Nollie Marie

Nollie Marie wrote the AH story Hitched, which is one of the most read stories on FF. She really is an amazing writer and I cannot recommend more going to check her out- http://www.fanfiction.net/u/948787/

1. Let’s start with the fun, easy questions! What did you think of BreakingDawn? The movie?

Okay, there is no short way to write out this answer.

For Breaking Dawn, the first time I read it, I was reading it like super fast in between my 15 minute breaks at work, trying not to eat over the book at lunch, and it also felt like I was reading FanFiction…not that’s a bad thing considering I write FanFiction, but it just felt weird. But the second time, I actually was able to read it slowly and take it all the details in and I actually liked it. People don’t like Bella becoming pregnant, or Jacob’s point of view (POV), or the birthing scene, or Jacob imprinting on Renesmee, but to me it made scene. I loved Jacob’s POV because it gives the werewolves’ side which you wouldn’t have gotten through Bella’s eyes. As biology student, I love stuff that people thing is gross—I can totally eat while watching a human dissection or a murder scene on TV and not get gross out by it. So I loved Bella becoming a mother, which she always seemed to be one, at least to me, because she took care of her mum all the time, and I love little Renesmee. And Jacob’s imprinting on her, though it seems a bit pedophilic, Jacob is like her big brother, her best friend in the book, he loved her but not in the sense of doing a horizontal tango. But, at least, though I liked the book, Twilight shall always be my favorite amongst them all (until we see Edward’s verison of the story :D!)

As for the movie, I had to see it twice. The first time I went, I went on a Saturday because (1) that was the only time we could go with my friends (who never read Twilight, just knew it was about a girl who falls in love with a vampire) and (2) less people in the theater, I wasn’t feeling so well and the giggling girls behind us so my first time experience of the movie wasn’t that great. But the second time I went was over Thanksgiving break with my mum, bro, and a friend (who heard of Twilight only through me…she’s from Korea), I enjoyed and actually liked it. It wasn’t the book, but I wasn’t expecting it to be the book! It wasn’t Oscar worthy, some things were cheesy, and I wasn’t sure about the make-up bit, but the movie was good in its own way. But I prefer the book over the movie any day of course.

(If you read all that, give yourself a hug!)

2. Are you team Edward or team Jacob? Why?

Go Team Swiss! Ha, that sounds like I am at the Olympic games or something. I actually love both Edward and Jacob. I would pick Edward over Jacob as a love interest though because he is just like a perfect gentleman and cares so much for Bella. But I can’t hate Jacob because he reminds me so much of my brother…some how…lol I bet my brother loves to hear he’s Jacob XD.

3. When writing a story do you make an outline first or just let the storywrite itself?

Well it’s a mixture of both. At first, when I started writing, I would just let the story write itself but one of my good friends (Rockfan on Fictionpress) total me that she outlined her stories because it was easier to keep on track of the plot and when to update. So I generally have an outline for my stories but I leave a bit of room for something else to pop up. Which in all reality is my personality, I like plans but they aren’t set in stone because things might change and I hate feeling disappointed.

4. What do you think makes a story successful?

I think that a story is successful but what it does to the reader. A reader reads not only because it’s entertainment but some read to make their own reality slip away. By reading, the readers can forget their own worries, stress and negativity in their lives, and just, for a few minutes anyway, be able to live out another life. To be able to feel the struggles, hurt, comfort and love that the characters have…sometimes is helpful because a lot of times people can relate to the stories.

5. Out of your stories posted online which was the most fun to write?

Oh lord, a hard question XD! Seriously, each of my stories were fun to write for different reasons. And all reality, if you don’t have fun when you’re writing then you need to ask yourself why you’re even writing in the first place (that wasn’t meant to be negative, it’s just a rhetorical question). If you don’t love something, it’s a chore and chores are no fun.

But if I had to pick any story these three stories are the top of my memorial stories: This is My Destiny was my first story and it was pure fluff which is always fun to write. The Hitched series was my first ever series and will always be my baby. And Lessons of the Heart is my first angus story and one I treat with utmost respect.

6. Do you prefer writing one-shots or multi-chapter stories? Why?

I like to write each for different reasons. One-shots are fun to write because you don’t have to write a lot for them, no worries about updating, plus you can write lot of them. But multi-chapter stories are more personal because you have to put more thought and care into it, have complex characters and their histories.

