Aaaarrrrgggghhh! What's WRONG With Me?

[rusty_armour]

In case anyone's wondering, this isn't about my emotionally manipulative friend. No, this is something that is entirely my doing. Even though I keep telling everyone that I've retired from writing fic, I've gone and donated a Sherlock story to the qldfloodauction. Is it hormones? An excuse to put off working on my original fiction project? Well, it's too late now whatever it is! *g*

While we're sort of on the subject of Sherlock Holmes, I've started watching the Douglas Wilmer episodes from the 1964-65 BBC series. Although I'd heard good things about Wilmer's Holmes, I had my doubts. Those were quickly dispelled when I watched the pilot produced for "The Speckled Band". I was pleasantly surprised by how faithful the episode was to the original story. I would also argue the production values are quite high and the characters have been well cast. With each passing episode, I've admired Douglas Wilmer's performance more and more. It also doesn't hurt that he bears some resemblance to Basil Rathbone and just seems right for the part. I think Douglas Wilmer has now become my fifth favourite Sherlock Holmes. Sorry, Christopher Plummer. First you get bumped down to fifth place because of Benedict Cumberbatch and now you're being bumped down to sixth because of Douglas Wilmer. I should be ashamed of myself for not being more patriotic, not to mention being unable to stick to certain goals, such as retiring from fic writing!

Comments

[grondfic.livejournal.com]

'Tis Fate! Give in - go on writing the fics.

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

hehe, it's in your blood Rusty! course u want to write fic!

[lazigyrl.livejournal.com]

*snickers* You have more nerve than me. Maybe you should just give in. :)

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I think you are facing two issues here. First, you are procrastinating on your original fiction project. Second, you really enjoy (and are good at) writing fan fic. Maybe this is where you really should focus your energy. It's not a bad thing. Just look at all the Star Trek books that were written by fans and got official backing.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

No, I can't! I can't! My dream is to get published some day. It might take twenty years, but it's not going to happen at all if I don't start working on original material. I know that a lot of people do both, but I'm just not that disciplined. Fic is my comfort zone and it's fun, so I know it will keep distracting me. That's why I was supposed to give it up entirely. *Sigh* Well, no one has bid on the story yet, so it may not happen at all. I will bid money myself if that happens, unless one of my own bids comes through.

I've already slipped twice already, so I doubt I'll stop writing fic altogether. However, I definitely have to limit the amount I write and save it for special occasions, like birthdays and charity auctions. Or, in the case of my Maurice parody, the aftermath of taking cold medication. *g*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Herne help me, but it is. I've been writing fic on and off since I was 14. That's more than half my life. Yes, it's in my blood. To quote Gisburne, "You'll never defeat it because it's part of you." However, fight it I must. As I said to grondfic, occasional lapses for special situations (such as charity auctions) might be acceptable, but I should be focusing on original fiction the rest of the time.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Back away, foul temptress! No, I have to retire from fic writing -- except for situations like this when I slip and donate a story to a charity auction. *g*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right about using this as an excuse to procrastinate. And, yes, I really do enjoy writing fanfic. However, as I explained to grondfic, I'm hoping to get published some day. It might take twenty years, but it might be an obtainable goal if I focus on original fiction. That isn't to say that writing things like Star Trek books is bad because I've read a number of them. In fact, the project I'm supposed to be working on is rather genre, which is why I have doubts about it ever getting published. Nevertheless, I'm hoping it will get me into the habit of working with original characters and help me make the transition from fanfic.

