Interviewz!
Never did get around to writing my uber-profound (HAH) turning-forty post on my birthday on Monday. Is that cheating? It feels like cheating.
But to make up for it in some small way, I have *two* entries in the ever-loving, ever-circulating Interview Meme. ;)
The rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "INTERVIEW MY MAGNIFICENCE, PEON."
2. I'll then respond by asking you up to five questions. You will answer them, because you like talking about yourself.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
The Q&A:
From twilight_mash (Twi, hon, I am SO VERY MEA CULPA that it took me over two months to answer these! *abases self*):
1. Top 5 shaggable Eddie characters?
Well, geez, I can only pick 5? Eddie ALWAYS = shaggable, except possibly in Stand and Deliver and most of The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit ... but I'll do my best.
Chocolate should be eaten, drunk, slurped, allowed to melt on the tongue, bathed in, smeared on to a lust love interest of choice and licked off ... you get the picture. (pops another dark chocolate malt ball) :9
3. (I asked Kim this but it's a good question) If you got to ask THE MAN any one question, what would it be?
If I got to ask Edward James Olmos (I'm assuming you're referring to him and not God. ;) one question ... boxers or briefs? No, no, it would have to be something respectful. I would probably wind up asking him what projects he's involved in, just because a) actors never get tired of talking about their current work and b) I'd want to make sure I don't miss it!
4. Best book you've ever read?
Only ONE?! You harsh wench, you! ;) I'll have to go with The Lord of the Rings on this one, if only because saying "anything by Lois McMaster Bujold" would be cheating.
5. Battle weapon of choice?
My sense of danger-avoidance has been finely honed by watching three older sisters get in and out of scrapes. When that fails me, I rely on razor-sharp wit. Mine, by preference. *cough* But I do think it would be rather cool to master the yawara. Not likely to happen, but cool. B^)
From datsue (who still hasn't responded to my 10 Weird Things tag. ;):
1.) If you could specialize on a certain animal (as a vet tech), which would it be?
Guinea pigs, undoubtedly. I've had them as pets for years, and they're extremely gentle little animals. I'd get stressed out monitoring them under anesthesia though.
2.) What's your deep dark writing secret?
I have a few, if we're talking about my writing process. I'll let you in on one that I don't think I've spelled out before, at least not here on lj. It is this:
I have to get my own brain out of the way.
Yeah. I could probably take up a lengthy post trying to explain the concept fully. For now, like Inigo Montoya, I will sum up. Please forgive any resulting oversimplification.
We've all read fan fiction that's completely out of character. We've all read original fiction with uninspired, stereotypical cardboard cut-outs in place of characters. Sometimes such writing is the result of laziness, but even when writers are putting in an honest effort, we can still fall into the trap of bringing too much of me into the characters. Too much of my point of view, too much of my values, too much of my wish-fulfillment, too much ME.
"Getting my own brain out of the way" is my description of the mental process I use to avoid inflicting too much of myself on the characters I write. The process will differ for every writer, but it should involve experience, observation, listening, and immersion in the character to the point where I (or you) can set aside ego and open up fully to the character's reactions to situations. Of course there will still be a filter of the writer there; that's as it should be. But the more I can get myself out of the way, the clearer the characters' voices become. They become people, and the writing becomes something that comes through me rather than from me.
*blinks* Did that make any sense?
3.) Which A/R-plotline would you love to read written in a fanfic?
I'll tell you, if Bill and Laura don't wind up in Laura's cabin in canon, enjoying the peace, contentment and closeness they've so richly earned, I'm damn well going to write them there! *determined nod*
4.) Picture or Music?
Hmmmmmm ... without more context, I don't think I can choose.
5.) A place you'd like to see in your life?
Everywhere. Or at least everywhere my friends live. I love having someone to show me around. ^_^
Gonna try to post an actual update later this weekend. A few things have happened since my arrival here in AZ, some of which have pictures!
But to make up for it in some small way, I have *two* entries in the ever-loving, ever-circulating Interview Meme. ;)
The rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "INTERVIEW MY MAGNIFICENCE, PEON."
