gothikmaus: (Simon Gallup is my hero)
A post I saw on Tumblr today made me realise I've been in fandom for 25 years. TWENTY. FIVE. YEARS. More than half of my life. I don't remember the exact date, but it all started in spring of the year 2000. I know because I read my very first slash fanfic in the university computer lab while I was searching for Cure stuff. Bloodflowers had just come out and I was obsessed with The Cure, and while I was browsing fansites looking for photos, I stumbled upon one that hosted fanfiction. And my life changed forever.

It's something I've already written about, but if I hadn't clicked on that link, a lot would be different in my life. And it's not just the fact that I started writing fanfiction and went back to drawing: fandom was behind some pretty important things I did, like moving to Berlin, or attending a summer workshop at UCLA. Maybe I would still have found fandom one way or another, but things would be different. I wouldn't have got into the same fandoms at the same time I did, I wouldn't have met the same people, wouldn't have made the same choices. It's the butterfly effect.

Anyway, I got a little nostalgic thinking about what a huge impact fandom, and especially fanfiction, had (and still has) on my life. Sometimes I think there must be something wrong with me, because "normal people" don't spend their time making up more or less elaborate scenarios about their favourite characters over and over. But I really couldn't imagine my life without fandom. And even if one day I stop writing and drawing, fandom will always be a big part of me, a part that helped me through some really tough times, so I'll always be grateful to it and to that fateful day in the uni computer lab.
gothikmaus: (CSI - Greg Sanders)
Challenge #15

In your own space, opine on the future of fandom. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


Snowflake Challenge promotional banner with image of three snowmen and two robins with snowflakes. Text: Snowflake Challenge January 1-31.


I have no idea how fandom will be in the future, but I'm pretty sure it will always exist: it will simply evolve. I first started reading fanfiction and interacting with other fans on the now defunct Yahoo!Groups (actually, I think it was an earlier archive that later merged with Yahoo!Groups); my first website was hosted on Geocities; most of the websites I used to check every day are now dead. But fandom still exists; it just changed.

As for the immediate future of the fandoms I'm active in, I really hope the comeback of Eric Szmanda as Greg Sanders in CSI: Vegas will inspire some of the good old Nick/Greg shippers, because I desperately need some new content. 2023 is also the year of Good Omens Season 2: I really don't know what to expect, but the fandom has been bursting with anticipation for months now. I'm not sure if the second season of Our Flag Means Death is coming out this year too, but that's also going to be interesting.

So, all in all, my immediate fandom future is going to be quite busy!
gothikmaus: (CSI - Greg Sanders)
Challenge #3

In your own space, Scream Into the Void. Get it all out. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


Snowflake Challenge promotional banner with image of three snowmen and two robins with snowflakes. Text: Snowflake Challenge January 1-31.


I'm going to whine a little today. Don't get me wrong: CSI has literally kept me sane during a very tough time and I'm extremely happy I discovered Nick/Greg fanfiction, I haven't been this productive in years. But, man, is it difficult being in a semi-dead fandom. New fics are very rare, and every time I post something on AO3, I typically get just a handful of kudos and maybe one comment. I'm so used to receiving minimal feedback that every time I get mote than that, or when I receive AO3 notifications, my smile is so big my face hurts afterwards. I'm grateful to each person who uses some of their time to read my stories, but I really miss fandom interaction. Maybe I'm just biased: I still remember the fun I used to have in some LJ communities years ago and I've been trying to find something similar, but I guess things are just too different now (nostalgic Millenial? Who, me?)

Anyway. Just before writing this entry I checked the Nick/Greg tag on AO3, just to prove my point and, lo and behold, someone posted a new podfic and a new fic! There might still be hope after all.
gothikmaus: (David Tennant 2019)
Snowflake Challenge promotional banner with image of ice crystals formed on a dead flower on a bright blue background. Text: Snowflake Challenge January 1-31.


Challenge # 13

In your own space, share a favorite memory about fandom: the first time you got into fandom, the last time a fanwork touched your heart, wild times with fellow fans (whether on-line or off-line), a lovely comment you’ve received or have left for someone. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


Oh, man, I could write a novel about this. I couldn't possibly choose just one favourite memory, but I'll limit myself to three.

