MEME - Has your writing improved?
Jul. 13th, 2009 09:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
marguerite_26I couldn't resist this meme. Gakked from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sansa1970, and plenty of others. I've had a lot of fun reading all the posts on this. (The meme is to compare a passage of your early writing with a recent one).
Since I have been in HP fandom little more than a year, I reached back into my old Buffy fics for an excellent example of my early writing. My only source of pride is that I did not use asterisks in lieu of italics or quotes, which was all the rage at them time. I'm sure there was a reason for it, but I have not clue what it is.
This is from not my first fic, but my most popular (yes, ponder that for a bit). Written in 2001, I think. Back when LJ had codes and I was nowhere near cool enough to get one. :)
Spike/Xander Trading Places
"Did you just growl at me? Lesson the first, if you want any help from me with your new vampire-self, you will not growl, hit or bite me. We're on even ground now. Your a demon, so I can hit back." Spike smiled at the sudden realization and vamped out. Well, tried to vamp out but it didn't work.
"What the hell?" Spike took a moment to orient himself with what had happened so far this evening. The memory of the bouncer checking his pulse came to him. Spike started to walk away running his hands through his hair. "I can't believe this is happening..."
"What? What's happening? What could be bigger then me being a vampire?" Xander called out, again sounding like he had a cheap set of plastic Dracula teeth in his mouth.
"I'm human you twit! You're a vampire and I'm human." The bleached ex- vampire clarified, as if talking to a child.
"Oh. Oh!" Xander ran to catch up to the human who was now a fair distance away. "You're really human?"
"Yup. Heart's pumping, lungs suddenly required and sweat.. is that sweat? Bloody hell... I'm sweating. That's just wrong."
"It's a warm night you probably don't need that jacket..." Xander offered with a helpful toothy smile.
Spike turned to Xander and looked like he was going to rip his head off if he could, which he couldn't. "Would you please get out of game face. You are going to draw attention to us." Spike requested in a very controlled voice.
And more resent… Written in 2009
Harry/Draco A Winter's Tale of Blood and Duty
"Wine, Auror Potter?" Narcissa motioned to the server.
Harry placed his palm over his wine glass then pushed his water goblet forwards. "No thank you. I'm on duty."
"You're not even a proper Auror," Malfoy snapped.
"I'm still not permitted to drink," Harry retorted.
Malfoy smirked and lifted his glass in a mock toast. Two minutes in and Malfoy had already found Harry's sore spot. Pressured by Kingsley, Robards had accepted Harry into the Auror Training Program prior to completing his NEWTs. It landed Harry no further ahead. Robards and the senior Aurors' resentment of Harry's special treatment had only increased over the last four years. Harry's training and attempts at advancement were continually undermined. The animosity towards him had become part of the office culture, something to which even the newer recruits quickly adapted.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation, Auror Potter," Narcissa said as if she hadn't heard the exchange.
"Auror-in-training," Malfoy muttered into his menu.
Narcissa shot him a steely look. Malfoy pretended not to notice, but his cheeks brightened.
Harry glanced at the menu and decided on the chicken breast. It had the greatest number of ingredients he recognised, and the least number he didn't. "I have to be back by half one."
Narcissa nodded and made eye contact with the waiter. The waiter took the lunch orders and left with a short bow.
Harry glanced at Malfoy. He was staring hard at the markings on the cutlery, running his finger back and forth along the engraved fleur-de-lis. He had aged well, grown into those pointy features. A shade on the thin side, but without the scowl he was rather pleasing. Harry idly wondered if Malfoy was seeing someone, and, if so, of which gender. Malfoy was rarely seen about town.
Well, that was a great morning's entertainment. I'm itching to fix that "your" to be "you're" and um... everything else! Actually, even my recent one I'd love to fiddle with. :/
*sits on hands*
sansa1970, and plenty of others. I've had a lot of fun reading all the posts on this. (The meme is to compare a passage of your early writing with a recent one).Since I have been in HP fandom little more than a year, I reached back into my old Buffy fics for an excellent example of my early writing. My only source of pride is that I did not use asterisks in lieu of italics or quotes, which was all the rage at them time. I'm sure there was a reason for it, but I have not clue what it is.
