snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games, @ 2008-02-22 08:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | interviews, team phoenix |
CHAMPION INTERVIEW # 5 - CruiseDirector!
Your Name (lj and/or Penname): cruisedirector (Your Cruise Director)
Archive link(s): Love Boat Fanfic. You can also find me as cruisedirector at WTP, Fiction Alley, etc.
Your Team: 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?
If it's not in the books, it's not truly canon. As much as I'd like for gay Dumbledore to be established series canon, the author's declaration of backstory after the fact does not make it part of the universe (though if she does write an official guide to the HP universe akin to Magical Beasts, I'll accept anything in that as canon). That said, I've always thought that "canon compliant" is hugely overrated. Slash is often by definition not canon compliant. Since we never saw Snape's body or portrait, for instance, I have no problem labeling a fic "canon compliant" that brings him back from the apparently-dead.
2. Has fanfic influenced your writing? If yes, was it a particular story you can name for us?
I had read the first four books without any interest in writing HP at all before eponis's "13 Ways," which was also the first time I gave any thought to Snape's love life -- I'd been a vague Remus/Sirius shipper to that point though I hadn't much gone looking for fic or written anything longer than a drabble. In Snarry, If You Are Prepared was the first story that really made me think about writing the pairing; I'd always been vaguely squicked by the chan possibilities before reading that.
3. What element(s) about the relationship between Snape and Harry do you find most intriguing?
They're by far the two best developed characters in the books -- Harry because he's the protagonist, Snape because he's so significant to the major story arc and is kept a man of mystery for so long. I found Rowling's ultimate revelations about Snape to be a letdown but I'd predicted a lot of them, like that he'd made most of his adult choices out of affection for Lily, someone who has been lost to both Snape and Harry for a long time. Harry does not ping at all heterosexual to me -- he describes his first kiss as "wet" rather than hot, he thinks about kissing Ginny as an escape more than out of passion -- and he's intrigued by Snape in a way that he isn't with anyone else, not even Draco with whom he is canonically obsessed. And they're also in some ways the two most damaged characters, determined not to let that damage happen to other people.
4. How would Severus Snape find your team mascot most useful?
A phoenix? If we accept book seven's implied canon, I would think that would be obvious. *g*
5. What would you consider your greatest strength in writing?
Realistic dialogue.
6. Is there something your beta(s) constantly catch you doing?
Taking exposition shortcuts.
7. Have you ever collaborated/partnered with another author or artist? If yes, please describe it for us. If no, would you consider it?
Yes, many times -- it's my favorite way to write fan fiction. I'm not sure how to describe it because it's been different each time. Sometimes I've written with someone who saw the characters very much as I did and our ideas spurred each other on, sometimes I've written with someone who saw things very differently and really made me work to develop my ideas. I'm not quite so enthusiastic about RPGs because of the wank that inevitably seems to descend upon them, though I have had some terrific experiences in RPGs as well with people in this comm (dementordelta, thescarletwoman, themostepotente).
8. Now that canon is complete, do you find it more freeing or less when it comes to writing or enjoying fanfic/fanart?
For a couple of weeks after the close of canon, I had lots of new ideas, but overall I think I was happier when canon was in flux and anything could happen. I have a hard time ignoring canon entirely when I write, though I have no problem reading other people's fic where they declare that book seven never happened or the like.
9. In your opinion, what kind of kink/theme does fandom need more of?
I really don't like kink for kink's sake -- for me, some kinks make complete sense for certain characters and no sense at all for others, and I like it when an author convinces me of why certain characters would be interested in certain kinks but not others, rather than just assuming all individuals will do anything.
10. How do you feel about participating in this year's Snarry Games?
Excited! And nervous!
Thank you, cruisedirector!
Stay tuned for more interviews! Check out our Crack!Art Invite