PFL

Fan
Name:	PFL
Alias(es):	msmoat, Adela Kingsbury, Beth Hillemann
Type:	fanwriter
Fandoms:	The Professionals, Starsky & Hutch, I Spy, Quantum Leap, Shetland
Communities:
Other:
URL:	*PFL at An Archive Of Our Own *PFL on The Circuit Archive *PFL on The Hatstand *PFL on LiveJournal
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PFL was active in fandom since the early 1990s.

The first fan fic she wrote was Partners, a Starsky & Hutch/Quantum Leap story.

She passed away on 18 January 2024.

Writing as Community (2001)

For me, writing fanfic is about sharing: I express my view of what these characters might do in this particular situation, and, as a reader, I want to read other people's expressions. It's almost like a different form of discussion list--a discussion happening through stories. One writer writes this, another writer writes that in response. We all share it. In this dynamic, readers do play an important role. Why else publish a story, if not to have it read? (There is a difference, however, between why someone might *publish* and why someone might *write*. I might write for myself but publish for other reasons. <g>)

[...]

The most important part, when I'm the poster to a discussion list, is me expressing my opinion. <g> My opinion still has importance to me whether or not other people agree; my published story is still valuable, whether or not anyone likes it. So, I would argue that the writer is the most important part of the writing process, although the reader plays a crucial role.

I'm concerned about readers but I'm not influenced by them. Or, at least, I'm not going to write a story to reader specifications. I might be influenced by readers' comments on my stories, or other writers' stories, or discussion on a list. But, to me, if the reader was truly *the* most important part in this process, then I would never write a story that expressed my opinion--I would only write stories that expressed readers' preferences. And that, in my book, is not writing. Even as a reader--I don't want to read a story written to satisfy "readers"; I want to read a story written to express the opinion and the heart of the *writer*.

As for LoCs, like almost everyone else, I like it when I receive them. I don't write stories expecting to receive LoCs because that's not how I view the process. Someone might respond to my story by writing another story--that's cool. Someone might respond to my story by writing me a LoC--that's cool. Someone might respond to my story by simply enjoying it--that's cool. I'm not putting any obligation on a reader by putting my story out there for her to read. (I *do* put obligations on people I ask to beta read or edit my story.) If people write and publish stories in order to receive LoCs then that's fine, it's just not a required part of my personal process of writing and publishing.

As a reader I have sent LoCs to authors. If they respond to that LoC then I'm thrilled, often enough, because I still tend to put writers on pedestals. <g> On the other hand, I don't *expect* them to respond--I put no obligation on them--because the purpose of my LoC is to thank the writer, or express an opinion, not, necessarily, to start up a conversation with them. I'm already in their debt for giving me this story to read. I've had lots of nice conversations start up because of sending LoCs, but I don't feel slighted by the writer if she doesn't respond to my LoC. Again, that's just my personal thought process.

Quantum Leap (2018)

I so loved the show, [Quantum Leap]; and so hated the ending. I did get a set of the DVDs when they came out, and I have watched them...which reminded me how much I loved the show. But I ignore, really, all of the last season. One of the great things I've learned to do, through fandom, is to claim control over canon.*g* I've read "fixes" for QL that work for me, and I am quite capable of just thinking that the last episode Never Happened.

Fanworks

Some Fiction Examples

• Chances Change (as PFL)
• Christmas Snow (as PFL)
• Drought (as PFL)
• Fire (as PFL)
• Full Circle (as Beth Hillemann)
• Master Gardener (as PFL)
• Partners (as Beth Hillemann)
• The Proof of the Pudding, (The Pudding Series) (as PFL)
• To Love That Well crossover with Always and Everyone (as PFL)
• Ringing in the Changes (as PFL)
• Rules (as PFL)
• Waking from Dreams (as PFL)
• While All the World is at Mistress Beaufort's Ball (as Adela Kingsbury)

Zines

Classified | Cold Pizza and Butterfly Bones | Dialj Bound | The Fix | Never Far Apart | Night Music in B and D | Overtures | Roses and Lavender | Variations on the Theme of B and D | Virtual Pros

From Her Obit

Beth was passionate about her favorite films and TV shows, and was influential in a number of media fandoms. She formed close friendships with fellow fans across three continents, and, as "PFL" or "msmoat," was a prolific, highly respected, and award-winning writer of fan fiction.