Just
because I get a lot of email from people... I thought I'd answer a few
questions here. So before you email me, check my questions. ^^v
Updates:
Q: When will you update?
A: I usually update when I have about three new stories to upload, just to make it worth my time... and because I hate such tasks as updating my site. I usually premiere most of my fics to the InuyashaEcchiFanFic list... so if you want to get an idea of how fast I write, join THAT mailing list. Also, I'm very active there, so you can talk to me.
UPDATE: I created a Mailing List for my site: The Vault.
Q: When will you write more of (insert series title here)?
A: A lot of my series that I haven't updated in a long time I've hit writer's blocks on. For instance, the Heat Series hasn't had anything NEW written for it in about 3 years. Recently a chapter appeared, but that was something I've had in my notebook that I finally typed in and uploaded. I will probably go back to the series when I get more time... or in the case of Escaflowne or Harry Potter, when I re-watch or re-read the series, it's been a long time so the material isn't so fresh in my mind.
Q: Hurry up and update!!!
A: So impatient... I don't have a 9 to 5 job, but I AM a housewife and a mother... so between the baby and house cleaning, it's a wonder I get ANY free time to write at all. As I'm typing this baby is taking his nap. Threatening me won't make me write any faster.
Q: Tell me when you update!
A: I don't have any means to do that ~~;; There are too many people... I would need something automated... or my own mailing list.
Disclaimers:
Q: Did you know (insert series title) is owned by (insert creator's name) and they can SUE you?
A: See now... I'm not actually claiming to OWN any of the series I write for... and I write FANfiction, meaning I am aware that I am a fan... and the creators are VERY aware that they have fans who write fiction and they have accepted that. I can direct you to reference sites that state the creator's stance on the Fandom and prove they don't have a problem with it. I have disclaimers on all my gallery pages stating: *Disclaimer* I do not own (series name) or the characters associated with the series. I am merely a fan with too much time on her hands. I get nothing from writing except the satisfaction of a job well done. --Lel
As stated in my disclaimer I get NOTHING from writing fanfiction, so they wouldn't get any money out of me (which would be what the lawyers would be worried about). And I RESPECT creators who do not wish to have fanfics created from their work. I am a FAN. I don't write to be malicious or take away from the series... but to share my love with others.
That being said, here's the link to Rowling's stance on Harry Potter Fandom.
This site is really helpful in looking up stances: Writers University
Q: What's with all the lemons? That's sick! Don't you have anything BETTER to do with your time?
A: If you don't like lemons DON'T READ THEM. I purposefully label it as a lemon so you can avoid it. AND I explain what lemon, lime and dark mean. I take great pains in labelling everthing and putting everything in categories. Yes, I have BETTER things to do, so please don't waste my time sending me "That's sick!" emails when I used a great deal of my "wasted time" already in warning you of the content. I really can't help you if you are just going to ignore the warnings. If you can decide against seeing an R-rated movie, you can decide against reading a Lime. I'm not forcing you to read, you know.
Stealing (Plagiarism):
Q: I saw one of your fics at (name of archive), but it was under a different name, is it yours?
A: All the archives I belong to have my penname as Leloi. If you see anything different (aside from Gretchen Wilburn) then it is NOT me. I would appreciate a link so I can take care of the matter. Many thanks to my readers who have already written to me when they found stolen works. Just be careful... compare the two completely, beginning to end, because I DO take part in challenge fics to end pieces. So a beginning of my fic may actually belong to someone else's challenge and there are others who take the same challenge. But in my synopsis I will state that it is a challenge fic and who wrote what part.
Those of you who want to steal one of my fics, you will probably get caught... I have a lot of fans who read the archive sites and they recognize my fics. Stealing a fic from me is a good way to get banned from an archive within 24 hours. That's not a threat, that's the policy of an self respecting archive. Plagiarism is a SERIOUS offense, and I beg of you to think twice before you commit that crime against ANYONE. (and yes, it is a crime) It WON'T make you popular... just a common petty thief.
Q: I've seen your art on other sites...
A: As long as they site me as the artist... I have no real problems with that. Netiquette dictates that the artist's stats should accompany the fanart they did. It also dictates that "copycat" artists site where they copied their art from. I follow these rules. I know my animated GIFs are used without my name on them... and as long as they don't claim to be the person who created them... that's fine.
HELP!!!:
Q: I have a great idea for a story and it involves (story pitch) will you write it?
A: It sounds like you have a really good handle on what you want to write. Why don't YOU write it? I like for people to develop their own creative voice... so if you have an idea, run with it. You don't have to give the story to me... you can write it yourself. ^^v Gambatte!
