writedragon

Have any of my follwers seen the animated B5: The Road Home, and if so, was it worth it? I'm curious about it.

Having recently completed a B5 rewatch I am, yet again, duly impressed at how good (and evergreen) the writing is.

Side note -- If you haven't Read J. Michael Straczynski's autobiography "Becoming Superman," I highly recommend it with the caveat of tw:childhood abuse and tw:addiction in the narrative.

I did it! I finally finished binding all of my fanfiction. All of my due South (and crossover stories) are bound in this three-volume set. Barbershop Duet got its own bind (see earlier entry for details).

I've now constructed six hardbound volumes of fanfiction, for a total of 267,807 words. Fandoms range from Doctor Who, The Thick of it, Torchwood, Good Omens, and due South to Stargate, and a few others included in crossover stories (The Magicians, Farscape, Friends, Slings and Arrows, and Homicide: Life on the Street).

When I look at the pile of books I've made, and the contents therein, it's obvious to me how far I've come and how much I've learned, both as a writer and as a bookbinder. I try not to cringe at my early efforts but rather think of them fondly, as my first baby steps into the scary unknown. Everyone's gotta start somewhere, right?

Even so, I don't feel competent or comfortable with the idea of binding other people's fic, so if I want to pursue this hobby further, I guess I'll just have to go finish those WIPs I've got languishing in a file. Hahahahaha (eep!).

If you're a new follower and/or curious, all of my fic and fanvids are accessible online here, under one of my three fandom pseuds (lightspire, WriteDragon, GallifreyWizard). My tumblr is where I tend to post my fanart and fan-edits.

I challenge you to see something, someplace, or someone familiar in a new way. Go at a different time of day. Turn the thing (or yourself) upside down. Squint. Sit with it/them. Look for the beauty that is right there in front of you, always there for those willing to see (or hear, touch, smell, taste). 

Allow yourself to be surprised, joyful, touched by beauty. 

If you feel like it, share what you (re) discovered in the comments.

In your own space, share a favorite memory about fandom: the first time you got into fandom, the last time a fanwork touched your heart, wild times with fellow fans (whether on-line or off-line), a lovely comment you’ve received or have left for someone. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

1) The most intense fandom experience I've ever had was going to my first big comic-con in 2016. It was the height of my Doctor Who obsession, and I was lucky enough to meet Peter Capaldi, Michelle Gomez, and Arthur Darvill in person. My experience was a good one, and I know that cons are not always that way, but my experience was definitely one of the highlights of my life. Collectively, those actors are some of the nicest and kindest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. A new irl fandom friend helped show me the ropes and a grand time was had by all, which leads me to -- 

2) I've been fortunate to make a few IRL friends through various fandoms over the years, including Star Wars, The Colbert Nation, Doctor Who, and due South, and I treasure those friendships because those people are "found family" to me.

3) Other than great new friends, fandom has given me something very important, which is the inspiration to try several new art forms: fic writing, animation, vidding, all kinds of crafts, cosplay, digital editing and art, even gifmaking (which I am terrible at -- hats off to the gifmakers). I've even become interested in the anthropology and the history of fandom itself. I have learned so much and these things have enriched my life immeasurably.

I cannot even begin to imagine who I would be without the gifts and inspiration fandom has given me, and the friendships I have made along the way, nor would I want to.

 In your own space, rec a fanwork (fic, art, vid, playlist, anything!) you did not create. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I just finished reading a Stargate fic  called "Hometown Boy" by princessofgeeks that blew my mind. It's a Jack/Daniel canon-adjacent, novel-length fic that starts before the Stargate 1994 movie even happened. It's a beautifully written, emotional deep dive into their relationship and well worth a read. It took the author five years to write and all that effort really shines through. Rated E for explicit content.


 

In your own space, name some fandom resources, spaces, or communities you use or enjoy

Last year I discovered a wonderful resource (a book) for writers. The Elements of Eloquence, Secrets of the Perfect Turn of Phrase by Mark Forsyth. If you love words, grammar, literature, and the way language is constructed (and how it can be manipulated to create all kinds of feelings), you will enjoy this book.

I'm also learning to find my way around Discord and have joined a couple of watch parties (for Farscape and Stargate) that are helping me find new communities outside of dying tumblr.