Fanfic Writers' Virtual Water Cooler

[Whytewytch]

I live in Florida and do the program online. You can do the entire program online but I'm going to do my last semester on campus so I can take advantage of a couple of writing classes they only offer on campus. But, if I wanted, I could do the entire thing distance. It actually works quite well, but it is an investment because you have to purchase your own equipment. So far, I've spent several thousand on my equipment and I'll have to spend more, but you can spread it out over time so that's nice. Here's the website for the online MPT program.

I'd be happy to talk to you at length about it and answer any questions, just PM me if you want to pick my brain.

I've thought about getting my MFA--I have a BA in English from the finest state university Connecticut had to offer at the time; however, I'm not one of those people who can run a business, get a side career in writing going, take care of two active boys and a hubby and a house, and get a degree all at once. If I do it, it'll have to wait until the kids are gone. As it is right now, I'm taking one course at a time on Savvy Authors and--even though they're not all that difficult or time-consuming usually--I sometimes find myself falling behind or dropping out entirely.

[Amara D'Angeli]

I've thought about getting my MFA--I have a BA in English from the finest state university Connecticut had to offer at the time; however, I'm not one of those people who can run a business, get a side career in writing going, take care of two active boys and a hubby and a house, and get a degree all at once. If I do it, it'll have to wait until the kids are gone. As it is right now, I'm taking one course at a time on Savvy Authors and--even though they're not all that difficult or time-consuming usually--I sometimes find myself falling behind or dropping out entirely.

School is tough to juggle and I couldn't imagine doing what I do with kids in the mix. Just couldn't happen. I've got friends that do it and they're like super-women to me. So I understand why you'd want to wait.

In the mean time, writing courses one-at-a-time sound like a great idea! Have you looked into any of Holly Lisle's stuff? One of the gal's in my old online Spuffy writer's group swore by her stuff. I've never tried it, but my friend really felt like it improved her writing.

[Whytewytch]

Holly is actually a member at Savvy, also. I've seen her name around but have yet to take one of her courses. Thanks for the link!

[Amara D'Angeli]

Holly is actually a member at Savvy, also. I've seen her name around but have yet to take one of her courses. Thanks for the link!

My pleasure.

[Starfist]

What's it about? Is there a link?

It's a light hearted look at Science Fiction and Fantasy fans. And I'm sorry to say that there isn't a link as it's a file on my computer at home.

[Falcon Horus]

Well, that would be me on a baseball field.

Yikes!

I always like the secondary characters, very rarely the main ones. Their story--or lack thereof--is what piques my interest.

Same here.

It's also old-fashioned, so my age is showing. **tucks age back in, smiling with embarrassment**

Age is but a thought and numbers on a piece of paper. It's the thought that counts.

Philosophical interlude that might or might not make sense...

Your beta or your man/woman/lemming?

It'sjust me and my ever disappearing beta's, I'm afraid.

I lack the social adequacy to find a suitable partner, not even as a Lemming.

It's a light hearted look at Science Fiction and Fantasy fans. And I'm sorry to say that there isn't a link as it's a file on my computer at home.

Then what are you still waiting for... BRING IT ON!

[Starfist]

Why..? Oh why...? Why didn't I come into this thread yesterday when I was at home?
I have no excuses. Really... I have no excuses.

I promise to put the article up. You have my word. So watch the thread.

And here's a thought. Is it possible to have more than one muse?
It appears that I have two. A Fanfic muse who is currently MIA and a non Sci-fi muse who is pestering me to write a non sci-fi peice.

[Princess Awinita]

And here's a thought. Is it possible to have more than one muse?
It appears that I have two. A Fanfic muse who is currently MIA and a non Sci-fi muse who is pestering me to write a non sci-fi peice.

Somehow personally I seem to have aquired a scifi/mystery/thriller/suspense type muse, all in one sitting, I think Jake the Grunt, my muse's current form {just look at him here! Yes Jake I am talking to you!!} is going to have me working overtime this summer.

Also, never try to do otherwise of what your muse wants for you to write. If you have a muse wanting a none scifi piece, WRITE IT, perhaps afterwards your normal muse will return from vacation

[Starfist]

Although I am at work. It feels as if my non Sci-fi muse is looking over my shoulder. Gently nudging me. But I don't think that she realises that I have to work...
But if Cassie, I've given her a name , wants a non sci-fi piece... Then I suppose Cassie will get a non sci-fi piece. I'll have to name my other muse now. It's only fair.