In no particular order:

1) That time I was in Los Angeles for a summer workshop and Scott Caan was in a theatre play at the same time. I went to see it twice, it was in a tiny theatre in Burbank, and after the show the whole cast would just come out and chat with the audience. I got a picture with him and even a hug! I also met some other fans (I was very much into Hawaii 5-0 at the time) and I remember on one of the two nights I was talking to this other fan and she asked me "Are you in fandom?", which I found hilarious. I also got to chat with some other actors who were in the audience (Lauren German and Val Lauren) and saw Antonio Banderas! My inner 15-year-old was SCREAMING.

2) Watching "Fright Night" in a cinema in Boston with [livejournal.com profile] schwimmerin and squeeing over David Tennant together. ♥

3) Having two fanart pieces of mine in a Good Omens fanzine. I had never been asked to be part of a fanzine before, and at first I wasn't really sure I could pull it off, but it was humour-themed, which was actually perfect for me. So perfect that I ended up submitting two pieces.

And I could go on and on and on, I have so many wonderful memories from different fandoms. ♥
gothikmaus: (CSI - Nick/Greg)
So, I'm finally, finally all caught up with the CSI episodes. And I must admit I got a little teary-eyed at the end of "The End Game". I mean, first the pictures in Nick's locker:

ExpandRead more... )

Then this. With that song playing in the background.

ExpandRead more... )

I never thought I'd get so invested in this series when I started watching the reruns last summer as a way to "switch off" my brain after the hell I was going through at work. But I'm so glad I did.
gothikmaus: (Default)
Did I need a new fandom? Hell, no. But I've been watching the umpteenth reruns of CSI pretty much every evening in the last few months, as a way of switching off my brain after work, and last week I had a sudden craving for some Greg/Nick (or is it Nick/Greg? Not really sure.) I don't think I'll ever contribute actively to the fandom (if a fandom even still exists, after so many years), and I doubt my interest in it will last long, but I'm enjoying reading some fanfics. I'll be forever grateful to the people behind AO3, it's a real godsend.

I'll also avoid thinking too much about how I tend to dive headfirst into fandom when I'm stressed or depressed (or both). It's a recurring coping mechanism by now, I shouldn't be too surprised. I just didn't expect to develop an interest in that specific fandom. Oh, well. Whatever works.
gothikmaus: (Japan)
Ugh, I haven't updated in ages. Let's see, September was the usual chaos at work, with the added madness of some brand new rules that effectively stopped us from using some of our recurrent vendors and made it quite complicated to find new ones in the busiest time of the year. Fun.

On the fandom front, I drew something for Snektember, but didn't push myself too much, I knew from the start I would only be able to draw a few prompts. I also realised that some of the coloured pencils I've had for YEARS are actually watercolour pencils, so I decided to experiment a bit.

And today I went back to working on a fic I started last spring. It's almost finished anyway, I just need to write the end, but for some reason I just abandoned it and focused on drawing instead. Hopefully I'll be able to post it soon, maybe with an illustration? We'll see.

I should write more, but at the moment I just want to go to bed and read.
gothikmaus: (Simon Gallup is my hero)


Challenge #2

In your own space, talk about your fannish history. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


This is quite appropriate, as just yesterday I realised that in 2020 it will be 20 years (TWENTY YEARS) since I discovered fanfiction. *DRAMATIC GASP*

It all started in the spring of the year 2000, I had just fallen head over heels in love with The Cure and was reading all I could about them online. One day I stumbled on a fan website on Geocities that had slash stories. I had no idea what fanfiction or slash was, but I started reading... And I never stopped. Shortly afterwards I started writing my own stories (which were awful, of course) and joined a Yahoo group, where I met other fans who enjoyed writing stories about our favourite band getting "friendly" with each other. At the same time I tried drawing a portrait of Simon, the bass player, and realised that, damn, I can actually draw if I make a bit of an effort!

After that I was in quite a few fandoms (see my previous Snowflake Challenge post for a list of the main ones), sometimes just for a few months, sometimes for years. Sometimes I only read fics and looked and fanart, sometimes I wrote and drew and made friends with people I'm still in contact with, even if we live in different countries (or different continents!).

