Min wrote an "Impact of Fandom Survey" because self-perception isn't necessarily the same as how others in fandom see you. So Rocky and I filled out the survey together. First, you'll read my thoughts on Rocky's writing and then after that, comes Rocky on Rocky. Following that, you'll find Rocky's thoughts on yours truly and then my self-assessment.
Seema on Rocky
1. Given feedback, awards, recommendation lists, archives requests, etc.....
a) what is/are your most popular story/stories? (Not the ones you consider best, but the most popular.)
I would consider the "Homeward Bound" series to be the most popular Rocky!fic out there - it's certainly what caught my attention. I think "Harry Kim and the Goblet of Coffee" is another very popular one, given that it got tons of FB the first time posted and even more when it was reposted.
b) what is your average amount of feedback per story? (Throw out extremes to reach a correct mean.)
Hmmm... if I'm looking at Enterprise and Beyond and ASC together, I'd say between 5 to 10 FBs per story. Rocky's short, funny fics get a lot of FB.
c) do you notice significant differences in your feedback for longer versus shorter? Serious versus humorous? More action versus less action? (indicate other types as applicable to you.)
Rocky's short, funny fic definitely get a lot more FB than her longer, meatier and more complex ones, though recently two of her more serious stories - "Glory Days" and "The Foolish and the Brave" received quite a bit of FB. But in general (and I think it's a rule that can be applied across the board), I'd guess Rocky's shorter, funnier fics get more recognition.
d) has any story received over 50 letters of feedback (from different people, not 50 letters from the same 10 people for stories of multiple parts published serially)? Any received over 100? Over 200? Why do you think that story was such a success?
I'd imagine that the "Homeward Bound" series received over 50 letters, simply because it was multi-part and it was one of the best "Voyager gets home" stories. It had romance, intrigue, conspiracy, and no loose ends - so there was something there to appeal to everyone. Plus, every time a new part was posted, people on ASC get excited :-). So my guess is that Rocky got over 50 letters for "Homeward Bound".
2. Do readers likely associate you with a particular type of story, or with the exceptional handling of a particular character or characters?
YES! Rocky is THE Janeway scholar! Before Rocky, it never occurred to me that Janeway could be written as someone other than Chakotay's love muffin. While I admire m.c. moose's Janeway was well, I credit Rocky for redeeming the character for me and making her enjoyable and more importantly, in Rocky's stories, Janeway *isn't* schizo (and if she is, there's a darn good reason for it!).
3. Have you ever written a story that .....
a) helped 'redeem' or alter (in a positive way) popular perceptions of a character/s? Have you written one that essentially formed a popular perception (postive or negative) of a particular character in a fandom?
I'd say "One True Thing" would fall under this category because TPTB did TERRIBLE things to Kes and this episode addition fixed that horrible, horrible episode to make Kes at least somewhat recognizable from whom she had been. Also, Tuvok, because Tuvok is rarely written about in fanfic, and in Rocky's hands, Tuvok is interesting and shows the possibilities of what could have been overlooked with this particular character.
b) created something that became an article of "fanon"? (What was it?)
I can't think of any, sorry :-/
c) created an original character that another author asked to borrow for a story? Who?
I know that I certainly would like to borrow one or two ;-) but I think I'll stick with nagging on "Glory Days."
d) had a story that you thought was copycatted by another author? (Be fair in this; a true copycat involves a high coincidence of similar details, not just a similar basic plot.)
Hmmm... I can only think of "Official Channels" and "Sinners and Saints" - but those don't count as Rocky wrote both of them ;-) and "Sinners and Saints" had more detail, especially regarding the earthbound family members. But someone else? Nope, I can't think of anyone else who might have copycatted the story.
e) helped to create a subgenre within a fandom?
