dripping_cherry

Or do prompts we find difficult to work with somehow push us to produce better writing than those we get all excited about? It seems to always work that way for me. The fics I've dreaded having to write the most, namely Abandoned Destinies, Let the Dead Lie, and Sweets on Fire have turned out to be the most recc'ed. The last two are also my personal favorites.

All three of those have one thing in common: they began as fest assignments that made me go, "Why did I sign up for this?" As I started to write, though, they slowly grew on me. And when they were finished, I was able to say, "Wow, this is actually decent."

And then there are those prompts that I go all gaga over, like this year's Smoochfest (finally submitted it last night). I turn the prompt over and over in my head and think it's going to be so much fun to write and so good when it's done. But all that ever makes it into the page is crap, and I end up wanting to delete my LJ and hide in a corner somewhere because people will be hitting the back button in less time than it takes to say badfic.

Anyone else have this problem?

Harry and Draco are snogging in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, surrounded by empty candy wrappers.

Enter Hermione.

Hermione: Has anyone seen a muse? Bella's lost hers.

Harry: Check the nearest Muggle computer. He's probably watching Merlin or reading fanfic that doesn't mention Draco and me.

Draco: And if you find the fickle bastard, do tell him to get back to work. Bella's got speedpr0nz and Smoochfest to write.

The new tagging system is coming along slowly and painfully, but it should be completed soon. Should you choose to read anything not listed in the masterlist, do so at your own risk; it's either old and terribly written or on indefinite hiatus.

Aside from fest fics, I'm currently working on a complete rewrite of one of my favorite fics. It was a great idea, but I know I can do it much better now ;) I'm not sure what to work on after that's finished, though (and it won't take long). I'm stuck between writing new stuff, or going back and editing and continuing one of my old WIPs. I won't link you to them because they're not in the new tagging system yet, and at least one of them would be almost completely rewritten, but here's a short description of the fics I'm talking about.

1. Sex and Snow in Switzerland Harry/Draco. Post-Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys and Draco go on a ski trip. During a game of Never Have I Ever, Draco reveals that he is still a virgin. Harry gets excited. They have sex, but then Harry regrets it. (Yes, there will be a happy ending).

2. An H/D University of Magic fic that now doesn't have the title, because the old one wouldn't fit the new plot. It would be complaint through DH, but AU from there. Harry and friends are invited to attend a Universtity of Magic. Upon his arrival, Harry finds out he has to share a dorm room with Draco. This would be a novel-length, plotty fic with angst and smex and a happy ending.

[Poll #1544704]