Tundra
December 29th, 2008, 05:43 PM
NotAContrivance, aka Loren, is an 18 year old Fanfiction writer from the US. She's very prolific, and has written very long stories for the fandoms of Alias, Charles Dickens, Everwood, Gilmore Girls, Harry Potter, Instant Star, Liberty's Kids, Life with Derek, Lost, Wicked Science, One Tree Hill, Pokemon, Recess and Summerland. Many of her fanfics recieve hundreds of reviews, and most are many thousands of words long.
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/389122/NotAContrivance
So, Loren. How do you deal with writing about an issue that people consider to be controversial? For example, people's reactions.
Are you talking the readers' reactions or the characters'? :wink: Really I find that it's not the issues that I'm dealing with that are really
controversial... It's the little things that get people upset, like the flip comments that are a sentence or two that people take the wrong way or find offensive. It depends on the issue, I guess, because I have very strong opinions about things, and I usually either water my opinions down or deal with them in a sort of comical way, I guess. I try not to be too judgmental or moralistic because it's all subjective. But I don't really care how people react or so much what they think. Controversy doesn't scare me, and I'm definitely going to go there if that's what I want.
How do you manage to draw so many people to your stories? Is it purely good writing or is there some kind of marketing involved?
Honestly, I have no idea. Sometimes the stories I want to get a lot of attention, the ones that I feel I've done better work on, get so much less attention than the ones I don't like as much. I think it depends a lot on the audience (and its size). But I don't really do any marketing that I know of. I mean, rarely a friend of mine will plug one of my stories, and that's cool, but that's usually it, other than the summary, I guess. Summaries matter a lot more than you'd think. Like if everything's spelled and capitalized right, for instance, that's an instant filter right there. And it helps a lot to have an interesting or eye-catching summary. For instance, I've got this one story, and it wasn't getting a lot of reviews at first, so I changed the summary to something a little sexier, and suddenly it's getting all kinds of reviews!
If I draw a lot of people to my writing, it's probably because they either like my style or my plot. I try to be as original as possible with the plot because who wants to read a story if they feel like they've already read it? Ideas are kind of my forte, so I think that helps, and I suppose there's something to be said for execution...
What other fandoms have you been tempted to write for?
A lot of them, actually. There's a lot of stuff I've written but not published or abandoned and such. I've also tried and failed to write stuff. And then there's stuff I just don't think I have the capability to write or I don't think I could properly do it justice, you know? Right now, for instance, a part of me is kind of dying to write a Heroes fic. I've also really wanted to write a Gossip Girl fic, too. Hm, and one for Radio Free Roscoe, Tru Calling, Twelfth Night at present, um... probably a bunch of other thinsg I've forgotten... maybe some classical literature and whatnot.
Have you ever been inspired to write your own original fiction based on themes you use in fanfiction writing?
Yes, many times, actually. Only the problem is a lot like the problem I have with writing in other fandoms. I lose interest or get blocked or so forth. I've started a lot of original fiction, but I don't get around to finishing it because my mind works in this very story-plotting kind of way and sees in the future rather than in the present, which is entirely the problem.
Like, let's see... I wrote a series of a television show, lol. I did about half of a screenplay, King Arthur stuff set in modern-day... a bit of a play about a stripper... a student/teacher story... I'm so romance-oriented. Oy. Maybe someday I'll turn some of that into something, you know? Who knows. I'm usually way too derivative when it comes to my own work.
How do you handle adverse reactions from others when they hear you write fanfiction (assuming you've gotten any)?
Ah, that. Well, I kinda try to avoid mentioning it. At all costs. But my parents and such know, and so they bring it up sometimes and kind of embarrass me. It's bad that I feel embarrassed about it. Because I shouldn't, but I do, and it's such a huge part of my life and my sanity. I haven't really gotten any adverse reactions, per se, mainly because I don't really tell anyone. But sometimes my mom makes fun of me, and that's kind of annoying because I actually am serious about it... about writing.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of writing fanfiction, in your opinion?
