Fic Club

October's Topic Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 04:19:00 +0000

Wow. Two fics were neck and neck all week, and even with an influx of votes today, they remain tied! That's kind of awesome. So... we will be discussing one fic this round, with the other going on the poll again next month.

The fic we will be discussing this month was decided using a very scientific metric. (Yes, eeny meeny meiny moe.)

Drumroll please...

The Cullen Campaign by belladonna1472
Saturday, October 23rd
6:30 / 8:30 / 9:30 EST

---> SIGN UP SHEET <---

On the ballot again next month: Creature of Habit by EZRocksAngel. Thanks for voting guys, hope to talk to you in a couple of weeks!

October Topic Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:25:00 +0000

Hello Ficsters! Sorry it's been awhile. We went on a bit of a hiatus due to some Real Life interruptions, but we hope to be back on track now.

The October discussion will be held on Saturday, October 23rd at 6:30 PST / 8:30 CST / 9:30 EST. Mark your calendars! Fics on the block for this month are:

Bright Like the Sun by dryler - Edward/Bella - WIP, AU, AH, OOC. When Bella goes to live with her father in Forks, things go much better than she expected. At least until a slick parking lot, a careening van, a broken arm, and her weird lab partner from biology get in the way...

Creature of Habit by EZRocksAngel - Bella begins working for the elusive and distant Edward Cullen who she discovers is hiding behind an elaborate charade to maintain his secret lifestyle. Bella is determined to find out the mysteries of Edward Cullen but with what results? AU, OOC.

Love in My Box by cosmoandmarvar - Bella's an intellectual free spirit and Edward is a reserved, slightly geeky med student. They have a brief, but intense encounter on Sp Brk in Miami. Can they find true love through emails? There will be lemons and laughs.

Osa Bella by Myg - Bella is a school counselor, but Edward is a vampire posing as a student. Will Bella defy her head and follow her heart? Or will she conquer her desire and do what she believes is right? Not your daughter's/niece's/little sister's Twilight. Angsty.

The Cullen Campaign by Belladonna1472 - Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan both have parents who are powerful on Capitol Hill. Problem is, their families are political enemies. What happens when Democrat!Edward and Republican!Bella bump into each other at Union Station in D.C.? AU/AH. ExB

Let us know which fic you'd most like to discuss! October's chosen topic will be announced on the 12th, and the sign up sheet will be posted then as well.

Happy voting. :)

August Discussion Announcement - For the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:13:00 +0000

For the Summer by Camoozle
Saturday, August 28th
6pm PST / 8pm CST / 9pm EST

---> Sign Up Form <---

August Discussion Topic Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:45:00 +0000

FYI - the lovely Amanda, @thurtysomething / thirtysomething, will be taking the Fic Club reins for the month of August. She'll be the determining the date and time of the meeting for August, which will be posted on the blog soon. Stay tuned.

Thanks for all your support and participation. :)

With Teeth: Debriefed

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:24:00 +0000

How did you come up with the idea for With Teeth?
Personal experience inspired it, broadly speaking.

Why did you decide to write it as Twilight fanfiction? Did something within Twilight inspire this story, or was it simply a story you'd already thought of applied to the characters?
When I became familiar with the movie and the books, I was struck by the similarities between Edward and Bella and the characters I had in my head. That was one of the biggest motivating factors.

Additionally, every time I attempted to write this story, it centered heavily around a romantic plot. That isn't the genre in which I normally write, so I was having a hard time figuring out where the story would go once I'd written it. (I thought about writing it just for myself, but like all writers I'm something of a narcissist, so that idea didn't last long.) Twilight fanfiction is often romance focused, and given the similarities in some of the characterization…

Do you see any of canon Edward and Bella in these characters?
I do. Edward’s self-loathing, his potential for violence, the way he second-guesses Bella and her choices, the fine line he walks between being the person he wants to be or giving in to his darker side. Bella’s naivety, her self-sacrificing behavior (which is often unhealthy, I think), her ability to love deeply.

What, if any, writing background do you have?
Some.

Have you written for any other fandoms?
A number of years ago I wrote one story for another fandom. The quality was poor. That’s not false modesty – it sucked. Hard.

Are you published at all?
Yes.

Do you write from an outline?
Yes. But it’s more of a timeline than an outline. Some of the chapters overlap in terms of the time period they cover. In order to keep where I am straight, I made a diagram of index cards.

Do you have a writing strategy / routine? i.e. late at night, in the morning, silence, music?
I usually write late at night. Two a.m. is a good time for me. Recently, I’ve been trying to break myself of that habit, though. I write the first draft with music then write in silence for subsequent drafts. For the final read through I listen to my playlists.

I also act out the dialogue, which is pretty embarrassing. I’ll read the lines and do some of the actions to make sure they seem natural.

How much does the music you use in your playlist affect your chapters? Do you write to the songs, or are they merely ones that lyrically/musically fit the tone of the chapter? Do you intend for the music to augment our perception of the chapter, or just set the tone for it?
I put the music together before I write. The music is picked to fit the mood of the chapter; I don’t always pay attention to the lyrics. However, as usually is the case with pop music, the lyrics fit the sound and vice versa. So sometimes, yes, the lyrics can augment the chapters, though I’m usually not thinking about that. If the music enhances the chapters in terms of content and not just feeling – great.

