Open Thread: Oracle Hotline
Jul. 20th, 2018 09:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mithen posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
superhero_muses--Do you hide any secrets in your stories that only a few people will find?
These are questions for pro writers (of which some of you are!) but I think it also works for fic writing as well: that is, do you put in Easter Eggs or odd little things that not many people--maybe no one--will get? I don't ALWAYS do it, but I often will have cameos or references that are mostly there for my pleasure and I don't expect anyone to spot--though it's bonus if they do. :)
I'm writing exchange fics at the moment, which is fun and forces me out of my comfort zone. Not gonna lie, it also is very pragmatic, as it helps me connect with people who might not have read my work otherwise, you know? Maybe I can tempt some people into reading my more OTP-focused stories if I write something for a pairing they love. It's also really well-timed because it has energized me about the canon at a time when there's very little energy in it for me (my favorite is out with an injury and the rest of 2018 is a barren wasteland devoid of sunlight or OTP-moments...) If I write other characters and pairings I'm more likely to find joy in other parts of canon, which is a very good idea.
How is everything for you? What secrets are you hiding or revealing?
These are questions for pro writers (of which some of you are!) but I think it also works for fic writing as well: that is, do you put in Easter Eggs or odd little things that not many people--maybe no one--will get? I don't ALWAYS do it, but I often will have cameos or references that are mostly there for my pleasure and I don't expect anyone to spot--though it's bonus if they do. :)
I'm writing exchange fics at the moment, which is fun and forces me out of my comfort zone. Not gonna lie, it also is very pragmatic, as it helps me connect with people who might not have read my work otherwise, you know? Maybe I can tempt some people into reading my more OTP-focused stories if I write something for a pairing they love. It's also really well-timed because it has energized me about the canon at a time when there's very little energy in it for me (my favorite is out with an injury and the rest of 2018 is a barren wasteland devoid of sunlight or OTP-moments...) If I write other characters and pairings I'm more likely to find joy in other parts of canon, which is a very good idea.
How is everything for you? What secrets are you hiding or revealing?
no subject
Date: 2018-07-20 02:25 am (UTC)I'm in the middle of a new novel, contemporary romance with a kidnapped black woman saved by a billionaire (woman). Because tropes? Of course we love our tropes! Plus there's the requisite murderous stalker and attempted assassinations (by poisoning) and government agencies, too. Trope-fic is the best fic. XD
Good idea on stretching yourself that way--exchanges and challenges can be so much fun. I hope that you enjoy your fics and that canon gives you some joy soon!
no subject
Date: 2019-08-26 03:50 am (UTC)Yeah, that seems like such a good way of describing it! Just noticing where things that you've put down earlier come back in...
I'm in the middle of a new novel, contemporary romance with a kidnapped black woman saved by a billionaire (woman). Because tropes? Of course we love our tropes! Plus there's the requisite murderous stalker and attempted assassinations (by poisoning) and government agencies, too. Trope-fic is the best fic. XD
Oh, that sounds GREAT, I hope the writing went smoothly and it was fun!
no subject
Date: 2018-07-20 10:47 pm (UTC)Hmm, I probably do the same as
Probably my historical fics count, as I'll stick in references from a past era that history-minded folks can grin and nod their heads over. :)
After a long hiatus, I'm posting stories again. Whoo hoo! :)
no subject
Date: 2019-08-26 03:52 am (UTC)Yeah, that's a good example too! Just little references that are fun to spot for the sharp-eyed...
I haven't written anything for AGES at this point--all for fairly good reasons, it's been a busy summer. Hoping to get back to the drawing board soon, though!
no subject
Date: 2018-07-23 08:19 pm (UTC)I am also working on exchange fics at the moment! =D It feels nice to have gotten not one but two things written and posted. And a fic for pairing I've never written before is being well received. A much needed confidence boost!
no subject
Date: 2019-08-26 10:29 am (UTC)Oh, that's wonderful! I always love when I stretch myself a bit and it goes well. :)
no subject
Date: 2018-07-24 05:45 am (UTC)Exchange fics that force you out of your comfort zone cane be amazing.
What you're saying there makes a lot of sense.
I just wrapped up exchange writing and finished a story draft that gave me more trouble than it should have (for personal reasons mostly) and am now outlining my next projects.
I'm working on Marvel Bang and am looking for some space trip romance adventure plot that makes sense, so I'm rewatching and rereading some fave sci-fi to get a feel for space exploration and drama. I'm also outlining a MCU Steve/Tony take on the Kimi no Na Wa time travel plot and writing that is going to be fun, but I need charts for the time lines. ^^;;;
no subject
Date: 2019-08-26 10:47 am (UTC)I think part of the fun of fanfic is how easy it is to make those allusions and know that someone is likely to see them!
I just wrapped up exchange writing and finished a story draft that gave me more trouble than it should have (for personal reasons mostly) and am now outlining my next projects.
Ugh, I'm sorry to hear it was difficult! But I do love the idea of a timeslip Kimi no Wa plot with Steve and Tony, that sounds lovely...