Well, I'd have to say the ability to change things. It's a way to improve upon the actual writing. Some fanfictions have better continuity than the shows they're based on. :wink: But it's definitely the ability to edit and change things to make them the way you want them. The way I want them, hehe. It's kind of amazing to consider how just changing one tiny little thing that happened in an episode could have such a massive effect on the plot and the characters... how different everything could be if you just changed one thing. Those are my favorite type of fics to write, actually. And it's also really fulfilling to get my work out there, to be heard and to know that so many people actually like what I'm doing. It inspires hope.
Why do you choose to ply your talents to fanfiction, instead of original works?
Hm, well, I think I already answered this one. Fanfictions... involve a lot less work. I'm lazy like that, and it's hard to come up with your own characters, plot, setting and all that jazz. Plus it's a lot easier for me to maintain and edit someone else's characters than create my own. I also lose interest in original works a lot. Or I write myself into a corner and get blocked or just forget about the fic entirely... and there's less of an incentive to write them, I guess. I just assume I've got more time to do an original work, you know? Like it'll get better when I get older.
Are there any other downsides to writing fanfiction besides the decreased creative flexibility with characters and ideas?
Well, true, you have to at least try to keep the characters in character, and the place and background and all that remains static, but I think even that can be changed. And sometimes if your character's a little OOC, that's okay because different situations change them in different ways. Characters change from season to season and even episode to episode, so what's to say that my version isn't an improvement on the original? :wink: So I don't really see any downsides. Because if you want to change it, you can just make it AU or add an OC or so forth. It also helps to have a foundation to build on. But if I had to say a downside, I'd say that it doesn't get as much respect as it merits a lot of the time. That and there are a LOT of bad fanfiction authors out there. I mean, people, including myself, perceive us, fanfiction writers, as derivative... but that fails to take into consideration so many factors.
It's a lot more than just that.
Where do your ideas and inspiration for stories come from?
My head. :wink: It depends, really... Sometimes I've had dreams. I'll get ideas at the weirdest times. I got an idea watching my brother play baseball once. I usually get ideas late at night or in the shower, so at night I'll kind of scramble to write them down in a notebook in the darkness... And sometimes I get ideas while writing, so I jot those down in the document and save it. Life, I guess? Isn't that the source of all inspiration? I've done writer activities in the past... and I think they help, but I've always done
them for more creative writing as opposed to fanfiction writing, like if it's for a class or something, because I pretty much never have trouble with ideas. I've got too many ideas, honestly.
Do you do any writer activities to help yourself become better at writing?
What advice would you give to fanfic writers?
Writers in general?
Read, read, read. Read other people's fanfictions firstly, especially in your fandom, because they're your peers, and you can adapt their ideas. Secondly read fanfictions in other fandoms because what you read has an influence over what you write, you know? Like when I'm in a phase of being inspired by, say, Gossip Girl, the words definitely come out a different way than they do when I'm inspired by other things, and you can see little traces of things. Thirdly, read actual books from time to time because these people are professionals, and we can all learn a thing or two from them. Like cool techniques and proper attention to syntax and word choice and characterization. The more you expose yourself to other literature and influences (like pop culture and so on), the bigger the resevoir you've got to draw ideas from, and the more creative you are, the better.
Also, be ORIGINAL! You've got to go your own way. Don't be afraid of what other people are going to think of you. Do what you want with your writing. Because it's yours. Take risks. Have fun with it! Don't be afraid to go there!
Find a way to make your work stand out from all the others. It's important not only to have original ideas but also an original way of saying them. Voice is key. Find your voice, and find it fast. Everything follows from there.
Pay attention to grammar and spelling. Improper grammar and spelling are the FASTEST turn-offs for a story, and if you ever want to get any respect for your writing... You've got to learn and obey the rules. But don't let the rules rule you, got me? Because rules were meant to be broken. Except possibly spelling and conjugation... and if you can't do this on your own, get a beta or an editor (it also helps to show others your writing and get their opinions, just in general). Writers DO improve with age through further
tutelage, so it helps to pay attention to your English teachers. :wink: Even if they make you diagram sentences or bookmark or read pointless books. The English language is a tricky one to master.