*Thinks* <OUCH!> I suppose I could call her Rebecca, Bex for short.

[Falcon Horus]

And here's a thought. Is it possible to have more than one muse?
It appears that I have two. A Fanfic muse who is currently MIA and a non Sci-fi muse who is pestering me to write a non sci-fi peice.

That is entirely in the realm of possibilities.

And everyone has named their muse.... right?

Mine's called Kate (after Kate Beckinsale if you must know)

[Starfist]

As I've written above. My muses are called Cassandra ( Cassie ) and Rebecca ( Bex ).
Named after my favourite character in the original Battlestar Galactica and after a character in a story I've got planned.

[Sealurk]

My muse and I aren't all that close at the moment. Bit of a strained relationship at the moment - might be all the transatlantic flights I make her do since I think she's elected to spend most of her time in the States.

As for the other kind of MUSE, can't say I like their Olympic song much.

[Starfist]

My muse and I aren't all that close at the moment. Bit of a strained relationship at the moment - might be all the transatlantic flights I make her do since I think she's elected to spend most of her time in the States.

As for the other kind of MUSE, can't say I like their Olympic song much.

Well at the moment it's Bex who is MIA...
I have to admit to not hearing the Olympic song by MUSE. I take it that it is not up to much?

[SF_and_Coffee]

My muse doesn't have a name, at least as far as I know. I simply refer to her as "Mme. Muse".

[fems]

My muse's name is Snowy, but if he doesn't start delivering soon I might just have to get myself a new one!

[Princess Awinita]

That is entirely in the realm of possibilities.

And everyone has named their muse.... right?

Mine's called Kate (after Kate Beckinsale if you must know)

Kate meet Jake, Jake meet Kate, Kate, Jake, Jake, Kate, ..... Jake ?? Smegit, he's run off again

[Falcon Horus]

Oops...

[Whytewytch]

No name for my muse--could be why she's so peeved off right now. Although I do have a couple of them--one's a naughty Irishman, the other's a naughty Irish girl. I have another one for my erotica and super-naughty stories, both fan and original work. The Irishman showed up Saturday for a writing sprint and helped me work on a long-abandoned fan fic in the Robin Hood fandom.

[selene0789]

My muse has no name. At least, not an acknowledged one. She talks to me, not the other way around. She's one of those muses who'll pretend she doesn't know you until you look away and focus on something else-- when she'll then pester the crap out of you.

But thanks to amara, whose brain I shall be picking at a later point in time, I have made the decision to go back to school. I have my undergrad already, and am still battling the student loan monster, but I figured starting slow couldn't hurt any. I'm gonna be taking some one-and-done writing classes at the local comm. college, investigating the different genres of writing and which one I would want to focus on in a career setting. Once I've tried a couple and discovered where my greatest skill/love lies, I can pursue a specific style in a Master's degree.

I'm pleased with my decision. Lately my friends have all been finding jobs in their fields that they love, and I've felt kinda bummed out that I haven't found my new path yet. In discussion with them, I shared my thoughts about returning to school, and also my uncertainty in what to study. Their immediate question "Well, what do you love?"

They had the decency to let me answer on my own, which was a shy smile and a quiet "writing". Their response was "Good. If you'd said 'I dunno' we'd have had to smack you."

Apparently my love for writing is as clear to them as it is to them, even if I don't often discuss it. After that, it seemed obvious, though my next concern was that it would not be "practical" enough to win my parents' blessing. So, I prepared myself, found my inner zen, and sat them down to explain myself. You know, the whole "I've been thinking about what I want to do with the rest of my life, and writing is it." That in itself earned a slight groan from my mother, but when I explained that I was going to take it slow, take it seriously, and investigate the various avenues open to me, she came around surprisingly quickly.

I think her main concern was that I'd jump headlong into another degree I wouldn't ever use. It was also my own main concern, which is why I'm forcing myself to do only one class at a time. So that I don't get in over my head...

All in all, I'm super excited and raring to go. So, thanks amara for sparking the learning itch! Your post kinda spurred me into action, in a way. A boost of confidence, so to speak, to get my butt off the couch and do something about it.

[Starfist]

:: Hangs head in shame ::

I've made a mistake in a previous post. My muse Cassandra is not a character from BSG.
It's the name of Janet Fraiser's adopted daughter in SG-1. I apologise if I've caused any confusion.