Frequently Asked Questions
Before I had my own webpage, I seriously used to wonder if people really got asked questions or if they wanted to set the record clear and said, "Since readers have asked" to make themselves seem less pretentious. Well, I've since come to realize that I was wrong. So I apologize to other writers for my snickering and here are some answers for ya. If you've got any questions, EMAIL me. I promise not to bite. (Unless you're JC--because that NECK. RWOAR!)
Can I borrow one of your stories? Um...N-O! NO, NO, NO! Can I make it any clearer? Whether you call it borrowing or what, it's still plagerism and stealing. I don't write so that some insecure idiot somewhere can feel better about themselves by stealing someone else's hardwork. I don't claim brilliance nor profound fictional reading, but everything on this page is mine unless otherwise noted (meaning hosted stories of friends). Everyone has some creativity in them. You want to write a story, do it. Write it. In the beginning we all suck--trust me. You won't get any better if you continually use other people's stuff. If writing turns out not to be your cup of tea, well, find what you're good at. Everyone has their talents. I'm now a member of Zero Tolerance as well and if I find out that anyone has taken my stuff or the stuff of someone else, you will be outted and shamed on the burning stake of cheaters and losers.
What about archives? Can we host, archive, list any of your stuff? Yes, regarding my fanfiction. I do require a link back to my site and my name properly credited as the author. As long as I'm reserving due credit, i don't mind it being hosted. Just let me know so if someone contacts me, I know what's the what. it's a major "NO" to my regular fiction. I can't allow that for copyright/publication reasons. i need to be able to control how long those things stay up and such, so I can't be tracking down webmasters all over the internet...it wouldn't be fair to any of us. So don't archive my original stuff--I don't want to have to pull out my spoon on you.
Do you know Nsync? This is the number one asked question. Sometimes it's not even a question. Sometimes it's people who think I am Justin (which I find insulting. Couldn't I at least be Chris?), think I date one of the guys, or that I'm their best friend. None of the above are true. If I was in any of those situations, would I really spend my free time writing about them? If I was dating Lance, I'm sure I could find other ways to occupy my time, ifyaknowwhati'msaying. No. I don't know them. I'm not affliliated in any with with Nsync, Jive, or WEG. So stop asking me to pass along well wishes to Justin or asking for concert tickets. Thanks!
Is Stalker Stories true? I don't know if I should even justify this with an answer. See above.
If they're not true, how fucked up are you to come up with the Stalker Stories? Well, people, I'm sure my mother can relate. Not a day goes by that she doesn't say, "What are you? My punishment on earth?" Rarely do normal thoughts find a happy place in my head. I'm quite forgetful with normal things...but have a flash of Nick Carter missing an index finger and it sticks. Go figure!
Are you Orlando Bloom? No. I'm not Orlando Bloom. Why would I write stories about myself? Why would I have a huge-ass layout featuring his hotness? What kind of egomaniac do you think he is? I'm not Orli. I'm not anyone related to Orli or any other celebrity. I'm a fan. I'm a nobody girl from Jersey--for now, of course one day I'll be a somebody. Heh.
Do you really love Joey? No. This is a vicious rumor that can be traced back to three people: Sue, Anna, and Mandi. They think it's funny to say things like, "Tommy is Joey's soulmate" or "Tommy wants Joey bad." I'm thinking of sueing for slander. Really. Just because a girl has a Joey puppet and a Joey-on-a-stick rumors fly.
How about Britney? Do you like her? I LOVE Britney Spears. I wish I had her arms and those abs. I'm extremely jealous. People give her such shit and it comes down to having nothing better to do. I'm not saying you have to like her music--but if you don't like her music, why are you bashing her "slutiness" or "clothes" If we based liking Nsync on something like wardrobe, they'd have NO fans. I think she's pretty, she's talented (you try doing all her dances. I do it when I exercise and it's killer), if I was a guy, I'd totally *do* her, and if I had her figure, you better believe I'd walk around in her VMA outfit all the fucking time.
