Author: GG_and_MM (Ao3) lacqueluster (Tumblr) Review of Across the Universe

How long have you been writing?

I’ve written fanfic for over three years now. I’ve always liked writing though, and I’ve written little blurbs here and there. I remember writing a lot as a kid too, and wanting to be a journalist when I grew up, which I’m most certainly not.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I’ve always had a fascination with parallel universe theories, and I started toying with the idea of Gabriel being powerful enough to jump into one. That, plus wanting something different than canon made this fic come to life.

I actually wrote this after I wrote Magic and Mayhem. I had to post them out of order because M&M was written for a Big Bang and couldn’t be posted until a certain date. After writing that fic, which is so super long, very involved, and written in canon, I wanted to write something kind of… canon adjacent, so to speak. One where I could play with the characters and not feel like I had to follow rules of the SPN verse. Across the Universe definitely hit the spot for that.

What scene was your favorite to write and why?

It’s a toss up between two. I think I have to put the hot air balloon scene slightly in the lead. I had that scene in my head so clearly. I loved writing it, but also felt like I wasn’t doing it justice. As Stephen King would say, it was so much bigger in my head, but words shrank it somehow.

My next favorite would be the scene with Gabe at the animal rescue, the one where he meets Abby and lays down on the floor with her. I love animals, and I love Sam and Gabe with animals, especially dogs. All the dog scenes made my heart ache but I love them.

Did you make an outline or write as you go?

If you know me you know I laughed at this question. I have absolutely zero structure to my writing. I typically get the idea for a scene, write it, and then start working out from that in spurts. Sometimes the original scene ends up in the middle, sometimes the beginning, end, or the original scene is completely deleted because it doesn’t fit once I’m done. I never know. I’m not an organized writer at all.

Is there any backstory to this fic you’d like to share?

I can’t think of any.

What was the most fun about writing this story?

I found it really fun playing with the idea if a world that didn’t have religion, magic, superstition, etc. How would it be different? Probably a thousand times more different than I made it.

What, if anything, was the least fun about writing it?

The end. My beta actually advised that I change it and not leave an opening for a reunion. She knew people would want a sequel. I *did* change it, but the wrong version got posted, and it lead to a lot of people wanting more from a fic that is just done for me.

Looking back, if I could go back and post the other ending I’m not sure I would. I like the ending as it is, it feels right to me. The reader has the space to create a future with them together, if they want. But I also feel like I let a lot of people down by not writing that sequel, and I wish I could give them closure for the story.

What is your writing routine?

Ha! I have none. Write when I can, I guess? Sometimes I go weeks without writing, sometimes I write hours a day. I’m awful.

What’s the weirdest thing you had to Google for this story or any story?

I Googled so many things. Religion was a big one. And hot air balloons. I never cared about them before and I learned so much.

Of all the stories you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why?

A fic no one ever reads. It’s a version of what happened between Dean and Rhonda Hurley called Wildest Dreams. I love that fic. And then it’s probably tied between The Angel Who Forgot What He Was and Paradise City. I love Sabriel, but for some reason my reader inserts are where I feel at home.

Do you write commercial fiction? If so, please share links to buy them.

I don’t. I’ve thought about it but outside of fandom I don’t have ideas.