snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games, @ 2008-02-17 19:50:00 |
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Entry tags: | interviews, team phoenix |
CHAMPION INTERVIEW #1 - Ac1d6urn & Sinick!
Hello, friends of Snarry!
Every year, we start the Games off with a little 'getting to know you' exercise, where we interview our Team Champions and Alternates, and post the interviews for you to read and comment on.
We begin posting them now, and will continue to do so daily until the Games begin, along with Opening Games Crack!Art. Please feel free to check out our Team Champions, and what they have to say regarding the closing of HP Canon, what fandom needs more of, and what Severus Snape would likely do if he were to get a hold of their Team Mascots!
Enjoy!
Name: sinick (plain text) and ac1d6urn (italic text)
Team: Flying Mythical Burny Bugger! ...OK, OK, Phoenix.
1. 'Canon compliant' is a hot button topic in Harry Potter fandom (thanks to all the 'After-Book Specials' JKR is hosting). What is your definition?
I think that canon is a continuum rather than a binary category. In order of fidelity to canon, we have:
(1) The words printed in the books (if you want to put canon into a binary category, this is the only true canon).
(2) The words read aloud in the audiobooks: to the extent that the actor's interpretation shades the words, that is a departure from true canon, however tiny.
(3) The movies and JKR's interviews: neither of these are canon, but clearly they have more influence on fandom than any fanfic/fanart.
(4) Classic/famous fanfic/fanart which is seen as IC by most fans and which has influenced later fanfic/fanart.
(5) The general body of fanfic/fanart.
(6) Fanfic/fanart which is seen as OOC by most fans, whether by design or accident. (I'd include crossover/crackfic/badfic/Pit of Voles/Mary Sueage in this last category.)
I like to think of this as Six Degrees of Separation. Of course, all six of these categories have an infinite number of sub-categories, being the individual reader/viewer's interpretation of the work. It's a knotty problem, canon. Or perhaps I just overthink things like this.
Yep, you're overthinking. ;) A canon compliant work is whatever you can argue successfully to be so.
Heh. That's one of the MANY things you're good at, poking me when I get too complicated.
That said, I can't think of any of our fics that are canon compliant. I tend to build on the bits of canon that inspire me and often ignore the rest in favour of something original.
True, true. That gets a Me Too. :)
2. Has fanfic influenced your writing? If yes, was it a particular story you can name for us?
Oh I have no doubt that fanfic's been an influence, but it's been such a subconscious process, I couldn't point to one author, or even two or three, and single them out as particular influences. On some level, pretty much everything I've read's been some sort of an influence, and I read a hell of a lot of fanfic.
After reading something, I usually note the aspects of the story that I liked most and afterwards regard it as an inspiration to spend more time on my own writing. Several favourites come to mind. Maya's Underwater Light (humor, characterisation), Resonant's Transfigurations (plot, setting), Cybele's If You Are Prepared (tension, angst), Sushi's Civil War Series (relationships, originality). Also every story co-written with Sinick is a tremendous influence on my writing style; our collaboration has always been a rapid learning process.
3. What element(s) about the relationship between Snape and Harry do you find most intriguing?
Intriguing, huh? Gah - there are so many aspects to choose from...
The dance of difference vs. similarity. Different personalities, similar stresses. Age difference, similarity in power and courage (and stubbornness!) So many different ways the dynamic between them can go. With enough effort and skill, an author can justify pretty much any sort of relationship between them.
Yes! Their relationship is multi-dimensional. They can take on many roles: two war veterans, mentor and student, beauty and the beast, law and criminal, bookworm and Quidditch jock, superhero and the actual brains behind the operation, optimist vs. pessimist - OK, OK - realist, a man with the complicated past vs the boy next door, a couple bonding over similarity of their pets... er, deer... um - Patronuses... well, you get the idea. They suit all sorts of story themes: coming of age, learning a lesson, overcoming old fears, learning collaboration, letting go of the past, finding peace with oneself, and one of my favourites - discovering an ordinary miracle. They are a good example of impossibilities that do happen.
4. How would Severus Snape find your team mascot most useful?
I think (and I bet a lot of others from my team will have the same answer) that he'd most appreciate a phoenix joining the rest of the Snape fandom and crying over him as he lay in the Shrieking Shack.
... a phoenix which then will find its new home in a tiny Muggle place, in a rat cage left over from previous pet; it will develop taste for bookworms and dust bunnies and will periodically be plucked for potions.
5. What would you consider your greatest strength in writing?
Wordplay. I usually try to put in at least one original simile or metaphor in every story.
Plotlines. I like putting the random puzzle pieces of ideas, images, and scenes together into a complete storyline.
6. Is there something your beta(s) constantly catch you doing?
Overwriting. It's the dark side of the wordplay. I like the language too much to always know when to stop.
Oversimplifying. Keeping the word count (and punctuation) down to a minimum and skipping over words and phrases. Paraphrasing direct thoughts - that's the current one I'm trying to improve.
7. Have you ever collaborated/partnered with another author or artist? If yes, please describe it for us. If no, would you consider it?
My collaboration with Acid is what I'm known for in this fandom. It's the single best thing that's happened to me in any fandom, and the source of the stories I'm proudest of today. I wouldn't consider not collaborating with her.
Our collaboration grew from a year's worth of writer and beta-reader dynamic where we learned the vast differences in each other's writing style and similarities in reading taste. Together, we make a better writer than either of us would've been alone. Art-wise, Sinick is usually the one who points out anatomy problems in my early drafts, chooses fonts and layouts for comics and illustrations of handwritten notes or book pages, and um... quite often adds the X-rated bits to my hastily sketched nudes.
8. Now that canon is complete, do you find it more freeing or less when it comes to writing or enjoying fanfic/fanart?
I don't think it's changed my approach at all when writing. When I'm reading or looking at fanart, I find it fascinating to see all the ways that fandom gets around the less fortunate events of Book 7.
Neither probably. Canon completeness or compliancy hasn't affected my writing, viewing, drawing, or reading choices yet. I tend to use selective canon for inspiration and more canon to select from is always a plus, but with seven books, other guides, and author interviews I don't think we're in danger of running out of ideas to build upon any time soon.
9. In your opinion, what kind of kink/theme does fandom need more of?
I couldn't possibly pick just one! ;}
Should I just read down the list of the prompts for this round of Snarry Games? I can't wait for all the new fics this time around!
10. How do you feel about participating in this year's Snarry Games?
To carry the fire metaphor further, I have to say: STOKED!
Fortunate. And to carry the bird metaphor further: chipper.
Thank you, sinick & ac1d6urn !
Stay tuned tomorrow for our first Team Dragon Interview!