7. What do you think about all of the love and support you have received on fanfiction?

Most of the time, I’m like “No, no! I’m not that great! Look at the errors I’ve made!” But, not saying that don’t notice my errors, but a few don’t care because they know I’m imperfect. It’s overwhelming and humbling to see people that like and support me. I knew that my mommy would love and support me but to see others care for me. And many care about me, not just like and support me, but about how I’m doing, feeling, my well being. Sure they want an update but they rather I don’t like hurt or kill myself doing so. (And for those you have support me, I say, thank you! I would give you all cookies...if I had cookies…but I have lots of hugs!)

8. Do you get writers block often? If so how do you deal with it?

What writer doesn’t? X) Yeah, I do get writer’s block but more often than not I get writer’s procrastination. When I get writer’s block, I have a picture or an idea of where I want the story to take but I can’t connect point A (what I last posted) with point B (what I want to post). When I do get writer’s block, I often write what point A is and different ways to get to point B to see what is the best way to write that scene.

However, writer’s procrastination is totally different. That’s when I know what I want to do, how to do…just don’t have the interest (and/or time) to do. I generally have to kick myself to write and when I do, I often step away from the chapter days at a time before coming back to look at what I’ve written. Sometimes just by stepping away and not forcing it, things will get back to the flow of it.

9. Do you have any tips for other authors on fanfiction?

1.) Write for yourself! Outside of what I said about writing be fun, if you don’t write for yourself than you’re not being true to what you are or can be.

2.) Write about what you know (and love), or do the research! It’s so much easier to write about something you know than take the time to do the research on it, and trust me if you’re writing about something you don’t know and someone who does know what you’re writing spots a mistake…it’s almost insulting what you’re writing about. (i.e. reason why I’m researching cancer symptoms, treatments, etc. etc. for Lessons of the Heart)

3.) Step into your character’s shoes! Again, it’s easier to write when you put yourself into the character’s shoes because you know what they are thinking, what they are feeling, and how they are going to act.

4.) Write using all your senses! When you step into you’re character’s shoes, what are they looking at? What are they smelling? Is it cold? Warm? Blistering hot? Don’t be afraid to add details to the story but not so much that the story is nothing but them. You just want to give a picture of what is going on and by saying they are in a room doesn’t say much. It’s like that writing exercise:how-not-tell.

5.) And know when to stop! Don’t drag something out longer than it needs to be. Dragging out things will only kill what you’ve worked so hard on.

10. What is the best story you have read on fanfiction?

I actually don’t have a lot of time to read FanFiction as I use to but I do have favorites, but mostly whatever I do like they are mainly by a few authors: vjgm (do I have to explain why she’s good?), Daddy’s Little Cannibal (she doesn’t think she’s a good author, but she is. She has that perfect combo of humor, drama that keeps you craving for more), and r0b0ticvampir (Oh my God, I start to cry when she took all her stuff down. She was seriously a good story teller). And I’ve been a bad friend and haven’t read anything from Bronzehairedgirl620, but I know she’s a good author (and a good friend too) because I've gone a co-author story with her and she has some wicked ideas.

Temptation : A Twilight Fanfiction Twilighted Podcast

Recently, I came across the most amazing site. It is run by four girls, all of which are amazingly funny and interesting. Every week they produce a podcast and nothing has made me laugh like that in forever.

It is by four girls called Caitlin, Clare, Danielle and Christine. From what they say, they all became friends over twilighted/fanfiction. Twilighted is the more grown-up version of fanfiction as you have to be eighteen to have an account.

Now, I wanted to talk about this because they talk about the fandom of fanfiction in a way I have never heard anyone else talk about it. They discuss the smutty stories that we all secretly read but will never admit to, they read out parts of stories, they tell us what is good or bad and most importantly, they don't take themselves too seriously so we can all laugh along with them as they tell us about their experiences as an author and reader.

I think it is so important that we all get to hear things such as Temptation as it certainly doesn't make us all feel alone but is also a different way of discussing something that plays such a hugh role in all of our lives. I cannot recommend more going to check out the podcast at http://www.temptationtwilight.blogspot.com/ It will make you laugh until the point of tears and I can almost gaurentee make you question what you read on ff or what you may read in the future.

ashel-13

Q: What is the best story you have read on fanfiction?
A: I have two absolute favorite stories that i have read before. The first is by Stormy Bella and is called Relation Or Relationship and is absolutely brilliant. The girl is only in high school and she writes with fantastic vocabulary and knows how to add suspense. My other favorite would have to be vjgm's Boycotts and Barflies. Oooo....i love me that fanfic! It's actually the story i read that inspired me to write my own. The sexual tension in that story is phenomenal!

Q: Do you prefer writing one-shots or multi-chapter stories? Why?
A: I prefer to write multi-chapter stories by far. It gives me more of a chance to let my readers get to know my version of the characters because though all of our characters are based off of Stephenie Meyer's, none of them are alike and that's why we can read the same plot lines over and over againin different stories. I love it...haha.

