Writing Update

[keiramarcos]

The thing is that I have a bunch of WIPs. Because I write in serial format-- I can juggle a few without feeling all that guilty about keeping readers waiting (sorry) but I do try to live a guilt-free life. Guilt takes up so much energy and often makes you feel miserable both mentally and phsyically. The problem is that I truly am spoiled for choice so I tried to inspire myself by reading my own work. Most of you can get a good idea of what's on my plate based on excerpts from Evil Author Day. I'm very close to finishing That Old Black Magic (HP - Harry/Draco).  I also have a project with LadyHolder (Dangerous and Beautiful Things which is a Sherlock/Sentinel fusion) and a Star Trek/Sentinel project of my own that is fascinating to play with. 

There are a few others: Beckon the Dark (next novel in the Lantean Legacy series), Valor and Honor (next novella in Ring of Fire), and of course my Halo/Sga project that I will start actively pursueing after I wrap up the SGA arc of TTB. As for my major series stuff (spoilers ahead):


Tangled Destinies  (current word count: 144,526)

I read Forsaken  -- that was a turning point fic for me in that series because it's leading up to the final episode in the first arc of the series. Part ten in that series which will be called "Covet" is the final installment of the first arc and it will center around Sam Kirk (his dissertion of his brother, his reported death on Tarsus, Winona's duplicity, etc etc). I thought it was important to address both Spock's brother and Jim's brother at the end of Arc 1 because in many ways both Spock and Jim were indelibly marked by the conduct of their brothers and their emotional/physical dissertation of them.

In Forsaken, we find that Sybok was vicious to Spock when they were children and as a result Spock is extremely distrustful of his half-brother to the point where he deliberately destroyed the familial bonds they shared. This lead Sybock down a very different road (from his canon one in the original series movies) where he tried to embrace the most difficult and far reaching mental discipline on Vulcan. His success or failure isn't particularily relevent to Spock at this point beyond the fact that he'll do anything to keep Sybock away from the family he's created with his parents and Jim on Earth. After I finish up Covet -- I'll start the second arc. We will skip ahead a few years-- Jim and Spock will have finished undergrad and will be preparing for their wedding ceremony on Betazed. Why will I jump ahead? Because frankly-- I'm ready to write porn for this series and I sincerely wish I hadn't made them meet when they were just sixteen. So jumping ahead until their 19 (almost 20) has so much apppeal that it isn't funny. Arc 2 will take place mostly at Star Fleet academy where we will meet more canon characters (Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, etc etc). I'm really looking forward to that.

Ties That Bind (current word count: 330,817)

When I first started writing this story it was a single novel. A novel that turned into 100,000+ words before I ever posted a single word of it on my site. In fact, it wasn't until I'd reread what I wrote for about the tenth time that it crossed my mind that my readers might like it. Truth is that there were plenty in the beginning who DIDN'T appreciate it and I'm sure there are still plenty of people who visit my site who wouldn't touch the series with someone else's severed hand. BDSM is, in its own way, more divisive than slash (or incest) is in fandom. I wrote the series for myself because frankly I was deeply enamored with Xanthe's series (I still am) and like many other writers who've read her work I was inspired to play with the themes. We exchanged a few emails regarding permissions before I posted the first novella in the Ties That Bind series and she did warn me that the work might not be received well by the fandom at large. I thought I was prepared for it. I wasn't. I mean, I really wasn't. I've received more negative feedback and blowback about Ties That Bind than all my other work combined.

A lot of people don't GET it. In fact, there are people who read it and proclaim to enjoy who don't get it. I know this because of their comments and private emails. I've had more than one person so grossly misunderstand my work that I was truly horrified by their interpretation of the material. Though, the less said about that the better, I guess. I can't make anyone get what my words mean to me and I know that everyone gets something different out of it. The series is 3 novellas from being finished. The final three installments in the SGA arc will be called: Time After Time, Broken Road, and The North Star. I have them all plotted out and while I can't promise you won't be shocked, appalled, and furious at certain points throughout the last three stories I will guarentee you a Happy Ending. I don't believe in anything else.

