With every album Hanson releases, the same thing happens: long time fans come crawling out of the woodwork and begin posting fic, sometimes for the first time ever and sometimes just for the first time in a long time. The latter is the case with Jess, who some people who have been around the fandom for a while might also know as Jaden.
You can read a few of her newer stories, Are You Listening? and Sound of Light on Mibba and Wattpad, respectively, and several of her older fics are available on her LiveJournal.
Why did you start writing hanfic? How long have you been writing?
I started writing Hanfic because I always enjoyed everything dealing with Hanson. I loved music. And writing. So it was just a natural progression for me.Also because I found “DevilAngel” and I knew in my heart of hearts that I wanted to be a part of something like that. I started writing when I was twelve- so about fifteen years now sporadically.
What’s your favorite genre and/or pairing to write?
I love slash. Especially hancest. Zaylor was always my favorite but I have done a lot of cross-pairing with the Moffatts over the years as well. I’m not sure why; I just feel that I’m pretty decent at it. I’m a big fan of the “plot twist” though. I wrote a very short one-shot when I was in high school called “Dream Girl” that is proof of that.
What are your favorite hanfic stories and authors?
The first one I ever read was Aspen’s “DevilAngel”. I fell in love with her character portrayal. I have so many stories I love but most are old school. My favorite is the LWEO Trilogy- Kerry really took the reins on Zaylor and ran with it. I read “On My Own” & “Pretending He’s Beside Me” about a million times. I love pretty much anything by Dessilyn. “Avery” was amazing. “Drunk” was another favorite because of how she wrote Zac. I became addicted. Right now I’m reading “Ten Years & Muses” & have a few more on my reading list.
What is your writing process like?
Usually it’s slow! Haha. Honestly it all starts with an idea. That idea forms a rough outline. That outline starts flowing onto paper (or Word, depends on my mood & where I am). I turn on music and let myself get immersed in the fictitious Hanson world I’m creating. I literally visualize the room I’m in sometimes. I have a very active imagination.
Where do your ideas and inspiration come from?
Everywhere. More than likely a line of a song will strike a chord in me & then I think of how to turn those few words into a story. Sometimes just talking to people can give me an idea. Or I dream something and think ‘Wow, ya know, that’d be an interesting fic.’ I also love watching interviews or reading other fanfic to get my juices flowing.
Which stories are you most proud of having written?
I wrote a Scott Moffatt/Taylor Hanson story many years ago called “Destiny” that I’m particularly proud of. I have 3 that are in the works that I’m extremely excited about as well: “Sound of Light”, “Save Me” & “Are You Listening”. I am pretty proud of a few of my newer Zaylor one-shots as well: “Thunder & Lightning”, “You Know I Don’t Do That” & “My Favorite Nightmare” (a Bob Moffatt & Zac Hanson pairing)
Favorite songs to listen to while you write or which inspire your writing?
Honestly, as cliche as it sounds, anything Hanson. But I’m known to listen to just about anything. Especially if it’s soothing/mellow for my romantic stories: Counting Crows, Enation, Lifehouse, Scott Moffatt, Like Strangers OR upbeat/rock for the others: Pink, Seether, Silverchair, Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance… my music collection is as scattered as my writing!
Thank you, Jess, for being the September spotlight! It’s good to see you around the fandom again 🙂