Snowflake Challenge Days 9 & 10

[gracerene]

Challenge #9: In your own space, promote at least one canon that you adore (old, new, forever fandom).

I really debated going with Harry Potter on this one, as it feels so obvious, but it really is my forever fandom. And the entire reason I got into this fandom, was because of the books. They are certainly not perfect (and neither is their author) but they really are wonderfully crafted, beautifully inspiring, immensely captivating, and just all-around magical. One thing I've noticed in a lot of more recent fics and fans is what feels like a like of knowledge, understanding, and/or respect for canon, and while I can absolutely understand how and why we might want to push back against some aspects (lack of POC representation, the retconning and extra canon stuff, etc) it does sort of baffle me how people can immerse themselves in a fandom without really knowing or enjoying the rich canon tapestry we've been given with HP. When I read fic, I want to recognize the characters and the setting and the magic that made me fall in love with the series, and I never fail to geek out when it's clear that authors share that knowledge and love of canon through the little references and details in their fics. I'm actually planning on doing a low-key re-read of the series later this year with the idea of reading one book a month. I did this a couple of years ago and I figured its time for a refresh, as it's always super interesting rereading the books now with all of my experiences reading and writing fanfiction.

Challenge #10: In your own space, talk About A Creator/Someone Who Inspired You.

There are SO many amazing creators who have inspired me over the years, and I was struggling to think of how to possibly narrow it down. But then I thought about the realization I've come to over the past few years that one thing that I find particularly inspiring is when I beta. I'm blessed to be friends with a number of amazing people who, beyond being wonderful humans, are also insanely talented. Getting to work with them on their ideas is so much fun, and seeing their passion for their stories reminds me why I love fandom and writing so much myself. Part of the reason why these friendships formed in the first place is because we tend to share similar headcanons or enjoy the same kinds of themes/stories/content, which makes the process extra enjoyable. I think I'm a fairly decent alpha/beta, and it also gives me the warm fuzzies to be able to provide feedback to help bring their visions to life. Many of the people below I beta'd for multiple times throughout the year, and all but one of them had a fic in hd_erised. So while I was betaing for them for that fest (and proofing and doing other Erised modly duties) I was also writing my  Advent Fic which is the second longest fic I ever wrote. And part of that was possible because I was so excited and inspired by the content I was betaing. 

Thank you so much to the lovely, wonderful, talented: dracospungen, firethesound, icarusinflight,kedavranox,nerdherderette,shiftylinguini,thistle_verse, &writcraft for allowing me the pleasure of betaing your fics in 2019 and for inspiring me! 

♥

Comments

[muccamukk]

Going back to canon after you've been reading fic for ages is always so interesting. It's such a mix of "Oh that's where that came from!" and "That's really not actually a thing, wow."

[gracerene]

Yes, absolutely! I remember finding it super interesting last time around and I'm curious to see what it's like for round 2!

[spikedluv]

I love that you are inspired by the people for whom you beta!

[gracerene]

Haha, me too! :D

[keyflight790]

I am looking forward to doing a re-read as well! I definitely read them with more intention now, trying to find those bits that connect all the characters, and not just falling into the trap of 'Lupin gave Harry chocolate, he must love it!' without reminding myself that Lupin didn't even EAT THE CHOCOLATE hahaha.

Also you are an incredible beta, I learned so much and felt like my fic was beautifully scrubbed when you betaed it for erised!

[gracerene]

Haha, yes, exactly! Between movie/extended canon and reading fanfic, it's amazing the little details that I "remember" as being book canon that aren't actually there....

And thank you, lovely! <3

[malenkayacherepakha]

I tend to reread Harry Potter at least every couple of years (when I was younger I reread them during every summer holiday) but I haven't been back for a reread since I got into fandom, so I'm very interested to see how my reading experience is different now!

Being inspired by the people you beta for is really lovely. It's so true that seeing other people's amazing work and chatting to them about writing etc can be so so inspiring - nothing gets my brain going more than chatting about fic with other people.

[gracerene]

Yes, same! I used to reread the books every summer when I was younger, and now I try and do it every couple of yeas. I totally thought it had only been a few years since the last time, but turns out it's been 5... O_O So I'm definitely overdue for a reread!

[paulamcg]

Thank you for sharing this!

I’ve just been wondering why it is that I want to write HP fic and nothing else. (Of course, it’s partly because I’m addicted to my own fic and enjoy the challenge of not contradicting what I’ve written earlier, but…) Originally it is because of the books … not perfect … but … wonderfully crafted, beautifully inspiring, immensely captivating, and just all-around magical.

(Because of what I’ve said in the parentheses above, I can’t and) I don’t take HBP and DH into consideration when I write my fic, but I agree with you that knowing and respecting the canon on which I work is essential. And I, too, want to recognise the characters and their world in the fic I read, while I also appreciate all extrapolation (new spells, magical places and creatures and OCs). You just made me remember that I did reread all the HP novels a month or two before I surprised myself by getting back to writing fic. I’m checking in my writing journal: yes, I spent all December 2018 on them.

And oh, I admire betas so much, and it’s wonderful to hear how much a beta can be inspired, too. You’ve made me think about how I miss discussing another writer’s WiP also acting as a beta.

[gracerene]

Yes to all of this! And I have absolutely read and enjoyed AUs that have veered away from later books, etc. but I still look for a general love and respect for the canon source that they *are* using and keeping the characters and world that I fell in love with. <3

[writcraft]

This is such a lovely post and I'm so happy to share a forever fandom with you, I loved reading your thoughts on HP and I'm excited to do a re-read later in the year and chat about the books with you.

Thank you for all the work you put into beta reading too, you're a marvel! Particularly when I drop my fics on you VERY late in the day <3

[gracerene]

Yes, same!! ♥

[icarusinflight]

omg what meeee??

ty ty I cannot believe I would be on this list you inspire me!!!

[gracerene]

♥