I'd like to take this AU into different fictional worlds eventually -- Sherlock and Criminal Minds to be specific. I don't know if I will but it all strikes my fancy. Who would I pair in those worlds -- well Sherlock should be obvious (Sherlock/John). Criminal Minds, I'm actually a Morgan/Reid shipper but if I wrote TTB for that show-- it would be Hotchner/Reid. Not to be rude about it, but suggestions for other fandoms to explore for this would not be appreciated. 

Sentinels of Atlantis (current word count: 206,927)

This series was rather unintentional. I started writing it on a whim because I was inspired by Ladyholder's series The Unlikely and Unwilling. I wrote The Gathering and I posted it. The response was really positive so I thought, okay, I can work with that. Then I wrote twenty episodes over a period of six months. I hesitate to talk about this even now because I was so devastated! My harddrive had a failure and I hadn't backed up in more than a year. I lost almost all of the episodes I'd written for SOA and THREE professional projects in the moment that harddrive failed. Recovery was impossible. I spent several hundred dollars trying to recover data because of my professional work. Deadend. I was done. It was horrific.  What was worse? I couldn't rewrite what I'd written for SOA. I tried to make myself do it and I was so disillusioned and bored that I had to back up and start over. I replotted the entire first season from what I had posted on my site forward. 

What did this do? Well, John gained a brother he wouldn't have had otherwise (Matt) and Andrew Sheppard appeared. Some readers don't like Andy -- I had one (lol) tell me she thought the kid was creepy. Well, he IS creepy. He's meant to be. In many ways, Andy is a mirror of John. An online Sentinel at a very young age who is powerful beyond measure -- he hears things he shouldn't, is deeply connected with the psionic plane in ways that many simply don't understand and has been under the unknowing guidance of an ascended Sentinel/Guide pair since he came online. Things will get creepier on the Andy front. Just wait until you meet his Guide! 

Episode 20 (The Search) will be the final episode in Season One of the series. It will be long -- easily longer than the first episode (The Gathering) of the season. We'll tie up some loose ends both on Atlantis and on Earth as we prepare for some major changes (mostly on Earth) as they gear up to face the threat of the Wraith and the Ori.

The first five episodes of Season Two are titled: The Pride, The Sacrifice, The Return, The Lifeline, and The Seige -- I'll be honest I get extremely excited just thinking about these episodes! It's going to be so action packed and fun and scary and some of you may end up sending me slightly threatening emails. Don't worry I'll make you a perfect subject line on my contact form!

Aside: I have no idea when any of that will be posted. Just FYI.

---

Comments

spoiler alert

[chimera001.livejournal.com]

I love your spoilers!! They make me want to re-read everything all over again. And you have given me inspiration to watch series that I would not have watched otherwise. Heck, I watched the Star Trek reboot because I wanted to read your fic. As for not "getting" TTB, well, I may not exactly get what you get out of it, but I get much from it. I also love Xanthe's work, and yours is just as beautifully written. And I excited about what is coming? You bet!! Am I upset because I don't know when to expect it? Not a chance. I'll just re-read the other stuff again and again, until there is something new.

[auntbijou.livejournal.com]

You know, I came to you because of TTB. I can't remember now just how I discovered it... it's possible I was looking for Xanthe's story, because I had read it before and lost the bookmark, but I remember how I felt when I found it. Because finding really good BDSM fic, original or fanfic, is so damn hard, and when I find someone who writes it well, and actually gets what it's about, and gets it right, I tend to hang on and read whatever they write!

I wonder sometimes why BDSM gets fandom so riled up. I mean, we're a pretty pervy bunch anyway, right? So why BDSM? Especially the well-written stuff where the writer either knows what they're talking about or has actually done research. I can understand getting bent out of shape over some of the crap out there where someone who has no clue has written a "slap a collar on 'em, beat the crap out of 'em, and rape 'em till they pass out" story, because that's not BDSM, that's torture and a crime.

