Water's October, Right?: House Fanfiction Discussion

I'd written a bit of fan fic in another UK based fandom years back, but never thought I'd write House mainly because they're American (and Aussie). After nearly the whole first season, they hadn't started talking in my head. But I was suprised and delighted when they did. That's how it usually starts, lines of dialogue or a very clear scene which demands to be written down and expanded on. I scribble handwritten notes (I always have pen and paper handy) to start with, as the ideas can be fairly short and disjointed. Once something more solid has formed in my head, I move to Word. I don't know how I keep them in character, it's not something that (I think) I struggle with - I can hear them speak in my head, so it's very much their voice on the page, not mine, their attitude to a scene, their take on the situation. Opening up what I've written is one of the scariest things I've ever done. It's like giving a piece of yourself to the world to do with what it will. I usually get to a point where I can't revise it any more, where I'm reduced to moving punctuation around and that's when it's ready to go. I open up its cage door and it has to fend for itself in the big wide world.

A few questions to the writers reading here: When you were new to writing fanfiction, how did you go about beginning? Did you start with an idea, or did you just want to write and then come up with an idea? Do you write in Word, or directly into your LJ, or longhand, or what? Those that use beta readers, how do you find one, or do you wait until one finds you? How do you keep characters "in character"? And finally, how do you overcome (if you have any) the fear and finally open what you have written for others to read? Not that I am actually thinking of writing anything :oops: but dear God, I think it would almost be as bad as filming yourself for others to watch. :cold: When I first started way back when with Quantum Leap, it was in longhand. I still keep a notebook in my purse so that if I'm bored at work or someplace where I'm just sitting and waiting I can write in longhand. I switched over to writing with the benefit of a word processor somewhere along the way, but there's still something wonderful and fulfilling about seeing what I wrote in my own hand writing, especially seeing edits. On my first book, I can look back and see lots of edits in different colors that remind me of the changes the story took along the way. I've only used betas for one chapter. I asked loyal readers who had volunteered some wonderful suggestions or pointed out some errors I missed because I was struggling. I'm fairly confident of my own ability to use grammar correctly. I'm a stickler for details anyway. I know most betas wouldn't think it an error if they saw a contraction in the narrative, but I was taught to not use contractions outside of dialogue or thoughts and *never* end a sentence with a preposition, and those are the kind of things that are a personal preference for me. It was even suggested by a reader that I use more contractions and I was like: :shock: That's just not proper! LMAO :lol: For me, seeking a beta was about keeping a character in character. You really have to trust that person's judgment as a reader and a viewer. How do I overcome fear? I use a different pen name than messageboard name! :wink: It was more important to me to keep it separate when I first started writing/posting. After overwhelmingly positive responses, I'm not quite as frightened by the fandom. :lol:

I'm still new to writing but can still have a stab at answering your questions, I hope :D I had no intention at all of writing... but found (after reading as much House/Wilson as I could) that I had my own H/W relationship 'vision'... and I wanted to read more of it and the only way to do that was to write it. The ideas just come from that relationship. I write in googlemail as a draft mail (don't laugh!) - because I can easily write both at home & work and not get versions mixed up. And not look like I'm obviously writing p*rn. I've found beta readers by appealing for them and by approaching ones who have advertised. Being in character is not a huge problem for me (I hope - betas & comments tell me that mostly, anyway); but I know I use dialogue a lot as I find it easier to envisage i/c reactions that way. I absolutely have a crippling fear of posting stuff. The first time I go to LJ after posting something new & waiting for a reasonable number of hours to see what reaction, if any, is just terrifying. And I overcome it by reminding myself of all the nice comments people have left me previously. From people like yourself :wink:

