If you've been around the fandom long enough to remember the Spookys and the Morley Awards, you'll definitely remember this week's author. And if not, now is a great time to get acquainted with the work of RivkaT. She's best known as the co-author, along with MustangSally, of the dark epic "Iolokus." The work even inspired a fan trailer recently. It's a story that's equal parts disturbing and moving and not for the faint of heart. But RivkaT has written many others worth your read like the casefile "Acadia" which is set in Season 4. RivkaT has also written stories in the Supernatural, Smallville, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer universes if you're looking to branch out.
We talked with RivkaT about writing and what brought her to The X-Files.
How long have you been a Phile?
I got hooked after watching Jose Chung’s From Outer Space, in what I think was early 1996. I don’t think I’d call myself a fan any longer, though I did watch the recent revival.
What was your first episode?
Jose Chung’s From Outer Space.
How long have you been writing fic?
I started writing around 1997.
For more questions, read after the jump.
What inspired you to start writing?
I’d read a bunch of what was available online and decided that I could do at least as well as the average.
Who is your favorite XF character to write?
Dana Scully.
Are there any XF characters you dislike or find too difficult to write?
I’m not a big fan of Marita Covarrubias or Walter Skinner as characters.
Is there a story you're most proud of or that's a favorite?
I have various stories that I think did what I wanted them to, but clearly the most memorable was "Iolokus." I happen to think that the third story in that series is the peak.
Where can people find your work, and what's the best way to send feedback?
AO3, these days. Comments are always, always adored, even if they’re short.
Do you take fic prompts from fans?
I used to, but I haven’t been in that place for a while. I hope I will get there again.
Have you written your own original characters outside of fandom?
Yes.
Anything you’d like to share about your writing process?
I usually start from a scene or two I really want to have, and then write around them. I am a huge fan of the “bad first draft.” Beta readers after that can help you fix what’s wrong, but they can’t until you have that bad first draft.
Do you have a favorite author? (fanfic or published!)
Too many to count!
Is there any advice you'd give to aspiring writers?
Just write. A bad written novel does more than a fantastic unwritten novel. Or a PWP—those also do good things for the world!
Anything else you'd like to share that I missed?
I hope that the deep bonds I was able to form through online fandom can survive in the new world, which seems both sped-up and more image-based (Tumblr). But I imagine it will; younger fans will find ways that set-in-our-ways folks like me missed.
Thank you to RivkaT for talking with us!