Author and Artist Interviews 2009: DementorDelta
Members,
After getting hold of some ... ehm ... interesting photos and using them as ... er ... as an enticement, the last in the 2009 Author and Artist Interviews is with dementordelta.
Interview with DementorDelta
November, 2009
"Well," WhiteCotton said with a sweep of her hand, "this is certainly a disappointment."
atypicalsnowman nodded as she turned around to take in the room. "You can say that again. Where are the racks? And the shackles?"
"The sexual torture devices?" WhiteCotton added, looking bored now. "I have to say this is absolutely..." she paused as she spat out the word, "tame."
atypicalsnowman sighed, " I know."
Just then, thesewarmstars came running into the room and said, "All right, I've just been downstairs."
"And?" they both questioned.
"No dungeon."
"What do you mean no dungeon?" atypicalsnowman asked while WhiteCotton scoffed.
"I mean no dungeon! No whips, no cells, no ball spreaders or collars on the walls..."
"What the hell!" she exclaimed just as Torina walked in the room, a frustrated look on her face.
"Ah," WhiteCotton said looking at her. "Let me guess... No dais in the ballroom."
Torina shook her head. "No ballroom."
thesewarmstars looked exasperated and said, "Well, I don't understand. Didn't RaeWhit ask us to meet her here?"
Suddenly, a throat was cleared from within the shadows and Severus Snape walked out. Torina, atypicalsnowman and thesewarmstars all stood straighter and looked a bit dazed while WhiteCotton appraised him hungrily
"Ladies, I believe you are laboring under a misapprehension."
"Oh?" WhiteCotton breathed. "And what would that be, Severus?"
"This is Riddle House," he said and all four women froze as they instantly realized their mistake. "You're looking for Riddle Manor, which is across the way." He turned his head toward a large window and the four ladies all saw a spectacular mansion, which at second glance revealed a large throne in the front room which was currently holding what seemed to be an orgy.
"Ah," WhiteCotton said knowingly, "of course. Come along, ladies," she said walking out the door.
"Damn canon versus fanon," atypicalsnowman grumbled as they crossed the street.
DementorDelta takes up the story
DementorDelta met them at the door along with a house elf holding a tea tray. "Do come in," she said, craning her neck to see over their shoulders to the house across the street. She laughed, a little nervously. "You didn't get lost, did you?"
WhiteCotton looked back at the cozy cottage from whence they had come. The hastily pulled down shade did nothing to hide the two figures, one tall and lean, the other a bit shorter with untidy hair leaning into one another in a passionate embrace silhouetted against the shade. "Just took a slight detour," she replied. All five women sighed when shadowed hands slid down to cup a no-doubt Quidditch-toned arse.
Delta led them inside, past the door from which lusty sounds and several sorts of liquid noises emanated, and into a sitting room.
"Aren't we joining them?" thesewarmstars asked, looking hopefully at the firmly closed door where flickering shadows darted under the door.
"Ahhhh no," Delta said, tugging at the collar of her St Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys t-shirt. "It's actually just a projection and a recording." She lowered her voice confidentially. "For show, you know. People expect me to be a bit wilder than I am."
"No orgy?" atypicalsnowman asked, looking stricken.
The house elf hopped out of the room and a moment later the noises and flickering lights disappeared.
"No orgy," Torina said, flopping back into a chintz armchair.
"You said you had some, er, questions?" Delta said as the house elf returned and started serving tea. Then her eyes narrowed. "You aren't from any sort of law enforcement agency, are you?" Before they could reply, Delta went on, "I'm not peeping, you understand. I mean, can I help it if my neighbors do the most shocking things? Do you know that one time I actually spotted them--" She flushed, in guilt or embarrassment and covered her near slip with a sip of tea.
Questions
1. How did you start writing fanfiction?
Even when I was first dipping my toes in fandom back when I was a wee babe, I wanted in on the fun! The temptation to write stories about characters I loved got me started, though back then only shown to a few friends at first. I wrote a little bit of Vader-centric fiction for fanzines (yeah, remember them?) but mostly always wrote for myself, for the pure joy of being able to play with my favorite characters.
2. But why slash?
Since Harry Potter was my first slash fandom, the decision to write slash wasn't an easy one. When I first started reading the HP books they were on like #4, and I very much wanted to write about Snape. An old Star Wars friend emailed me out of the blue and asked me what I was up to, fannishly, and I mentioned that I was into this new Harry Potter stuff. She said she'd read some fan fiction, but it was slash--did I want the link? It was the Tea Series by telanu. After that my slash goggles were permanently fixed in place. Since then she's said she always knew I was a 'closet slasher'.
