The apocrypha Interview: Michelle M. Leslie
| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The apocrypha Interview: Michelle M. Leslie |
| Interviewer: | Korillian |
| Interviewee: | Michelle M. Leslie |
| Date(s): | spring 1999 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | Law & Order |
| External Links: | apocrypha: author interview, Archived version |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The apocrypha Interview: Michelle Leslie is a 1999 interview conducted by Korillian for the Law & Order zine apocrypha.
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Introduction
Michelle M. Leslie first came onto the Law & Order fanfic scene last spring with the publication of Keeping Secrets. A touching story about fatherhood and loss, Keeping Secrets generated a ton of fan mail and eventually went on to win apocrypha's first annual Blue Wall Award for fiction. Patients, Michelle's second story, was much different but just as powerful, focusing upon one of the more potentially devastating aspects of Mike Logan's carefree bachelorhood. And her next story, Immortality, is the much-anticipated sequel to Keeping Secrets! Look for Immortality in an upcoming issue of apocrypha.
I recently chatted with Michelle via email about fanfic, Mike Logan and more. Enjoy!
Excerpts
Why did you start writing fan fiction?
I started writing as a child in the sixth grade, and have written stories based on such series as Starsky and Hutch, Simon and Simon, Quantum Leap and now Law and Order. I was a very shy child and didn't belong to many "extracurricular activities" out side of school. However, I was very creative and needed and outlet to express myself. I didn't have much talent with drawing or painting, but putting words onto paper came quite naturally. I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when finishing a particular story. This feeling grew into a desire to become a professional writer in some genre, particularly television and film. Although I realize, now that I am an adult, that this is "just a dream," the love of writing is still there. In addition, the satisfaction and joy of having someone read and respond positively to something I have written is very rewarding....
Writing has become very therapeutic for me. When I feel stressed, depressed, angry or lonely, writing helps me to deal with it. In addition to helping me cope with life's ups and downs, writing fan fic gives me a voice to express myself on certain issues. Writing fan fic, as opposed to writing a new fictional story, also helps to keep me centered and focused. Fan fic has certain guidelines that must be followed because you are working with someone else's characters that they have developed and you are just building on their foundation. This is a good tool to help strengthen certain areas of writing, be it character description or development of a plot.
Is Law & Order the only television show you write fan fiction for?
At this time, yes. I like to find one show and "dedicate" myself to it. The show intrigued me and I loved the characters. When I watched the show, ideas started popping into my head. When I saw that there was a forum for fans of the show to actually write stories and share them with others, I went to work! It has proven to be very rewarding and challenging.
What advice do you have for beginning fan fic writers?
Write, write, write! That's always a good place to start. First, find a character or group of characters that interests you, and get to "know" them as much as possible by studying their personalities, moods, actions and reactions. Ask yourself questions about this character or characters. For example, "Who is he/she?" Describe the person/people. "How would he/she react in a given situation?" "What evidence is there in his/her background that supports how you have interpreted this/these characters?" Questions like these will help you stick to the already developed characters that you are writing about. (If you know and understand who it is you're writing about, that is.) Remember that you are writing about characters that have already been created, and your goal is to write that character as he/she has previously been defined. If you stray from that character's "definition" than you are no longer writing about them, but rather someone else. As a teacher, I tell my students when they are writing to "stick to the topic." As a fan fic writer, I tell myself and others to "stick to the character." There is nothing that says you can't "stretch" that character and give him/her added characteristics, just don't change the ones that are already in existence. Next, share your work with someone you trust and learn to take "constructive criticism." Listen to suggestions that may help make your character(s) more believable or your story better, but don't feel that just because someone else "thinks" it should be written another way that you have to go along with their beliefs. After all, it is your story. But remember to keep an open mind. Also keep in mind that a story not shared is wasted. Don't write something and hide it in your closet, you'll never know how good it might be if no one ever gets to read it.