Featured Author: m244robp

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Published on Sunday, 21 March 2010 20:39

The March featured author is m244robp.  She is the author of For All the World to See, Let Me, and The One. 

1. How did you get into fan fiction? Why Robert Pattinson fan fiction?

Hmmmm… A long time ago, as a teenager, I used to write in a journal as if I were someone else, either a character in a book I was reading, or some famous person. I never showed that to anyone and protected it with my life. In fact, I even burned it when I got into adulthood. Little did I know that that was what we know fan fiction to be today. Then it was just called making up stories.

Again, I don’t really know why I chose to write RP fiction. He became my muse. There was something about him that intrigued me. He still does, even if we already know so much about him. I wanted to delve into who I think he is and explore how he would react to certain situations. Aside from his devilish good looks, there is something that makes him so endearing to all his fans.

2. What made you decide to start writing fan fiction?

To quote Rob, “I dunno.” But seriously, I really do not know. To answer this properly, I have to delve into my writing history a bit. I hope you will indulge me as I go back in time a bit.

After reading the Twilight Saga in 2008, I went into a serious funk, and for some reason, I kept thinking about writing. Characters just kept swimming in my head and I felt that I wanted to let them out somehow. At that time, I wrote a knitting and food blog for three years, only non-fiction stuff.

I left fiction writing as a teenager, because where I’m from, it wasn’t the “cool” thing to do. That was over twenty years ago. So when the pull of writing came to me again, after so long, I seriously thought I was going crazy. One day, I went to Barnes and Noble and snuck by the writing section and scanned the books on the shelves. I looked for something that could give me ideas on how to write and how to get it flowing again. With the help of that book, I tried a few exercises, then it began to flow. I started with a few original short fiction pieces and then one day, I had an idea for a love story. I sat down at my computer and just began typing. That was “For All The World To See.”

3. What is your writing process? Do you have a specific place you like to write, music you listen to, etc.?

I used to write on my family computer, late at night, when the kids had gone to sleep and my husband was already watching TV, winding down for the night. Recently, I bought a laptop, so now I can write almost anywhere I wish to. I however like to write undisturbed and alone in a room. But if this is not possible, I play my quiet instrumentals radio station on Pandora, and cover my ears with earphones to block out the other noise.

4. How much research goes into the stories? Time spent on the internet? Personal experience?

A lot of research goes into the stories with regard to the timeline of events. I try to keep things along the actual chronological order of when they happen. This is only because the stories have been written in present time. In “For All The World To See,” and “Let Me,” a portion of the story occurs in a future time, five years later.

Also, I have not written a story that takes place in a place that I have never visited. With the exception of the next story I am working on that takes place in a completely fictional country. I have to do a lot of research on the region where I put my fictional country in.

Research is key to making your characters come alive, so do not scrimp on it, or do it haphazardly. However, do not let it bog you down from writing the story. Personal experience too is a very important source of life for your characters and your story, so do not eliminate your experience from your stories.

5. What is the hardest/easiest part about writing?

One of the hardest parts of writing for me is figuring out “what’s next?” Another is allowing myself to think “what if?” Another hard part for me is to keep things from being mechanical and “telling” rather than “showing.”

The easiest part? Well, there really isn’t an easy part to it. It is not as hard when I allow myself to go with the flow of the story. Writing is not as hard when I allow things to happen in the story, just to see where it goes. When I try to nip things in the bud and self-edit right away, that is when it gets most difficult.

6. Out of the stories you’ve written which is your favorite? Favorite character? Why?

My favorite story is “The One.” Although the favorite character I’ve created is a toss-up between Audrey Garrett from “For All The World to See,” and “Let Me,” and Lizzy, in “The One.”

“The One” is very special to me because it is what really helped me flourish as a writer. As for the characters, I like Audrey for her strength of character, and her determination to succeed. I like Lizzy for her sense of humor, and the dedication she has to her boss.

7. What do you think makes a good story?

A good plot. The characters have reasons for being who they are and why they are motivated the way they are. Of course, good writing, in terms of spelling, grammar and punctuation, makes sure that the message is getting to the reader.

8. Is there any story (or book) you wish you could have written? Why?

In the fan fiction world, I wish I could have written “The Office” by tby780, “The Hunter” by kaybebaby, and “Hide and Drink” by Savage.

In original fiction, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

These stories are so compelling, the writing is absolutely magical, and the authors convey emotion so well. The skills of these writers are phenomenal.

9. Do you have any writing tips?

I have many, but here are the most important ones to me:

1) Try to write something, anything, every day. – Practice makes perfect. As you write a little something every day, the words come to you easier. There are lots of websites that offer writing prompts and challenges. Try some of them to keep your writing juices flowing.