The title is from a Nine Inch Nails song, correct? Did the song inspire the story or did it just fit after the fact?

I have to admit the title “With Teeth” wasn’t terribly thought through. It suits the story, I think (I hope). It was the first song I put in the Chapter 1 playlist and when I listened more closely to the lyrics – in this case I was paying attention to the lyrics – I felt like they said something about the story and Edward’s character in particular (though not exclusively).

The song I associate most with this story is Sun Kil Moon’s “Carry Me Ohio.” [Interviewer's note: pitter pat.]

Why did you choose present tense? In some cases, present tense can fall flat because it tells much more than it shows, but you succeed in making it evocative and visceral. Was it a conscious choice or did it just flow that way?
The first thing I wrote was what turned into the first chapter. It started out in past tense, actually, but when I read it over, it felt wrong. Obviously, words are always metaphors for actual experience so there’s no way to create a one-to-one correlation between the thing you want to describe and the description itself. Poetry, maybe, and more experimental prose or hybrid forms might get closer – and I toyed with that idea – but you’re still always editing and shaping the experience into a non-realistic form. And it’s always “just” words. If any of that makes sense.

I wanted immediacy. I didn’t want Edward or Bella to just tell the reader a story; I wanted the reader closer to what was happening. And I prefer showing to telling. (Which I thought most people preferred…?) Clearly, I can’t escape some degree of telling – unless I wanted the story to be much, much longer – but I tried to minimize it.

Do you have personal experience with addiction and recovery? You write it so realistically.
My brother once said to me, “In this family you’re either a fixer or a fuck-up.” Despite my best efforts and a hefty genetic predisposition, being a “fuck-up” didn’t stick. Luck of the draw, I guess. Fixing – enabling – was my strong suit.

Do you relate more to Edward or Bella in With Teeth?
I don’t relate more to one than the other. I can relate to some of the innocence Bella has at the beginning of the story; I can relate to the thinking that loving a person had to be enough to make them better. On my good days I suppose I can be genuine like her. And I do see her as genuine, though I understand not everyone would characterize her that way.

I also feel close to Edward’s self-loathing and his ability to manipulate and use people to temper that self-loathing. But I think we all want to be better people in the same way that he does.

We don't know much about Edward's early years, other than the snippets of his childhood (the soundtrack music etc). We don't know how he lost his parents, what his uncle and aunt were like ,etc. Does he deliberately not think/talk about it because there is some trauma there and the catalyst for his addictions, or is it that there isn't always a cause for addiction, that there isn't some simple, linear relation... and so it doesn't matter?
His relationships with his family certainly matter, I think. But I don’t believe it’s “just” a linear relationship either. In other words it’s not, “His parents were alcoholics so he is too.” Nor is it, “His parents died when he was young and he coped by abusing alcohol and drugs.” In my mind it’s both, and probably a whole host of other circumstances. I’m a “nature, nurture, and whatever else you’ve got” person when it comes to human behavior.

Initially, I wanted to do more with his family – particularly his aunt and uncle. But I’ve had to leave a lot of things out from my original outline, which is disappointing to me. I really wanted to show more of Bella and Jacob’s relationship, but some things had to be cut.

Jasper is magnificent and pivotal in this story. He wears his vulnerability as his strength, he takes time in his journey to recovery to stop and support others, often at great personal cost. Is he based on anyone in real life?
I like to think of him as a best-case scenario, maybe? Perhaps a good-case scenario. He is, loosely, based on someone in real life. Maybe the projection of what this person might be or could’ve been.

You write, “he takes time in his journey to recovery to stop and support others, often at great personal cost.” Agreed. While I think that helping others can sometimes be a way to help yourself, and while I also believe that there’s no one, perfect recipe for maintaining sobriety or staying clean, Jasper – in my eyes – has trouble maintaining a healthy distance from other people’s problems. That’s part of his struggle.

And that’s real to me. Being in AA or NA, being clean and/or sober for years, doesn’t mean you’ve reached some Zen-like state of ideal human behavior (although other characters perceive him that way sometimes). People in recovery aren’t saints – they’re human. And when you get close to the havoc that alcoholism and addiction wreak, it’s really hard to turn off the “I’m going to do whatever I have to do to help you” instinct. Even if you know that the best thing you can do for a person addicted to alcohol or drugs is not “help them” (in the traditional sense), stepping away is difficult. To put it mildly.

For the record, I have some educational/professional training in the treatment of addiction, but I’m not a clinician. I can only speak from my own experience.

There is an underlying theme of second chances and redemption in With Teeth. What are your views on atonement not only within With Teeth, but Twilight and life in general? Do words and actions make up for past transgressions?
Words are important, I think. I’m often surprised what a simply apology can accomplish. If you want to rebuild a relationship, however, actions trump words. For me.

Does everyone deserve a second chance? There are situations in which, no, I don’t think so. But I believe every person has the potential for redemption.

