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 ByIf 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 WaitingAt 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)
RegretsAnother 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 BedI don't know if I'm supposed to admit this about something I wrote, but this fic still makes me laugh.
6)
HobbesianThis 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)
ExpectingI'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 PlansI will never write an opening line better than this one. End of story.
9)
Outside Looking In /
Inside Looking OutThese 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 SisterA 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?
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giles_shorts has offered a bunch of Shakespeare related prompts. So, here are the first few with more to come.
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