pookha

[Guest pookha]

So, my name's Carl and I go by pookha here and on HPFF, and dark_pookha on AO3 and a few other places where the name pookha was already taken. I've been married to my lovely wife for over 20 years and we have 2 cats, Sophie and Gremlin.

 

I've been writing fanfic for about ten years. I generally write one-shots, and dark stories, but I've also written quite a bit of humor over the years.

 

Currently, I have about 40 stories posted on HPFF, about 50 on AO3 (with its looser rules) and am in the process of moving all my stuff to HPFT with the goal of 50 stories on HPFT by the time I'm 50 next February.

 

Current WIPs.

 

Rewrite of 'The Dementor's First Kiss'--stalled around chapter 8 and put aside for now, want to finish at some point, but lost impetus.

 

Recently finished 'Three Weddings' about Harry and Luna's daughter Lily Luna Lovegood-Potter and her relationships.

 

Working on 'Bodies at Rest' off and on, about a necromancer boy who gets fostered by the Weasleys and goes to Hogwarts with Teddy Lupin. Also a parallel story in it with Harry going back to Hogwarts to fill in as DADA professor for 3 years due to burnout as an Auror.

 

Working on 'Beyond the Veil and into the River of Death' which is a crossover fic with the Abhorsen universe of Garth Nix.

 

Started an unposted fic with stories from Harry's, Lily's, Pandora's POVs from my 'Lovegood-Potter Lunaverse' stories featuring Harry and Luna's twin daughters. It will follow their coming of age and Harry's experience moving on after Luna left him for Rolf. Will feature possible POVs from Cho and Gabrielle as well.

 

Half-finished stories that I may do something with eventually"

 

'Hagriddle' which started as a crack-fic with a Hagrid/Tom Riddle ship, but I just couldn't do it, and it morphed into a serious examination of Tom opening the Chamber and blaming it on Hagrid. I quite like the voice I have for Tom in the story, but Hagrid's dialect is maddening to write.

 

'Bombarda Maxime' which is a funny story with Hagrid and Maxime's courtship that I don't know if I'll ever finish.

 

'Cat Fight Club' which is a cat fight club, inspired by a tumblr post that's gone around for a long time where McGonagall is holding a cat fight club in the Room of Requiriement with Crookshanks and Mrs Norris. I would definitely like to finish this at some point.

 

'The Dangers of Amortentia' which will be likely the next story I write. It will be M rated and will exam how the wizarding world winks at the uses of this disgusting potion. It will feature someone bravely taking on their attacker in court and getting the laws changed. It will be very serious and I hope I have the skills to do it justice.

 

'Dudley and Lavender: A Love Story'. This is an old piece of mine that never left me. It's about Dudley and Lavender meeting and falling in love. I know exactly 100% how this story goes and I just need to write it. Originally, it was going to be told in flashbacks, but now it will be told in more of a narrative style. Will likely be my next novel if I ever get up the energy to write it.

 

Poke me to write, please.

[nott theodore]

Hi Carl! Your WJ is looking a bit lonely and after I've had the chance to read some of your stories, I thought I'd stop by.  Oh, and, since you asked: *pokes to write*

 

1. Sleep Without Pain is a beautiful story.  How did it feel to see it being nominated for and winning awards?

2. Your story about the duel between Albus and Gellert was really interesting.  What inspired you to write it?

3. Which qualities make you a Ravenclaw?

4. I noticed that you write a lot of Luna stories.  What is it about her character you like so much?  How do you get into the right mindset to write about her?

5. Similarly, what gave you the idea for the pairing of Harry/Luna?

6. Do you ever write OF as well as fic?

[Guest pookha]

1. Sleep Without Pain is a beautiful story.  How did it feel to see it being nominated for and winning awards?

 

I wrote this story because one of my kitties, Sophie, has IBD and I was quite worried about her mortality (she's 11 now and doing just fine on medication). I had written from Crookshanks's and Zephira's POVs before (which is my headcanon for Luna and Rolf's pet Kneazle) and knew I wanted to write this from Crookshanks's POV.

