Written in the Stars by Pinkbanana2

Is there such a thing as a perfect combination for a story? I'm not sure what everyone else's is, but for me it's a mix of angst and fluff that makes my heart beat and keeps my eyes staring widely at the computer screen. I am a self-confessed picky reader and I hate it, but at the same time I love it. I love discovering a story that makes me want to laugh and cry and shout and sob and sends tears down my face for multiple reasons. It's not that I don't like fluff, or mild drama, but I believe there's something so unbelievably beautiful and special about flangst (fluff & angst) that leaves me on a high long after reading. In a world of amateur writing it can be hard to find my perfect combination but when I do, it's like Christmas has come early...and again...and again.

It's Christmas today.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6090024/1/Written_in_the_Stars
Naomi's dad sends her a letter wanting to meet. Naomi has no idea what to do. Naomily. Set post 4.08.

Rated: T

Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort

Published: 27th July 2010

Characters: Emily F. & Naomi C.

COMPLETE

Can a story designed as a one-shot transfer into a multiple chapter fic? The answer is yes, in the write hands (yes that was intentional ;-) ).

The first chapter of this story is beautifully orchastrated with Naomi and Emily's characters fine tuned to be just so. It is, by and large, a two-hander between our beloved Naomily and doesn't shy away from the issues that may actually come up in canon Skins. In theory it's a future fic, but it certainly has the potential to be what could actually happen had we been given a third series.

I must admit the summary is what brought me to this fic, the idea of Naomi receiving a letter from her dad. What more angst could a person want? However, I don't like the tense, I'm not going to lie, I'm not a present tense person. But sometimes a story lives beyond the words on the page and sometimes tense really doesn't matter. This is one of those times.

The rest of this story tells of Naomi and Emily's lives, post series 4, living with all of the issues that came up, still lingering on the surface. Time's moved on, so have Naomily, but deep down, beyond the post series 4 issues, there's more. There's the letter from Naomi's dad for one. Then on top of that there's more things to love, more things to hate, more things to shout and scream at the computer screen about. Until you can't help but finish off every last word of this fanfiction.

You might have come here looking for something to read in those five minutes free in your working/schooling day, but rest assured, you're going to be missing something (less?) important the moment you start on chapter two. I'm sorry if your boss/teachers shout at you...but go on, tell me it's not worth it!

To Bedlam and Part Way Back by jengrrrl

To Bedlam and Part Way Back by jengrrrl, review by Tash

http://jengrrrl.livejournal.com/595023.html

Published: 14th April 2009
Characters: Katie and Effy

Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not one for reading a fiction that hasn’t been completed. I’ve read a few things from Jengrrrl and I’ve liked what I’ve seen, so I thought I’d give this a shot and I can happily say I’m glad I did.

From comments I’ve read before, I was expecting it to be a build-up, especially with it being a longer fanfic, I’m not sure if I’m glad it wasn’t a build-up or not.

Anyway, I love the fact that Katie is the one messed up in this. She’s the one that can’t handle things at first, and then it changes to Effy not being able to handle things when Katie finally begins to figure it out, and it’s so perfectly in character post season three I think and that’s one of my favourite things about Katie and Effy, their relationship will always start off messed up and somewhat aggressive before they realise it isn’t just about sex or feeling something.

As I said before, I don’t like reading unfinished stories, but this one leaves a lot to the imagination so I highly suggest reading it. It’s hot, passionate, emotional, raw, intense…basically everything a Katie and Effy story should be, and definitely the exact kind of story I love to read.

I just hope she one day finishes it.

Love Lost

This fan video shows the ups, downs and the obstacles Emily and Naomi had to overcome in their relationship.

'Love Lost' is a perfect song to describe the love roller-coaster between Emily and Naomi and how they both dealt with the affair. I really liked how the song had a faster beat as it was a nice change from the slow love songs that a lot of Naomily fan videos are matched with.

The lyrics to the song related to this story line and for me summed up the difficulties of what Naomi and Emily went through being a young gay couple discovering who they are and being honest with themselves. I believe it portrayed what Emily and Naomi must have been feeling during the whole process of them over coming their feelings for one another, coming out to their family and friends and the drama with Sophia.

I really like the fact that there are clips shown from both seasons so it shows how their relationship grew. The clips for this video and the lyrics fitting together flawlessly and the timing was spot on. The video effects used tied this video up perfectly. I loved the use of the black and white and dull colored clips of Emily and Naomi in scenes where they were struggling with their relationship.

