silentauror's Blog, page 191

Do you have a favourite AU?

Actually, I loathe AUs on principle. I understand why so many other people like them, but it just doesn’t work for me. For me, context is part of and informs characterization. I know very well that I wouldn’t be the exact person that I am if I had been born in another culture, followed a career path into medicine or professional sports or something like that. I’m in love with this universe and this canon, and if I wanted something else, I would just write/read original fiction (which I do!). Unfortunately for me, that means that I also feel completely unable to ignore the canon, so I only write canon-compliant stories. I hate that there’s a baby in this world now, but she’s a part of the canon and I therefore have to find a way to make it work. I hate that Mary existed in this canon at all and feel that she’s done untold damage to the story, but here we are. Lol. It’s a curse… but that’s just how it works for me. The canon is the canon, and I will respect it. And undo its worst aspects with all of my power, but in the full, resigned consideration that it happened in the first place. Alas! 

Hey, I’m just in the middle of your latest story, and let me tell you, it’s awesome. I done want it to end. Thank you for being! The ask: Would you like Dachshund photos to cheer you up time to time? Apologies if it offends, the ask that is.

Whoa, nothing about this is offensive in any way! Au contraire, this is delightful!! I would *adore* dachshund pics, and I’m thrilled that you’re liking the new fic so far!!

Do you have a favourite fic that you have read over and over again?

You asked two! Which is fair. :) 

First, no, not anymore. I used to read more in my first fandom, Harry Potter. There, my favourite fic was Duinn Fionn’s A Thousand Beautiful Things. I didn’t read it often, but I did love it deeply and read it multiple times. Here in Sherlock-land, I find that reading other fics is something I’m not often in the headspace for, mostly because I’m nearly always working on something of my own and I prefer to keep myself free of other influence. I don’t even listen to music when I’m writing because I find the specific music can influence me too much. It might sound dumb, but there it is! Which leads me to your other question: 

What is your writing process like?

My standard answer here is: know how it starts, know how it ends, and know at least a few of the points between those two things. I don’t believe in over-plotting (for me, it kills the creativity and the flow), and I also don’t believe in writing without a plan. It’s easy to just start, but if you don’t know where it’s going, the development will do you in. I also believe in writing in chronological order. I can always feel it when a story hasn’t been; it lacks flow and often, continuity. That said, everyone has their own way. I have mine, and it works for me. :) All I mean to say with that is that, while I will never stop trying to hone my craft and do what I do more and more effectively, but my process is pretty well established. 

if you could wake up tomorrow anywhere in the world for a day, where would it be? (I'm personally leaning towards somewhere that has no snow, but also no bugs. and definitely no undergrads.)

Just one day? :P Hmmm…. normally for travel, I lean toward cities, but right now I think I’d also go for tropical, with the same criteria of no bugs (particularly spiders, aka my only serious phobia) and no undergrads, and particularly no children. :P Tahiti or Bora Bora, maybe. If it were for longer, I have a dream of doing a fjords and spas tour of Scandinavia… 

Thank you for sharing in that recent post of yours! I’ve seen the Olympic fencing and now I understand. That is quite the CV! You’re one of the first people I found in the Sherlock fandom (new in this last year, though have been a life long lover of Holmes

This is so nice! :) Yeah, I think most people start out just reading, before realizing that they’re allowed to be more actively involved than with a printed book, and that’s one of the things I love the best about being in a fandom - the interactions, whether that’s as a reader or partaker of people’s art, or as a writer interacting with people who are commenting on my stories. It’s such a gift - the interaction itself! I’m glad you’ve decided to wade in deeper, and glad to have made your acquaintance!

No question, just sending you some extra admiration and adoration your way! Hope your boredom is alleviated soon!

Thanks, you! You’re so lovely! ❤️❤️❤️

What if I don't want to?

You just did! Walked right into the snare, alas! :D

Info about me :)

Hey hey! 

I seem to have gathered a few more followers of late, so I just thought it might be time to post a slice of info, as I do on a wildly irregular basis. 

First off, I have 86 fics in this fandom now. That’s a lot. Specifically, it’s 2,276,627 words of posted fic, not counting whatever WIP I’m currently working on. You can find all 2.7+ million words of my fic over here at my ao3 page. 

If you’re wondering where to start, I have a long, rambly thing called SilentAuror Fics: A Guide (freshly updated!), wherein I describe all of my stories with some extra notes about my thoughts going into it, or the overall concept, etc etc. Could be a helpful starting point if the sheer volume is overwhelming, as I’ve been told that it frequently is. :P (I’m also happy to provide recs based on what you generally like, so ask away, if you want!) 

I always squirm about this bit, but I have friends who will poke me with sticks if I don’t, so: because I mention it so infrequently and don’t post links to it with my fic posts, etc, people have actually complained (which is amazing!) that they didn’t know I have a Patreon page. I do. It’s set up for monthly donations. If you’re not down for that but suddenly feel moved to make a singular donation, PayPal is always fantastic, too! I use my fandom email for that: silentauror@yahoo.com. I’ve lost several patrons in the past few months and I’m perpetually struggling to make ends meet, so… just if you want/are able, of course! I never like putting myself out there this way, but at least people know it’s an option. :P 

You can also ask me anything personal. I don’t take anonymous asks due to an unfortunate history of death threats from Mary Morstan stans, but you can ask me anything under an actual name! If it’s too personal, I’ll say so, but I won’t be offended. I have lots of jobs. I work at a museum, teach voice lessos, sing classically (though not as a full-time pursuit anymore), write freelance, and coach weight loss (via fasting/keto). I’ve also sous-cheffed, taught horseback riding and canoeing, I lift weights, conduct choirs, and once taught ESL to French speakers for five years. @totallysilvergirl likes to gently mock my ridiculously scattered CV and jokes that I also hold a gold medal in Olympic fencing. Lies, all lies! (But I love her for spreading that rumour, haha!) 

Bored, send me an ask if you want?

Bored, send me an ask if you want? 

Someone take me here, please

Someone take me here, please