We had a lot of discussion about what would constitute HEA for these two. Most agree that a traditional happy ending doesn't apply / is not what we want. Can you give us a hint as to what we might expect? ;)
I absolutely will not. =)

What are your top 3 favorite moments in With Teeth?

This question is killer.

These are the moments I loved writing (even when it was ugly).

The first chapter.

The day Edward comes into the store and they talk about books, specifically when he comments on Jane Austen and looks up at her.

Chapter 6, when Edward is speaking during the meeting.

Chapter 11, specifically when Edward touches her and comments on her having strong hands.

The end of Chapter 12 when they’re kissing in the street.

Bella’s conversations with Charlie about Edward.

Chapter 18.

Bella seeing Edward in the bar.

Jasper and Edward running then fighting in the woods.

Chapter 25, specifically when Bella teases Edward about his mittens.

Chapter 26.

That’s more than three, sorry. (I’m not really sorry.)

Top three favorite fanfictions / authors?

Like Bella, I don’t “do” favorites, but there are certain aspects of certain stories that I deeply admire.

I appreciate how InstantKarmaGirl writes about abuse. It’s honest and terrible, and she doesn’t use sexual abuse and/or rape as a plot device that allows Edward to rescue and “fix” Bella. Her characters can be ugly sometimes. That feels real to me.

I’m not a Jasper/Bella person, so I spot read some of the end, but Twanza’s “Neverending Math Equation” contains some really beautiful writing.

Jennyfly just finished “Sanctuary,” which is a story that grabbed me. The writing is very…tactile. As in, I think of hands. Hands on a priest’s collar, hands offering Communion host, hands holding cheese sandwiches. There’s this chapter with cheese sandwiches and whenever I think of this story, that’s the image I get. A fucking cheese sandwich, but like one you can feel and taste and smell. The writing sticks with me.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 things would you bring?

I’m going to assume you mean non-essentials. (?) So I’ll skip the “phone so I can call someone and get off the island” stuff. =)

Sunblock.

My iPod.

A guitar.

Something to write with and on.

Soap.

Thank you so much to TalulahBlue and the lovely ladies who joined the discussion!

The Cannabean Betrothal: Debriefed

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:04:00 +0000

How did you come up with the idea for The Cannabean Betrothal?

It literally just popped into my head one day

What inspired your creation of this lifestyle?

I find the limitations it poses to be interesting.

Any particular religion it's based on? We were reminded of a modern-day version of the Quakers / Amish.

Yes, it is loosely (and I mean very loosely) based on Amish/Mennonite and some Mormon structures

What about Twilight made you want to structure this within fanfiction?

I just thought it would be beautiful to see two people fall in love like this.

Were the puritanical undertones in canon a springboard?

Not really, no.

Do you find it difficult to write about something which you (presumably) have no real life experience with?

I find it easier, actually. It’s fun to create a world and its rules.

What made you want to write in 3rd person?

I prefer 3^rd person because it reads less like a diary and it gives a broader view of the characters involved.

How hard is it to write two very different stories at once?

Not hard at all. Even though the names are the same, they’re all very different characters to me.

Does it take you a bit to get into the correct 'voice' when going back and forth?

It takes me a few days to let some things go, yes.

Do you have a particular routine when you're writing? Does it differ between your two stories?

The only routine I have is that I write best in the wee hours of the morning, but there are exceptions to that. I don’t listen to music or have any rituals, however.

How specifically do you outline your stories?

I don’t outline my stories at all. That feels too much like homework!

In TCB specifically, how detailed is your outline of the religion and the betrothal phases?

I know what the restrictions are and where the story is going. That’s pretty much all I need. I don’t have a specific outline that I work from.

Why does Edward still live at home?

Edward still lives at home for a few reasons. First, he’s a tad bit old to have never been married. Most Cannabean men are preparing for marriage in their late teens/early twenties – a time when people wouldn’t think twice about the fact that they still live at home. Then, during the betrothal period, they secure a home and move in. Because of Edward’s “situation” early on, his growth was stunted in that area. He then put up roadblocks and made excuses as to why he didn’t move out.

Is this considered normal for an adult male within the lifestyle?

No, but not completely abnormal. He’s just a little old to still be unmarried.

Though there is a strict propriety surrounding the courtship and betrothal within the Cannabean lifestyle, there is also more honesty and openness between couples regarding what they want and expect from their partners. Is that something you consider to be one of the main points of the story?

The main point of the story is how you can fall in love under these circumstances when you are open to it. And when you fall in love, the honesty and openness is a byproduct.

What are your three favorite moments within The Cannabean Betrothal?

When they have their first big argument and Edward sits outside her house to apologize; the revelation of the betrothal (proposal); and when Edward asks Bella if she’s ever seen a penis! J

What are your top three favorite fanfictions / authors?

Oh this changes all the time, except for adorablecullens. I will love her forever.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 things would you want with you?

A tent, food/water, clothes, my laptop and tampons!

Thank you to ItzMegan73 for allowing us to interview her, and all the ladies that participated in the discussion!

Wussperv Meeting Rescheduled

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:58:00 +0000

Due to scheduling conflicts, the June Wussperv meeting on The Cannabean Betrothal has been rescheduled. New meeting time is SUNDAY, JUNE 27th at 6pm PST / 8pm CST / 9pm EST. If you are no longer able to make it, please let us know by email.

