Diamond has been in the hanfic world for many years, although I’ll admit I wasn’t familiar with her writings until her recent return from hiatus. She’s a great author and definitely an accent to the fandom, so I’m sure we’re all glad to have her back.
You can read her stories on her LiveJournal and her website, Mirage.
Why did you start writing hanfic? How long have you been writing?
I started writing, quite simply, because I fell in love with Hanson. Their talent and creativity was so inspiring me to at such an early age, and my passion for their music helped me discover my own creative outlet through my words and imagination. Amanda’s Lived is the story that kick-started my interest in Hanfic. I remember sitting in my chair for hours, glued to the computer screen while I got lost in the world she created. So I decided to start some stories of my own and have been writing ever since – for thirteen years, on and off.
What was it like to come back to hanfic after your hiatus and why did you decide to come back?
I’ve taken several breaks from the Hanfic world for various reasons, my longest hiatus a relatively recent one spanning from 2007-2010. A lot of people I used to write Hanfic alongside aren’t around too much anymore, although we still keep in touch. After graduating college at the end of 2006, I jumped directly into a full-time job that sucked all free time and creative energy from my life. Thankfully, I’ve since found a new job and am in a much better place now – one in which I can balance the things I like to do with the things I need to do.
I was looking through files on my computer shortly after the start of 2011 and came across a Hanson story I’d started four years ago but had only written the prologue to. My inspiration was rekindled almost instantly. I continued on with the story and finally set up my domain which for years had just been sitting there, gathering dust. After searching online, I came across a number of amazing pieces and fellow writers I hadn’t even known about due to my hiatus. It was refreshing to see so many people still interested in and writing Hanfic stories, and pleasantly surprising to find that people still wanted to read mine!
What are your favorite hanfic stories and authors?
I have so many favorites, honestly, but the ones that jump out at me right now (aside from Lived) are The Quiet One by Krystal, Catapult by Ella, and The You in You by Diosa.
What is your writing process like?
My writing process isn’t very structured or defined. When I first started writing Hanfic, I always wrote stories by hand in a notebook and then typed them up. From time to time, I’ll still write certain chapters or excerpts by hand, especially if I’m not near a computer, but these days it’s much easier for me to let my thoughts flow directly onto an open Word document. For every story that I write, I keep a separate sheet where I jot down random thoughts regarding characters and plot outlines as they come to me. Not all of those extra ideas end up making it into my stories, but at least they’re there in case I want to use them later on.
Where do your ideas and inspiration come from?
Certain ideas come directly from my own life and experiences: relationships, places I’ve visited, events that marked any sort of significant change. My inspiration is drawn largely from music. In my opinion, one of the most amazing feelings in the world is the adrenaline rush that accompanies watching a song brought to life onstage at a show, or letting music wash over me when I’m driving in my car with no real destination in mind. I’m also really inspired by nature; I love to find ways to weave the beauty of the natural environment into my writing. Story ideas tend to come to me when I’m at the lake, or by the ocean, or on a long hike, or watching and listening to the rain.
Which stories are you most proud of having written?
I have to say I’m most proud of my two-part story, Closer, written in 2004. It was my first renewed attempt at writing Hanfic after having not written in years. It’s also the only story I managed to complete during NaNoWriMo in all of the years I tried. I came up with the story idea only days before November 1st, and I lived and breathed that story for a month. I remember feeling so accomplished when I reached the 50,000-word goal and wrapped up the novel a few days before Thanksgiving.
I’m also really happy that I pushed the limits of my creative muse and dared to write The Consequence of Feeling. It’s by far the longest, most complex story that I’ve written to date. It also used to be the story I updated most frequently, but it’s gotten harder to write ever since my mom got sick and certain events in the story suddenly became very scarily similar to my own life. But the story and characters are near and dear to my heart, and I fully intend on finishing it one of these days.
Favorite songs to listen to while you write or which inspire your writing?
I usually play whatever songs I’m into at the moment in the background while I’m writing. I have a pretty eclectic taste in music but I tend to listen to more mellow songs when I’m writing; it’s easier for me to focus that way. Right now, I have a playlist consisting of songs by Umbrellas, Augustana, Counting Crows, The Format, Matt Nathanson, Lights, The Weepies, Paul Simon, Brandi Carlile, Stars, Our Lady Peace, Matt Pond PA, and The Decemberists that’s in constant rotation. But really, when it comes to the songs that influence and inspire me, the list goes on and on.
Thank you, Diamond, for being the July spotlight. From one extended hiatus prone author to another, I’m very glad to see you back in the hanfic world.