...currently a very busy author.
Well I finally finished Becoming Bella Swan...it was very, um, interesting.
A must read, in my books...
I have actually spent some...time...with BellaFlan in real life. We met with a group of Twimoms back in October/10 and went out for dinner and to the 100 Monkeys concert in Toronto, Canada! Woot! We both live there and hopefully (she might not be hoping...) we'll get together again sometime, maybe to a movie...????
And..here we go!
December 22, 2010
BellaFlan: Hiya, are you ready for me?
me: can you give me a few?
BellaFlan: of course
me: just have a drink or something...
BellaFlan: drinks coke
me: alrighty
BellaFlan : yes
me: umm...who told you you could take the last Coke...they're always MINE!
BellaFlan: Sorry... I dropped a couple cherries in it. It's not the same though.
me: cherries? Weird
oh
ok
get
it
BellaFlan: Cherry coke, Canadian style.
me: ahh...Canadian, eh? Love it!
BellaFlan : brb - My kid is yelling for stuff.
me: k
BellaFlan: I might have to interrupt a couple times for him.
me: Do you celebrate Christmas? I sort of thought you were Jewish? Don't know where I got that idea from...and sure, no prob...I'll just make up stuff while you're gone..
BellaFlan: lol, no I'm Jewish. Husband is Catholic. We celebrate everything.
me: Good idea - expensive tho?
BellaFlan: Meh - having kids is expensive. Hell, in Toronto, breathing is expensive. You'd know this.
me: Too true..so this feels really different because I've met you in RL.
BellaFlan: LOL, yeah, was it spectacular for you too?
me: …and..usually I just imagine my victims..er subjects in their, you know, undies or naked...
BellaFlan: Well, feel free to picture me naked. I don't mind in the least.
me: Cool!
BellaFlan: I'm wearing pink elephant pajamas.
me: Pink elephants..huh?
BellaFlan: Yep. They follow me.
me: I was going to ask scratches first question off notes
So...this is my usual schpeal...and I could type it in afterward, but sometimes it's good for you to see...
If you don't want to answer any question, please rolls eyes just say 'no comment' or some-such journalistic mumbo-jumbo (my fingers are tired after that, so this should be a really short convo)
Clear?
BellaFlan: Sure. I imagine I'll answer everything, but good to know.
me: Question #4 (quit numbering them in order because I just couldn't keep track)
BellaFlan: lol, okay.
me: How are you?
BellaFlan: Good, and you?
me: Great. Don't interrupt...I'm doing the interviewing here!
BellaFlan: Oops. kay. I'm a wordy biatch.
me: Me as well...
Question #587:
How long have you been writing FF?
BellaFlan: Since September 2009.
me: (you blew me away with that answer)
BellaFlan: lol. shrugs it was succinct.
me: Question #44: (big words!)
I was going to say I don't know what it means, but it suddenly came to me. Ha! It's going to be a good day!
Oh wait...it's almost over...SHIT!
BellaFlan: It's not too late. Barely Twilight. Oh, no, I'm wrong. I should stop popping pills.
me: Yeah..have you looked out your window?
BellaFlan: I try not to. It's very dirty.
me: Pills?
BellaFlan: Makes me feel guilty for not cleaning
Yes. I like pills. Especially the ones that make the elephants pinker.
me: Never! I haven't cleaned in 6 months. Oh..ok..now I know what I'm dealing with (??)
BellaFlan: I feel far less abstract now.
Are we on to question number 6574 yet?
me: You must be psychic too...that WAS the very next one! (eerie)
BellaFlan: Get out of my head! There's already too m any people in here.
me: Mine as well...let's have a party instead!
BellaFlan: kay. I'll bring the confetti
me: I'll bring...well...um...ice. So...stop it!
I have to get my 5 questions in in the next 2 hours or I'm gonna dock myself..
or deck myself...I keep forgetting which it is.
BellaFlan: Don't dock yourself. That might hurt.
me: I knew you'd be the most difficult one...just knew it..you type too fast.
BellaFlan: I'm easy as pie.
me: wonders: what the hell was I thinking?
BellaFlan: shrugs I held a gun to your head and made you read BBS?
I do that. Helps with readership. Ask a question.
You know you want to. Actually, I think you fell asleep
me: All...right...
BellaFlan: in the back of my car, when I told you about BBS
me: What? Did not!!
BellaFlan: You were totally riveted. You did. I think you were drunk though.
me: I was NOT! I only passed out at the bar...
BellaFlan: You have a really pretty snore.
me: I do...wait...thanks J
BellaFlan: taps fingers
me: …slow torture...
pause, catch my breath, finger up ...wait
BellaFlan : Take your time.
me: Ah yes...I finally did finish reading BBS...
and it took me forever...it was a LOT to handle...