Q: Will you write WITH me?
A: Unless I'm in a role playing environment... it's a little weird to write with someone I don't know. I like to know WHO is working with me. All the people I've written with I've had an ongoing relationship on the various mailing lists I'm on. I'm shy and like to get to know people before I jump into a full blown story with them. There's easy access to me... I'm one of the mods for the Inu-Yasha mailing list... I'm also on the Inuyasha list and InuyashaEcchiFanFics list and many others (all on Yahoo! Groups)... and I'm very VOCAL on those lists, so it's not like I lurk. Talk to me and I WILL talk back and get on my soapbox and argue things. I get over my shyness after getting to know you in that sort of setting. I also try not to write with underage people... I'm sorry, but I can get in real trouble for that. Who would know? I would... and it would completely freak me out. PLEASE don't put me in that position.
Q: Will you post my story to your site?
A: I can't. I only have 5Mb of space and I'm already at capacity... which means I have to start getting rid of stuff to make more room. Besides my site is to showcase my own writing. I would be happy to link to you in my links section should you develop your own site. There's free space at Fortunecities and Tripod.
Q: I'm starting an archive and would like to have some of your stories. I'll give you credit. Send me everything.
A: That always makes me feel weird... not that they want to use my stories in an archive... but that they'll give me credit. It makes me think the world is so devious that the only way to get someone to give you access is if you offer credit. Credit SHOULD be a given. If you're asking to archive my stories I'll ASSUME that you'll be giving people a link or an email address to get ahold of me. It's just a little weird to see "I'll give you credit."
As for sending EVERYTHING. I'm not a sender. I hate sending stories through email because it's a lot of work to dig up the original DOC files (that may or may not have all the edits) and they always look funny when the person formats them on their page. The way I upload them is the way they SHOULD look... how I WANT them to look. So I'll never send everything, just give them a link.
Q: Send me everything you know about (subject)!
A: Erm... Why? Everything I know? That's... a lot... I really don't know if I can teach anyone everything there is to know... and it's all my own interpretation. I'd be happy to answer individual questions... but where would I start for "everything?" In the beginning there was nothing and then there was something... and the something was GOOD. I mean, how far back should I go? I really work better off of SPECIFIC questions.
That's all the FAQ for now... ^^v
I'll probably add more should the need arise.
Click on the brooding Inuyasha to email me. (Hint: Look at the top of the page) ^^v
Updates:
Q: When will you update?
A: I usually update when I have about three new stories to upload, just to make it worth my time... and because I hate such tasks as updating my site. I usually premiere most of my fics to the InuyashaEcchiFanFic list... so if you want to get an idea of how fast I write, join THAT mailing list. Also, I'm very active there, so you can talk to me.
UPDATE: I created a Mailing List for my site: The Vault.
Q: When will you write more of (insert series title here)?
A: A lot of my series that I haven't updated in a long time I've hit writer's blocks on. For instance, the Heat Series hasn't had anything NEW written for it in about 3 years. Recently a chapter appeared, but that was something I've had in my notebook that I finally typed in and uploaded. I will probably go back to the series when I get more time... or in the case of Escaflowne or Harry Potter, when I re-watch or re-read the series, it's been a long time so the material isn't so fresh in my mind.
Q: Hurry up and update!!!
A: So impatient... I don't have a 9 to 5 job, but I AM a housewife and a mother... so between the baby and house cleaning, it's a wonder I get ANY free time to write at all. As I'm typing this baby is taking his nap. Threatening me won't make me write any faster.
Q: Tell me when you update!
A: I don't have any means to do that ~~;; There are too many people... I would need something automated... or my own mailing list.
Disclaimers:
Q: Did you know (insert series title) is owned by (insert creator's name) and they can SUE you?
A: See now... I'm not actually claiming to OWN any of the series I write for... and I write FANfiction, meaning I am aware that I am a fan... and the creators are VERY aware that they have fans who write fiction and they have accepted that. I can direct you to reference sites that state the creator's stance on the Fandom and prove they don't have a problem with it. I have disclaimers on all my gallery pages stating: *Disclaimer* I do not own (series name) or the characters associated with the series. I am merely a fan with too much time on her hands. I get nothing from writing except the satisfaction of a job well done. --Lel
As stated in my disclaimer I get NOTHING from writing fanfiction, so they wouldn't get any money out of me (which would be what the lawyers would be worried about). And I RESPECT creators who do not wish to have fanfics created from their work. I am a FAN. I don't write to be malicious or take away from the series... but to share my love with others.
That being said, here's the link to Rowling's stance on Harry Potter Fandom.