I think Rocky was one of the notable voices in the "Voyager gets home" subgenre - if that can be counted as a subgenre. "Homeward Bound" was one of the first "Voyager gets home" stories and while there were others, few covered the scope of this first one - I'm sure there are others that were written that year, but they weren't as memorable and "Homeward Bound" definitely set a standard for that subgenre as a whole.
d) had a noted (and publicly referenced) impact on another major/important/significant story?
I imagine the work Rocky did with VS7.5 impacted the stories in that series :-).
f) created an AU universe or round-robin?
"Glory Days" is all Rocky, as is "Homeward Bound."
4. How well-known do you think you are, outside your own 'nitch' of the fandom? Do many people read your stories who are not fans of that particular type of fiction or subgenre?
I think Rocky is better-known than she thinks she is :-). Her stories appeal to the Janeway lovers, the J/C lovers and lately, she's been branching out in other arenas, so attracting more readers. But in general, Rocky's name comes up a lot when people are making a "who is a must read in fandom" list.
5. Regarding awards ....
a) If you've won an award or awards in your fandom, which one (or two) are you most proud of AND think that you earned most fairly? (Friends/fans ... which do you think the author earned the most fairly?)
I think placing in both the Best VOY Author and Best New Author categories in Rocky's first year out of the gate is an impressive accomplishment, especially given the quality of fics and authors that year.
b) Have you ever won an award that you think you didn't earn, why do you think you won it, and who do you think should have gotten it instead?
I can't think of a single award Rocky has that she didn't earn fair and square. And she has a lot!
c) How many have you received, across how many years?
Does "dozens" count as an answer? :-)
6. What story have you written that you think has received less recognition/attention than -- in your estimation -- it should have? Why do you think that's the case?
"Ragnorak," definitely. This was an action/adventure fic, something that is extremely difficult to write well, but in case, it was an exceptional effort. It may have been difficult for people who didn't follow 7.5 to to understand the story, but I'm chalking it up to the fact that it's a longer story and one that's extremely complex and doesn't really focus on romance as much as it does on action and character.
7. (For the friend/fan only) When you describe this author's work to others, how do you most typically do so? That is, what's distinctive about this person?
When I'm reccing Rocky "in general" (versus "Did you read this Rocky fic yet?"), I mention that Rocky writes the *best* Janeway and Tuvok out there - they stay in character, and never do these characters turn into cardboard cutouts. In Rocky's hands, Janeway and Tuvok are multifaceted - as are all of the other characters she writes - there is definitely "more" to them when Rocky writes them so I'd definitely point to "characterization" as being Rocky's point of differentiation. Not to mention, Rocky can parody with an absolutely straight-face, even when it comes to the ridiculous ;-) ("Thirty-Two" comes immediately to mind in this case - no doubt many people think, despite the inherent humor and pokes in it, that Rocky was perfectly serious in writing it). I think that's the sign of an accomplished writer who can write both serious and humor and make it look oh so easy. And I have to give her credit - after a couple years and hundreds of emails/stories later, she's brave enough to *still* be hanging around me
*****
Rocky on Rocky
1. Given feedback, awards, recommendation lists, archives requests, etc.....
a) what is/are your most popular story/stories? (Not the ones you consider best, but the most popular.)
"Harry Kim and the Goblet of Coffee" is the one I've gotten most feedback on. "Glory Days" would be the next most popular and "Official Channels" third.
b) what is your average amount of feedback per story? (Throw out extremes to reach a correct mean.)
Ack. Seema's the stats person, not me, but here goes: I'd say about 6 fb's or so is average.
c) do you notice significant differences in your feedback for longer versus shorter? Serious versus humorous? More action versus less action? (indicate other types as applicable to you.)
Short stories definitely get more fb than longer ones. Humor beats out serious. "Standard" J/C romantic or angst attracts more attention than less obvious pairings or friendship tales involving Janeway or other characers or my action/adventure stories.
d) has any story received over 50 letters of feedback (from different people, not 50 letters from the same 10 people for stories of multiple parts published serially)? Any received over 100? Over 200? Why do you think that story was such a success?
