Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Spotlight: Subtlynice


Hello Everyone! I'm beyond excited to have gotten the chance to ask Subtlynice some questions for my author interview series, because beyond the fact that she's an amazing writer, she's the reason I'm an avid fanfiction reader in the first place. I started reading fanfiction/found out about it in the first place because I read her story Thy Beauty, and I haven't been able to stop reading FF since then. So this was extremely special to me personally, and MC (because that's the story that i sent her to read to introduce her to the fanfiction world and what got her reading stories with me as well).

So, we are both excited about this and almost like fan girls about this interview (haha).


Read and Enjoy!!



What inspired you to write Edward’s POV of the end of New Moon?

I started writing the first chapter – Death Wish – for a friend, with the assumption that it was just another one-shot like most of my other stories. I enjoyed it so much that I started writing another chapter, but I didn’t expect to post it. When I posted the first chapter of Thy Beauty, I briefly mentioned that I may post another chapter in due course. The general consensus from reviewers was that they’d all set the Volturi on me if I stopped, so I finished the next chapter and posted it. And then I carried on... and on... and before I knew it, I was writing the epilogue.

What was the most difficult part of that to write?

Certain scenes were hard to write. New Moon is my favourite book of the series, because it takes the reader through such a myriad of emotions, and some of it can be truly gut-wrenching to read. Through Edward’s eyes, that pain is intensified because not only is he a vampire, he can read the minds of all the people around him. He knows how much pain he’s caused. So the emotional scenes were very difficult to write, and Edward’s epiphany in particular. Edward learns through his actions in New Moon – he realises that he can’t leave her, and his only option is to change her. And he comes to terms with that. Since Edward’s views on his own immortality are so fixed, it was quite challenging getting him to that point – but luckily, I had Stephenie’s characterisation and dialogue to help me!

What was your favorite part to write?

I loved writing Chapter Six: Family Matters. The Cullen dynamic was broken in New Moon, but it’s never really touched upon in the books. When Edward left Bella it had an impact on all of them – Alice especially. I loved writing the scene between Edward and Alice in that chapter.

I’ve noticed a lot of your stories are other POVs of the books and things like that, any particular reason?

I like getting into the character’s heads and figuring out what makes them tick. There’s an old saying that goes something along the lines of: “a good writer is always just a little bit schizophrenic.” That’s pretty much how I see myself when I’m writing. I try not to think like me, and to think like the character, and I love writing new characters and getting new perspectives.

What did you think of Breaking Dawn?

I’m one of those rare people who absolutely adored it.

Why did you decide to write Edward’s POV for the end of Breaking Dawn?

I started writing “In Loving Memories” literally as soon as I’d put the book down. It was the perfect ending to the series, but my mind still hadn’t really accepted those two little words: The End. One of the reasons I love Breaking Dawn so much is that Edward finds the redemption he has been looking for. He is finally able to accept the happiness he deserves. And when the series ends, Edward finds that he has everything he has ever wanted – and everything he didn’t believe he could have. A child with Bella was able to bring him complete conviction of the existence of his soul. And he is able to be with Bella completely – mind, body and soul. It’s an important moment for Edward, and so it was just begging to be re-written from his perspective.

What’s your favorite type of fanfic to read?

I love angsty fanfiction. Any story that can make me cry, or empathise with the characters, I simply adore. One of my absolute favourites is Détruit by Somah. Every chapter is heartbreaking, but it’s not gratuitous angst, and damn, she knows how to write. The romance plays a significant part, but it’s just one part of the strong plotline which twists and turns at break-neck pace and leaves you begging for the next chapter. I think everyone should read it!

Is there any type you’d never read? Why?

I don’t read non-canon pairings, simply because I don’t think Stephenie’s characters need new relationships. She’s already created perfect relationships for them all. I’m not a big fan of out-of-character fanfiction either. I’ve read some amazing all-human OOC fics, but in the end, it’s not really fanfiction. It’s original fiction and it deserves to be written and published as such. I feel guilty just reading them online – like I should be paying the author who put so much effort into their story.

Who is your favorite character to write? Why?

I love to explore the minds and motives of the less-loved characters. Angela Weber, Mike Newton, Aro, Elizabeth Masen and Charlie Swan are a few of my favourites to think about. There’s just so much more that they have to say, and I like being given the chance to tell their stories.

Is there any music you like to listen to when you write?

Not really. When I write, I tend to shut myself away with nothing to distract me, including music. Music can influence me sometimes though, if I’ve been listening to a song just before I start writing. I recently discovered The Juliets and their music has started to seep into some of the stuff I’ve been writing.