BellaFlan: Sorry. Yes, I know it's an "interesting" read lol. Kind of like peeling your skin off layer by layer
…ouch
me: True. Don't apologize. I...enjoyed (?)...it Where did you get the idea for it?
BellaFlan: Originally it was a dream based on the TV show House, believe it or not. I woke up in the show and couldn't find my way out.
No one believed me when I tried to explain they weren't real.
I thought it would be cool to write a subversive New Moon AU based on that premise
Thus, I created that crazy bitch Flanagan. She's me, only more fun at parties - Mary Sue Flanagan
me: Very interesting.
I've only had one really good dream with a premise for a story, I think, and it was about aliens...
didn't really know how to weave that into Twilight...
BellaFlan: There's always a way!
me: I know..actually Kiya Raven said she'd had similar dreams...
BellaFlan: Or you could, you know, write original fic coughs
me: Get serious!!
BellaFlan: I can't. It's a problem
me: Me as well.
So I listened to a podcast which you had posted last week...well not ALL of it..it was really too long and my attention span couldn't handle it..but it sounded really, really cool...
How often do you do podcasts?
BellaFlan: Yay! Glad you almost listened to it. We don't have a set schedule. Usually about three or four a month.
me: Well...I wasn't in it, so...
BellaFlan: lol, you want to be in it? Sometimes my mind wanders and I forget I am.
me: How do you do a podcast? (YES-sure? maybe?) I'm kind of better in written form...
BellaFlan: Twicharmed does most of the heavy lifting.
We record using call graph via skype and Kari (Twicharmed) edits using Audacity
It's all over my pretty little head ;P
Seriously though, we love doing it. Pimping fic is so much fun.
me: It sounded like a blast!
BellaFlan: Althea and Kari have become great friends! I love them.
me: Do you guys read all the fics you pimp?
BellaFlan: Of course. I'm a picky bitch.
me: How do you keep up?
BellaFlan: Not well. I don't think I've read as much as the other ladies. I work full time and write two stories.
me: Your girls , I mean...
BellaFlan: There's also a kid somewhere in this house.
Fics are submitted to us and we scan until we find something spectacular.
I also get recs from other authors and rec sites. We just recorded an entire episode on Rec sites.
me: Wow. You're some kind of awesome...
BellaFlan: Ah, no. not really. Obsessive? (more apt)
me: Next question: (absolutely!)
When and/or why did you first read the Twilight Saga?
BellaFlan: I read it on the recommendation of an editorial intern at work. I get excited when a younger person feels passionate about a story.
I found a lot of "kids these days" pulls up granny panties aren't interested in reading anymore.
I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I haven't come up for air since. Twilight is like a brain virus.
me: I know what you mean...It really is. Did you read it just the once through, or...?
BellaFlan: Fuck, no.
I read the books six or seven times before I found ff
Now I can't touch them. The FF I've found is much better!
me: I know what you mean...
BellaFlan: The books are flawed. But the universe Meyer created had such awesome possibilities.
me: But don't you sometimes feel like you need to get back to your 'roots'?
BellaFlan: Um, no really. Maybe in a few years I might crave canon.
The talent in the fandom ruined the books for me. We have much better writers in our community doing innovative things with fic.
me: I am in awe of all the amazingly talented authors as well.
BellaFlan: Go Team Twicrazy
me: Wooo-hooo!
Which was your fave book? ...least fave?
BellaFlan: New Moon
me: Why?
BellaFlan: I love Jacob, and I thought the breakdown of Bella was so compelling.
me: files nails
BellaFlan: The loss of the fantasy world broke my heart but inspired me all the same.
I think it's the book that spawns the best fic too. My least fave is Breaking Dawn
Probably for most of the reasons you've already heard.
me: I have...was going to say, I'm conducting a survey...a very slow one...but most seem to dislike BD to most.
BellaFlan: It's a disappointing ending. And a bit of a cop out.
Meyer sets up a grand theme of sacrifice in the books but the theme is never realized.
No sacrifice is made. I will admit to being a little fascinated with the imprint though.
me: Mmm-hmm... (no idea what you're talking about)
Yes...the imprint. Interesting...but super-weird. I mean..Bella's daughter?
BellaFlan: Yeah. There's a squick factor, for sure.
me: Kind of kinky for SM, yes?
BellaFlan: Oh, god, I hope not. Just... ew.
me: So..I know you talked a bit about this when I met you,but for the reader out there...
Do your friends/relatives/co-workers know you write FF?
BellaFlan: Some do. My husband, parents and good friends... I keep it secret from work, mostly.
me: What does your husband think about the whole thing?
BellaFlan: He finds it terribly uninteresting. He's read a bit of BBS. I based Greg on him.
me: I sort of thought you had.
