QuantumFizzx - Author Interview

I spent over 4 hours with a crazy person last evening...none other than QuantumFizzx, author of the insanely popular The Plan. This fic hit the FF community like a tidal wave and we are all riding that wave for all its worth. The ride is a blast, with updates up to seven times daily...and at random times. We put our schedules on hold, set alarms in the wee hours of the morning to catch the next instalment, no matter how short it may be. We have all caught The Plan Fever!!

I am so pleased to have gotten to know this amazingly talented woman and am now considering buying the house next door to hers and knocking on her door daily for a cup of sugar!! Right, QFX? I love you, bb!

I have also decided to take a cue from her and post this interview in stages or parts - to coincide with her postings...no matter what time of the day they may happen. Yes...I am also insane!! But I love it...and I hope you all will join us on this journey, too!!!

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Part One: 8:15 a.m. (CST)
So..we had a wee bit of difficulty connecting ( we actually lovingly refer to it now as the Interview from Hades)
Firstly our G-chat was extremely uncooperative, forcing us to scramble for ideas on how to connect. We think maybe Skype…then PM’s through FFnet…follow our journey…
Here is how the pre-interview began:

QFX:  I will try to reinstall gchat, because I would use it as well… I tried to install gchat on the desktop recently, but it was a no-go...
Well, that was a long way to say that I want g-chat, but it may not work. If it doesn't perhaps when can PM or email.
ME:  How about Skype chat? Or MSN chat?
It's just that my style of i'view is conversational and the methods you suggested aren't conducive toward that end.
QFX:  I was snoozing...I will retry to reinstall the gchat thing…

- QFX (unintentional pain-in-the-ass)

If all this falls to crap, is a phone call too crazy an idea? I promise I'll forget your phone number. Numbers aren't my thing.
ME:  Snoozing? I cannot understand why? (I was as well - your *cough* updates kept me up...)
so...as much as I would LOVE to chat with you on the phone (truly), I need to have your part of the convo typed out. I don't know how to do podcasts unfortunately (also am 'tech-tarded'- don't judge, I have issues).

Umm...I'm going to just spend a few minutes in prayer...that you will be able to get g-chat working, okay? *giggles*

I had this really great idea for posting the interview...and really, really want to do it--BAD!!
QFX:  Crap - Is this gonna take a camera? Or is it the typed only (about to try to download it - I'm going to risk it on the laptop)
I'm feeling like I look ridiculous right about now..
Yay! I got G-chat on my laptop!
ME:  You just made me laugh...no WAY in hell would I ever do a camera Skype chat...what are you insane??? Umm...stupid question...and...YAY!! See ya on G-chat!!!
Umm...(not sounding professional, at all) ...what is your e-mail address?? (who am I kidding?)
QFX:  Huge relief on the camera issue - I was actually relieved to know that the camera was gone & I couldn't do it that way!
Will you be fixing typos or should I take a great deal of time in my replies? Because I am oh-so-good at typos
 I hope the address is xxxxxxx - if not, we're in trouble ;)
ME:  Well...I have been known to 'forget' to edit my victim's...er...subject's side of the convo...(see QuietRuby i'view-but she was uncooperative and combative...).
 If you're really, really nice...we'll have no issues! ;-p
 I'll send the invite early...so we'll know... in 10...9...7..(oops- I suck at numbers, too)
QFX:  I'm on there. I signed up under xxxxxxx - if you don't see me, let me know

Part Two: 3:20 CST
ME:  I am waiting..can you accept the invite? I tried to send you email, but it failed :(


QFX:  I'll restart it - I don't see the invite. argh

ME:  ok if not..this might work (pm's)

QFX:  Do you FB? We could make a secret group there and convo…
 I invited you on G - I don't know why this isn't working but I'm not liking how dumb I feel right now

ME:    FB? Secret group? I kinda like the sound of that. How do you do that? (don't worry about feeling dumb...I can use it to humiliate you in our convo - LOL) ;)