2) Brush up on your grammar, spelling and punctuation. – Problems in this area will hinder you from being able to convey that beautiful story you are writing.

3) Find a writing/critiquing partner. – This must be someone you are able to trust. You need someone to bounce off ideas on, have someone help you point out plot pitfalls that you may not be able to see, plus, you’ll have your first reviewer and cheerleader. Give the same back to that partner, so you can both help each other grow as writers.

4) After you write your first draft, do not rush to publish it or post it. – Let it stew for a while (maybe as long as a day or longer) so that the flavors develop. When you do your proofing before posting, you may be surprised by what you’ve written, or another idea may come along that will enhance your chapter.

5) Read, read, read. – Read a lot of the stories that are similar to the types you like to write. Read a lot of the stories by authors whose style you would like to emulate or learn from. You can learn a lot from the writers you respect, about how the present their characters, how they write their dialogue, and how they describe their settings.

10. Who’s your pick to be the next author interviewed?

Sassy Spacey.

From readers:

1. What/who helped you decide to post your first Rob-Fic here? – London

Well, the journey to find RPF.com was hard. After I wrote “For All The World To See,” I couldn’t find a place to put it up on. I found some teenager fan fiction sites, but I was uncomfortable to post there because it was a teenager site. I felt my story had an adult tone to it, although there were no sex scenes, I did not feel it was appropriate for the audience.

I found Christine’s “Ready and Waiting to Fall,” on Fanfiction.net or Twilighted.net, I’m not sure which one, and really enjoyed it. She began mentioning a site that she had created dedicated to RP fiction. So came on over. I finally found a site that I felt would have the audience I was looking for.

2. Do you find it easier to write the chapters in order or to skip around and write parts of each one once you get an idea? – twilight_writer1220

I do it both ways. I usually start out writing in order, but on occasion, I’ve been struck by an idea that I wanted to try and flesh out, even if it was for a later chapter. I just don’t want to forget certain ideas that may come up by trying to keep it in my head as I wait until I actually get to that chapter.

3. What kinds of books do you read? – sassy spacey

I read a wide range of fiction, but more popular that literary. I actually don’t know what literary fiction is. I enjoy the fantasy genre, but I do enjoy a lot of books that talk about life through the years.

4. If you could talk to one author dead or alive who would it be? What would you talk about with them? – sassy spacey

J. K. Rowling. I would ask her how she did it all. I’d also ask her what she does with the money.

5. Your dream job? – sassy spacey

I have been fortunate to have already worked at my dream job. Before I got married, I worked as a brand manager for fragrances and cosmetics handling LVMH brands for a major department store in the Philippines. I got to travel around Asia, had first dibs on the latest perfumes and make-up products, and was courted by major fashion magazines for advertising. Plus, I got major discounts at the department store to fuel my shoe addiction.

Now, my dream is to be a self-employed, published author.

6. Greatest accomplishment so far? – sassy spacey

My husband and I grew up in the Philippines. One of my biggest accomplishments, aside from having a pretty satisfying family life, is successfully transplanting our family to the United States.

To self:

1. What is the most important thing you have learned about writing that you would like to share with the other writers here?

Write because you enjoy writing and telling a story, not because you like the attention. – This I have to keep reminding myself. In the fan fiction writing world, most of the reviews are always favorable. This is a major ego boost. On occasion there will be a reader who will dare to say that he/she did not like what you wrote, be thankful for that person too, as that person is giving you feedback on where to improve. 

2. How would you react if you actually had a chance to meet Rob?

Honestly? If I weren’t being introduced to him, I would turn around and pretend I did not see him. Of course, I would be watching him from out of the corner of my eye, but I would pretend to be really nonchalant about his presence. That’s just me.

Then again, if I had the incredible luck of actually being introduced to him, I would shake his hand quickly, smile and then wish him a good day. Walk nonchalantly away, then once I know I’m out of eyesight, I’d run the hell away from the place.

I could never muster up the nerve or courage to go up to him and say hello or ask for an autograph. I’d be paralyzed by the pretty.

Favorites:

- Book: Right now, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

- Movie: Up

- Actor/Actress: Matt Damon/Meryl Streep

- Band: The Fray/Colbie Calliat/ Priscilla Ahn

- Song: “Falling for You,” Colbie Calliat/ “Drive,” Kit Smith and Tanya Livingstone/ “Wallflower,” Priscilla Ahn

- Cookie: Chocolate Chip

Last Words:

Is there anything else you would like to say or share with us?

Writing has become a passion for me. This site has helped fuel that passion and for that I am thankful. Christine, you did a great job with this site. Also, to any of you that want to ask me anything specific, please feel free to PM me here. I will definitely respond to your questions, and if there is anything I can do to help make you a better writer, I will do what I can.

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