Why do you write:tie-ins, fanon, fic, success & frustrations

[Amy Sisson]

I started to write because I wanted to be part of the "conversation" of science fiction that I saw going on all around me in books, in fanzines, and at conventions (and nowadays on the Internet).

I started to write Trek because I loved the universe and wanted to add a little contribution of my own to it if I could. The Strange New Worlds anthologies gave aspiring writers a great opportunity to write Trek, and with a lot of freedom. That said, I don't write Trek unless it's for a specific project with the possibility of publishing, like the SNW contests. I enjoy some fanfic, but if there's no possibility of publishing it through official channels, I'd just rather spend the time writing original stuff.

As an aside, I'd never heard the term "fanon" until I read this thread.

 

[William Leisner]

Oh yeah, there's a definite fannish component here, even for us jaded professionals.

"Ohmigod, I'm writing Detective Chimp!"

You lucky bastard!!!

 

[JD]

Detective Chimp?

 

[Greg Cox]

Detective Chimp?

A crime-fighting chimpanzee wearing a deerstalker cap, of course.


(Yes, this really is a DC comics character who appears in one of my books.)

 

[estrea]

<raises hand, hoping nobody notices the gray hair> I've heard the term 'fanon' before. And I will now share with this...um, honored gathering the wise words bestowed upon me by none other than Howard Weinstein when I told him, um, a number of years ago at a certain Trek convention he attends regularly:

Me: "I have always admired writers."
Him: "You poor misguided child."

KRAD, I love you, honey. And could you tell me how to sign up for 1) the paychecks; 2) the free booze, and 3) instead of hot chicks, hot guys???

Just kidding.

I've written a lot of work-for-hire in the past. And now I'm using fan-fic to re-hone my skills in fiction. I'm dipping my toes in slowly outside of "Star Trek" into detective/mystery/suspense. And, the Fates and Higher Power willing, will finish the two novels I have started. I was reminded recently that writing sucess is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration. (Leg work, sending out the submissions, accepting rejections, i.e. The Business of Writing.)

So, hang in there everybody. There's an audience of readers for everyone!

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Nobody does simians in comics the way DC does simians in comics.

 

[KRAD]

KRAD, I love you, honey. And could you tell me how to sign up for 1) the paychecks; 2) the free booze, and 3) instead of hot chicks, hot guys???

Just kidding.

Good thing you're kidding, 'cause I sure as heck ain't givin' away all my trade secrets!

(Also just kidding. The important thing is to keep at it. Perseverence is the most important trait for a writer. Also patience. And a thick skin. Oh yeah, talent helps....)

 

[David Mack]

Oh yeah, talent helps....)

But, as KRAD himself has proved over and over again, it is not essential.

Sorry, hermano. You left that one wide open.

 

[Kevin Dilmore]

Detective Chimp?

A crime-fighting chimpanzee wearing a deerstalker cap, of course.

(Yes, this really is a DC comics character who appears in one of my books.)

Hellz yeah, he does. Check out DC's Shadowpact for more chimpy goodness.

Bubba D.

 

[Bob Greenberger]

Oh, come on, Allyn. You've met how many hot authors because of media tie-in fiction? Christie, Kirsten, and Amy...

 

[Lorraine Anderson]

And there must be some hot guys somewhere, right?

 

[Lonemagpie]

And there must be some hot guys somewhere, right?

All married or gay, of course