QFX:  Nooo - no humiliating me - I am fragile! Fragile I tell you!
 I'm on FB as QuantiumFizzx (my apologies if we recently friended-up, I've lost track)
We'll get to be friends and I'll start a group - the invite to the group will show up in your feed & the group itself can be accessed in the left column underneath the icon for "Friends".
You have to be on the Newsfeed view to see it this way - if you go to your home page, it's a lot harder to find.
So, request me as a friend & I'll make the group & add you - you'll recognize it from the title ;)

ME:  Huh? (give me a sec - I have a separate account, but can't remember login info rolls eyes)

QFX:  Spelled my own name wrong! Quant Um Fizzx
Sooooo… enjoying the hassle of this interview so far?
Holy crap, I hope I tell you something worthwhile…

ME:   OMG--I am laughing so hard already...I don't know if I'm gonna be able to do this...had to set up account...wait for me...



Part #3  8:10 CST


QFX:  Crazierthan You - Is this you on FB? I was going to invite
I'll just hang out on FB and await the invitation to our WFX brand spanking new friendship ;)

ME:  I don't know anymore...I started a new one Kris Twi-Crazi --yeah...you'd better be my friend after all this!! I've done a search for you, but cannot find you...Where are you hiding?

QFX:  ok - you're new enough it won't let me find you. Please invite me. Of course we'll be friends - this a bonding experience! Like fighting in the trenches or something else traumatic.
Are you trying Quant Um Fizzx? (broken up in 3 parts)
I swear, this should be easier - why is this hard? Why are we cursed?I still can't search you.

ME:  Ok - I think I by some weird accident invited ALL of my G-mail account friends (!!) onto my FB (!!!) *cringe*SMH
We are def going to be friends until death...which might not be too long...if I can't find you..
Know what? I'm just going to go into my personal FB...just close your eyes, don't look at my pic...if you do...there will be hell to pay...js

QFX:  Odd. I should be easy to find. It seems a zillion people discovered me this week. This (FB) seemed like such a great idea... Sounds great! I'll watch for you!

ME:  None yet - My name is Kris R….

QFX:  Okay - just checking - you're going to invite me, right? I just have no idea which Kris R. is you? This process is making me want a drink. I can only imagine how irritated you are.

ME:  uncorking the bottle

QFX:  I am here - ask away!

ME:  I'm tired now...

QFX:  And we're done! Well, this has been fun. I am exhausted, for what it is worth

ME:  Yeah...thanks... ‎(I hope you have your eyes closed, btw...don't be looking at my pic)

QFX:  :) Your icon pic is really tiny, so no worries. You look lovey though.

ME:  How would I get this onto a doc- because I'd sort of like to post this fucking interview (sorry if language offends).

QFX: I did a lot of writing & showing to pre-readers this way - I ended up copy/pasting sections to Word - but whatever works for you.  (I love cussing)

ME:  FUCKING AWESOME!! Oh...yeah...interview.

QRX:  whatever fucking works ;)

ME:  So...how the fuck are you? I start with the fucking hard questions first...

QFX:  Other than embarrassed about this interview set up? Ok. I'll expound.

ME: Ok...you'll have to take it easy with the hard words, ok? Sorry...big words...me no-can-do.

QFX:  I am excited about the fic - and terrified in a way. That's good - I might not spell them right anyway ;)

ME:  I bet..I am soooo excited for you!! It must be surreal...


Part 4  - 2:47 a.m. CST

QFX:  It's been crazy. Surreal is the word I keep coming back to. I haven't processed it all.

ME:  I read in the Waywards i'view that you did some pic's which went crazy...can you tell me about that?

QFX:  The pics of Rob from Eclipse Con? I sent the file to JAG at Random Acts of Rob. She posted them & then they were everywhere. It was nice to see so many people like them. Even an Australian site.

ME:  No shit! You won't believe this but I had a similar experience. I did a translation of a Finnish mag article of Rob in April/10...it went viral (I sent it to RobPattzNews). It got well over 1 million hits.

