Gwenefhar333

Short note:  Thanks for the terrific questions everyone!  You really made me think. I have combined a few and changed the order to keep from repeating myself, but I really enjoyed answering them! 

How did you become hooked on the Urban Fantasy genre?

 That’s a simple one: Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter! 

 How were you introduced to the ABverse?

Doing my normal weekly browse through B&N, I stumbled upon the Merry Gentry series, which I read and loved.  I avoided the AB books for quite a while because I was certain that vampire fiction didn’t interest me (Haha).  But eventually, I got hungry for an LKH fix, and picked up Guilty Pleasures.  Four hours later, I was back buying the whole series.  The rest is history.

What would you change about ABVH world or Merry-land? Is there anything that you don't like about the Anitaverse?  

I don’t have any problem with the universes themselves.  They’re both amazing.  I might like to change the directions of the stories, but that is what fanfic is for.  I’d like the ardeur to stop driving the AB plots, and I would like to finally see some action, confrontation, and culmination in the Merry books. 

How did you discover the insanity that we all love and call Pomme de Sang?

Google!  Though I didn’t discover the message board insanity until I got curious about the drabble challenges … you know the rest of the story.  Rehab is looking promising, though.

Did you lurk amongst the stories before joining the board or did you jump right in as an author?

Oh, I lurked.  I read for at least a month before I started posting up my work.  And I was strictly an author/reader/reviewer for a few months before I joined the board.  I don’t think I would have been nearly as productive in those first few months if I had jumped on the board sooner… you girls are too distracting! 

What was the first fan-fiction you read and which one truly 'hooked' you and inspired you to attempt?

I read so much at once, I’m not sure which was the very first.  It might have been The Jason Chronicles – because I read that one before I was reviewing.  But I went looking for Damian fics and found there wasn’t much, which inspired me to come up with something for him.  I think that 1749: The Council Visit definitely hooked me and it was shortly after that that I started writing. 

How did you get started writing about AB?

No joke – I was waiting for the bus and the first two lines of QotD popped into my head.  It was just about Jean-Claude – imagining him in the sunlight.  The story just built from there and once I started writing it, I couldn’t stop.

Vamps, were-animals, or humans?

Definitely vamps.  The lycanthropes are awesome, but vampires have that brooding immortal angsty thing that gets my motor going – and they can be the most sinister villains too.

For the record: (like we don't know) - Who is your favorite character?  

Actually, it’s not that obvious.  If I had to choose one very favorite character from the AB books, it would be Jean-Claude.  He stole my heart the second he was on the page of Guilty Pleasures.  I don’t write him enough to give it away, because when I do, I have a tendency to gush.  I find him to be the most interesting, the deepest and the sexiest (in canon).

Who is your favorite and least favorite minor character? 

If you count Jason or Damian as minor, they are definitely my favorite – so much so that I don’t count them as minor.  After those two, I really like Haven, Requiem and Raphael.  My least favorite is probably Ronnie.  She just annoys me. 

If you could live one scene or segment in the series, what would it be?

I think I would have liked to be there for the ballet in Danse Macabre or any full moon with the lukoi.  Though, storming the Circus with Anita and Edward runs a very close third.

What fics are you still itching to write?

I had a sequel planned to ‘This Is How It Ends’ that I would still love to write, mostly because it focuses on Edward and the flood of ideas I had for it.  It really branches away from typical AB stuff.  But I think I will save/recycle the ideas for an original work instead. 

Are there other fandoms that tempt you, but you just don't have the time for?

I actually have some abandoned Charmed fic that I wish I had time to finish, and I once toyed with the idea of a Charmed/AB crossover.  I never wrote it – but I had a Van Helsing crossover idea too. 

What 'missing scene' or pairing are you still waiting to find posted?  

Well, I sort of wrote it myself – but I would love to see more Richard/Nathaniel – not necessarily sexual, but dom/sub.  The pairing just makes sense to me for reasons I don’t have room to list.  Another particular scene that has been missing for a while in my mind is Jean-Claude having ‘the talk’ with Anita about Asher and/or the three of them FINALLY doing it right.  

What inspired your QotD series?