I think part of the reason I've been procrastinating is that I didn't have time to do any research last week and now I'm hormonal so using my brain seems like a terrible prospect. You know what I've been doing this week? Catching up on shows and watching DVDs. I haven't even found reading fic that appealing, which really says something. *g* Anywaaaaaay, despite this latest slip, I will get back on track. I know this because I'm a Taurus and I'm extremely stubborn. ;-)

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

It's great that you found another Sherlock Holmes series. Actually, I'd never heard of that one, but then you're the authority. :)

About the fic writing... I'm not sure why you think it's such a bad idea to write fanfics. Though I can't write at all at the moment, I don't plan on giving up fanfic writing, at least not any time soon. I'll give original fiction priority, but I see fanfic writing (or reading) as a fun break from other, more 'serious' activities. Of course I realize that the timing might not be too great for you, but in general, I don't see fanfic writing doing any harm.

On the other hand, I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to the successful completion of your original fiction project. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

It's great that you found another Sherlock Holmes series. Actually, I'd never heard of that one, but then you're the authority. :)

I'd heard about the Douglas Wilmer episodes years ago, but didn't have an opportunity to see them until now. Actually, at $24.99 Cdn, the DVD was quite reasonable. It doesn't have any special features, but there are 12 of the original 14 episodes in the set. The missing two are just that -- missing.

It's not the best quality, but you can actually watch the first two episodes on YouTube. Here's the link for the first part of "The Speckled Band".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzfp4Uch9WM

BTW, I did see Douglas Wilmer portray Sherlock Holmes in Gene Wilder's The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother. He was quite funny in the part, especially when he and Watson (Thorley Walters) end up dressing up as women. *g*



About the fic writing... I'm not sure why you think it's such a bad idea to write fanfics. Though I can't write at all at the moment, I don't plan on giving up fanfic writing, at least not any time soon. I'll give original fiction priority, but I see fanfic writing (or reading) as a fun break from other, more 'serious' activities. Of course I realize that the timing might not be too great for you, but in general, I don't see fanfic writing doing any harm.

On the other hand, I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to the successful completion of your original fiction project. :)

The only reason it's a bad idea is because I'm too comfortable doing it and it serves as a terrible distraction. I seem to be one of these people who can only throw themselves into one project at a time -- and I know I'm not disciplined enough to stick with original fiction if I I've got any fic on the backburner. I'd agree with you about fic being a fun break except that many of the stories I start writing end up being these rather long and complicated affairs. The last time I offered a minimum 1,500 word story at a charity auction, the fic ended up being about 10,000 words and at least three or four months of work. *g*

Just so we're clear, I don't think writing fic is beneath me or anyone else. However, it's my dream to get published some day and that's not going to happen if I don't get into the habit of writing original fiction. No, for my own good, I have to put fanfic aside -- when I'm not having occasional slips like this one. ;-)

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) I've seen the Gene Wilder movie, ages ago, but I don't remember much of it, except that it was funny.

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I'm sure many people are pleased that you come out of fanfic retirement sometimes, though it is important that you write your original fiction. Being of a genre may make it easier to have your book published.

It must be exciting to discover a "new" Sherlock Holmes. I'm glad you're enjoying the series.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm sure many people are pleased that you come out of fanfic retirement sometimes, though it is important that you write your original fiction.

That's a very sweet thing to say. Thanks, karen9. :-)

Being of a genre may make it easier to have your book published.

That's true. I guess it would be a matter of finding a publisher that has published similar books or has an interest in the genre in general. To be honest, I'm not sure what genre I'm dealing with. In terms of fiction, I guess it would be horror because of the paranormal aspects.

It must be exciting to discover a "new" Sherlock Holmes. I'm glad you're enjoying the series.

Yes, it is quite exciting, especially when it's a good production. I'm enjoying the series very much. Even when they add new elements, they usually enhance the original stories.

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Not a Taurus. I think that makes us opposites. I'm a Scorpio.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid it's true -- in terms of both the star sign and compatability (at least from what I can recall). However, we seem to get along really well, so, obviously, it can't be that big an issue. In fact, I have a few other friends who are Scorpios and the same is true. Maybe this rule only applies in the romance department. *g*

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I suspect we have other compatible signs in our charts that counteract the sun signs.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

That's probably what it is. :-)