quaggy: C.J. looking at a goldfish (Perplexity)
Quaggy ([personal profile] quaggy) wrote2010-04-04 01:36 pm

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago, right around this time, I posted my first fic and the legend LJ of Quag E. Mire was born. At first, this was just supposed to be an LJ for my fic, but things expanded a bit.  I've met knew people and got involved with new things and new communities.  But fic was the reason why I started this journal. Since I've been posting all my old stuff over at FF.Net, I've had a chance to go over everything I've written so far.  So for my anniversary, I thought I would do a top ten of my favorite fics. Not surprising, given the fact I've only recently branched out into other fandoms, they are all West Wing fic.  These are they ones that I really think hold up, even if I've improved as a writer.  Please forgive the arrogance. I'm mostly just looking back.


1) Less Traveled By
If I never write another West Wing fic (and I have since, so don't worry), I'll be able to say I went out on a high. I don't know if I'll ever be able to top this one.

2) Left Waiting
At first this started as a prequel to fix What Happens In Hospitals, but it became a strong piece in its own right.  This is one of those pivotal fics where I think my writing style leveled up.

3) Untitled Fic (I sometime refer to this as "Art Imitates Life" or "It Takes A Year")
It's actually pretty unfair of me to include this on my list, since the entry is friend-locked and I have no intention of changing that. I wrote this after my father died, basically borrowing West Wing characters to say what I couldn't on my own back then. I can't objectively judge whether or not it's the best thing I've written. But I like it and it has meaning for me, so it makes the list.

4) Regrets
Another one of those writing breakthrough pieces. Up until this point, I had basically been writing character studies. This fic showed me that I could mess with peoples emotions. (I was trying to come up with a less evil way of putting that, but in the end I decided to call a spade, a spade.)

5) In Bed
I don't know if I'm supposed to admit this about something I wrote, but this fic still makes me laugh.

6) Hobbesian
This is pre-series and I usually never stray from Season 7, but it took a life on its own. (Well, once I finally figured out what was wrong with it. Thanks again for the help, Amy!)  I spend so much time getting into characters' heads that the chance to look at everyone from an outsider's POV was a lot of fun.

7) Expecting
I'm not adopted nor is anyone in my family, but I still manged to make this resonate for a lot of people. That might be one of the things I'm most proud of.

8) Untold Plans
I will never write an opening line better than this one. End of story.

9) Outside Looking In / Inside Looking Out
These two really do have to be read together.  Maybe it was using the quotes and song lyrics, but I managed to dive deeper into Josh and Donna's head than I had previously.

10) Band of Brothers… and a Sister
A mostly un-shippy fic for me, but sometimes that's a good thing.


So that's it.  I thought about doing a separate list of my favorite 100 word drabbles, but I think my ego has been fed enough with this post, don't you?

[identity profile] kiss-me-cassie.livejournal.com 2010-04-04 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! Nice! I've forgotten about some of these. so they will be good timefillers during my work week. :)

[identity profile] caz963.livejournal.com 2010-04-04 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow... where does the time go? Makes me wonder how long I've been hanging around here.

I must re-read some of these :)

Happy anniversary *hugs*

[identity profile] zinke.livejournal.com 2010-04-04 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Quaggy's greatest hits! Huzzah!

I am so going to settle in and re-read these tonight.

[identity profile] zommbie1.livejournal.com 2010-04-04 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I was considering saving reading them for tomorrow. Give myself a fic or two for each finished paragraph. But instead I binged. I went on a full out Quaggy binge and boy am I glad.

I thought about you today, I went for a walk and the road was a quagmire and I thought about you. Miss you.

[identity profile] zommbie1.livejournal.com 2010-04-05 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
Oh if wishing made it so. Hopefully next summer.

[identity profile] sillyg.livejournal.com 2010-04-04 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
*cough* write some more "less traveled by" *cough*

come on...you know you want toooooooooooo. :)

[identity profile] gatsbyfan.livejournal.com 2010-04-05 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, memories.

I should copy these into word so that when I am feeling unmotivated at the office I can read your fic and it would appear that I am working on documents.

[identity profile] kaprin02.livejournal.com 2010-04-05 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
You have no idea how much I needed this today. Looking forward to reading (or re-reading). Thanks.

(Anonymous) 2010-08-18 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't comment on FF as I don't have an account, but I've just reread (5 times) Less Travelled By, and I love it. It's believable, it's punchy, it's Sorkin-esque, and the "Smirked like him too" line just killed me. Honestly, one of the best written pieces of fanfiction I've ever read. Thank you for sharing!