Sign ups are still open if this new date and time works better for you than the previously scheduled.

Sorry for the inconvenience, hope to see you on the 27th!

June Meeting Announcement!

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Thanks for your patience while we took care of some things behind the scenes! Here are the dates and times for our June topic discussions:

With Teeth by talulaBlue

Saturday, June 26th
6pm PST / 8pm CST / 9pm EST

---> Sign Up Form <---

The Cannabean Betrothal by itzmegan73
Friday, June 25th
7pm PST / 9pm CST / 10pm EST

---> Sign Up Form <---

YES! You are more than welcome to sign up for both topics, just please make sure to fill out both forms.

Please note that by filling out the form, you are being counted as a participant and therefore impacting the behind the scenes organization of the discussion. If you discover that you will not be able to attend between now and June 25th, I would really appreciate if you would let me know as soon as possible!

June Wussperv Voting

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:27:00 +0000

Since the Reader Recommended topic for June is just sliiiigghhhtly high on the angst scale, we'll be having another Wussperv Approved topic in June. Please vote on which fic you'd like to discuss.

June Discussion Topic

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:40:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who voted! June's topic will be With Teeth by TalulahBlue.

Before we set a date and time, I'd like to get your input on which day of the week works best for you. Because we're dealing with a few different time zones, the times will always be somewhere around 6p PST/8p CST/9p EST give or take an hour. Please use the poll below to let me know which day(s) of the week will work best for you. I'd like to make sure we're able to give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate this time.

Date and time will be announced in a few days. Thanks again!

Debrief: Elemental by TallulahBelle

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Tuesday's discussion of Elemental by TallulahBelle was great! Thanks to everyone who participated, and to antiaol and scarlettletters who stepped in as mods.

TallulahBelle agreed to let us interview her with questions posed during the discussion, and also commented on the notes provided to her, which can be found here.

1. Your story opened up with such a strong prologue. How far are we from that scene?

Not far.

2. Where did you come up with the plotline and why did you decide to make it a Twific? What was it about the characters in Twilight that made you think a story like this could work with them?

I had a dream and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I bought a notebook and wrote it down and I kept writing. I filled that notebook up within a period of two weeks with sections of the what would become Elemental and notes about what to research.

It was an original fic, but I didn't know much about how to write or craft a story. I had been reading fan fiction for a few months and the Twilight community looked like the best source for help to learn how to write. I placed the the lead character's names as Bella and Edward and the rest just flowed. I had no idea if this would work or not. I wrote this story because I had to write it.

3. How much (if any) of your personality is in your Bella? Do you see yourself identifying with her more or another character?

I do identify with Bella in this story because I was finding out about this "new world" at the same time as she was. This story is a journey for both of us. How much of me is in Bella? There are bits that are me, but I put bits of myself in some of the other characters. There isn't one character that is all me.

4. Did you model the other characters off of people in your life?

The only person I truly modeled off a person in my real life is Grandpa Cullen. That was my Ex-boss who was a piece of work and very self-centered.

Carlisle is a bit like my own father when I was growing up; very moral, position comes first, and then personal needs.

5. If you could have any character's power(s), whose would it be and why?

Even though I was born under a fire sign, and do have respect for that Element, I would love to have a garden of my own. So, maybe Earth.

6. During the FicClub discussion, participants were displeased with Renee and Charlie's keeping Bella's being a Witch a secret and what that lack of knowledge led up to. Can you explain why you chose to have Bella be so "in the dark?"

When Renee was banished, there was never a thought that they would return to Forks. That was it, they're gone and there would be no redemption. At the time, Renee seriously doubted her own abilities to work with her Element. She was scarred by what she did to Esme. Charlie, knowing and feeling this as her mate, repressed his own powers as well to keep the sanity in their new life, but to also keep the secret of what they are from the people around them.
When they returned to Forks, it was a mix of things of why Bella wasn't informed.

Carlisle kept his cards close to his chest and gave them only what was needed until they arrived. He ordered for Bella to give her promise. Charlie informed Renee, but she asked for them to talk to Bella first and give her a choice.

Renee being the emotional person that she is, was dealing with her own demons. She was really broken by what transpired long ago and didn't have the strength that she once had. She was essentially a mess and reliving all the damage that she created the closer they got to Forks.

Charlie, still being part of the Coven, tricked Bella into giving her promise, because he was under orders from his leader. Also, the fact that Renee was slipping more and more into her depressive state, the time to talk to Bella never came.

Does this all make sense? Probably not. Like in real life, there are not always black and white answers for what we do. Some people will do things with the best intentions, but the outcome is not always a good one.

7. Do you work from an outline, and if so how detailed is it? Do you know how many chapters Elemental will be?

I do have an outline, and hand written notes, and stickies, and scribbles, and puppets...
There are about four to five chapters left and a epilogue.

8. And finally, WILL THERE BE A LEMON?

Did you read Chapter twenty-two?

