July 5th, 2014 – January 1st, 2020
5 years, 5 months, 20 days.
In July 2014, roughly around the 5th I believe, I began writing this fanfiction. I had just started watching Tiny Toon Adventures again, and I was entranced by the quiet but friendly romance between Hamton and Fifi. From there, the idea was born and the story began.
Within a year, I finished the first draft, ending with approximately 40 chapters. Over that last few years, I worked on editing and perfecting the story, along with the help of a friendly reader and very helpful friend. In my ambition to be an author, I thought of this as a good exercise to both build my style AND write on a topic I enjoyed: Hamton's and Fifi's often unspoken relationship in Tiny Toon Adventures. It wasn't given a lot of time or notice, but what moments they did get really stuck out as sweet.
All in all, I think this story was a success. It gave me the chance to work on comedy writing as well as a story about keeping a deadline — all too ironic as I promised myself to finish the story on New Year's Day this year.
I really, really enjoyed writing this story and am deeply appreciative towards those who commented on it. It may not seem like much, but comments mean a great deal to someone who is often unsure of his own skills and future. A simple "good job" means the world to a writer like me, because it means I managed to create something that someone enjoyed reading. I know I still have a lot to learn and experience as a writer, but I will write on with confidence and keep doing what I love.
I want to express my thanks to artists Joaoppereiraus and BoscoloAndrea from DeviantArt whom I commissioned fanart of this story. Hopefully, I'll be able to ask for a few more commissions in the future and give this story a little more notice.
And most of all, I want to thank my friend and editor, Redtop1995. He came to me one day, offering to edit my chapters. Never having someone edit my work before, I chose to give it a shot, and it was a good decision. He found details and errors I kept skipping over, and even contributed sentence ideas that helped make the passages more interesting to read. He showed me how an editor, a person with a fresh perspective, can make a HUGE difference.
Though we've never met, I am happy to have been introduced to someone who shares a liking of Tiny Toons and good stories. I am very grateful for the help he's given me.
"The Christmas Gift" has come to an end, but my writer's journey continues. I will keep writing until I become an author from which I plan to work full-time one day. Perhaps I'll write another fanfiction later down the road, too.
Until then, I hope you all keep reading, creating, and enjoying stories on this excellent website. To someone like me, there are few things in the world that satisfy like a good story.
Take care and stay creative!
-Mr. Page (Scholar57)