LOL. What do you think I am, a BNF or something?
2. Do readers likely associate you with a particular type of story, or with the exceptional handling of a particular character or characters?
I'm Janeway's Advocate (tm), one of her most stalwart defenders. And I'm also known as the Anti C/7 ;-).
3. Have you ever written a story that .....
a) helped 'redeem' or alter (in a positive way) popular perceptions of a character/s? Have you written one that essentially formed a popular perception (postive or negative) of a particular character in a fandom?
Well, I did start the 'die, Seven, die!' challenge. I like to think that I've done more for the character of Justin Tighe than any other writer, but I don't think anyone has really read those stories...
Nope.
c) created an original character that another author asked to borrow for a story? Who?
I think Seema has designs on Chloe, but I promised to write more stories with her :-).
Does this question also count for someone asking to play in my sandbox? If so, "Glory Days" is applicable.
d) had a story that you thought was copycatted by another author? (Be fair in this; a true copycat involves a high coincidence of similar details, not just a similar basic plot.)
Penny and I went through a phase where we were both relative newcomers to ASC and were writing a number of strikingly similar stories (we even used the same title at one point), but it really did turn out to be just coincedence.
e) helped to create a subgenre within a fandom?
Most likely not. If I have, I don't know about it.
d) had a noted (and publicly referenced) impact on another major/important/significant story?
See the "Die, Seven, Die!" challenge. I don't know how major or important or significant any of the stories it spawned were, but it did give rise to a lot of 'exploding breasts' fic which seems to be a given now in certain types of stories ;-).
f) created an AU universe or round-robin?
"Glory Days" Universe with Seema. Plus the "Burning Desire" story written with some of the folks at 1001.
4. How well-known do you think you are, outside your own 'nitch' of the fandom? Do many people read your stories who are not fans of that particular type of fiction or subgenre?
First of all, it's 'niche.'
Ahem.
I think I am fairly well known as a J/C writer and a Janeway Apologist. That is, in ASC or related circles. I don't think the 'outside ASC' crowd know I exist or are terribly interested. I think all my regular readers (less than 10 people) did go on to read my forays into DS9 and ENT, even though that may not be their usual series to read in. I don't know that anyone who's not a VOY or Janeway fan reads my regular stuff. And even among VOY, I don't think the P/Ters read me unless I've got Paris or Torres in a story playing a prominent role and the story was pointed out to them. Even so, it's not enough to get them to read my 'usual' offerings besides.
5. Regarding awards ....
a) If you've won an award or awards in your fandom, which one (or two) are you most proud of AND think that you earned most fairly? (Friends/fans ... which do you think the author earned the most fairly?)
I am most proud of placing second for best new author my first year on ASC as well as placing third for best VOY writer that same year. In each case, I was among writers who I consider to be top notch caliber. I am also very pleased to have had a story selected for the Best of Trek site.
b) Have you ever won an award that you think you didn't earn, why do you think you won it, and who do you think should have gotten it instead?
Well, I was pleased when Best of Trek selected one of my stories ("Official Channels") but didn't consider it my 'best' effort. But it did give rise to the a series which contains some of my best work, so I guess it evened out.
c) How many have you received, across how many years?
BOT selection, plus a handful of awards the last two years on ASC and ASCEM. Altogether, 19.
6. What story have you written that you think has received less recognition/attention than -- in your estimation -- it should have? Why do you think that's the case?
"Prime Directive" is a great story--action/adventure, plus real soul-wrenching moral dilemma for Janeway. But not only was this story rejected for SNW, it has only gotten a couple of pieces of fb, and only from people I've specifically pointed it out to as 'a story which gets no respect.' I really don't know why it doesn't get any recognition or attention.
The "Homeward Bound" series has gotten recognition, but less than it might have if Penny's "Revisionist History" hadn't come out around the same time and covered the same ground more or less. It's hard to compete with a work that's universally hailed as 'the best VOY story ever written.'