Q: What did you think about Breaking Dawn?
A: It wasn't what i had expected...that was for sure. I think i had read so many fanfictions about it that i had a different expectation. But i did like it. The first time i read it, I think it was a lot to handle, all thisinformation thrown at me at once, but the second time is 84 times better! Knowing where the story was going, i could sit back and enjoy the ride. I also LOVE Jacob in the story and that his POV was inserted.

Q: Are you team Edward or team Jacob? Why?
A: I am Team Edward all the way. Not saying that i don't like Jacob or that I hate him (I honestly can't see how anyone can hate Jacob. He's so cute and funny!), but i have always been in love with Edward. He is the ideal when it comes to boys. He's perfection as only a fictional character can be...lol. It's as if Stephenie Meyer took all the traits the perfect man would have and rolled them into Edward Cullen. I think that's why so many girls like him...he's the standard by which we can measure every other boy. Is it realistic? No. But is it fun? Absolutely!

Q: What do you think every story needs to attract readers?
A: I think that every story needs to establish a connection between the characters of the story and the readers. Now i realize that most authors would say "a good plot" is essential, but...lol...i think that MLOONAA proved that there really doesn't have to be a plot to have a story people care about.For me, the more i feel about the characters, the more i hurt with them, or love with them, the better the story is. That's one of the reasons i LOVE Relation Or Relationship (the story, News To Me also does that very well).

Q: What is your favorite out of the stories you have written?
A: Without a doubt, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All is my favorite story i've written. There was just something so new and fresh and innocent about it. Yes, there was an unreal amount of sex in it, but i think that in that story Edward and Bella had such a deep love, such a true one, that that waswhere their innocence lay, not in their sexual experience. I loved the sense of humor that so many readers seemed to understand and it was really just some really easy, smutty fluff that we could all laugh together about. It's quite something to write a story that can make so many people just feel better about the day.

Q: Do you have a muse or something that gives you inspiration for your writing?
A: Actually, it's usually the reviewers. The only reason i was able to produce so many chapters all at once was because when i would read reviews and heard about how much people were enjoying it, how they wanted more, i almost felt like i HAD to get back to my computer and just type away and get another chapter out to them as soon as i could. They are the best muse and inspiration i could have.

Q: What do you think about all of the love and support you have received on the site?
A: I was shocked! I couldn't believe how many people gave me support for my stories. Of course there are ones that seem to absolutely despise it, but I suppose everyone gets those, don't they. When i posted my first story, i did it with the thought that it would only be a few chapters long and thinking I'dbe happy if i received 20 reviews. Then suddenly, there i was 8,000 reviews later and i couldn't believe it! I have met so many amazing people and all because of this site!

Q: What is the funniest thing a fan has ever said to you?
A: I think the funniest thing a fan has ever said to me has been the fans that tell me about the amazing sex they've had after reading a chapter...lol. I remember reading one of those and laughing and thinking "oh my god, i can't believe they said that!" Any time someone shares their sexual adventures ifind it hysterical that they feel comfortable enough around me to share...lol. Just recently someone admitted that they masturbated to a chapter and i think i covered my eyes, just laughing. Also i think when people can relate to things and they share their personal experience, it usually makes me laughmore and suddenly i find my chapter all the more funny!

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say?
A: I really just want to thank everyone for the support they have given me from the beginning of my journey here on fanfiction. It's so awesome that there is a site where people can just write what they feel and there's at least one other person out there in the world that thinks, "hey, this is a great story". Really, i think that we authors are just after that one person. We want person whose day we can make and one that feels the same way that we do. Thanks to everyone who has stayed with me and continues to not only read my work, but PM me and take an interest in me as well as the stories i write.

Thank-you ashel-13 for answering all of our questions! We love you and your writing! We hope you'll visit us on the blog again!

Here is the link to here page on fanfiction.net: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1474247/ashel-13

Reviews Rant

Okay, this is something that really really really gets on my nerves and is most probs the most annoying thing about ff. We all read stories on there, correct? But how many of us actually review majority of the stories we read? I can almost guarantee that you are looking away from the computer screen in disgust right now.

I, myself, do not get very many reviews but a hell of a lot of hits. Why does this annoy me? Because I put so much effort into writing those chapters and making sure that they are decent but then they just are disregarded as people accidentally click on them and then decide to navigate away from the page.

