[HogwartsMarauder]

Hello Everyone!
I started this thread in case anyone had any questions. About me, the plot, etc.
So, feel free to ask away!

<X:-) HogwartsGirl618

[cedriclover]

hey there.

what is your favorite ship?

your favorite genres to read?

favorite day of the week?

[HogwartsMarauder]

My first questions! Why thank you for dropping by

What is your favorite ship?
I've really enjoyed writing "Safe"- which is a Dramione. But I love reading Sirus/OC, James/Lily, and Harry/Hermione as well.
I actually just read a story that made me want to look into Oliver/OC a bit more- Settling the Score, by A Fountain Pen.
I think I'm going to start branching into lesser characters in my next works- as there's more to create. It's more challenging.
When I get good enough, though, I have to write Sirius/OC. Because he's my favorite character

Your favorite genres to read?
Romance I like Drama and Humor as well.

Favorite day of the week?
Hmm....Saturday! Saturday mornings are brilliant. I wake up, and have a heart-attack thinking I'm late for school. Weekly.
But then I lie there- thinking how lovely it is that I can.

Thank you for such lovely questions!
Sarah

[alanapotter17]

Greetings once again my dear! How are you this fine day? I hope all's well! And I have some questions for you

Why did you choose to write a Dramoine fic?

WHERE do you get your inspiration from?!

Are you allergic to anything?

Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? Either yes or no, do you think that it would have an impact on your writing?

Do you speak any foreign languages?

Do you think you'll be writing more stories? If so, do you plan to wait until you're finished Safe?

I think that's enough, yeah? I absolutely ADORE your story! I've said it everywhere else, so I figured I'd add it here too . I'm pumped to be able to review chapter 11!

[HogwartsMarauder]

Greetings once again my dear! How are you this fine day? I hope all's well! And I have some questions for you

1) Why did you choose to write a Dramoine fic?

2) WHERE do you get your inspiration from?!

3) Are you allergic to anything?

4) Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? Either yes or no, do you think that it would have an impact on your writing?

5) Do you speak any foreign languages?

6) Do you think you'll be writing more stories? If so, do you plan to wait until you're finished Safe?

*attacks with hug* Alana, I'll have you know that you are my favorite person ever And I hope you are having a fantastic day as well.

1) I was talking to a friend on the phone. And her question was, if you want to find out who a person truly is, do you give them everything, or take everything away? My answer was take everything away - but she thought that you should give them everything, and see what they do with it. Dramione goes back to the argument that, when you take everything away, you rapidly break down a person's walls/pretenses- and discover who they truly are. What you are, or are not willing to do when you are in pain defines you. For me, in Dramione, someone has to shatter - that's the only way it could ever happen. The question Dramione hinges on is, what do you do when you're shattered? So I had this epiphany on the phone, and set to writing.

2) I would say mainly, what I go back to when I get lost, is music. The first thing I ever wrote was a song called for the piano called "Safe" - and that's where the title for the novel came from. When I don't know what Draco would do, or what he's feeling, I go back and listen to a bit of my music library. Music by artists who are delving into emotions your characters are experiencing is ridiculously helpful. It gives you deeper meanings to go off of and explore.

3) Nope. But I now know to give you cookies dunked in coca-cola, rather than milk

4) Yes- I've traveled foreign countries. And I think that affects who you are as a person- so it must affect how you write.

5) I speak French. I actually have to read Harry Potter in French class. My teacher thinks I'm brilliant. I haven't gotten around to telling her I've got the whole thing memorized in English. But I'm about to enter French V AP, so no more HP *sigh*

6) I'll have you know I almost wrote an A/N about this, but it got nixed because I didn't want to freak anyone out by leaving, then mentioning writing a different story As a Safe-coexisting side project, I'm in the process of writing a Harmony one-shot - probably I'll finish that in July, when I can't work on Safe and am deprived of my laptop.
After Safe, I actually intend to post another novel. I started it a couple of weeks ago- so I am not quite sure if I like it yet or not. It's a Draco/Harry/Astoria triangle called "The Fall" - and I have absolutely no idea what the storyline will be. My plan is to have a general, coherent mental picture and a couple decent chapters by the time I finish Safe, and start editing and posting after Safe is finished.