And I will freely admit, I find the TTB universe seductive, and I have written drabbles, trying to get a feel for it, though nothing I've posted. Because I totally get the inability to write after a hard-drive crash. I'm still trying to work my own way past that, and it sucks.

And your Sentinal/SGA fusion is totally addictive!! I can't wait for more, but I will because I'm patient like that. Hell, Keira, I love everything you write, and if I had a way to get my greedy little hands on your professional work, I would!! It's entirely possible I already have and just don't know it.

And why are people bothered by Andy? Seriously??? Is it a requirement to like every single character you read??? I mean... one doesn't like every single person one meets in real life, do they? So... why complain about a character they don't like? It's called plot development and moving the story along and building a well-rounded, believable universe!!

Okay, that's it, I need more caffeine before I'm allowed to write any more. Auntie's getting testy! I utterly adore you, and will wait patiently for the next installment of whatever you decide to bestow upon us with your great beneficence!

[lady-usako.livejournal.com]

I just have to say that I adore you. I really do. I follow you because you make me smile. I have a 'thing' for sarcasm. Your writing is incredible. The first of your stories I'd ever read was 'We've Taken Different Roads'. It is my favorite story, ever. I've lost count of how many times I've read it.

I love TTB. It made me see things about myself that I hadn't before. I've never understood why people need to criticize you about it. You did give warnings. Some people are idiots.

I re-read 'What Might Have Been', 'Tie That Bind', 'Birth of a Serpent King', and 'Tangled Destinies' at least twice a year. I look forward to your updates on my favorites and anything new you come up with. I generally drop whatever I'm doing to read them.

Your Halo/SGA fusion has me interested in the Halo books. My husband has several so I plan to start them when I'm finally get to do the stay-at-home thing in a few months.

Kudos and Love

[mourninghope.livejournal.com]

Keira,

I just wanted to tell you how much I love your work! I am particularly fond of Ties That Bind; the deep commitment and trust you write between the various partners is mind blowing and so emotionally rich that it boggles the mind and I can see how it might leave a sour taste in some readers mouths - if only because their lives are lacking that level of intimacy.

Kudos and Love
A.M. Hope

Writing Update

[lilz54.livejournal.com]

YAY!!! Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what you have in works. LOVE your writing so much that I have read them all several times over - and getting ready to start again.

Love all your works with my favorite being Ties That Bind. So you talking about expanding Sherlock and Criminal Minds into this universe gives me something to look forward to.

Glad to see that all the nay sayers didn't stop you from posting or continuing this universe. Bet some of those nay sayers are the same ones that bragging about reading Shades of Grey. I personally have no desire to read those books.

Again, thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of writing with us.

[quiltedlives.livejournal.com]

Your update made my day!!!!
I absolutly love TTB
I have read TTB and SOA both many times
(along with a few of your other works)
So ... where do we send the chocolates!

[jya-bd-cp-ttgb.livejournal.com]

Sorry you lost all that paid professional work, but damn glad GuideMatt was born!!!

[shallanelprin.livejournal.com]

Every single thing about this post makes me ridiculously happy.

[otrame.livejournal.com]

Ahh, good to know you are actively working. I feel none of us has a right to even ask about it, given the fact that you do this for free.

Please know how eagerly we wait, but don't do more than you are having fun doing.

[tlyna.livejournal.com]

I love all of your work so am looking forward to whatever you post next.

In SoA I find Andy very interesting. He is intelligent and already has John's strong sense of duty. Actually I love the way you have written John's family in all of the series.

For TTB, I admit I didn't think much of BDSM before this fandom. Mostly because what I had read was, I think so poorly written as to be nothing more than hard core porn with no emotional connection. When I found Xanthe I really began to like it and TTB I feel in love with. I think some people just can't let themselves see past the controlled violence and also probably see submission as humiliating and degrading. Sad really.

