Sisters in Smut Interview with Amokeh
| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Sisters in Smut Interview with Amokeh |
| Interviewer: | |
| Interviewee: | Amokeh |
| Date(s): | 2001 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | The X-Files |
| External Links: | Interview with Amokeh |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Sisters in Smut Interview with Amokeh was conducted in 2001.
It was part of a large project conducted by members of the Sisters in Smut archive, an X-Files archive with a focus on the character Walter Skinner. See Sisters in Smut Interview Project.
Excerpts
What was your first experience with fanfic?:
It would have to be with Star Trek fanfic during ST:The Next Generation. I saw an ad in a ST mag for this publisher that published fanfic and I thought it was great - you can never watch an episode of any show without thinking about how it *could* have gone, or, in some cases, should have gone. So I wrote to the publisher and started purchasing compilations. About 95% of the stories were really superb and I was hooked. I realized that most of the people out there writing weren't complete amateurs and that you didn't need a publishing house backing you to validate your ability as an author.
What was your first encounter with X-Files fanfic?:
I fell in love with the character of Skinner and did a search on Altavista for Mitch Pileggi/Skinner -I found some wonderful sites including the Office of the AD, MPEB, and Skinnerotica. As soon as I saw the words "fanfic" I whooped with glee!
What made you into a Skinneroticist?:
THE MAN himself. How can you NOT be a Skinneroticist when you have such incredibly masculine and erotic material to work with...
When did you start writing?:
After Biogenesis. I just got this idea and it kept nagging at me, so I forced myself to sit in front of my PC and create something rather than devour everything like I usually do.
What was the first X-files/Skinner story that you wrote and what inspired it?:
Reparations - I didn't like how CC put Skinner back in the "bad guy" role in Biogenesis. I really hated it that Krycek had him under his thumb, and that, after everything he had done for her, Scully was so quick to think ill of him. I wanted Scully to realize the errors of her ways and Skinner to break the ratbastard's neck, and I knew the only way I was going to get what I wanted was to write it myself.
I usually do a rough outline of what I want to happen, where I want the story to go. Then I write, edit, write a little more, edit the whole thing 3-4 more times, write a few more paragraphs, re-read it, scrap it, start over.... you get the idea. It takes me a long time. I'm definitely not an author that can just churn out stories. I'm a perfectionist, and my writing doesn't quite live up to my own standards, so it's a very grueling, slow process.
How do you feel about fanfic in general?:
I think it's great. It's cathartic - especially with CC yanking our chains all the time. We need some way to vent and this is a greatly entertaining and rewarding way.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?:
Don't worry so much about whether you're the next Stephen King. Just take the ideas you have and put them down on paper (or on screen) in your own style, in your own words. Say what you want to say and don't worry so much about writing FOR people. Don't be intimidated by more prolific or more accomplished authors - just write! But most importantly - get a good beta-reader. Preferably one whose grammar and spelling is better than yours. ;)