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Fanfiction: A Year in Review (2022)
Fanfiction I wrote this year (2022)
January
at the dark end of the street [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 6,826 words
February, March, April, May
in the agony of parting [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 27,037 words
May
the spot where I am mortal [Forever Knight, Nick/Natalie] - 8,573 words
June
desires and weakness [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 8,845 words
July
this heat got right out of hand [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 3,580 words
October
the heart repairs itself [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 6,330 words
November
should I swallow all your lies? [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] 11,500 words
December
you’ll come apart at my touch [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 5,660 words
Total stories: 8 stories in two fandoms, 78,351 words written
My favourite story this year: “this heat has got right out of hand” I don’t know what it is about this story, but I really, really enjoy it. For the most part I wrote this story overnight when I couldn’t sleep. Writing snippets of stories after randomly waking up at night is not unusual. What is, is continuing that same night until a pretty decent first draft materializes. The premise of a heat wave is relatively simple (and one of my favorite tropes) and the love scene itself doesn’t require all these acrobatics. It’s got a quiet and lazy encounter between Michael and Nikita in the middle of the night. I always enjoy revisiting this story.
My best story this year: “should I swallow all your lies?” I honestly don’t think this story has any business being as good (in my opinion) as it is. This story originated with a prompt and a challenge. I haven’t written for a challenge, formal or informal, since my Forever Knight days. They were always so nerve wracking that I ended up not doing them anymore. However, in such a small fandom like LFN that really doesn’t see new stories, I couldn’t turn down the offer because I was excited at the possibility of another writer participating as well. The prompt included the word undercover and I was instantly worried. That pretty much means Mission fic. I never expected to write a mission. It was so outside my wheelhouse, as were the other prompt words. But, at the end of the day miraculously something really interesting began to take shape. This story could have gone so wrong, but I’m incredibly pleased with how it turned out. I do feel like it’s one of the strongest stories I’ve ever written. I also think the angry love scene was pretty good.
My most popular story: ”in the agony of parting” has the most hits, kudos and bookmarks. This is hands down the story that I feel brought out everyone who’s still lurking in the fandom. I had such a wonderful response to it. My LFN stories from 2021 were all very well received but the response to this one was on a whole other level. It was very, very humbling. I didn’t want to let anyone down because I was posting monthly as a WIP. I’ve been asked for a sequel. I’ve written a couple of hundred words for it but I’m still now sure what the story itself would be for it.
Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion: “you’ll come apart at my touch” It’s more of a PWP story and it’s not tied to a particular episode either. People liked it and responded well to it. It just doesn’t have as many hits as the other stories. That's really the only metric I'm using to ascertain whether it was under appreciated. Perhaps if my summary was better, it would lure more people in.
Most fun story to write: “at the dark end of the street". Trying to come up with the various ways that Michael and Nikita can sneak some time together was fun to contemplate.
Most sexy story: This is always a tough one. "should I swallow all your lies?" has shades of the fuck or die element to it and Nikita is so justifiably angry at Michael during this time. I really love his seduction of her. She is fighting it every step of the way. Every bit of progress that Michael makes is earned. Nikita does want Michael and she hates that she desires him as much as she does. It makes their encounter volatile on both ends and for Michael, he knows that he’s further sinking into love with someone he cannot have. "you’ll come apart at my touch" is Michael and Nikita coming back to each other after running separate missions for such a long time. The added playful element of Nikita’s sheer bra and panty set and then the thigh high boots that Michael insists she keep wearing was fun for them.
Saddest story? “In the agony of parting” So this story follows through on the promise of Nikita getting out of Section once and for all. The timing is horrible. She’s free just as she and Michael have the opportunity to explore a relationship together. Freedom is what Nikita has always wanted and there’s no way that Michael can tell her not to go. So she does. Nikita leaves and begins to build a life away from the horrors of Section and eventually begins a good and solid relationship with someone. Michael, at Section, has to debate whether to allow himself glimpses of Nikita’s new life or live in ignorance. Yes, there’s an overarching sadness to this story but it also promises the possibility of a life together once Michael and Nikita cross paths once more.
