(no subject)

[amfiguree]

1. You're a handsome devil. What’s your name?

Natalie. And thank you.

2. Ever write under any other name?

Plenty. I can hardly keep track of the pen-names I've come up with. The worst part is I cringe whenever I think of any of them.

3. Look around you. How did you end up here?

Walking up two flights of stairs. It's such a trial, moving my legs from my bedroom to the computer. :)

4. Are you nice like me?

*blink* I'm tempted to say yes, but that could be very misleading. I would be nice to you. I think

5. Have you ever had to explain fanfiction to someone in real life?

Yes, and quite in detail, too. Both my parents weren't quite as fascinated as I would've liked, but I suppose that's understandable. And once, at a writing camp (oh, the irony!) I was asked by the camper-in-charge what exactly fanfiction was. And voila.

6. Have you ever co-written anything?

Not that I remember. Unless RP is counted. But that would mean I'm a real professional in this area.

7. How far have you gone to research a story, baby?

I'm not proud of it, but very little, actually. The best I've done so far is flip through the Harry Potter books cover to cover to look for the name of Fred and George's joke shop.

8. Which character that you write are you most like?

Hmm. I don't think I'm like any of my characters in the slightest. At least, I'm hoping that's the truth, because most of my written characters are male, and, err, that could be potentially embarrassing. I'm going out on a limb here by saying Remus Lupin. RP-wise, since that is a form of writing, I'd probably say Justin or Mystique.

9. Which character that you write are you least like?

Harry Potter, I think. I'm not entirely sure. RP-wise (I must be feeling very nostalgic), I'd say AJ.

10. Any original characters?

Is this really a safe topic? Heh. The first few stories I wrote were made of nothing but. The first N'sync-fic I wrote was the same. I've written (relatively recently) a drabblet for a friend with her as a guest star. I'm ashamed, to a certain degree, especially of the earlier characters, but I think that's what happens when the magic of slash hasn't been discovered yet. *g*

11. Did you ever name an original character after someone you know in real life, and then one day you mention it in passing because it's funny for some reason at that moment, and (s)he gets all freaked out about it, because, look at what you write--?

No. I don't name characters after people in real life, based strictly of principle, as far as I can help it. That's just weird, both for them and for me. But if I do, I'll come back and let you know.

12. What’s your favourite line from the last story you wrote?

Couldn't pick. *laughs* Yes, I'm egotistical that way. But, this is one of them.

Ron had positively seethed when he'd heard that First-Year Ravenclaw know-it-all, Hermeniny Grangor or Anemone Granger or whatever-her-name-was, condemn the 'improperness of having a First Year flying on the quidditch pitch like a maniac'. “She's a bloody Percy incarnate!” he growled, “she wouldn't know talent if it hexed her silly!”

13. Favourite line from the last story you read that was not your own?

From aidendavis' earthquake: But glass shatters in earthquakes. And this one might just be a 10.0 on the Richter scale.

Absolutely *brilliant*.

14. Favourite line from the song you're listening to right now, or last listened to?

early in the morning i put breakfast at your table and make sure that your coffee has its sugar and cream -- I love the idea of familiarity and comfort, and going through the motions. Karyn White's Superwoman is a beautiful ballad.

15. What's the last movie you saw that inspired something ficcish in you?

I can't even remember what I've watched recently. Harry Potter, I suppose? Ron's !! line being given to Hermione really touched a nerve, and I had to curb the urge to write Hermione!hate fic for weeks.

16. Is there a character you'd like to write, but can't-- and why the hell can't you?

Chris, from pop fandom; Draco, from HP; St. John from X-men. Oh, plenty. I only feel comfortable writing a very limited number of characters, because I never seem able to capture the qualities the characters possess in real life--I don't have enough wit for it, I think, comes from living in Singapore for so long--and realistic, accurate character portryal is a very important element for me when I write.

17. We all hate favourite questions, I know, but-- who's your favourite character (a) to read? (b) to write?

(a) I love reading well-characterized Ron, Draco, Chris, Nick (yes, Carter) and Ryan and Seth from the OC (which, luckily for me, there is plenty of).

(b) AJ. I love exploring the darker side of his character, I think because I've become so attached to it through RP. And on days Harry and Ron turn out quite well--I think I've learnt how to balance them out, so that there's no 'girl' in their relationship, which I'm proud of. When I'm RPing I feel Justin comes pretty naturally, too, although I tend to play down his arrogance/self-confidence too much for my liking.

