University, fanfic ranting and the usual writer's block

[linndechir]

Oh no. Four months of freedom have come to an end. My classes started again today. So far it was okay, nothing too remarkable. I am really curious what my other classes and teachers will be like. But then again, even the horrible teachers are usually nice and not too demanding in the first week, so I'll just have to wait and see. More detailed updates on my classes next week, I guess. I'm kinda nervous, and - worse - I know that I'll have a hard time adjusting to university again. At least I only have to get up early once a week. Since I am not a morning person at all ... that's a good thing. ;) And I suppose it's also important that I finally get back to university again. I was really happy these past few months, but I'm also getting increasingly frustrated with myself. I had so much free time, and I didn't do anything. I didn't read much, I hardly wrote anything at all, I didn't start to take piano and tango lessons again like I had intended (but I will ... hopefully). Strangely enough, I only do these things when I don't have the time to do them. When I have free time, I'm lazy. When I'm stressed, I get creative. So ... with a bit of luck there might be a fanfic update in the next weeks, now that I don't have much free time anymore. ;)

I really want to write the next KS-chapter, but except for a lot of the obligatory Artemis/Zak-fluff, I'm still not sure how to continue right now. More angsting for Drizzt and Zak? Sure, but I don't want to focus too much on Drizzt's point of view. So what am I supposed to do? Write Drizzt angst from Artemis' point of view? Or Zak's? Might just be interesting ... because Drizzt angst alone is unbearable. I'm also seriously considering bringing Kimmuriel and Rai'gy back into the story. Everything is going too smooth right now. And sooner or later I'll have to give Artemis and Zak something to argue about ... i.e. the fact that Artemis hates Menzo and that Zak hates the surface. Which is slightly annoying if they want to live together. ;) But I just don't know how to do all of this, and in what order ... Gna, it's frustrating. I'm open for suggestions, if you have any. ^^
My ongoing, extremely disturbing Star Wars infatuation eating up what little bit of creativity I have at the moment is not helping. At least I won't ever be tempted to write any Qui/Obi - there are (fortunately) so many fics about them that I feel like everything has already been written, and every fic I could possibly write would probably be stealing ideas from at least three other fics at the same time. So I just waste my time reading about them. ;) Unfortunately, though, another pairing has crept into my mind ... And there are virtually no Dooku/Qui fics, it's unbelievable. A couple of gen fics about them, and the few slashy fics that exist are really weird and insane, in a bad way (at least the ones I've found so far. maybe I just haven't found the good stuff yet). The poor guys are almost as neglected as Artemis and Zak. Ah, the temptation ... *sigh* But knowing my own laziness, I probably won't write anything about those two either, just as I still haven't even started to write any Rose of the Prophet slash. I definitely need someone to kick my ass and make me write again. Any volunteers? Because I really feel like those two deserve a good, slashy, part fluffy and part angsty fic (and I mean the good kind of angst, not a simple "omfg Dooku is soooo evil he does bad things to his poor lil padawan!"). Yeah. Because they are fluffy. You don't believe me? Most people would probably argue that Artemis/Zak or Gromph/Dantrag aren't fluffy either ... Well, they're all wrong. Strangely enough, it's the tough guys who can get really fluffy if you let them. Again, I mean the good kind of fluff. ;) I'm not making any sense to anyone but myself, am I? I really need to get my ideas straight if I want to write something. I'm just insanely in love with that pairing right now. I apologise for the rant.