2. I'll then respond by asking you up to five questions. You will answer them, because you like talking about yourself.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
The Q&A:
From twilight_mash (Twi, hon, I am SO VERY MEA CULPA that it took me over two months to answer these! *abases self*):
1. Top 5 shaggable Eddie characters?
Well, geez, I can only pick 5? Eddie ALWAYS = shaggable, except possibly in Stand and Deliver and most of The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit ... but I'll do my best.
- William Adama from BSG (a total GIVEN)
- Martin Castillo from Miami Vice (DITTO)
- Roberto Mendoza from The West Wing (because smart + principled = sexy.)
- Eddie Holt from Wolfen (does this one even need an explanation?)
- El Pachuco from Zoot Suit (he was duking it out with Gaff and Matt Juarez for this spot, but dayum, the amount of sheer heat Eddie put out in this role. *fans self* Plus, the LOINCLOTH. *swoon*)
Chocolate should be eaten, drunk, slurped, allowed to melt on the tongue, bathed in, smeared on to a lust love interest of choice and licked off ... you get the picture. (pops another dark chocolate malt ball) :9
3. (I asked Kim this but it's a good question) If you got to ask THE MAN any one question, what would it be?
If I got to ask Edward James Olmos (I'm assuming you're referring to him and not God. ;) one question ... boxers or briefs? No, no, it would have to be something respectful. I would probably wind up asking him what projects he's involved in, just because a) actors never get tired of talking about their current work and b) I'd want to make sure I don't miss it!
4. Best book you've ever read?
Only ONE?! You harsh wench, you! ;) I'll have to go with The Lord of the Rings on this one, if only because saying "anything by Lois McMaster Bujold" would be cheating.
5. Battle weapon of choice?
My sense of danger-avoidance has been finely honed by watching three older sisters get in and out of scrapes. When that fails me, I rely on razor-sharp wit. Mine, by preference. *cough* But I do think it would be rather cool to master the yawara. Not likely to happen, but cool. B^)
From datsue (who still hasn't responded to my 10 Weird Things tag. ;):
1.) If you could specialize on a certain animal (as a vet tech), which would it be?
Guinea pigs, undoubtedly. I've had them as pets for years, and they're extremely gentle little animals. I'd get stressed out monitoring them under anesthesia though.
2.) What's your deep dark writing secret?
I have a few, if we're talking about my writing process. I'll let you in on one that I don't think I've spelled out before, at least not here on lj. It is this:
I have to get my own brain out of the way.
Yeah. I could probably take up a lengthy post trying to explain the concept fully. For now, like Inigo Montoya, I will sum up. Please forgive any resulting oversimplification.
We've all read fan fiction that's completely out of character. We've all read original fiction with uninspired, stereotypical cardboard cut-outs in place of characters. Sometimes such writing is the result of laziness, but even when writers are putting in an honest effort, we can still fall into the trap of bringing too much of me into the characters. Too much of my point of view, too much of my values, too much of my wish-fulfillment, too much ME.
"Getting my own brain out of the way" is my description of the mental process I use to avoid inflicting too much of myself on the characters I write. The process will differ for every writer, but it should involve experience, observation, listening, and immersion in the character to the point where I (or you) can set aside ego and open up fully to the character's reactions to situations. Of course there will still be a filter of the writer there; that's as it should be. But the more I can get myself out of the way, the clearer the characters' voices become. They become people, and the writing becomes something that comes through me rather than from me.
*blinks* Did that make any sense?
3.) Which A/R-plotline would you love to read written in a fanfic?
I'll tell you, if Bill and Laura don't wind up in Laura's cabin in canon, enjoying the peace, contentment and closeness they've so richly earned, I'm damn well going to write them there! *determined nod*
4.) Picture or Music?
Hmmmmmm ... without more context, I don't think I can choose.
5.) A place you'd like to see in your life?
Everywhere. Or at least everywhere my friends live. I love having someone to show me around. ^_^
Gonna try to post an actual update later this weekend. A few things have happened since my arrival here in AZ, some of which have pictures!