Hey everyone.Here it is the 2nd interview in the Un Masqued series. I sat down with luvsev.She has written for both the Masque and WKITT and we discussed what she has learned from writing and what its like to write hp fan fiction.
When do you recall your first interest in writing? What age?
I was a small child when I first began writing—I think around age eight.
Do you remember the first piece you wrote for fun and not for assignment?
Of course I remember the first piece I ever wrote. It was a poem about love.
How did you get started writing erotica? Is it the only genre you write in?
I got my start in writing erotica not quite a year ago now. It came about just shortly after reading a great work by the amazing Ms_Figg. Erotica is not the only genre I write in, there are others as well: drama, poetry, humour, action, and mystery.
What are some of the greatest challenges you face when writing erotica?
My main challenges are in avoiding cliché’s and purple prose. I also like to try to make sure my erotic scenes are believable. I find that if a reader can’t believe what you’re trying to convey, they are likely not to continue reading your work.
How do you set your environment for writing, i.e. do you have to have a quiet room, can you be in public, soft music, candles?
Normally, I sit in the front room of my house and in my favourite seat. There’s usually background noise—the television or other people chatting. Lighting is always bright so I don’t strain my eyes as I write or pick up the dictionary or thesaurus (sitting beside me.) I can write anywhere and at anytime of the day, though I find nighttime to be more conducive to a calmer mood, which in turn enables me to write better.
Do you ever write long hand and transcribe or you type as you go?
It depends on what I have available at the time. If I have my laptop on, then I will use that, but if all I have is a pen/pencil/crayon and scrap paper, then I will take it.
Do you scribble or jot down notes regarding current future stories whenever/wherever the muse hits?
Oh, most definitely. I carry a pen and notebook with me everywhere I go just in case I get that next great idea.
Do you have to be “in the mood for love” to write?
No, I can write whenever, but I have to have the creative energy to write. If I don’t, there is a difference in the natural flow of my stories.
How often a day to you commit to your craft?
I don’t write everyday, it’s more like a few times a week. I try to at least write a drabble/flash-fic every week as a part of Potter_Place Fun.
Do you outline, or let the story flow as it grows?
For a chaptered story, I always have a rough outline that I try to follow. For the shorter ones, I just let the story flow and adjust as necessary.
Do you have to like a character to write him/her effectively?
No, not really, though it helps to like them at least a little.
How do you develop your characters?
Prior to writing a story, I will write out certain things about my characters and detail actions that I believe would fit their behaviour.
What is your favorite work of your own?
That would have to be Saving Grace.
What’s your favorite book or story by another writer?
Yikes, I actually have to pick a favourite book? At the moment, I am really enjoying the works of Jodi Picoult and Dan Brown.
Who has most influenced your writing and style?
That would have to be my mentor and beta, kittylefish. Since I have been working with her, she has improved my skills both as an author and beta. I can say without a doubt that I would not be where I am right now without her.
What kind of advice do you have for someone trying to write?
Take your time and follow your muse, and if at all possible, find a beta. They will not only be able to spot your mistakes but they will help you develop more skills as an author. Oh, and another thing, when working with a beta, it is important to set your ego aside and keep and open mind. If you can’t, you will never improve.
What do you avoid when writing?
I try to avoid redundancy and unnecessary words/sentences that are not essential to the overall plot of my stories.
Are you “out” to your friends and family as a writer?
All of my friends know and I believe most of my family members are aware that I am a writer.
What story out there do you wish you’d written?
Not really, no.
*~*~*~*~*~*
What first drew you to the HP series and what’s your favorite book/scene?
It’s been so long ago now that I don’t quite remember. I do know that I did not begin reading the series when it first came out. I picked it up right after Goblet of Fire was released, and it quickly became my favourite book in the series. My favourite seen in GoF was when Harry and Lord Voldemort’s wands were connected and all the ghosts of spells past were revealed.
What do you like the least about it?
The series was fairly good overall, but I hate how J.K.R seemed to throw Snape away in DH. It was so sad to see a man who had struggled his whole life to end up in a totally unbefitting death. I would have loved to see him live and find love… happiness. I also do not like how she paired almost everyone with their childhood sweetheart, it just seemed unrealistic. I mean, how often does that happen in real life?
What did you think of the Deathly Hallows epilogue and does it mesh with your version of how it was supposed to happen?
I think the DH epilogue was a cop out on J.K.R’s behalf. It was a load of tosh, if you want my real opinion. She was trying to tie everything up in a nice, neat little bow, and real life seldomly goes that way. Since I believe this, it only goes to say that the epilogue did not fit what I believe should have happened.
Which ships do you sail and which is your favorite? Do you read any ships that you don’t write in?
I sail: HG/SS (my favourite and OTP), HP/DM, HP/GW, GW/DM, HG/LL, SS/RL, RL/SB, BW/HG/SS, CW/HG/SS, and SS/HG/LM. I only write in six of the ships I follow.
Which came first, your fanwork or finding the HP fandom?
I found the HP fandom first.
What drew you to HG/SS?
A fellow author and friend of mine got me started in the SS/HG ship. She was reading Ladyofthemasque’s fic, For Someone Special, and she made me read a chapter of it. Ever since that first story, I have been hooked. What continues to draw me to the pair is the fact that they match each other’s wit and intelligence.
Do you ever write crackfic or Mary Sue/self-insert?
I never have written crackfic or Mary Sue/ Gary Stu, and I don’t believe I will either.
There’s a lot of slash-fic in the fandom. What do you think of it as a genre and in the fandom?
I think it is fine, really. I will read and write in it just the same as the other genres.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Severus Snape would probably be the obvious answer here. I love his intelligence and sarcasm. He’s the Ultimate spy, loyal, trustworthy, and he’s unafraid of being who he truly is. He doesn’t care what you think of him.
Several fic writers have changed certain characters, sometimes radically, from the people that Rowling wrote and the fic characterizations became fanon. What are your thoughts on those changes and are there any real deviations from canon that you really enjoy or dislike?
Some of those changes have been for the better, such as making Severus Snape into someone who’s not a complete bastard (I apologise for the crass language here, but it’s the truth. Through most of the series, we see him as being an unapologetic and evil man, when he’s really not).
What are some of the stereotypes and tropes that you’ll admit to using in your stories that may not be in canon?
I try hard not to use stereotypes, but I will admit to using Snape as a sex god.
Do you have a favorite challenge that inspired you to write?
I have never participated in a challenge, though I am now preparing a story for the Potter_Place Variety Challenge.
The fandom is in transition right now, just as HG/SS has been for quite some time. Do you have any ideas on how we can inspire new excitement over the pairing?
Not really, just continue with the challenges and promoting the stories that provide inspiration.
A BIG thank you to luvsev for allowing me to interview her. Hope you all enjoy and as mamma has mentioned if you want any writer to be interviewed for this feature drop me a line.
Til next time.
Andy (andone)
Recent
Change 1 Letter at the ti...
by Rajah Dodger 2/28/21 Update by Admin
Break ups hurt by littledragon
Total Members: 638