 

I'm so happy that people like this well enough to nominate for awards and that it won several of them. It's one of my best pieces and probably my second favorite of all my stories after 'Ashes'.

 

2. Your story about the duel between Albus and Gellert was really interesting.  What inspired you to write it?

 

I wrote this because I always wondered how Albus could possibly have beaten Gellert if Gellert had the Elder Wand. It couldn't have been a straight-up duel as the propaganda says, because Albus would have lost, so there had to be more behind the scenes. The revelation of his relationship with Gellert by JKR made it all make sense to me and I had to write it this way.

 

3. Which qualities make you a Ravenclaw?

 

So, I'm like a male Hermione, but only with her bad habits as well. I'm a super know-it-all and I'm not afraid to say what I know. I've always been top 3% of my class and unfortunately I know it. I value intelligence above most other things, and don't tolerate fools very easily (and this is a much more mellow me in middle age now than before).

 

This has been one of the hardest things in my life to overcome; knowing when to not 'mansplain' or just plain jump in with unwanted, condescending comments and attitude. As you can tell, my secondary would probably be Slytherin, but I'm trying to nurture my Hufflepuff side more (Oddly, when I play games, I'm very Hufflepuff; it's all about fair play and fun with friends rather than win at all costs---something I've learned over the last 10 years).

 

 

4. I noticed that you write a lot of Luna stories.  What is it about her character you like so much?  How do you get into the right mindset to write about her?

 

I wish I were more like Luna and could just follow my own star and beliefs rather than my intellect. I love that she does what she wants, and says what she thinks without worrying too much what others think. I also love her Ravenclaw side to go with her Gryffindor Secondary. Remember she's the only non-Gryffindor to fight at the Dept of Mysteries and the Battle of the Tower.

 

 

5. Similarly, what gave you the idea for the pairing of Harry/Luna?

 

I always thought there was a good dynamic between Harry and Luna after OotP, even though it was obvious to me that Harry/Ginny was going to happen. I really feel like Luna's gentleness would have been good for Harry during that tumultuous sixth year and would have liked to seen him date her before ultimately going to Ginny; it would have helped his emotional growth.

 

On the same page, if Ginny had died in the books, I 100% see Harry ending up with Luna whether or not it would be permanent. She would have been the help-mate to overcome his OCD and she would have pushed him to embrace life.

 

I always wonder how different the books would have been if Luna had been a character from the second book instead of being introduced in the fifth book. Would they have been friends right away? Would she and Ginny still have been friends? How would Luna have been different having had a good friend right from her first year?

 

6. Do you ever write OF as well as fic?

 

On my page on HPFT and AO3, I have 2 original stories: 'Brains!' is about a zombie girl getting ready for her date and is a humorous story. Also 'A Dog's Day' which is the first chapter of a novel that I will probably never write about the Wild Hunt.

[batsam]

Hello Carl,

 

When I think of your writing I tend to think of animal centric stories. Do you think that reputation is fairly earned, or too large a generalization? Do you anticipate writing more animal centric stories?

 

Would you ever write a story from an animal’s POV that’s longer than a one shot? I imagine if anyone could do it well, you could.

 

You have a ton of stories. Do you find that writing that much is ever a chore, or is it easy for you to write a lot?

 

Do you ever base characters/characterizations on people you know?

 

What is your favorite thing that you've written?

[Guest pookha]

Definitely a generalization. I've written about 50 stories, and 3 of them are animal pov's and I ne inanimate object. A lot of them have pets, but they aren't the theme. My 2 novels are both dark/horror, but my one shots span everything.

 

I don't anticipate more animal stories unless I finish the 'cat fight club' story, but that will be mor McGonagall based.

 

I don't think I would write a longer story from an animal pov, as I don't think I could sustain it.