Debrief: Just Wait by Instantkarmagirl

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Last weekend's discussion of Just Wait went amazingly well. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and was patient with Skype's perpetual technical difficulties. The discussion was animated and varied and last almost two full hours. While it was impossible to write down everything we talked about, I've outlined the highlights here if you're interested.

Thanks so much to InstantKarmaGirl for not only allowing us to use her story for the inaugural run of Fic Club, but for also agreeing to be interviewed with questions posed during the discussion.

Where did you come up with the idea for this story? Does it have some basis in real life for you?

Everything I write has some basis in real life. Pretty much most of my stories are pretty personal. That’s not to say that I’ve experienced everything the characters have directly. I’ve always been a fairly empathetic person and can easily place myself in someone’s mental state of mind, much to my detriment at times.

This story, at least parts of it, have been in my head for about 10 years. I’ve recently refined it into the story as it is today and after it is finished posting, I’ll refine it more.

Because I don’t personally know anyone who is reading this, I’m not going to go into the details of my life, my childhood, my experiences with abuse or neglect, but it’s safe to say that I understand the emotions behind the characters fairly well.

How much of yourself do you put into your characters? Do you identify more with Edward or Bella?

I think I put some of who I am into the characters. I think most authors do, otherwise the characters are a bit flat and undefined.

I identify with both leads relatively equally. In Bella, she captures my angry rage when life is just stupid for no reason. In Edward, he showcases my internal ability to hope that life won’t always be stupid.

I don’t know exactly how to answer because I can see life through both their eyes. Neither one of them is exactly healthy in their approach, but do I go inward like Edward or become external like Bella? Perhaps it depends on the situation, but if I had to pick on or the other, I would have to say that I was more like Edward. I think many, many thoughts that are never verbally addressed (which is why I love writing).

What made you see these characters in terms of Edward and Bella?

Laziness. Kind of, sort of. Okay, maybe a little lazy, but when you read Meyer’s original works, I get the sense of the characters being slightly unexplored. I hate that.

I mean, really, why does Bella take care of people? Why does she flip out when her boyfriend dumps her? Why does Edward hate himself? Why does he want to sabotage his life by refusing to change Bella?

Her source material gives the readers a lot of questions, some good, some bad. I tend to over-think characters. Just like with real humans, I want to know why they do things and I didn’t think she showcased their motives very well.

So it got me thinking. And then I thought about the characters that danced and cried and ripped at my brain and somehow connected Edward with the wounded soul who watched his mother kill herself and Bella with the one who wraps herself inside the cushion of anger and drugs.

But in regards to laziness, I didn’t have to spend a lot of time describing their physical appearance because the audience already has their Edward and their Bella in their minds. I dislike writing a lot of descriptions. I hate reading it too. I don’t want authors to give me every detail and I didn’t want to feel like I had to, so Edward and Bella were a good, easy choice.

What is your writing method? Do you outline, or do you just have a rough idea of the story flow?

I skeleton outline. I write down the scenes I want to happen in the chapters, the important bits that need to be covered. Sometimes the characters don’t like to be corralled like that, so they give my outline the finger and go on to things they want to show, but in this story it’s essential that I outline.

Other stories don’t really need an outline and can flow, but this one has a lot of elements that need to be detailed, so I don’t know how else I would keep track of it all. Plus, this story has a definite beginning, middle, and end in my head. If I just wrote and wrote, there are a million little stories that could make their way into the text and we’d never get anywhere. Five years from now I’d still be writing about Edward and Bella watching TV or get bogged down with the outlying characters’ stories…non-essential things.

Do you write to music? If so, what do you listen to?

Only occasionally do I write to music. I can’t write to anything with lyrics because I get so caught up in the vocals. I usually listen to vocals as another instrument, but when I’m trying to write, I end up just writing the words that I’m hearing. It’s odd.

When I do write to music, it’s usually Classical. Beethoven is excellent for writing.

That having been written, even if I don’t write listening to music, there is nine times out of ten songs that play in my head while writing.

You are very detailed and accurate with the psychological and medical aspects of your story. Do you do a lot of research?

I think I do enough research to be accurate but not too much to be annoying (I hope in both cases). There are some things that I just know and they require no research.

Your writing style is very simple but rich because your characterizations are so strong. Was this a conscious choice or just how it flows naturally?

I am not sure I understand the question. I cannot change my writing style. I was told a long time ago to show, don’t tell, so I try to show without going overboard with words. Perhaps I haven’t analyzed my style enough to be able to deconstruct it.

I know it’s different than other authors, but I don’t know if I can articulate how it is.

As for characterization, I would read a story in which nothing happens, so long as the characters were defined, so that’s a big thing for me. Characters represent real people, so I want mine to be as defined, as 360 degrees as real people. Characterization is about 50/50 in regards to choice vs. natural flow. If you get the main crux of a character down, the little details flow.

Your *ahem* drug references are very specific. Is this due to personal experience?

Yes.

Do you intend for Bella's drug use to be viewed as a true addiction or as a wall that Bella builds to hide behind?

I intend for Bella’s drug use to be defined by the reader. Our experiences shape our perspective, so there are some who will view her as hopelessly addicted, and there are others who will see the drug use as no big deal.