Oh, and the really really good news. I FINALLY finished that horrible translation I had to do. 100 pages with the probably most boring text I ever read, and I had to translate it from German to French. It took a lot of time to do it because every page was a real pain. But it's finally done, and now I only have to think of the money I will get. And as much as I hated doing it ... I don't regret it, thinking of all the stuff I will be able to afford now. Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I have no doubts that I will find something to spend the money on. ;)

Comments

[evoe.livejournal.com]

Well congrats on the translation :) I'm very sure you'll find something nice to do with the earnings.
I sooo understand what you're saying about being stressed and creative at the same time, because I'm like that as well. When I don't have the time I get all these ideas and when I just sit there and have nothing much to do... nada! I always thought of it like this: If you put a lot of new stuff into your brain a lot of stuff is gonna come out. Just a matter of balance *g*

[linndechir.livejournal.com]

Spending money really isn't that difficult, fortunately. Or rather unfortunately. ;)
You're probably right. But I don't even need intellectual input (although it does help). Just, I don't know, sitting in a class (whether it's fascinating or boring), or thinking about having to go to university the next day ... and suddenly I get ideas, and I feel like writing. It's weird.

[zigsternenstaub.livejournal.com]

Hey. I'm really drained and not really on LJ at the moment, but I thought that I would leave a comment here, because you so rarely post, and of course you're talking about KS.

Yeah, probably it is time to bring in some new or old plot elements, and Kimmuriel and Rai'gy fit the bill. They might be able to shake the story up--give Artemis and Zak another chance to work together, and maybe bring in Drizzt as a reluctant parter. In that fashion he can start to get used to the idea of his father's new relationship, and you can write grumpy Artemis, grumpy Drizzt, and Zak slapping Drizzt upside the head a lot for being an annoying little bastard:D

Yeah, the fact that Zak hates the surface and Artemis hates the Underdark has been a problem from the very beginning. I believe I mentioned them taking up residence in SKullport before, and I stand by it. It's a good halfway point with access to both surface and Underdark ways of life. Also, they could still work for Jarlaxle there, maybe by starting a new 'branch' of Bregan Daerthe.

Some nice Dark Elf saga icons with lots of Zak to cheer you up:

http://community.livejournal.com/zaknafeinrocks/3465.html?view=9097#t9097


Also, I am really jealous that you get to start school again:( I'm dying to study again!! I just got the last of my transcripts handed in yesterday, though so I probably won't hear for at least a week if I've been accepted.

[zigsternenstaub.livejournal.com]

Ooops. I linked to the comments. Here are the icons:

http://community.livejournal.com/zaknafeinrocks/3465.html

[linndechir.livejournal.com]

Yay, KS feedback! Thank you! :D The main problem with Rai'gy and Kimmuriel is that I would have to find a way for them to get at Zaknafein without making Jarlaxle suspicious. Because Jarlaxle thinks conflicts are fun, but he doesn't want Zak and Artemis to have serious problems with Rai'gy and Kimmuriel. And they won't take the risk of Jarlaxle's anger just to have a bit of fun with Zak and Artemis. But I really like mutual grumpiness and Zak slapping Drizzt. Hehe. But again, I'm not even sure when I'm going to write the next chapter. Too many fanfic ideas are demanding my attention. ;)

Yes, the Skullport idea is quite interesting. I don't think they would go there immediately, though. They will both be stubborn, and grumpy, and (since they have to) they'll try to compromise anyway, which of course won't work (because they're stubborn). And at some point Jarlaxle will probably hit them over the head and send them to Skullport. Go play elsewhere, boys. ;)

Yay, Zak icons! I don't really like the comics, but maybe I'll find a few that look nice. Thanks. ^^

If you are accepted, when would your classes start again?

[zigsternenstaub.livejournal.com]

Yeah, whatever they do it won't be loud and flashy, but underhanded and devious. Not sure how suitable Drizzt is to help in this case, lol.

Yeah, Jarlaxle will send them away when they turn into a boring married couple and are no longer sufficient to keep his interest--or when they get so bored that they start being a danger to Jarlaxle.

Yeah, a have a few problems with the comics, but at least they actually look attractive, and like elves, unlike most other representations of drow.

Also, Zak is manly and impressive looking with kick ass armour:D

September:(((

[zigsternenstaub.livejournal.com]

I just realised that I prefaced three paragraphs with the word 'Yeah.' Shame on me.