When you were new to writing fanfiction, how did you go about beginning? Did you start with an idea, or did you just want to write and then come up with an idea? Do you write in Word, or directly into your LJ, or longhand, or what? Those that use beta readers, how do you find one, or do you wait until one finds you? How do you keep characters "in character"? And finally, how do you overcome (if you have any) the fear and finally open what you have written for others to read? Not that I am actually thinking of writing anything :oops: but dear God, I think it would almost be as bad as filming yourself for others to watch. :cold: Hm. I first wrote some Dr. Who things and those happened because I was thinking about certain reactions that people tended to have to the Doctor. There was one particular scene and character that sort of developed uninvited in my mind, and so I wrote that down and it ended up becoming something like a fourteen-chapter story. A lot of that I wrote out longhand first, just because the universe was so complex, with three different alien cultures and histories involved. It was Wilson who dragged my brain into writing House fic. I had no intention at all of ever doing this, but the character caught me and would not let me go, so I started writing about him and now here I am. I draft my House stuff on my LJ, although I do jot things on paper if I'm away from the computer when the characters start talking to me. There are several awesome writers who serve as beta readers for me, and that developed naturally. We liked each other's stories, started trading ideas and concrit, and now we're each other's support system. Multiple betas are a good thing, because they lighten the load for everyone and also, one person will catch a problem that the others may miss, or suggest a solution that no one else thought of. As for staying in character ... Usually I'm able to just watch the characters and write down what they do and say. But sometimes I'm not, particularly when the scene is especially tricky/emotional. I will then sort of act out the scene in my mind, pretending to be that character and seeing what I would (or would not) do as them. I have done this since I was five years old and obsessed with Greg Boyington on Baa Baa Black Sheep, but I suspect it's pretty weird. I'm not aware of anyone else who does it, and I hope nobody thinks I'm completely insane now. The Fear of Posting tends to go away with time. If you are considering writing something, I'd be eager to have a look at it. You're one of my favorite readers for the insightful feedback you leave.

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. It is interesting to me to see the varied responses. You all are terrific! And Blackmare, I must admit to squeeing just a little when I read that at the end. If I ever get over the "nobody wants to read what I wrote" feeling and get started, I will look forward to what you have to say. :oops: and :D

When you were new to writing fanfiction, how did you go about beginning? Did you start with an idea, or did you just want to write and then come up with an idea? Do you write in Word, or directly into your LJ, or longhand, or what? Those that use beta readers, how do you find one, or do you wait until one finds you? How do you keep characters "in character"? And finally, how do you overcome (if you have any) the fear and finally open what you have written for others to read? Not that I am actually thinking of writing anything Embarassed but dear God, I think it would almost be as bad as filming yourself for others to watch. cold I came up with an idea for a medical case for House, and wanted to see it incorporated somehow. I had been reading ff for awhile, and wanted in on the fun but also didn't know where to start. Then one night, the idea just came to me, and I've been playing around with stuff for awhile now. And it worked. I posted onto ff.net to start with, because I didn't have an LJ (and don't really use mine now either). My problem tends to be that I like to follow a form way too much for my own good. So I'll outline something, and half-way through want to change my mind, or start on something massive and lose interest part-way in (DW missing season - completely plotted out, just don't want to take time to write the rest of it). As for in character, using a message board such as this one helps. I find I can go into a character thread, read it, and ask questions, and come up with a lot more info on a character than I had before, or see the character from a new light. Hm. I first wrote some Dr. Who things and those happened because I was thinking about certain reactions that people tended to have to the Doctor. There was one particular scene and character that sort of developed uninvited in my mind, and so I wrote that down and it ended up becoming something like a fourteen-chapter story. A lot of that I wrote out longhand first, just because the universe was so complex, with three different alien cultures and histories involved. I write in both, House came first and then DW. What I found hard with the latter was the changing timelines involved in the story - it was happening at two different times. But what I find challenging with House is some of the medical facts and a lot of the characterization of the younger characters. I will then sort of act out the scene in my mind, pretending to be that character and seeing what I would (or would not) do as them. I have done this since I was five years old and obsessed with Greg Boyington on Baa Baa Black Sheep, but I suspect it's pretty weird. I'm not aware of anyone else who does it, and I hope nobody thinks I'm completely insane now. ST:TNG from when I was 7 and it evolved from there. Good fun while driving for hours, just sometimes hard to pay attention to the road. So, you are not alone in that practice. And lots of times I'll play around with something with my small tape recorder as well while I'm driving. I must admit to squeeing just a little when I read that at the end. If I ever get over the "nobody wants to read what I wrote" feeling and get started, I will look forward to what you have to say. Embarassed and Very Happy The number of readers seems to vary between fandoms as well. In House, I had a lot of people reading the fic, but not commenting. Whereas with DW, I had half as many people reading it, but twice as many people commenting on it - and they were actual thought-filled comments, not just "That's totally awesome" or "I hope Cameron and House get together."