QRX:  I still see some pop up. The one of Rob with the mic by his face & his finger in his mouth seems to show up the mouth. People made videos & stuff. I just saw a new post that used it last week.
1 million! I thought the hits for The Plan were staggering.

ME:  Hey...we're like Twins!! Destined to meet!
QFX:  I do belief it was fate!
ME:  So...what have you been doing? I mean..what happens when you're thrown into this melee? ‎(big word-impressed?- think it's even...French!)

QFX:  I am! Merci!

ME:  ;)

QFX:  What have I been doing? Related to the fic - going back over, running back through my beta, then having a major freak out over the date that I messed up. So, I was writing/re-writing. (Christmas Day- I really wanted the 2am/prologue revisited to happen on Christmas).
I've tried to make sure that the people that have been there for me the past year new I was busy but not "moving on".
I've also been trying to keep up with the one-in-lifetime things. The emergency rec pod cast the other night was amazing.

ME:  Ah...that must have been a nightmare...
So what the hell were you thinking ...postings in the middle of the night...?

QFX:  I thought it would a goofy/fun thing to do a few times. I think I didn't remember how many scenes I had set at weird times. I'm not complaining. Plus, I have been getting up at night to study for the past year (the house is quieter then) so I was a little used to it. I thought no one would care. Seriously, the first time the alarm went off in the middle of the night I thought it was just crazy of me to do this when NO ONE was going to care/get up to read it. But, by then I was committed to the idea and wanted to follow through.
ME:  I read your profile...you're studying to become a lawyer? Am I correct? How long has your schedule been this insane?
QFX: Yes, I am. I completed my English degree (CW - poetry) and was really at a crossroads about whether to go further for an MFA or to go the legal route and work for an admin agency. When I went back to school, I'd said all along that I would go on to be a lawyer, but there was an amazing writers' community at my school and I really enjoyed it.
My schedule has been insane since I became a mother. Seriously, these kids never sleep. It just got worse when I returned to school. Though, truthfully, I'd been sleeping more this past semester than in years.
ME:  I'm truly in awe...I know I've been saying that in my brief messages thus far...but truly. But how the fuck did you end up in FanFiction?
QFX: Well, I'll be honest about the attitude in the English department about Twilight, much less fanfic. The word "Twilight" was spoken in hushed tones. A dirty secret. One professor joked all the time about Star Trek fanfiction and the paperback novels...but she admitted to reading them.
 I did my Master's prose thesis work on an aspect of Harry Potter (which actually took some convincing to get clearance, but couldn't do another piece on Moby Dick or Middlesex)
I loved that & missed it. During break my first semester of law school, I just found myself looking for something that had nothing to do with torts. I found minisinoo's Finding Himself. I loved it. It was truly parallel canon and an amazing love story. It was a small jump to actually watch Twilight then and read the fanfic. I was hooked. There are some amazingly talented people in this area.
ME:  Umm..interesting... I agree with the talented people. It blows my mind! So would you say you were hooked on the story by SM or did you fall for RobPattz?
(psst...you're not supposed to get all high-falooting on me...! Dumb it down...I have a reader who is not that smart!)
QFX:  Rob.
I saw Rob in a video looking tipsy and adorable & thought "Cedric?" Then, I saw him in a Twilight poster somewhere and thought "Poor boy."
Then, I actually watched the movie and saw what the fuss was with him and the characters and the world. So, I read the books. The books are a different experience and I have to give SM credit for creating something that touches and inspires so many people. I enjoyed the books. They are fun.
I may not be able to concentrate very well if you keep mentioning Rob. js
ME:  So...do you have any posters of Rob in your bedroom or closet or ceiling? My reader really wants to know... (I actually loved the character, Edward, first...then....)
QFX:  I have no posters, but I'm not opposed. I think the last poster I had up was Aragorn in my office...
I do have Rob on my desktop, my cell phone wallpaper, and an app where I can pretend that someone is calling me if I need to get away from a conversation. It always says Rob is calling me. (Yes, that's an embarrassing confession)
If I'd read Edward first, I might've fallen for him first. He's an amazing character.
Having Rob on my desktop is quite a commitment. I have to open that up and take notes during lectures. I try to sit where it isn't seen easily...
ME: Let's digress...ROB..ROB...ROB!!!