Favorite author, outside of fanfic?

Kelley Armstrong, Cassandra Clare, Suzanne Collins, Philip Reeve, Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman and Jeanette Winterson are just some of a very long list of favourite authors. I can’t possibly pick just one!

Favorite Twilight couple?

I have to say Edward and Bella. But I have a soft spot for Jasper and Alice, too. They’re adorable.

Which movie did you like more, Twilight or New Moon? Why?

I loved New Moon for the scene in Volterra, because it’s my absolute favourite part of the series (which is why I re-wrote it). New Moon is my favourite book of the series because I think the absolute gut-wrenching pain that Bella feels without Edward’s presence in her life really highlights the reasons why they need each other. But that’s very difficult to bring to the big screen. It’s much easier in film to capture a good relationship through its very beginnings. Which is why the Twilight movie is my favourite.

Do you have a specific writing process?

Not really. I tend to just write whenever the mood takes me. On a good day I can sometimes write a whole short-story and the time just flies by. Most days, I try to write a little bit at a time and take it slowly.

Any advice to aspiring fanfiction writers?

Just write. Whatever crazy idea that springs into your mind, write it. And even if you think it’s terrible, post it. Half of my old fics make me cringe when I look back at them, but that’s okay. I like knowing that I’ve improved. I think the brilliant thing about fanfiction is that it allows us to tone our writing abilities and boost our self-esteem while meeting other fans. So whatever you feel like writing, just give it a go, and as long as you love it, it’s worth the effort. :)







I'd like to just say another thanks to Subtlynice for taking the time to answer all these questions and let us know a little bit more about herself, her writing and her thoughts! I hope you enjoyed reading this, and I'll try to have the next installment up sometime in the next few days.


-Ed


Friday, May 7, 2010

Breaking Dawn





November 18, 2011

Get Excited.




I'm so glad that they finally got all of this figured out, a while back when they were still talking about how they weren't sure if they were going to make the 4th one or if they even could I was really worried. I mean how could they just leave it at Eclipse? But not that all that is figured out, I can't wait until they start releasing photo's and stuff, though I know it will be a while.





Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Spotlight: 2carm2carm2



Everyone give 2carm2carm2 a warm welcome :) I’m excited to have her as a part of my author interview series and hopefully you’ll find this as interesting as I did, and if you haven’t read her story The King’s Mistress then you’ll go give that a chance!




What did you think of Breaking Dawn?

At first I loved it. I’ll admit I stared at the “The End” page for about

five minutes, I couldn’t fathom it was done….but then my sister

(SimplyDazzling) Justy and I started to analyze it. And now I can say I’m

not a fan of that one.

Favorite Twilight couple?

Jared and Kim! FTW! Just kidding, umm, it’s a tie between Alice & Jasper or

Emmett & Rosalie. I have to say that in the fanfiction world I like R & E

better because I love Emmett but in the series it’s definitely A & J.

Why did you decide to write a period piece? Where did your inspiration come from?

Since I was like 8 I’ve always been a bit of a silent history nut. First I

was obsessed with the Revolutionary War, I read any book I could about it.

Then it evolved into the Trojan War after I accidently watched Troy, and then

I started reading some books about Elizabeth I and Bloody Mary and then I saw

a trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl.

I didn’t read the book or even see the movie before I started to write the

story even though that’s what a bunch of people think. I watched my first

The Tudors episode last week!

So basically I just took that silent historic passion and mixed with my

Twilight obsession with no intention of putting it on the internet.

Did you do any research for the stories or is this all from your imagination?

I had to check some facts when I was writing that story.

I love Google. So much.

But the facts were small like births, common names, court order and different

titles of wealth. I didn’t do any hard core, library research.

What’s your favorite type of FanFic to read?

Surprisingly enough, it isn’t historic pieces. I mean if I mind a good one

I’ll check it out but I don’t search for them.

I like a really wide variety from Master of the Universe to The Fallout. If

they have a good summary with more than 10 chapters written and I’ve seen

more than once; I’ll read the first chapter to see if I like it.

Is there any type you never read? Why?

God yes. Those cliché high school love stories that don’t have much

substance or other plot lines; hate them. I stay away from D/s stories for the

most part too, though there are exceptions. Oh and I hate when Bella’s

pregnant as a teenage. I stopped reading The Hard Way to Learn a Lesson

because of that without hesitation.

Do you have a specific writing process?

