I have had an account with FanFiction.net for sometime now, but have just decided to attempt to write a piece of fan fiction based upon True Blood and the SVM novels of Charlaine Harris. I am a fan of both and not one of the fanatics who are either "bookies" or "truebies". I think they can "just all get along." I am also not Team Bill, Team Eric, Team Alcide or any other team. Again, all are yummy in their own lovely ways and I wouldn't turn down an encounter with any of them.

As I said, this is my first fiction writing effort. Maybe it was because I wasn't allowed to take piano lessons as a kid, I don't know, but I have decided that it is time to flex whatever creative muscles I might have. I chose fan fiction for this effort because it is kind of like writing with training wheels. Now don't get mad, but let's be honest: you don't have to come up with original characters and settings. You can start exercising your creativity without having to do all that pesky background stuff. There are some TERRIFIC fan fiction writers out there and I have spent some lovely hours reading their work. I often wonder if they write professionally. Check my profile and you will see some of my favorites.

Some other things about me:

-I am probably older than your average FF writer with a couple of grown children. I am doing this for my personal pleasure and to stave off brain rot in my "golden years."

-I have degrees in English and history and hope to keep my writing literate. You'll help me if I fail in that won't you?

-I will make every effort to finish this and any other story that I write in a timely fashion.

-I learned in my professional life that we learn to appreciate things in three stages: first as consumer, next as critic and finally as producer. I am an avid reader with a wide range of tastes in literature, so I am well versed in the consumer/critic stages. Consider this effort as the producer stage and a check-off item on my personal "bucket list."

-Fan fiction writers only get better when they get regular, specific, constructive feedback on their writing. Just telling me you like or don't like something will not help me get better. Please tell me specifically why you like or dislike my writing. For that I will thank you very much.

-Finally, I do NOT own the SVM characters. They belong totally to Charlaine Harris who has graciously allowed them to be interpreted by Allan Ball and HBO. They have simply become good friends of mine and I like to see them play in between the books and TV shows.

UPDATE 5/6/2011

I found I could not think of a way to continue Heart Dreams as a multi-chapter story with any degree of originality. If I can think of a way to do this with the various dreams that Sookie experiences in the early SVM books, I may try to publish a series of stories centering around individual dreams. My current story Who Do You Want It to Be? takes up several months after Dead Reckoning and begins what may be a multi-chapter work related to the possibilities that DR opens up for Sookie. I hate to beg, but please try to review the work of FF authors. It is very disheartening to have several hundred hits on a story that you have written and get only 2 reviews. Try to say something even if it is critical. Try to make your criticisms constructive because writin' is often like birthin'...painful. Your reviews make the pain and effort worthwhile.

UPDATE 3/19/2012

FF.net seems to be having issues. I have uploaded Chapter 21 of Who Do You Want it to Be and FF.net has not sent any e-mail notifications. I don't know if any will be sent to my readers who have also 'alerted' my profile, but here's hoping. This has just about convinced me to start publishing through my wordpress.com account. I will keep you posted about that. Take care and happy reading...if you gt a chance.