Thanks for the Update

[freddie-mac.livejournal.com]

Even tho you don't have an ETA on posting, I'm very glad to have a peek into your WIPS and your thoughts on these projects. Comments on Tangled (nothing else really grabbed me):

-- delighted to find out what happened to Sam in the next part. As much as Jim's buried his past, Sam was an integral part, and Jim needs the resolution (if nothing else) in order to move forward. IMHO, Sam was so twisted up inside when he left that he *wasn't* thinking clearly.

--- Arc 2: prepping for the Betazoid wedding! Yes!!! Granted, this has been a punchline from the beginning, so I'd have been very disappointed if it got hand-waved away. I'm still chucking over the Vulcans' horror at public nudity, Archer's enthusiasm, and Jim's fiendish plan to test his cousin's claim that she finds beauty in everything. Y'know, the requirement of public nudity is a good way to reduce the amount of brass in attendance. They can't say they weren't invited, and certainly they'd honor the local customs, right? :)

--- Arc 2: SFA and intro more canon characters -- looking forward to this as well. Can I just give a shout-out for ... nevermind, you'll add the canon characters (and OCs) you feel are appropriate, and I'll enjoy them all.

General note: yeah, having K & S meet at 16-ish has reduced the amount of porn, but I've enjoyed seeming their relationship develop in lieu of/around the porn

[tygtig.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is wonderful.
*squee*

As for TTB - I honestly don't care if I get it or not, I _love_ it. I stumbled across it on the net (idle surfing while I was away on a one-week course in neurological diseases, of all things :-D) and it just hit me like a freight train. I read the first two parts completely floored, it was intriguing and hot as hell and my first time reading BDSM and I had NO idea that I liked that. It literally changed my view of the world.

And I find it a lovely, slightly angsty and romantic lovestory and TTB!John is better than canon John. I think you broke my brain a little. That's ok. That's more than ok.

[ladymina.livejournal.com]

I am a bit scared by your announcement for TTB, I am not sure how much drama I can stand reading there, but I know I cannot talk myself into waiting till the happy end is posted. There is no way to stop me from reading an update on your page the moment I see it, not even 'you need to sleep, you have an 8 hour drive parts of it on the left side of the road (as in once you reach the UK) and you need sleep' ...but keirafic--- ok sleep is overrated *goes and reads ... yes not the best decision I made but I survived the drive!

I am very curious about your new fandoms in the TTB universe, and I won't beg for new fandoms, but do you have anyone else new playing in it, and more important do you know if there will be a second installment in Cinnaminions H5O TTB story?

I am also looking forward so much to your SoA update and have to say I love Andy!

[samnic1744.livejournal.com]

I think bdsm fics are hard for people who don't have that kink to read. I have very specific taste in bdsm fics and a because of that a lot of them squick me, especially Xanthe's stories. Those just hit all of my squicks so when I first saw you had written a story and you said in the same style I really did not want to read it, and I didn't for several months but then I could find nothing new to read and I was desperate, the same way I was when I tryed Xanthe's stories and so I dove in and I found that I liked the way that you dealt with it a lot more than Xanthe's. I like that your stories seem much more on the safe, sane, and consential bit then I felt hers were at least with the main characters. TTB will never be a mainstream interest for people because it is a particular kink that not everyone enjoys but I am glad that you were willing to share it with us because it is well done and the world building is amazing.

I am not saying that Xanthe is a bad writer and I actually like her other stories but like any thing if there is something that squicks you there is not much you can do about it and bdsm is one of those things. I happen to get really squicked when someone is saying no and the other person doesn't stop and they have no safeword to halt what is going on. It scares me and freaks me out. Its ok to not like something just as much as it is ok to like something.
alright I will get off my soapbox now.
I just wonder if I am the only person who loves TTB but thought Xanthe's bdsm world was not my cup of tea no matter how engaging the story telling.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Very cool. I especially love the Lantean Legacy and the Harry/Draco series. :D
Sorry about the hard drive crash.