QFX: That's new pic for me. You're playing dirty now ;)
ME:  I know... ;p

Part 5 - 8:03 a.m. CST

ME: Has your husband noticed any significant changes in your...um...behaviour?
QFX:  He's noticed that my hobby is virtually free, so that he enjoys. Honestly, he's not terribly supportive about it. I mentioned RAoR earlier. My husband still says "Is that Random Rob?"
The hub is also not very, um, adventurous. Kinky for him is the foot of the bed (I think that is a borrowed line from 'Friends') so I think I may terrify him now!
ME: LOL - too funny. Most authors I've talked to have said similar things. My fam thought I was about to lose my mind...they were on a 'watch'. It's all good now...but things are def different. You should get him to read one of the FF stories...give him ideas.
QFX:  Maybe a one shot. That sounds like him. (Yes, I'm terrible. He probably deserves it, too)
ME:  Are your kids old enough to know what the hell has happened to their 'mommy'?
QFX:  Yes and no. As far as the other fans I've met, the support structure there, I think they benefit from me having people who have similar interests. When we first relocated for me to do to school, I think I wasn't very happy & a bit too driven to study. Now, I'm right beside them doing my thing instead of tucked away somewhere. So, it's mostly a positive thing. I know they are aware. My eldest rolls his eyes but had good humor about it.
ME:  How about your friends? Do they know you write FF?
QFX:  Some do. I told a few from my old English dept. and 3 know at law school. They've all been receptive and supportive. One English friend now in Florida called me the other night and asking what was all this business about 'The Plan' that kept coming up in her Twitter feed. Another, who is in the Iowa Writers workshop, was a beta for my one shot Quoting Frost. She said they ended up having a big discussion in class the next day about erotica in literature. I thought that was funny in that what is in QF is a lime at best!
Oh, and another friend who is working on her doctorate did a paper on Twilight as a study in pedagogy of seduction. She called me to help find canon quotes to support her thesis that Edward is like an instructor about his world and as their relationship progresses, eventually Bella surpasses the instructor and begins to teach him. It all runs parallel to their level of sexual interaction. I don't know how I feel about her theory, but it was fun to be asked to help.
ME:  …

QFX:  Did that last answer bore you into a coma?
ME:  Huh? splashes water on my face
Wow...that is fascinating that it really has reached that level of awareness and discussion. Theses even!
That is also so crazy for you - having your fic reach that far, isn't it? It's like winning the lottery!
I can't even imagine what your reviews notices must be looking like. And what was your first thought the very first day you realized things were going into the stratosphere? (big word? nods)
QFX:  typing
ME:  look at Twilight/Rob watch, peruse through Rob pic's online, thinks: this must be another long-ass answer
QFX: typing
ME:  catch up on Cafe World dishes, which have been going moldy for past 8 months
QFX: still, fucking…typing
ME:  find long lost relatives through FB..catch up on past 25 years of their lives
       AND completes the hard edition of Sudoku
QFX:  Everything about all this is just beyond my wildest wishes. I think winning the lottery is a great way of putting it.
I really wanted more feedback on what I was doing, and that means reviews. But, I had no aspirations that this would happen. More than anything, what means the most to me, is when I see people saying that they felt like this thing came along and so many people joined in that it felt like a community again.
Also, a lot of people have said it was a nice distraction for them during this time of year. Honestly, I had hoped it would be a pleasant distraction for the couple of people who had already told me they would read it. So, it looks like that worked for a lot of people.
The notices are huge. I keep expecting some sort of warning. I took to trying to answer from ff. Now, the unread emails in my inbox is staggering. To be clear, I'm reading the reviews on ff, not ignoring them.
I was just talking with a Fanfic anon friend about we were joking that on day 2 or 3 that The Plan already had more reviews than my angst fic The Blessing Ring had in its whole run. The, about 24 hours later, something happened. I don't know what. It was about day 5 that I was like, wth is going on? I think there are some people I need to thank in a meaningful way for recommending...I just need to figure out who they are.
Wow - I should type faster.
Or, maybe it's a good thing - sounds like you got caught up on a lot of things ;)
ME:  Yeah, thanks! You really had me focused.
I think there had to have been some serious rec'ing going on ...hard to know who though, I would think.
I've only been in the fandom/Twitter a short time, so I don't know any different, but it has been nice to see people coming together, discussing The Plan.
How long have you been around the fandom?
QFX: typing