3. Is Harry Potter your first fandom or did you wet your feet in another?
Feet? I wet my whole childhood in other fandoms! I grew up around Star Trek fandom, fell hard for Star Wars fandom and flirted with a bunch of them along the way. Harry Potter is my first slash fandom and the first one where I've been brave enough to share more than a few stories in.
4. Which character do you enjoy writing most?
Harry, especially adult Harry, who's strong and sexy and knows what he wants—which is, happily for me, Severus...
5. What is it about Severus *sighs* you find sexy?
What about him isn't sexy? He's easily the most interesting character in canon, the most mysterious, the most intriguing. JKR set us up from the beginning to unravel the mystery of Severus Snape then did us as huge favor in leaving most of it unsolved. I love his flaws, his weaknesses, his moments of utter peevishness because they lead also to his fierce (and how can anyone describe Severus without using the word 'fierce'?) loyalty, his protectiveness and the sheer joy of his sarcasm.
6. Of your own work, which is your favourite?
Ack! That's so hard to answer! Usually my favorite is the last one I finished because while at work on one, it just utterly consumes my attention. I suppose honestly my absolute favorite is Parseltongue-tied because it was so much fun and people still seem to read and enjoy it.
7. Which one do you think is your most underappreciated work?
And this one is easy--Magical Places, which was written for a Magical Kiss from Peter Pan challenge. I wrote it in a dreamy, breathless tone, sort of, I hoped, like Peter Pan, but it never seems to come across to readers that way! Most of the feedback I get on it is, "Huh?"
8. Do you have a favourite piece written by another writer, perhaps one that drew you into the fandom or which you tell yourself you actually did write in another life?
I have lots of favorite pieces by other writers—dozens! But I enjoy other writers precisely because they don't write like I do--reading myself over and over again would be boring! I love reading other writer's ideas and takes on fannish tropes.
9.Is there a genre/pairing/kink you would like to write, but seem unable to do to your satisfaction?
I'd love to write a really hot Snape/Harry/Remus story but I'm not sure I have it in me.
10.Do you ever feel the need to experiment, to try your hand at death!fics or extreme BDSM perhaps?
Hmm, well in a way, every story is an experiment because I'm usually trying to accomplish different things, or challenge myself in some way in each one. Deathfics and extreme BDSM don't really interest me to write, though I can enjoy both of them if a really good writer tackles them.
11. Tell us the plot of up to 5 fics you'd love to write but haven't yet and why.
There was a meme going around a few weeks ago about top fives and I got asked this one then too. The reason I haven't written any of them is just simply time. I write fairly slowly and pretty much only work on one story at time, so it's just a matter of getting to them. I'd love to do a Snape as an Incubus story or The Man Who Came to Dinner as a Snarry someday.
12. Is there a fic you almost didn't write, but which you are now pleased you did?
Hmmm...well, not really. I've started stories that haven't worked out for or re-written them for one reason or another. I think the story that comes closest to answering this question is Anybody Else, which was a story accioslash commissioned, and was based on a plot bunny she had in mind. I know she thinks I didn't like writing it because it turned out a bit 'darker' than my usual story, but actually it's one of my favorites and not something I would have written without her input.
13. How important to you is your writing? For example would you sell your first born for it?
Very important. If Snarry fandom went away, I would still write for myself, or if I got into another fandom, I would probably want to start writing in it. It's just something I've always done--just as a creative outlet. Even when I have no intention of sharing the stories, I have always written, from way back in my Trek days and Star Wars days. There's something very satisfying about fixing up stories that didn't quite go the way you hoped or adding and expanding backstory for characters you love.
14. Do you have a pet beta, one who you always turn to first and who is collared and tied to your desk?
While I've had some amazing and extraordinarily patient beta readers over the years, no one has yet donned the collar for me!
15. Do you have any bullet-proof kinks and squicks, ones that would even tempt you to read Severus *sighs* and Colin Creevey?
My bullet-proof kink is Snape/Harry—if they’re involved, half the battle is won! Fan fiction for me is never about the kinks, it's about the characters, how they develop a relationship based on their past, how they make futures together. I do have things I look for in fan fiction that will either entice or dissuade me from reading. There are a few things that will pique my interest--cool/unusual magic, Alternate Realities/Alternate Universes etc.