I've said it before and I'll say it again: fandom changed my life. Not only it made me discover a whole world full of extremely talented people who often create true masterpieces; it also made me realise I could write (in a language that's not even my native one) and draw, and while I'm perfectly aware I'll never be Shakespeare or Michelangelo, it's something I enjoy and that I never thought I could do before.

So yeah, that's pretty much my fannish history. So far. :)
gothikmaus: (Jigen)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge banner 2018


Day 4

In your own space, create a fannish wishlist. No limits on size or type of fanwork; just tell us what you’d like to see. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. And if you grant a wish, do the same thing!



This is a tough one. In general I'm always looking for well-written fics with recognisable characters (as in, not too OOC), a good dose of angst and a happy ending, no matter the fandom. Right now my main ship is Mystrade (BBC Sherlock), so I'd like to see more of the above with those two as main characters. And fanart. Allll the fanart.

And while we're talking about fanart, I'd like more Jigen (from Lupin III) fanart. And maybe fanfic: Jigen/Lupin, Jigen/Goemon, Jigen going on his own adventures. More Jigen, full stop. XD
gothikmaus: (Jigen)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge banner 2018


Day 3

In your own space, post recs for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


It took me a while, as I haven't been active in any fandom in the last few months and I couldn't think of anything at first, but then I went searching among links and bookmarks and folders, and of course I found too many things. I wanted to choose different formats and different fandoms and I'm sure I could go on searching the whole night and still find gems I'd like to share, but I need to go to sleep, so here are my three fanworks du jour.

The Shortest Distance Between Two Points by Ameonna and Melospiza
A Mystrade fanfic set in the Harry Potter universe. I hadn't read anything Potter-related for ages, but when I found this fanfic, I knew I had to read it.

Experiments are Fun fanart by Sash-Kash
One of the first pieces of Sherlock fanart I found just after Series 1, it's still one of my favourites (and makes me laugh every time).

Daisuke Jigen from Lupin III fanart by ffSade
Jigen is one of my favourite manga characters and I simply love this fanart.
gothikmaus: (Die beste Band der Welt)
2017 ended with a "rediscovery" of fanfiction and 2018 started with a fantastic concert by the ever brilliant Madame Sadowsky. Plus, I took today off work, so I consider the last few days a success.

And because I'm looking for an excuse to be a little more active in fandom this year, I'll have a go at the Snowflake Challenge. Day 1 and 2 together, I don't want to be spammy.


Fandom Snowflake Challenge banner 2018


Day 1

In your own space, talk about why you're participating in Snowflake and, if you’ve participated in the past, how the challenge has affected you. What drew you to it? What did you take away from it? What do you hope to accomplish this year? Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


I've never participated before, but I think it's a good way to "reconnect" with fandom. I've been quite busy in the second half of 2017 and never seemed to find time for fandom, but hopefully things will change now that I've settled and found a new rhythm. We'll see.

EDIT: Well, apparently I did participate in the challenge in the past, thanks DW's autocomplete tag feature for reminding me. It was back in 2012 and I only managed 3 days, let's see if I can do a little better this time.

Day 2

In your own space, share a favorite memory about fandom: the first time you got into fandom, the last time a fanwork touched your heart, crazy times with fellow fans (whether on-line or off-line), a lovely comment you’ve received or have left for someone. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


I have a lot of wonderful memories about different fandoms. The silliness I shared with my fellow Ärzte fans are still among my favourites, also because I met some of them in person and we're still in contact after years. One of my favourites, and also very appropriate for the time of the year, is going to an open-air concert in Cologne on New Year's Eve, 4 people, 4 different nationalities, sitting in front of the gates from about 10 AM, getting to the front row, each one of us getting a drumstick and even ending up in the local newspaper the next day. I had a huge, idiot grin plastered on my face for days afterwards and just remembering this is enough to make me grin like a manic, no matter how many years have passed.
gothikmaus: (Die beste Band der Welt)
Aww yiss, I love days off in the middle of the week.