Thank you for your lovely questions! It has just occured to me that you may have an MTA page *goes off to search*
And I'm really excited to see the next chapter of "Give A Little"

[alanapotter17]

Yayyy!! Now I'm replying to your answers, cause I thought of stuff to say, and a couple more questions

Haha, firstly I want to mention that the French versions of Harry Potter were the only way I could ever study the different past tenses (passe compose/imparfait) and get them right on exams! Haha, and my teacher just thought I was an overachiever. I wish we were assigned them! The only thing we read was The Little Prince, ou, en francais, Le Petit Prince

And I totally thought you had randomly pulled the title 'Safe' out of the story! I saw it a fair number of times when I was reading and thought such, but now! You wrote a song for piano! Power to you! That's awesome, I would never even fathom trying to write a song, much less doing it.

So more questions:

1. Is Draco or Harry your favorite character? Either way, why?

2. How do you choose which characters to write about (as your main character)?

3. Did you ever play sports?

4. Which chapter is your favorite? (Yes I handed this right back to you! It was the HARDEST question ever!)

5. If you could be ONE character, who would you choose? If it's different then your favorite, why?


Okay, I think that's enough... I'm far too verbose for my own good

[GinnyLilyana]

Hello

You gave me such a wonderful...review thingy on the challenge boards I thought I'd stop by and ask some questions Since alanapotter17 really likes your writing, I'll be reading Safe too now...

You've been to different countries? Which ones?

Do you play any other instruments?

I also love music. What kinds of music/bands/singers/instruments do you listen to?

Are there any people in your life that have affected the way you write or see writing?

[GinnyLilyana]

Oh, oh, oh!

It's my turn to be a fangirl!

I started reading Safe but then I got all caught up with my writing!

*jumps up and down*

I get to finish it now

[HogwartsMarauder]

You guys are both so amazing! You've written such lovely, wonderful stories- I can't even make myself believe you like Safe - I cannot thank you enough for reading it It's so surreal. Thank you so much for stopping by! *attacks with hugs*

1. Is Draco or Harry your favorite character? Either way, why?
This is the hardest question ever. Ever! How can I choose? On one hand, I grew up with Harry, I know him so well. He's so heroic, sacrificing, noble- he's the best friend you could ever have, and in the books he's honestly the better man. But I'm attached to the Draco I've written- and he's just so flawed, but he's worth saving- he's so complex, and he's in so much pain. And he's cunning- he's sharper than Harry, he's brave, he's methodical, but not detached. I'm going to feel terribly guilty! I really, truly am having mental warfare here. I don't think I can choose someone over Harry in the real books. But in Safe, Draco is my favorite to develop.

2. How do you choose which characters to write about (as your main character)?
I think I get in Hermione's head more, because her mind is much, much easier for me to understand. Draco's the hardest character for me to write, but he's also the most important for me to get right. I flit around- the glories of third person- but I know I'm limited by the fact that I could never deal with what Draco does. I could never be Draco, but I could be Hermione. In that sense, she a much more practical choice because I convey what she feels much more accurately. Safe is Draco's redemption, as seen through the eyes of Hermione. I think Draco is the main character, despite how much we see through Hermione's perspective.

3. Did you ever play sports?
In Middle School I played volleyball- and in Upper School I play tennis. Not as fun as writing, let me tell you

4. Which chapter is your favorite? (Yes I handed this right back to you! It was the HARDEST question ever!)
Vengeance Come on, have mercy please! Question 1 was brutal!
I really enjoyed Chapter 6: Draco- the one where the chapter summary comes from. But I'm really afraid to say that-because as I'm going back through the early chapters and editing, I want to go hide under a rock; I'm mid-way through Chapter 5 right now, so I'm afraid Chapter 6 is terrible. But I loved writing it. I think Chapter 14 is going to be the best in the novel.

5. If you could be ONE character, who would you choose? If it's different then your favorite, why?
I've always been able to relate to Hermione- and I think I understand her and Harry the best out of any characters in the series. In HP in general, I think I would want to be her. She, Sirius, Harry, and Draco are my favorite characters.

Okay, I think that's enough... I'm far too verbose for my own good
*looks up at ridicoulsy long post* You are not alone.

