Monday Madness: Original Fic

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone! *waves* It's Monday, and one of our new features this year is something I have decided to call Monday Madness! I haven't even discussed the name with our fearless leader, kaige68, but I'm sure she'll let me run with the title. What's happening with this is that four alternate Mondays will be devoted to Original Fic, Pimps, Recs or Coming Attractions. All will be explained as each of those four subjects come up. Kaige is taking Pimps and Coming Attractions, and I'm doing Original Fic and Recs. I'm starting off with Original Fic, so if that's your thing, or you're the least bit curious, jump under the cut

Original Fic Monday is all about stuff you've written, stuff you'd like to write, hints, discussions, sharing bits and pieces of your own work NOT based on any fandom; a fandom of your own, if you like!

So, for week number one, let's get to know some of our original writers out there, and maybe you'd like to share a piece you've written, or else tell us about something you'd like to write. No matter if you've never done it before; if you think you'd like to give it a go, this is a friendly place to get some help if you want it, some feedback on whether your idea or your piece is something of interest, or even just some encouragement on what you're doing!

<b>Name:</b> <b>Genre you like to write/would like to write:</b> <b>Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description:</b> <b>Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing:</b>

I'll get us started:

Name: H
Genre you like to write/would like to write: I am a slasher through and through, so there always has to be some element of M/M in it, and I most easily write charaterisation-type things. I like anything fantasy/futuristic or post-apocalyptic, but I also love to write coming-of-age stories and stories of fluid sexuality (men suddenly finding themselves attracted to men when they haven't been previously, or bisexual men wanting more from casual relationships type of thing). I like to include erotica, but I'm happy enough without it too, and I also like to try to inject a bit of humour if I can. (oops, that's long, sorry! ;-)
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description: I stepped a little out of my normal comfort zone for this M/M/F erotic piece, as there's a woman involved (Ha!) when I don't normally put women into the erotic part of any stories I make, but I was reasonably pleased with this one: Broken Images, and am contemplating a sequel, which would definitely be more M/M focused! The story is a threesome that evolves from a young couple who sit for some preliminary photographs for an artist who is going to paint them. The boyfriend is a little uncomfortable... at first!
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: I have always written my own M/M fiction in my head, since I was in my teens and WAY before I found fanfic, way before the internet, and yes, way before some of you were probably born... and now I have outed myself as a dirty old lady, you may want to run away! But since I got involved with fanfic, I've learned such a lot, and I even managed to FINISH a 185K story that I started a few years back, which is no small feat for a girl who always abandoned everything because 'who the hell would care?' and because I tended to lose interest and just start another one... And yes, I still do this at times, so I'm trying to focus a little more and actually complete a few more of the other SIX ongoing WIPs I have at the moment. ;-)

Now, come on, everyone, how about you?

Comments

[sagaluthien.livejournal.com]

Name: sagaluthien
Genre you like to write/would like to write: I would love to write a crime novel, but so far I haven't seen myself able to even write a short story. I prefer crime novels when I read. What I hate to read is Harlequin stories (later year they become better), but looking at the stories i do write would more likely be a such. I want to think I'm good to show/write of people interaction and life.
I do mix or jump between writing fanfiction and original stories. lately it becomes more and more original, like I'm more confident to do it.
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description: I've a community with my own world donbury_fic where I made up a whole town with several families, and that I do stories with a lot of them. The stories can be posted in two version or rather language as about half the time write them in Swedish and English.
Before I created Donbury I did write a short story with inspiration or mental picture of an real actor. Story called The Sheila and can be found at my story journal sagas_stories. I'm very pleased with that story and I did get good praise about it and also made to receive a request to write a story that I got paid for.
The story is how the main character notice this woman - sheila that wake up his interest. She has something he at first not see.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: I do have a dream to maybe one day get publish and I want that to be a original story so I will keep writing those and hopefully get it out. I would even love to get more encouragement for that, than the fanfiction I write, though this group is fantastic with cheering and supporting, which makes it even more fun to write.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I;'m so sorry I have taken so long to reply to this! I wanted to be sure I gave all the answers the attention they deserved, and I just didn't have it until now.

