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Sep. 28th, 2003 10:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
essayelCopied this extrememly long Harry Potter Survey from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sisriusstar who copied it from somewhere else. It's a bit big so I'm hiding it.
Q: How did you get into Harry Potter?
Can’t remember exactly when but a friend said ‘I’ve read this book called ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I really enjoyed it’ and I said ‘oh yeah’ and promptly forgot about it because normally her taste in books is emphatically not mine. A couple of years later we were all on holiday together and I was stuck for something to read. Her daughter was re-reading the first 3 HP books so I swapped them for some Terry Pratchett’s. Got hooked, bought my own copies.
Q: Read the books?
I’ve read books 1=4 on numerous occasions, book three a couple more times coz that’s the best one, book five once, though I’ve dipped into it a time or two when I’ve had betaing to do. Also I have read books 1=4 loud twice to the kids.
Q: Where will you be on June 21st (release of the Fifth book)?
I was in a Roman goldmine in Mid Wales being a slave in a grubby tunic and sandals. The book was delivered by post.
Q: Who are your favourite characters?
I like the adults. Snape is a great character in canon. I adore Remus and Sirius in fanon, less so in canon. Dumbledore has his moments, as does Minerva. Arthur and Molly are really nice archetypes.
Q: Who are your favourite relatively minor characters?
Lucius Malfoy is nicely creepy, likewise Peter. Bill has potential. I suppose I should consider Hagrid but, frankly, most of the time I want to slap him.
Q: Favorite Professor?
Can’t count Remus, of course, because he wasn’t there for long. Sibyl Trelawney reminds me of the geography teacher we all called Ima Yoyo behind her back. McGonagall, I think.
Q: Have any HP merchandise?
Not personally. My daughter has a couple of board games.
Q: Do you relate to any characters?
Not really.
Q: Do you look like any characters?
No…although I have light brown hair with white stripes…shades of Remus?
Q: Do you act like any characters?
I have a dash of Remus in me, perhaps, except I failed miserably as a teacher. But I also have my wildly gung-ho side too, so perhaps there’s a smidgen of Sirius in there too.
Q: What is your favourite house?
Haven’t got one.
Q: Is there a house you absolutely hate?
No.
Q: Honestly, not just because of what house is your favourite, what house would you be in?
Either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Not bright enough for Ravenclaw, not ambitious enough for Slytherin.
Q: If you were a student, placed in the house you'd honestly be in, what sort of house member would you prefer to date?
Frankly…anyone who’d have me. I have no pretensions.
Q: Okay, suddenly you are a student in Harry's year. Pick someone you'd die to date.
None of them do much for me to be honest. I’d probably gravitate towards Dean because I’m from West Ham too. And I’m British so I’d be a ‘pupil’ not a ‘student’.
Q: Okay, now you are back in time, a student with James Potter. Pick someone you'd die to date.
I can confidently say that I would have a hopeless yearning crush on Sirius and be far too scared to ever even speak to him.
Q: Now, you have answered whom you can date, now let's talk about just flings. Which Harry Potter character(s) would you like to have nice long shag with, repeatedly?
Canon or fanon? Because there’s a world of difference, you know. In canon I don’t think there’s a single character I would fling my knickers over the wardrobe for – with the possible exception of the black haired Auror with the ponytail barely mentioned in OotP – in fanon the list is quite extensive, though I’d be inclined to stick to my ‘own’ versions of the characters.
Q: One at a time, or all together?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that my answer may be self-incriminating.
Q: Who would be your secret HP crush?
Haven’t I already answered this question?
Q: Is there a character that annoys you to no end, and should you meet them in real life, you'd want to kill them?
Logic dictates Voldemort. Gut feeling demands Colin Creevey.
Q: Do you ever compare people to material in the Harry Potter books?
Since I reckon I’m married to Severus Snape’s stunt double…yeah.
Q: Do you ever privately sort people into houses when you meet them?
No.
Q: Who is your favorite founder?
Don’t know enough about them to make a measured decision.
Q: Do you really believe the statement "Not a witch or wizard in Slytherin doesn't go bad"?
Of course not. That was Hagrid talking, wasn’t it? He’s an unreliable narrator if ever there was one. Besides, I’m not sure that that was actually what he said.
Q: Do you really blame the founder of the house for all of the out-of-date prejudices that Slytherins seem to have?
He certainly started the rot but it looks as though others have elaborated upon it.
Q: Do you think that Draco Malfoy will actually redeem himself as many fandom folk try to portray him as doing?
Not by his showing in the latest book.