*****
Rocky on Seema
1. Given feedback, awards, recommendation lists, archives requests, etc.....
a) what is/are your most popular story/stories? (Not the ones you consider best, but the most popular.)
The DS9 story "All Things..." was hailed by many (and deservedly so) as the best story of the past year. "Lines In The Sand" is also pointed out as one of the best post-return VOY stories.
b) what is your average amount of feedback per story? (Throw out extremes to reach a correct mean.)
I'm guessing Seema receives about 10 per story. Though that is probably on the low side--some of Seema's more popular probably get upwards of 50.
c) do you notice significant differences in your feedback for longer versus shorter? Serious versus humorous? More action versus less action? (indicate other types as applicable to you.)
Humorous or poking fun at standard 'types' get more than serious tales (judging by the response to Seema's badfic). And 'conventional' like P/T also probably get more than non-standard pairings.
d) has any story received over 50 letters of feedback (from different people, not 50 letters from the same 10 people for stories of multiple parts published serially)? Any received over 100? Over 200? Why do you think that story was such a success?
I'm guessing that perhaps "All Things" or some of Seema's classic P/T has gotten over 50. "Lines In the Sand". Possibly "The Sweetest Days" is up there as well.
2. Do readers likely associate you with a particular type of story, or with the exceptional handling of a particular character or characters?
I know I associate Seema with wonderful descriptions that really make the setting come alive until it's practically a living, breathing character in its own right. Standard or classic P/T, definitely (along with excellent B'Elanna and Tom as individuals). Good Kira and DS9, yes. And though Seema probably won't agree, she does a very good Chakotay.
3. Have you ever written a story that .....
a) helped 'redeem' or alter (in a positive way) popular perceptions of a character/s? Have you written one that essentially formed a popular perception (postive or negative) of a particular character in a fandom?
W/D in DS9. B'Elanna as a strong yet vulnerable character, without making it a contradiction in terms.
b) created something that became an article of "fanon"? (What was it?)
I'm not sure. If I had to guess, I would assume something in W/D.
c) created an original character that another author asked to borrow for a story? Who?
I don't know.
d) had a story that you thought was copycatted by another author? (Be fair in this; a true copycat involves a high coincidence of similar details, not just a similar basic plot.)
Perhaps one of Seema's P/T stories?
e) helped to create a subgenre within a fandom?
Seema was one of the first W/D writers, right? And definitely one of the few people who can write a believable and plausible C/7. Plus, Seema's inspired a number of people to try their hand at 'second person POV' stories (unfortunately, without her degree of success).
d) had a noted (and publicly referenced) impact on another major/important/significant story?
Without Seema, "Glory Days" would have been a one-shot deal and not a series :-). Seema has also inspired/challenged some of my more memorable efforts, plus there are a lot of other people walking around clutching stories muttering, "Seema made me do it."
f) created an AU universe or round-robin?
"Lines In The Sand" is an amazing AU. Seema certainly helped create the "Glory Days" universe as well as flesh it out. And the Blog Wars counts as a round-robin
4. How well-known do you think you are, outside your own 'niche' of the fandom? Do many people read your stories who are not fans of that particular type of fiction or subgenre?
Seema is very well known in all Trek fandoms (ASC and related that is) as a premiere writer. I think there are a number of people who read her work regardless of what series or genre she writes in. (X-files, Gladiator, ENT). Even before I got to know her, I always thought of Seema as one of the Big Names at ASC and when I first heard from you about one of my stories, I was all 'wow, Seema noticed me!'
5. Regarding awards ....
a) If you've won an award or awards in your fandom, which one (or two) are you most proud of AND think that you earned most fairly? (Friends/fans ... which do you think the author earned the most fairly?)
