Help! and an offer of fic

[rj_anderson]

After spending the last six months tearing my old novel to pieces and rebuilding it, and the last few weeks outlining a new novel, and reading endless discussions about the craft and business of fiction, I seem to have forgotten how to write. No matter how many times I remind myself of Elizabeth Bear's dictum that "Writing is not a performance art," I can barely get a sentence onto the page without telling myself it's no good and erasing it. I think I am just trying too hard to get this book right the first time, and somehow I have to shake that mindset. So now I'm looking to you to help me out with some stretching exercises:

Tell me what you want me to write.

The caveats are that it has to be a scenario or a fandom I'm familiar with -- so no use asking me for Stargate fic, okay? But if there's a scene or an incident you'd like to see, a particular pairing or tag-team of characters, romance or action or suspense or what-have-you, tell me and I'll write... something. It might be a sentence, a drabble, or a vignette, depending on how much your idea inspires me and how well the writing's going. In a pinch I'll just set the timer for 15 minutes and you'll get whatever I can hammer out in that space of time.

Ready? Go.

Comments

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

*ponders*

Ah, the thrilling power of having you at my mercy. How about a scene between Romana and Jackie? *big blue pleading eyes*

[penwiper26.livejournal.com]

Write me House alone with his piano.

Or, if it is not too wrong to write Narnia fic, write me a conversation between Peter and Edmund at school, post- any one of the first three books.

[etlhoy.livejournal.com]

I desperately want a scene from Maud's perspective of her interacting with the children, and maybe something with them at school, and maybe a scene with just one child left at home and the rest off at school. Sorry, I'm being greedy, and you have no idea who I am, but I will say that I love your writing and when you find a publisher for Knife I am going to buy a copy.
Elizabeth

[yunitsa.livejournal.com]

The Doctor, Jack and Rose. I miss the non-angsty, pre-Torchwood Captain Jack.

[claritylit.livejournal.com]

I also want the Doctor, Jack, and Rose. After the dancing at the end of "The Doctor Dances," how does the party break up?

[mcamy.livejournal.com]

A typical evening at the Holmes/Russell household. :) But only if it tickles your fancy.

[yahtzee63.livejournal.com]

Jack and Weiss, discussing Sydney.

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

Moody and Harry, discussing auror tactics. Must include one demonstration where Moody does it right and Harry botches it up badly. Extra points if Ron ends up in his boxers.

[harriet-wimsey.livejournal.com]

Hmm. How about Watson and Mrs. Hudson, either discussing Homes &/or Russell or just a look at their own friendship.

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Oh, gosh, you've gotten a lot thrown at you - but I would also like Maud and the kids - especially Malcolm. Maybe 15 minutes of freewriting a scene (any scene) between Maud and Malcolm?

Well, if you really want to write...

[(Anonymous)]

Shit. Write complete and total, unadulterated terrible horrible gak-awful shit. Give yourself the freedom to write badly, and I'm guessing you'll remember not only how to write, but also the joy of doing so.
(The other Rebecca, who also recommends you read the bit in Bird by Bird about mice in a mason jar, while you're at it.)

[kerravonsen]

A conversation between Gandalf and the Doctor. 8-)

[kerravonsen]

Another suggestion: write a description of something you can see (out your window, on a walk, whatever) -- as if it was a view into Faery. Get those numinous words flowing. (grin)

[rose-in-shadow.livejournal.com]

I may be too late, but here are a couple of crossover ideas:\

House/Harry Potter

House/Lost

House/Heroes

Hmm. Lookes like I'm running a theme here. LOL.

[crjace.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see a scene between Snape and Dumbledore, or if you're not inspired for it, a scene about anything between Snape and McGonagall.

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

Waaaaaay down here at the bottom (and thinking "wheeeeee! fic from RJ!"): a little bit of Snape/Luna? Anything you like, although mention of the Quibbler is good. :)

And if you don't make it this far, that's fine.

*wicked grin*

[(Anonymous)]

Potter/Star Trek crossover. Question: can Occlumency block the Vulcan Mind Meld?

Well, you did leave it wide open, you know. I can just see Snape and Spock squaring off. Though I have this sneaky feeling that some HP and Trek characters would get along superbly. Alastor Moody and Worf, for instance?

Snape anything, Rebecca--you know I'll read it if you've written it!

Mary Anne

[snickelish.livejournal.com]

I loved the snippet or two I found of your Firefly fic. Maybe a bit of a conversation between River and Zoe, post-"Serenity"?

On the other hand, a House/Lost crossover sounds like great fun, too (but only because there are so many things and people in Lost that I want House to snark on).

[camillofan.livejournal.com]

Holmes and the Third Doctor-- or, if you don't like writing Three, then any of the others between One and Seven (I haven't seen Nine and Ten yet).

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

A conversation between Dumbledore and Merriman Lyon, Oldest of the Old Ones. Bonus points if it touches on the topic of free choice.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

If you wind up getting this far, I'd love to see some House & Wilson. It's so tough to find any gen for them; I don't care what the topic is.

Suggestion

[(Anonymous)]

If you write FanFic, you'll be limited to what has been revealed about these characters in the canonical works, and you'll judge yourself against the canonical writings and other FanFic. Try a short story with new characters and give your mind the freedom to develop the characters and universe where you want it to go.

Regards,
Shawn
sabigail.blogspot.com

[infiniteviking]

*seconds all those folks who have asked for anything involving Snape*

Everyone's writing muscles get tired now and then. Take a short break, do something else, and come back to it refreshed. And try writing several paragraphs before allowing rewrites.

[(Anonymous)]

Here's one:

How you and your family would react if you received powers ala HEROES.

Greg Gick