18/10/16 I'm still here! I'm so sorry for the long delay in updating 'Tracylimpics' and 'Nothing Lasts Forever'. Life has been so busy lately that I just haven't been able to focus on writing. I'm definitely committed to finishing these stories, though, and I'm hoping to have some time to work on them next week. Thanks to everyone who's sticking with me. See you all soon. Bee

Loopstagirl made me a fab icon!

I discovered FF a couple of years ago when I was stuck at home - bored and totally fed up after an operation. I spent the next few weeks reading obsessively, revisiting old favourites in the TV section mainly, but dipping into lots of other sections as well. By the time I had to go back to work I was hooked - not just on the stories, but on the idea of writing again. I hadn't done anything for years, though I've always day-dreamed and made up stories in my head. But to actually get them down on paper - or computer... that really was a challenge.

Why Thunderbirds? It was one of those old favourite TV shows I dipped into just to see what was there - and I never got back out again! As well as the conventional rescue stories which I was expecting, there turned out to be this whole new world to explore. All the background to the family was new to me and it was totally fascinating. Plus there were all the quirky, unconventional and alternate universe stories which didn't conform to the tradition of the show. I didn't expect to enjoy them, but I did. And then I started getting ideas for stories...

I think putting up my first chapter was one of the most terrifying things I've ever done. Actually reading the reviews which followed would probably have to be the most scary, though! I'm so grateful to everyone who supported and encouraged me. Now I can't stop writing.

So what have I learned about writing and posting?

1 If you're in the middle of a step class and you get a good idea for a story, under no circumstances should you stop paying attention to the instructor and start trying to plot it out in your head - you will go wrong, feel stupid and people will laugh at you (including the instructor who is supposed to be your friend!)!

2 Come to terms with the fact that good reviews will leave you grinning like an idiot all day, causing people to look at you strangely.

3 Cats and laptops don't mix - especially when the cat is desperate for attention because he thinks you've spent too long typing!

4 When you've been struggling with an idea for ages, then you finally work it out and you're desperate to get it written down before you lose it again... that's when the cat will suddenly decide to start wailing for attention.

By the way, I know my favourite stories and authors list is looking a bit thin - when I've got a bit of time I'm going to go back through the stories I enjoyed first time round and put them all in. Looking forward to that - I still love reading just as much as writing. Just a pity real life has to get in the way of doing both sometimes...

Bee

Stories in chronological order:

Dark Before the Dawn

There May be Trouble Ahead

A High Price to Pay

Out of the Darkness

Rebel, Rebel

Picking up the Pieces

Bad News Bear

Upstaged

Revelations

A Little R&R

Canvas Interruptus

Incognito

Worst Case Scenario

Tracylimpics

Perfect Cousin

Most Wanted

Broken

Typically Tracy (set just before the epilogue of 'Broken' but not part of that story)

For Better, For Worse...

Nothing Lasts Forever