I like that you're writing more and more original fic - it's fantastic to use fanfic for 'practice' if you want to be published one day, and then working on your own worlds and plots and so on gets so much easier, I think. I like that you have made worlds of your own and I'm impressed that you have done well with 'The Sheila' and even got a request to write something you were paid for! That's so fantastic, and even more impressive is you writing in your native language and in English too.

I will try to find time to check out your original stories, but as you probably gathered my life seems to be pretty busy, so I won't promise you a time-frame.

Good luck and keep writing - and remember this post will come up once a fortnight, so if you have any ideas on subjects to discuss or just want to chime in with where you're at on anything at any time, please come along! ;-)

[chesneycat.livejournal.com]

Name: Kath
Genre you like to write/would like to write: SF/F
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description:
This is the start of a story that's (hopefully) going to be podcasted some time in the next year - near future biotech SF.

“Chris! Is it safe to talk?”

Now why was Claire loitering outside the Mosquito Room, when she should have been monitoring our colleagues out on Damage Control Ops? It was bad enough that I'd been stuck with doing the work of four other people, and hearing everything third-hand if I was lucky – but today I had a bloody tour group traipsing around after me, too. “Don't worry, they're still in the auditorium. There's news?”

“Two reports since the morning briefing. How much do you already know?”

Less than I wanted to, for sure. “Someone's hacked Factory-9's fruiting knotweed. Water filtration's screwed, there's untreated effluent everywhere...oh, and the plants are oozing blood, apparently.”

Claire winced. “Fucking press. Someone's head will roll for letting that detail slip through the embargo.”

Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: I JUST NEED TO SIT DOWN AND FINISH STORIES. Please hit me/bribe me until I do. The two big ones I'm working on are a post-fairy-apocalyse story and a very fun sentient spaceship story, which kind of blends FTL travel with the Age of Sail and Transdimensional horrors/shenanigans

[alba17.livejournal.com]

Ooh, your snippet's intriguing.

I JUST NEED TO SIT DOWN AND FINISH STORIES. Ugh, me too. I'm great at starting things and terrible at finishing them.

[chesneycat.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I think that's going to be my big goal this month. Get something original finished, even if it's only a short.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I'm really into the SF stuff too, and I love your snippet. It's got me interested for sure!

I also understand that whole 'finish things' story! I have several original WIPs, most of which I have barely looked at in two years... maybe all the orig writers here can all help encourage each other to work on them this year.

And if you get any ideas on what things we should cover on original MOndays, be sure to let me know!

(sorry for the delayed answer - I'm always searching for extra time!)

[chesneycat.livejournal.com]

okay - I've posted the full story here (chesneycat.livejournal.com/217163.html) on a custom friends-lock to anyone who comments on this post, if you want to read more.


I'll have a think about ideas for mondays, too. Hmm...

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks! I'll check it out! ;-)

Let me know if any ideas come to mind!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

oooh, it comes up as a broken link :(

[chesneycat.livejournal.com]

Bah! bad html from me.

Try this version? (http://chesneycat.livejournal.com/217163.html)

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Yay! That worked. Thank you. Love the story; thanks so much for sharing! ;-)