Another thing I'd stress is the pivotal importance of words. Words are power, and word choice is EVERYTHING. It means a lot more than you think, but words have different connotations and meanings that in turn give the writing different tones and meanings. Don't completely ignore all that stuff they tell you about in English class either. Tone, purpose/theme/meaning, motifs, syntax, symbolism... all of these things really do matter, and they do show up in writing. Don't be afraid to experiment with them, or to experiment period with different styles and types of writing and point-of-view. Syntax has value in determining the rhythm of a story, as well as the time and meter and so forth. Sentence structure can say a lot about a story.
Also, don't forget vernacular. Different characters use different words, and every character's voice sounds just a little bit different, even if the same author is writing them. For instance, consider that people of different ages, cultures, nationalities, religions, etcetera... use different words and have different customs and standards. Canadians, for instance, use different slang words than people from Britain or America, just as people from different parts of the U.S.A. have different expressions, accents, and slang. Don't be afraid to research either. Look up slang words and expressions or traditions, research the area and people you're writing about. Not only does it help you get in the mind of the characters, but it also helps broaden your horizons and familiarizes you with different cultures... such as people of different nationalities or subgroups like ravers or druggies or vampires... the list goes on. Wikipedia, I tell you.
And, most importantly, as I've said before. Have fun with it because it's not really worth it if you're not having fun writing.
What other fandoms have you written for but haven't posted?
Let's see... I've written fics for fandoms I've even posted in that I haven't published, but of course none of them are finished... This is going to be a long list. Life with Derek, Instant Star, Radio Free Roscoe, Wicked Science, Strange Days at Blake Holsey High, Gilmore Girls, Alias, Everwood, X-Men, Summerland, One Tree Hill, Without a Trace, Hey Arnold, Danny Phantom, Recess, and probably more still that I've forgotten/were deleted... mind you, some of these are freakin' awful. Most of them, actually. Some of them are just abandoned or unfinished. My original work is actually much more entertaining.
Do you have any favorite fanfic authors?
My favorite authors are pretty much all in my profile, more or less... but yeah, I do have favorites. I have fics I like too, a lot of which that aren't in my favorites. For instance, right now I really like Different for Girls, and the author of that fic is actually reading one of my fics, and so that makes me feel totally awesome! Because I get excited when an author I admire reviews or reads my work too...
There are also lots of other fics I like. I just named that one since it was on the top of my head, and from a fandom the readers of this interview would recognize. I'm kind of a voracious fanfiction reader.
How do you intend to improve your writing?
The only way I can... through lots of practice. And lots of reading, of course. Reading is one of the best ways to improve. Revision, revision, revision! Teachers help too. It's one of many things I'm in college for... I'm in this Literary Imagination class right now, and I was in Creative Writing for two semesters in high school. Feedback helps too. I tend to take direction well. At this point I can only really refine, you know? There's not much more I can learn, per se.
Where do you consider yourself to have flaws?
Ah, my flaws... Well, for starters I'm too long-winded. A lot. And I write in fragments and such a lot. Hm, and I'm slowly getting better at having less derivative original characters and such, but I'm still not the best at that. Also, I'm pretty damn stubborn, so I sometimes disregard advice, although, again, getting better at that. But I don't like revising things. I hate it unless I actually want to revise. Oh, and I have too many ideas, and I'm not the greatest at filtering them. Or editing. I always add on instead of subtract, you see. Finishing stories is also not my forte... it takes waaay too long, and I never feel like I get the timing right because I really don't
want to have to hurry everything up. For me, see, I can't just right a simple little story. It always turns into this long, convoluted affair, and I love it and everything, but it does get tiring. Oh, and I definitely get off on tangents sometimes, but people don't seem to mind that much...
Do you consider any other fanfiction authors an inspiration?
Yeah, I do. Like I'll admire some of the things people do with their fics or the plots and so forth. It helps to read others' works. Usually the authors that inspire me are friends of mine. It really helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of, someone who admires your work and whose work you admire, you know? Unless you want me to name names or anything... :wink:
What do you think the creators of the fandoms you write for would say about your work?
Ah, what would they say? Hopefully good things. But, seriously, I think the writers of Life with Derek would kind of flip out. And maybe they'd be **. Can't say I blame them. But, honestly, if I was a writer for a TV show, I'd so write fanfiction for my own show anyways, lol. As long as they wouldn't be offended, you know. It'd be really cool if they admired my work, but I'll never know, now will I? :wink:
Thank you! It really means a lot that you chose to interview me. Hope I helped inspire you. If you have any more questions or want me to elaborate on something, just let me know. Thanks!