16. Which character(s) do you think you are most like?
*sigh* Molly Weasley.
17. What character do you struggle with most when writing?
Albus Dumbledore. I think it's really hard to get him right without resorting to lemon sherbets and twinkling.
18. What's the most challenging thing about the process of writing fanfiction?
*Sigh* Writing sex scenes.
19. At which point does your personal ‘canon’ deviate from book canon? And which of your stories tells what really happened?
Right now my favorite splitting away from canon would include everything except the epilogue—and even then I've read some brilliant stories that are epilogue compliant. I did write one, Between The Lines, that 'fixes' books 6 & 7 for me. But now that canon is closed, it's pretty much an open playground, isn't it?
20. When you began to write sex scenes, did you rely on what you had already read in fanfiction or kidnap and interrogate a gay acquaintance?
Neither, actually! Fanfiction sex is fine for getting a certain mood correct, and I'm much too shy to ask gay friends to spill their bedroom secrets to me, so I started acquiring gay, um, reference materials! I know a lot of writers scoff at gay porn but if you scrape away the surface porn aspects (and watch it without the volume, seriously) it's very helpful in getting angles and strokes and what's possible and what isn't. I also read a lot of gay history and erotica and a really fabulous series of books about first times—where guys describe their first time with a man—sometimes it was their first time with anyone, sometimes just with a man, but endlessly fascinating!
21. Of your favourite fics, which do you consider to be your best and why? Go on, don’t be modest!
Argh, another hard one! I'm really torn on this one, but I think Dreaming Spires, which accomplishes everything I set out to do and still works on that level for me. Sometimes stories surprise you when you're writing them and this one completely wanted to be written a certain way and didn't let me finish until it got that way.
22. Do you set specific characters always to be a friend or an enemy to your heroes?
Not really. I've had Draco be both friend and foe, the same with Lucius Malfoy. Different stories demand different dynamics and there are, fortunately, lots of characters in canon to fill that need.
23. What is the most valuable piece of advice you've ever received about writing stories (fanfic or otherwise)?
Be More Confident! Seriously, it's something I struggle with all the time!
24. Are you hurt by bad reviews or criticism?
I think everyone who does anything creative must be hurt by bad reviews and criticism. I think I have a fairly thick skin when it comes to my own writing skills—I know there are lots of fan fiction writers out there who are worlds beyond me and I have no problem acknowledging this.
25. If your Severus *sighs* were to play a musical instrument, what would it be?
Oh goodness, wouldn’t it be funny to have him be devoted to playing the oboe or the flugelhorn or something? See, now a really passionate author could totally convince me of that. I can just see Harry mouthing the word ‘oboe?’ and being really turned on by the idea of Snape playing an oboe or a harmonica or something....
26. Would you consider writing professionally? Or do you?
If I thought anyone would actually pay to read my stuff I'd sure give it some thought. Right now I'm very happy sharing my love of Snarry for free!
27 How has your involvement changed over the years, and where do you see yourself fandom-wise in 5 years?
I've gotten to know, in person, a lot of Snarry fans, via various meet ups and conventions and having dear friends not too far away, so it's changed in that I interact a lot on a personal level now, where when I first got into Snarry fandom, it was a big scary place filled with BNFs! I still feel very involved even as the fandom is changing, and people's interests are changing as well. I think I'll still be around Snarry, and if not, I'll be around some fandom I'm sure!
28. What is your most prized fandom memento/collectable?
Oh that's easy—a couple of years ago, accioslash, who is, without a doubt one of the best friends Snarry fandom has—made me a hoodie out of my LJ user icon! I wear it all the time and it never, ever fails to make me happy!
29. From where did the idea for The Living Years come? Was it to turn ideas on their heads or was it born of wanting Severus *sighs* to have a better life?
Again, both—there were a few de-aged Harry fics around at the time so I decided to try a de-aged Snape. But I determined early on that I didn't want him to magically get back to his previous age. I wanted him to grow up and be a part of Harry' s life from an early age but not have Harry raise him. Luckily Draco was around and in sore need of redemption...
30.Is there a pairing that might tempt you away from snarry, if only for one fic?
Well, actually I've written other pairings in 'tag' format (where one person takes one character and the other person takes another and they tag back and forth) Just for fun though and awfully good practice for writing other characters. But my heart belongs to Snarry.