If you’re asking what I think specifically, for my interpretation of it, I don’t know if I’m comfortable revealing it.

The story is built upon letting the readers decide for themselves, so I worry about giving my opinion on if she’s addicted to drugs.

I will say that the entire story is about addictions and ways in which people shape their own realities (regardless of the methods).

Bella seems quite aware that what Renee did to her was wrong, but doesn't seem to understand that the sexual abuse she suffered wasn't deserved (specifically, her comment "it's what I'm for"). Why the difference? And if she knew Renee was wrong, why did she not fight back after coming of an age where she certainly could have.

Why didn’t she fight back? Most kids who are abused never fight back, no matter how big/strong/able they might physically be. Abuse, while carried out in the physical realm, is much more mental.

I think it’s difficult for someone who has never experienced something like abuse (in any of its forms) to understand why the abused “take it.” There’s fear involved, there’s conditioning. It’s a barbed vice clutching at the mind, at the sense of safety and self..

There’s a hopelessness that is debilitating in which even the thought of “fighting back” or “rising up” is painful.

And think about it from a child’s point of view, this is what Bella knows. She doesn’t know a world without it.

I don’t know, it’s hard to describe.

As for why she knows her mother was wrong and not knowing that the sexual abuse was wrong, again, it’s a conditioning thing. Bella’s first experience with sex was having it forced upon her. Her second experience with sex was having it forced upon her. Her third, her fourth, her so on and so forth…from age ELEVEN.

Try to remember what it was like to be completely innocent in regards to sex and then try to imagine all of that innocence being shattered.

What it boils down to is that Bella had Charlie in her life (no matter how small) to show her that not every person wants to make her hurt, but in regards to sex, from age eleven to age fourteen, sex was taken from her, pretty violently. Even after age fourteen, when she chose to engage, sex wasn’t a connection of two souls, it was still just someone fucking her. How would she know it wasn’t what she was for until someone showed her that it wasn’t?

Will we ever see Renee in real time during the course of the story?

This is a specific question about what will happen in the story, so I cannot answer. I apologize. When the story is over, I would love to get questions again as to why/why not something did/didn’t happen.

Other than Edward's obvious gift of music, what role does it play in JW? It almost seems like another character at times in how it adds to the chapters and is woven in.

Music is huge in the JW universe. Edward has saturated himself in the creative process of music, in the study of it since he was removed from his father’s house. Bella, has never really given much thought about it. She’s had had ample access to it, but never explored it until Edward shared its meaning with her.

Most of the music mentioned is meaningful to the scene or to the overall character.

Will we ever get any outtakes with alternate POVs?

No clue. It won’t happen until after the story is complete, unless the Fandom Gives Back auction winners ask for it (but I have a sneaking suspicion that they’ll want Edward POV).

I have a Rosalie/Emmett outtake and a Jasper/Alice outtake in my head for a certain scene, but I don’t know I’ll write it. I guess it’ll depend if I’m unable to let the characters or story go when the main story ends.

My main concern is Edward and Bella’s story and I don’t want to get to involved into going into some of the other things. It might be distracting.

Will Edward ever be fitted with a Delayed Auditory Feedback device in order to curb his stuttering?

This is from Debbie (urmistaken). I love her. DAF has been covered in what is written, however it’ll be quite a bit before it’s posted.

One thing to think about is how Edward would deal with something like this. Would it help him if he felt like it just further enforced that he wasn’t “normal” (an outward, visible sign)?

Does Edward sing?

Edward is very conscious about his voice. Edward controls the use of his voice. At this point, it is safe to say that Edward does not sing (see recently posted chapter 45).

What significance, if any, does the music mentioned in the chapters hold?

The music is significant in that it’s what Edward listens to, it’s what moves him; it’s what helps him emote/connect/feel/process. Now that chapter 45 is posted, we know that he was given the gift of musical freedom when he met Carlisle. Imagine have something held from you and then given every opportunity to explore it in detail.

I imagine he has thousands and thousands and thousands of song downloaded onto his computer.

Likewise, are the books mentioned supposed to hold any hidden meanings for the readers? We've noticed lots of father/son relationships within the stories mentioned.

Most of the books are telling. I would think that if someone looked at my bookshelf, they’d be able to tell a lot about me.

Is the mention of Faramir and Boromir meant to be a metaphor for Edward and Joseph?

Farmair and Boromir are archetypes in fiction. Most everything mentioned in this story has meaning. Re-read chapter 17.

Is religion a significant theme in your own life? Do you spend a lot of time researching the verses you use within the story? How do you manage to find verses so applicable to Edward's mindset?

Religion vs. Spirituality is a recurring theme in my life. Finding meaning in the meaningless, sorting out what was forced upon me vs. what I know to be real and true is a huge thing.

What is “a lot of time”? I don’t spend a lot of time on researching the verses, I don’t think.

How do I find them? I have a bookshelf full of spiritual books, half of which are related to Christianity (and there’s about four Bibles) and I remember a lot about the Bible from my childhood. I mainly remember stories, so I have to search for the verses attached to them.

Religion was a huge piece of my past and spirituality is a huge piece of my present.

