I needed some refreshment, so here's a meme-interview from
IMPROVTELLING:
01. Who are you and where are you from? Do a short self-intro:- my name is Christina, though you're free to call me nicknames like Chris. Born and resident in Denmark, currently 20 years old.
02. What is your pen-name(s)? Is there a story or meaning behind?- I have has various pen-names, but the one I use now is 'Chris Willar', a shortening of my full name.
03. For how long have you been writing? What made you begin writing?- no precise timeline, I have been writing years. My first fanfic was LotR-themed, so almost 10 years.
04. Where do you mainly get inspiration and ideas from? Name some examples:- everything, really; music, books, TV, listening to others. Most ideas, though, I get from sitting and thinking alone, or when I'm getting ready to sleep. I always carry a small notebook and pen around, in case I should suddenly get an idea.
05. When getting an idea, do you start writing immediately or do you research/prepare first?- it depends on the original idea, but I tend to research a lot before starting writing, simply because I like getting know more and feel more ready & confident about what I'm writing.
06. How much and often do you write? What is your writing habits? Do you have any patterns?- this also depends; I can write page after page, only to be unable to write for months. As for my habits, I prefer to sit in peace and just write. Because I also research while writing, I also need access to internet. Oh, and I always listen to music. Always.
07. Do you come up with plot(s) or character(s) first? How do you develop everything?- my ideas are usually plot ideas, but I only do a very rough plot outline before starting creating characters. I love making them up, which probably holds me back sometimes, because I'm too into them. Once I have my characters in order, I start writing the main story.
08. What style(s) and genre(s) do you usually write in? Why do you chose those?- I primarily write everyday short stories, often with a twist of angst. I have a relative short attention span, so despite loving to make up news worlds and so on, I write something that takes less time to explain. Angst because.. I like exploring darker aspects.
09. Do you write about the same theme(s) and topic(s)? Or does it vary much?- most of my writings have elements of homosexuality, and they also tend to have some sort of romance, but other than that they vary a lot; from school life to historical to war stories.
10. What style(s), genre(s), theme(s) and similar do you avoid? What is the reason(s)?- crime, detective, horror are all some I avoid, because they require good setup-payoffs in order to be good, and I don't have patience for that. The same goes with fantasy and supernatural, though I do try them at times.
11. What work piece(s) of yours are you most proud of? Why? Tell us about the process:- pieces like "Red Lips", "Timeless Silence" and "Kiss of Death" because they are short but still detailed enough to be somehow mystical and have deeper meanings. Also, works where I include philosophical thoughts, since I like thinking a bit abstract.
12. What work piece(s) of yours are you least proud of? Why? Explain why you think it 'fails':- my LotR-fanfic, for starters; it's way too horribly written and too cheesy. And "Big & Small", a story-gone-wrong, based on a TV sketch.
13. Who is your favourite author(s)? What is your favourite story(/ies)? What genre(s) do you read?- S.E.Hinton made create youth stories, especially "The Outsiders"; they are really touching. Dean Koontz' "Odd Thomas" is my preferred series, because it's dark yet witty and full of unique thoughts. Closely following that one is "The Big Devil War" and other works by Kenneth Bøgh Andersen, as they deal with serious topic and the supernatural in an equally witty way. Last but not least is Lene Kaaberbøl, the only author so far that made me fall in love with female protagonists. I usually read fantasy-themed stories.
14. Are there any (popular) authors and/or stories you do not like? What genre(s) do you avoid? Why?- Stephen King; I have deep respect for his ideas, but his writing style simply isn't my taste. "Carrie" passes, but I have given up on most of his other works, I just can't get through even the first chapters. One of my biggest story pet peeve is "Romeo & Juliet", I think it's absolute rubbish and terribly overrated. It disappointed me so much, I hardly can believe it's written by the same man who wrote "Hamlet".
15. What is your relationship towards other writers? Do you have a beta-reader? Are you one yourself?- I'm part of various writing communities and groups, but I'm actually not that close to them (anymore). I have done various beta-reading projects, but not anymore; I'm currently searching for a reliable beta-reader for myself.
16. How was your attitude towards writing in school? Has your writing style evolve since then?- I actually wasn't that fond of writing in school, because I felt it limited me, when I would rather just write from my own ideas. Of course, it was necessary to follow the school guidelines and it has taught me a lot, but it was kind of a "meh"-experience. Since I no longer feel restricted, my style has changed quite drastically since then.
17. Have you won contests? Have you gotten published? What is your plan(s) for the future? - neither won a writing contest, nor gotten publish; I'm working on getting published though, either self-published or through an agency. That's what I'm working on at the moment and hope to achieve in the future.
18. Freestyle -- add anything you wish:- I actually had reading problems in the first school years and had to attend special lessons with another student, where we read customized stories and used this reading machine. Then Harry Potter got published, and I haven't looked back since; today I read much more than the average 20-y.o., and I'm quite proud of overcoming this obstacle so well. Oh, and I write Asian-related fanfics, which I plan rewriting into original stories.
You can find it here: fav.me/d6mvgqw