virgo-writer

[virgo-writer]

I meant to return to my other MIOBI wips but I let myself get sucked into The Hunger Games fandom again and now I’m 12000 words into Mockingjay AU where the summary is just ‘In which Haymitch joins the PTA’

[virgo-writer]

the problem with being creative is that you start to feel very guilty when you haven’t created anything in a while

[virgo-writer]

Unreliable narrators are one hell of an idea. You can just write whatever, and if a reader points out "hey the way this scene happened should not be physically possible if it's done the way this character described it", you can just be like "yeah I don't trust that fucker either."

[virgo-writer]

write a new scene → realize it contradicts something from chapter 3 → fix chapter 3 → now chapter 7 makes no sense → cry → repeat

[virgo-writer]

"just write a little every day" ok but what if i write nothing for 3 weeks and then suddenly type like i’m being hunted by god

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reaons - Leap of Faith

A/N: Here is the final chapter (excluding epilogue which will be up tomorrow). Hope you've all enjoyed the journey and can't wait to see what you think.

Keeler Residence - Boulder, CO

August 2014

When Kim Keeler invited him to dinner that afternoon his mind went completely blank and he failed to come up with any excuse to dissuade her. He assumed that Kim wasn’t oblivious to the tension that he and Payson had brought to the gym all week, and so was caught completely off-guard by Kim inviting that same tension to her dinner table.

Read on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

Thanks so much! It's been great seeing people interacting with the fic and content here as well as on Ao3 so I doesn't feel like I'm just sending the fic into the void. Obviously we can't expect a 12 year old TV show to have the same fandom it had in 2010, but it's great to see that the MIOBI fandom is still kicking

@virgo-writer Thank you so much for coming back to writing fanfic! Your fics hold the vibe that fics used to be when I first started reading fics. It's something that's missing in fandoms these days. I hope you keep writing! Can't wait to read the end of A Million Reasons

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reasons - Circling Back (to Sasha's Love Life)

A/N: Was Lauren's voice in my head insisting that nobody is that awkward over a kiss the reason I abandoned the planned kiss in Chapter 14? Of course it was

Keeler residence - Boulder, CO

July 2014

Lauren didn’t believe for a second that Sasha was avoiding Payson over a kiss. I mean, sure there had been some awkwardness last time - and even then you had to have been watching them very carefully like Lauren was to even see it was there. But that lasted about half a day at most. Even Sasha being the one to initiate the kiss did not explain this level of tension.

Read on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reasons - Until the Bottom Falls Out

A/N: I feel like last chapter was kind of a roll coaster - from the perfect morning to Sasha's harrowing guilt. I read an old Neil Jackson interview characterising Sasha as someone who sees himself as honourable and that's what is leaving him so conflicted.The rational part of him knows what the honourable thing to do is here, but his heart is - in his view - leading him astray.

This chapter is kind of the fallout. But it is - for the first and only time - giving you Payson's POV.

The Rock - Boulder, CO

July 2014

It had been her intention to make up an excuse to stay behind once they got back to The Rock, but Sasha had looked so sick and pale since leaving Chicago that Payson couldn’t in good conscience keep him from his bed.

“Are you going to be okay?” she asked gently, her hand going to his forehead where his skin felt clammy against her palm. 

Read Chapter 18 on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reasons - Third Act

A/N: I was so tempted to split this chapter in two and keep you in the happy place a bit longer, but that didn't seem fair.

Things start out so well, but by the end ... I mean, fuck Marty amirite?

Chicago Marriot Northwest - Chicago, IL

July 2014

He stirred, his hand reaching out for something that wasn’t there. It took a moment for his mind to catch up and when it did the empty space beside him suddenly felt profound and terrifying.

Read Chapter 17 on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reasons - Mother Knows Best

A/N: Somehow - and I'm not entirely sure how - this story ended up coming back around to what I had intended when I began it in 2011. Well sort of, because in that version Kim was trying to match Payson and Sasha but here she's kinda trying to match Sasha and anyone.

Regardless, I thought to honour that with the stories original title.