Overall, I think that this fan video is utter perfection and beautifully made, it shows that Naomi and Emily's love for each other can conquer all.

Bedlam artwork by thomblue

Have you ever looked at a piece of artwork and thought 'yes! that is everything I'd have hoped it to be' well that is how I feel looking at thomblue's wonderful Skins drawings. They are stunning and so utterly beautiful that even I (as an anti-Keffy supporter) am almost convinced by the Katie/Effy theme within them.

This artwork by thomblue was created for the fanfiction To Bedlam and Part Way Back. If you want to see other examples of her work then check out her journal. A review for To Bedlam and Part Way Back will be up soon.

Interview with Jamie Brittain (aka Skins God)

After asking Heather Hogan some questions about her writing life I decided that who better to ask about Skins and fanfiction/art than none other than Skins God, Jamie Brittain. He is, after all, one half of the team that thought up and created the show in the first place. He is part of the reason this blog was created and he is part of the reason we're all sat here at our computers discussing Skins, creating Skins art and writing about our beloved favourite characters. Here's what was said:


With Skins only broadcasting 8 - 10 weeks of the year, what challenges do you have to overcome in order to keep fans connected with the show whilst it is off air?

Time mostly, because although the actual show is only on air for a couple of months, the creative team is generally at work for most of the year, meaning time to do extra material to keep people interested is limited
But we try something different every year, and try to put everything into it.

What role do you think the fans have in keeping themselves and others connected with the show?

Well, to an extent, the fans are very good at keeping themselves connected, with fan fiction, speculation, discussion etc. Despite the show's vast web presence, I think a lot of viewers come to the show through word of mouth and that's really useful.

Fanart and fanfiction can be very controversial - many creators don't like seeing their characters being used by other people. What is your opinion on the subject, given that you proudly advocate Skins as being 'fan friendly'?

I really don't mind what people do with fan fiction and fan art, in fact I have read and enjoyed fan fiction. I think there is a very clear distinction amongst the fans between what we do and what they do - the line between 'official' and 'unofficial' is clear. I rather like the notion of Skins having an 'Expanded Universe' in the manner of Star Wars and the such, created by fans on their own terms.

There are a lot of fangirls and boys in the Skins fandom, is there anything that used to/still makes you turn into a fanboy?

Totally. I'm a total comedy nerd, and really into bootleg recordings of comedians and stuff like that. Also, I met Alan Moore, who is my all time writing hero last month, and turned into a sweaty, nervous, stuttering fanboy. He was very nice though. Basically I'm a bit of a nerd, with pretensions to hipsterdom.

Brilliant! You say Alan Moore is your all time writing hero, have any writers and/or your dad (Bryan Elsley) had an influence on your writing style?

Dad, definitely. He pretty much taught me to write, though I'd like to think we're now very different writers. Also, people like Hubert Selby Jnr, Paul Schrader and David Lynch are massive influences on me.

With a new series and a movie just around the corner, is there anything at all you can tell us about them? Pleeease?!

Not really. Sorry. Season 5 is looking fucking awesome though (in my opinion, of course), and the movie is being written by Jack Thorne, who is the best writer in the world at the moment (that's not my opinion. That's fact) so it wont be anything but brilliant.

I really want Series 5 to be a surprise.

Which is going to be better series 5 or Skins US?

Series 5 - but then I would say that, because I'm working on this one, and Bryan is working on US. In all honesty I think they'll both be great, but they're different animals. US is mostly for people who've never seen the UK version, which doesn't mean people familiar with the show wont enjoy it, but series 5 is all new material, which to me, is just as exciting as the show skipping across the pond.

Thanks again to Jamie Brittain for taking the time to answer my questions. Thanks also to Ana, Noemi and Tracie for helping me think up/write the questions.

The Special Two

Skins fanfiction isn't the only thing that distracts us from the various activities we know we should be doing instead; so does fan art, fan videos and various other types of creativity.

The Special Two tells the story of Naomi and Emily's relationship, with a main focus on series 4 whilst looking back at their earlier lives. The song is called The Special Two and is by Missy Higgins, this song (in my opinion) sums up Naomily in series 4 and this video is rather very beautifully made.

If someone asked you to describe in less than 5 minutes what makes Naomi and Emily such a great couple, this video would be a fantastic way of showing others the best bits of our special two.

