Slams Head to Desk: Frustrations of a Writer

I posted two chapters recently, as I'm sure any readers of the blog have seen.

First, I posted Part Twenty Two of The Properties of a Rose, and it has only two reviews. And I've gotten a lot less reviews from my usual reviewers than I normally do, even though I'm updating more regularly/frequently lately.

Then I posted Chapter Seven of Closer to Heaven Above, and I've not gotten a single review for it. I just don't understand. I don't understand not having at least a few reviews. I know that Percy/anyone isn't exactly a big pairing in fanficiton, but I would like to know how I'm doing from those who do enjoy Percy/Audrey.

It's frustrating because I have no idea how I'm doing if no one tells me. Besides, it really dampens my spirits. Luckily I'm a little bit ahead in both stories (at least a chapter ahead in writing each), but I don't feel motivated to edit those chapters with the little responses I'm getting. :( I just want to know what people think, that's all. :/

Do you think maybe I posted at a bad time? Is there an effective time to post? A time that that maybe helps us get more reviews?

Ugh.

Yours & Frustrated,
Kate/RP

Progress, How I Love Thee!

I definitely wrote a full chapter today, just for the heck of it. The Properties of a Rose, Part 24 is re-written from the load of dung I wrote before, and it is now so so so much better! :) I can't wait to post it for you all; I feel like it has really accomplished some of my goals and is setting up room for the others to be accomplished in the future.

Yay for progress! :)

Anywho, just wanted to update you all on my progress with the fic, as I am rather proud to have some chapters ready to post as soon as the staffers are back from their much deserved holiday!

Thanks, and please check back soon for news of an update!

xox,
Kate/RP

PropOfRose Update--Where I am in Writing

Hello, readers of The Properties of a Rose!

While the HPFF queue is closed (and trusted authors are not permitted to post either), I decided that I would write to my hearts' content. I got all the way to Part 27, and I was so excited to have written so much. And then I realised something: It was all crap. Utter crap.

For some reason, I had taken the story in a new and totally different direction than I had planned, making an already "bad" character into an "evil" character--which was not at all what I had intended. I'm very sorry to say that Parts 24-27 were not at all what I really wanted for this story. They have been cut, and I'm starting fresh from the end of Part 23, using only the parts of the following chapters that keep with my original intentions.

In some ways, I am incredibly mad at myself for getting carried away with a plot that I didn't really think through. I knew it was making this story much darker than I want, and yet I wrote it anyway. But then again, I feel like I learned a bit about what I want my limitations to be for each character, you know? Like I don't want Hugo to lose his absurdities, as that's what makes him so endearing to both myself as writer and Rose as his sister. And I don't want Rose to lose site of her spunkiness, even as she finds a softer, sweeter side of herself with Scorpius. And more than anything, I want to expand Albus to make him understanding and more mature, yet still goofy and over-caring for the people he loves (IE his cousins and sister). And Louis will never, ever lose his goofy t-shirts. ;)

Anyway, I'm still ahead of the game, and I've still got time to get further ahead in the remaining days that the queue is closed. I just wanted you all to know and understand what I've been going through--this fiction will not divert from the style it was originally; I enjoy writing it too much to change it drastically.

I also want to thank you guys and gals so so so much for sticking by me with this fic! I really really appriciate all of the reads (over 33,000!) and reviews (278!) that you've given me--all of the support and patience you have shown. If it weren't for many of you and your dedication, I probably would have quit writing this fic long ago. Thank you for encouraging me to go on. :)

You readers rock!

Thanks, and please check in for updates after the queue reopens!

--Kate/RP <3

Considering MNFF

Many of you probably know about, read at, or even write at Muggle Net Fan Fiction (MNFF). I used to write there, but left after some of my work was turned down for reasons that I did not agree with. I went back today, to look for something fresh to read, and found that I had some very nice reviews on some old one-shots of mine.

I am currently debating as to whether or not I should go back to MNFF and post at least some of my newer works. I would love your opinions on the matter, and please, feel free to tell me your honest thoughts. I am not sure if I should even go back to MNFF or if I should just stick with posting at HPFF only.

No matter what, I will continue to post at HPFF, as it has always been a very supportive site for me, and I have no problems whatsoever with their moderating staff or any of the rules. I love HPFF, but MNFF is where I started, and I am torn between beginning again there or just sticking with what I now know as my fanfic home (HPFF).

Thanks for your input and support,
Kate/RP :)

Getting Deeper into the Fic

As you all know, I started college this past fall, and I've been really really busy. However, over Easter, I've had a break to work on some fanfiction and do some reading.

Basically, I reread The Properties of a Rose as it's been posted on HPFF and updated by posting chapter 19. I think that I owe you all a sort of update on my actual writings, so here it is, a list of some tentative plans for the next few chapters:
-develop deeper relationships between characters, specifically:
*more in-depth work with Rose and Scorpius
*some establishment of Jeanette's role as friend to Rose and love interest to Albus
*further introduction to Rose's family, including more analysis of Hugo and her parents
*work on the Slytherins (Ada, Arvin, and Barney, specifically)
-get some new plot developments to keep it interesting by:
*introducing more headgirl duties for Rose (such as Hugo's latest gobstones scheme)
*making Christmastime roll around
*having a Hogsmeade trip
*working on another match

Some of these things will begin to be seen starting with Installment 20.

Please check back here for more information, and feel free to leave comments to discuss the fic with me! :)

Thanks for reading,
Kate/RP

PS: Happy Easter!