It seems I’m always apologizing for not featuring authors sooner. There are just so many people I want to feature that I always seem to forget someone obvious. Sarah was one of the first authors to embrace my writing and get in touch with me when I rejoined the hanfic world in 2009, and I’m really happy to finally feature her as author of the month.
Sarah writes practically every genre and type of story possible, so you’re sure to find something in her writing that you enjoy. Faded, On The Road and its sequel Life With Divapants, and Flawed Design are just a few worth checking out. You can find her writing on her LiveJournal, here.
Why did you start writing hanfic? How long have you been writing?
About ten years. I’m twenty three years old, and I originally found fanfiction when I was about thirteen years old, completely by accident, at the local library. I can’t remember the name of the website anymore, unfortunately. I started writing in note books by hand around that age, as something to do, because we didn’t have the internet at home at that time. Around fourteen and fifteen, I discovered the famous Hanson Sweet Shoppe and started writing erotica into my fanfiction and posting it online. I used tripod and eventually joined Hanson Steam writing straight erotica when I was about sixteen or seventeen. I wrote for Steam for about a year and then I took a few years off, coming back into the scene in 2008 when I was studying in my first year at college. I discovered Zaylor that year, also.
You write het, slash and cest. Do you have a favorite genre of the three? How are they different (other than the obvious, haha)?
Hmm, the story lines definitely differ a little bit. I find that a lot of Zaylor gets stuck in certain patterns, and though they make great stories, I try to push the envelope in a different direction, lately. The same notion is what pushes me to write slash. I like creating original characters, such as Keaton in Breaking Free, and I also had a lot of fun with the non-related Zac in Breaking Free, featuring his relationship with high maintenance “Divapants”. I have a lot of fun with creativity in those genres. With straight, I find myself thinking nostalgically, and writing in more common patterns and themes, but trying to add unique twists to them. A lot of straight plots have been exhausted and I find that the audience is a lot smaller, so you really have to push the envelope, without stepping over too many lines.
I don’t think that I have a favourite of the three. I try to push myself to be unique in my story lines, and I have different ways of writing each genre and making them my own. I hate to sound like a perv, but I have a lot of fun writing erotica.
What are your favorite hanfic stories and authors?
I don’t read nearly as much as I used to, but some noteworthy stories that remain favourites over a span of time include; Los Perdidos, MILE, Guilt are my favourite Zaylor stories… Addicted is a favourite het story by a good friend. I’ll always enjoy the Hanson Sweet Shoppe stories that are archived, and I also still enjoy reading the old stories on Steam.
What is your writing process like?
I write very impulsively. I can write several thousand words in a day, and do that for a few days, and then have spans of horrible writers block. I am thinking about writing a lot more often than I am actually writing, I am always throwing around new ideas and characters that I want to start or incorporate into an existing plot.
I need to have a span of time and an open mind, and plenty of good coffee.
Where do your ideas and inspiration come from?
The ideas come randomly, for the most part, but sometimes are based on aspects of my life. I’ve written stories based on personal feelings, but more frequently now, it’s minor things; such as the way I base some of my characters on portions of my life. Characters have been art students, which is what I am studying. Zac in Flawed Design worked at Starbucks, which is where my closest friend is an assistant manager. There are subtle things about my stories that are personal. He swims, I swim. Small details and personality traits come from friends. Sometimes, they’re just me being silly, such as Divapants.
Other times, the ideas come at complete random. My story Faded features a female character narrative, where she feels taken for granted and under appreciated. I’ve never been in the situation myself, but one morning on my way to work, I saw a very stressed out woman juggling a bunch of kids at the convenience store I stopped for coffee at. For some reason, the moment lingered with me and I built on “What if things aren’t always what they seem”.
I try to be creative and unique. Also very provocative.
Which stories are you most proud of having written?
Oooh, that’s a tough one because I love all of my stories for different reasons. I was really proud when Breaking Free won “Best Overall Story” in the Hanfic genre contest that I wrote it for. It was slash, and I really enjoyed writing my OMC “Keaton”. “On the Road” and “And I Waited” are probably my two personal favourite stories in terms of plot creativity, but I am very fond of “Flawed Design” also.
Favorite songs to listen to while you write or which inspire your writing?
It changes a lot. I listen to a wide range of music, but it’s mostly indie rock/alternative rock and a bit of folk, and even electronica. Besides Hanson, I really enjoy; Death Cab for Cutie, USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker), Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, The Tragically Hip, Florence and the Machine, Daft Punk, Crystal Castles, Ween, Ratatat, Fountains of Wayne, Tinted Windows, Diamond Rings, Great Big Sea, The Black Keys and Soundgarden.
Most of my story titles are inspired by songs, and sometimes the plot loosely resembles a songs meaning, or a characters personality. Flawed Design (Flawed Design by Stabilo) is a good example of this, with Zac’s early feelings towards Taylor and his outlook on life.
Thank you, Sarah Irene, for being the January spotlight! Can’t wait to read whatever you come out with next.