BellaFlan : I'm soooo transparent lol
me: So Greg is not your husband's real name?
BellaFlan: Nope.
me: That's a shocker!
BellaFlan : lol. His name's actually Rob.
me: No way!
BellaFlan: Way
me: That's so cool...so you don't really have to click on all those Robporn picks being tweeted everyday...
BellaFlan: OMG, I'm so tired of seeing his name in my feed though!
me: I can imagine…
BellaFlan: He needs a new name…
me: Good idea...how about...Stuart...or...Blake?
BellaFlan: or Jackson?
me: oooh...
BellaFlan: MMmmmmm …He has big feet - Jackson
me: Really?
BellaFlan : You were there!
me: You went that close?
BellaFan: You saw him. I did.
me: Yeah...but I didn't see his feet!!
BellaFlan: They were large.
me: OMG . He was awfully cute
BellaFlan: He killed me…so cute.
me: …and the way his shirt was...all sweaty-like...stuck to his abs...
BellaFlan: Mmmm
me: …and his smile...and...
BellaFlan: It was crooked.
me: Yeah...but...who the hell cares.
BellaFlan: Oh, I like it crooked.
me: Mmmm....yeah
BellaFlan : Wait, what are we talking about?
me: Fuck if I know…
BellaFlan: Oh, yeah, his smile was nice too. lol
me: …and he was extremely...talented.
BellaFlan: His talent was... large.
me: …he had good knowledge of...his instruments.
BellaFlan: He played a mean organ.
me: !! giggles, blushing
BellaFlan: dreamy sigh
me: longer pause to cool down
(I'm so glad I fainted before he 'came' on)
I mean...
BellaFlan: Was it the proximity to my massive boobs? I have that effect on people.
me: LOL
Lots of factors..but prob that was the biggest
BellaFlan: They have their own orbit. That club was way crowded though.
me: You are so naughty...Yes, it was...and hot!
BellaFlan: …‘tis true
me: Moving on... Question #1000
BellaFlan: Wow, it felt like we just did 444
me: Do you have plans to write an original work? (shut up!)
Hey! Pardon me...
BellaFlan: I've written a few original manuscripts. They've never been published. I'm pretty sure they won't be.
But I love writing!
me: I just remembered...mine was an original...and then changed it! Huh! Oh sorry...yes your answer...rolls eyes
BellaFlan: My articles are published for work. Does that count?
me: Nope. Sorry.
BellaFlan: Damn.
me: Do you have a set time/day that you write? Question #2
BellaFlan: After my kid goes to bed. I try to participate in word challenges in the evenings whenever I can. On Thursdays I write drunk, lol
me: That was question #667!
BellaFlan: oops
me: I've been screen capturing your tweets on Thursdays...and...
BellaFlan: Vodka Thursdays?
me: Yes!
BellaFlan: lol. That was started by Katinki.
me: …but then..you moved it to include Fridays?
BellaFlan: We write drunk together once a week. No, we moved it from Thursday to Friday one week due to a scheduling conflict.
me: That sounds like FUN!! Wish I had non-sober friends to write with...
BellaFlan: Join us for Vodka Thursdays! All are invited to play!
me: Thanks! But..I'm more of a wino...is that ok?
BellaFlan: Whatever poison you wish.
me: Excellent! (said in Bob & Doug McKenzie's Canadian accent, eh?)
BellaFlan: hoser!
me: Okay..that was a REALLY REALLY long time ago...can't remember anything more...maybe because of all the...wait...nevermind..
BellaFlan: Was that a question?
me: I'm starting a new blog...and I don't want to give away all my stories of my wayward youth..
No, no question, I think scrolling up to check Nope!
Question #109:
What kind of music do you like? Do you have any sort of playlist for any of your stories?
BellaFlan: My tastes are eclectic. BBS invoked Nine Inch Nails, Jefferson Airplane, Tori Amos, Metric, Nirvana...
I'm a huge Tori Amos fan.
me: Flove NIN
BellaFlan: Me too!
me: I listen non-stop lately…I go through obsessive listening..
BellaFlan: Really captured my teenage angst.
me: But I just discovered them NOW!
BellaFlan: Really?
me: I don't know where I've been. Yes.
BellaFlan: They were popular in the early nineties when I was a teenager.
me: Feel like the past XX years of my life was...in a fog…well...
(you didn’t really think I was gonna tell ya how many fucking years it’s been?)
BellaFlan: It's still pretty foggy in here.
me: I just turned...(can't say it) traumatized
BellaFlan: You don't have to reveal it if it makes you uncomfortable.
me: It's been rough. Thanks.
BellaFlan: Aging isn't easy. Most days I forget I'm not sixteen.
me: I can tell you that having all of you young friends in the fandom has helped me deal...