Q: Do you think that Professor Snape can actually go back to spying?
Doubt it. He must be compromised by now. Voldie will be feeding him misinformation which the Light side, inefficient bunch of waster that they are, will believe implicitly.
Q: Is there any character you would give your wand arm for, just to see them die?
Voldemort needs to be terminated with extreme prejudice. Peter…perhaps. Guarantee that no one else would be hurt and show me a button that’ll blow Umbridge apart and I’ll pretty well break my thumb on it.
Q: Is there any character that in the event of their death you would have no qualms about holding Rowling hostage until the author writes the next book and finds some way to bring them back?
Been there, done that, wrote the denial fics. She can write what she likes from now on.
Q: Do you read fan fiction?
Yes but selectively.
Q: Where do you usually haunt for fan fiction?
I follow links from peoples LJs and there’s a few groups.
Q: What is your favourite fandom pairing?
Not fussed on shipping. I’ve read good ones with all kinds of pairings. But when I’m looking for something to read I tend to go for anything with either Sirius or Remus in the mix.
Q: Who was the first pairing you ever read?
Harry/Draco in Snitch! I’d never read fan fiction before and had never heard the term slash. My jaw dropped a bit, I can tell you!
Q: Has the slash bug caught you?
Well after that baptism of fire I’m afraid it has a bit. Some of it is quite dreadful, of course but some of my most cherished stories are slash.
Q: What sort of pairings are you most willing to read?
Depends upon the author really. A J Hall could write Professor Sprout/Giant Squid and make it interesting and entertaining.
Q: Is there any pairing that when you see it, you want to beat someone over the head with a blunt object? If so, who?
I can’t like Hermione. I’ve tried so hard but she irritates the hell out of me. I also loathe slash where as soon as the gentlemen concerned discover their affection for each other they start talking baby talk and picking out curtains. Oh, and incest – it’s not funny and it’s not clever. And middle-aged wizards making fools of themselves over underaged witches, especially as part of a teacher/pupil relationship, is just tacky. Oh, and Tonks get on my nerves.
Q: Which rare pairing are you currently on a kick about? In other words, reading every fan fiction of them you can get your hands on?
errmmm…can’t think of one.
Q: How are you about original characters serving as the main character in a story, particularly in a romance with a canon character?
That’s fine. Especially with OFCs because there are hardly any adult female characters in the Potterverse. Again, a lot depends on the author.
Q: What do you think of when people use alias like DracoMalfoysGurl?
”Ah, bless their little cotton socks!”
Q: Do you think that there is any elitism among authors in fandom groups? If so, who?
Yep, there is. I can think of one ‘big name’ who regularly puts people right in their fics (she never turned her destructive attentions to mine, thank goodness) despite having glaring inaccuracies in her own. I would assume everyone is too much in awe of her to have ever pointed them out or, if they have, she has ignored them.
Q: Who is your favorite author?
Too many to count. A J Hall springs to mind – her fics are a bit of a learning experience though. Penknife writes lovely stuff. Mariner. Abaddon. Those are just of the top of my head though and I’ve deliberately left out those for whom I beta.
Q: What makes you love a fan fiction?
A well thought out plot with good characterisation – and a really hot Sirius helps.
Q: What makes you hate a fan fiction?
When it’s really badly written. Even a good plot idea can be spoiled by lazy sloppy writing, especially if the author is in such a rush to get to the ‘meat’ of the story, whatever it is, that they neglect even the fundamentals of scene setting, characterisation and description. It is possible to have a G or PG rated PWP (Plot? What Plot?).
Q: How often a day to check fan fiction?
Not sure I understand this question. How many times a day do I check fan fiction? Not that often. How often do I set time aside to devote to reading others fan fiction? About once a week. How often do I devote time to my own fan fiction? Almost everyday even if it’s only for 10 minutes.
Other stuff - I have a daughter yelling because she has lost a filling due to toffee and a cat with a abcess due to a dog bite. Have applied cocodamol and sympathy to one and half a tin of pilchards to the other - I'll leave you to work out which got which.
sisriusstar who copied it from somewhere else. It's a bit big so I'm hiding it.Q: How did you get into Harry Potter?
Can’t remember exactly when but a friend said ‘I’ve read this book called ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I really enjoyed it’ and I said ‘oh yeah’ and promptly forgot about it because normally her taste in books is emphatically not mine. A couple of years later we were all on holiday together and I was stuck for something to read. Her daughter was re-reading the first 3 HP books so I swapped them for some Terry Pratchett’s. Got hooked, bought my own copies.
