Octaves of the Heart Interview with SJ Smith
| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Octaves of the Heart Interview with SJ Smith |
| Interviewer: | Octaves of the Heart |
| Interviewee: | SJ Smith (Sharon Jane Smith) |
| Date(s): | 2006? |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | Buffyverse |
| External Links: | "online here". Archived from the original on 2007-06-08. (scroll down) |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Octaves of the Heart Interview with SJ Smith is posted at the Buffy website Octaves.
For others in this series, see Octaves of the Heart Interview Series.
SJ Smith Said
I have always been fascinated by a good story. I remember that most of my childhood was spent telling myself stories, some of them based on things I’d read, some of them based on history, others based on the toys I had. I started drawing myself animal related comic books around the age of four, to keep myself entertained. My cousins and friends always delegated me to be the storyteller for whatever game we were playing, whether it be G.I. Joes, Robin Hood, Star Trek or Cowboys and Indians so I would set up the scene that we’d then enact.
My first fanfiction (that was actually written) was based on a short-lived SF series called Fantastic Journey. I think I was twelve. Unfortunately, the story was never finished as my co-author moved to California soon after we started it. I really got involved in fandom around my senior year in high school when I discovered Doctor Who. My fiction, filks, poetry and cartoons for that series were published in a variety of fanzines, notably Somewhen, Rassilon’s Star and Time Log. I also got involved in the first wave of ElfQuest fandom, becoming an editor and contributor to Windwalking and Tales of the Tower as well as other EQ zines.
I started writing BtVS fiction almost by accident. It wasn’t something I’d planned on, certainly; I’ve been working with my own characters for nearly a decade, figuring out what I want to do with them (besides eventually put together something cohesive enough to publish). When the idea for the first story (which has yet to be finished, though I started writing it around season 5) came, I resisted it at first but it kept bothering me until I started writing it. Other story ideas followed. It was then just a matter of time until I found a place to post them (Fanfiction.net). I then joined a few lists and the rest, as they say, is history.
The story I’m most happy with is generally the one I’m working on at this moment of time. Mirror, Mirror is the one I’ve gotten the most recognition with though it isn’t finished yet. Perchance to Dream and Inheritance make me happy, despite the overall depression they both cause. I’m also very pleased with the series, Pieces of the Heart that I’m writing with D.M. Evans.
[...]
When I read, I look specifically for people who write true to the characters, provide good descriptions and include a sense of humor. Not really into PWP stories; even short stories need something to hang the meat on.