Sock Catalog Extraordinaire more formally known as Heather Hogan

Most people know Heather Hogan as the woman who writes the amazing Skins recaps on AfterEllen, but did you know she has also written a Naomily fanfiction?!

http://heather-hogan.livejournal.com/

'Love on a Train' is still in the making and has already been quite popular with Naomily fans. It is a beautifully written story that snapshots life after series 4 beginning with Naomi and Emily's final months at university. Whilst appearing on the surface to be a piece of wonderful fluff, this story delves deeper into the relationship between many people's favourite couple giving us an insight into what got them from series 4 to the point where this story begins.

Without giving anything away, if you love Naomily flangst, you're going to be reading this until there's nothing left (like I did *sits tapping on the desk refreshing the page until giving up the hope of more being posted tonight*). Even if you have something else you should be doing.

After discovering this wonderful contribution to the Skins fanfiction world I asked Heather Hogan a few questions about life as a writer and what brought her to the point of swapping fact (well recaps of fiction) for fiction.

How and when did you get started as a writer?

When I was a kid I used to write all the time. Really important stuff, too. Like my favorite thing to make was sock catalogs. I would spend an afternoon drawing a hundred pairs of socks in all kind of patterns and colors, and then the whole next week I would write descriptions for them: "These pink and green and neon blue plaid socks are sure to keep your feet warm and stylish on those cold winter nights! Only fifty dollars a pair!" Then I'd staple all the pages together and give the catalogs to my family. I've always had a lot in common with Dobby the House Elf.

In my grown-up life I loved to write too. (This is where I start getting a little more like Hermione Granger.) At university, I took as many writing intensive classes as I could, and my favorite days were the ones where we got our papers back from the professors. I loved the scrutiny. I just really wanted people to share their opinions and feelings about my writing.

And then I started writing for lesbian internet, where the opinions and feelings flow like water in the Nile.

How long have you been writing for After Ellen?

I've been working for AfterEllen for about three years. I totally lucked into my job there. Sarah Warn* -- the founder and former editor-in-chief -- plucked me out of the comments, and then she and Trish Bendix and Karman Kregloe and Malinda Lo kept letting me write more and more and more until I could really make a career out of it. I keep thinking they're going to realize I'm just an accountant who makes sock catalogs with crayons in my spare time, but so far I've still got them fooled. (Mwahaha!)

What are your favourite types of article/blog to write for AE?

Even though it takes a hundred gazillion years, I really love writing recaps. The Skins ones are my favorite because I love that show (in general) and Naomi and Emily (specifically) more than I could ever adequately express. I seriously don't have the words to say how special I think Naomily are. But it's fun trying to find the words. I almost think that's all those recaps are: Me just typing and typing and typing about my love and hoping something resonates.

Also, I love writing about things that sort of go against the attitude you might normally see in other lesbian and gay media. I like to bring my own (sometimes delusional) optimism to bear on stuff. This sounds silly, I know, but all I really want in the whole world is to write something that someone might hold dear. Something that might mean something to someone. Those are my favorite things to write. The things that make people go, "Huh. My heart feels a little warmer now I've read that."

Your Skins recaps are a piece of comic genius, how long does it take you to complete one episode's recap?

Thank you. That's very sweet. I don't know exactly how long it takes to write them. I lose track of time in my feverish love-haze. Days, though. Lots of days.

What made you branch out into fiction (more specifically Naomily fanfiction)? And have you written much fiction before?

I really only started writing Love on a Train for Rin (of Rophy)'s birthday. The story had been in my head for a while and I know this sounds like the most arrogant thing in the world, but I feel like I really know Naomi and Emily, and I felt like their characters were speaking to me, like they had more story to tell. I would just be riding my mountain bike and hear all this dialogue in my head, and I was like, "OK, guys! Fine! I'll write down your story!" Rin and Sophy convinced me to post it on a public forum because she thought other fans might like it too. A lot of people acted shocked that I was a "professional writer" writing fanfiction, and I just kept saying the truest thing I always say: "I'm only a fan! Just like you! I just get paid a little to feel my feelings out loud is all!"

Fiction is infinitely harder to write than nonfiction. It takes a certain amount of nakedness and rubbing your soul against the page to get it right. You have to be super vulnerable if you want it to be authentic. I think fiction writers are some of the bravest people in the world. Way, way, way more courageous than me.

What are you looking forward to the most; Skins series 5 or Skins US?

Oh, that's tricky! Can I be totally honest here? I would trade all of Skins series 5 and US Skins (and all other Skins FOREVER) for one more series with gen two. There's so much story left to tell. SO much story. That? Would make me SUPER excited. But if I have to chose between the other two, I'd have to say US Skins. Because Bryan Elsley is on my Top Ten Trustworthy Storytellers list. I wish all Skins fans had a chance to sit down and speak to him. He's the kindest, warmest, humblest guy. And he cares so much about his characters and his fans. So yeah, US Skins. (Even though seeing the stars and stripes over the Skins logo almost makes me ill.)