After I read DM, I went in search of fan fiction, and discovered PDS.  I got sidetracked for a while by all the great stuff here, but what I really wanted to read was a continuation of the story, particularly with regards to the sub-plot that had been hinted at with Marmee Noir.  My story essentially began with a ‘what if?’ about the Mother of All Darkness and Anita finally facing off.  The idea of how and why that would happen and the result wouldn’t leave me alone.  Anita’s increasing powers and the concept of the multiple triumvirates was obviously an inspiration as well.  I guess I sort of picked my favorite ‘loose ends’ and decided to run with them.  The result was an AU, which I set three and a half years in the future in order to make the large changes I was inflicting more plausible.    

I noticed in your summary that you have Anita and Damian married and I will admit I have not read the series because of this - why do you see this pairing working when LKH doesn't?

First, if it makes a difference, the monogamy isn’t permanent (lol).  I have gotten this question a lot since the beginning and I have a more in-depth answer on the QotD blog, here. But to answer your question more directly: Anita and Damian both had to change for me to make this work – Anita especially.  That is why I call it an AU.  One of the challenges I set up for myself was to take an unpopular pairing and try to make it work, and I always wanted to see Damian get more attention.  The idea is that without the other men around to overshadow, Damian would shine.  I took their bond as Master and Servant and built from there.  In my story, Anita gets something different and special from each of the men she’s involved with and what Damian provides is a strong, steady foundation.  He calms her, centers her and gives her an unwavering devotion that allows some of her walls to come down and insecurities about being hurt to finally dissipate.  I don’t think that is too far off from what he could offer in canon, if Anita and Laurell were only open to it.  Of course, I added my own romantic elements too.        

Do you find committing yourself to such a large series to be a challenge? Do you ever feel trapped by it? 

Yes, it was a challenge, but I am one of those weird folks who have to feel challenged to be stimulated – so that was part of the appeal.  Now that it’s finished, I only remember how much I loved it and the tormenting parts have been successfully erased from my memory.  I don’t think I ever felt trapped though – because the end was what I was always striving for, so I was in a big hurry to get to it.  I pretty much enjoyed the whole ride – it was a labor of love.

Did you have the final ending to QotD in mind when you started the story?

When I very first started, no.  But by the time I had ironed out the four-part series outline, I did.  The crux of the story rests on a character death that takes place at the very end of the series.  I had that part planned pretty much from the get-go. 

Has it changed as you've written the four parts?

The character death and the basic theme/lesson involved hasn’t changed, but how I went about it has morphed several times.  The biggest thing that I struggled with was how to handle Anita’s complicated love life and whom she would end up with at the end.  It took a lot of work to try to balance it out and I wasn’t sure until several months in how I would work it.  But I like the result much better than what I had initially planned. 

How long did it take you to come up with your whole plot?

When I first started writing Part I, I didn’t have a plan.  I was just writing as ideas popped into my head.  The back-story of the three-year hiatus filled itself out in my mind fairly quickly, and about halfway through Part I, I had the vague idea that it would be at least a four-part series.  I’d say it took me about a week to iron out the basic ‘plot’ of each part and tie together a theme that would carry the series.  But the sub-plots were constantly evolving as I went, and sometimes took unexpected turns, which I just went with.  So, technically, I guess the WHOLE plot took ten months, but the rough outline only took about a week.       

How did you construct your OCs? Or did they pop fully hatched into your mind? 

The idea of an OC was really intimidating to me.  Other than a few minor ones, I put it off as long as I could.  I’d say what comes to me first is a physical description.  I picture the character in my mind – not just how they look, but their expressions, demeanor and little individual nuances, body language, etc.  Once I have a clear picture, the speech pattern comes pretty naturally.  In some cases I do a lot of thinking about background and experiences, if their motivation is important to the story.  Dante and Angeline are good examples of this.  So, there are many stages, but sometimes, they can happen all at once and the character seemingly ‘hatches’ out of nowhere – Laraby was like that.  I hope it continues to be that easy and successful in the future.

What draws you to the angst?

There are a lot of things, but if I were to be truly honest, I think I’d have to admit that it’s my life up to now.  I’ve always naturally been the strong one, holding it together and being a rock and support system for other people.  Writing raw, emotional angsty stuff is an outlet for emotions I’ve kept bottled up.  It’s very therapeutic.   

When I read certain sadder fics, or parts of fics, of yours I'm so caught up that I could cry.  Is it hard for you to write those parts?