I will then sort of act out the scene in my mind, pretending to be that character and seeing what I would (or would not) do as them. I have done this since I was five years old and obsessed with Greg Boyington on Baa Baa Black Sheep, but I suspect it's pretty weird. I'm not aware of anyone else who does it, and I hope nobody thinks I'm completely insane now. ST:TNG from when I was 7 and it evolved from there. Good fun while driving for hours, just sometimes hard to pay attention to the road. So, you are not alone in that practice. And lots of times I'll play around with something with my small tape recorder as well while I'm driving. Heh. Showing my age here but I was 5 or 6 and it was the original Star Trek. Mmm, Spock. Nope, you guys aren't crazy unless we all have teh crazies.

A few questions to the writers reading here: When you were new to writing fanfiction, how did you go about beginning? Did you start with an idea, or did you just want to write and then come up with an idea? Do you write in Word, or directly into your LJ, or longhand, or what? Those that use beta readers, how do you find one, or do you wait until one finds you? How do you keep characters "in character"? And finally, how do you overcome (if you have any) the fear and finally open what you have written for others to read? Not that I am actually thinking of writing anything :oops: but dear God, I think it would almost be as bad as filming yourself for others to watch. :cold: Ha. Cool question and since I so very much love to talk about myself... ;) I started writing actual fanfiction during the XF days because I couldn't seem to get enough. With House, I had been a fan for a few months, reading ff, and suddenly found myself on a remote tropical island with little else to do but work and snorkel. At night, I took to my laptop and started tracing out what I'd like to see on the show. I continually brainstorm ideas and keep them all in a neat little word doc. Everything I do starts there. And if I like it, then it gets moved to its own file. I found my original beta by posting on the old housefans board. House_fic Beta has been another source. As far as keeping characters in character- it's not always easy I suppose, but if I can't imagine the characters doing or saying something on the show, then I can't put it in a fic. If I can't hear their voices as I'm writing- then something is wrong. Some of my big fat word doc contains tons of OOCness and for that reason will never get posted. Posting gets easier if you have someone backing you. Having a beta (or two or three) telling you that it's good will prop you up a bit. And then getting reviews helps even more. I write for myself and posting is an end to the process that is both exciting and daunting.

With House, I had been a fan for a few months, reading ff, and suddenly found myself on a remote tropical island with little else to do but work and snorkel. At night, I took to my laptop and started tracing out what I'd like to see on the show. *is envious* Actually, my best fic ever (In the Last Days of Azrael) came when I was dealing with my Grandmother dying - and the novel I was working on as well all stemmed from that and the angst of not getting a job in the field I had spend six years training in. I found myself stuck in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere across the street from the funeral parlor and just wrote. My aunt even asked if I wanted to go to dinner with her, but I just wanted to write. When I wasn't doing that, I slept. My only regret was that I posted as I wrote, and not finished it before posting it.