[slvrbld747.livejournal.com]

Hmm, you did a Die Hard snippet for Ties That Bind, I would love, love to see a follow up. I was one of the leey, and was peaking in the first episode, and have been reading ever since, rolls eyes at self.

For Evil Author day you posted a snippet called I Shall Believe, Jim was an online Alpha, and they couldn't find his Guide, he was slowly dying, and then his Dad got Blair out of a South American embassy. It is embarrassing how often I go back, and read this one, laughs at herself, it ends before the bonding, and it is still one of my favorites. (p.s. was rereading excerpts today was the other Sentinel excerpt that ends mid sentence, the exploding building on top of our heroes.)

Tangled Destinies has captured my heart. It is wonderful. No other words describe it.

I am deeply looking forward to the Sentinel/Star Trek crossover, grins mischievously, there are so many things you can do with that, and knowing you, you will accomplish at least 3/4 of them. Thank you for sharing your writing with us. Bows reverently, I really appreciate it. -SB

[jx-walker.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the updates. It's nice to hear how things are going after reading all the blah, blah, blah on the WIP page. I understand the blahs.

Wonderful to read about TOBM. I was telling a friend the other day about this wonderful HP story and then I couldn't remember the end or even any of the middle only to facepalm when I realized it was your excerpt. LOL.

I will wait patiently for your next posting. I truely enjoy reading your stories. Thank you.

[karasumaakane]

I am ridiculously excited for all of this! You have no idea. \:D/

[ts0444.livejournal.com]

It always makes me happy when you post. Seeing a new fic of yours is generally the hightlight of the day. Thankyou for being such an amazing author and sharing your gay porn : ) with us. I love just about everything of yours Ive read so far. And even the stuff Im not a huge fan of is always interesting. Im looking forward to everything you mentioned here. Bonzai for Halo/SGA!

[chibigirlflower.livejournal.com]

You know that your're evil, right? Now i'm going to look even more longingly for updates of yor stories - all those wonderful stories to come.

[djaddict.livejournal.com]

I am excited beyond belief to read that "That Old Black Magic" is almost finished!!! The extension of "Birth of a Serpent King" has been much longed for... lol

I don't know if I "get" TTB in the way that you mean but I love it dearly. The power exchange and depth of characterization in that series is brilliant. And hot. Very, very hot!

[rivkaesque.livejournal.com]

Yay! for the potential of more Keira fic!

Especially TTB and anything Sentinel-related. You know, I read your your sentinel fic and then tried to watch the series - bad idea. It didn't have nearly the depth, and I stopped after the first 5 episodes because it just wasn't getting any better.

[romyra]

I love your Ties that Bind series. I am fascinated by the BDSM lifestyle and the control and trust that it embodies. I thought that your story gave me many things to think about. I am always enamoured of your posts no matter what you present and I can't see the point of trolls or flames since they must like what you do in the deepest darkest pit of themselves since they feel the need to cleanse that by trying to hate on you. I revel in your work and I pump my fist every time you tell off someone else. Keep doing what you do. You're Awesome.

[sarehkert.livejournal.com]

Personally I would never have read BDSM in a fit, just wasn't me. I don't even know what made me open and read it. Bored, desperate for something to read... anything. I have ended up addicted to TtB, not just the writing, the story line, mostly the respect that you have given the characters. The OC's, the cast photos, faces to the names. Must admit there is one I just don't see, but thats fine I just change the face in my head. As to adding others, it's your AU, it is whatever takes your fancy.

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

I have no idea if I get Ties That Bind the way you intend to, but it is probably my favourite series. I love the relationships in it and dynamic is fascinating. The sex/play scenes are very hot as well. So no issues from my side. Can't wait for the updates. Well, I can, actually. I am trying not to nag or whine. *puppy dog eyes*. Yep, this is me not begging for you to get on with it. Totally not. :-)

*edited twice for typos, sorry... *head desk*