I wanted to write this yesterday, but I received a last-minute invite to dinner + '80s night, so I didn't have time: the other night I dreamt Die Ärzte were playing in my hometown. The venue was tiny, I was standing in the front row and it was GLORIOUS. I think my subconsciuos is trying to tell me something. XD

And while we're talking about fandoms, I realised the following about 2016:

- new Sherlock
- new Star Trek
- new Harry Potter (sort of)
- Cure concert

Plus:
- a potential trip to Berlin (not confirmed yet)
- a potential trip overseas (business+pleasure, not confirmed yet)

I'm gonna die! XD
gothikmaus: (Ginger alert!)
I'm currently working on [personal profile] polarforscherin's Xmas card and I'm having so much fun! If everything works out, this year's cards will be a bit different, I hope people will like them.

I should go back to drawing more often. And writing too. Once I'm done with the Xmas cards, I should ask for prompts or look for ideas on Tumblr or LJ comms. I actually got an idea for a Mystrade fic, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to write it, it's... I think the right word for it is filthy. I haven't written anything explicit in ages and then, out of the blue, I get this idea. Oh, well, we'll see.
gothikmaus: (Hawaii Five-O)
I haven't seen the latest H50 episode yet (hopefully that will change as soon as my internet connection starts working decently again), so I can't say anything about it. But I saw a few comments that made me stop and think. I'm going to post this here in my journal and not in a community because I'm afraid it'd stir up a wankfest of epic proportions.

ExpandRead the rest )
gothikmaus: (Xmas)
I wanted to draw some Christmas fanart but I've been terribly busy and not really inspired. I'm working on something right now, but it's not Christmas related, so I'll post it when it's done, maybe on Boxing Day.

But I do have some Christmassy fanart! The card I sent to [livejournal.com profile] schwimmerin, it arrived on the other side of the Atlantic safe and sound and before the 25th!

ExpandFarin wishes everyone a very rock'n'roll Xmas! )


And here's our new Christmas decoration, an adorable owl family we got at the arts and crafts fair a couple of weeks ago (the silver snowflake was not included):

ExpandHoot! )


MERRY CHRISTMAS!
gothikmaus: (H50 - Steve/Danno)
So, I gave in and signed up for Valentine Day's Fest at [livejournal.com profile] h5oartvalentine. I don't think anyone is surprised, right?

I wanted to wait until I saw an inspiring prompt or until I could come up with an idea of my own, but now I know exaclty what I want to draw. I just hope I can make something decent out of this little idea... :)

Here, have a banner!



And [livejournal.com profile] five0bang goes live tomorrow! \o/ It's the first time I've taken part in a bigbang fest and I had SO much fun, I can't wait to read all the fics and see all the fanart!
gothikmaus: (*pout*)
Sherlock 2x01 is taking forever to download, I'll never be able to watch it tonight at this rate. LIFE IS NOT FAIR. D:


Day 2

In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Drop a link to your post in the comments. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom and maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.



1) "Telephone" (Sherlock fanvid)

I can't for the life of me remember where I found this video, I thought it was in the [livejournal.com profile] sherlockbbc LJ comm, but I can't track down the entry. Anyway, I watched it so many times last year, it's brilliant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcLW6LR8bFU

2) Steve/Danny fanart (NOT SAFE FOR WORK)
I love everything about this drawing: the style, the hotness, the intensity. I could stare at it for hours.

http://stevedannoslash.livejournal.com/208710.html

3) Bang, Bang (Hawaii Five-0 fanart tumblr account)
I love this artist's style.

http://inabafromj.tumblr.com

I have been trying to think of fics to rec, but I usually end up reading stories that have already been recced by someone else and are quite well-known. So I decided to go for unusual pairings.