I loved Lauren in this chapter just clearly trying tell Kim exactly who Sasha is interested in without saying it out loud and Kim still being like ‘I wonder if it’s this random gym mom and not the person he’s been spending all of his time with since May’.

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder, CO

July 2014

Kim had tried to canvass Payson and Becca to get their thoughts on Sasha’s potential love interest, but that had been a complete nonstarter.

Payson had looked perturbed by the suggestion and Becca had loudly conveyed that she’d rather eat her breakfast from Phoebe’s dog bowl than talk about Sasha’s love life for a second longer than she had to. The rather disturbing image Becca chose to conjure was enough to put a stop to any further enquires. 

Read Chapter 15 on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

This is why I love third person limited POV.

Kim in this and the next chapter is so fun to write, because she’s got the right idea but she keeps misinterpreting things. Like thinking Sasha is avoiding her gaze and not automatically looking towards the source of his happiness.

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reasons - The Good One

A/N: This chapter might just be my favourite. The title of chapter goes back to the song inspo - "I've got a hundred million reasons wot walk away / But baby I just need one good one to stay". This is Sasha's one good reason to stay.

Keeler Residence - Boulder, CO

July 2014

It was Friday night so Sasha was on his way to see the Keelers for his semi-regular dinner invite.

He’d learnt well enough by now not to argue with Kim Keeler when she got it into her head to feed him. It was even worse when she decided to gang up with Payson and insisted that he be there, whatever alternative plans he might have be damned.

His suspicion was piqued, though they insisted that feeding him dinner did not count as meddling.

Reach Chapter 14 on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

As a fanfic writer, knowing that you inflicted your ship on someone else is the best. My favourite reviews always start with “I don’t normally read X”

"Oh, yeah, I definitely ship that pairing, yeah. Why? Because a fic writer I like ships them, and I'm very easy to influence "

[virgo-writer]

A Million Reasons - In the Middle

A/N: On the one hand this chapter feels a little bit filler-y, but on the other we needed to close out the part of the story that is about Sasha so we can get to the part that is about Sasha AND Payson.

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder, CO

July 2014

He wasn’t hiding per se. But if he was hiding he’d have a pretty good excuse this time.

It was the final day of the summer gymnastics programme. Honestly, it would be a relief to get his gym back, but before that could happen there was one last item on the agenda.

The parents had all been invited to to watch their little darlings perform handstands and cartwheels and everything that they’d learnt over the last two weeks.

Read Chapter 13 on Ao3

Title: A Million Reasons Fandom: Make It or Break It Series: 16x8 Feet Genre: Friendship, Romance Words: 50,000 - 60,000 Summary: Kim Keeler had, over the last five years, come to think of Sasha Belov as a part of the family – as the son she never had. And when Sasha finds his passion fading post-Olympics it will take the whole Rock family to show him that there's still something to love about gymnastics. Payson/Sasha

A Millions Reasons

I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away but baby I just need one good one to stay

~ Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)

The Rocky Mountain Training Centre - Boulder CO

February 2014

When Sasha first started at The Rock, Kim Keeler hadn’t exactly been his biggest fan. 

Admittedly, that was because Payson had claimed that title before Sasha had even set foot in The Rock, but that was neither here nor there

Read Chapter 1 and 2 on Ao3

[virgo-writer]

how it feels to repeatedly read that one paragraph in your own fic over and over again because it's that good and you're so proud of yourself for having written it

[virgo-writer]

For the last goddamn time...

"Kill your darlings" means "if something is holding you back, get rid of it, even if it sounds pretty."

That's it! That's all it means! It means if you're stuck and stalled out on your story and you could fix the whole block by removing something but you're avoiding removing that thing because it's good, you remove that thing. That's the darling.

It does NOT mean

That you have to get rid of your self-indulgent writing

That you should delete something just because you like it (?wtf?)

That you need to kill off characters (??? what)

That you have to pare your story down to the absolute bare bones

That you have to delete anything whatsoever if you don't want to

The POINT is that you STOP FEELING GUILTY for throwing out good writing that isn't SERVING THE STORY.

The POINT is that you don't get so HUNG UP on the details that you lose sight of the BIG PICTURE.

Good grief....