BellaFlan: Awwww. You called me young. Ily!
me: yes! young...well maybe not deal...more deceive myself into pretending I'm young too.
BellaFlan: Regression is healthy for the soul.
me: I believe so. It has kept me insane.
BellaFlan: A good state. The taxes are hideous though.
me: I'm in hiding...taxman will never find me. I meet with your Edward under the bed...
BellaFlan: lol. Just brush off the mothballs. I miss writing Underthebedward. He was a fun fantasy.
me: When did you finish? I love fantasies...
BellaFlan: Um, I think in June.
me: So, your latest work - Stigmata Tomato...can you tell a bit about it...?
BellaFlan: Sure! It's an angst comedy. BBS was dark comedy.
But I wanted to experiment with a really strange blended genre
The angst is a little bigger than I'm used to writing and there are some dark themes.
This Bella is ridiculously funny though... and Edward has a rather interesting problem to overcome.
me: That sounds worthy of reading...I love funny.
BellaFlan: shrugs I hope so. It's not crazy convoluted like BBS was. Linear.
me: Yes. Back to BBS. Did you do research for all of the...various...symptoms/problems Bella/Flanagan had?
BellaFlan: I googled a lot of the pharmacology so I'm sure there are a lot of errors. The hospital I based it on (Southlake) is a real place.
My father-in-law spent some time in the critical mental health care facility there.
The landscape of BBS in my mind was always Southlake.
Shit, I never bothered changing the name of the hospital either.
me: Very interesting. And I remember you telling me about it being an actual place...where was it again?
BellaFlan: Newmarket. I picture real places when I'm writing. The pond she was attacked at is a real place too.
me: Wow. That's a great idea. I think I do that as well.
BellaFlan: I suck at writing physical descriptions. Most of the time my characters are floating in space.
me: Did you read my SR i'view? (funny-good idea for the next fic?)
BellaFlan: I read it a while ago, yes.
me: It was just funny...when he wondered where there was a 'bux near the CN tower...I had no clue..
I spent the night googling another location. found one! St. Lawrence Market.
BellaFlan: Um, there's one in the Metro Convention centre, I think.
me: Really?
BellaFlan: Yeah, pretty sure.
me: …didn't know that. Well it taught me that I should do more research...someone is bound to believe the crap I write..and wander through Toronto's streets looking for a Starbucks...could be dangerous...
BellaFlan: That shouldn't be too hard to find!
me: Now I'm looking for a theater that's close to one...know of any downtown?
BellaFlan: Dude, I live in the 'burbs.
me: Me too.
BellaFlan: Your stories take place in the city?
me: But you work there, so I thought...maybe...but geesh! You don't have to get huffy!
BellaFlan: lol
me: Parts of it does.
BellaFlan: No, I work in the burbs too. I just go into the city for conventions.
me: Ohhh...I thought...
BellaFlan: I hate commuting.
me: I bet..do you always drive in?
BellaFlan: Yeah. I don't do subways. OMG, I just sounded like a spoiled asshole
I mean, I get nauseous on the subway.
me: Oh...I thought you meant you didn't like submarine sandwiches...my mind got to wandering...
BellaFlan: Subs are yummy… meatballs.
me: I'm having the weirdest days ever...and yummmm
I'm not on my C game, at all...
BellaFlan: Aw... sorry to hear that.
me: We went Christmas shopping...for the first time...eek! I'm a little bit behind..
BellaFlan: Oh, god, yeah, I put it off too. I just bought my hubs a case of beer. I think he'll like it!
me: LOL Great idea!!! Thanks!
BellaFlan: Super easy!
me: I'll get that for my sons...too.
BellaFlan: My son's only four. I'd like him to have another ten years before he discovers he's Irish.
me: Good idea. #youaremotheroftheyearmaterial
BellaFlan: Thank you! What did we ever do before hashtagging? I love hashtags.
me: It's so much fun. I try and do it a LOT – I did a super long one today,like...4 lines long.
BellaFlan: #givemehashtagsorgivemedeath
#thisistheworldslongesthashtagever
me: #ihearyasistahandiagreewithyou100%
BellaFlan: lol
Dude, it's way past my bedtime
It's a work night
Last day before the holidays
me: Ok...be a wet blanket
BellaFlan: I know, I suck.
me: Wait..don't wet your blanket.
BellaFlan: lol
me: Thanks! so much for agreeing to this!!!!!!
BellaFlan: Was this interesting enough? I tried to be charmingI might have missed lol
me: You were ...lovely, my dear.
BellaFlan: Thanks for reading and taking the time to chat!!!Let me know if you're ever in need of a Vodka Thursday.
me: It was my pleasure! And ..for sure!!!
Good night.
BellaFlan: Mwah! Good night!
me: mwah
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