2014 year-end word count closed at:

This year I wrote and posted:
23 stories (or drabble series) for an approximate total of 230,000 words.

Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d predicted?
Less again. I believe if I quit my day job I could correct this downward trend in no time. However, then I would be broke. It’s a lose-lose situation.

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January?
I would say nothing in new in terms of this. I wrote slash and gen, in canon ‘verse and in alternate ‘verse. That’s my usual stuff, pretty much.

What’s your own favorite story of the year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you happiest?
The White Horse. First, finishing it was no small feat; second, it’s the most original thing I wrote this year. I loved the grittiness of the ‘verse and the shades of gray which defined the characters. It just makes me feel very proud when I think about how it turned out.

Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them?
Writing risks, writing risks… Recently I did that with Bump in the Night. It’s a “ghost” story, and I had planned to elaborate on the why’s and wherefore’s of the spookiness that Kirk, Spock, and McCoy encountered. However, it occured to me that what I like best in a ghost story is NOT to know that much about what scares me. Just being scared is enough. So I took that route with the ending, leaving the reader somewhat in the dark but hopefully thankful – like me – that they made it out alive. :)

From my past year of writing, what was….
My best story of this year:
A Quarter South. There’s nothing like a medieval McSpirk AU to titillate the senses. Also, Leonard had the most creative, foul swears for a prince.

My most popular story of this year (based on comments/kudos):
It’s a tie between Confessions of a Southern Gentleman and A Quarter South. The former had more kudos/favs while the latter had more reviews and was followed by a larger number of people.

Story of mine most under-appreciated by the universe, in my opinion:
An Idiot’s Guide to Christmas. Apparently nobody likes a Santa Claus!Leonard story. Also see Biggest Disappointment. :(

Most fun story to write:
Under the Influence. Spock as a chicken. That is all.

Story with the single sexiest moment:
From Recapture:

Sticking his mug on the table beside Spock’s, Jim reached across Spock’s legs to grab at Leonard. Leonard used the opportunity to latch onto Jim’s shoulders and roll him into bed. They grappled for a moment, settled for a kiss, then broke apart with a grin. Jim laid a hand on the top of Spock’s thigh, pleased when the Vulcan’s fingers wandered across the back of his hand.

It’s not sexy, because I suck at that, but it’s a scene I always grin at when I imagine it.

Most “Holy crap, that’s wrong, even for you” story:
All We Can Offer. Read the last scene. You’ll hate me. Or, if you like lots of pain, read “Bonus”, which is part of You Have My Heart.

Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters:
Bump in the Night. I’ve never written Kirk as genuinely terrified before. It seemed almost sacrilegious at first but then I realized he’s supposed to be as human as anyone else. Why shouldn’t he experience fear like the rest of us?

Hardest story to write:
The White Horse. I didn’t want to rush anything about this story which is why it took so long to complete. I was paranoid the entire time that I would screw it up big time.

Biggest Disappointment:
An Idiot’s Guide to Christmas. Not only did I feel this was under-appreciated but the lack of enthusiasm was a huge disappointment. This is one of those times that teaches you a valuable lesson: sincere effort is not always appreciated. You just have to accept that and move on. But do I regret the hours spent in creating this story? No, I definitely don’t. I wrote a story in keeping with a vision and in that respect, I’m very proud of it.

Biggest Surprise:
Confessions of a Southern Gentleman. I still can’t quite figure out why this story is so popular. It’s just some waffling back and forth between Leonard, Jim, and Spock on who likes whom.

Most Unintentionally Telling Story:
We Might Be In This Together. I tend to surprise myself by turning a humorous plot into something more serious. This one exposed the vulnerabilities (and strengths) inherent in the AOS family in a way that really made you root for them – which is something I love about Star Trek overall.

Fic-writing goals for 2015:
To keep writing? I don’t know, honestly. The biggest challenge for me now is finding time to enjoy this hobby. It’s not that I don’t have stories to tell, as I have discovered that I can continue to produce them. Time is simply not on my side anymore. Therefore my goal must be to not give up. I must continue to do what I enjoy most. Agreed?

Related Posts:

• 2010 Writer’s Recap and Survey – from January 5, 2011
• 2016 Fic Recap – from January 13, 2017
• 2015 Fic Recap – from January 4, 2016
• 2012 Fic Recap – from December 31, 2012
• 2011 Writing Recap – from December 29, 2011