1) You've been to different countries? Which ones?
I spend every July in overseas in an academic program. I've studied in Oxford, Paris, and I'm shortly off to Cambridge. I've also been to Switzerland and Canada, and I get to go to Italy this summer, too I'm excited- but not being able to write will be terrible.

2) Do you play any other instruments?
Nope My brother is good a guitar, and I'm really quite jealous.

3) I also love music. What kinds of music/bands/singers/instruments do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of rock- but I'm into all sorts of things. My favorite bands would include AC/DC, Led Zepplin, the Beatles, White Stripes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Coldplay, Shpongle, Talking Heads, The Doors, Aerosmith, Flight of the Conchords, Sigur Ros, William Shatner, King Crimson, Nirvana, Ray LaMontagne, Jack Johnson, Belle & Sebastian, Sufjan Stevens, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, and Fela Kuti.
Sorry for such a long list I'm also into classical music- listening to a lot of Debussy and Vivaldi right now.

4) Are there any people in your life that have affected the way you write or see writing?
I'm a twin- and when I was younger, I was always told not to dabble in English. My sister was the considered the writer, and I was percieved to excel in math and science. It was a distinction of sorts my parents and teachers made to attempt to increase my feeling of identity, and to make me understand that I was expected to be more academically promising. It didn't promote my identity- it squashed it. I hated school.
In eighth grade- my school makes us take benchmark writing exams- and you're scored on a scale from Poor to Excellent- and that determines what English classes you take in high school. My favorite teacher ended up grading my paper, and it was done anyomously- he didn't know it was mine. At the time, I had no self-confidence in my writing whatsoever. But on my paper, he wrote "An oasis in a desert of mediocre writing- keep writing, you have the talent for it." I've never told him, but that utterly changed my life. It gave me the courage to go after what I wanted, which I had never done before. Hearing I wan't terrible at writing was earth-shattering. Getting positive feedback on Safe is still earth-shattering. Hopefully, that doesn't sound too cheesy

This post has been edited by HogwartsMarauder: 10 June 2009 - 04:13 AM

[GinnyLilyana]

First off, I just finished chapter 10 of Safe, and I'm so angry that there's not another chapter, I want to cry . But, I lovedit. Lovelovelove. It was very good.

Wow, I guess that gave your parents a run for their money, eh? I don't like to go by what's expected of me either.

We have the same taste in music

Well, I hope you have fun this summer! I'm green with envy - I live in the States and don't travel much. My dream has always been to go to Paris and go to the Louvre and see the Eiffel Tower.

I know what you mean about the getting feedback stuff - Every time I get a positive review for The Wrong Road, I want to jump up and down like a maniac.

This post has been edited by GinnyLilyana: 10 June 2009 - 04:24 AM

[HogwartsMarauder]

First off, I just finished chapter 10 of Safe, and I'm so angry that there's not another chapter, I want to cry . But, I lovedit. Lovelovelove. It was very good.
Wow, I guess that gave your parents a run for their money, eh? I don't like to go by what's expected of me either.
We have the same taste in music
Well, I hope you have fun this summer! I'm green with envy - I live in the States and don't travel much. My dream has always been to go to Paris and go to the Louvre and see the Eiffel Tower.
I know what you mean about the getting feedback stuff - Every time I get a positive review for The Wrong Road, I want to jump up and down like a maniac.

I'm so happy you liked it! *runs around skipping and punching the air* You're really so, so nice to read it.
Doing what's expected is terribly overrated. Tee hee And I hope you have a good summer as well! I know what you mean about wanting to travel- I never went anywhere until about eighth grade. Video game summers were my childhood 007 Nightfire all the way.

And the next chapter of Safe should be validated any day- and I can't wait to see your new stuff! I'm so excited!
*hugs*

[GinnyLilyana]

Ahh!

007 Nightfire was my game! I used to beat the crap out of my Dad on that game! *does a jig*

Ooh, I'm so excited! Hopefully the first chapter of The Wrong Road: Doubled Back will be validated soon.

*hugs back*

[alanapotter17]

In response to your taste in music that GinnyLilyana asked about... I LOVE the RHCP and the Beatles!!! Gahh... epicness. A few more questions, as I have to try and compete with your awesome ones.

