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(I'm taking the questions ten at a time because I'm far too impatient to last a full month.)
1 - How did you first get into writing fanfic, and what was the first fandom you wrote for? What do you think it was about that fandom that pulled you in?
The first fandom I wrote for is the only fandom I've ever written for -- Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are series I've liked just as well, and characters I have identified with just as strongly, but I've never felt compelled to write for any other show. Truthfully, I have no idea why this is. I do know that I first began writing BtVS fic because I was unhappy with the direction of the storylines on the series. (However, I've long since made my peace with season six.)
2 - Name the fandoms you've written in, and how much you've written in that fandom, and if you still write in it.
I've only ever written for BtVS, and I haven't written all that much for it. In fact, I feel kind of silly even doing this meme. After spending years in the fandom, most BtVS writers have dozens of fics to their name. I only have a scant few, some of which I don't even claim. (I was really bad, starting out. Really bad.)
3 - What were your favorite characters to write?
Spike is my favorite, which I'm sure comes as no surprise. I also love Dawn and Anya. I think these are the characters with whom you can get away the most. They're all pretty outspoken and opinionated, and none of them seem to have a very firm grasp on morality (Spike and Anya because of their history, Dawn because of her youth). I think "grey" characters are much more fun to write than heroes. I also love an occasional romp with an out-and-out villain. I had enormous amounts of fun with Angelus in FtTP.
4 - Do you have a "muse" character, that speaks to you more than others, or that tries to push their way in, even when the fic isn't about them? Who are they, and why did that character became your muse?
Spike is definitely my muse character, but he's never had to push his way anywhere...almost all the fanfiction I write centers around him. ;D
5 -If you have ever had a character try to push their way into a fic, whether your "muse" or not, what did you do about it?
Dawn became a much larger part of FtTP than I originally intended, but I just let it happen. Outlines aren't really my strong suit anyway.
6 - When you write, do you prefer writing male or female characters?
Although I'm female, I prefer writing male characters. I think it's because they're more of a challenge for me. Because I'm a woman, it's easy for me to think like a woman...but when I write for a man, I really have to stay on my toes to keep him "real." I've been told I'm pretty good at it. I hope I am, since I spend such a large part of my time doing it.
7 - Have you ever had a fic change your opinion of a character?
Actually, yes. FtTP changed my mind about Angel. He was never meant to play the role he did in the latter part of the story, but he kind of wormed his way in and I really ended up enjoying it. I've always loved Angelus, but I used to find Angel quite boring. After I wrote a few scenes from his perspective, I began to see him differently. I feel as though I understand him now.
8 - Do you write OCs? And if so, what do you do to make certain they're not Mary Sues, and if not, explain your thoughts on OCs.
I've written several original characters in my fanfiction, though most of them have been tertiary. And while I'll likely get flamed for saying this, I do consider the FtTP and TGwFH versions of William to be largely characters of my own invention. Obviously, I was inspired by what I saw on the series, but I feel like a contractor who built a structure on an existing foundation. Yes, the concrete slab was already in place, but I'm the one who put up the walls and made it into a home. (I really hope I don't sound like an ass for saying that.)
As for the Mary Sue question, I don't really worry about that. I just do my best to make my characters realistic. Since Mary Sues are practically never realistic, it all sorts itself out.
9 - What are your three favorite pairings to write?
lol. There almost seems no point in answering this question. I'm only devoted to a single pairing: Spike/Buffy. Or, if we want to be really strict in the definition, I'm devoted to two, since I also write William/Buffy. If platonic pairings are allowed, I'll also have to go with Spike and Dawn. I love writing scenes with Spike and Dawn. They have an amazing rapport.
10 - Pairings - Have you ever gone outside your comfort zone and written a pairing you liked, but found you couldn't write, or a pairing you didn't like, and found you could?
I have an extremely hard time writing Buffy with Angel. I just don't understand their connection. It's all too immature and melodramatic and Twilight-y for my tastes. I have an older fic that was set in season three and involved Buffy being with Angel, but I don't think I did the pairing justice at all. I couldn't. I just don't understand it well enough.
I could probably write Spike with just about anyone though. That man could achieve sexual tension with a telephone pole.