snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games, @ 2006-04-15 18:44:00 |
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Current mood: | crazy |
Entry tags: | interviews, team romance |
INTERVIEW # 35
Original poster: snarrymod
Your Name (and lj name, if different): Sterling Dragonfly strlingdragnfly
Your Team: Romance
1. What made you decide to agree to compete in these games?
Honestly, competitions scare the living daylights out of me. However, I hoped that the challenge of competing alongside of as well as against some of the best Snarry writers in the fandom would push me to improve my writing. There's nothing like being at the bottom of the heap to make me strive to become better. **bites nails nervously**
2. Why did you choose the Romance Team?
I chose the Romance team because I enjoy basically happy stories. Reading and writing within my fandoms are my escape from the real world. I can read the newspaper or watch TV to get my daily dose of tragedy and angst.
3. Have you always been interested in the Severus Snape/Harry Potter dynamic?
Yes, I've never had much interest in any other pairing. I found the HP fandom when a friend recommended aspeninthesunlight's "A Year Like None Other" to me; once I had caught up with that WIP, I began searching for other stories. I discovered Snarry and became instantly hooked.
Snape is the most realistic, three-dimensional character in the books to me, being neither completely good nor totally evil. I also believe that Harry is more like Snape than he would want to admit. They have a rich history together, and their animosity adds a wonderful spark to their relationship.
4. What is more challenging to you – working WITH strict canon or working AROUND strict canon?
Definitely for me, working within strict canon is more difficult, especially since the publication of HBP. Trying to deal with the events from the last third of the book is hard without actually knowing Snape's true motivation. The easiest solutions seem clichéd to me and yet coming up with a realistic reason for his actions has been tricky.
5. What motivates you?
Chocolate. And jewelry.
One thing that motivates me in my writing is reading authors who I consider to be true artists at their craft. When I compare their work to my own, I realize just how far I have to go as a writer. I've only been writing for little more than a year, I've never taken any kind of creative writing course and college was many more than a few years ago for me. Since I've never had any training, I use other people's work as a measuring tool.
6. Do you have plans for (or are you already writing) original fiction?
I'm writing a juvenile historical book that's geared toward teenage boys. My oldest son is twelve, and while we were searching for books for him to read, I noticed a dearth of non-depressing stories for his age group. I wanted to tell a story that is realistic but more upbeat than what's currently available, as well as something that's historically accurate.
It's also helped to strengthen my relationship with my son. As I finish a chapter, I give it to him to read and then ask his opinion on it. Believe me, there's no critic who is more painfully honest than a moody pre-teen! He enjoys getting to tell me what he thinks and we've had some great discussions because of the book. Plus, he's really excited about the fact that if we get it published, I promised him that his name would be on the book as well.
7. What three things are necessary for you to enjoy a story you are reading?
Good characterization and a realistic plot are definites. I also enjoy stories that are rich in detail and have a good balance between dialogue and background information. And a satisfying resolution where the protagonists end up content with their lives is a must.
8. What are your Top 5 favourite fanfiction stories?
Eep, what a difficult decision! My favorites (all Snarries) are, in no particular order:
AuctaSinistra's Bottom's Up - If I'm feeling sad or depressed, this story is a guaranteed pick-me-up for me!
DementorDelta's The Dreaming Spires This story is so smooth and so well-written, I'm amazed every time I read it.
Diannan's Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate series. This series fascinates me. Harry and Severus go through so much and yet, in the end, they finally have each other.
DragonLight's The Paradox Of Existence This was one of the first Snarries I ever read, helping me to fall in love with the pairing. It's now been rewritten and reposted.
Tira Nog's A Nick Of Time and Growing Pains series. Her portrayal of Severus and Harry as children is sheer beauty, and the sequel where they are adults is a wonderful continuation of their friendship and developing romance.
9. Do you have a story (any fandom) you’ve done that you are most proud of? Would you link it here for us?
I've written in three different fandoms: Harry Potter, Smallville and Queer As Folk. The stories I'm most proud of in each fandom are:
QAF - It Takes All Kinds This is a WIP and a story that holds a special place in my heart, since it was my very first fanfic ever.
Smallville - In From The Cold This was written for slodwick's A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words challenge at picfor1000.
HP - Haunted Mansion This is a little ficlet that I wrote for HPFandom.net's contest 'School's Out For Summer'. It was the first (and only) story that I've ever entered into a competition, and it won first place in its category.
10. Are you excited about the Games?
Absolutely. Go, Team Romance! (And good luck, Team Angst!)
Thank you, and good luck!
Thank you, strlingdragnfly!