Fulfillment From Fanfic

[lettered]

Does writing fanfiction make you happy?

Of course it does. That's why you do it. If that's not why you do it, don't tell me.

But what I want to know is, is it a happy that staves off boredom and is entertaining, rather than a happy that makes you want to jump up and down and run in circles and smile all the time because you're secretly thinking of what you're going to write next? Is it the kind of happy that makes it so you can't wait to sit down in front of your computer so you can see what happens next? Is it the kind of happy that every once in a while makes you bursty feeling?

I hope it is.

Comments

[my_daroga]

When I'm doing it right--when I was in the middle of that Phantom story, for instance, by which I mean when it feels right--I liken the feeling to something almost sexual. It's the same sort of fluttery, nervous energy as when you meet someone new. I've decided this has to do with "creation," and the fact that our brains are made of chemicals. There are probably a limited number of ways for emotions to manifest themselves; fanfic writing, for some of us, is "up there" in intensity with lust, for lack of a better word.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Whoa, that's a really cool observation, especially the "creation" part. Because now that you mention it, the feeling is quite similar. The excitement and also the doubt. That it'll work out the way you want it to. How cool. Thanks for that thought.

[my_daroga]

No problem; anything you want to add would be welcome, because I've been trying to formulate this for a few years. ;)