ME: paints toenails
QFX:  I watched Twilight for the first time last November. Then, I saw New Moon in the theater a week or so later. I started talking to deb24601 on RAoR about then, too. So, just over a year. I felt like I really became a part of it when found Fanficanon on FB.
So, just over one year. It's been a great year.
ME:  So, we actually have been around almost the same amount of time. When do you write? What with your studies and family...
QFX: typing
ME:  googled how to make your own wine and create a home business
QFX: When do I write? Well, I wrote some during lectures con law lectures this semester...
For the most part, I went write when everyone goes to bed &/or in between reading assignments. The hours between school and bedtime belong to the kids.
I'll have you know I can multi-task, too! I'm fixing late night snacks for the boys & trying to do this! ha!
ME: typing
QFX:  bakes brisket
ME:  It sounds like you are very disciplined. That is obviously a good thing for you, given what you need to accomplish each day. I tend to hyper-focus on say, the writing, and then everything else goes to pot...
How much sleep do you exist on?
QFX:  typing
ME:  knits afghan for sick kids in hospital, booties for babies in nicu ward
QFX: typing
ME:  dreams about saving the world from evil
QFX:  You can knit an afghan and booties in 2 minutes? I'm impressed!
ME:  I started on them during your previous long-winded answer...           
Are you going to answer my question? Geesh...authors! Easily distracted...
QFX:  I think I let too many things slip. I've not met the health goals I've set for myself in a long time.
I really do like sleep & would sleep more if I could. But, on average, I get about 6 hours. That's not enough and I know it.
I can give one word answers. No problem. 
My answers will probably only consist of 'yes' 'no' and 'Rob'

Part 6 - 12:11 p.m. CST


ME: So now that you've become a BNA...are you going to ignore all of your old friends?