 

Writing is never a chore, but sometimes I just don't feel up to it mentally (currently written nothing lasr 3 weeks),

 

I'm sure I do base some characters on real people, but usually only indirectly.  The only example I can think of right now is the RSPCA agent in 'Bodies at Rest' who gives Harry a hard time.

 

My favourite story of mine is 'Ashes.'

[Guest Rumpelstiltskin]

Hey, Carl!
 

1. Bodies of Rest sounds absolutely fascinating.  How did you develop the idea for the plot?  What is your favorite part about working with a necromancer as a character?
2. I have never, ever (ever, ever, ever) seen a Dudley pairing before.  What inspired you to write a Dudley/Lavender ship?  Does this pairing happen before or after Fenrir's attack, or does it stray from canon in that sense? 
3. You have a hefty amount of WIPS!  Do you start/stop stories as you're inspired/lose interest/have time, or do you have any type of schedule in which you write each story?
4. During what time of the day do you most often write and why?
5. If you could pick one Deathly Hallow, which would it be and why?

*Poke* Go write something! 

[Guest Tanda]

Hi, Carl.

Since I saw your twittering about Cho/Harry ship, (if my memory is correct, the title will be 'Happiness"?) I stopped by.

1. You say the story Harry and the twins from 'Waxing' and 'Waning'. My impression is Harry suffered much from the past with Luna. What motivation drove you to the new story^ ? 

 

2. Why do you like the pair, Harry and Luna from the first place?

 

3. Please tell me good points and bad points about Luna and Harry.

 

4. Which do you prefer the pairing, Rolf-Luna or Harry-Luna? And the reasons why? (Why don't you write the ship, Rolf-Luna? Just I'm curious to know.)

 

5. Which do you prefer, female twins or male twins for writing? And why?

 

  

[Guest pookha]

1. You say the story Harry and the twins from 'Waxing' and 'Waning'. My impression is Harry suffered much from the past with Luna. What motivation drove you to the new story^ ? 

I realized that I quite liked the twins and that I needed to write about them in the future and about Harry's healing after his split with Luna.

2. Why do you like the pair, Harry and Luna from the first place?

H/L to me embodies that real hurt/comfort part of fanfic that I tend to like. She has a real tendency to calm what needs calming in Harry and Harry is able to give Luna acceptance as she is without (much) judgment. I really felt after OotP, that there was a chance for a H/L ship, even though I knew it would end up with H/G in the end in the books. 

3. Please tell me good points and bad points about Luna and Harry.

Good point are that they are good for each other, shoring up each other's bad points, but the bad part is that they really don't have a lot in common. 

4. Which do you prefer the pairing, Rolf-Luna or Harry-Luna? And the reasons why? (Why don't you write the ship, Rolf-Luna? Just I'm curious to know.)

I have written Rolf/Luna! I have at least 2 stories with them. H/L is my AU pairing that I enjoy writing and Rolf/Luna is my canon one. I prefer H/L as I can go the way I want with that AU pairing.

5. Which do you prefer, female twins or male twins for writing? And why?

I don't think I have a preference for this. I guess it would be males, since I can relate to them more being one myself, but I do enjoy writing Pandora and Lily.

 

 

1. Bodies of Rest sounds absolutely fascinating.  How did you develop the idea for the plot?  What is your favorite part about working with a necromancer as a character?
2. I have never, ever (ever, ever, ever) seen a Dudley pairing before.  What inspired you to write a Dudley/Lavender ship?  Does this pairing happen before or after Fenrir's attack, or does it stray from canon in that sense? 
3. You have a hefty amount of WIPS!  Do you start/stop stories as you're inspired/lose interest/have time, or do you have any type of schedule in which you write each story?
4. During what time of the day do you most often write and why?
5. If you could pick one Deathly Hallow, which would it be and why?

1. I had an idea for a necromancer going to Hogwarts and realized that I already had written a necromancer in one my early stories and that he would be the right choice to foster to the Weasleys and go to Hogwarts. It also came about from reading Laurell Hamilton's 'Anita Blake' series (which I would recommend for the first 6 books, but not after that). My favorite part of writing him is that he can have weird or unexpected powers.