31.The vast majority of your fics are universally accepted, yet you also write ones that are definitely classified as extreme, such as The Devil Will Drag You Under. Is this to test the barriers of fanfiction, your readers, or yourself?
A little of all three I think. That particular story has been described to me many times as 'chan for people who don't like chan' and that pleases me because that's what I was going for. You have to remember when I wrote it, canon was still very much in progress and Snarry was still trying to overcome the all-chan-all-the-time rep it acquired early on, since the dynamics of the pairing were mostly teacher/student. Which is, I think, something anyone who reads my stories, knows I like. So I wanted to see if I could write something that would make sense of that relationship to me, and that had to be Harry being the one initiating and breaking down the barriers between them.
I think the only other story of mine that might be considered 'extreme' (or extreme for me anyway) would be Parseltongue-tied, which has overtones of bestiality. I've been told the snake bits squicked some people and I can understand that.
...Sometime Later
"Yes, I've never been a fan of chan," WhiteCotton said, taking a sip of her wine, "but The Devil Will Drag You Under is..."
"Different somehow," thesewarmstars supplied. "And yes, I think it's because Harry is the one to initiate the romance."
Delta nodded and looked towards Torina, who was happily sipping her pumpkin juice.
"snow, what do you..." WhiteCotton started, but cut off as she saw the lady in question was tilting her head toward a door adjacent to the fireplace, listening. “What is it?”
"There's something going on in there," snow hissed.
Delta jerked suddenly, her wine spilling from her glass. Recollecting herself quickly, she affected an air of indifference, complete with a careless wave of her other hand. "Gracious, nothing is going on in there—more wine anyone. Snow, your glass."
Snow, however, frowned. "Yes, there is. WhiteCotton, come listen to this."
With a nod to Delta, WhiteCotton walked gracefully towards the door, her robes whipping about her as she passed by. She pressed her ear to the door, then snorted at the sounds of grunts, panting...and some lovely groans.
"Darling, you've been holding out on us," she said.
Delta turned red and stood up, "There's absolutely nothing going on in there." That said, no one missed her eyes shift worriedly toward the source of the noise, which was getting louder.
"What are you hiding in there, a kinky sex session? BDSM playtime?" snow asked, whipping out a set of skeleton keys and starting on the lock. "Some orgy with Severus and half of Gryffindor? Come on, darling, it's not like we'd tell anyone."
Delta's eyes went wide and she ran to the door, "No, I'm serious! You don't want to see what's in there!"
WhiteCotton scoffed and motioned for Torina to put on her blindfold. "I assure you there's nothing on the other side of that door that could offend us. Any last remnant of innocence was quashed long ago when we first saw Severus’ M-rated party trick."
"Hey, I’m still innocent!" Torina exclaimed.
"Yes, of course. Except for you, dearest, so you had better put on your bunny earmuffs as well."
Torina did so, just as WhiteCotton forced Delta aside and a click signalled a successful lock-pick. Delta lurched forward, trying desperately to make a grab for the handle, but the Webmistresses were quicker.
“Nngh...Arr—argh—” was heard in Severus’ breathless, panting voice when they had the door cracked open an inch.
With a last burst of gusto and a scuffle, three eager Webmistresses and one nervous Dementordelta burst through the door into next room.
And froze.
Into the stunned moment, Delta said in a worried tone, "I did try to stop you."
"My eyes!" snow said, almost going into convulsions.
"Well, at least he's wearing black," warmie said weakly.
"Darling, I take it back," WhiteCotton said as she watched a spandex-clad, sweatband-wearing Severus doing yoga. "I am extremely offended."
"It's not all bad," Delta said in a sing-song voice.
"Oh?" WhiteCotton said doubtfully as Severus balanced precariously on one leg, his arms held ballerina-like over his head.
"Nope. You should see his downward dog."
snow immediately stopped trying to scratch her retinas out, and smirked.
On behalf of Severus Sighs, we would very much like to thank DementorDelta for taking part in this interview.
The Webmistresses
Enjoy the darkness and sweet sensual pleasure that is Severus *sighs*
Webmistresses of Severus Sighs
Site Owner – WhiteCotton Site Moderators – atypicalsnowman, thesewarmstars, and Torina Archelda Artwork by Cluegirl and banner by Bielol Severus.sighs@gmail.com