(Untitled)

[nyxfixx]

Hmmm. I've been seeing this meme around and have really enjoyed reading what some of my favorite authors have to say about their writing and their processes - the details have been fascinating and the frankness has been admirable. But I haven't felt comfortable about commenting to others unless I also have the nerve to do the meme myself. So, I'll

Comments

[magnetic_pole]

This was such a treat to read. Though the self-knowledge (on the strengths and weaknesses sections especially) was a little intimidating, frankly. I skipped those questions when I did mine. *sheepish smile*

As I was telling moondagny recently, your editing process and beta work is really amazing.

A dirty little secret from me, while we're being honest? I stopped partway through "Effigy" because it creeped me out. Which is remarkable for me, because I read even the most amateur fics all the way through once I've started. *runs and hides*

Thanks for posting! Maggie

[magnetic_pole]

Whoops, sorry, "editing process and beta work *are* amazing." The irony here isn't lost on me, not to worry. *smile*

And facial scars for Remus? *raises eyebrows*
M.

[nyxfixx]

If we all put our comments through a beta process, authors would never get any f/b at all

[magnetic_pole]

If we all put our comments through a beta process, authors would never get any f/b at all! Too true.

And about the scars....well, better than the moustache, I suppose. *smile* I completely understand your reasoning here. I also like the complementary way these two characters can be developed--it's why they're so good together--and I really like the parallel between social estrangement on Remus' part and family estrangement on Sirius'. Plus the idea of Sirius not being especially happy with the way he looks--which I remember first encountering in your stories--has completely taken over, and I can hardly imagine him any other way now.

M.

[profcricket]

Ah, this was great! And I'm not saying that because I was name-checked three times. :) I'm profoundly grateful to have been an influence (of any kind or degree) on you, and am equally grateful to have you (and moondagny!) as my beta as well.

I think one of the reasons we 'click' so well as betas (as well as friends) is that our writing philosophies and styles are so very similar. Really the only place where we differ significantly is that I can (and will) dive right into a fic without knowing where the plot is going or where it will end up - which is another reason I'm so grateful to have you. You ask questions like, "So, what's the POINT of all of this?" and make me think, you know, coherently.

And I can never express enough how relieved I am that I was able to talk you out of "Padfoot in the Doghouse" - at least, for that fic. It's still usable...

love and huggles,

Cricket

[nyxfixx]

Hi, darling, glad you looked in! You should be name-checked dozens of times, and so should Lisa.

(though I still think "Padfoot in the Doghouse" would have been a good title ;))

As far as the Grand Inquisitor Method of beta reading goes, I fear that too is not for everyone. I wish I was more like you and could sometimes just leap off a cliff and trust I'll land on my feet; I think it's one of the reasons your fic is always surprising and fresh and always has a unique perspective.

Love and huggles back,
Nyx

[midnitemaraud_r]

I love Feast in Azkaban, but you know what? I think my favorite story of yours is still Shape of His Hands. That story will always hold a very special place in my heart. I love Harry's confusion, and your characterizations of Remus and Sirius are just fantastic - that scene in the bedroom with Harry and Remus, and Sirius secretly playing possum. Just ♥!

And there was one part especially - when Remus says about Sirius, how he loves so hard - that has stayed with me all this time and although I don't state it outright, it has literally shaped my characterization of him in all of my own stories, and that's one thing I truly believe about his character.

You have a way of taking cliches and making them work. And maybe I'm biased, but there it is. I also love how you weave magic into your stories so that it just seems so natural, as it should considering that they're wizards, but there's just something about the way you write it where it's literally like a sixth sense, and it fits and just feels right. And don't worry about your

[nyxfixx]

Hi, Lisa!

Wow, I'm just so delighted to learn that what I see as THE most salient characteristic Sirius has is also something that you see. I'm very proud to have had that kind of influence, thank you for telling me.

And, you know, "The Shape of His Hands" has probably been the second most popular thing I've written, and I was glad to hear you picked that one out. It's also drawn some fire for the ambiguous readings of sexual identity and preference too, to be quite honest, so I'm glad none of that put you off. That was one place where I almost regretted being vindicated by later canon.;)

Glad you don't mind the long waits between fics, too! LLLL, I've got one percolating in the purely theoretical stages right now, so it will likely only be a few months before it appears. Sigh.

[aillil]

The Effigy among the "Coulda been Contenders"? *stares at you* The plot and the magic were very original, and there's no-one in fandom who writes sex like you do.

These memes really are creeping me out.

[nyxfixx]

Well, you are very kind to say, but people seem to either love "The Effigy" or hate it - it's a weird, kind of eerie fic and uses sex as a metaphor in a somewhat strange way. I like it, but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Anyway, I'm glad to know you are more in the love camp, though, and I remember your feedback on that one especially - you had a terrible cold and you were crying and laughing all at once. I felt a bit guilty and extremely flattered to read that! Thank you also for saying my sex scenes are unique, I really, honestly never know if they work or not, partly because lots of times, the actual sex isn't the message between characters, it's just the means of expression.

These memes really are creeping me out.

Really? Why is that?

[paranoidsistah]

I don't get how you didn't get more love for "The Effigy cause it's one of my faves. Also, I'll never understand how the idea of Sirius/Sirius/Remus could squick anyone out. I mean it's double the Sirius how could that ever be wrong?

I agree with Lisa, I love the way you weave magic in your stories. There are too many writers happy to just take what's cannon and use it over and over. I love that you create something new with each fic. It really makes your fics a pleasure to read.

Hey, nice to see you!

[nyxfixx]

Wow, been a long time! I'd been wondering what had become of you. What a nice surprise to find you here