The Romanticidal Edwardian

Hey everybody it's Alyssa! I have for you an interview with one of the great authors of fanfiction:

Q: Let’s start with the fun, easy questions! What did you think of Breaking Dawn? The movie?
A: What did I think of Breaking Dawn? Woo...that's a loaded, intricate question. I have basically a whole essay written on my thoughts about it on my profile page. But I can give a brief summary. Suffice to say, I like it. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting - but hey, I'm not an arrogant ass who thinks only my view and expectations are the right ones to be met. After I got used to the idea of a new character - and Edward and Bella's baby no less - I quite liked it, if nothing less than the fact that Edward now has his happiness, and that was what I wanted for him all along. He deserves it. And now nothing – not even his exasperating, yet endearing - guilt can mar their eternity together. Now, there are a few things I'm not totally happy with - but you win some you lose some. Really, I'm just sad it's over. But I plan to start my own continuation of it soon! So we'll see how that goes. I mean, that ending was left so open...

As for the movie, I loved it! I've studied screenplays and have a deepappreciation for movies because of it - and I am well aware of how book-movieadaptions are the hardest screenplays to write. And Twilight the movie wasvery true to the books for an adaption, and anything that was changed ordifferentiated still kept with the overall essence of the book - Bella andEdward's love. After my extreme disappointment and anger with the Harry Pottermovies (don't EVEN get me started) I did a lot of research on the movie beforeit even came out, and was already pretty emotionally attached to the directorand the actors, and psyched up with the anticipation of the movie. So maybeall that gave me an extreme bias, but oh well! I love the movie, and I thinkit's only the second adaption I've ever seen that was very true to the book itwas based on. No hatin' here ;)

Q: Are you team Edward or team Jacob? Why?
A: Psh. Edward! I mean, c'mon. I mean, I like Jacob as a character, but JUST as a character. I hate the J/B pairing, and every time he comes onto her it makes me hate him. I love Edward for many different reasons. We can start with the obvious. Ummm...he's just way sexier!!! Bahaha. And besides that, I like who he is. And how he acts. And how he treats Bella. The eternal devotion and care and love that he has for her is something that we've all dreamt about – I mean, I am truly not boy-obsessed, but I think that's because I grew up a romantic and am waiting for the right one - and guess how Edward fits into that? Just the idea that someone can love you so unconditionally, even though you feel so riddled with faults. Plus, I love his sarcasm and his depth. He has interesting thoughts and as a result is someone I always get excited about entering a scene - I want to see what he does and how he acts. He draws me in. And though we don't see it much in the books, he has a light side too which is always fun and cute to see come out on the rare occasions it does - but it makes sense because basically everything in the books is during a time filled with anxiety and stress. Anyway, there are so many things about him that just make me fall deeper for/into his character. Why do I love Edward? Uh, because he's freaking awesome. What else do you want from me?

Q: When writing a story do you make an outline first or just let the story write itself?
A: I used to never have to do an outline, but looking back on them, when I didn't my stories really weren't that good. So maybe that says something. "Maybe", haha. I always do an outline now. It's usually not specific – just very rough plot points that I want to get to, but still give me a lot of maneuvering room. There always needs to be a place for the story to go. Sometimes, if I have a really good scene or line I'll slip in some specifics, but it's usually pretty roomy. So yeah, definitely outline.

Q: What do you think makes a story successful?
A: Good characters (and therefore characterizations), an interesting plot/story, good grammar (meaning, well-written), and skill. Lol. Everything else is just kind of based around those things.

Q: Out of your stories posted online which was the most fun to write?
A: Hmm...I really can't say, ahaha. I love writing all my stories - that's why I wrote them. I can't even remember how many stories I've stopped or taken down because they lost my interest and I knew I'd never keep up with them.

Q: What is the best story you have read on fanfiction?
A: Oh, oh, too much. There are so many talented authors, and in many different fandoms too. I can tell you the ones I'm reading now though, or have read recently, that I really liked, but I don't think I could name just one overall. Especially since the best one probably wouldn't be in the Twilight fan fiction category. But these all are:
She's Royal, by halojones
I Hate Myself For Loving You by halojones
Midnight Desire by Twilightzoner
Only Human by Amethyst Jackson
The Submissive by tara sue me
Hiding In Plain Sight by limona
Dark Side of the Moon by blondia AKA Robin
The Nymph and the Waterfall by Pastiche Pen
Heatwave by Ruby Wednesday
I highly recommend all of those. Although few are T or below rated, haha.

Q: Do you prefer writing one-shots or multi-chapter stories? Why?
A: I really can't decide. It depends on the story, really. Some stories have to be done, for me, as a one-shot, and some need to be full-fledged stories. I love one-shots to death, but there's nothing like being able to immerse yourself in the same world over and over again like you do with stories. That's a tough call, and I really can't decide.

Q: What do you think about all of the love and support you have received on fanfiction?
A: I am just so humbled, awed, amazed, and overwhelmed really! I never, ever expected it to happen, not in a million years. Sometimes I get random PMs from people who just want to tell me how awesome I am and what a good job I'm doing and I kind of sit there at my computer going...how can I respond to that? How can I ever really express how grateful I am? It's absolutely mind-blowing, and I truly love everyone to death. I have the best readers, I swear I do.

Q: Do you get writers block often? If so how do you deal with it?
A: I find the more ideas I have for a story the more writers block I get. It's because I have so many places I want to get to, but, in between those places are the inevitable small parts you have to get through and that's where I find I get stuck. Basically, the only way to deal with it is to just sit down and write it out, whether you feel like it or not. Once it's there, you can go back and edit it to make it better.

Q: Do you have any tips for other authors on fanfiction?
A: Pick a good plot. Know your characters inside and out. If you don't, how should we? And get a Beta if you're not good at grammar! Nothing distracts worse from what could be a good story than continuously having to mentally correct as you read. It doesn't bother some people, but to the vast majority - it does. It makes it hard to get into, and nobody is going to take it seriously. Also, be interested in the story you're writing! If you're not, your writing will reflect it and everybody will be able to tell. We as readers can't be interested in a story you're not. Sometimes, the best thing is to just know when to call it quits and start over. But try not to let that happen, lol, because there will always be plenty of people attached to a story started! Also - don't let negative reviews get you down. Not everyone is going to like everything, and that's just something you have to accept. If you're happy with your story, then everybody else be damned. That's what it comes down to. You have to write for yourself, you really do.

Thanks for letting us interview you!! Here’s the link to the fanfiction profile: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1070334/The_Romanticidal_Edwardian