1. Which Beatles song is your favorite? Is there some kind of event linked to it?

2. If you had to learn another foreign language, which would you like to try? Excluding French, as you've already taken it

3. Say I give you a random object, like... a flag. and say that you need to incorporate it as a major part in a fanfic. How do you think you'd go about doing that?

4. What types of books do you like to read? Excluding HP, as that's obvious


That's all I've got for now... I need to go to bed! Eep!

[HogwartsMarauder]

Hey Alana! Now I'm excited because I get to go check out your answers
You like RHCP and the Beatles? Well, that's just downright exciting

1. Which Beatles song is your favorite? Is there some kind of event linked to it?
I've become huge fan of Eleanor Rigby - I'm fascinated by the psychological element behind it. The idea of masks, and why we wear them has always been an interesting theme for me. Of all time- I'd have to say Penny Lane- because my dad and brother played that the most when I was younger Nostalgia. "And the fireman rushes in - in the pouring rain - very strange." I can't count the number of times I heard it on the way to school when I was younger. Love it, love it, love it.

2. If you had to learn another foreign language, which would you like to try? Excluding French, as you've already taken it
Hmm.... I'd say Italian. I love art- and in Renaissance museums, not being able to read the actual name of a painting is frustrating. One of the realizations
that French has encouraged is that you cannot say the same thing, with the same meaning, in a different language. I'd like to be able to see what the descriptions
and titles truly means in Italian. Reading classical music titles would also be helpful...

3. Say I give you a random object, like... a flag. and say that you need to incorporate it as a major part in a fanfic. How do you think you'd go about doing that?
I would consider what I am good at writing- strengths and weaknesses. Emotional mushness is not at all my forte - so I would definitely want to make the object have plot value, rather than sentimental value if it's a major part of the fanfic. Example - secret flag raised by the Death Eaters outside meeting places, so they can recognize eachother, but not be given away by the Dark Mark- yes. Flag given to Hermione by Harry the second before he died, spattered with his blood that she holds close to her heart and touches to relive the glorious memories she shared with him- no.
Then I would ask who could use it effectively. Is anyone in dire need of a flag? No? Would someone trade everything they have for a flag? No? Then might anyone be clever enough to derive a special meaning for the flag- if so, who? I'd ask myself questions until I worked out an answer with enough significance.

4. What types of books do you like to read? Excluding HP, as that's obvious
I would say I read either books that have either extremely gifted storytelling or an extremely powerful message.
For instance, there's a book I adore called "Summers at Castle Auburn" - which is a romance. The characterization is rich, the storytelling is good, and the style of writing is just my cup of tea; it is not high octane literature, but I read it because I love it, and the plot. Then go read a bit of Dickens or Tolkein - who did write high-octane storytelling literature- to balance out the storytelling equation.
Lately, I've read much more of the second type- ones with powerful messages- ones that you can't read more than two chapters of at a time without feeling emotionally drained. Those are the ones I've become addicted to- because they truly make you want to do something. One non-fiction example I'm currently reading is "Sleeping with the Devil" (not about what you think it is =) by Robert Baer. And that just is emotional vortex of doom. You feel like you've learned/experienced something valuable when you read it- it helps define your ideals.
*hopes that made sense*

That's all I've got for now... I need to go to bed! Eep! *sends hugs* hope you sleep well Thank you for such lovely questions!

[alanapotter17]

Alright! I'm back! Now for more questions! *rubs hands together*

But firstly, I LOVED your reply to the random flag question.... I may make that into a challenge... Yes! I think I shall.

1. When you're writing, what do you see? The setting? The characters? Is everything clear to you or is it just one big blur that you embody with only your words?

2. Who is your favorite Tolkien character? (His novels so happen to be some of my favourites as well!)

3. Which place do you have to see before you die?

4. How about your favourite colour?!

5. On the topic of sunglasses - do you like big lenses, or no?

6. And why haven't you finished writing the next chapter of Safe! You're killing me here!
Heh. JUST KIDDING!

I really really was just kidding! I couldn't help prodding you a bit. And some of these are a tad random... but that's the kind of mood I'm in tonight, heh. I just kinda used the stuff on my desk here to give me ideas. But it's fun that way! Hope you're having a good night!