 

2. I had seen some ships with Dudley/Witch before, but they always felt weird. I wanted to write a story that showed a redeemed Dudley, but still one that had his bad points. I also wanted to go with a Lavender that had been presumed dead at the Battle of Hogwarts and it is after Fenrir's attack and all of DH canon is true. 

3. I definitely lose interest or the flow on WIPs and then they feel stale and I just can't be motivated to go back to them. It's one of my big failings. I wish I could write on a schedule, but shift work prevents that.

4. I don't write at a set time, but I try to write when I have the house to myself as it's distracting to have someone talking to me when I'm writing.  So I try to go for quiet times.

5. I would want the cloak. I don't want to talk to the dead and the unbeatable wand just sound like a good excuse for 'gunslinger' syndrome. The cloak would allow me to get out of any weird situation that I could.

[grumpy cat]

hey carl! i recently read (and reviewed) your story death is no escape, and honestly, i still find myself thinking about it from time to time. i just found it so incredibly fascinating *_*

what gave you the idea and/or inspiration for the plot? it's a fairly dark one shot, very chilling, and you manage to create such a beautifully dark atmosphere from the very first sentence - do you have any tips or tricks you've picked up along the way on setting an atmosphere in a story? you've also written this with a wonderful plot twist, but still, when you read the entire story and go back to the beginning for a re-read (as you do), you notice these little hints that something isn't quite right, this foreshadowing. i was very impressed by that - did you plan out the story in that way and sprinkled ~hints~ on purpose, or was it more of a 'winging it' situation and the story just...kinda fluidly happened (idk, i'm bad with words)? also! the entire story is not even 1k. how do you manage to put so much plot into so little words? are you a wizard (that is to say, i'm hella impressed and basically just majorly fangirling over the story rn)

[Guest pookha]

First of all, thank you for the review and the compliments. I don't feel atmosphere and description is something I usually do particularly well, so I'm glad you enjoyed that part of it in this story.

So, this story came about because the story I was writing for the challenge wasn't coming together well (A play on Orpheus in the Underworld, with Hades/Persephone and Orpheus/Eurydice) so I decided to write a story that had been banging about in my head for a bit. I can't say the plot is super original, since the stalker after death has been done before and I'm sure I've read or heard something like it before (Avenged Sevenfold's song "A Little Piece of Heaven" is kind of similar {no link because it's truly disturbing, look it up at your own risk, NSFW}). 

 

I wrote this like I usually do, without an outline, and then I went back and added stuff to it, so it had the bits of foreshadowing and the stuff that shows in hindsight that it's not a healthy relationship. As for it being short, I tend to write sparsely, without a lot of physical description; for example, you don't really know what the room with the pentagram looks like. I do this on purpose sometimes (like in this story) so the reader can fill it in. Sometimes, it works, especially in horror story where the reader will supply the image in their head that scares them. This is why I think a lot of horror movies come off weird, because they only reflect the writer's headspace and not the viewers.

 

One thing I would say to a lot of fanfic writers in particular is: don't be afraid of the horror ending. Sometimes it's appropriate to the story. Not every story needs the happy ending with complete victory for the protagonist.

Also, when I was first starting writing, I would never have posted this because I was very careful about my reputation and I would have been afraid if I had posted a dark/stalkery story like this that people would have projected that image on me (also why I was very careful about portraying sexuality in my early work: I didn't want to come across as a weirdo). Having built a reputation, at least among my friends here, and having posted a variety of styles, I feel more comfortable posting something dark or edgy.

 

[grumpy cat]

14 hours ago, pookha said:

I feel more comfortable posting something dark or edgy.

thanks for that very insightful response *_* and for what it's worth, i fully support more dark and edgy stories

[Guest pookha]

Okay, it's been a long time since I posted anything here. In that time, I've also become KittenKnife, writing his stories of dark vengeance.