Sometimes I’m crying as I’m writing or even just thinking about something, but it happened more when I first started.  I think I have learned to detach from it a bit.  I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not – but I’ve written quite a few scenes that people told me they were crying their eyes out reading them and I wrote it without flinching.  Actually, really heartfelt reviews bring me to tears more often.   

What made you write ‘This Is How It Ends’?

Umm… I’m evil?  Actually, at the time, I was doing a lot of considering about how Anita got to where she is in the books, and how Laurell could ever end the series.  That thought led to the idea that each and every one of Anita’s close relationships would have to end and the wheels started turning about how to sort of link all those together.  At first I thought they would all be separate break-up scenes, but it evolved from there.  It ended up as sort of a clean slate, which I hadn’t expected either – but it was an exercise in angst. 

You've written a couple short fics for friends. Do these come pretty easily or is it hard to write something with someone real in mind?

Most of the stuff I’ve written for friends were requests and they centered on a certain character, pairing or mood.  In that way, they are sort of easier – because I already had the framework.  But you always worry how it’s going to be received.  I wrote one with a friend actually in it, but I got permission first – and it was quite fun to have someone to base it off of. 

I noted in Asher's Gift  that the slash sex was not . . . detailed . . . was that to keep with the more romantic flow of the story?

For the most part, yes.  Writing slash is new for me and while I could be very ‘detailed’, all of my writing, including love scenes, flows better if I focus on the emotion and introspection.  It’s just my style.

Does writing . . . detailed . . . sex scenes squick you at all?  

No, detail doesn’t squick me.  I just haven’t come to a point where I had a reason to write in that style.  I think it’s still possible to be steamy without being graphic – it’s just more difficult.  I prefer to write more implied sexuality.  I think I’m more of a mood writer and getting down and dirty has a tendency to distract me from the emotion of the scene – unless the mood is simply ‘hot’ – but that’s not my forte. 

What direction would you avoid in writing at all costs?

I’d like to say there isn’t one, but I might be proven wrong later.  I can see the potential for exploration in just about any scenario.  I guess the only thing I naturally avoid writing is PWP.  There has to be an emotional or at least logical reason for my characters to jump in the sack.  It has to make sense to me, otherwise I just can’t write it.

How do you see your writing on PDS interfacing with your other writing, as you mention you are working on non-fanfic material?

My other writing has definitely been influenced.  I know for a fact that I enjoy the mixed genre and paranormal romance is probably my home base.  If it hadn’t been for fanfic and PDS, I never would have even attempted to write something original and I’ve learned a lot about myself, and my writing process.  But building a universe is a lot more daunting than bending the rules in someone else’s.  And ideally, if my writing ever does take off, I don’t want to be called an LKH copycat.     

Do you find it hard to keep the Anitaverse out of original works?

I don’t think so, but my beta is there to let me know when I slip.  Even a lot of things LKH has used weren’t really that original, so it’s hard to find where to draw the line.  The universe I’m building that has vamps in it is a completely different take, so it will hopefully be far enough that people won’t get that ‘I’ve heard this before’ feeling.  My other stories (so far) don’t even have vamps in them, so I’m not too concerned.  It’s more the characterizations that are harder to avoid.  It will be hard to write a tough female lead without making her sound like Anita, but the more time I spend away from the Anitaverse, the easier it will be to find my own voice, hopefully. 

If you do have original works, why haven't you posted them here? 

Several reasons. I don’t have much yet and what I do have is not ready.  Also, I have plans to try to get them published and some publishers consider a site like this one ‘self-publishing’ and it would therefore disqualify my work.  I also want to make a name for myself, not based off of my fanfic writings.  If I have shorter things that I don’t try to publish or when I accumulate things that have been continuously rejected and go out of submission circulation, I will probably post them on my own site for free reading. 

What's the best environment for you when you write?

It has dominated my life so much the last ten months that I can write just about anywhere, as long as I have my laptop and headphones.  And I have – on the bus ride to and from school, in the passenger seat on the commute home, on my lunch break, in between classes, at family gatherings… No, I’m not kidding – I have a sickness.  My weekends are spent curled up on the couch in my PJs, but my other favorite place is the local Starbucks.  The most important thing is comfort and as little distraction as possible.  Good music is a must … and hot beverages.