Like Nomad, I started writing fanfic during the fourth season of x-files. I stopped writing fanfic after the series ended (for me, not for real) in 2000. I vowed I would turn my fiction writing towards my two unfinished novels rather than fanfiction, and I continued to vow that when I became a House fan mid season 1. That changed at the end of season 1, when Hugh Laurie's performance in House both intrigued and moved me. I became much more active a writer of House fic in the second season. Usually what happens is a first line pops into my head for the fiction, almost before a situation. My fingers generally take over from there, although (on my longer stories, anyway) I do consider where I'm going between writing chapters. usually before falling alseep. I rarely preview my stories to a beta or editor. but I generally re-write once as I edit for grammar, flow and dialogue. If the characters' voices don't ring true, I rewrite. Otherwise... I generally like to write what I call "fill-in-the-blank" stories. Stories that expand on a scene within the episode...or a scene that happens just after the credits roll. In some of my longer stories, I've threaded several episodes together to frame what's happening in my story. Twice, I've written very long stories that bridge one season to another. I only write House-focused stories. Some of them include Cuddy (and sometimes her POV); one or two have had Stacy or Wilson in them. But I almost always write from House's POV, because his character resonates so loudly for me. One of the things about the character of House is that in the two novels I've still yet to finish, I have main character that have much in common with House. So maybe that's why I gravitate to him and enjoy writing for him.

When I first started writing Quantum Leap fan-fic, way back in the day, I used to write everything out longhand in college ruled notebooks before typing out a rewrite. It was the days before laptops, and the only way I had of writing on the move. I wasn't certain I could do House fic justice; at first the medical aspect scared me away. But I figured the medicine could come second to the stories and the characters, if I handled it right. Putting the first chapter for my first fic up was both a nervewracking and wonderful experience. The comments I received for that first chapter of "Home" were encouraging and inspiring, making me want to write more. I don't keep notes. I don't make outlines, for no other reason than I'm not very organized and I'd probably end up misplacing or forgetting about them. When I start a story I picture the first scene, a middle part and a tentative ending. If I can get a clear image of each part of the story, I go to work. I keep a lot 'upstairs', and scribble down a few scraps of dialogue and 'prompt' words duriing the course of my workday. I think a key element of writing is discipline, which I'd lost for a time before I started writing House fic. Knowing how quickly discipline can fail, I'm a stickler for keeping up a schedule of writing time. Fortunately I've got that laptop now and get a good amount of writing done before work and during breaks over the course of the day. This is an interesting topic. Thanks for letting me add my two cents worth to everyone's great responses.

In House, I had a lot of people reading the fic, but not commenting. Whereas with DW, I had half as many people reading it, but twice as many people commenting on it - and they were actual thought-filled comments, not just "That's totally awesome" or "I hope Cameron and House get together." Really? I just posted my first ever DW fic and I got more people commenting than I did for my House fics, but the comments amounted to: "Interesting." or "Good job." I feel like I get not as many when I write for House, but I get good ones. Anyway, when I first started House fic, it was because I had an idea for a Chase fic that just would not go away. At that time I was watching the House DVDs like crazy and the idea of him and his father interested me. Actually, at first I very clearly heard an OC saying something, and I imagined her talking to Chase as opposed to anyone else. Viola, fic was born. As for posting, it helps that I have a different alias in the Internet world. It's difficult to imagine anyone in the real world reading my fiction. On occasion, people have asked to read my original stuff and it was excruciating. But I feel like y'all don't really know me, so I don't mind if you read my fic. *g*

The number of readers seems to vary between fandoms as well. In House, I had a lot of people reading the fic, but not commenting. Whereas with DW, I had half as many people reading it, but twice as many people commenting on it - and they were actual thought-filled comments, not just "That's totally awesome" or "I hope Cameron and House get together." That's the truth! A lot of House fans will put stories on Alert, but never comment. It can be disappointing.