Q: Read the books?
I’ve read books 1=4 on numerous occasions, book three a couple more times coz that’s the best one, book five once, though I’ve dipped into it a time or two when I’ve had betaing to do. Also I have read books 1=4 loud twice to the kids.
Q: Where will you be on June 21st (release of the Fifth book)?
I was in a Roman goldmine in Mid Wales being a slave in a grubby tunic and sandals. The book was delivered by post.
Q: Who are your favourite characters?
I like the adults. Snape is a great character in canon. I adore Remus and Sirius in fanon, less so in canon. Dumbledore has his moments, as does Minerva. Arthur and Molly are really nice archetypes.
Q: Who are your favourite relatively minor characters?
Lucius Malfoy is nicely creepy, likewise Peter. Bill has potential. I suppose I should consider Hagrid but, frankly, most of the time I want to slap him.
Q: Favorite Professor?
Can’t count Remus, of course, because he wasn’t there for long. Sibyl Trelawney reminds me of the geography teacher we all called Ima Yoyo behind her back. McGonagall, I think.
Q: Have any HP merchandise?
Not personally. My daughter has a couple of board games.
Q: Do you relate to any characters?
Not really.
Q: Do you look like any characters?
No…although I have light brown hair with white stripes…shades of Remus?
Q: Do you act like any characters?
I have a dash of Remus in me, perhaps, except I failed miserably as a teacher. But I also have my wildly gung-ho side too, so perhaps there’s a smidgen of Sirius in there too.
Q: What is your favourite house?
Haven’t got one.
Q: Is there a house you absolutely hate?
No.
Q: Honestly, not just because of what house is your favourite, what house would you be in?
Either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Not bright enough for Ravenclaw, not ambitious enough for Slytherin.
Q: If you were a student, placed in the house you'd honestly be in, what sort of house member would you prefer to date?
Frankly…anyone who’d have me. I have no pretensions.
Q: Okay, suddenly you are a student in Harry's year. Pick someone you'd die to date.
None of them do much for me to be honest. I’d probably gravitate towards Dean because I’m from West Ham too. And I’m British so I’d be a ‘pupil’ not a ‘student’.
Q: Okay, now you are back in time, a student with James Potter. Pick someone you'd die to date.
I can confidently say that I would have a hopeless yearning crush on Sirius and be far too scared to ever even speak to him.
Q: Now, you have answered whom you can date, now let's talk about just flings. Which Harry Potter character(s) would you like to have nice long shag with, repeatedly?
Canon or fanon? Because there’s a world of difference, you know. In canon I don’t think there’s a single character I would fling my knickers over the wardrobe for – with the possible exception of the black haired Auror with the ponytail barely mentioned in OotP – in fanon the list is quite extensive, though I’d be inclined to stick to my ‘own’ versions of the characters.
Q: One at a time, or all together?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that my answer may be self-incriminating.
Q: Who would be your secret HP crush?
Haven’t I already answered this question?
Q: Is there a character that annoys you to no end, and should you meet them in real life, you'd want to kill them?
Logic dictates Voldemort. Gut feeling demands Colin Creevey.
Q: Do you ever compare people to material in the Harry Potter books?
Since I reckon I’m married to Severus Snape’s stunt double…yeah.
Q: Do you ever privately sort people into houses when you meet them?
No.
Q: Who is your favorite founder?
Don’t know enough about them to make a measured decision.
Q: Do you really believe the statement "Not a witch or wizard in Slytherin doesn't go bad"?
Of course not. That was Hagrid talking, wasn’t it? He’s an unreliable narrator if ever there was one. Besides, I’m not sure that that was actually what he said.
Q: Do you really blame the founder of the house for all of the out-of-date prejudices that Slytherins seem to have?
He certainly started the rot but it looks as though others have elaborated upon it.
Q: Do you think that Draco Malfoy will actually redeem himself as many fandom folk try to portray him as doing?
Not by his showing in the latest book.
Q: Do you think that Professor Snape can actually go back to spying?
Doubt it. He must be compromised by now. Voldie will be feeding him misinformation which the Light side, inefficient bunch of waster that they are, will believe implicitly.
Q: Is there any character you would give your wand arm for, just to see them die?
Voldemort needs to be terminated with extreme prejudice. Peter…perhaps. Guarantee that no one else would be hurt and show me a button that’ll blow Umbridge apart and I’ll pretty well break my thumb on it.
Q: Is there any character that in the event of their death you would have no qualms about holding Rowling hostage until the author writes the next book and finds some way to bring them back?