Story with single sexiest moment: So many to choose from but I’ll go with “the heart repairs itself” when Michael takes Nikita to a secluded corner of the temporary Section location and kisses her. I love the idea of them stealing some time together inside Section. We eventually see something similar during the teaser to the season 3 finale, but there was a lot of restraint during that encounter. This moment was based on something that was actually scripted but later removed and never filmed. Michael and Nikita are not together yet but I easily envision this very brief moment being rather passionate. Oh, what could have been.
Story with single sweetest moment? Michael has remerged in Nikita’s life much to her suspicion during in the agony of parting. He’s taken to randomly showing up at the bookstore she co-manages to sit there and read a book. A huge winter storm is barreling towards the city and Nikita is alone with Michael until she decides to close. Nikita has a full pot of coffee that she’s likely going to throw it out so she decides to offer some to Michael. There’s a flashback moment during this in which Nikita recalls the last time she and Michael had coffee together. It was right after she’d been told that she had to marry Helmut Volker and she leaves Section to be alone with her thoughts. Eventually she calls Michael and they end up in a coffee shop sitting next to each other and holding hands. They're drawing strength from each other. It’s a sad moment but I love that Michael is there to give Nikita the support she needs and in the way she needs it. She wants him physically there and he gives her that. His presence has always given her comfort. So now here she is alone with Michael in a bookstore. Despite all her worries, she remembers that Michael’s presence is something she’s always cherished. This moment is also the breakthrough she needs to start being more receptive to Michael's appearances.
Hardest story to write: “should I swallow all your lies?” No one made me write Mission fic but when one of the prompt words is ‘undercover’ yeah, it’s pretty much begging for mission fic. I ended up stealing from Casino Royale and doing a poker tournament for the undercover mission. However, rather than being just eye candy as the mission profile required, Nikita is one of the players as well. Once I figured that part out, it was a lot easier. Doing the volatile sex scene between Michael and Nikita posed its own set of challenges, but the mission component was my main concern.
Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: Michael’s contemplation of keeping it casual with Nikita in “the heart repairs itself”. Relationships do happen in Section One. It’s against the rule, but they happen. The key is to not get emotionally attached. Michael thinking that he and Nikita could be casual would be a lot easier for everyone. It had come up several times in the past, but Michael knows that he is not built that way. His feelings for Nikita are more than casual and when Nikita declares that during the episode Beyond the Pale, her opinion on the matter is clear as well.
Biggest disappointment: There’s really nothing. Aside from two months, I had a new fic every month.
Story I don't like: No candidates here. There are elements in all my stories that I like and am very proud of.
Biggest surprise: I actually managed to write a story with a strong mission component and with angry sex as well.
Things to work on in 2023: I feel like there are certain phrases that pop up in my stories again and again. While editing I try to catch them all and find alternatives. But they consistently appear in all my stories at least once. It’s a pattern that I really want to get away from.
Fic projects I definitely want to get finished this year: I’ve had stories that I’ve been working on since 2020. I’d like to see them posted.
Best/worst title?
the spot where I am mortal
This story was in my drafts for fifteen years! I saw this title in a quote and instantly wanted to incorporate it into my Forever Knight story. Every single attempt felt badly shoe horned. Flash forward to 2022 and the working title of the story never felt right to me either. It suddenly dawned on me, make the quote the title of the story.
in the agony of parting
I like the title, but I always get it confused with my LFN story “i am made of longing” from 2021.
Best /worst summary?
This will be his last sunset here. Tomorrow he leaves…alone. . This was from my lone Forever Knight fic "The spot where I am mortal". I like this one because for a reader it brings up the question of "Why is Nick leaving?"
Secluded hallways are the best for making out; the ghost of Simone must be addressed. This was for "the heart repairs itself"
Separately these two halves work, especially the first half. But squashed together, they’re awkward. I just didn’t want to be misleading about the actual fic. It wasn't all making out and the issue of Simone resurfacing was a major concern in the back half of the story.
Best first line?
“I’m not looking for company.” Nikita’s line to Michael in "should I swallow all your lies?" She was not happy to see him.
Best last line?
As long as Section dictates the course of their lives, dreams and distorted reality are all they will likely ever have.
Michael’s thoughts at the end of "should I swallow all your lies?" after he and Nikita made love and she's stormed off to get dressed. Section sees Michael and Nikita’s believability as a couple in love as an asset. That will always be exploited, but once the mission comes to end, they are not allowed the privilege or a relationship.