This site is really helpful in looking up stances: Writers University
Q: What's with all the lemons? That's sick! Don't you have anything BETTER to do with your time?
A: If you don't like lemons DON'T READ THEM. I purposefully label it as a lemon so you can avoid it. AND I explain what lemon, lime and dark mean. I take great pains in labelling everthing and putting everything in categories. Yes, I have BETTER things to do, so please don't waste my time sending me "That's sick!" emails when I used a great deal of my "wasted time" already in warning you of the content. I really can't help you if you are just going to ignore the warnings. If you can decide against seeing an R-rated movie, you can decide against reading a Lime. I'm not forcing you to read, you know.
Stealing (Plagiarism):
Q: I saw one of your fics at (name of archive), but it was under a different name, is it yours?
A: All the archives I belong to have my penname as Leloi. If you see anything different (aside from Gretchen Wilburn) then it is NOT me. I would appreciate a link so I can take care of the matter. Many thanks to my readers who have already written to me when they found stolen works. Just be careful... compare the two completely, beginning to end, because I DO take part in challenge fics to end pieces. So a beginning of my fic may actually belong to someone else's challenge and there are others who take the same challenge. But in my synopsis I will state that it is a challenge fic and who wrote what part.
Those of you who want to steal one of my fics, you will probably get caught... I have a lot of fans who read the archive sites and they recognize my fics. Stealing a fic from me is a good way to get banned from an archive within 24 hours. That's not a threat, that's the policy of an self respecting archive. Plagiarism is a SERIOUS offense, and I beg of you to think twice before you commit that crime against ANYONE. (and yes, it is a crime) It WON'T make you popular... just a common petty thief.
Q: I've seen your art on other sites...
A: As long as they site me as the artist... I have no real problems with that. Netiquette dictates that the artist's stats should accompany the fanart they did. It also dictates that "copycat" artists site where they copied their art from. I follow these rules. I know my animated GIFs are used without my name on them... and as long as they don't claim to be the person who created them... that's fine.
HELP!!!:
Q: I have a great idea for a story and it involves (story pitch) will you write it?
A: It sounds like you have a really good handle on what you want to write. Why don't YOU write it? I like for people to develop their own creative voice... so if you have an idea, run with it. You don't have to give the story to me... you can write it yourself. ^^v Gambatte!
Q: Will you write WITH me?
A: Unless I'm in a role playing environment... it's a little weird to write with someone I don't know. I like to know WHO is working with me. All the people I've written with I've had an ongoing relationship on the various mailing lists I'm on. I'm shy and like to get to know people before I jump into a full blown story with them. There's easy access to me... I'm one of the mods for the Inu-Yasha mailing list... I'm also on the Inuyasha list and InuyashaEcchiFanFics list and many others (all on Yahoo! Groups)... and I'm very VOCAL on those lists, so it's not like I lurk. Talk to me and I WILL talk back and get on my soapbox and argue things. I get over my shyness after getting to know you in that sort of setting. I also try not to write with underage people... I'm sorry, but I can get in real trouble for that. Who would know? I would... and it would completely freak me out. PLEASE don't put me in that position.
Q: Will you post my story to your site?
A: I can't. I only have 5Mb of space and I'm already at capacity... which means I have to start getting rid of stuff to make more room. Besides my site is to showcase my own writing. I would be happy to link to you in my links section should you develop your own site. There's free space at Fortunecities and Tripod.
Q: I'm starting an archive and would like to have some of your stories. I'll give you credit. Send me everything.
A: That always makes me feel weird... not that they want to use my stories in an archive... but that they'll give me credit. It makes me think the world is so devious that the only way to get someone to give you access is if you offer credit. Credit SHOULD be a given. If you're asking to archive my stories I'll ASSUME that you'll be giving people a link or an email address to get ahold of me. It's just a little weird to see "I'll give you credit."
As for sending EVERYTHING. I'm not a sender. I hate sending stories through email because it's a lot of work to dig up the original DOC files (that may or may not have all the edits) and they always look funny when the person formats them on their page. The way I upload them is the way they SHOULD look... how I WANT them to look. So I'll never send everything, just give them a link.
Q: Send me everything you know about (subject)!
A: Erm... Why? Everything I know? That's... a lot... I really don't know if I can teach anyone everything there is to know... and it's all my own interpretation. I'd be happy to answer individual questions... but where would I start for "everything?" In the beginning there was nothing and then there was something... and the something was GOOD. I mean, how far back should I go? I really work better off of SPECIFIC questions.
That's all the FAQ for now... ^^v
I'll probably add more should the need arise.
Click on the brooding Inuyasha to email me. (Hint: Look at the top of the page) ^^v