Turn on music, and then alternate between Facebook and Microsoft Word unless

I’m super into what I’m writing at the time. Sometimes I have a snack. So

yeah…definitely specific…

What was the most changeling thing about writing from the time period?

Blah! People asking if I was copying The Other Boleyn Girl! If you write

anything from a time period people will compare it to the most famous story of

that period. All the other researching crap was fun, I didn’t mind it. But I

can’t even count how many authors notes I wrote about how I didn’t get

inspired from that story.

Who was your favorite character to write? Why?

I’m assuming your asking about The King’s Mistress…and if so I loved

writing it Bella’s mind. She’s like my fantasy 16th century life. If I

imagine myself living in that era it’s as Bella Swan, queen of England with

a sexy, amazing husband who’s the king. I just loved writing her, because I

could do a lot. It was all real fiction though because no one would have had a

life like Bella then.

What character are you most proud of? Has grown the most, in your eyes?

Emmett (: And Edward, really, all my guys in that story I am proud of. When

the story started they’re all going to whorehouses and flirting with every

woman in site, but they all grew to love, though for Emmett it took him till

like the last chapter before he finally realized that love had been right in

front of him.

Great. I love sounding like the Hallmark Channel.

Is there any music you like to listen to when you write?

I can’t write without music! I just have to have music! When I was writing

TKM I listened to a lot of similar songs, they just had to flow easily

together. Like a light rock station sorta. Its not like I can listen to 3OH!3

or Ke$ha when I was writing that one. Well I think I did that once actually…

Favorite author outside of fanfiction?

Hands down Nicholas Sparks. Best authors of that generation. I like some James

Patterson sometimes too.

Working on anything new, planning anything after this story, or just taking

one thing at a time?

Yes! I cannot wait for summer to have uninterrupted time to right the new

story I’ve been planning for months.

I’m really excited about this one! I’ve got pages of planning written out

and a bunch of pictures to go with the places and outfits already. This one

won’t be a period piece; I think it’s time for me to try my hand at

writing in the real world…

If you ever got a bit of writers block, how do you handle that? Anything

special you do?

Bwahaha, no! Any tips?

When I get writers block I’m SOL for about 3 weeks which is a long time in

the writing world if you ask me.

Anything else you’d like to say about writing fanfiction or your story?

To anyone writing your own FF story, be brave and put it on the site, you

could be the next Angstgoddess for all you know. But edit it properly (:

-I am so incredibly lame (: I had nothing to do on a Saturday




Well I know I don’t think she’s lame, quite the opposite in fact.

Here’s the excerpt about the story from the blog, Seemingly Questionable



Rating: M

Genere: Romance/Suspense

Complete/Last Update: Complete

Summary: In the age where men ruled the world, women were pawns in the vast game of chess that was the royal court. An intriguing and captivating tale of love, betrayal, lust and sex. "For, behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone."

Why Read? This story is perfect for the royalty theme and anyone who watching shows like the tudors. I stuck this fan fic here because of the huge age difference between Edward (late 20s, almost 30 i believe) and Bella (about 15) but honestly if you think of this as terms of the time period it was written for, its wasn't uncommon at all. A lot less smutty then i thought it was going to be, more meaningful and deep, definitely a story i come back to, to reread every once and a while. The plot line is creative, fun and witty, filled with adventure, fluff, smut, and everything in between. Give it a shot, you might just fall in love.

Spotlight: Kambria Rain



I’d like to welcome Kambria Rain to The Electronic Bookshelf!

I’m excited to be able to discuss her story Bella Swan: Kidnapper, and just learn a little bit more about the author herself. So, enjoy the interview – go read the story and check out her other stories.

(at the bottom check out the excerpt from the blog let loose in the “real world”)



What did you think of Breaking Dawn?

Answer: I liked it. I would have liked it more if Steph had at least killed

off Jane, but I can always turn to fanfiction for stuff like that.

Favorite Twilight couple?

Answer: Emmett and Rosalie. This may or may not be due to my unhealthy love

for Emmett.

Which movie did you like more, Twilight or New Moon? Why?

Answer: I liked New Moon for completely shallow reasons. There was a lot of

eye candy in that movie. I liked the vampire eyes better in Twilight though.

The ones in New Moon kind of reminded me of pee, and Edward Cullen was not

supposed to have ** colored eyes.

Where did you come up with this story idea?

Answer: I don’t know. I was sleep deprived, and it just popped out of

nowhere. I hope that happens again soon.

What’s your inspiration when writing?

Answer: Laughter. Reviewers have told me how they were on the receiving end of

a few weird looks for laughing out loud when they read something in my story.

