8. DJWP

Interview August 16, 1998

^[273] Xena Fan Fiction Works were found at MaryD's The Bard's Corner.

*If you decide to go to this site, please pay careful attention to the disclaimers that introduce each story regarding violence and/or sexual content.

1. A Bard Days Night [alt]
2. Eating out [alt]
3. The Marriage of Xena and Gabrielle [alt]
4. Trick of the Moonlight [alt]
5. Seven Days in Pompeii [alt]
6. What Are Little Girls Made Of? [alt]

Question #01:
^[274] What has been your inspiration for writing fan fiction?

DJWP:
^[275] It was actually reading fanfic that inspired me to try my hand at it. My inspiration has been the many other bards in the Xenaverse.

^[276] I love watching the show, but when I stumbled upon the fanfic, it was as if an entirely new world opened up to me. I was inspired by the many great fanfic stories to give it a go.

^[277] I feel that Xena: Warrior Princess is as much a story about romance between two women, as it is action/adventure. The relationship is the thing for me. In fanfic, the relationship can go where it hasn't been able to go in the show.

^[278] At this point, I need this for my own sanity.

Question #02:
^[279] Has your motivation changed over time?

DJWP:
^[280] I have learned a lot since I wrote my first story - thanks to the help of my great writers that participate in Xena fanfic - the Bards, as we lovingly call them.

^[281] Now, not only am I trying to write a good story, but I'm trying to improve my skills as well.

Question #03:
^[282] Have you written other fiction?

DJWP:
^[283] I have only ever written Xena fanfic.

Question #04:
^[284] Do you - or have you ever - like(d) reading Romantic fiction prior to Xena fan fiction?

DJWP:
^[285] I do not read romance novels. Even the lesbian romantic novels hold no interest for me.

^[286] I think the fact that I am able to see myself for the first time on television is what has really hooked me. Not that I am a warrior or I am a bard, but the binding tie that can happen between two women is being wonderfully portrayed for all the world to see. It's a beautiful thing to watch, when you recognize it.

Question #05:
^[287] In your opinion, is XWP a romantic show?

DJWP:
^[288] Yes, for the reasons I have stated above.

Question #06:
^[289] Do you believe that any of your stories fall under the genre of Romance?

DJWP:
^[290] All of my stories are romantic in nature, but they also have a plot. Though my stories have a storyline, the main text of the story is the development of the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle.

Question #07:
^[291] In the wonderful novel "A Bard Days Night", the characterizations are highly entertaining - not only of Xena and Gabrielle, but of many others including Sappho. Are any of your stories as much of a reflection of what it's like to be a lesbian in modern times as it is about pre-Mycenaean times?

DJWP:
^[292] Goodness, no. I wish a lesbian relationship could be as open and wonderful in modern times as I am writing it in pre-Mycenaean times. The truth of the matter is, in a Bard Day's Night, Sappho was the Greek equivalent of a rock star -- her poetry loved and honored throughout the known world. In modern times, her poetry has been all but destroyed and her name buried. In fact, many people who wrote me about ABDN indicated that they hadn't known Sappho was a real poet at all.

^[293] Xena and Gabrielle can love one another in pre-Mycenaean times. But in modern times, on television, they have to cleverly disguise it. In fanfic, I can throw the disguise away. Why would I want to write a story that is a reflection of lesbian life in modern times -- where I would have to hide it.

^[294] I leave the subtext for TPTB.

Question #08:
^[295] "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" includes fantasy, suspense, humor and romance and is tremendously creative. You wrote it in serial form around the time of the last Burbank Convention [Burbank II, January 1998]. Did writing it in serial form increase or inhibit your creative energy?

DJWP:
^[296] Actually, I didn't write it in serial form. It was complete. I merely posted it in serial form. The nature of the story seemed to lend itself to that -- a lot of cliffhangers and such.

^[297] It worked. ;-)

Question #09:
^[298] You have begun posting another story called "Seven Days in Pompeii", set after the horrors of season three. You display a remarkable ability to write dialog and you bring us the delightful Sappho once again. Has it been challenging to bring humor to this story?

DJWP:
^[299] No, not at all. I think it depends on how you view season three. Yeah, I guess you can say that season three was full of 'horrors' - but there were also episodes like FISH, FEMS, AND GEMS and ONE AGAINST AN ARMY.

^[300] The rift is over. After we pull Gabrielle out of the pit, I say we leave the rift there.

Question #10:
^[301] Have you ever written a story because someone requested it?

DJWP:
^[302] No one's ever requested a story from me.

Question #11:
^[303] To date, which of your stories have received the most reader response?

DJWP:
^[304] No doubt about that - A Bard Day's Night.

Question #12:
^[305] There is some controversy about what uber-Xena fiction is. What is your current definition of a completely uber story and do you think you might write one?

DJWP:
^[306] My definition of an Uber Story is a story with Janice and Mel in it. I will probably never write an Uber Story.

Question #13:
^[307] The title of my article, "Romancing The Fan: The Genre of Romance and Xena Fan Fiction", at least in part suggests that we fan fiction authors, inspired by XWP, write for more than ourselves alone. We are drawn to Xena's power and her envelopment/acceptance/ love for us (vicariously experienced) is empowering. We expand on the theme and share our idealized visions of love or emotional bonding with the hope of forming a type of relationship with readers. Life is all about relationships and we - like actors who would woo their audience - we seek not only artistic expression but acceptance as well. There is no monetary profit in this endeavor. Our profit is of a spiritual nature during the writing of it and whenever a reader communicates to us their thoughts and feelings about our expressed visions. If it's positive, our efforts to woo were successful and we are spiritually energized. If we get little response or too many negatives, we will give up or amend our courting in some way. Do you have any thoughts about this? Are you still awake?

DJWP:
^[308] Writing fanfic has given me great satisfaction. It has been a creative release for me and has given me acceptance in the great world of the Xenaverse, as well.

^[309] And I can't forget to mention the wonderful project I am involved in, "The Bitter Treat". This project has been so much fun and such a creative challenge -- I thank TPTB everyday for The Bitter Suite and for embracing The Bitter Treat the way they have.

^[310] I've have met and made some great friends through all of this. I've gone to some incredible parties! I've had some incredible parties! And I intend to have more! :-)

^[311] It's a wonderful Xenaverse, and I'm proud to be a Nutball.

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Lunacy | Baermer | Bat Morda | B.L. Miller | Bongo Bear | C.N. Winters | Della Street | DJWP | Ella Quince | Hobbes | Jenbob | Joanna | Katrina | L Graham | L.N. James | Lyssa | Marie E. Costa | Missy Good | PB | Paul Seely | Puckster | Quest | sHaYcH | S.L. Bowers | Tim Wellman | J.C. Wilder | Wishes | WordWarior