This month's featured author is Seema. Seema writes mostly "DS9" fanfic and four of her stories are featured on this page.

If you're a fanfic writer and would liked to be featured on this page, please drop us a note at [email protected] We'll also gladly take recommendations for writers whom you think deserve to be "in the spotlight."

Name: Seema

Website: The Write Connection, The Worf Dax Fanfic Archive

How long have you been a writer?

For as long as I can remember. The first story that I can recall writing and that I still have is from fifth grade, so it's been quite a while. I've always loved to create characters in my head and I have this almost obsessive need to get them onto paper.

How long have you been a Trek fan?

Since '86 when TNG came on. My friends and I had a crush on Wesley and we used to watch just to see him. Later on, in high school, we were sooo glad that he left the show, but by then, we were hopelessly hooked.

What is your favorite series to watch? To write for?

DS9 is definitely my favorite series to watch. It's odd, because it took me a long time to get over TNG and get into DS9. But once I started really paying attention to DS9 sometime in its fourth season, I realized how much potential there was for that show just due to its characters. So, because of its strong characters and the underlying threads that followed through DS9, I prefer to write for DS9, though I have written TNG also.

What type of fanfic do you like to write?

I like fanfic with adventure with an element of romance. I'm definitely into space battles and that could have a lot to do with the fact that I write mostly DS9 and I do write some romance, but lately I've been moving away from that.

I also like doing pieces that are character intensive and reveal something about a moment or about a character.

Have you done any other type of writing?

Definitely. I've written a lot of original short stories, essays and poems. I also have a full-length novel buried in my closet, which hopefully will never see the light of day again. I also have a newspaper background, so I've written editorials and articles also. I've also dabbled in script writing and I've written a couple scripts/speeches for work.

How did you get started writing fanfic?

I've been reading fanfic a lot longer than I've been writing it and I always thought that everyone else was doing such a great job, why should I try? Basically, due to personal reasons, I lost my creative streak and found myself unable to write original material. So one day I was just thinking, "What if..." and then I actually wrote the story out and I was so excited about it, I started another story. I guess you can say fanfic cured my writer's block, since it allowed me to just focus on creating a simple story without the burden of creating the characters and the setting also.

What is your favorite fanfic?

The "Death Avenged, Honor Restored" series by Trillgirl ranks high on my list. Anything by Tracy Hemenover (she writes Odo/Kira like no one else), Carrie Gascoigne, Noelle Morrow's "Points of View" series,... I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but these are who come immediately to mind.

Do you have any advice for other fanfic authors?

The number one advice I could give to any writer, regardless of whether it's fanfic or not, is to proofread carefully. Nothing is perfect the first time around and you need to care about what you're writing. That means working on grammar and spelling. In addition, find a beta reader who cares enough to give constructive feedback. My beta reader has suffered through many of my stories and I think that my fanfic has turned out better for her nitpickiness.

Is there anyone who inspires your writing?

Well, it depends. If it's fanfic, it's the show itself or the characters. Sometimes I look at something Dax does and I'm like, "Hmmm... that would make a great fanfic" and I start to write. Other times, I take my inspiration from observing people around me. So, no, I don't think there's anyone out there who inspires my writing, but there are certainly authors whom I admire and who had some influence on my writing style.

What is your favorite book?

Where to start? LOL! I love Bel Kaufman's "Up the Down Staircase" - I repeat his line, "Let it be a challenge to you," often at work. Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" has always been a favorite along with "Wuthering Heights," anything by Agatha Christie... I'll stop there, but I could go on forever!

Anything else?

I guess I just really enjoy writing fanfic. If you asked me two years ago if I would still be writing fanfic, I'd probably have laughed at you. Even now, I consider quitting writing fanfic and I've come so close to quitting several times in the last few months and then I'll see something on DS9 or TNG that will inspire me... and then I'm writing again, for better or worse.

To See You Again An alternate universe story....with a twist. Set after "Tears of the Prophets."

Wonderful Tonight Kira celebrates her promotion with her friends.

Letting Go Worf says good-bye to Deep Space Nine.

Fall From Grace A Kira story, based on the episode "Necessary Evil."

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