How often do you write? Is it a daily thing, or in fits and starts?

Constantly!  My family thought I had been possessed at first.  My husband has actually said the words ‘put down the mouse and step away from the computer!’ many times.  I’m better at hiding it now and knowing when enough is enough and it’s time to pay real life some attention – but I’m still perpetually writing. On the weekends, it’s from the moment I spring out of bed (and yes, I spring on the weekends because I know I get uninterrupted writing time) … to the time that I regretfully can’t keep my eyes open anymore.  I squeeze it into every free moment I have, and when I can’t be actually writing or typing, I’m thinking about it – replaying scenes, chatting with characters and plotting in my head.  Fits and starts?  Well – yeah – but only when something else gets in the way.

Do you have any particular approach to writing that you could quantify? Meaning, what would you tell a beginning writer? Another accomplished writer?

Yes, I have a quantifiable system.  Though, writing is a creative process and thus a little harder to fit into a box – I sure try though!  In fact, I have many, many approaches that would take far too long to detail here (maybe on my blog someday), and I also think that it has to be individualized.  I start out usually with a simple list or outline of bulleted points of what is actually happening.  I go back and write more details about those points, like what feeling or thought is attached to them and maybe a few clipped lines of conversation that are in my head.  When I go back to actually write, it is basically a process of expanding the outline – but that may not work for everyone. 

As far as the advice for new writers: write.  Just write.  Don’t worry about finding the right word or the perfect detail the first time through – don’t get sidetracked – just write what’s going on and go back and polish it later.  For accomplished writers, I would be asking for advice, not giving it. 

Do you set goals in your writing, both in terms of fanfiction and original fiction?

Yep, I’m a very goal-oriented and driven person.  I have to have an endpoint, or at least a direction in mind or I’ll get completely sidetracked.  I have long-term and short-term goals.  They range from finishing a certain chapter or scene in a given period of time, to eventually getting published.  Some are less quantifiable, and I rely on feedback to know if I’ve accomplished them – like selling people on the idea of Damian and Anita being married, or simply getting a few tears (Yes, I’m evil, I know it.).

What kind of goals do you set for yourself when you write?

Usually, I’m all about reaching the finish line.  I set up a pace that I plan to write at and I try to stick to it.  I’m trying to finish a scene, finish a chapter, wrap up a subplot or, even finish the entire piece.  My only other goal is to improve.  I try to make each section that I tackle, be it a scene, a chapter or an entire piece better than the last – emotionally and literally.

How does what you want to write affect what gets written?

That’s a very good question that only another writer would ask!  Like everyone, I assume, sometimes I can guide the story to be exactly what I want and it just works.  And sometimes I get in my own way and if I just let up a little bit, it flows much better, even if it’s not what I had in mind.  A good beta that knows you well is invaluable in those cases.  Mine can usually sense when I’m trying to force things, and tells me so.  Ultimately, I’m always happy with the result, even if it’s not what I originally had planned.  There are always mandatory ‘pieces’ of a story that are not as fun to write – but we trudge through those the best we can.

Do you have any how-to books that you would particularly recommend?

I own a copy of ‘A Writer’s Reference’ by Diana Hacker from college – but I haven’t picked it up in years.  I’ve been lucky enough to have a one-on-one instructor since I started writing.  Other than that, I learn by reading.  I don’t just read fiction, I study it.  Reading a story, I take note of certain turns of phrase, style elements, plot choices and I analyze the greater purpose behind them and add it to my collection of ‘ways to write’.  However – the dictionary/thesaurus is a must, and Google and Wiki are my friends.  The basic ‘story construction’ lessons I have been given were summed up nicely in the book ‘Elements of the Short Story’ by Dina Leacock – great stuff, and not just for shorter stories. 

When you are casting around for a new story, or even a new chapter in an existing story, what do you do to get ideas?

 I’m never short on new ideas – I’m short on time to develop them.  Just about anything in life can inspire some odd combination in my mind.  When it comes to inspiration for something I’m already working on, music is a big part of it for me.  I think about the general mood of what I’m trying to write and I go on a hunt for music to match it.  Most of my best ideas, though come from chatting with my beta.  We seem to feed off of each other.  Sometimes she’ll come up with something that doesn’t necessarily get used, but it sparks an idea of mine – but then, a lot of the best ones are hers too.  We really are a team.  Talking it through with someone out loud or online and being open to their feedback is key for me.