Do you think you're funny? because you're not-- Well, on occassion, I like to make with the funny. I'm considered the freak in my group of friends--the "funny one". But I'm not like Dennis Miller or Paula Poundstone who are like always funny and quick with the joke. I'm more of the Ben Affleck/kevin smith humor type. I use big words to throw people off and make them think I'm funny. I'm sarcastic and have these strange ideas that makes it hard to get along well with others. And yes, I'm all for mocking people. Don't worry though. I do it to their face, so I there is nothing wrong with it.
Did you always want to be a writer? Well, I wanted to be a doctor when I was little--but my dad went in the hospital and then I got scared of hospitals and pass out at the sight of blood...so then I wanted to be an astronaut. I did the NASA stuff for fun during my vacations...but got to eighth grade where math and science became a bit more demanding and realized, "Um...what the hell do I know about the symbol Pi and the speed of light?"...so I moved on again, and it's a real shame. I still have my Sally Ride memorabilia. But when I was around nine, I started writing because I read Harriet The Spy and I was like, "That's so cool. I need to do that." but people weren't nearly as amusing in my neighborhood and there is only so long that you can go on about Sister Bernadette and Must-Be-Victor Thames, the janitor at my grade school, and their illicit affair. So I started writing little stories...and stuck with it ever since. I just happen to be decent at it...
Why do you say you don't write for yourself? Well, here we go. I get a lot of flack because I say that feedback is important. Whatever. It is and any author that says otherwise is 1) either getting NO feedback and a bit bitter or 2) a fucking liar. I do write for myself and it's something I enjoy. But any writer wants their stuff read. Any writer wants to hear discussions about their stories (okay, maybe not fanfic, because I don't really see it as deep--sorry to burst fanfic writers' bubbles) and know that "wow, people are getting reactions from this whether it be good, bad, indifference." If you're really writing for yourself, stick with a journal and don't post it on a webpage. Albiet noble of you, I don't buy it for a second. So yes. I like feedback. I like all kinds of feedback. I even find the occasional, "you suck ass" funny. So continue to say that "writing is why I live." I can't help you, people. Frankly, you need to get a fucking life.
What happened to Not Yer Momma's Npync? Do you all hate each other now? Hehehehehe. I find this humorous that people are worried about my friendships. Don't fret, my pets. Matthey, Susie, and I are still chums. We don't hate each other. Susie is kinda over Nsync on a whole and Matthey was never really around a computer. So I was the only one updating and when we had server problems we took that as an omen. Don't read too much into things. If you want to read humor stuff of old, go here.
Do you like other fanfic writers? Do you see it as a competition? (ok, only one person asked me this, but it amused me that readers thing the fanfiction writers have duels in their spare time) No. I hate them all. Bastards, the lot of them. Hee-hee. This question cracked me up because I never realized that their was some sort of unwritten clique policy to writing fanfic. I was writing Nsync stories long before I created a webpage, more for lack of knowledge in how to, and sending them out to the three lists I was on. I never got into the whole ordeal of Nsync fanfic pages. But apparently, I'm missing something and frankly, it's disturbing. Like someone's writing, don't like someone's writing...i don't care. Don't bash them behind their backs. Don't get into petty fights that drag innocent people into them. It makes you look jealous and stupid. I don't like every writer I stumble upon. I move on to the next. But some of my best online friends are writers--from the popular to the unheard of--and frankly, they're the coolest people. I love their stories and while I'm sometimes jealous of their fucking amazing ability to create new stories, I don't think, "Well now I have to get more popular then her." Geez, I'm too lazy to do shit like that.
Will you write me a story? Do other writers get this question? I'm guessing yes...and no offense to those that have asked, but it's really annoying. I don't know you from adam and to write a story that develops who you are is insane. You get to know your characters rather well (or you should) and if you don't know the person that means creative licensing or having someone do some inane survey and waste time that could be spent writing. So I stick sometimes with friends for my muses. (I know they appreciate it.) I know them rather well and it's easy to put them into situations. Other times, I use random strangers. So no. Don't ask me to write you a story. Please. (Matthey would like it on the record that she is not insane. Well, she is, but not in the Stalker Story way. Apparently, she has talked to some Nsync fans out there who've read the Stalker Stories and got a bit scared of her when they met her. Of course, I maintain that was because she was wearing George Michael's outfit from the Wham Video "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go")
Where do you get your ideas for your stories? Um...my sick and warped mind. Usually, I'll be watching one of their specials or interviews with the guys and get this idea. Sometimes I take stuff out of regular life because, when you get right down to it, they are regular guys caught up in really extreme circumstances. One story was based on a movie, Sabrina, that I loved and I thought it would make a great fanfiction for JC. So I wrote it. I usually don't do that though.
