I haven’t known Jenny for very long, but I already consider her a great friend. She’s sweet and caring and gives wonderfully kind feedback. In addition to that, she also happens to write stories of her own.
She sticks primarly to short stories and you can read her writing in a couple different places — her livejournal and at AO3.
Why did you start writing hanfic? How long have you been writing?
For four years I was only a reader. The very first story I read was Kerry’s Lost Without Each Other-trilogy which a friend of mine recommended to me. And… surprise, surprise, it completely floored me (and made me fall in love with Zaylor, haha!)! So, after that, I literally read EVERYTHING I could come across. It was a little insane for a while there, to be honest. But one day in 2008 I stumbled across Ali’s fic What If. I started to read it, and… there was something about the way she wrote that inspired me. I remember that I felt her passion through the words on my computer screen, and it seemed so much fun. So, I began to write a little piece here and a little piece there. Nothing big. By the way, my stories have never been anything close to “big”. lol I’m 200% sure that I write the shortest stories in the universe. Like, seriously. I envy those who can write 8000-words-or-more chapters (like Kerry) and still keep the flow.
What’s it like being part of a mostly American fandom when you aren’t?
I’ve never really thought about that, until now. lol It… has never been a problem for me. I’ve always loved to talk and write in English, so it’s pretty perfect. It can be a little difficult at times, though. Especially when you’re writing and you don’t know the culture that well, or the country itself, to make it believable for the reader. But we do have Internet in Sweden too, so it mostly work out in the end anyway. The language is a struggle at times, too. I shouldn’t lie about that. But after almost ten years of reading and writing in English on a daily basis, I think I’m getting better and better at it. The grammar can still be a bitch though. But if I tell people that English isn’t my first language, they are very understanding. Which, I’m very thankful for.
What are your favorite hanfic stories and authors?
I will always be a fan of Kerry’s work, since her trilogy was the opening door for me. Plus, I think she’s an amazing storyteller. My absolutely favorite stories of all time are A Place Called Home and Let It All Out (Taylor/Jammy) by Ali. Hands down. I just… I don’t think I can describe to you what those stories and characters mean to me. I’d go on forever, and we don’t have the time for that. Believe me! lol But I guess I could say that they are VERY special to me and It’ll always feel like home, reading them. They make me feel like I belong, they remind me of the people I love the most and what’s worth fighting for. And I don’t have the username @jammyisawesome on Twitter for nothing. I absolutely LOVE every story that Ali has ever shared with her readers. I know she doesn’t believe me when I say this but she has everything I look for in an author. I can actually burst into tears while I read her stories, just because it’s so perfectly written. She has SO much heart and soul for what she does. She is the real deal to me. Her latest stories SNAFU and FUBAR (Taylor/TJR) are both a MUST-READ. They are SO ridiculously good. It’s like… watching that favorite episode of your favorite TV-show on repeat, while you munch on bacon. 😉 This Is Where You Belong by Sammy is also one story I always come back to. There’s warmth in her stories that I absolutely love. Plus, she’s written the funniest things out there. Her sense of humor is truly a gift. There are more authors I love. But these are the three I love the most.
What is your writing process like?
I’m not sure if I’ve a process .lol I’ve a little note book that I always carry with me if an idea pops up. And then I try to do something about it as soon as I got the time. I think I’ve a billion documents with different ideas on my computer. If I really feel inspired to sit down and write something more than just an idea, an actual story, I often write it down in one sitting. I’ve a hard time writing something over a longer period of time. But I’ve learned through the years that sometimes you’ve to give the words their time. Let them grow. Sometimes, it’s for the better.
Where do your ideas and inspiration come from?
Everywhere. A song, a movie, a dream, the people around me. Life itself. I tend to get inspired by other authors’ work too.
Which stories are you most proud of having written?
I have a hard time feeling proud of my own work. It has always been that way. And it doesn’t get any better that I feel a little insecure about my English. And I haven’t finished that that much stories, really. But, there’s one I posted on my LJ about a year ago. It’s called Burning (Zaylor), its SHORT (as all my stories!), and a little different. So, if I’ve to pick one, it’ll be it.
Favorite songs to listen to while you write or which inspire your writing?
Sadly, I’m not one of those people who have a list of songs they’re always listening to when they’re writing. I wish I was, though. But, I NEED my music. I tend to look for something acoustic. Like; Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill Acoustic or Skin And Bones by The Foo Fighters. I just love the feeling of acoustic tunes when I’m in the writing mood. There’s something so soothing about them.
Thank you, Jenny, for being my January spotlight! I’m glad that we finally were able to make it work.