From Wizz and Shadylady:

1. How long have you been writing fiction?
I've been writing since about 2003. That's when I sat down and started plotting out Damek Keep. Before that I wrote the occasional story at work for fun, but nothing memorable.

2. What is your favorite fan fiction story you have written and why?
Erm. I think I only ever wrote one fanfic story, and that was years ago and it (thankfully) disappeared off the web.

3. What color is your toothbrush?
Mostly white. Except the toothpaste droolie bits, which are… well you probably don't really want that kinda detail, do you?

4. If you could be any super hero, who would you be and why?
Ooooo. Maybe Spidergirl? Cuz I'd have super strength and spidie sense and get to swing from building to building!

5. Do you wipe with your right hand or left?
Left. Unless I have a booboo on my left hand, then it's right.

6. Do you write more than one story and a time?
Not really. Or not on purpose. I may write a short story at the same time as a novel, but usually I write one at a time. Unfortunately, I've had a few false starts this year, so I've got a sad trail of unfinished works. Sniff sniff. Story orphans?

7. How and where do you get your inspiration?
Let's see - Damek Keep came from a desire to write like Marion Zimmer Bradley. A couple of romances came from dreams. And another WIP (Futuristic) came from yahoo science news ;-)

8. What kind of underoo’s do you wear?
Hopefully clean ones. But ya know… sometimes…laundry procrastination, you know how it is… *cough*

9. What story/series are you most proud of?
This is totally cheating, but I just started writing "Gene Wars" and I think the premise is super-cool. As far as online fiction, I like "Academy's Finest".

10. What is the best piece of advice you got when you were starting out as a writer?
Write. Every day. Now if only I followed it…

11. How do you lay out your stories?
PowerStructure software. It has everything in it. (Character building, story arc, chapter and plot outlines). You could plot yourself into a stupor with this tool. Trust me - I have!

12. Do you have an ending before you start writing or does it reveal itself to you as you write?
Since I'm a plot junkie, mostly I have the story plotted out before I begin. Academy's Finest was an exception. That was mostly unplotted.

13. How do you get beyond just an idea?
Mostly, the feedback I've gotten from readers. It's a thrill to think that someone else enjoyed my story.

14. How does an idea become a story?
See aforementioned plotting to death.

15. What suggestions do you have for creating self discipline in writing?
Well, if I had any, I'd share 'em! Like I said, the best advice I got was to write every day. Even if it's only 200 words. It adds up.

16. When you have finished with the story/book do you miss those characters that you’ve written about?
Yes, though usually not right away. And some of those characters are banging at the door insisting sequels.

17. If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?
Probably spelling this wrong, but the Dalai Llama. Because he giggles when he talks. And he just oozes serenity. I've got too much of the catholic in me to be Buddhist, but he just rocks!

18. Who is your favorite X-man?
Storm. Totally Storm. Controlling wind/rain/ lightening is just tooo cool for words.

19. Who is your favorite hero of all times?
Again w/ the mis-spelling, but Bodicia. The Roman's raped her daughters, and did she just cry in her apron? Nope. She raised a celtic army and wiped their asses all the way back to London.

20. Years from now, how would you want to be remembered?
As that cranky old bitch next door who is STILL ALIVE!

21. What is your pet peeve?
Chewing w/ yer mouth open. Bluck. Erm. And public nose-mining.

22. What advice can you give to future writers?
Post online! It's a cool rush to get readers emailing you that they like your story.

23. What are your dreams? Hopes? Wishes?
Someday, I'd like to have my novels in print. Other than that, I'd like to finish crocheting my son's baby blanket before he hits highschool…Oh, and aforementioned living until I'm very old and crotchety and whining about all these young whiper-snappers.

24. What is a necessity for every writer in your opinion?
Determination and a thick skin. Someone's bound to not like your work (including yourself on some days). And if you try to get published, a VERY thick skin. There will be a pile of rejections before the first acceptance (she sez, still anticipating an acceptance some day…)

25. What is your favorite quote? Why and how does it affect you?
At the moment, all that comes to mind is Cartman from South Park - "Respect my authority!". Mostly it just cracks me up.

26. What makes your best friend, your best friend?
The fact that she's my wife too? Best Friends w/ fringe benefits

27. Why do fools fall in love?
Cuz if they didn't, we'd have a whole lotta boring books and TV and such.

28. What significance, if any, is there in the title?
Damek Keep was originally The Darkness Falls. But that seemed very overused.
 

From Strongsouljah:

29. What vices or rituals, if any, do you have and how do they affect your writing?
Is procrastination a vice or a ritual? Hmm.

30. Are you easily distracted by big breastessess?????
*looks around* where?!?

31. Have you ever had a serious case of writer’s block?
Not really. The ideas are there aplenty. It's more like finding the time and energy to write them down.

From Tammy:

32. What writer do you most compare yourself too or whom so you model yourself after?
For fantasy, I'd love to write like Jane Fletcher. For SF, more like S.L.Viehl.