4) 'Ekahi, 'Elua, 'Ekolu (Steve/Danny/Catherine)
I love Catherine in the show and I love her in this, she knows Steve so well and can clearly see what's going on between him and Danny even if those two seem to be completely oblivious.

http://archiveofourown.org/works/197808

5) Wild Honey (Steve/Danny het)
Genderswap where Danny is a woman but still so Danny you barely notice the difference.

http://archiveofourown.org/works/154450

6) Some kind of Freaky Friday (Steve/Danny het)
Genderswap where Steve is turned into a woman. I love the dynamics between the two and the fact that Steve is still very much himself even as a woman.

http://delicatale.livejournal.com/45740.html
gothikmaus: (Japan)
Happy New Year, flist! For the first time in years I didn't celebrate last night. I was supposed to go to a friend's place, but at the last moment it seemed it was only going to be me, my friend V and her boyfriend (the "party" as at their place) and maybe D and her boyfriend. And you know what? I did not want to start the new year surrounded by happy couples being lovey-dovey. So I stayed home.

Anyway. I'll try to give the "Fandom Snowflake Challenge" a go. For the first day I chose four different fandoms and three different kinds of fanworks: fanfiction, fanart and webcomics. I think what "defines" me as a creator is that I like doing a little bit of everything: writing, drawing, making up silly comic strips.

Day 1

In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you have created. It can be your favorite fanworks that you've created, or fanworks you feel no one ever saw, or fanworks you say would define you as a creator. Drop a link to your post in the comments.


1) To friendship - The art of living together (Aka the never-ending Richy/Igor saga)
This is a series I wrote between 2008 and 2009. The fandom is so small and obscure I'm not even sure you can call it a fandom at all: it's based on a German film from the '80s, "Richy Guitar". It's a kitschy, funny little film, definitely not a masterpiece, and people only remember it because the main characters were played by Farin and Bela from Die Ärzte, a rock band that has become one of the most popular acts in Germany. I'm a big fan of the band and I love the '80s, so of course I watched the film. And since I already wrote RPS about them, writing fics about their film versions was the next step.

To friendship: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
The art of living together: #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8

2) Zu viel Alkohol Backstage (A Bela B. y Los Helmstedt webcomic)
A webcomic I drew between 2007 and 2010. It's dedicated to Bela B. y Los Helmstedt, the solo project of Bela B, drummer of Die Ärzte. It all started with a single sketch that I sent to one of the musicians on MySpace. He liked it, showed it to everyone else and I officially became "The cartoon girl".

www.doitcomics.net/loshelmstedt

3) All I ever wanted - All I ever needed (Hawaii Five-0 fanfiction)
Two Hawaii Five-0 ficlets, the former from Steve's PoV and the latter from Danny's. This is pretty much my headcanon.

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed

BONUS
4)"Don't be shy, John" (Sherlock/John fanart)

Because today is Sherlock Day! \o/

"Don't be shy, John"
gothikmaus: (Sherlock/John snow)
The end (of the year) is nigh, so have two fannish end-of-year memes.

ExpandFANART OVERVIEW 2011 )

ExpandEND OF YEAR FANDOM MEME )

Meme!

Nov. 23rd, 2011 05:05 pm
gothikmaus: (Default)
I should be working. Let's play instead!

1. Think of up to 20 ships you support.
2. List them using descriptions of the characters involved rather than their names.
3. Have your audience guess as many of the ships as they can.
4. Fandom hints will be given if asked in the comments.


1) A badass Navy SEAL with daddy issues and his perfectly coiffed partner = Steve/Danny, Hawaii Five-0
2) A bored detective and his long-suffering flatmate = Sherlock/John, Sherlock
3) A tattooed drummer and a vegetarian guitarist = Bela/Farin, Die Ärzte
4) An angsty vampire and his favourite reporter = Mick/Beth, Moonlight
5) An angel and a yellow-eyed demon = Aziraphale/Crowley, Good Omens
6) A tattooed drummer and a milk-loving guitarist = Richy/Igor, Richy Guitar
7) An angsty halfblood wizard and his childhood BFF = Snape/Lily, Harry Potter
8) A brooding gunslinger and a samurai
9) An android and his evil twin
10) A horny thief and a brooding gunslinger
11) An angsty halfblood wizard and an affectionate werewolf = Snape/Lupin, Harry Potter
12) A big-haired singer and his punky bassist
13) A badass Navy SEAL with daddy issues and his smart sort-of-girlfriend = Steve/Catherine, Hawaii Five-0
14) A smart high school student and her best friend's brother

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