January
at the dark end of the street [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 6,826 words
February, March, April, May
in the agony of parting [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 27,037 words
May
the spot where I am mortal [Forever Knight, Nick/Natalie] - 8,573 words
June
desires and weakness [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 8,845 words
July
this heat got right out of hand [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 3,580 words
October
the heart repairs itself [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 6,330 words
November
should I swallow all your lies? [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] 11,500 words
December
you’ll come apart at my touch [La Femme Nikita, Michael/Nikita] - 5,660 words
Total stories: 8 stories in two fandoms, 78,351 words written
My favourite story this year: “this heat has got right out of hand” I don’t know what it is about this story, but I really, really enjoy it. For the most part I wrote this story overnight when I couldn’t sleep. Writing snippets of stories after randomly waking up at night is not unusual. What is, is continuing that same night until a pretty decent first draft materializes. The premise of a heat wave is relatively simple (and one of my favorite tropes) and the love scene itself doesn’t require all these acrobatics. It’s got a quiet and lazy encounter between Michael and Nikita in the middle of the night. I always enjoy revisiting this story.
My best story this year: “should I swallow all your lies?” I honestly don’t think this story has any business being as good (in my opinion) as it is. This story originated with a prompt and a challenge. I haven’t written for a challenge, formal or informal, since my Forever Knight days. They were always so nerve wracking that I ended up not doing them anymore. However, in such a small fandom like LFN that really doesn’t see new stories, I couldn’t turn down the offer because I was excited at the possibility of another writer participating as well. The prompt included the word undercover and I was instantly worried. That pretty much means Mission fic. I never expected to write a mission. It was so outside my wheelhouse, as were the other prompt words. But, at the end of the day miraculously something really interesting began to take shape. This story could have gone so wrong, but I’m incredibly pleased with how it turned out. I do feel like it’s one of the strongest stories I’ve ever written. I also think the angry love scene was pretty good.
My most popular story: ”in the agony of parting” has the most hits, kudos and bookmarks. This is hands down the story that I feel brought out everyone who’s still lurking in the fandom. I had such a wonderful response to it. My LFN stories from 2021 were all very well received but the response to this one was on a whole other level. It was very, very humbling. I didn’t want to let anyone down because I was posting monthly as a WIP. I’ve been asked for a sequel. I’ve written a couple of hundred words for it but I’m still now sure what the story itself would be for it.
Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion: “you’ll come apart at my touch” It’s more of a PWP story and it’s not tied to a particular episode either. People liked it and responded well to it. It just doesn’t have as many hits as the other stories. That's really the only metric I'm using to ascertain whether it was under appreciated. Perhaps if my summary was better, it would lure more people in.
Most fun story to write: “at the dark end of the street". Trying to come up with the various ways that Michael and Nikita can sneak some time together was fun to contemplate.
Most sexy story: This is always a tough one. "should I swallow all your lies?" has shades of the fuck or die element to it and Nikita is so justifiably angry at Michael during this time. I really love his seduction of her. She is fighting it every step of the way. Every bit of progress that Michael makes is earned. Nikita does want Michael and she hates that she desires him as much as she does. It makes their encounter volatile on both ends and for Michael, he knows that he’s further sinking into love with someone he cannot have. "you’ll come apart at my touch" is Michael and Nikita coming back to each other after running separate missions for such a long time. The added playful element of Nikita’s sheer bra and panty set and then the thigh high boots that Michael insists she keep wearing was fun for them.
Saddest story? “In the agony of parting” So this story follows through on the promise of Nikita getting out of Section once and for all. The timing is horrible. She’s free just as she and Michael have the opportunity to explore a relationship together. Freedom is what Nikita has always wanted and there’s no way that Michael can tell her not to go. So she does. Nikita leaves and begins to build a life away from the horrors of Section and eventually begins a good and solid relationship with someone. Michael, at Section, has to debate whether to allow himself glimpses of Nikita’s new life or live in ignorance. Yes, there’s an overarching sadness to this story but it also promises the possibility of a life together once Michael and Nikita cross paths once more.
