Hi there -
found this forum today and am still trying to feel my way around.
I'm a stay-at-home-mom of 3 boys, 4 large dogs and world's dumbest cat--volunteer with a couple of non-profits, too. Am also blessed with a very patient husband.
Started reading FanFic in 2009 after hearing about it in a round-about way.
Backing up a bit; had spoken with a friend who ranted on and on about the Twilight series and how much she disliked each book ... erm ... ok. If the books had this strong a response--yet kept her reading--they might be worth checking out just to see if they're as bad (or not) as claimed.
The first book held some charm, and the following books became more fantastic as they went on - fantastic in the sense of bizarre and non-nonsensical. Insipid heroine, controlling love interest, ridiculous plot points. Bleck. But many of the secondary characters were interesting enough that I wanted more of them, and the concept of vampires among us--with sparkly peens no less!--was fodder for daydreams.
While reading the news some time after finishing the series I heard about "fan fiction"; its growing popularity and which books were most noted in that world. Figuring someone could re-write the story better I spent time with my ol' pal Google and found the mother-load. In all the dreich several spots of light shone through, enough to keep me hooked.
Began by reading canon and soon came to realize that unless the characters were "OOC" Edward was a whiny manipulative git and Bella was plainly pathetic. Started searching for Bellas with backbone and grown-up hard-knock Eddies. Then I met The Major. Oh yum. The "canon" of fanfic surrounding his character--with many many thanks to idreamofeddy--was rich and delightful. Other good fanfic authors had jumped sandbox too and built even better castles.
At the end of long days of kids, dogs, a hubby to keep happy, and non-paying yet demanding obligations I cannot give up, my tablet has become my quiet-time friend.
Like many readers I have stories bouncing around in my head but am hampered by writers' block in the form of time and where-to-start/middle/end. At any rate; I punctuate like I speak, abhor the misuse of homophones (and kick myself when I've violated those rules), love the correct use of idiomatic expressions, and think spell check is a gift of the tech-gods that all should use and be thankful for.
Am not sure how active I can be here, but am looking forward to poking about and contributing where I can.
T.