

What Makes a Good Fanfic? - Simple enough question, but certainly not a simple answer. Digi-Chan of Anipike tries to answer this question. Does she succeed in convincing you of what makes the good fic cut-- and what doesn't? [A continuing article]

The Fanfiction Fandom - Fanfiction can be considered a fandom of its own, you know. We have writers, readers, editors... something for everyone, right? Ebony Lay wonders whether all fanfiction writers can be stuffed into a box, and what readers can do to help readers out.

The Fic Bitch - Have you ever heard of The Fic Bitch? You should have. She's got the name for a reason. She criticizes Sailormoon fics without regard to how YOU feel as an author. Why? Because it's the perspective of many readers out there-- and how many of them would like to see amateurs dropped off the face of the fic planet. If you thought YOUR flamers were bad, face the facts-- they get worse. But, peruse her page and avoid the pitfalls-- and you MIGHT just curry some favor. I'd especially recommend her "Summary" section (Amusing Snippets section), where she picks apart BAD FFnet summaries. How *do* you describe a good fic in two sentences or less?

Sarevock of The Fanfic Yakuza covers some very well-thought out ( Ten Commandments of Fanfiction. )

Bad Fanfic, No Biscuit - I linked to them before from here, and they're worth mentioning again. The wonderful people at EnglishChick.com present fanfictions-- and the lessons learned from their horrific mistakes. I don't mean THEIR mistakes, I mean YOUR mistakes. And mine. And everyone else's in the fic world. Tons of helpful essays and sections-- from grammar and beta'ing to writing SEX!

NC-17 Guide to Grammar - If you like hot gods and good grammar, click here-- you'll learn semi-colons from Ares, God of War. *grins* But hey, the NC-17 tag is there for a reason-- neither Azurite nor LiveJournal (or any random spasmodic motions of your fingers) are responsible for whether or not you click on said link, or your interpretation/reaction thereof.

Hardcore Critique - Can you seriously beat down and look at your fic with a harsh eye, analyzing every word, every sentence, every comma? If not, check this page out and at least ask yourself these questions. You might find yourself making necessary revisions.

Pre-Writing Your Story - If you ever wanted someone to hand you an outline for writing fanfiction, the same way teachers hand out outlines for writing essays, here it is! The best suggestion ever-- to pre-write your fic. I do it for all my epic fanfictions, including Brand New Day, The Crest, and What Doesn't Kill You, to name a few. Why don't you?

That's it for now. :) Hope you enjoyed.