Heart and Head is finally finished!

A work that took about a month, my first fanfiction did not turn out the way I planned. Sherlock was originally supposed to decide between John and Irene. John, the love, and Irene, the intellectual challenge. But, as I wrote, I realized that would never work. None of it. So for a while, I went in blind. Wrote along the premises I had originally designed the story along, even though it wasn't where the story would end up.

But finally it clicked. I could restore the same message, love over intellect, but it a much better way. Without being a writer, it may be hard for someone to understand what it's like when a character writes itself, but it's truly as if that character develops it's own little quirks and flaws, and it's simply your job to pen them out on paper.

I really loved writing Irene, she is one of my favorite characters of all time. And, I didn't go entirely by the BBC Irene. I wanted her with more sass. I wanted her to intrigue Sherlock, because after all, that was the original plan. And it turned out sassy Irene was great, even when she was just a small plot device.

The story of Ella was never meant to be central, but I really did love Ella's character. If I had written the story as a mystery, she would have been much better, much more mysterious. But, alas, that was not what the story was about.

Sherlock, oh, I loved writing him. I felt as if I was writing myself a bit, particularly the bits with the mind palace (which even though I didn't write it, he replaces John as his friend in his mind!), because I sort of have a similar ability. Sherlock is hard though, and I know I broke his character a few times in the story. Sometimes it was necessary, sometimes it was just an error on my part. But, I don't think I'll go back and fix it. It could cause a domino effect and obliterate my story. And besides, it's more my own that way.

John was easy, which surprised me. He had the most emotion in the story, but he was easy to write, easy to portray it all. I could understand what he felt, and that was great. It made the story propel itself sometimes. If I had not been able to understand John, I do not think the story would have been possible.

As for things that made the story possible, I must make a special mention to two people. First, dance-mylovely on tumblr. She sent me messages with her opinions of a chapter, or praise for the characters, or anything at all. And it really was motivation. It's inspiring to have a complete stranger admire your work, and appreciate it, and for that, I thank her.

And of course, my editor-in-chief, Maria. She is my best friend, and endures all my writing dabbles. Although she didn't do much editing on this piece, she was who I asked if I had a problem, or who I bounced ideas off of. And once again, she was a crucial part of my writing process.

And I also thank anyone else who read my story. Whether you liked it or not, if you paid it attention, that is great. It's wonderful to be recognized. To everyone who reviewed it, favorited it, whatever, on and tumblr, you are all wonderful. You are the heart to my head.

-Michele