- Loren :wink:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/389122/NotAContrivance
So, Loren. How do you deal with writing about an issue that people consider to be controversial? For example, people's reactions.
Are you talking the readers' reactions or the characters'? :wink: Really I find that it's not the issues that I'm dealing with that are really
controversial... It's the little things that get people upset, like the flip comments that are a sentence or two that people take the wrong way or find offensive. It depends on the issue, I guess, because I have very strong opinions about things, and I usually either water my opinions down or deal with them in a sort of comical way, I guess. I try not to be too judgmental or moralistic because it's all subjective. But I don't really care how people react or so much what they think. Controversy doesn't scare me, and I'm definitely going to go there if that's what I want.
How do you manage to draw so many people to your stories? Is it purely good writing or is there some kind of marketing involved?
Honestly, I have no idea. Sometimes the stories I want to get a lot of attention, the ones that I feel I've done better work on, get so much less attention than the ones I don't like as much. I think it depends a lot on the audience (and its size). But I don't really do any marketing that I know of. I mean, rarely a friend of mine will plug one of my stories, and that's cool, but that's usually it, other than the summary, I guess. Summaries matter a lot more than you'd think. Like if everything's spelled and capitalized right, for instance, that's an instant filter right there. And it helps a lot to have an interesting or eye-catching summary. For instance, I've got this one story, and it wasn't getting a lot of reviews at first, so I changed the summary to something a little sexier, and suddenly it's getting all kinds of reviews!
If I draw a lot of people to my writing, it's probably because they either like my style or my plot. I try to be as original as possible with the plot because who wants to read a story if they feel like they've already read it? Ideas are kind of my forte, so I think that helps, and I suppose there's something to be said for execution...
What other fandoms have you been tempted to write for?
A lot of them, actually. There's a lot of stuff I've written but not published or abandoned and such. I've also tried and failed to write stuff. And then there's stuff I just don't think I have the capability to write or I don't think I could properly do it justice, you know? Right now, for instance, a part of me is kind of dying to write a Heroes fic. I've also really wanted to write a Gossip Girl fic, too. Hm, and one for Radio Free Roscoe, Tru Calling, Twelfth Night at present, um... probably a bunch of other thinsg I've forgotten... maybe some classical literature and whatnot.
Have you ever been inspired to write your own original fiction based on themes you use in fanfiction writing?
Yes, many times, actually. Only the problem is a lot like the problem I have with writing in other fandoms. I lose interest or get blocked or so forth. I've started a lot of original fiction, but I don't get around to finishing it because my mind works in this very story-plotting kind of way and sees in the future rather than in the present, which is entirely the problem.
Like, let's see... I wrote a series of a television show, lol. I did about half of a screenplay, King Arthur stuff set in modern-day... a bit of a play about a stripper... a student/teacher story... I'm so romance-oriented. Oy. Maybe someday I'll turn some of that into something, you know? Who knows. I'm usually way too derivative when it comes to my own work.
How do you handle adverse reactions from others when they hear you write fanfiction (assuming you've gotten any)?
Ah, that. Well, I kinda try to avoid mentioning it. At all costs. But my parents and such know, and so they bring it up sometimes and kind of embarrass me. It's bad that I feel embarrassed about it. Because I shouldn't, but I do, and it's such a huge part of my life and my sanity. I haven't really gotten any adverse reactions, per se, mainly because I don't really tell anyone. But sometimes my mom makes fun of me, and that's kind of annoying because I actually am serious about it... about writing.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of writing fanfiction, in your opinion?
Well, I'd have to say the ability to change things. It's a way to improve upon the actual writing. Some fanfictions have better continuity than the shows they're based on. :wink: But it's definitely the ability to edit and change things to make them the way you want them. The way I want them, hehe. It's kind of amazing to consider how just changing one tiny little thing that happened in an episode could have such a massive effect on the plot and the characters... how different everything could be if you just changed one thing. Those are my favorite type of fics to write, actually. And it's also really fulfilling to get my work out there, to be heard and to know that so many people actually like what I'm doing. It inspires hope.