Thanks to Heather Hogan for taking the time to answer my questions, if you have a spare half hour (though you might want to clear a couple of them ;-) ) I suggest making a start on 'Love on a Train', it's worth every second, even the ones you should be doing something else.

*If you want to know more about Sarah Warn and why she set up AfterEllen, check out this video.

Dog Days Are Over by kickstarts

Do you ever browse fanfiction trying to find just one to capture your attention and keep it until the end of the first chapter?! I'm constantly striving for stories that make me feel that way about them, that ignite me with a passion that tells me 'I want to share this fic with the world'.

‘Dog Days Are Over’ is one of those stories.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6322418

A/U, Naomily. Emily Fitch has a secret and Naomi wants nothing more than to figure it out.

Rated: T
Genres: Drama/Romance
Published: 13th September 2010
Characters: Naomi C. & Emily F.

The concept is rather intriguing; set in an alternate universe where Naomi and Cook don't know Emily, well not entirely anyway. The story is still in its early stages, with just one chapter and a handful of reviews under his/her belt. Kickstarts (previously known as obsessivethoughts) grasps the attention of the reader quickly with not only an intense plot but also a familiar mention of Naomi's beloved Garibaldi's.

As a non-Brit (bet you couldn’t tell she was American from her good grasp of English words!) kickstarts has a good understanding of the Skins world (and Britain) and is happy to change anything within her story that isn’t quite British enough.

If you're able to read just one chapter of a story today (without the distraction of more tempting you away from life), ‘Dog Days Are Over’ is worth being that one.

When you’ve finished ‘Dog Days Are Over’ show your appreciation, tell kickstart what you think of her fic and if you read any other stories, review them too. *

***

If you've read any stories you think deserve a mention in this blog, email me at missfpeg@googlemail.com and if you enjoy this page, don't forget to spread the word and let others know where they can find out which fics are worth just one more chapter.

NB: I now have a very lovely assistant who is willing to read and review Effily/Keffy stories, so please pass them along too!

*Please remember that fanfiction is created out of the goodness of authors hearts, we don't get paid to write, we do it for pleasure. One chapter can take hours of a person's time. Writing a review takes just a few minutes.

Just One More Chapter

Have you ever sat in front of your computer doing something you shouldn't? No, I'm not talking about porn. You've probably all been at work/school/etc. and 'nipped onto' Facebook, only to find you're still there half an hour later.

In the Skins fandom I've come to realise there's more than a quick visit to Facebook to contend with - there's a whole world of fanfiction as well. Whether you read about Naomily* on Fanfiction.net or like a bit of RPF* on Livejournal, you've probably done it.

I imagine a common thought to be "just one more chapter...then I'll get back to work/school/life" but do you ever stop after that chapter? I guess that would depend on how good the story you're reading is.

With fanfiction being an amateur's paradise there's a great deal of what we could say are good, bad and ugly fics. That's not to say that any fic deserves to be called bad because I honestly believe anyone who has taken the time and thought to create some writing deserves their due. We all have to start somewhere and for many new writers, fanfiction is where we begin.

But behind the popular, sexy fics you know you shouldn't read on public transport (but do anyway) and the flangst** that keeps many fans reading until the wee-small hours of the night, there are a number of stories that don't get very much attention.

Have you ever started reading a story just because there's a large number of reviews? Or maybe you've read a story from the beginning and you're still there three chapters later wondering 'why has this fic got only a handful of reviews?'

This is my aim, to recommend fics to you; the fics that get plenty of readers, the hidden gems that deserve more attention and everything in between.

But how exactly does someone recommend fics when that one person (i.e. me) is busy working and simply doesn't have time to read every single story under the sun?!

That's where you come in. I need suggestions, recommendations from you of fics that you believe deserve more attention, stories that you want the world to know are good. If you've ever got to the end and wanted to shout about a story, I want to know about it!

Email me your suggestions at missfpeg@googlemail.com

*As I begin this I come to you as a fan of Naomily fanfiction. I can read most other characters, pairings and situations. Except RPF, Keffy and Effily. That's not to say I'll never recommend those kind of stories, but until I find someone to read/review them for me, I will be focusing on other stories.
**Flangst is a combination of fluff and angst, anyone familiar with my own writing will know that a fluff/angst mix is what I like to write (most of the time anyway).