This is from not my first fic, but my most popular (yes, ponder that for a bit). Written in 2001, I think. Back when LJ had codes and I was nowhere near cool enough to get one. :)
Spike/Xander Trading Places
"Did you just growl at me? Lesson the first, if you want any help from me with your new vampire-self, you will not growl, hit or bite me. We're on even ground now. Your a demon, so I can hit back." Spike smiled at the sudden realization and vamped out. Well, tried to vamp out but it didn't work.
"What the hell?" Spike took a moment to orient himself with what had happened so far this evening. The memory of the bouncer checking his pulse came to him. Spike started to walk away running his hands through his hair. "I can't believe this is happening..."
"What? What's happening? What could be bigger then me being a vampire?" Xander called out, again sounding like he had a cheap set of plastic Dracula teeth in his mouth.
"I'm human you twit! You're a vampire and I'm human." The bleached ex- vampire clarified, as if talking to a child.
"Oh. Oh!" Xander ran to catch up to the human who was now a fair distance away. "You're really human?"
"Yup. Heart's pumping, lungs suddenly required and sweat.. is that sweat? Bloody hell... I'm sweating. That's just wrong."
"It's a warm night you probably don't need that jacket..." Xander offered with a helpful toothy smile.
Spike turned to Xander and looked like he was going to rip his head off if he could, which he couldn't. "Would you please get out of game face. You are going to draw attention to us." Spike requested in a very controlled voice.
And more resent… Written in 2009
Harry/Draco A Winter's Tale of Blood and Duty
"Wine, Auror Potter?" Narcissa motioned to the server.
Harry placed his palm over his wine glass then pushed his water goblet forwards. "No thank you. I'm on duty."
"You're not even a proper Auror," Malfoy snapped.
"I'm still not permitted to drink," Harry retorted.
Malfoy smirked and lifted his glass in a mock toast. Two minutes in and Malfoy had already found Harry's sore spot. Pressured by Kingsley, Robards had accepted Harry into the Auror Training Program prior to completing his NEWTs. It landed Harry no further ahead. Robards and the senior Aurors' resentment of Harry's special treatment had only increased over the last four years. Harry's training and attempts at advancement were continually undermined. The animosity towards him had become part of the office culture, something to which even the newer recruits quickly adapted.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation, Auror Potter," Narcissa said as if she hadn't heard the exchange.
"Auror-in-training," Malfoy muttered into his menu.
Narcissa shot him a steely look. Malfoy pretended not to notice, but his cheeks brightened.
Harry glanced at the menu and decided on the chicken breast. It had the greatest number of ingredients he recognised, and the least number he didn't. "I have to be back by half one."
Narcissa nodded and made eye contact with the waiter. The waiter took the lunch orders and left with a short bow.
Harry glanced at Malfoy. He was staring hard at the markings on the cutlery, running his finger back and forth along the engraved fleur-de-lis. He had aged well, grown into those pointy features. A shade on the thin side, but without the scowl he was rather pleasing. Harry idly wondered if Malfoy was seeing someone, and, if so, of which gender. Malfoy was rarely seen about town.
Well, that was a great morning's entertainment. I'm itching to fix that "your" to be "you're" and um... everything else! Actually, even my recent one I'd love to fiddle with. :/
*sits on hands*
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 05:23 pm (UTC)That Spike/Xander piece was just...glee! Despite the grammatical issues, it's still just so YOU and so good. And it makes me want to watch Buffy again. xDD
I so want to fill out this meme, but I am somewhat frightened by what I will find. >.>!!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 05:52 pm (UTC)I did giggle to myself at how my attempt at humour hasn't changed much, though my delivery may be a little different. I wanted to compare two 'banter' scenes to show that... I suppose A winter's tale is not really a great comparison.
The meme is a ton of fun. Dooooo iiiiiiiiiit!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 06:42 pm (UTC)Loved your h/d.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 06:53 pm (UTC)But first:
Vamped out:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3247675904/tt0118276
Not Vamped out:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3180632576/tt0118276
can you see that one your phone? :(
*smooches*
but have you heard:
I am so full of quick for this. Just wish you were here to participate! Instead you are at that silly con. LOL.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-14 10:20 am (UTC)Wow, it's been years since I read any BTVS but this excerpt brings back fond memories. My very first fandom and the one where I discoverd slash ... good times :-)
no subject
Date: 2009-07-14 11:57 am (UTC)Yes. That was the fic!!! I had forgotten about that handcuffed balcony scene and was about to say no. *g* :)
I'm so impressed you remembered it. It's been 8 years or so.
My very first fandom and the one where I discoverd slash
Me too! Yes, those were great times.