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

Name: agdhani
Genre you like to write/would like to write: I started out writing fantasy...and am still in the midst of that world to this day. No...scratch that...the first things I started writing as a kid were redoing things I saw on TV to change the endings...and then I discovered Star Trek books and thought 'I can write this'.
I've written supernatural/angel bits...dystopic scifi...fantasy...ww2 pows. I have a romance in mind, though I've never actually written one outside of RPing before.
The two things I'd like to write are film scripts (converting one of my works to a script) and something akin to DaVinci Code...weaving historical and mythological stuff into a mystery. I have a base idea in mind, but no idea yet where to go with it...or HOW to go with it.
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description: Other than my fanfiction bits now up on AO3, I don't really have anything posted anywhere...but here's this bit: (its the last part of the last chapter of the most recently finished book. There is an epilogue after it, however)
The hold upon Claide’s heart released. Kavan blinked, his cousin’s voice ringing in his ears now, though he had not heard it moments before. He looked at Ártur, seeing him for the first time, and then down at the unseeing man crumpled awkwardly against the bench and kneeler as if he had been pushed there. Having heard nothing but the child, seen nothing but red, Kavan could feel his fists unclenching at his sides and recognized the unraveling pool of power he had harnessed and used moments before. He knew his body well. He recognized the indicators of great energy having been spent, and judging by the way gdhededhá Tusánt and Ártur were looking at him, Kavan guessed easily what he had done. He had, without conscious thought, killed a man. Again. His body began to tremble, filling with disgust and dismay, and when the Queen croaked, “Kavan…” with her hand outstretched towards him, he turned and fled into the night.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: My last 2 NaNos were def. M/M slash oriented...though there's no actual sex involved. In my major work (the series I've been working on) when rereading the early bits now, there are definite hints of such relationships, although they have never been acted upon (My MC has some major hangups about a lot of things, lol. I doubt he'd ever admit to such an attraction ;) ) I've known this particular MC for 24 years...and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to say I love him dearly.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Of course I knew you were another SF writer! I admire your richly created worlds, though I've yet to read much! I'd like to, but I guess, like always, I need to find more time first! Ha!

I like your excerpt too - it shows exactly how much you've put into building your worlds and I love that. The picture it creates is awesome, and I hope I get to read it when it's done!

Don't forget to let me know if there's anything we can discuss in the Original Fic posts in the upcoming weeks!

And I must apologise for being slow to reply; life never seems to slow down some weeks.

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

Oddly I think I've read and watched more sci-fi, but feel more comfortable writing fantasy...probably because of LOTR and the Hobbit, lol. And I've done my share of world building for D&D. I love the world building process.

Last year's NaNo 2012, was one of the first I've set in the 'real' world; I'd like to visit where I set it so I can adjust what I wrote accordingly...and I have a romance *gasp* that I want to set in a section of East London...but I've never been there so I need to get the money together to go for 'research' ;)

But I'm more comfortable in created worlds. It feels easier for me.

[alba17.livejournal.com]

Name: alba
Genre you like to write/would like to write: Relationships of all sorts, gay/lesbian, historical fiction
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description: The only thing I've posted is a short little thing about a relationship: Ratatouille (http://alba17.livejournal.com/tag/original%20fic).
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: I aspire to write more, especially since I seem less interested in fan fic lately. I took a writing course a couple of years ago and I started on an idea I've had for ages for a historical novel - it takes place during WW2, on the home front and will revolve around one or more lesbian and gay characters who discover or explore their sexuality/find community as a result of the disruptions of war. I've written a few scenes about one character, a woman whose husband is away at war and she's working at a factory and meets and falls in love with another woman.

I also have a short scifi story I'd like to finish about an encounter between a human-type alien and an alien of a totally different sort, in a prison.

I've started a couple of other things that I can't really remember much about right now. I think one was about suburban parents having an affair (?), very Cheeverish, haha, not very original.

Just this week I got a new idea that excited me, about two nuns(!), don't know where that came from, but it would involve the meshing of religious passion and sexual obsession. (I'm neither Catholic nor religious.) I need to decide what historical period it would take place in and what country. If anyone's read Affinity by Sarah Waters, the feeling of that novel might be what I'd go for.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I really like your short piece! Thanks for sharing that.

I'm kind of a relationship person myself - people are endlessly fascinating and I love trying to sort through emotions and the way people interact with others; what motivates them and so on.

The things you've talked about all sound interesting, especially the alien one! I look forward to hearing more about them in due course, and hope this fortnightly post will help encourage you! And do let me know if there are topics we should talk about here.

Thanks for being patient - I'm afraid I have had yet another busy week hence being slow to answer this.