Have you gotten 'writer's block'? And how do you overcome that?

Sure – it’s a given, isn’t it?  Usually, if I’m blocked it’s because something in my life is distracting or upsetting me – so I try to treat the cause before addressing the symptom.  Usually it’s as simple as getting some sleep.  Once that’s taken care of, my first step is to have a nice long chat with my beta.  If that doesn’t cure it, usually listening to music helps.  If none of the above options work, I try writing something different.  And when all else fails – I take a break and ask my hubby for a backrub.  

How did you meet your beta?

I met her through PDS actually, and thank the gods every day.  I didn’t know what a beta was when I first started writing, but I threw up a request for help when I was posting QotD part I.  I got several inquiries, but The ABC and I just clicked.  I have hardly made a move without her since.  Her opinion is the single most influential one in all my writing and I’ve learned and grown so much, thanks to her. 

How sharply do you edit? Do you write and voila, or do you write and rewrite and rewrite?

I usually read through and add/edit at least a couple of times before something is sent off to the beta.  Whether it gets re-written or not really depends on how much red she adds.  I have sent a chapter and gotten back a smiley face, and I have sent one and pretty much had to start over.

Are you a good speller/grammar person - or just guess at it like me?

I’m an okay speller, but sometimes I’m writing so much so fast I don’t have time to worry about it.  That’s what spellcheck is for!  My grammar has drastically improved – or so my beta says.  I’m better when editing – it’s hard to see your own mistakes sometimes.

How many times do you generally have to send a chapter to your beta before it’s ready to post?

It depends on several factors – namely, how my schedule looks, how important the scene is, and whether I’m doing okay on my own.  If I’m struggling and we have the time, we can send something back and forth half a dozen times or pick it apart in chat one line or even one word at a time.  If I’m pressed for scheduling reasons or it’s not that important, she might only see it and comment once before I move on.  I think I actually sent her one gold-star chapter before where she had nothing to say but ‘Bravo’ and I was so giddy I almost framed it. 

Do you actually see the scenes you’re writing playing out in your mind, or do you hear your characters talking when writing? In other words what goes on in your mind while writing?

Yes, I do see the scenes.  I usually take some time to let a scene play out in my mind a few times as if I were watching a movie.  I try it a few different ways, repeat the dialogue and paint a clear picture of the background for myself.  I often pause/rewind and replay it and then add more in-depth feelings and reflections when actually writing it out. 

Do you ever have to say a line out loud to make it sound right?

I usually run the conversations in my head, but after I’ve written them down, I will sometimes read them out loud to make sure they sound okay.  

How do you do research for your stories?

Sparingly.  I really don’t do a lot and it usually consists of the internet or a personal resource.  I have some reference books and a wealth of my own ‘not quite normal’ experiences to draw from.  I rely a lot on my beta for help too.  I do spend considerable time talking to people, interviewing them about their experiences and filing the information away for later use.  But I try to write mostly what I know or can make up – it’s just easier that way.

Have you - and what if the answer is yes - done or considered doing for the sake of research?

I have a personal stunt coordinator/weapons expert that lives with me and loves to act out the action sequences together.  I’ve fired guns and worked with knives and swords. . .  I would consider a lot of things.  I’ll try just about anything once – research or no. 

Have you explored BDSM and will it come out more in your future writing?

I am trying to broaden my horizons, but I’m still young, and haven’t been exposed to the scene that much. I am both wary and curious. For future writing . . . who can say? I think when it comes down to it, I’m more of a romance/angst slut, but you never know.

How do you really feel about threesomes and slash sex? Would you watch or etc. - or have you already???

I feel that people should do whatever makes them happy, as long as it doesn’t put others at risk. I won’t say I’ve done or seen it all, but I’ve done my share of experimentation and seen quite a lot. And while I choose to live a relatively traditional lifestyle, it’s because of where I am in my life emotionally and the fact that I was lucky enough to find one man that makes me very, very happy - not because of any social standards. I can definitely see the appeal of other lifestyles.


How many whips do you own?

My whips are metaphorical, like my many hats.

What do you prefer - boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs or commando?

On a guy - definitely boxer-briefs: the best of both worlds, unless he wants to wear just a pair of button-up jeans.