Been there, done that, wrote the denial fics. She can write what she likes from now on.
Q: Do you read fan fiction?
Yes but selectively.
Q: Where do you usually haunt for fan fiction?
I follow links from peoples LJs and there’s a few groups.
Q: What is your favourite fandom pairing?
Not fussed on shipping. I’ve read good ones with all kinds of pairings. But when I’m looking for something to read I tend to go for anything with either Sirius or Remus in the mix.
Q: Who was the first pairing you ever read?
Harry/Draco in Snitch! I’d never read fan fiction before and had never heard the term slash. My jaw dropped a bit, I can tell you!
Q: Has the slash bug caught you?
Well after that baptism of fire I’m afraid it has a bit. Some of it is quite dreadful, of course but some of my most cherished stories are slash.
Q: What sort of pairings are you most willing to read?
Depends upon the author really. A J Hall could write Professor Sprout/Giant Squid and make it interesting and entertaining.
Q: Is there any pairing that when you see it, you want to beat someone over the head with a blunt object? If so, who?
I can’t like Hermione. I’ve tried so hard but she irritates the hell out of me. I also loathe slash where as soon as the gentlemen concerned discover their affection for each other they start talking baby talk and picking out curtains. Oh, and incest – it’s not funny and it’s not clever. And middle-aged wizards making fools of themselves over underaged witches, especially as part of a teacher/pupil relationship, is just tacky. Oh, and Tonks get on my nerves.
Q: Which rare pairing are you currently on a kick about? In other words, reading every fan fiction of them you can get your hands on?
errmmm…can’t think of one.
Q: How are you about original characters serving as the main character in a story, particularly in a romance with a canon character?
That’s fine. Especially with OFCs because there are hardly any adult female characters in the Potterverse. Again, a lot depends on the author.
Q: What do you think of when people use alias like DracoMalfoysGurl?
”Ah, bless their little cotton socks!”
Q: Do you think that there is any elitism among authors in fandom groups? If so, who?
Yep, there is. I can think of one ‘big name’ who regularly puts people right in their fics (she never turned her destructive attentions to mine, thank goodness) despite having glaring inaccuracies in her own. I would assume everyone is too much in awe of her to have ever pointed them out or, if they have, she has ignored them.
Q: Who is your favorite author?
Too many to count. A J Hall springs to mind – her fics are a bit of a learning experience though. Penknife writes lovely stuff. Mariner. Abaddon. Those are just of the top of my head though and I’ve deliberately left out those for whom I beta.
Q: What makes you love a fan fiction?
A well thought out plot with good characterisation – and a really hot Sirius helps.
Q: What makes you hate a fan fiction?
When it’s really badly written. Even a good plot idea can be spoiled by lazy sloppy writing, especially if the author is in such a rush to get to the ‘meat’ of the story, whatever it is, that they neglect even the fundamentals of scene setting, characterisation and description. It is possible to have a G or PG rated PWP (Plot? What Plot?).
Q: How often a day to check fan fiction?
Not sure I understand this question. How many times a day do I check fan fiction? Not that often. How often do I set time aside to devote to reading others fan fiction? About once a week. How often do I devote time to my own fan fiction? Almost everyday even if it’s only for 10 minutes.
Other stuff - I have a daughter yelling because she has lost a filling due to toffee and a cat with a abcess due to a dog bite. Have applied cocodamol and sympathy to one and half a tin of pilchards to the other - I'll leave you to work out which got which.
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kids
Date: 2003-09-29 10:34 am (UTC)Speaking of kids, my youngest and his friends (all in late teens, EXTREMELY skinny, male) have just this evening decided that they're so cool as a band that they're going to enter a float in next year's Mardi Gras parade, play music as they're hauled down the street, allowing the admiring onlookers to throw money at them while they show their boons to the crowd.
I pointed out that they'd have to pass out magnifying glasses to the crowd so that people could see said boobs, and they replied, "Magnifying glasses will cost extra, man."
Kids are fun. I think it's a survival mechanism, built in so we don't kill and eat them..
Re: kids
Date: 2003-09-29 07:53 pm (UTC)Quite! Jenny has been playing her usual hilarious practical joke of sticking cold hands up my shirt. Mike has been walking round with his tiny girlfriend standing on his feet (she's about 4 foot eleven) and his best mate Robbie - a charmer if ever there was one - has borrowed one of my dresses because he reckons that his girlfriend "would look nearly as stunning as you in it, Sals!" (They are going to a 'medieval' party and it is a nice frock).