Elf's Random Musings

After some long and considered thought, I figured I need to take a break from writing fanfiction. I think this outing in the contest sort of pounded that last nail in that coffin. Not to say I'm going to stop writing fanfiction all together, especially since there are two (okay three) stories that need to be finished, but I need to take a break from fanfic.

Part of this stems from the fact that I like to write what I want to read, and because of that other writers get complacent if they have an idea with a certain character that I write about. They figure, “Well eventually Elf will write it and blah blah blah.” Then that leaves me with a dilemma of not having anything to read. Seriously, I follow about five fanfics (and I'm kinda being generous here) on this forum, and two others on ffnet. When you think about it, that's really not a lot.

On the flip side of this is you get people demanding you to write things. I write fic as a hobby. It's going to be something I want to write about. I don't do this for my health (well sort of). If you want me to write something for you, please cough up something in return. (Seriously, Yuurei-san use to send me bath stuff from Lush for writing stuff for her when she was still in the fandom. You can ask Roadbuster.) I like artwork.

Another deciding factor in my hiatus is I have three anthologies that I'm shooting for all due at about the same time. One is the third in a series where I was featured in the first book and it's due at the end of May, the other is the Fantasy story that is paying $50.00 and is the longest and due in June, and the third is TBA. The first two mentioned are paying anthologies, the third one is a contest and I probably won't win, but exposure is always good.

Then there's my novel Scream Queen, Volume One of The Law Unto Herself Chronicles. Next year the publishing company that I've been getting published by is opening up novel submissions again. I want to have it finished by the time they do first call. Which means I need to really get cracking. I've seen how fast I can pound out a fanfic, I need to apply that speed and skill to my original writing.

I want to make a career of this. I'm not really good at anything else. My dyslexia keeps me away from any thing science or medical related because I can't Math (plus my father is a nurse, I know going into that field is madness) and teaching jobs around here are scant and few unless I want to teach Elementary. Which means I'd have to get a degree that I don't have the money or the time to get.

I'm not saying I'm giving up on fanfiction completely. Oh hell no. But right now I'm going to take a little break. I need it and hell maybe me being gone will spur someone else to write something I'd want to read for once. Not to mention Writer's Block can and will happen, and fanfic helps me keep my skills sharp until I can get cracking again.

Plus I do like the fandom. You have no idea what joy it gives me when someone tells me, “You know, I really didn't like Archer until I read your stuff and now he's one of my favorite characters.” Just right now I need to take a breather from Archer and work on a world that I've created.

And if you want to read more about that world, go check out Scream Queen, Volume One of The Law Unto Herself Chronicles.

I'm going to stop posting it after chapter six, but there's still five and a half more chapters to sink your teeth into right now. Plus I'll be more than glad to email updates to people. I want/need a Betaing Team for this story (thank you again Hymn) and people I can bounce ideas on. Plus you'll make Roadbuster's job a lot easier when he does the final edits. All you have to do is just let me know and shoot me your email address. Hell, I'll even credit you in the book, because, you know, credit goes to where it's due.

And now here's a picture of my puppy, Freya. She's like doubled in size from when we first got her. The little fuzzy punk is fearless. I mean, seriously, she has no fear. She was climbing steps at seven weeks old and knows no strangers animal nor human. And chews. A lot. I cry out in pain quite often due to her little needle teeth.

Today I was playing with her outside and she like leaps from the top step on the deck to the ground without taking the other steps.

So of course the puppy I get has to have an Alpha personality, this is going to be fun.

I just wish she didn't lay in her own pee when we're crate training her.