Why do you choose to ply your talents to fanfiction, instead of original works?
Hm, well, I think I already answered this one. Fanfictions... involve a lot less work. I'm lazy like that, and it's hard to come up with your own characters, plot, setting and all that jazz. Plus it's a lot easier for me to maintain and edit someone else's characters than create my own. I also lose interest in original works a lot. Or I write myself into a corner and get blocked or just forget about the fic entirely... and there's less of an incentive to write them, I guess. I just assume I've got more time to do an original work, you know? Like it'll get better when I get older.
Are there any other downsides to writing fanfiction besides the decreased creative flexibility with characters and ideas?
Well, true, you have to at least try to keep the characters in character, and the place and background and all that remains static, but I think even that can be changed. And sometimes if your character's a little OOC, that's okay because different situations change them in different ways. Characters change from season to season and even episode to episode, so what's to say that my version isn't an improvement on the original? :wink: So I don't really see any downsides. Because if you want to change it, you can just make it AU or add an OC or so forth. It also helps to have a foundation to build on. But if I had to say a downside, I'd say that it doesn't get as much respect as it merits a lot of the time. That and there are a LOT of bad fanfiction authors out there. I mean, people, including myself, perceive us, fanfiction writers, as derivative... but that fails to take into consideration so many factors.
It's a lot more than just that.
Where do your ideas and inspiration for stories come from?
My head. :wink: It depends, really... Sometimes I've had dreams. I'll get ideas at the weirdest times. I got an idea watching my brother play baseball once. I usually get ideas late at night or in the shower, so at night I'll kind of scramble to write them down in a notebook in the darkness... And sometimes I get ideas while writing, so I jot those down in the document and save it. Life, I guess? Isn't that the source of all inspiration? I've done writer activities in the past... and I think they help, but I've always done
them for more creative writing as opposed to fanfiction writing, like if it's for a class or something, because I pretty much never have trouble with ideas. I've got too many ideas, honestly.
Do you do any writer activities to help yourself become better at writing?
What advice would you give to fanfic writers?
Writers in general?
Read, read, read. Read other people's fanfictions firstly, especially in your fandom, because they're your peers, and you can adapt their ideas. Secondly read fanfictions in other fandoms because what you read has an influence over what you write, you know? Like when I'm in a phase of being inspired by, say, Gossip Girl, the words definitely come out a different way than they do when I'm inspired by other things, and you can see little traces of things. Thirdly, read actual books from time to time because these people are professionals, and we can all learn a thing or two from them. Like cool techniques and proper attention to syntax and word choice and characterization. The more you expose yourself to other literature and influences (like pop culture and so on), the bigger the resevoir you've got to draw ideas from, and the more creative you are, the better.
Also, be ORIGINAL! You've got to go your own way. Don't be afraid of what other people are going to think of you. Do what you want with your writing. Because it's yours. Take risks. Have fun with it! Don't be afraid to go there!
Find a way to make your work stand out from all the others. It's important not only to have original ideas but also an original way of saying them. Voice is key. Find your voice, and find it fast. Everything follows from there.
Pay attention to grammar and spelling. Improper grammar and spelling are the FASTEST turn-offs for a story, and if you ever want to get any respect for your writing... You've got to learn and obey the rules. But don't let the rules rule you, got me? Because rules were meant to be broken. Except possibly spelling and conjugation... and if you can't do this on your own, get a beta or an editor (it also helps to show others your writing and get their opinions, just in general). Writers DO improve with age through further
tutelage, so it helps to pay attention to your English teachers. :wink: Even if they make you diagram sentences or bookmark or read pointless books. The English language is a tricky one to master.
Another thing I'd stress is the pivotal importance of words. Words are power, and word choice is EVERYTHING. It means a lot more than you think, but words have different connotations and meanings that in turn give the writing different tones and meanings. Don't completely ignore all that stuff they tell you about in English class either. Tone, purpose/theme/meaning, motifs, syntax, symbolism... all of these things really do matter, and they do show up in writing. Don't be afraid to experiment with them, or to experiment period with different styles and types of writing and point-of-view. Syntax has value in determining the rhythm of a story, as well as the time and meter and so forth. Sentence structure can say a lot about a story.