How many chapters do we have left?

I don’t know exactly. I have outlined what needs to be covered, but the chapter outlines are in constant flux. I’m writing chapter 54, and I think it’ll probably end up being around 65-ish…possibly.

What kind of HEA, if any, can we expect with this story? With all of its complexity, it seems like it would be very hard to 'fix' everything that is wrong.

This is another specific question that I won’t answer. I will say that the ending will be as the entire story strives to be and that is realistic.

Anything you want to comment on from the discussion notes? Or anything else you'd like to tell us? ;)

In regards to Bella’s diabetes and the specific question about PopTarts, diabetics can eat whatever they want, they just have to be very careful what the quantities are and make insulin adjustments based on their monitored blood sugar. For instance, a co-worker has diabetes and yet all she eats all day is candy. Flips me out, but she survives. A husband of a friend of mine has the insulin pump, so he can eat much less carefully than his young daughter who doesn’t.

The gist of it is, if you’re monitoring how many carbs you’re eating and adjusting for it with your insulin, it becomes less of an issue. For Bella, a PopTart once a day is an indulgence she gives herself. She factors it in when calculating her insulin regimen. It’s one little snack/meal that she doesn’t have to plan and execute. She already knows the carb value, already knows how her system will react and thus it’s an easy tummy filler that tastes good.

She also eats chocolate.

I think the prevailing thought about diabetics is that they can never have anything sweet, but that’s just not true. Diabetics just need to be careful about it.

In regards to Charlie, especially in the first chapter, we see him through a jaded daughter’s eyes. In the phone conversation, we not only see it through Bella’s eyes, we also only hear one side of the conversation.

I love Charlie. Charlie’s responsibility to be a full-time parent was stolen from him fifteen years ago and then suddenly it’s thrust back upon him. He doesn’t get to grow with his child, experiencing life’s milestones with her. No, he gets her as an extremely abused, very angry teenager.

Charlie was given no handbook and it’s probably a little scared out of his mind. Guilt probably plays a lot into who he is. He loves his daughter, but how does a father show it to a daughter who barely knows him? Then amplify that question by adding in that his daughter was taken advantage of in so many ways that even him being physically close to her frightens them both.

Re: Rock & Marble: I think Bella’s attachment to small, seeming meaningless things is important. Her mother probably didn’t think to throw away rocks or worthless items like that. They are concrete, strong, stable, and mean nothing to anyone else. I think it’s an important piece of knowledge about who Bella is.

June Discussion Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:29:00 +0000

Hey Ficsters!

Big thanks to everyone who participated in the Just Wait discussion last night. It was awesome to have such an in depth discussion with so many people.

I am compiling notes from our discussion to provide InstantKarmaGirl with some feedback. Additionally, she has agreed to let me interview her and post her answers on the blog. If you have any questions you'd like to ask InstantKarmaGirl, please comment below or email us.

Poll will be up for one week. Depending on the outcome, we may or may not have a WussPerv topic next month.

Thanks!

June Recommendations

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Preparations for next week's meetings are well underway and we're so excited to be able to test this out with all of you. While we're ironing out the details for May, we also want to get a head start on June. So, with that being said... WE NEED YOUR HELP!

What fic(s) would you like to see on the ballot for June's discussion? Comment below and let us know! (Links would be fabulous if you have them handy. :)

May's WussPerv Approved Topic - Elemental by TallulahBelle

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:46:00 +0000

Elemental by TallulahBelle

AU/AH: When the Swans return to their birthplace, Bella learns she is no ordinary teenager, and Forks is no ordinary town. Can she fulfill her destiny with the powerful Edward Cullen, or will the dark forces that threaten their families destroy them all?
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Supernatural - Chapters: 21 - Words: 141,301

Tuesday, May 18th
7pm PST/9pm CST/10pm EST

Thanks for voting, all you delicate little Wusspervs! I am so excited to start to read this story, I've heard such great things! If you are able to make the discussion, please fill out the sign up form below.

Please note that by filling out the form, you are being counted as a participant and therefore impacting the behind the scenes organization of the discussion. If you discover that you will not be able to attend between now and May 18th, I would really appreciate if you would let me know as soon as possible!

--->Sign Up Form<---

I hope we have a great turnout! Remember to refer to the rules and pre-discussion suggestions as you read, and feel free to contact me either in a comment, email or on twitter if you have any questions.

May's Main Topic - Just Wait by instantkarmagirl

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:04:00 +0000

Just Wait by instantkarmagirl

AH AU OOC In a world saturated by vices, Bella is forced to move in with her father to avoid the repercussions of her past deeds. But after she meets the socially withdrawn adopted son of the town's doctor, will she allow herself to open up and heal?

Twilight - Rated: M - English - Angst/Hurt/Comfort - Chapters: 41 - Words: 203,276

Saturday, May 15th
6pm PST/8pm CST/9pm EST

Thank you to everyone who voted! We had a great turn out-- more than I ever anticipated-- and I'm so excited for us all to start reading and talking about this story. If you are able to make this date and time, please confirm your participation by filling out the form below.

