By this August I'll have been writing fanfiction for seven years now. A co-worker gave me a URL to a Harry Potter fanfic and that's what got me reading fanfics and then writing shortly thereafter.

A few things about my stories: I work on one story at a time and they're always finished with a chapter update every week or two, depending on the story type and average chapter size. They employ traditional writing conventions and plot structure, three acts and that kind of thing. The plots used are generally original material and not on a frequent or recurring theme.(Like Marriage Laws) They rarely employ melodrama or fluff - They always have a plot twist in the end and I do my best to deliver a message. (hey, I accept the risk that these things may be the kiss of death in the world of fanfic readers. :) )

In my non-fantasy life, I'm an engineer in the private sector and when I write these stories that often gives me 14 to 16 hour days between working and writing. (you can feel sorry for me here or bird me on this, I don't care which)

I have an interest in Post-Hogwarts stories and most likely all my tales will be of that time frame. There's a lot of time between the final battle and that little Hallmark card scene at Platform 9 3/4, nineteen years later. So... don't expect to find another fourth year Hogwarts story here. And strict Canon will give way to Fanon as the characters are pushed forward a couple of years past the battle of Hogwarts. Expect the characters to be more adult-like now. And don't be shocked to find they may have changed a little. (Like Hermione using magic to straighten her hair) However, the basic foundation of the original characters should never change. Themes will be adult in nature and most of my stories will carry an M rating for that reason.

The 'Auror series' will expand on the magical world beyond the U.K. and Harry may travel abroad to bring fugitives to justice. When this happens, it's hard to keep Ron and Hermione in every scene. Sorry - it's just logistics. So excited to hear Rowling is writing a screenplay for a wizarding tale beginning in New York. In the 'Twelve Gates' Harry goes to New York, so I'm eagerly awaiting Rowling's installment.

Finally started - in earnest - to revamp Twelve Gates. Nothing will really change. The original meaning will remain the same - just clarification and improvement in the writing. A few chapters that were taken out long ago will be re-inserted. 27.9.17

More on my writing and gripes in general on:

Description of Works:

'The Reunion, A Harry Potter FanFiction Parody' A short fun story that pokes fun at the entire Harry Potter universe. Not intended to offend. :)

'Say you Love Me' Okay, I had to do this: A James Bond story. Months ago, overcome with curiosity, I just had to see what it would feel like to start a James Bond story. It was an almost childish indulgence. :) Not really sure where this is going, but it's a bitch to write.

After looking at other spy novels and re-reading some of the originals, I realized something was left out of my story. The Villain or villainous group of criminals are introduced early in the story. This produces suspense and tension. It was missing in my story because I hadn't thought it all through when I began. Typical fanfiction disease! Look for another chapter to be added soon!

A/N: Changed Starling's gun from the Glock 17 to the Glock 19. After recently seeing a 17 and a 19 together, I figured the smaller 19 would be the most natural and easy to conceal and carry. Generally women have less room in their garments to conceal anyway, and knowing the way my girl dresses emphasized that point. :)

'Under The Mistletoe' is my effort at a Dramione Christmas one-shot. It borrows from other Dramiones I've written and packs a wallop I think. Just awful fun to write.

'And Wake Me With The Morning Light' is a loose sequel to 'Tunnel to Azkaban'. I say loose because the pair, especially Hermione, will be more true to the original characters and they'll have all the troubles you'd expect a young couple to have. No more fancy dinners at the Savoy or rendezvous' in Paris. The first chapter is out and inserted as a preview at the end of 'Tunnel to Azkaban'. The story will be published in chapter installments, soon after the preview.

'Harry Potter and the Wizards of Malta' is the second in the 'Auror' series. Although received rather mildly, it's my favorite effort to date. Stylistically, this story is a little different than Twelve Gates. The writing is a bit melancholy as the mood is inspired from the great 'Hard-boiled' writers like Hammett and Chandler. The main OC (and there are many OCs in this story) is the beautiful Penny Penthane. She is a female lead in a big-time Muggle rock band. Although the numbers on the story were lighter than expected, the ratio of favorites to visits is higher than my previous works.

'The Long Tunnel to Azkaban' was my second effort. I would have never thought a Dramione was in the cards for me, but hey, anything is possible I guess. There was an attempt to write the novella in a three act structure and it was an absolute blast to write. The story is novella length at about 40k words. So many people just love paring these two and a followup story is definitely possible. Actually working on the third chapter right now - not sure when I'll begin to trickle out the chapters.