 

Find KittenKnife here (M)

 

I finished the novel Growing Up Lovegood-Potter (M) that follows Harry's twin daughters with Luna into Hogwarts and also follows Harry tracking a killer.

I finished a Harmony(!) story Symphony of the Heart (M) a smutty story that delves into how two broken people try to make a go of it. I've never written Harmony before, and never thought I would, but this story just popped into my head and wouldn't go away. It's one of the few stories that I started and re-started each chapter more than twice before getting them where I wanted.

Next project will be a fanfic of RonsGirlFriday's story "Clair de Lune" that will be a re-telling of the Slug Club date. A Harry&Luna, but not a Harry/Luna.

 

Project in planning is a Hermione/Luna 8th year slow burn friends to lovers, but I'm unsure if it will get written as it's a stretch for me.

 

I'm sure I'll pop out a few dark stories here and there with both pookha and KittenKnife, as everyone needs a creepy horror story every once in while.

 

Also, finished earlier this year was Luck is no substitute for a good plan (M) an original fic, in which a super-villain destroys the Earth, but not for the reason you might expect. I think this is actually one of my best works.

 

As always, feel free to AMA.

[starlitcastles]

Hello Carl!

Just thought I would drop by and ask you some questions for your wishlist!  

1. Which character has posed the most challenge for you when trying to write them? Why?

2. Has there been a word that you find yourself using often when writing your stories? If so, which one is it?

3. So this question is drawn inspiration from a song that is on Youtube called "What’s Your Color" by Stella Jang and the question is: if you had to describe Luna Lovegood as a color, what it would be and why? I hope that makes sense too by the way!

4.  Growing Up Lovegood and Potter sounds very interesting, can you tell me what inspired and or prompted you to write it?

5.  What's your favorite story genre or genres to write? Why?

6.  You have so many stories and works which is amazing! How do you organize and or keep track of the stories you write?

[Guest pookha]

7 hours ago, starliticesculptures said:

1. Which character has posed the most challenge for you when trying to write them? Why?

2. Has there been a word that you find yourself using often when writing your stories? If so, which one is it?

3. So this question is drawn inspiration from a song that is on Youtube called "What’s Your Color" by Stella Jang and the question is: if you had to describe Luna Lovegood as a color, what it would be and why? I hope that makes sense too by the way!

4.  Growing Up Lovegood and Potter sounds very interesting, can you tell me what inspired and or prompted you to write it?

5.  What's your favorite story genre or genres to write? Why?

6.  You have so many stories and works which is amazing! How do you organize and or keep track of the stories you write?

1. It's interesting. I write Luna and have been told by lots of reviewers that I write her well and that she's hard to write, but I've only written Snape once that I've been satisfied with, so I would say Snape is the hardest for me to write. I just don't think I have that snark required for Snape.

 

2. Hmm, I don't think there's any one word I use when writing, but I did notice when listening to the audiobooks of the HP series, that JKR used 'repressively' a lot, so I've used it a few times jokingly,

 

3. Luna as a color would be....A shimmery silver that you can't make up your mind if it's white or blue, or just a combination of fiery colors mixed.

 

4. GULP was inspired by Harry/Luna being my OTP. I had written 'Waxing' and 'Waning' which are a paired set of stories with Harry and Luna getting together and then splitting up. They had twin daughters and I wanted to tell that story. It was also a bit of a catharsis as I thought it was finally time to sink my ship and move on from my OTP. So, I wanted to also finally push myself to finish a novel length story and the girls (Pandora and Lily) were a great way to do it.

 

5. I've been writing a lot more dark/horror stories lately and I kind of like doing the dark horror ending where it's not always fluffy bunnies.

 

6. They are just sitting on my google drive, causing me to cry because you can organize them in google drive, but when you look at them in google docs, there's just a big list of docs. I like the way I could organize files on Word, but Gdocs is just so much more convenient.

 

Thanks so much for the questions, I appreciate it!