snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games, @ 2008-03-16 11:48:00 |
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Entry tags: | interviews, team phoenix |
CHAMPION INTERVIEW # 23- Bluestocking79!
Your Name: bluestocking79
Archive link(s): My stories are spread across several different archives at the moment, but you can find my full-length stories here and my collected drabbles here.
Your Team: Team Phoenix, FTW!! ~shakes fiery pompoms~
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?
Hmm, I much prefer the term 'canon consistent.' When I say that, I mean that my acid test is whether something is consistent with the spirit of the world and the books, as it was built up over seven volumes. I do try to be consistent with canon as much as possible, but I have no problem with AUs that deviate from canon on a certain point, especially where that Epilogue is concerned. I also bristle at the idea of being told that something that's explicitly off-canon (like JKR's interviews) is part of the canon with which we need to abide. I've no problem with people who want to incorporate that information into their stories, but as far as I'm concerned, it's not canon if it's not in the text, even as subtext.
That said, I've certainly adopted gay!Dumbledore as canon, so I guess that makes me a big fat hypocrite. *g*
2. Has fanfic influenced your writing? If yes, was it a particular story you can name for us?
I don't know that fanfic itself has influenced my writing, but the authors' styles have probably had an effect, in that I read their work and think 'That's so wonderfully done. I need to do more of that.' Quite possibly everybody here has influenced me in one way or another! Offhand, I'd say that I've always admired the way schemingreader manages to convey so much with an economy of words; she also creates very subtle and human characterizations with a few deft lines, and these are things that I'm always striving to do. The story that comes to mind as the biggest influence on me there is Carthage. dementordelta's The Dreaming Spires also taught me a lot about how to hold information back until the time is right to reveal it, letting the story tell itself. It's the story that brought me into the Snarry fold!
3. What element(s) about the relationship between Snape and Harry do you find most intriguing?
Wow, where to start? The most obvious draw is that in many ways, they're temperamentally opposites: idealism versus pragmatism, hotheaded emotion versus coolheaded logic (well, usually), the physical athlete versus the intellectual brain. With all those oppositions, the sparks really fly between them, and that's a fun dynamic to explore. Even more interesting is that fact that under all those surface differences, Snape and Harry have a lot in common with each other: neglected childhoods, experience/fascination with the darker side of magic, being manipulated/abused by Dumbledore. I like to see the two of them learn to look beyond the differences to appreciate the similarities.
4. How would Severus Snape find your team mascot most useful?
How would he not find a phoenix useful? If he'd had one with him in the Shrieking Shack, he'd have been set: phoenix tears to miraculously heal his wounds, fiery Phoenix apparition to allow him to escape to wherever he needed to go, and possibly even a single Phoenix feather for his new, untraceable wand. Useful creatures, phoenixes.
5. What would you consider your greatest strength in writing?
It's very hard to answer this question about my own writing, but I think that my strength probably lies in psychology and characterization. I like getting into characters' heads, finding out exactly what makes them tick and coming up with a psychologically credible way to present that. I also like to play with imagery and language, but not if it's going to gum up the story.
6. Is there something your beta(s) constantly catch you doing?
Probably my artistic application of commas.
7. Have you ever collaborated/partnered with another author or artist? If yes, please describe it for us. If no, would you consider it?
I'm in the middle of collaborating with lithiumdelusion on a post-DH crossover story that combines the Potterverse with the manga Pet Shop of Horrors. The project is called Wanderlust and it's not nearly as cracktastic as it sounds, I swear. I'm having a lot of fun working with Lithium Delusions and brainstorming with her. Generally speaking, I mostly write the Snape-centric bits, she mostly writes the PSoH bits, and then we send them to each other and poke around with the other person's work until it works the way we'd like it to work.
I would definitely collaborate again, as long as the project interested me and I had a rapport with the other writer or artist.
8. Now that canon is complete, do you find it more freeing or less when it comes to writing or enjoying fanfic/fanart?
I actually find it more freeing, despite the Epilogue of Doooom that seems to be so limiting. In a strange way, all my dissatisfaction with the way canon was (not) resolved has made it much easier for me to enjoy the beauty of slight AUs, which provide for such a huge amount of variation. Also, it's not like all the mysteries have been closed out; the very fact that so much was left unexplored leaves us plenty of room for play, without the fear of another volume coming out to canon-shaft everything.
9. In your opinion, what kind of kink/theme does fandom need more of?
Bottom!Snape! Sorry, I just always think fandom needs more bottom!Snape, and it seems especially fitting after DH. (Look at that patronus, I ask you!) Also, I find somnophilia to be almost invariably smoking hot when it's featured in a story. Also, 'Snape rescues Harry' is a staple of the ship, but after DH, I'd like to see more of Harry rescuing Snape, who by this point really seems to need it more.
10. How do you feel about participating in this year's Snarry Games?
Thrilled, excited, astounded and nervous. I can't quite believe I'm actually here, but I'm very glad that I am! GO, TEAM PHOENIX!!
Thank you, bluestocking79! Stay tuned for more Champion Interviews and Opening Games Crack!Art!