33. What is essential to you in your surroundings when you are writing? i.e.: music playing, incense, candles lit, food/drink, smoke pot???
Not having the TV on. Amazing how distracting that can be ;-)

34. What are your other artistic interests?
Are legos an artistic interest? What about paint by numbers?!?! Erf.

35. Are you easily distracted when writing?
*watches TV*.. erm.. what? Oh..
Yeah, sometimes writing is like homework. I could write, or I could wash the dishes. Sometimes dishes win.

36. Do you have a set time that you write (a.m. or p.m.) or when time permits?
Most of my writing is in the evening or weekends.

From Tina Stratton:

37. At what age did you start?
Erm…erm…oh. You mean writing? 'Bout 2 years ago.

38. Where do you get your ideas? Do they just pop up or do you hear something or see something and think.... hey that would work?
Mostly see or hear something and extend it into a full length story.

From Anne:

39. "What would you never ever ever write about?" to keep the link with the whole bard thing?
I'd never abuse kids in any story. I also would never make the girl end up w/ a guy (probably obvious). I also think every story has a happy ending of some sort. I'm sappy like that.

40. "If you had to bring Xena back from the dead AGAIN, how would you do it?"
She steps out of the waterfall, looks around. And sez to Gabrielle "you won't believe the dream I just had…" or is that cliché?

41. "What's the most original way in which you ever killed a red shirt?" ( I think this is killing off an ordinary character in your stories)
Killed by an Interrogator (a person with the power to turn another person's mind to mush).

42. "If you could any kind of vegetable, what would you be?"
Bell pepper.. the yellow kind.
 

From A. Hawk:

43. One question would be where do they get the inspiration (for your stories) for all of that when writing a sex scene?
Sometimes from experience, sometimes from what we wanna experience :D

From JL Nicky:

44. Do you wear silk stockings?
Nope. Never. Nu-uh.

45. Are you hooked up right now? Tied up? Twisted up? (All of which are becoming I might add)
Hooked up yes, tied up, maybe after I finish this questionnaire…

46. Do you own a Jag or a Honda?
*glances at pathetic stationwagon* erm..

47. In your opinion is Popeye equivalent to Hercules? Does the myth/legend over lap...
Not really. You see, Popeye had this whole drug dependency on spinach extract. Now Brutus on the other hand, he had a definite anti-Hercules theme going on…

48. Is Hercules better than Sampson? You know...Delilah's Sampson?
Actually, there's more commonality between Popeye and Sampson. Both depended on external sources for their strength, and both felt unnaturally threatened by strong female archetypes (Olive and Delilah).

49. What’s your favorite color?
Blue. Except when it's Grey. (Grey with an E, not Gray with an A, cuz that's an entirely different color, m'kay?)

50. Ever used any of those lil ole accents in ya'lls lil ole stories?
Alas, know. Common English is tough enough for me! I did write a parody in Elizabethan English once, back in High School. It was brilliant! Er… or at least good enough for a passing grade…

51. WHAT is your favorite Ice Cream Flavor? (There is more than 31 you know).
Cherry Vanilla.

52. Have you ever had Wild Turkey AND Bourbon in the same night? If so, who held your head over the porcelain goddess?
Nope, but I have tried, at different times, to finish a bottle of Jack Daniels (Robin held my head while I cursed her to hell and back again), and Bailey's Irish Cream (again, Robin, same porcelain fixture, same obscenities). I think Robin was a bad influence on me…
I did also mix beer and wine at one particularly bad Halloween party one year. That time it was my sister who not only rescued me from drowning in a minutely different porcelain fixture, but carried me to my bed after I passed out on the tile floor.

53. Did you ever think there were people out in the world just as twisted as you?
*looks around* gawd I hope not…

54. Who is YOUR favorite author?
Jane Fletcher and Jordan Redhawk for Lesbian fiction. Nene Adams has some great stuff coming out for historical fiction.

55. What is the genre that you write most in, such as mystery, romance?
At the moment, I'm on an SF kick. Though I also like horror and fantasy.

56. What is the genre that you read most in?
Probably romantic horror/vampire stuff right now. I'm reading Lynn Veihl's "If Angels Burn". It's very good. I'm also into graphic novels. "Strangers in Paradise" is good, as is "Hellsing".

57. Have you ever written outside your comfort zone? Were you happy with the result?
My first venture into SF was outside my comfort zone, and I think it went well. Horror so far has been a flop. I don't seem to have the knack for it.

From DJ Belt:

58. How much of the bard's own personal life experiences and worldview enter their characters and story?
My own world view or morality definitely appears in the story. It may be a central theme, or represented by a side character, but it's always present somehow. "The Traakyn" story was based on my sister having cancer, and evolved into what it would be like to have a part of your female anatomy replaced with prosthetics. What would that do to your sexual identity? Etc. That's probably the strongest story I have for investigating a real-world issue or emotion.