Story with single sexiest moment: So many to choose from but I’ll go with “the heart repairs itself” when Michael takes Nikita to a secluded corner of the temporary Section location and kisses her. I love the idea of them stealing some time together inside Section. We eventually see something similar during the teaser to the season 3 finale, but there was a lot of restraint during that encounter. This moment was based on something that was actually scripted but later removed and never filmed. Michael and Nikita are not together yet but I easily envision this very brief moment being rather passionate. Oh, what could have been.
Story with single sweetest moment? Michael has remerged in Nikita’s life much to her suspicion during in the agony of parting. He’s taken to randomly showing up at the bookstore she co-manages to sit there and read a book. A huge winter storm is barreling towards the city and Nikita is alone with Michael until she decides to close. Nikita has a full pot of coffee that she’s likely going to throw it out so she decides to offer some to Michael. There’s a flashback moment during this in which Nikita recalls the last time she and Michael had coffee together. It was right after she’d been told that she had to marry Helmut Volker and she leaves Section to be alone with her thoughts. Eventually she calls Michael and they end up in a coffee shop sitting next to each other and holding hands. They're drawing strength from each other. It’s a sad moment but I love that Michael is there to give Nikita the support she needs and in the way she needs it. She wants him physically there and he gives her that. His presence has always given her comfort. So now here she is alone with Michael in a bookstore. Despite all her worries, she remembers that Michael’s presence is something she’s always cherished. This moment is also the breakthrough she needs to start being more receptive to Michael's appearances.
Hardest story to write: “should I swallow all your lies?” No one made me write Mission fic but when one of the prompt words is ‘undercover’ yeah, it’s pretty much begging for mission fic. I ended up stealing from Casino Royale and doing a poker tournament for the undercover mission. However, rather than being just eye candy as the mission profile required, Nikita is one of the players as well. Once I figured that part out, it was a lot easier. Doing the volatile sex scene between Michael and Nikita posed its own set of challenges, but the mission component was my main concern.
Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: Michael’s contemplation of keeping it casual with Nikita in “the heart repairs itself”. Relationships do happen in Section One. It’s against the rule, but they happen. The key is to not get emotionally attached. Michael thinking that he and Nikita could be casual would be a lot easier for everyone. It had come up several times in the past, but Michael knows that he is not built that way. His feelings for Nikita are more than casual and when Nikita declares that during the episode Beyond the Pale, her opinion on the matter is clear as well.
Biggest disappointment: There’s really nothing. Aside from two months, I had a new fic every month.
Story I don't like: No candidates here. There are elements in all my stories that I like and am very proud of.
Biggest surprise: I actually managed to write a story with a strong mission component and with angry sex as well.
Things to work on in 2023: I feel like there are certain phrases that pop up in my stories again and again. While editing I try to catch them all and find alternatives. But they consistently appear in all my stories at least once. It’s a pattern that I really want to get away from.
Fic projects I definitely want to get finished this year: I’ve had stories that I’ve been working on since 2020. I’d like to see them posted.
Best/worst title?
the spot where I am mortal
This story was in my drafts for fifteen years! I saw this title in a quote and instantly wanted to incorporate it into my Forever Knight story. Every single attempt felt badly shoe horned. Flash forward to 2022 and the working title of the story never felt right to me either. It suddenly dawned on me, make the quote the title of the story.
in the agony of parting
I like the title, but I always get it confused with my LFN story “i am made of longing” from 2021.
Best /worst summary?
This will be his last sunset here. Tomorrow he leaves…alone. . This was from my lone Forever Knight fic "The spot where I am mortal". I like this one because for a reader it brings up the question of "Why is Nick leaving?"
Secluded hallways are the best for making out; the ghost of Simone must be addressed. This was for "the heart repairs itself"
Separately these two halves work, especially the first half. But squashed together, they’re awkward. I just didn’t want to be misleading about the actual fic. It wasn't all making out and the issue of Simone resurfacing was a major concern in the back half of the story.
Best first line?
“I’m not looking for company.” Nikita’s line to Michael in "should I swallow all your lies?" She was not happy to see him.
Best last line?
As long as Section dictates the course of their lives, dreams and distorted reality are all they will likely ever have.
Michael’s thoughts at the end of "should I swallow all your lies?" after he and Nikita made love and she's stormed off to get dressed. Section sees Michael and Nikita’s believability as a couple in love as an asset. That will always be exploited, but once the mission comes to end, they are not allowed the privilege or a relationship.