QFX:  Rob
ME:  rolls eyes

QFX:  Oh - am I a BNA? I thought I was more of a comet.
FerlaV was teasing me about all this & I told her she needed to bring me some peeled grapes if she wanted an audience with me. I don't think I've changed at all.
The one word answer: No
ME:  typing
QFX:  reads computer manual
ME:  typing
QFX:  refinishes hardwood floor
ME:  You defnitely are - at least I think so...
So funny..yesterday my fam and I were talking about my writing...and it came up about BNA's...and I just killed myself laughing...blah…blah…blah…They thought it must be a pretty crazy place to be...I think.
**special note: “blah…blah…blah… = embarrassing convo for interviewer, so by the power vested in myself, I deleted it!! Ha!!**
QFX:  contemplates wisdom of teasing person conducting interview
ME:  glares at you
QFX:  Oh, what does it stand for? I thought it was 'Big Name Author'
ME:  yes...you do sound very grounded...shines your shoes
Oh shit! You're right!!! (again – the ‘power’…you’ll never know wtf that was about ;))
QFX: points to a spot you missed
ME:  Good thing I'm doing the editing...hah! And about the editing thing...
QFX:  ohh, dearr... Hao bahd ehm EYE ggoingg two looke?
ME:  You're getting close to crossing that line...of pissing me off...and then...poof! I forget to correct any errors and may even ADD some...js snickers, points to 2 lines above
I have ALL the POWER!! Bwahahahaaaa
QFX:  So, what are your favorite cookies? You know, in case I need to bake some for you.
ME:  Oh...giggles I love white chocolate, macadamia nut, please...you're very sweet...
QFX:  I actually can do that... Re-made dough on-hand right now
ME:  Yeah? That'd be f-awesome!! Umm...what is 're-made' dough?
QFX:  Have you asked a question that I haven't answered?
ME: I haven't the foggiest...let me check scrolls up...are you bored?
QFX: No. Not bored. Freaking out about tomorrow's updates.
ME: Nope - you're good. You actually have asked the last 3 questions...so who the hell do you think is really doing the interviewing here?
Let me get one in, ok? rolls eyes
Do you feel guilty for making a whole whack of women lose sleep trying to stay up or wake up early to catch your updates?
QFX: typing
ME:  wins Nobel Peace Prize for patience during an interview of a BNA
(I have lofty and honorable goals)
QFX:  I'm actually really flattered that people read it & are into it. I'm not finding the right words to express how I feel. It's an amazing feeling. I've laughed at the messages (yes, plural) about people who have snuck out of parties to read. One person said they went to the bathroom to read their phone often enough that others thought she was sick.
ME:  That's cute! Do you really read each and every one?
QFX: I read every review until the 23rd when I just wasn't getting the corrections made fast enough to get the days right. I read a bunch more today. I think reading them is the least that I can do. I want to reply more, but it simply isn't possible right now. I hope they don't mind getting messages after the fic is over.
ME: Why? And I assumed you had it all planned out...so you'd know exactly when you're ending it...
QFX: I do have it planned out and it has been mostly written (and wanted all written) before posting began. I think there are only 3 tomorrow. I'm still playing with it. I'm dreading tomorrow.
What I'm dreading is that I wrote this for what makes sense for these characters in this time frame. The time frame is up -- I'm fearing that people will be upset that there isn't a church wedding or something at the end.
ME: ...no ...wedding...? pouts
QFX: I'm not saying they would never get married or there is not a happy ending. It's a comedy. I think that means it has to have a happy ending.
ME: I really and truly hate to say this...but I want you to get some sleep before tomorrow...and I have to get organized as well...
You 'have' to figure out the G-chat thing or do Skype, though...okay...or this friendship is OVER!
QFX: Will do. It's worth it, these sacrifices for our friendship XD

And with promises of future convo’s and an ongoing friendship, we bid adieu to this exciting ‘chapter’ in the life of QuantumFizzx.
You do truly love you, bb!
Hope you all enjoyed this! Thank you for reading!! Please leave some love for us!!

(p.s. I have issues with fonts and shit on Blogger, so don’t get on my case about all the fuckery above)
Category: 9 comments

9 comments:

Kelly said...

her name has 2 zz's in it..not 2 ss's.

cant wait to read your interview! she is super nice and love her fic.

LaMs_Rob_le said...

he-hee..knew that...I was just in the process of setting this up for the morning..and didn't think anyone would see it yet..

ELLC said...

We desperately need to have this story re-written from EPOV. However this time, WE NEED to have deets - all the deets. Love the story and can't wait for more.

Anonymous said...

where's the rest of the interview?

LaMs_Rob_le said...

Read the intro, bb!! It's going to be posted in parts alonside The Plan's updates...

FYI said...

I'm also one of the Plan addicts. Super excited to read more about the interview.

bzwifenmom24-7

Luxie said...

Great, albeit cuh-razy idea, to post the pieces of the interview coinciding w/ QFX's postings. You lucked out tho.. I don't think there's a 3 or 4 am one in there today :)

I agree ELLC, I think a EPOV is pretty damn well imperative. But think I'd only want to read it when the original BPOV story is over and done w/ :)

Lux123

ELLC said...

I agree Luxie - though I couldn't imagine QFX's writing a full length ff while writing this story and posting at all hours of the day! I'm greedy but not that greedy.

A sequel from EPOV would be amazing. I need to have all the blanks filled that QFX's has intentionally kept out of this story.

QFX's if you can hear me... SEQUEL PLEASE!

Anonymous said...

I am pissing myself laffing at the process you went thru to get connected for the interview, thanks for postIng this, it was hilarious. Can't wait for more!

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