'Harry Potter and the Twelve Gates' was my first attempt and is the first book in the 'Auror' series. The story begins a month after the battle of Hogwarts ends the war. Harry is looking forward to a nice summer and reunion with Ginny. Unfortunately not all of the effects of the war are over and his summer plans are not completely realized. Harry joins the Ministry as an Auror and begins another adventure. The OC is Sandy Sparkelyn who is a secretary to the Minister and also a trained but not practicing Auror.

Have been thinking lately, that I'll put back in a chapter or two that was originally taken out to shorten the story. And while I'm at it, I just may address the whole story from a writing perspective. Also, when this happens the chapter by chapter outline of comments will be removed for the time-being. (Am working on this now 27.9.17)

There is another followup story in the Auror series in the back of my mind. Like Twelve Gates, the name came to me first. Is this an Omen? Just not sure when I'll get around to writing that.

Pairings:

Parings: I've written two Harry/OC fics with a little Harry/Ginny thrown in the first one for good measure. Have written a Draco/Hermione now and that's lots of fun. Don't have a strong predilection for any particular pairing and could give a hoot less as long as it makes the story work. However, and that being said, don't put a beer in my hand and remind me how the movie producers almost paired up Harry/Hermione.

Canon:

Canon: I do have a strong feeling about keeping the writing close to or springing from canon. Even if the story ends up out of canon and OOC, if it starts from canon it just seems more believable. (IMHO) The epilogue of 19 years later gives us a lot of leeway with post-Hogwarts stories. So the characters in my stories will be making the most of all this spare time by misbehaving.

On how much fanfiction I read:

I do read more FF these days and have found a number of good ideas while reading FF. I also try to balance this with much reading of published works and the classics. Writing FF for me is really an exercise.

On Getting Reviews: Some authors delete guest reviews, but I have no objection with those and consider them just like any other review. If the review if fair, then I'll approve it and let it go. Same way I feel about member reviews, but without the ability to delete if I think it's unfair. Going forward, I plan to use a guest review to answer or leave rebuttal to reviews that I want to answer. That way, the authors comments are there for all of those that read reviews, and I can delete them later if no longer appropriate.

I try to take the good along with the bad and generally won't respond unless it's interesting or unfair. I don't mind reviews that go like: "I read your story/chapter and didn't like because of... blah, blah, blah". If it's opinionated criticism - fine - tell me and I'll listen. If it's unfair or the reviewer has got their facts wrong, then I may leave an answer. Of course, praising reviews are always welcome. :)

On Leaving Reviews:

I know I need to give more reviews - all writers do and I'll try to do much better in the future. I mean - how I can fuss at others for not reviewing mine. And, I never leave a damning or flaming review for anyone's story - ever. If it's over some point that might embarrass the author, then I'll PM or leave you a guest review.

And while on the subject of reviews, here's an illuminating little clip:

GIL
Can I ask you the biggest favor in the world?
- No I can't.

HEMINGWAY
What is it?

GIL
Would you read it?

HEMINGWAY
Your novel?

GIL
It’s only about four hundred pages if you could just give me your opinion.

HEMINGWAY
My opinion is that I hate it.

GIL
I mean - you haven't even read it!

HEMINGWAY
If it’s bad I’ll hate it because I hate bad writing and if it’s good I’ll be envious and hate it all the more. You don’t want
the opinion of another writer.

Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris

Memorable Movie Quotes:

Harry: I've been doing a lot of thinking, and the thing is, I love you.

Sally: What?

Harry: I love you.

Sally: How do you expect me to respond to this?

Harry: How about you love me, too?

Sally: How about "I'm leaving"?

Harry: Doesn't what I said mean anything to you?

Sally: I'm sorry, Harry. I know it's New Year's Eve. I know you're feeling lonely, but

you just can't show up here, tell me you love me and expect that to make everything all

right. It doesn't work this way.

Harry: Well, how does it work?

Sally: I don't know, but not this way.

Harry: Then how about this way? I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I

love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a

little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that

after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes, and I love

that you are the last person I wanna talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not

because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight

because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody you want

the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

Sally: You see? That is just like you, Harry. You say things like that and you make it

impossible for me to hate you. And I hate you, Harry. I really hate you. I hate you.

...When Harry met Sally