When are you going to finish that story I was reading last time I saw you?

For those who don’t know, this is a short novella, titled Love on the Run, and it is finished and being submitted to publishers beginning in January.

Here’s a blurb:
Sandy is a cougar. Half Lakota - she carries the ancient shape-shifting bloodline of her mother and because of that, she’s running from her past. Her sadistic half-brother Chase will stop at nothing to have her as his mate. Hiding out in an out of the way diner in the middle of the desert, Sandy thought she was safe. But when Chase and his band of rogues show up to retrieve her, Sandy is saved by a mysterious and sexy stranger named Merritt, who has painful secrets of his own. On the run together, Sandy and Merritt discover that danger and passion are a very combustible mix.

  

What is your system for writing and keeping everything organized?  

I could write a whole book about the ‘writing system’ I use, but I’ll spare you and answer the organization part instead: Google.  Google Documents, Google Notebook, saved chats, emails.  I used to have everything spread across three computers and several hand-written notebooks.  Now it is mostly all in one place and it saves me a lot of time.  No matter where I am, as long as there’s internet – I have access to my stuff.  I back it up on a hard drive and a flash drive that I carry with me.  

Which author would you say is your "hero"?

I have a lot of heroes, but ironically – none of them are authors.  I admire people who have created a universe and characters that shine enough to build a lasting franchise – but they’re not my heroes, per se.  One author I admire is Felicity Heaton.  She decided to go out and do it on her own, write what she wanted, how she wanted – breaking the publishing glass ceiling, and has been pretty successful.   

What would be a shining moment in the literary world for you?

It wouldn’t be getting published – because a lot of that is luck/chance.  But if someday people loved a world or characters I created enough to write fanfiction about it – that would be the ultimate. 

What is your personal watermark of excellence for writers?

This is tough.  I have many things that can turn me off from a story, but pinning what exactly it is that sucks me in?  I guess it’s the characters.  I have to care about them, feel for them, like them.  They have to be real.  If the writing is mediocre or the plot a little flimsy, I’m still okay as long as my curiosity about the characters holds up.

 
What would you like your legacy to be to the world of literature? And the world in general?

The answer to both is the same.  If I can reach people on a fundamental level, make them think about life differently, feel what I’m trying to convey and really ‘get’ what I’m saying, I consider myself a success.  I just want to have as much of a positive effect on as many people’s lives as possible.  On a grander scale, I suppose it would be to help people open their minds. 

What do you wish to leave your readers with? Or what do you hope they take away with them?

Similar to my answer above, I hope that my writing, firstly, has been entertaining.  But I also hope that the deeper themes and messages reach people on some level.  Any sort of emotional response is a compliment. 

What is the most painful thing for you to write? To read?

I rather enjoy ‘painful’ things, so I will take this to mean difficult.  The hardest thing for me to write is moving dialogue.  Description comes easy to me, as does introspection/reflection.  I can write the intro and wrap up to a chapter in fifteen minutes, and stare at a blank screen waiting for dialogue for hours.  For reading, ironically, I hate lengthy descriptions of the rules of the universe.  I like it much better when that information is blended into the background of the story and I can pick up the pieces, as they are needed. 

What published author takes your breath away?

It’s a three-way tie.  Jacqueline Carey and Diana Gabaldon are right at the top of my list.  Their characters shine, are alive, real and completely loveable; and their writing is poetic and moving without being trite.  Marion Zimmer Bradley’s ‘The Mists of Avalon’ is a mandatory annual read and I take something new away from it every time.  

Do your family and real life friends know about your writing and how do they feel about it?

They do know about it and they are both supportive and jealous, if that makes sense.  It takes me away from them a lot, but they are happy for me, even though they miss me.  My husband has started reading the AB books so that he can read my story and he spent a lot of time listening and helping with ideas, etc.  The rest of them show polite interest.  No interventions . . . yet.

How do you juggle real life with writing?

Carefully.  I have a tendency to go full steam ahead with hobbies and this one has become more of an obsession.  When I start to see things in real life sliding downhill, I take a step back and deal with them.  But writing is really up there with eating, sleeping and sex – sometimes higher than all three.  Work and school are trickier and I have a tendency to wear myself out and spread myself too thin because I refuse to let up.  I’m getting better at the balancing act though.