[linndechir.livejournal.com]

Exactly. And I'm not good at "underhanded and devious". I can't write convincing scheming and plotting. There is a reason why my stories usually have a lot of characterisation, but virtually no plot. My plots are crappy. So ... yes, I really can't think of a plan that would be intelligent and devious enough for Kimmuriel and Rai'gy, even less so if it has to be something Jarlaxle doesn't know or care about.

The funny thing is ... I don't think it will take Artemis and Zak long to turn into a boring married couple. A very weird married couple, but still.

True, Zak looks cool. But not handsome enough, I think (or at least my inner fangirl thinks so). And that Weapon Master haircut is really stupid. I know why Zak got rid of it in KS. ;)

Oh. That really sucks. As much as free time is fun, at some point it's just frustrating to have nothing to do. :(

[zigsternenstaub.livejournal.com]

Yes, that is a problem. I can't think of anything devious and underhanded or them to do, either! I guess that's why they're drow, and we're lowly humans:D

Probably not. They're so similar to begin with; they don't have a whole lot of 'merging' to do!

My inner fangirl thought the same thing;P But he still looks very impressive.

Arg, I know. I'm getting really bored.

Dadada...

[http://www.openidfrance.fr/erfea (from livejournal.com)]

Well, I apologize first for the possible mistakes I am going to do in that comment, because I am not used to writing in English except on MSN or when I write a dissertation, two circumstances that are, to a slight extent, very different.
Actually, I think I do not need to introduce myself, even if you don't know my pseudonym. I was your neighbour for about a year, in two different classrooms. Moreover, the fact that somebody forbid me to use "'ll" or "can't" will surely help you to recognize me. Please, if I forget a "s" to the third singular person of the present, don't tell it to Mr Monjou, or else he will rape me :'(.
WHAT? I should be re-re-re-reading my lessons, my books, all that stuff, because the "con-cours" begins in three days? I think I should stop writing right now, go buy some Red Bull, and not sleep until next Monday. Oh well, I guess somebody else is already doing that for me^^.

Now that I have said such nonsense for three paragraphs, I can begin my comment.
I am glad to know that you are coming back to university, because the Protestant ethos that was incorporated in me during the prépa told me that I should not consider those who do not work, because that means they will not give my money back when I lent some money to them.
Did you believe me?
Actually, since I am not only Weberian but Durkheimian (as every good B/L), I am also glad for you because I know you won't commit suicide. The explanations for the fact that you didn't have "creativity" during those months resolves around one word : "anomie" (anomia? anomy? I am too lazy to check it in the dictionary that is just behind me).
So welcome back in the wonderful world of socialization. Go make real life friends, if you see what I mean:p.

Well, concerning your fanfics, I cannot say anything, I have not read it. But if you look to the Extended Universe, and especially to "The Heir of the Empire" trilogy (by Timothy Zahn), you could try something with Luke and Brakiss :p. ^^ Yes, I am so much a geek that I have even read books from the Extended Universe. The "X-Wings" series (about the Rogue Squadron) with Corran Horn is also a bit fun. I learnt in the third book (or was it the fourth? I don't remember) the way the machine used to torture Solo in the Empire Strikes Back worked. Now I understand better that these were not simple electric shocks in the eyes, lol. I can assure you that this was just for scientific investigations (after all, I don't think that anybody else except the worse Star Wars geeks know the number of people an Imperial Star Destroyers Requires to function optimally... 100 000 actually).

Oh, and I paste here the link for the series we spoke about the last time I saw you (Code Geass). You can watch it if you want. The hero has a lot of funny demonic laughs. And there is already a lot of "yaoi" about it...
[url]http://www.sky-animes.com/index.php?file=Download&op=categorie&cat=343[/url].

I think that is all. So I hope to see you soon on MSN or (why not?) in reality (if you come to Paris for instance :p). Even if for me, reality looks a little bit like the world of the Sand Snake in Beetlejuice.

And remember, the Force will be with you, always.

P.S : I would like to precise that my pseudonym is not "Erfea" but "Erfëa", which makes a big difference. Its meaning is just an emo stereotype, but when I was younger, I was not as perfect as I am today :p.