59. Is (are) there a particular work of fiction which had a profound impact upon them as a youngster?
You'll laugh, but Dick and Jane pissed me off at an early age. Jane was just ew. Beyond that, Lord of the Rings probably tossed me into reading fantasy for years after.

60. Is there a particular piece of work that they cringe at having posted, or had totally bomb (often, much to their surprise)?
I honestly expected "The Traakyn" to get more attention, because of the deeper theme. It fell flat. I'm still proud of the attempt I made in that story, even if the writing didn't stand up to it.

61. Is there anything that they'd never write?
Abuse of children.

From Ri the Bard:

62. This one is for Wizzy imagination, what do you wear when you’re working on your writing (VBG)
At least my undies. No guarantees after that. Depends on where I'm writing and who else may be in the room :D

63. Favorite writing instrument (i.e. pen, pencil, typewriter, computer)
Until recently, I typed everything on the computer. I tried a pda, but that just never worked for me. I have done some writing in a notebook and I do enjoy it because, unlike a computer, I can't waste time by checking email etc.

64. Worst book you ever read?
Bridges of Madison County or whatever that tripe was called. Ugh.

65. Favorite reading format: hardcover, paperback, book on tape, or online?
I don't read much online. I guess I'm just too set in my ways with books. I do enjoy books on tape for long car drives though.

66. When you're not writing what do you do with yourself?
Paint metal figurines like those insane people do on TV…you know, the serial killers and such? (muuhahahah). And then there's legos. I'm addicted to legos. Oh, and I also do recreational abuse of houseplants. (have very very brown thumb).

67. Favorite comfort food?
Icecream.

From Debbie Dee:

68. What does being published mean to you? What do you expect to receive from the process?
I don't honestly know yet. I write because I enjoy it and the stories I create. I'd love to have an editor tear apart my work. I'd learn so much from that. But the thought of publicity for a published novel gives me the heebee jeebees.

69. What state/country do you live in?
Very soon - In Massachusetts.

70. What do you like to read?
Right now, the common theme in my reading is scarcasm. I love a kick-ass female lead with snarky comebacks.

71. Do you have any pets & family?
3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, 2 kids, and a missus. :D

72. What story that you have written do you like the best?
The Traakyn.

73. Do you have a story that was hard for you to write?
Damek Keep probably took the most out of me, and I don't think the end result came out as well as I'd hoped.

74. Do you put a little bit of yourself in each story something that might of happen in your life to you?
Sometimes, but not all the time. I do have thoughts/ideas/emotions that I want to explore in every story I write. In that sense, I'm living out my own fantasies.

75. What shows do you like and who is your favorite stars?
I love Lost. That show rocks. I also liked Joan of Arcadia. I don't really have favorite stars. I have a few unfavorites *cough Kevin Kosner *cough*.

76. What are you writing on now?
Well I should be editing, but I'm sporatically writing "Gene Wars", an SF story set in the not too distant future on Earth.

77. Do you have any stories published or hope to get any published?
I have some I'd like to publish some day. Most of my work is still unfinished.

78. If you had to tell anyone about yourself on what type a person you are what would you say
Goofy. That covers it in a nutshell.

79. Why don't writers finish their stories?
The effort it takes to put out a quality finished story of any length beyond short story is considerable. Fitting that into a life already full of work, home, family, responsibilities, and the occasional fun hobby or exercise is no easy task. Then wrap that all up in a tight bundle and think about what the author gets out of it? If we're talking online posting, maybe 1 reader in 20 or more will write a "thanks, cool story" feedback email. Quite honestly, the feedback is what keeps the writer going for online stuff. The appreciation from the reader. If that dwindles, then the writer might just not get back to the story that garnered so little response. The other possibility is that the writer wrote herself into a corner or dead end and can't figure a way out.

80. What does feedback mean to you as a writer and how does it influence how you write?
See # 79. ;-) Seriously, feedback really does feed the bard. Knowing that folks enjoy what I write makes the effort worthwhile.

81. How do you choose your characters?
Sometimes they come fully formed and the story evolves from them. Other times, they are created to fit the plot/theme that I want to experiment with in the story.

82. How do you handle it when a reader asks why you used a certain plot device?
Usually truthfully. I've been caught with bad plot choices or dangling plot points that never wrapped up. I've also been questioned on something I did deliberately and asked the reader to reconsider their question once they finish the story. It's great to see what other folks thought of these deeper ideas in the story.

83. What is the primary reason you post stories to the internet?
Feedback and the thought that I'm entertaining some folks.

From Robin Alexander:

84. When do you finally feel comfortable turning your stories loose on the public? LOL it still makes me nervous when I post.
Probably never! I turn them loose, but I still never feel they are quite as good as they could or should be. And the instant I see the story online, I find some glaring problem or other and go doof! Why didn't I catch that before I posted!!

 

Feedback can be sent to: sbarret_fic@yahoo.com