What's the best way to come up with ideas? Brainstorm, read books (i'm not talking plagerize. Do NOT steal from other people. It's wrong on SO many levels.) and see how other's create characters. I've met a few authors in my time and the one piece of advice that they've always given is to "read, read, read..." It improves your vocabulary, it introduces new worlds to you, and it helps get ideas going. I'm also a big advocate of people watching. I spend my lunch at the mall with my notebook and I jot down things about the different people I see. People watching is great for any type of writing.
What's one thing I can do to improve my writing? (I 've gotten this from a few people, but I had never read their work...so I'm being general here) Get an editor or beta-reader. Trust me. Even if you are the grammar queen, even if you think your writing is beyond error, or if you feel like you NEED to get it up and don't have time for it...GET AN EDITOR...and make it someone who knows the difference between commas and semicolons or that the word "just" should not be in a story every FIVE seconds, and someone that is not afraid to say, "Look. This doesn't make sense here. Fix it." And that means you need to be able to take criticism. It's not always easy. I know this, but get used to it. That's life. If you want your story to be the best, you need someone else's input. I have a few different people that I use for editing because I can't catch all my mistakes no matter how many times I read over it. A really good story can be ruined when people have there/their or your/you're or here/hear confused constantly. Here are some words of advice from one of my favorite people in the world, Steven Spielberg: "...Most young directors/writers are afraid of the second take. It's my favorite. The first idea or draft or shot is a work in progress...the second and third are where things really start to come alive. Imagine the possibilities. Let your mind take over."
Speaking of Miss Storyteller...Do you really hate her? (again only one person asked me this, but I found it fucking comical) As some of you on my update list have noticed (and if you're on Ms. Storyteller's when she actually updates, you've noticed as well), she and I have some sort of war going. It's a joke, people. She is one of my best friends and my little Roy. We like to fuck around with people's heads and mock other things that are going on. Hey, if you feel left out, let us know. We'll gladly diss you in our update emails. So don't worry. Ms. Storyteller is safe from my wrath--and definitely loving Dubya Bush.
Will you link me? Sure. Send me the link. Now warning. I don't update my links page (or anything else for that matter) very often. So it might take awhile before you see your link on my webpage. Feel free to link me if you want (i'm always up for some free pimpage) but it's not required. I don't really care. Now, too...I don't have time to read every page that's linked, so if you have a problem with a page, don't blame me. I star or highlight the pages that I love. I can't love everything. There isn't enough time in my day.
Will you read my stories? Um...maybe? I don't have a lot of freetime, so I tend to avoid reading new authors. Sometimes when I'm bored, I'll stumble upon a page that I love and have to go back to. But I usually stick with the stories/authors I know. It's nothing personal.
Will you host my stories? No. I don't have time to sift through stories and choose who I will host and who I won't. So I stick with my friends, whose stories I'm usually reading anyway.
Speaking of updates, how often do you do it? Whenever I can. If you're looking for frequent updates, I can point you in the direction of some people that update about once a week. I give them mad props for that because I can't do it. Sometimes it's writer's block. Sometimes I'm not feeling anything Nsync and to write about them would be bad. Sometimes (especially with Stalker story) I'm not in a funny place. That story is insane and takes a lot out of me...it would all be quite unfunny and cheap if I updated it all the time. Sometimes I'm busy--I work full-time, go to school, and have tons of "real" writing to do. Professors look unkindly upon fanfiction--although I swear my advisor writes Highlander fanfiction. He seems the type. I update as often as I can. I really do. This page is a hobby for me. I don't get paid so it has to fall behind other things. I have friends that I like to see and hang out with...so deal, or move on.
Any other questions? Let me know!