Shades of Greyias

Today I woke up early and managed to actually make myself write before the first cup of coffee, which is a feat in and of itself. Sadly, now that I've had my first cup I'm not sure if I'll keep any of it. (Why does it seem that I've written every scene before, just with different variations? Is this normal?) I also realized I don't have any clear defined idea of what the "middle" of this thing consists of. (I know the end... and some interim scenes, just not, y'know, the things to drive it there.) Uh, oops. Plot fairy?

Just finished another backlogged project at work today. It feels really strange to get stuff done. Also, it's really strange for people to come to me to ask various IT/AV/computer-related questions and expect me to be able to fix it. Even stranger, I seem to be having those answers. I have no idea what's going on, but I shall be very still and hope it continues.

ALSO! Today's snicker-worthy anecdote (other than my adventures in OS installation):

( My father discovered Facebook... )

Travel plans are still up in the air. Hopefully I shall know one way or another next week. *crosses fingers*

Happy Tuesday! Monday is gone, and we're looking at a bright, (unexpectedly freezing) afternoon here in Texas. Or perhaps it's just unexpectedly freezing here in my office. I haven't had opportunity to step outside as of yet. No matter! It is Tuesday, therefore it is not Monday. (Also, Jacques Cousteau is the feature on my desk calendar, so it does not appear to be a day of crises.)

First off, I've finally managed to catch my breath long enough to upload a birthday present that the wonderful trystings made for me! It's cover art for my story, "By Any Other Name"! Go check it out, t'is awesomesauce!

Secondly, it's Challenge Pimping Time!


Twisting The Twilight Zone 2009 Challenge

This is a multi-fandom challenge where you write stories inspired by/based on episode (or episode titles) of the Twilight Zone. This is actually the first one I signed up for this year, and has served the purpose of kicking my butt back into gear*. It's actually rather fun -- at the very least go read through the episode title list. If you're stuck for an idea, it's remarkably inspiring.

And of course, the Challenge du Jour. I know most of you have already heard about it, but why not another little reminder?



Sign-ups for 2009's SGA Gen Ficathon are now open, until Saturday February 9th. sga_genficathon is a month-long ficathon that's run by the always lovely friendshipper, and is chock full of gen-ficcy goodness. Last year was amazingly fun to write for, and generated some absolutely amazing stories as well. If it sounds like something you're interested in, mosey on over to this post for more information (and sign up!)

And because I'm a giant copy cat, snurched from jadesfire2808's journal:

( Snurched Profile test )

Hrm, it's... close. But I don't think I'm anti-social to the extremes the test seems to think. Ah, well!


In other news( ... )

ETA: Oooops, all links should be fixed now.

Welcome to my big, talky post, where I talk... a lot... about the story I wrote for sgabigbang, See No Evil. To those visiting from the non-spoily promo post at the Big Bang comm: hello! To my f-list and other visitors: 'sup?

For those who haven't read the story and are thinking about it, but don't want to know major plot twists and revelations... it's probably not a good idea to click on the cut, because it gives away a lot. For those brave souls willing to risk it, or those who already know, click away...

( Story Spoilers and Cat Macros Under the Cut )

If there's any more questions, comments, concerns, fan fictional dogma, more cat macros, or anything really, please feel free to use the comments section. Free-for-all I say, free-for-all!

Late last night, about 18K into my Big Bang monster, I realized something that made me stop and boggle a little: There's a startling lack of female characters in my cast.

I think there have been maybe three females that have cropped up in the entire fic, and they've all been minor bit characters: one a waitress, one a secretary, and the HR director. When I looked at that, I squirmed a little, because no, that's not stereotypical at all.

Then the more I thought about it, the more unsettled I became. Honestly, I don't think many people would be reading it and suddenly go "Hey wait! Where are all the women? This is crap!". (Who does that, though?) However it started thinking about the stuff I've written in the past, and how many stories (both fic and original) where I have a woman with a strong lead role -- and I've kind of come up short. I mean, I have one long series of original stories in my head that's told by a female, but I don't think it counts seeing as it's not on paper.

But now I'm just kind of wondering, idly what this says about me. Obviously, it's something I need to work on in the future, along with more setting and character description. I do seem to have a much harder time climbing into female characters' heads than my guys, but is that because they're so much more fleshed out? Or is it because it's that much harder to write a female character that's accepted for who she is without being accused of being a Mary Sue?

Oh, well. I'm sure at least one or two more women will pop up in the course of the story. Maybe I'll write some Teyla fic or something as penance after all of this is done.