(no subject)

Swear to god there’s some interesting stuff in there, but if you don’t want to go through it all, scroll past the cut.

( Jenn and MHC on muses, SV fandom, Themes, ourselves and leprechauns )

This got me thinking. Eventually I came up with the below:

MHC’s Fic Philosophy

Carry nothing from one fic to the next, except for lessons about yourself.

Approach canon, and your characters freshly, every time you attempt to interpret them.

Be able to accept change in canon and your reactions to canon.

Always write what is logical, fascinating, challenging and fun. This does not preclude the unlikely. Alternate universes are beautiful things.

Never write something you don’t feel. If your emotions aren’t engaged, neither will your readers’ be.

You will internalize some things from other fic – style, characterization, ideas – treat these notions harshly, but if they bear up to scrutiny, let them be as your own.

Write for yourself, write for others, write for your dead dog, but write only because you want to.

Be prepared to do what the story requires and not necessarily what you’d like. But if you really want it and you can do it well, do whatever the hell you like.

A cliché is only cliché if handled poorly. Otherwise it's an interesting way to twist expectations or make a common point.

Never be afraid of yourself, but doubt yourself occasionally. Never rest on your laurels.

Accept criticism, no matter the content or source, but ignore the flamers and trolls. They are beneath you.

Always respond to feedback. Even the idiots might one day have something to tell you about your stories.