Chronicle X Interview with Jill Selby

Interviews by Fans
Title:	Chronicle X Interview with Jill Selby
Interviewer:	uncredited
Interviewee:	Jill Selby
Date(s):	April 1999
Medium:	online
Fandom(s):	X-Files
External Links:	interview is here;copy
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Chronicle X Interview with Jill Selby was conducted in 1999 by the Chronicle X archive.

Some Excerpts

I enjoyed the characters and their interplay. Scully was especially intriguing to me. I admired her intelligence and her strength. I appreciated the fact that she could be feminine without being helpless, that she was a capable partner and not some piece of fluff brought in as the hero's girlfriend. The relationship between Mulder and Scully was also very interesting – the depth of their caring for one another that seemed to shine through every interaction. I haven't been seeing that as much lately, but it's definitely what drew me in.

I would eliminate the existence of Diana Fowley, or at least give her a purpose for existing other than as a plot device to create jealous tension between Mulder and Scully. There are so many obstacles to a Mulder/Scully romantic relationship that I could easily see them being cautious for a couple more seasons. There was no need to divide them over Mulder's old girlfriend/wife/whatever. Diana seems to bring out the worst in both Mulder and Scully – she makes Mulder look like a love-blind ass, and Scully appear petulant and jealous. I don't like her, and I don't like Mulder or Scully when she's in an episode.

[Mulder and Scully] need each other, without a doubt. They balance each other and have drawn each other toward a middle ground. Lately I've seen some reversion in Scully toward more militant skepticism and I find that puzzling, but perhaps she's afraid of losing herself completely in Mulder's world. I think they love each other, but I think they're afraid of what that means and I don't think either of them is very skilled at romance or communication. I don't believe there ever could be a happily-ever-after for them, considering that they're standing between the world and alien invasion, but I would like to see them find moments of happiness together from time to time.

It's very important. A professional author gets feedback in the form of a nice check from his publisher. Fanfic authors don't enjoy any financial gain, but I find it very satisfying to get a personal note from someone who has enjoyed my work or been touched by it in some way. I don't measure the success of my stories with feedback because I think some of my best writing appeared in stories that garnered the least attention, but every single message on every single story is dear to me. I try to answer all the messages I receive because I think it's important to say thanks to the people who send feedback, though sometimes it takes me longer to reply than I'd like.

It's really impossible to list all the authors who have touched me with their words and their kindness over the past few years. So this is, by no means, an inclusive list.

Blueswirl has me mesmerized with her work-in-progress, "Razor's Edge." Audrey Cooper writes beautifully poetic erotica. Dasha K is one of those writers who seems to be able to excel in any genre. GirlGone's "Sounds of Silence" is one of my all-time favorites. A.I. Irving was the first to lure me into a Scully/Other story with "The Actor." I don't think there's anything CiCi Lean can't write brilliantly, and she has made me love some characters I thought were unlovable. Marguerite is someone I'm so glad I've gotten to know and I'm always dazzled by her stories and her characterization of Scully. Joyce McKibben is a very gifted writer and she gives me new insights into Mulder. Meredith's "Heaven in Hell's Despair" and "A Show of Strength" are stories that should be required reading for anyone who claims to be a Scullyist, Viv Wiley never misses with any character, but her Skinner is the best in ficland. Michaela is a great friend and editor and I'm completely absorbed in her work-in-progress, "Unnatural Disasters." Nascent (along with her Dark Nascent persona) always presents a believable and moving depiction of the Mulder/Scully relationship in her stories. Perelandra is fairly new on the scene and has a gorgeous lyricism in her writing. Thalia D'Muse has written so many wonderful stories – Cieca Fede is on my top-ten list of favorites. QofMush is another friend and editor, and such a talented writer. She has a gentility to her writing that I really admire. Karen Rasch is one of the greats of XF fanfic and there's a good reason for that. She has an amazing talent for storytelling and what I wouldn't give to write dialogue like she does. I adore all her stories, every single one, but "No Greater Love" is a favorite. Deb Wells doesn't write XF fanfic any more, but I urge anyone unfamiliar with her work to read some of her stories. She can take you on some incredible journeys, and I dare you not to cry when you read "After the Colors Fade."

Now, I want to break the rules here and mention another group of special people. People like Shari, Kris, Amanda C., Nancy FF, Autumn T, all the subscribers of the Scullyfic list and so very many others who have entertained me, encouraged me, and supported me. I've been very fortunate to encounter many talented and truly nice people through fanfic, and I'm inspired by every single one of them.