I figured that Ellen couldn't be the only one who posted this outside her community. Once something's out in the world, it's public domain...
What was the last thing you wrote?
I've only ever completed some poetry and stuff, but I am halfway through my current novel, which is still untitled.
Was it any good?
It's not bad. I know I can do better, but it's an okay first attempt. It has definitely been good exercise in garnering the stamina to finish something. It also taught me to know where I'm going before I start.
What was the first thing you wrote you still have?
I have some little three and four page stories from when I was little. My personal favorite is Bear Town, when Satan arrives. I was a twisted little kid.
Write poetry?
Not as much as I used to because I don't like trying to make symbolism work without being too obvious.
Angsty poetry?
Some was, I think.
Favorite genre of writing?
I would say realistic, actually. More of my ideas have been realistic, though coincidentally the first thing I'm finishing is fantasy. Realistic is harder, I think, because you can't fall back on fantasy worlds having different rules or whatever you need. Some of my favorite books have been great pieces of realistic fiction and I'd love it if I could be anywhere close to their goodness.
Most fun character you've ever created?
I would say Aiden from Everything's Duckie is hilarious to me. I haven't done much of that story yet because I had no prior planning, but I'm 98% sure that it will be my next project because it really is my favorite of all the story ideas I've had.
Most annoying character you've ever created?
This is a hard one. I would say that Adam from the current story is the most frustrating, but I think he's a good character. I still haven't decided whether or not he's redeemable.
Best plot you've ever created?
I really like the story for Everything's Duckie, which is about a band trying to make it in music amid all the distractions that come with fame.
Coolest plot twist you've ever created?
Not unlike Ellen's answer, mine is that a character no one will think is important ends up coming back in a visible way later on. I can't be more specific because I haven't let Ellen read that part yet and she might kill me if I spoiled her that much. This is from the untitled first novel. From now on in this survey I'm calling it UFN.
How often do you get writer's block?
Quite often, though much less lately. Though I've been working on UFN for about a year and I'm on chapter 13, I would say that quite a bit of it was done within the confines of this summer.
Write fanfiction?
I have, but a while ago. Looking back on it, it's laughable just how much I've grown as an author. There were some pretty terrible Mary-Sues.
Do you type or write by hand?
I always type. I tried to start chapter 13 of UFN at work on Friday (longhand on some receipt tape) because I was bored, but I could not do it. I like backspacing entirely too much. I do most of my notes and outlining longhand, though because I usually do it when I'm just sitting around somewhere. All of my notes and most of my outlining were done during slow times at work.
Do you save everything you write?
I do. I have everything I ever started, even though a lot of it is pretty shameful. I am not exaggerating when I say how much I've grown as a writer in the last year. Still, some of them still seem like decent ideas to me, so maybe I'll go back to the basic premise and try writing them in my new outlining and planning style.
Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
Both UFN and Everything's Duckie are from that situation. UFN was originally an Underworld style collab novel I was going to do with Amanda, but it has changed a lot in my repossessing of it. For one thing, I kicked all the vampires out and added a cult.
What's your favorite thing that you've written?
Well, I think UFN is the only thing that really counts. The others didn't get far enough to be substantial writings.
What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
I have so many that it's hard to say. I think Ellen's the only one who's read all of them, so I'm very interested to know what she thinks about this question. I know my mom wanted to read what I was working on before UFN, the Carson Competition. Maybe I'll get back to that someday.
Do you ever show people your work?
I used to show more people, but now I've decided that only Ellen gets to see it for a while. Once I finish my first draft and do the series of major edits that I already have planned I am going to have other people read it. Definitely Amanda, Morgaine, Carl and my mom. Others too, probably. I just know it can be much better in specific ways, so I want to fix it before I show them.
Did you ever write a novel?
Working on it. I'm through the first 100 pages if you can believe what authors claim about word counts. The size of that is so shocking to me that I can't even explain it.
Ever written romance or really angsty teen drama?
I don't know if I'd be good at angsty teen drama. What counts in that category? I don't know what that would even entail. As far as romance goes, there's always some of it in my books, whether the story's about that or not. I did once start to write a straight-up romance, but that was mostly just for my private collection. No one's seen it.
What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Towns that have interesting features to them, like Hayward, Wisconsin where UFN is set. I also like stories where there is no specific town setting because it makes storytelling a lot more open.
How many writing projects are you working on right now?
Just one. That's really all I can handle as far as long term goes. I have a short attention span, as Ellen can certainly confirm.
Do you want to write for a living?
It would be nice, but I don't write fast enough for it to be a realistic dream unless each of them does really well. I just want to tell the stories in my head. I don't mind having other things to do as well.
Have you ever won an award for your writing?
I was published in the third grade, but that's about it. It was a poem about turkey.
Ever written anything in script or play format?
I've started to, but it never lasts.
What are your five favorite words?
Skyscraper, illuminated, distrustful, monotonous (I agree with Ellen), and voice.
Do you ever write based on yourself?
Of my long standing stories (as opposed to one-day blowoffs), I would say that the character most similar to me is Nick in UFN. We're both very easily emotional about things. I would say that he is a stronger character than author insertion would have given.
What character have you created that is most like yourself?
See above.
Where do you get ideas for you characters?
They just pop into my head. Usually there's an image first, or a scene, maybe just a couple of lines, but they always grow and change as I work with them. Adam from UFN, for example, is vastly different from how he began. This is really random and not related to how I created him but I realized suddenly a few months ago that in my head Adam looks exactly like Cadegoestocollege from youtube.
Do you ever write based on your dreams?
Some of my stories do start out in my sleep addled head. I can't remember which. I know UFN isn't, but I can't say about the others.
Do you favor happy endings, sad endings, or cliffhangers?
I like a fair conclusion. Endings that are too happy feel really false to me, but I don't usually want stories to end sadly either. As long as all the loose ends are tied I'm willing to give up some happiness.
Have you ever written based on artwork you've seen?
Not that I can recall, though sometimes reference pictures of characters help me decide who they are.
Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Definitely. I make mistakes way more often than I think people would believe. My brain works so much faster than my fingers sometimes that the words I type might have nothing to do with what I meant. By the way, I made 4 spelling/typing errors in answering this question that I then had to correct.
Ever write anything in chatspeak?
I won't. It really bugs me.
Entirely in L337?
That would be so stupid.
Was that question appalling an unwriterly?
Yes, along with the misspelling of this question.
Does music help you write?
Sometimes, but lately I've been finding that I've needed quiet. I get distracted way more easily than I should.
Quote something you've written. Whatever pops into your head.
“Okay,” I said, “Two things. First, you practically broke his whole face and knocked him unconscious. So maybe think about the gravity of that. Second, Adam is not my boyfriend.”
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