Please note that by filling out the form, you are being counted as a participant and therefore impacting the behind the scenes organization of the discussion. If you discover that you will not be able to attend between now and May 15th, I would really appreciate if you would let me know as soon as possible!

---> Sign Up Form<---

First Rule of Fic Club: Let's Talk About Fic Club

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 06:24:00 +0000

HOW IT WORKS:

We'll meet on Skype at the agreed upon date and time every month
Each month's topic will be chosen democratically by the participants via the poll on the blog
The months where the choices are mostly angsty, there will be a second WussPerv approved option available for those delicate flowers among us.
Depending on number of participants, there may need to be more than one discussion group. Each group will discuss the same fic and will (barring any unforeseen complications) be held on the same date and time for consistency's sake.
We will discuss the fic for one hour, unless you guys are chatty h00rs and want to go over. Plan to lose one hour from your life, though.
Before each meeting, I will speak with the author and see if they are willing to be interviewed after our discussion. If so, at the end of the meeting the mod will open it up for suggested questions.

RULES:

BE NICE. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You are not, however, entitled to be a cunt. At least not here. Those who cannot play nice will be removed from the discussion.
Please show up to the discussions on time.
Read the fic in its entirety. It will make for a more well-rounded and cohesive discussion.
In the event that you read the month's topic and completely dislike it, please ask yourself if you see any value in it that would inspire intellectual debate before coming to the discussion. We're all for honest critique and debate, but outright bashing will not be tolerated.
Have fun, yous guise. While we do want to keep this somewhat serious and on topic, let's remember we're talking about fic - Twilight fanfic, even. There is no srs bsns here. Just keep in mind that this is all for fun and don't get too riled up.

PRE-DISCUSSION:

Download Skype if you don't already have it and make sure your mic is working properly. (If you don't have a mic you can still participate by listening and typing your comments in the chat box, but it will be a more fulfilling experience if you're able to actually talk with everyone.)
Add Twi.Fic.Club to your contacts list.
Once the topic, date and time is announced, confirm your participation by filling out the sign up sheet that will be included in the announcement post
Take notes as you read. What stands out for you regarding the writing style, characterization and plot?
Keep a list of specific quotes that resonate with you.
Have some idea of what aspects you would like to address before coming to the discussion.

DISCUSSION AGENDA:

Note: This is not meant to be a rigid time line of each discussion, just a guideline. I think (and hope!) that we will be able to dive right into a general discussion and hit all these points without having to check them off one by one. Just be prepared to discuss the following aspects.

Greetings/intros

Depending on size of chat, each person list their favorite quote/moment/aspect of the fic

Writing style:
What stands out to you about it?
Does it remind you of any other authors (whether published or from the fandom?)

Characters:
Strong characterizations? Weak?
What sticks with you about the characters?
How would you describe them?
What are their motivations?

Plot:
Where do you see it heading?
Anything that surprised you?
Anything you didn't like about it? Any plot holes?
Anything that was absolutely perfectly executed or that you'd like to have seen done differently?

Questions for the author interview

General Fic Club comments/questions/suggestions for next month's topic

Sparkle Out

These rules are subject to change. I've never organized something like this before, so I'm sure there will be more than one kink (heeeey oh!) that will need to be ironed out. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

May Topic Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:56:00 +0000

Please choose one of the fics below that you'd like to discuss in May.

NEW: WussPerv Approved Topic for May

Poll will close in one week, at which time I will announce date, time and topic for our May meeting.

Thanks!

Welcome to Fic Club

noreply@blogger.com (Twi Fic Club) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:26:00 +0000

Fic Club will be a monthly discussion group for fic. Each month we will read a specific story and meet on Skype to discuss. The hope is to have an intellectual (or as intellectual as it is possible to be while discussing fanfiction) and honest discussion about likes and dislikes, plot theories, characterizations, writing style, etc. Whatever stands out to you.

If we're going to let fanfiction consume our lives to this degree, we might as well do something constructive with it.

First rule of Fic Club: There is No Fangirling in Fic Club

This is not a forum for fangirling. This isn't about how popular the story is or how sweet the author may be. It's awesome if you're completely pwned by a fic, but let's dive a little deeper and talk about why.

Second Rule of Fic Club: There is No Cuntery in Fic Club

There will always be differing opinions, likes and dislike surrounding any given fic. That's ok! The discussion will be better for it. But let's remember to keep it civil and keep our critiques on the constructive side. Don't come to the discussion if you have absolutely nothing constructive to say about the story. No one will agree on everything, but you should have at least one positive to bring to the table.

If you're interested in participating in fic club, please fill out this form here. Please indicate which days and times during the week will work for you (include time zone.) Also, let me know if you are interested in being a mod. Moderators will host sessions in the event that I can't make it, or there are more people interested in a given month than can fit in one Skype chat.

By filling out the form you are not committing yourself to participating or being a mod. I am just trying to get an idea of the scope of interest and which days and times will work best.

I will be posting a poll in a couple days to determine which fic we'll start with. Once the poll is closed, I will announce the date and time of the first inaugural Fic Club meeting. At that time, you will be able to sign up to participate in that month's discussion.

Questions, comments, concerns or cuntery? Email TwiFicClub@gmail.com.