That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I really loved your Nessie, where did you come up with her character?

Answer: Thank you! I was having fun writing Bella, but I had to hold back with

her craziness because, as a mother, she had to be responsible every now and

then. I came up with Nessie’s character so I wouldn’t have any

limitations. She could get away with just about anything.

Any favorite places to write?

Answer: My couch! It’s an amazing piece of furniture. I have more love for

it than I do my roommates.

I’m really impressed with the way you were about to write the kids in your

story so convincingly. Where did your inspiration/insight for them come from?

Answer: I have two older brothers and an older sister who have made it their

mission in life to keep the world fully populated, so I have a ton of nieces

and nephews. They were my inspiration for Leo, Ethan, and Sophie.

Who would you say supported you the most when writing?

Answer: Reviewers. In real life, only my younger sister knew about my

fanfiction addiction, and she was nothing but a nuisance. The girl was

relentless in her quest to get the answer to baby daddy mystery.

Who/what inspired your characterizations of Edward and Bella in your story?

Answer: I just wanted to write characters that I liked. I love reading man **

Edwards and bitchy Bellas, but I think writing them like that would give me a

headache.

What’s your favorite type of FanFic to read?

Answer: I like the dark and angsty stuff, and I have no idea why because I’m

definitely not a dark and angsty person.

Is there any type you never read? Why?

Answer: I don’t read much slash because it makes me bitter. There are too

many hot guys that I can’t have because they have boyfriends of their own,

so I don’t want to read about it. It feels like rubbing it in.

Do you have a specific writing process?

Answer: I write as I go. I never plan anything out, but it’s because I’m

incapable. I tried to outline a story once, and I ended up with a waste basket

full of paper balls.

What was the most changeling thing about writing your story?

Answer: Keeping it somewhat realistic. I wanted things to be possible even if

they were unlikely. Hitting Victoria with a car may have been slightly over

the top, but I loved that part too much to change it.

Who was your favorite character to write? Why?

Answer: It’s a tie between Bella and Leo. I especially loved writing the

interactions between those two. They did not have what most people would

consider a normal parent-child relationship, but it worked for them, and you

could tell how much they loved each other.

What character are you most proud of? Has grown the most, in your eyes?

Answer: Nessie, especially if you read Officer Goodbody. She had all sorts of

problems that would turn many people into bitter, angry harpies, but she got

her act together without losing her spunk.

Is there any music you like to listen to when you write?

Answer: I just put my iPod on shuffle, and there is some of every genre on

that sucker.

Favorite author outside of fanfiction?

Answer: J.K. Rowling. I can’t help it; I’m a Harry Potter nerd.

Working on anything new, planning anything after this story, or just taking

one thing at a time?

Answer: I have started half a dozen stories, but I haven’t been able to

stick with one. I was hoping to finish one before I started posting; that way

there would be no pressure. People can get crazy when they don’t get their

updates.

Reading anything write now that you’d like to recommend?

Answer: I am reading too many, but the one I’m most obsessed with is Mens

Rea- A Guilty Mind by forbidden-fruit81. I am desperately trying to crack the

case before Bella.

Anything else you’d like to say about writing fanfiction or your story?

Answer: My advice for those reading my story is don’t take it seriously.

Just enjoy the silliness for what it is.



Hope you enjoyed the interview :)

Rating: M

Genre: Romance/Humor

Complete/Last Update: Complete

Summary: Um. Hi. I don’t really know how to say this, but I have your kids with me, and I was thinking maybe you would like them back. So yeah… call me.

Why Read? I remember when i first came across this story i was so intrigued by the summary given, i mean how the heck does someone leave that kind of voice mail?? So I started to read and I'm really glad I did. I wasn't sure at first if i was going to continue, since Edward/Bella have kids when they meet, and that's something I tend to avoid in fanfic, since I feel like they are hard to write about and therefore end up being too much like babies no matter what age, or too wise for their years, but just a turn off over all. But I was amazing to find that I loved Kambria Rain's writing of the kids in the story, it was beyond perfect, they added so much to the story. Then it also had me hooked as Edward and Bella both had snarky, sarcastic witty humor that made every conversation better. Its my kind of humor so reading about it is the best way to get me laughing. It has a rough start to the story, maybe a little over the top? Its hard to describe, but as you read more you really feel like KR gets into an amazing 'groove' with the story and writing the characters. So make sure you keep reading this story, its beyond worth it. (this story is also highly recommended by my friend MC, we actually read it separately then both rec'd it to each other) And now I'm actually going to have to go reread this now that I've spent so much time talking about it...