When you were new to writing fanfiction, how did you go about beginning? Did you start with an idea, or did you just want to write and then come up with an idea? My first fiction was for a class assignment and my first posted fiction was in response to Sheep's The Contract. As I was reading something just kept naggling at me and that something ended up being my story. For my own original piees usually I will start with an idea or a question and see where it goes from there. For ABPTB I utterly disliked the Tritter arc and thought it ended poorly so I wrote what could have happened and yes, I know I need to finish both. Do you write in Word, or directly into your LJ, or longhand, or what? Lifeline was written longhand into a red Mead notebook while sitting in the PX foodcourt in Seoul South Korea. At the time I was waiting to get into a Army NCO school and had nothing better to during the work day. Most of my stories will start out on paper but I find I can get the ideas down better typing them out. I lost that damn notebook while writing the story which is one of the downsides as well of writing on paper. Those that use beta readers, how do you find one, or do you wait until one finds you? I never went and looked for a beta. I started working with my betas through working with two other K-verse writers Sheep and Priority. Basically, since we were already discussing aspects of the three stories(The Contract, Lifeline and Exigencies) it kind of worked that I would bounce any changes off of them. When I started writing A Better Place to Be I had developed enough trust in them that I gave them the rough draft of the story to read. Priority( and Wih who also betas for me) are very good for grammer and plot development whereas Sheep is good for pulling out the more detailed aspects that makes a story richer. Plus I can argue with them both and neither(I think) seems to get to upset. How do you keep characters "in character"? Keep asking questions. How would House act in the show? What has the show told you about how he sees himself, his pain, the other characters around them. What hasn't it shown. Don't be too afraid to go OC but always explain why the character is doing what they are doing. Does this make sense? And finally, how do you overcome (if you have any) the fear and finally open what you have written for others to read? Not that I am actually thinking of writing anything but dear God, I think it would almost be as bad as filming yourself for others to watch. Trust me, as a broadcaster it is still worse for me to film myself than to post something online. My first fic was posted at 11PM in a internet cafe. I posted it, went to bed and woke up to 7 comments. I am a firm believer in the just dive in school of thought. That said, I still get nervous about how my stories are recieved and I am on my six or seventh fic at this point.

A few questions to the writers reading here: When you were new to writing fanfiction, how did you go about beginning? Did you start with an idea, or did you just want to write and then come up with an idea? Do you write in Word, or directly into your LJ, or longhand, or what? Those that use beta readers, how do you find one, or do you wait until one finds you? How do you keep characters "in character"? And finally, how do you overcome (if you have any) the fear and finally open what you have written for others to read? Not that I am actually thinking of writing anything :oops: but dear God, I think it would almost be as bad as filming yourself for others to watch. :cold: I've only been writing House fanfiction for about four or five months, but I'll take a stab at some answers. It's a little strange, but because of the time I invested as an English major, I approach creative writing in much the same way I approached academic writing. I begin with a basic idea. It could be a question that has been knocking around in my head about a character or it could be something more specific. But I'll develop and refine the idea with notes and eventually create a detailed outline to help me with character and plot development. Before I start the actual writing, I want to make sure I'm not going to stray off track or end up lost halfway through a story, especially if it's going to be a long one. I usually work from the outline, but not too rigidly. I'll change some details and small events if I feel it would fit the story better. Stories sometimes take on a life of their own, and while my outlines and notes help me stay focused, I'm not opposed to going where the story wants, as long as I know I won't end up lost. There are other times, of course, when a story will somehow emerge in its entirety, and all I have to do is scribble, scribble, then go back and work out the technical and grammatical issues. It hardly ever happens for me, though. I usually type up the story in Word. I also carry a notebook around with me, though, just in case a good idea strikes me and I'm not near my computer. I also keep one by my bed, since I've had too many ideas come and go before I've fallen asleep and I didn't have a chance to write them down. I appealed to a community for a beta reader and I started working with one that volunteered. She's absolutely wonderful. I was lucky to find one I "click" with on my first try. I'm always open to the possibility of acquiring more helpful eyes, but at this point, I just have one and I'm thrilled with how much she helps with my writing. In regards to keeping characters in-character: I try to pay close attention to the characters on the show. Each character has their own particular mannerisms, ways they speak, move. They have their own psychological make-up and histories. There's a lot to take in and I think one of the first steps to writing them all in-character is to study them and understand them in the context of the show. It's hard to write about something that you don't understand, so making an effort to understand who they are helps a lot. When I first starting writing House fic, I was nervous about posting what I'd written. But after I'd spent some time reading other people's work and getting to see the interactions between members of the fandom, I thought, "Well, these people seem lovely. Maybe putting my own stuff out there won't be so bad." So I started sharing my writing and I've had some really wonderful, thoughtful responses. It can be a little scary, but I have a lot of fun writing and reading, interacting with other fine members of this fandom. I'm glad I started doing it. :)

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