The Bookworm's Musings

Thank goodness that's done with!
I pulled an all-nighter writing my first informational speech for my public speaking class (it took much longer than I expected it to), and then gave the speech today. I think I did pretty well. I avoided verbal fillers, didn't lose my place, and cited all my sources during the speech. My topic was the Life and Death of James A. Garfield, but it ended up being too broad. To meet the seven minute deadline, I had to cut a lot of my best writing out. :( Still, I had best designed powerpoint, and overall the teacher said it was an A- speech at least. So I'm satisfied. And now it's out of the way and I can concentrate on other things, at least until this weekend. Another speech is due next Monday, and than two more after that, so no rest for the weary!
And just to make things even better, I volunteered to give the speech and design the powerpoint for our marketing group project. What was I thinking? Honestly though, speaking and design are my strengths, along with organizing, so it makes sense for me to do it. The presentation has the most impact on our grade and leaves the strongest impression, so I want that part under my control, thanks.

It's interesting, the difference between what we perceive about our creations vs. what others believe.
I've become a bit of a junkie for checking my Fanfiction.net traffic stats, and I noticed something interesting: My opinion of my stories and my readers' opinions don't always correlate. For example, the story that I think is the best story I've written, in terms of characterization and emotion, Life Ain't No Vid Game (Firefly), is actually at the bottom of the list in raw hits. As far as reviews go, it's somewhere in the middle, and it has no alerts and only one fav. On the other hand, my two most popular stories, in terms of raw hits, alerts, and reviews, are my two CSI: Miami WIPs. It's not that I think that those are bad - they're actually not. The exercise of writing a piece for every single episode of CSI: Miami (Unprocessed Evidence) is doing wonders for my writing skills and my ability to find something worth writing about. And A Burden Shared is my first slash fic and my first continuously chaptered fic, as well as being my first plot-driven fic. But they're both unfinished, unpolished, and just don't pack the emotional punch that Vid Game does.
It's just interesting, what traffic stats can reveal. Fortunately, while I enjoy and appreciate the validation that high traffic and plentiful reviews can bring, that's not why I write. I write for myself and for the characters. I share my stories as a way of sharing my vision of the characters and the worlds they populate. If people enjoy my vision, that's a welcome and appreciated bonus, but it's not vital for my survival as a writer.
These days, I find myself writing more than ever, despite a very tight schedule. Writing has become my number one creative outlet. Pretty surprising for someone who can't even diagram a sentence.

• 14:56 Classes start tomorrow. :(

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• 17:42 Best Invention since the Wheel is.gd/15JLY

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So, I was overcome with a sudden case of organization! I did not, however, feel at all compelled to take out the trash from my room (are you kidding? That would be way too much like work!). No, I felt the need to transfer all of my writing from Google Docs onto my computer, with tags and saved searches (♥ Vista) to arrange things in neat categories. This syncs to my laptop as well, of course. I had been using Google Docs because I was using a public laptop away from home, but now that I have my own laptop, I don't need to anymore. And this means I'm not dependent on an Internet connection when I want to write. Yeah!

Anyway, It took two days, but I'm finally done.

152 fiction pieces in various stages of completion (each chapter of a chaptered fic counts individually). 21 assorted pieces of non-fiction.

And I found a few abandoned pieces that I might publish as developed plot bunnies on fanfiction.net, so pop over and check it out if you're interested.

• 20:27 Final Grades in: 3.4 gpa this quarter, 3.6 gpa overall

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• 16:41 Finals Done!

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So, in case you hadn't guessed from my latest story, I just saw the newest Star Trek movie.
Wow!
I'll say it again, Wow!

It was wonderful! The characters were spot on, the plot was great, and it added a depth and grittiness that the Original Series lacked.
I can hardly wait to see more in this universe. Now, I'm off to read fanfic for it. Yum, yum.

New Story!

Sticks and Stones by BookwormDragon
G; No Pairings; Star Trek 2009
What was going through Jim's mind during that scene with Spock on the Bridge? Warning: Spoilers for the new movie.
Also on my website.

And I've started another CSI: Miami story!

Unprocessed Evidence

A series of connected one-shots featuring Horatio's thoughts and feelings during key moments of every episode.

Gen - PG.

Also here on my website.

A new chapter in my CSI: Miami slash fic!

A Burden Shared by BookwormDragon
PG13; eventual slash, Ryan/Eric
A few words can change the courses of so many lives. An AU based on the Episode "Nailed." This will eventually be Eric/Ryan. 
Possible spoilers for Season 4 episodes "Nailed", "Shattered", and "The Score".
(Also on Fanfiction.net)

I've started a new CSI: Miami story:

A Burden Shared by BookwormDragon
PG13; eventual slash, Ryan/Eric
A few words can change the courses of so many lives. An AU based on the Episode "Nailed." This will eventually be Eric/Ryan.
Possible spoilers for Season 4 episodes "Nailed", "Shattered", and "The Score".
(Also on Fanfiction.net)

• 23:25 Braces Adjusted: Hurts! *Whimper*

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• 01:37 There are people who hate Horatio Caine?! Really?! This defies comprehension. Horatio Caine = ♥

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I need a beta for a short CSI: Miami fic. Anyone?

• 10:28 It's depressing, knowing that this time next year, I'll be getting ready to graduate. :(
• 18:26 Seriously, I really hate Poor Ryan, everyone-hates-him fic.

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• 17:55 There you are, good fic! I knew you couldn't hide from me forever...

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• 20:32 Sometimes, in small fandoms, you are forced to read crap. :(
• 20:48 If I have to read one more "Poor Ryan, everyone hates him for replacing Speed" fic, I may scream.
• 20:51 It has to be around here somewhere! Where is all the GOOD CSI:Miami slash hiding?

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• 23:19 ROFL: is.gd/lWu0

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• 17:52 My computer is mine again! Mom's new Lappy is ready! :)

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