I think the ASC Best Author was very well-deserved, but I know Seema has issues with it. Aside from that, "All Things" was an exceptional story and it was recognized as such.
b) Have you ever won an award that you think you didn't earn, why do you think you won it, and who do you think should have gotten it instead?
I know Seema has issues with ASC Best Author as well as winning best J/C story. But really, they were both 'honest' and well-deserved.
c) How many have you received, across how many years?
Seema's been in fandom for 5 years? Does 'basketful' count as a number? ;-)
6. What story have you written that you think has received less recognition/attention than -- in your estimation -- it should have? Why do you think that's the case?
Perhaps some of Seema's more 'daring' stories, like the one with Tom and the hologram, or the one in which Tom finally said 'I love you' to B'Elanna. Probably because some readers are uncomfortable with seeing their conventions overturned or played with in any way.
>7. (For the friend/fan only) When you describe this author's work to others, how do you most typically do so? That is, what's distinctive about this person?
I say that Seema is one of the best writers I know of, and very versatile. She doesn't limit herself to just one series or even fandom, but in each case careful attention is paid to characterization. She always makes sure to get the details right. And her descriptions, particularly setting, are absolutely amazing.
I would also say that aside from m.c. moose, Seema has had the most impact on me as a writer and I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for her. In helping me improve my craft, in inspiring me to 'stretch' myself as a writer and try things I might not have on my own, and in helping to fire up my muse.
And she's also a darn good friend.
****
Seema on Seema
1. Given feedback, awards, recommendation lists, archives requests, etc.....
a) what is/are your most popular story/stories? (Not the ones you consider best, but the most popular.)
Hmmm, if I had to look at it today, I think it would have to be the stories in the "Glory Days" universe - "Do the Walls Come Down," "Latitude," and "The Sweetest Days." But I would say that, in terms of FB, "Lines in the Sand" and "Red" are my two most popular stories, mostly because I think I really messed with people's perceptions ;-) and readers felt the need to tell me so ;-).
b) what is your average amount of feedback per story? (Throw out extremes to reach a correct mean.)
I would say between 5 to 10 FBs. I assuming this means on initial posting versus over the longterm - the number is a little higher over the long term. I'd up the figure to 8 to 12 for longterm FB.
c) do you notice significant differences in your feedback for longer versus shorter? Serious versus humorous? More action versus less action? (indicate other types as applicable to you.)
No, not really. But I've never been good at predicting FB. Granted, I think generally short fics get the most FB, but all of my novels have received quite a bit of generous FB.
d) has any story received over 50 letters of feedback (from different people, not 50 letters from the same 10 people for stories of multiple parts published serially)? Any received over 100? Over 200? Why do you think that story was such a success?
"Lines in the Sand" and "A Case of Need" both received quite a bit of FB, whether it's 50 or more I'm not entirely sure, but it's probably pretty darn close. I think 100 or 200 is pushing it a bit ;-).
2. Do readers likely associate you with a particular type of story, or with the exceptional handling of a particular character or characters?
I don't think so. Certain people, like Rocky, are known for the way they write a certain character, but I don't think I'm consistent enough to be known for anything in particular. Except flakiness
3. Have you ever written a story that .....
a) helped 'redeem' or alter (in a positive way) popular perceptions of a character/s? Have you written one that essentially formed a popular perception (postive or negative) of a particular character in a fandom?
I wouldn't say so in VOY, but in DS9, I tried very hard to write Worf as someone else other than the brute, unromantic type that was a very popular stereotype among non-W/D fans. I also tried to write Bashir in a way that was more sympathetic than most W/D fans wrote him - and that's how I met one of my best online friends (who happened to be a J/J fan) as she wrote to me, thanking me for writing Bashir the way I did.
b) created something that became an article of "fanon"? (What was it?)
I don't think so.
c) created an original character that another author asked to borrow for a story? Who?
No, I don't think so here either.
d) had a story that you thought was copycatted by another author? (Be fair in this; a true copycat involves a high coincidence of similar details, not just a similar basic plot.)
