By nature, I am a very curious person. While reading L&C fanfics I have found myself wondering (a word I use a lot) about the authors who write the stories I love. It is with this curiosity in mind, that I have created the 'Writer's Showcase' in hopes all readers of L&C fanfic can get a closer view and yes, a sneak peek into the writing process. This will be the opportunity for you, the readers, to get to know your favorite writer as well as meet new ones.

Now without further ado, I am proud and honored to present this week's Writer, in the Writer's Showcase.

Personal Information

Author name
Crystal Wimmer (CrystalW on IRC)

E-mail addresses
JCWimmer@aol.com

Homepage
http//www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/3187/

Residence
California

List affiliations
Lois and Clark Listserve
L&C Fanfic Listserv and
Parents of Autistic's Listserve

Lois and Clark or Superman Status

How long have you been watching L&C?
1 year

How long have you been a fan of Superman
1 year

How long writing
1 year <bg>

How long writing have you been writing L&C fanfic
1 year

Types of Fanfic written
Round Robin
Drama
nfic
some in-betweenies

Most recent story posted
"Wherever You Are"

Favorite story you've written
"Full Circle"

Current project
Several ;)
FC Holes in the Floor of Heaven;
FC Mr. Mom;
FC Lucy Came Back;
Invisible,
I am on the S6 staff, with one episode planned (which I am not at liberty to discuss).

Personal picks of other Fanfic you've read
Anything by Chris Mulder (Meet Me in Kansas City, Dimentions of Loving)
Anything by Sheila Harper (Mxysplit, Shot in the Dark, Faster than a Speeding Bullet)
Peace & Piper's Healing, Peace's When My World Divides and Shatters
Gorn's Consummate Revelation
Demi's Heaven's Prisoners
Zoomway's Counter Clark-Wise and Always Something There to Remind Me

Interview Questions

What attracted you to writing Fanfic and what about it do you enjoy?
I love Lois and Clark.. they are the only characters that seem to hold my interest.

What about the L&C and the characters do you like the most?
Unconditional Love!

How do you interpret them in your work?
As human beings... I try to stay as close to canon aas possible... I don't like to use too much license with them. This is often difficult, as I write in the future, and we haven't seen what they will be in ten or twenty years... but I do my best to stay as accurate as I can.

How did you begin writing in general?
I fell in love with the characters... I became hooked on fanfic and thought, "Gee, I'd like to try that." When I got a good response, I continued.

What are you working on now and where do you see it going?
My main project now is FC Holes in the Floor of Heaven... it started out as a short story, but now I'm not so sure... it seems to be morphing. I think a story goes where you let it.. you provide a little structure, and let the characters do what they will... I won't know where it's going till it's finished.

What is your opinion about the following types of L&C fanfic's?
Action?
I like a little action, but I got enough of it in the series. I prefer emotional development and growth of characters... personal conflict rather than large amounts of villians and life-or-death fights. Life is chaotic enough on it's own... we don't need that much added to the works.

Drama?
This is my favorite... I love a good tear jerker... I still cry in Heaven's Prisoners and Faster than a Speeding Bullet... it's when a story touches your heart that you know it is good... at least for me.

Humor?
Comic relief is necessary... I recently read a story based on a bad spring in Clark's mattress... I laughed till my sides hurt... it was wonderful. In a really intense drama, humor is the release valve... it keeps the story readable.

Round Robin?
I like them. I like to participate them as long as they are relaxed and fun, but I find it hard to keep up during some of the stories, and if you get behind you can make embarrassing mistakes. I love to read them, though... especially Mirror Image ;)

Nfic?
Julie Mack is my hero. She makes my evenings with her vignettes. I love the more intense nfic's too... I feel that nfic is a natural extention of fanfic. I don't see it as dirty or perverse... I see it as an additional forum in which to develop the characters. I admire Sheila's ability to write her stories in both versions, and I respect Peace's decision to not always do so... it depends on the story. Some stories are not meant for nfic (such as my One Night Alone... it would have defied the canon of the series), and some are there soley for the purpose of sexual exploration (such as my FC Touch Football)...what is tolerated in the story should be based on what you want to accomplish, what character development needs to take place, and what mood you want the story to have. Some nfic is just sensationalism... it develops nothing, and often takes L&C out of their character... that I don't like. But, that's just me.

Has *everything* been done in your opinion, and if not, what is left?
We have a lifetime of history to explore with L&C... ageless possibilities. I'm fairly tired of revelation stories (that has been done quite often), and I am getting tired of the pregnancy stories as well (I know, I know, I did one myself... but still, they are beginning to become familiar, so maybe it's time to move on). There is a lifetime before them... the formation of Utopia, the generations of Kents... that is where I am headed.

What do you think makes the best story?
Characters, feelings, and growth... and enough activity to keep it interesting.

Open Forum For Author Comments
I have always been a reader... I suppose that is why I like to write... I like to share my ideas with others. I appreciate feedback on my stories, critical and otherwise, even though it sometimes hurts. I feel that my editors deserve as much credit for my stories as I do (Kathy Brown, Phil Atcliffe, Georgia Walden, and others) because they make me look so good. I think if you write something *you* would like to read, then chances are that someone else would like to read it too. And, finally... if you read enough, the form for writing and story telling should come fairly naturally. I have no artistic ability, I cannot draw or sing or act... but I do love to write. Perhaps that is where my "artistic abitily" lies... and perhaps not... but in any case, it is a fun thing to do... it gives me pleasure.