[fatorangekat.livejournal.com]

Name: Fatorangekat- My professional author name: Gwenna Sebastian
Genre you like to write/would like to write: I've been writing M/M period military romances. That's a mouthful- lol- but I write mostly about Vietnam.
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description: Go to Amazon and search under Gwenna Sebastian. VN2 is my latest release and is a futuristic Vietnam set on another world called VN2.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: I kid about the fact that I was writing military romances before they were made popular thanks to SEAL TEAM Six. Although I don't write about the SEALs, I do write about men in the Army during a time when it was extremely dangerous to be gay. In the sixties, being gay meant you were happy, it was not a term for sexual orientation. And it was considered a disease and mindset. I'm drawn to this, about telling the stories of men who were heroes but considered deviants by society. Soldiers returning home from Vietnam were spit on. Imagine coming home to that and being gay as well?
I have another novel out- Lost and Found but my publisher was just acquired and so we are waiting on the new contracts before it will be available again.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Wow, I had no idea you'd been published! That's so awesome - you may have some insight to help some of the rest of us who'd like to do that. Congrats on getting so far!

I like the sound of your stories - I did look you up and found your website! I read the synopsis of both books too; they sound really interesting.

I don't know anything about SEAL TEAM Six, so I had no idea there were any gay military romance stories, but I'm sure I would enjoy reading them. Do you do a lot of research for each book, or is it because you have an interest or knowledge in the military already?

I hope you'll enjoy and contribute more to this fortnightly post - I think it'll be great for original fic writers to encourage and support each other, and there's bound to be a lot of things we can cover.

Sorry for the delay in the reply - busy times, as ever!

[fatorangekat.livejournal.com]

I don't say a lot- I'm sorry. I'm a bit shy in most forums and even worse with social media. Epic fail there actually... LOL. I am certainly glad to contribute to this though and will gladly help anyone who is looking at trying to publish in the epublishing world.

SEAL Team Six was the team that got Bin Landin. They also rescued that ship's captain that the pirates took a few years ago. (It's a movie now with Tom Hanks). Anyway, they sort of made military romances suddenly very in demand by publishers. And then in my corner, M/M, military romances really took off.

I got interested many years ago in Vietnam and the history there. I have a ton of research and worked with a military advisor until he passed away a few years ago. I'm a huge fan of Tour of Duty and it just recently released in DVDs in the UK- and I was asked to do the character work ups that's in the extras.

I do research for each book. To me that's part of the fun. I'm currently working on a WWII one called Melody Blue about a B17 bomber, her crew and captain and it's set in southern England.

And I'll shut up now. LOL. If I can help though, please let me know.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

That's okay - I understand your reticence, but I hope you will find this little comm a friendly place to discuss things ;-) Thank you for that - it'd be great if you could help where you can about epublishing etc.

Ah, of course - not being American, I really didn't pay attention to which SEAL team did what, but of course I have heard of both of those incidents. And yay for it helping to make M/M military romances take off!

That's so great that you're interested in history and are happy to do research! I'm so lazy in research terms and will often only do basic internet checking unless I find something that grabs my attention (of course!), or else I skim over a lot of detail (that I probably should check out further!) when I write. I know it's a bit bad!

I did read about your new book too, on your website, and as someone who LOVED Memphis Belle, especially the relationships between the flyers that I would have loved to have seen more of, that really intrigues me a lot. I'd love to read it when you're done. ;-)

Please, please, don't shut up! That would help tons, and discussions like this, plus anything else you have to offer, would be great! I suspect these Orig Fic posts are always going to only be a bare few of us, so anything you can contribute (and any conversations like this!) will be wonderful, so I hope you'll keep talking! ;-)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Name: Amy
Genre you like to write/would like to write: I stick mostly to contemporary romance but also paranormal at times. I like taking everyday situations and making them fun, enjoyable, or just cracktastic. I'd love to be able to write an epic fantasy one day, but not sure my brain can handle that.
Link something original that you wrote (or add excerpt/short piece here), with a short description: Most recently, I wrote a short fic called Irish Coffee you can find on my LJ starting here: http://asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com/20767.html It's about a recluse writer who bumps into the man of his dreams quite by accident.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your original writing: I tend to put things off (as if you can't tell by the fact that I am only just now replying to this post...) so often things don't get finished or, if they do, it takes forever. I prefer writing original work to fanfic but I think that's because I started with original stuff and moved into FF. I guess that's it. I'm at a loss for words today for some reason.