Octaves of the Heart Interview with Deanna Zankich

Interviews by Fans
Title:	Octaves of the Heart Interview with Deanna Zankich
Interviewer:	Octaves of the Heart
Interviewee:	Deanna Zankich
Date(s):	2003?
Medium:	online
Fandom(s):	Buffyverse
External Links:	online here, Archived version
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Octaves of the Heart Interview with Deanna Zankich is posted at the Buffy website Octaves.

For others in this series, see Octaves of the Heart Interview Series.

Excerpts

The reason I started writing fan fiction was to build a readership for my original fiction. I wanted to 'test the market' and see if there really was an interest in gay erotica--or at least if there was interest enough that I might be able to make a living writing it. I'd been doing some form of fan fiction since high school, but back then it didn't have such a fluent outlet as it does now on the internet. In fact, back then--it didn't even have a name.

I spent two years writing in another fandom (Queer as Folk) where I was able to learn and grow a great deal as a writer through the support of the generous reading community there. After I finished a VERY long continuous story there, I wanted to try my hand at a larger fandom. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew I wanted to try to write for a show that had been out for a long time and had a well-established fan base. I looked into the X-Files fandom and also the West Wing, because those two shows appeal to me on many levels (smartness of dialogue, interesting characters, cute people, etc.). A friend recommended Buffy to me but I had never watched even one episode until early last year. Yes, folks--LAST year, as in 2002.

I looked around a little at sites on the internet and decided I'd check it out. As it was, the show was in mad reruns here in the States and I had lots of access to it on regular television. I was very soon captivated by the Jossverse and bought all the DVDs that were available to buy. I saturated myself with the show and started writing my first fic last October while on a trip to Northern England. Fluids was the result of that trip and I was off and running after that.

What I love about the Jossverse is the humor and intelligence of it. And the freedom created by the supernatural element of the story. Being funny is the hardest thing to do in entertainment and I find that the most enriching challenge of writing fan fic for Buffy/Angel. Also, I get to stretch my gay erotica muscles because--please--could there BE anymore cute men collected in two shows??? It's like a hottie parade! hee hee