18. Who's your least favourite character (a) to read? (b) to write?

(a) I'm not sure. I don't feel any particular attachment to Joey, or Hermione, or *Ginny* for that matter. So there you go. It's nothing to do with characterization, though; usually these characters are painted quite nicely. Draco can sometimes be a pain to read, because he's given too much sympathy, and his edges are softened beyond realistic standards (guilty!) and not enough risque snark.

(b) I don't have a least favourite. I like a challenge when I'm writing, although Draco's personality is a pain to capture. And if I was asked to write Snape, I have a feeling I would botch it up completely. Although, Legolas--or anyone from LotR, really--can be difficult as hell to get right. I haven't managed that yet.

19. Is there a story you'd like to write, but can't-- and why can't you?

Yes. A believable LotR fic. I never seem to be able to get the tone right--and if by some lucky shot I do, it never lasts. I'd like to write some good popslash for once, and I can't because I'm so out of it and I've lost so much interest in them that. Well. Also, I'd like to finish an original piece, for once, and not have it lost and messed up. But I'm too disorganized for that to happen.

20. What's a title you've always wanted to use, but haven't had the opportunity yet?

HA! I have a hard time coming up with titles for the fiction I do write, so nada there. No leftover titles.

21. What was the first story you ever completed, and what do you think of it now?

Wow, I can't really remember. It could be The Ice-Cream Thief? It was terrible. It's lost now, of course, and I excuse myself because I was only seven at the time. First fanfiction piece was het -- Girl of My Dreams, later renamed to what I can't even remember. But it's dead now, has been for two/three years. First slash piece was It's Worth It, and that was pretty damn awful, too. It's one of the few pieces I look back on fondly, though. Because it was truly a first of many firsts.

22. What was the last story you completed, and what do you think of it now?

Jigsaw, HP slash. I quite like it, actually. I think I've finally produced someone I can re-read without cringing. Too much. And I like Ron and Harry in it; they're... balanced, like I said before.

23. Where do you do most of your writing?

The computer. I rarely do it on paper, because my mind moves too fast for my fingers, even when I'm typing, so it gets worse when I'm writing. The whole story sounds disconnected, and jumps from place to place.

24. Do you have any fic taboos?

Not quite. Although, I tend to shy away from PWPs and the like. And I haven't actually written a sex scene in a fic before. Old hand at RP, though -- *evil grin* -- but, still.

25. What made you start writing fic? Were you filled with creative juices, or was it a random act of plot correction?

I don't know. You'll have to ask me nine years ago, when I actually started. I think it was the creative juices, but I've been running low for the past... oh... five years, maybe. I need a jumpstart, usually, because I'm always low on ideas. I just like the feel of the keyboard beneath my fingers and the stringing of words to form (once in a while) an unforgettable, screamingly funny/pensive sentence. And since that hasn't happened yet, I'll have to keep trying.

26. Who has influenced your style the most?

I'm not sure. It's probably a mixture of people. I grew up on Enid Blyton, was addicted to James Patterson, got hooked on to Diana Wynne Jones later, and am currently infatuated with Terry Pratchett--and hoping to stay that way. I picked up Jane Austen on the way, and make occasional stops for Tony Parsons. More recently I've read Alice Sebold and I've always admired Saki. So. It could be a nice blend of all these wonderful authors.

27. What is the sexiest word?

Lick. Mouth. I don't know. Words are generally sexy.

28. What is the least sexy word?

Stiffening penis? Bloated rocket? I don't know. Cock. Dick. Pick one. Sometimes the fic warrants it, but most of the time using any of these words/phrases (unless tastefully done/or sexily) can result in a horrific dampening of anyone's appetite.

29. What's the word you use too much/often?

And, but, quite; I have a fetish for conjunctions in general. :)

30. You're a writer. By definition you are plagued and pursued by images. So what image is burned into your brain right now?

Not quite. I'm still listening to Superwoman. There's a mini-video going through my head right now. An african-american (to be politically correct) woman sitting alone at a booth in a small coffeehouse, which, for some inexplicable reasons, has blinds. She lifts her fingers to separate two blinds, and a stream of light dances in and draws a little white square on the table, and lights her eyes up.

31. If you were going to write professionally under an assumed name, what would that name be?

I don't know that I would. Although, I might call myself Shwapatelle--private joke, sorry. Heh.

32. If you'd made out this survey, what question would you have asked that I didn't?

I'm not very good with imaginative questions, either. I like to answer more than ask, really. Maybe something along the lines of what fandoms have you dabbled in, and for how long? What's been your favourite fandom out of them all? Which have you stayed with the longest? Why? Something like that? Or, what is the most important part of writing fanfiction to you? Hmm.