For a fandom that’s been around as long as The X-Files has been, we’re so lucky that we have new authors adding their voices and continuing the story. This week’s author is newer to writing fic, but she’s also working to keep older stories alive. Meet KatEyes224! If you’ve ever wondered why Mulder and Scully seemed so close already by “Deep Throat” and “Squeeze,” her story “Center Mass” shines a little light on that mystery in a delicious way. All that UST didn’t come out of nowhere, right?
And if you find yourself with the need to sob, “The Enmity Within,” will hit you hard. It deals with Scully’s grief after “William” and the last line alone knocked the wind out of me.
The antidote for all that pain is the sweet and wonderful “Coming Home” which imagines a world where Melissa Scully and Emily Sim are still alive. It’s such a relief to see Scully get a happy ending once in a while!
We talked with KatEyes224 about writing, The X-Files, and her other fanfic project that will keep you with fic to read for days.
How long have you been a Phile?
Since the show started in 1993.
What was your first episode?
It must have been the Pilot, but I actually have an independent recollection of watching “Squeeze” for the first time, and it freaked me the hell out.
How long have you been writing fic?
I wrote my very first Mulder/Scully casefile in fifth grade, then went on hiatus until Season 10 was officially announced last year. That’s when I started posting drabbles on Tumblr. I really began writing in earnest about six months ago.
What inspired you to start writing?
I stumbled across some truly amazing writers in the fandom when I joined Tumblr and started reading fanfiction again, and honestly just reading their stories inspired me to try my hand at it. There’s so much that’s happened that’s canon that fanfiction has been able to fix, and I wanted to be a part of that.
Who is your favorite XF character to write?
Probably Scully, but writing Mulder/Scully dialogue has been more fun that I thought it would be.
Are there any XF characters you dislike or find too difficult to write?
I’ve never really tried to write CSM/CGB Spender, but imagine he’d be burdensome to flesh out because I truly don’t understand his motivation for anything that he does. He’s too oily to get a grasp on.
Is there a story you’re most proud of or that’s a favorite?
I spent almost a month writing and researching “Center Mass,” so I’m most proud of that piece, but my personal favorite is “The Enmity Within.”
Where can people find your work, and what’s the best way to send feedback?
I have a Tumblr account where I post a lot of drabble, and my longer fics are on AO3, both under KatEyes224. And, as any writer will tell you, feedback is what I live for.
Do you take fic prompts from fans?
Absolutely. Hit me with your best shot.
Have you written your own original characters outside of fandom?
Never. But it’s definitely something I’m open to.
Anything you’d like to share about your writing process?
With every fic I’ve ever written, I reach a certain point (sometimes several times) where I think every word is garbage, I’m a terrible writer, nobody is going to enjoy this, and I should just delete it. When I reach that point, I have to couch it for a day or two, then come back to it with fresh eyes. Inevitably, the feeling passes and the story gets posted and all my fretting was for naught.
Do you have a favorite author? (fanfic or published!)
My favorite author is Jane Austen. My favorite fic authors are Prufrock’s Love, Aloysia Virgata, and PineBluffVariant.
Is there any advice you’d give to aspiring writers?
Every writer I’ve reached out to in the fandom has ended up being imminently approachable and incredibly kind. Don’t be afraid to make contact, ask for feedback, and take constructive criticism like a champ. It’ll only make you better in the end.
Anything else you’d like to share that I missed?
I have a sideblog I run on Tumblr with piecesofscully called txf-fic-chicks, and we make daily recommendations of fic we’ve found, read and adored. We comb through all the old archives, which is both fun and daunting. Sometimes people forget that our fandom has been around for almost 25 years, so it’s always fun to find a long-lost gem, dust it off, and present it to the fandom to be rediscovered and appreciated again.
Thanks so much to KatEyes224 for talking with us!