I'm a long time chronic sufferer of Writer's Block. Three years and counting, for the most part. I've been unable to pen out much original work in quite a while, so I've decided to step back a bit on my Great Path of writing. For now I'm playing with already-defined characters in a well used sandbox. For me, fan-fiction is a necessary step on the way to writing greatness, and I know several authors who solely write fan-fiction who are better than original authors. Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea is as much fan-fiction as it is original award-winning literature. The story takes a character from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Mrs. Rochester, and builds a story into an already-existing reality. Fan-fiction, however is a generally overlooked sub-genre in literature. I see it as necessary for the progression of one's writings. We all have our favorite stories. If we didn't, we wouldn't have been inspired to read any more, let alone write. Fan-fiction allows us to explore different sides of a character we already know, to expound on ideas that were glanced over the first time by authors, screenwriters, and other story-line creators. It allows us to more critically look at at plots, characters, and ideals behind the stories that the average reader/watcher may not see. By getting that critical look, we can include it into our own works, creating a richer experience for those who read our works.

So, like I said, I've been unable to put my own sequence of words down on paper for a long time now. But in the past month or so, I've been delving into fan-fiction here and a few other places, and I've actually penned out a few stories. Nothing completely original, but then again, I don't think I've recovered enough for such. I should be quite content to chip out a few stories now and then, and when I'm ready, I'll start penning out original works again.

As to my fandoms: I'm a total sci-fi/fantasy girl-geek (geek being a good word by the way, I'm not that self-depreciating!) with a bit of love into Victorian British Literature, long winded Russian pre-Soviet era works, and I even enjoy a bit of chick-flicks now and then. Asimov and Bradbury are geniuses, and while I do not worship at the altar of Roddenberry, I don't make fun of those that do. Lucas and Spielburg will always have a spot in my heart; Orson Scott Card is the author I listen to the most by audiobook. Stargate SG-1 is easily my favorite TV show, along with West Wing and the OC.
Fan-fiction reading: I like Gen the best, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good slash story every once in a while. I generally don't do AU, but every once in a while I've delved into one I like so much its worth taking a chance on AU stories every once in a while. I love stories that weave into the existing story line seamlessly. I put stories in my favorites list if I want to go back and read it again sometime.

As to my writing: Stargate SG-1 is the current sandbox I'm playing in, though I will note in general my original fiction has been anything but sci-fi/fantasy. I tend to gear towards historical fiction or political mind games, as I have degrees in both History and Political Science. I respect sci-fi/fantasy writers so much, I don't feel worthy enough to compare my works with theirs (just yet).
As for Stargate, I tend to write Gen (there are just too many plotlines to explore without getting into relationships!) and I shy away from Alternate Universes. The only serious breach I may commit in the future is Janet's death. I don't see how her death punched forward the main storyarcs of the story (as Daniel's eventually did with Kelowna), and I just liked Janet and her interactions too much for me to get into any of the other doctors there. If and when I write season 8-10 fics, they will either not have a medical scene, or Janet will be in it. Deal with it folks!

I'll only post works here that I do want serious criticism on. I need serious positive reinforcement to move on, and I hope that people are indeed reading.

For those of you following "The Young Daniel Series" I've included what best can be described as a meta/explanation on the series and my decisions concerning it here. I originally promised it at some point in the Author's notes above the first chapter of the stories.

Update: 9-14-09
I'm still writing Young Daniel, so never fear! Nick and I are just having some arguments right now and he's not participating as he should and Adult!Daniel wants some attention too, apparently. I've just completed part 20: the Smithsonian and is posted for your reading pleasure.

Currently, sections of Part 1: the Aftermath, the new Part 3: First Home (everything will be renumbered when this is published), and I believe Part 7 are currently in some sort of prose. No timeline is given for further updates, but this project is NOT set aside to be forgotten. Please note that at this time, Part 1, a new part 3, 7-19, and 21-26 are not written yet, but they will get done. I imagine this is a multi-year project, as I'm now entering a full year since I've written "The Weekend at the Library", and I'm still very much in love with this series.

In other news, I'm a mere week or so away from settling on my new home, so needless to say my life is incredibly hectic. However I do make it a goal to put in at least a hundred words in each of a few pieces I'm working on every day and really crank the stuff out.

Update: June 11th, 2010 -- I have finally settled a bit in my new home, decided I wanted to be in charge of everything and was elected president and CEO of both my condo association and my homeowners association. Almost all furniture has been bought and placed, everything has been painted, and i'm slowly learning to cook with all the awesome kitchen stuff I just had to have the first time I owned my own first kitchen! But, despite all this, I've gotten much more into writing, and find time to poke at pieces at least every day. While it looks like I haven't publihsed anything on the Young Daniel front, I'm working a lot going through my outlines and putting them into proper wording -- but I have a lot of outlining!! I'm also working with a beta to clean up what I've published here, and more polished pieces will either be replaced here or just posted on my stargate blog. Also, some pieces that have been completed recently are posted first and foremost at: samantilles @ Dreamwidth . That is also where you will find stargate meta essays, artwork, and fandom-related comments.

Update: April 10, 2011--I'm still around and still writing, though my writing time has been reduced to about five minutes a day it seems. A new addition to the Young Daniel series has been completed and uploaded, "Moving Day".