Also, don't forget vernacular. Different characters use different words, and every character's voice sounds just a little bit different, even if the same author is writing them. For instance, consider that people of different ages, cultures, nationalities, religions, etcetera... use different words and have different customs and standards. Canadians, for instance, use different slang words than people from Britain or America, just as people from different parts of the U.S.A. have different expressions, accents, and slang. Don't be afraid to research either. Look up slang words and expressions or traditions, research the area and people you're writing about. Not only does it help you get in the mind of the characters, but it also helps broaden your horizons and familiarizes you with different cultures... such as people of different nationalities or subgroups like ravers or druggies or vampires... the list goes on. Wikipedia, I tell you.
And, most importantly, as I've said before. Have fun with it because it's not really worth it if you're not having fun writing.
What other fandoms have you written for but haven't posted?
Let's see... I've written fics for fandoms I've even posted in that I haven't published, but of course none of them are finished... This is going to be a long list. Life with Derek, Instant Star, Radio Free Roscoe, Wicked Science, Strange Days at Blake Holsey High, Gilmore Girls, Alias, Everwood, X-Men, Summerland, One Tree Hill, Without a Trace, Hey Arnold, Danny Phantom, Recess, and probably more still that I've forgotten/were deleted... mind you, some of these are freakin' awful. Most of them, actually. Some of them are just abandoned or unfinished. My original work is actually much more entertaining.
Do you have any favorite fanfic authors?
My favorite authors are pretty much all in my profile, more or less... but yeah, I do have favorites. I have fics I like too, a lot of which that aren't in my favorites. For instance, right now I really like Different for Girls, and the author of that fic is actually reading one of my fics, and so that makes me feel totally awesome! Because I get excited when an author I admire reviews or reads my work too...
There are also lots of other fics I like. I just named that one since it was on the top of my head, and from a fandom the readers of this interview would recognize. I'm kind of a voracious fanfiction reader.
How do you intend to improve your writing?
The only way I can... through lots of practice. And lots of reading, of course. Reading is one of the best ways to improve. Revision, revision, revision! Teachers help too. It's one of many things I'm in college for... I'm in this Literary Imagination class right now, and I was in Creative Writing for two semesters in high school. Feedback helps too. I tend to take direction well. At this point I can only really refine, you know? There's not much more I can learn, per se.
Where do you consider yourself to have flaws?
Ah, my flaws... Well, for starters I'm too long-winded. A lot. And I write in fragments and such a lot. Hm, and I'm slowly getting better at having less derivative original characters and such, but I'm still not the best at that. Also, I'm pretty damn stubborn, so I sometimes disregard advice, although, again, getting better at that. But I don't like revising things. I hate it unless I actually want to revise. Oh, and I have too many ideas, and I'm not the greatest at filtering them. Or editing. I always add on instead of subtract, you see. Finishing stories is also not my forte... it takes waaay too long, and I never feel like I get the timing right because I really don't
want to have to hurry everything up. For me, see, I can't just right a simple little story. It always turns into this long, convoluted affair, and I love it and everything, but it does get tiring. Oh, and I definitely get off on tangents sometimes, but people don't seem to mind that much...
Do you consider any other fanfiction authors an inspiration?
Yeah, I do. Like I'll admire some of the things people do with their fics or the plots and so forth. It helps to read others' works. Usually the authors that inspire me are friends of mine. It really helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of, someone who admires your work and whose work you admire, you know? Unless you want me to name names or anything... :wink:
What do you think the creators of the fandoms you write for would say about your work?
Ah, what would they say? Hopefully good things. But, seriously, I think the writers of Life with Derek would kind of flip out. And maybe they'd be **. Can't say I blame them. But, honestly, if I was a writer for a TV show, I'd so write fanfiction for my own show anyways, lol. As long as they wouldn't be offended, you know. It'd be really cool if they admired my work, but I'll never know, now will I? :wink:
Thank you! It really means a lot that you chose to interview me. Hope I helped inspire you. If you have any more questions or want me to elaborate on something, just let me know. Thanks!
- Loren :wink: