bcfan is a relatively new, but very strong voice in the XF Fanfic world. She's already won several Spooky Awards and continues to garner accolades. You can find her stories here: http://www.geocities.com/bcfanfic/.

 

When did you start writing XF fanfic? How did you start?

The X-Files series had ended and I'd read loads of great fanfic, but
it never occurred to me that I might be able to write anything myself.
Then I got a silly little idea, which a group of us wrote up (online
and unbeta'd) at the Haven Fanfic folder. No one threw brickbats, so
I tried a small challenge on my own. Like Alice, once I took that
headfirst plunge there was no going back to an unaware reality.

What else do you write?

I scribbled little stories as a child and penned dozens
of angst-ridden teenage poems, that I now wish I'd kept for their
unintentional ridiculousness. I haven't written any other fiction as
an adult. Reading and writing fanfiction is my playtime now.

Do you have a writing process?

The phrase 'writing process' sounds more formal that what actually
occurs. I bump into story ideas all the time and write them down on any
handy piece of paper, which end up in a confused pile on my desk. For
about seventy percent, I have no idea later what I meant by the cryptic
scribbled phrase. *g* From the rest, only one or two at any given time
are useable.

With longer stories, I've often written the ending first. Even if I
change it later, doing this helps me stay on the path, so to speak, to
where I want the story to go. Thinking of a good title and reading an
appropriate poem are also real motivators when completing a story.


You were awarded a number of Spooky Awards and won 1st place as
outstanding new author. Do you feel like these accolades have inspired
you or do you think this has put more pressure on you as a fanfic
writer?

They were encouraging, which was wonderful, but I have been feeling
more pressure when writing. This is probably a natural progression over time.
I've certainly gone from having no experience and zero expectations to
becoming more aware and self-critical, which I try to balance with a mantra
stolen from Paul Reps: notfunbetterleftundone.

Do you think being a non-American gives you a different perspective when writing X-Files Fanfic?

While it's true that Canadian and U.S. citizens have differing
cultural perspectives in many areas, X-Files fanfiction writers share
a common passion. So yes. And no. Which reminds me of a joke: "Why
did the Canadian cross the road?" "To get to the middle." The
answer is there, somewhere.

Which of your own stories is your favourite story and why?

My first reaction is to say that my favourite story will always be
whichever one I'm working on, because the excitement of bringing an
idea to fruition, no matter how inept, is what sparks my interest. If
I have to choose, however, there are three that spring to mind.
Whose Work Has Come to Nothing was my first serious and lengthy (in
terms of process) story writing effort. None So Blind was my first casefile,
and I learned an enormous amount from my beta. And although I only
wrote a small portion of Jabberwocky, it was so much fun to be part of
our collaborative group.

Do you have any upcoming stories or projects to look out for?

I'm working with two other authors on a collaborative venture that
will hopefully be finished by summer. Otherwise, there's this story
buzzing round my brain which won't go away, so I'll either have to
buckle down and write it or kill the idea.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell readers out there?

I wouldn't have written anything without the supportive and welcoming
X-Files community. Thanks to all who've read my stories, sent
feedback, and provided a nurturing environment for authors.

I'd also like to particularly thank two long-suffering souls who have been kind
enough to beta for me. Redwyne's encouragement launched me on this fanfic
journey, and I will be forever grateful; MaybeAmanda's continued
patience, instruction, and wry humour have kept me sane and focused
during the writing process.