Take my story An Apology As Public As The Stars. It has 506 reviews, so quite a few BUT it has 125,622 hits. There is a huge difference in numbers there. Now I am not claiming to be some amazing writer or anything like that but surely if that many people have read it, or part of it, then there should be more reviews.

So my point of this rant is, when you read on ff make sure you review too. Don't spend hours reading a story because you think it's amazing and then not tell the author. Any kind of review is a god send, even to people who have 10,000+ reviews. It will make them feel loved and wanted on the site. There are hundreds of stories out there that are amazing with under a hundred reviews so make the authors day and send them a review telling them how much you love their story, and you may have just made friends with the next big writer on the site...

Lemons

Okay, so we all know that in the writing world lemon is the codeword for sex. When I was still a newbie in the fanfiction world I couldn't figure out what people meant when they said their stories contained lemons. I was confused; I hadn't read anything about lemons.

When I finally figured out what lemon stood for it made perfect sense. I was actually a little mad at myself for not figuring it out earlier. Then I had to find out why it was called that. It didn't take very long. The term orginated from anime and then slowly drifted into the rest of writing. It is the Japanesse term for sexy.

Okay, now to the orginal point of my post (I loose focus easily). Lemons seem to be appearing all over fanfiction. We obviously enjoy some of them such as You Get Me Closer To God by americnxidiot. But that's beside the point. Many people seem to be writing lemons that aren't very good. While good lemons will make you have to change panties after reading the bad lemons turn you off. It's really sad how the fandom is being polluted with these horrible lemons.
You don't have to have lemons in a story to make it good, so if you can't write lemons don't put them in your story!

Another thing is some stories are all sex! There is no plot! Obviously there a select few authors that have proven to me that a story doesn't need a plot to be good. Because one of the most popular stories on fanfiction has abseloutly no plot. BUT, not many authors have that talent. So I'm begging please, give your story a plot!

Remeber readers love lemons, but there are not mandatory! If you can't write them don't feel like you have to include them!

Twilight Frenzy;

Okay, honestly, how many people knew about Twilight before Catherine Hardwicke decided to turn it into a movie?
Not me.
When my best friend first told me about Twilight, I scoffed at a romance book about vampires, even though I was a very big fan of the old show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I thought the idea of a girl moving to a small town, discovering a family of vampires, and just so happening to fall in love with one of them was cheesy.

But then I read it.
And it was amazing.
I immediatley fell in love with Edward, and Bella, and the Cullen's.
This was early on in 2008, before the frenzy.
I can honestly say that I fell in love with the book because of the writing, and because of the romance, and because of the desperation Bella felt for Edward, and vice versa.

I can honestly say that I knew about Twilight before most people did.
And I can honestly say that I didn't fall in love with it because of the movie, or the actors, or any other factor in those arguments.
I used to love Twilight, so much.
I mean, I used to carry it around like it was my own personal bible!

But then everyone started getting into it.
People who knew barely half of the story claimed they loved it, when they were only halfway through the first book.
It just took away from the magic that I felt when I was reading about the two of them.

Everyone was selling their products, and makin gsuch a big deal out of the movie, when it was the book that I fell in love with.
Don't even get me started on the movie.

Most of the people only like Twilight because they thought the actors were hot, or they thought the movie was great, or because their friends told them about it, and just took their word for it.

It gets me kind of angry, because suddenly, half of the nation began to read Twilight.
And while I think it's wonderful that the book got the attention it deserved, too many people didn't love the book because of the story; rather, because they liked the actors for the movie.

And after that, Twilight, the book, losts its magic for me.
And that makes me sad.
What about you?

Are you one of the many people who still really love Twilight?
Or are you like me?

Quote of the Day;
Damn it, Bella! You’ll be the death of me, I swear you will.
-Edward Cullen

Reaching into the fandom

There are many authors and readers on fanfiction.net that nobody notices. That's because they sit in the shadows and never really communicate with other people. They may leave a few reviews on their favorite stories, but they never really get noticed. I learned that the only way to get into the fandom is to put yourself out there.

I personally did this a couple of different ways. I started a beta profile, I started up this blog, I organized the TwiFi Awards, and I volunteered to help other people. That last thing is what helped me the most. I just PM writers who were in the middle of a project or contest and asked if they needed any help. Some politely said no, while others hurridely accepted. I am now friends with most of those people I reached out to.

Another big way to connect with people is to talk on fourms. You can find many great friends and laughs on fourms. There are many ways to get into the fandom, all you have to do is reach out.

A shorter post, but it conveyed the message.

Eclipse Quote:
"Yes, may the best man win." - Jacob
"That sounds about right...pup." - Edward
I just like because I'm team Edward and it made me laugh. Find it on pg.341