How’s it hanging? My pen name is Artichokie, and I have been writing for much longer than I’ve kept track. I mainly stick to the realm of Harry Potter, but I have been known to stray into the original fiction arena (view my FictionPress profile). I do not write as much as I used to due to time constraints and lack of plot bunnies, but I’m trying to force my way back into the melee. I do enjoy hearing from people who’ve read my stories—negative or positive criticism is always welcome—so don’t be shy. I don’t bite. Promise!

As for my reading habit, let’s just say that I’m overly picky. I am a self-proclaimed Grammar Nazi. I can handle a few mistakes, but when it’s repetitive, it usually will take me out of a story. I do have a soft spot for Marauder-era stories as well was Founders. Don’t ask me why. I will read Hogwarts-era and beyond, but not all too frequently. I like suggestions, so if you know of a good story, drop me a line.

As you can clearly see, I mainly stick to one-shots. I have the attention span of a goldfish, so my mind can never stay focused on a single plot for very long. It is my goal to finish at least one full-length fan fiction before I turn twenty-five, though, so keep your fingers crossed!

And, for your view pleasure, here is some background information/updates on my current “works-in-progress”:

A Change in Plans: (as of 01/02/2011)This story has been the bane of my existence for a few years. It totally goes against what I normally write; it’s out of my comfort zone. However, I can’t just let this plot go. It’s very cliché, but it’s meant to be fun. The first chapter—the prologue, if you will—is up and posted. The first chapter I have started writing, believe it or not. In fact, I started writing it not too long after I posted the prologue. It’s just taken me a few years to bring up the urge to write it again. As it goes. It will be broken up in parts and will feature poetry written by yours truly. I have nearly 2,000 words written, but it’s only about halfway done. It is completely plotted out, as is the third chapter. The second chapter is giving me grief. I’ll struggle through it. Look for updates soon!

Ruthless Reflections: (as of 01/02/2011)This story was once regarded as my baby. It is now regarded as dead. I love my initial idea, and I had a lot of fun crafting it, but the more I think about it the more I feel it is better suited for an original plotline. So, I think I’m going to take it there. The beginning chapters (or the prologue, as it’s actually dubbed in my word processor) are based off the ghost story titled “Bloody Mary” and the song “Breathe No More” by Evanescence. The prologue went through a complete revamping prior to me posting the current version. Meaning, I rewrote it and wrote Lily out. Believe it or not, Lily is involved in this story like I listed in the characters. She’s just not meant to be in the prologue. This version is far darker than the previous version, and a bit scarier, if I do say so myself. The main character is also completely psychotic, but that’s not the point. Don’t expect any other updates on this one unless it’s regarding an original story version.

The Black Smile: (as of 01/02/2011) This story was previously titled Droplets of Desire, and I intended it to tell a year in the life of young Emmeline Vance. For those of you who do not know, Emmeline Vance is a minor character in the Harry Potter series. She was murdered in the summer of 1996, and she’s such an insignificant character that Severus mentions her death in passing at the beginning of the Half-Blood Prince. Minor characters allow you so much freedom, though. I started writing this during my first transitions into original fiction, so that kind of explains my fascination with her. That, and I like the name Emmeline. Anyway, once I wrote the “prologue” (meaning, what you see posted here), I had no desire to continue it. I like it how it was, with the current ending and all. So, I never expanded on it. It went through a title-change and a rewrite—I think I completely rewrote two of the five parts—to become the current version it is now. I’m thinking about changing the title yet again because I hate it, so I’ll probably take it down here shortly.