Yes, but I think I'll keep the details to myself. Sorry. :-/
e) helped to create a subgenre within a fandom?
W/D, because there were so few authors there - I can remember Ginomo and Parmoo as being the only other authors out there before I showed up. Of course, there were a few others that showed up around the same time as I did - Carrie, Naomi, Jadz14Wor, Ishana Nemera - but after this initial "rush" of authors, there was no more "new blood," so the first (and last) authors to W/D are the ones who formed that subgenre.
d) had a noted (and publicly referenced) impact on another major/important/significant story?
Uh, am I allowed to mention my endless nagging of Rocky for the "Glory Days" universe? These stories, I think, are important to people because they are among the few that tackles life *after* Voyager, but without focusing on romance. Yes, there is quite bit of work done on post-VOY relationships, but with the exception of the P/T relationship, we're focusing on the platonic relationships between the characters and how that stands up to the test of time, when you're not around the same people day in and day out.
f) created an AU universe or round-robin?
"Lines in the Sand" is way AU. Of course, I knew that when I first started writing it in the summer of 2000, and I'm still ::gulp:: working on it. As for round-robin, hmmm... Lori and I are working on one right now (that I really must go add to!) and the results have been... interesting.
4. How well-known do you think you are, outside your own 'niche' of the fandom? Do many people read your stories who are not fans of that particular type of fiction or subgenre?
It's hard for me to say figure this out. In the W/D fandom, I'd say very well-known, among the 2 or 3 readers still left ;-). As for VOY, I'd say not as well known as other writers like Rocky, monkee or Penny. My FB comes from all sorts of fans, from P/Ters and J/Cers and W/Ders, etc, and non-shippers so my guess is that a lot of people do read my fic from a variety of niches, but I'm not necessarily sure that *everything* I write appeals to *everyone* who comes upon my page; it's that flaky problem, I've got, ya know? ;-)
5. Regarding awards ....
a) If you've won an award or awards in your fandom, which one (or two) are you most proud of AND think that you earned most fairly? (Friends/fans ... which do you think the author earned the most fairly?)
I have to be proud of the Best Author Award even though I feel ambivalent about it. Yes, it was fair and even though I was involved in the vote counting process, I know that others were involved as well (including non-awards staff who like to keep track for their own reasons), so I don't feel any discomfort on that. That award says a lot, but I think my favorite Award is from '99, from a contest Cheile ran. You had to get nominated for that contest in order to qualify and someone nominated "In His Own Words," a little Jake story I'd written and it actually won the Luna Award for most distinctive story of that year. So I'm very proud of that one.
b) Have you ever won an award that you think you didn't earn, why do you think you won it, and who do you think should have gotten it instead?
I do feel very strange about winning two of the J/C awards for the ASC Awards because I'm not a J/C writer the same way as monkee, Rocky and Penny are and it just feels weird to have that recognition for something I don't really pay attention to and don't care about as passionately as they do. In a way, it does feel as though I'm robbing the others of a distinction that they so richly deserve. So any of those three named, they richly deserve to have placed in the J/C Awards category.
c) How many have you received, across how many years?
Hmmm, would you believe that I don't know? I have to go count. I didn't start to keep track until the last couple years, and I know there are a few that I never mentioned at all (though at one time, I did have a webpage devoted to awards, but it went toes-up during a server move).
6. What story have you written that you think has received less recognition/attention than -- in your estimation -- it should have? Why do you think that's the case?
One of my favorite stories I've written is "A Delicate Affair." I think it's probably the story *no one* in fandom liked. Seriously. Maybe it's because no one wants to see P/T come undone so ambigiously, and there are no happy endings in that story. In DS9, the reaction to "Surfacing" was really disappointing because I absolutely fell in love with this story while writing it and the lack of reaction - positive or negative - was just really disappointing to me.
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