[personal profile] starwatcher_fic
.

This was my very first fanfiction story. Desperate to find someone with whom I could discuss the stories and show I loved, I had joined SentinelAngst list, which required bi-monthly dues. I quailed; I had never written a story (other than school English assignments), and felt no urge to write fanfiction. I thought I'd have to unsub from the list when I needed to submit my first dues.

But one day I had the PBS morning aerobics program on while I got ready for school. (Right; it does me a lot of good to watch it while I'm brushing my teeth and combing my hair, doesn't it? *g*) My mom -- never having tried it -- considers aerobics 'easy' and 'useless'; it's not 'real exercise'. I remembered that, then considered that Jim's impression would probably be the same... and this story was born.

I found it surprisingly easy to write; it just flowed out, and I finished in three sessions. It was unbeta'd; I knew what a beta was, but was too shy to ask. Besides, I'm arrogant enough to trust my own language and punctuation skills. I did re-read it three or four times with a judgmental eagle-eye, and the 'plot' -- such as it is -- is straightforward enough that inconsistencies or holes (my weak point, even now) seemed unlikely.

Re-reading it now, I'm still pretty proud of it; I did a damn fine job, especially for a first effort. I didn't realize then that I was already setting the pattern of my stories -- forty-four stories later, I'm still celebrating 'the friendship thing'; that's what I see whenever I read / watch The Sentinel.

.