#everlark interviews

Your url. Why did you pick it? Do you want to have Peeta’s babies? Word vomit away, my dear.

LOL OMG my poor url. Well there is no clever come to Jesus event that lead to it. I was a creepy little lurker who found fanfiction so late in the game, which lead me here. And reading people’s urls fascinated me. So I finally got the balls to make my own little desolate blog dedicated to that baking fictional dandelion and I think I was sitting next to my husband and was like omg Peetasbunmyoven! Literally, like I just shouted it while he was watching ESPN and he doesn’t even look up (which, because let’s face it, by now nothing shocks that beautiful man) and he just nods his head and says ‘yeah that sounds like something you would come up with. A bad bread pun, with some perverted thrown in. Go with it.’ So when I die I will be known for these things. Three beautiful children, a gross reputation for being too nice but having a pension for smut and trash novels, my superior cookie skills, and for a horrific bad pun blog where I talked about fictional people getting naked a lot. May she rest in peace.

Oh, and if somehow the angels get the books mixed up and I head to heaven instead of on the first roller coaster to hell, then yeah Peeta Mellark will totally be real there. And the hubs will be there too and be like - go ahead….hell, I’ll come along and distract Katniss while you attempt to remove his pants. If she shoots me it is on you.

That’s too funny!

So you have superior cookie skills??

Yes Ma’am! Christmas time I become a cookie elf sharing with the masses.

I have been called the cookie queen in my time… I’ll be issuing you a throwdown later. ;)

So you said you were late to the game. How late and what made you jump in?

Okay, so my best friend since I was ten, (we are now both a respectable, immature 32), we always trade books. For years whether it’s a text rec, email, or lots of times we just ship a book to each other at random.

Well, one afternoon a package arrived with these books in it. Which I devoured in two days. All three. I was insatiable and then found out OMG the first movie was due to come out in just a few months. The angels sang and I knew the universe loved me. So I saw the movie twice. Was super pleased. Looking back we all pick it apart but let’s face it, as adaptations go we were blessed even with that first one. So the movie lead to the DVD, the DVD to special features, special feature to fallin in love with the actors (Horowitz you asshole you lit the Joshifer disease in my heart back when that was an innocent sane thing) Well perusing more THG youtube interviews I read a comment mentioning fanfiction. I was wtf is that? Google. FF.net. OMG there are stories that make Peeta and Katniss have sex in my beautiful epilogue!!!!!

*bursts into tears of joy* Read fanfiction till the sun came up and was changed as a person to core of my filthy soul!

Did you google Katniss Peeta sex? Cuz you wouldn’t be the first!

Lol. No, just fanfiction. But I was like, what are these filters? What is mature? Omg. There is sex here. Then you just go through the shifts of canon, to au, to tropes, to historical and I was just overwhelmed, and not just by the options but the talent in this fandom is one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

After reading everything on ff.net I saw something mentioning this tumblr place. So, *whoops*, visited this majestic fangirl land, found my people, then found out about a03. And PiP. And drabbles. And omg I will never be the same, nor would I want to be! lol

I think it’s changed us all! What was the first piece of fic you wrote?

My first Everlark fic? Lord, I think it was a holiday piece for PiP? Where - wait for it… Katniss is a ghost. I cannot ever go back and read it, who the hell knows what kind of horrific mess it is, but it was called Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Obviously it sounds super full of Holiday cheer.

But there is a HEA I swear! lol

So, there’s no ghost sex?

Shockingly no…I know, but I sometimes have written Everlark where there is no smutty smut….if I remember right, though, Peeta talks about what he would like to do to her or something, but like I said, it was long ago and I am not brave enough to traverse what could be so cringeworthy I end up crying!

Oh ima have to go read this…

Dear God, good luck and go in peace.

Where do you get your inspiration for stories?

I have been in a slump for so long, that’s a hard question to answer. The stuff used to just pour out because I never stressed about it. Tons of my drabbles came from prompts people would send me. When PiP came around it would be the most random stuff that made me start a story. And not deep stuff either lol. I am not that person. I don’t plan. I’m flighty, I have no depth or pretension. Like literally I have written a story just because I wanted to make everlark bffs and Peeta wear braces. Then, they reconnect later in life, and he comes to the door shirtless and god-like but still wearing a retainer and Katniss cannot control herself. Lol!

Another time I just wanted him in suspenders. Or in lifeguard shorts. See? I am a deep intellectual. Aren’t you glad you asked to interview me?

Of course I am!

So why the slump?

The slump, I think, is a combo of real life getting crazy, the shift of fandom excitement, and I got rattled like a baby by some shitty anons and the doubt never seemed to abate.

I do miss it though, and I have the final two parts of my Blind!Peeta drabble series I have to finish or people will murder me. It is almost done.

Blind!Peeta!!! Yes, people want to read the rest.

Shift of fandom excitement? Where do you think it’s gone to?

Not gone, really. I knew there would always be a small fade once the last movie came out simply through the logistics. No more promo, interviews, previews or stills to wait for… all of those things drove a lot of creativity around here. So I knew some would fade. Which is perfectly okay. It is the way of things.

I do not like the way of things. Lol

Tell me about these bad anons. What’s their problem?! They’re stealing your wonderful stories from us, if you ask me.

Oh, I think we all wish it could go on forever. Everlark is just kind of that fictional pair that is pretty rare. And I don’t stress over notes. That was one thing I have never let stress me. The grammar police however….lol writing was self indulgent for me… because it gave me all the power to make it go my way. Plus, I got to make Peeta blush or smirk or talk about his fictional freckles a lot. (I have a thing for Peeta with freckles. Cannot help it.)

Honestly, they were only shitty because of how cruel they phrased things, and I think there was a group that came at me in mass over two days, lol. I literally got about 15 messages. Which, hell, I have gotten tons of hate and am not one that is ever rattled. The thing that haunted me was I looked back and realized the context of their attack was actually true. And that rattled me. Simply because I was this big English nerd in school and suddenly in my head I was like, shit where did all my grammar knowledge go? So each time I went to write, or read over my writing, it was ALL I could see.

And I was always a beta baby…like, I HATE asking people to help me or take time to do something for me. It’s a personality flaw ;) But the whole thing was ridiculous, and I guess was my first experience with anon hate finally bothering me. Took two years so I’d say I’m probably pretty lucky, ;)

Grammar errors aside, (we all have it them), you’re a word slinger, my dear. You are welcome to slay me anytime with a story! Like I don’t even comprehend how you put words together like you do. I read your stuff and I’m so in awe because you have such a way with words that’s different and it makes your stories exciting.

What’s your favorite story that you’ve written?

This is always that question I don’t know how to answer because I don’t see them and think they are great… which sounds so annoying. Uuuummmm… I’ve enjoyed the simple fun of this blind!Peeta drabble because I have made him so over the top charming just cause I wanna… I wrote a story called Pieces that was gut wrenching, but I was proud of the approach. Just the idea of looking at how survivors of sexual trauma relearn intimacy… and Landslide was kind of fun because it had some aspects that included real inspiration from me and my hubs.

Using RL in a sorry… Gotta love it! Let’s talk about Hit Me. Dang! Best boxing fic I’ve read. It was crazy good!

Aw, thanks!

Where did you come up with the idea and how do create such tension between Everlark? I need a lesson!

That one came about as a specific ask from a tumblr friend, Jules, whose url has changed lately shit, ummm Jules you’re @inloveinwonder now right? Anyway, she was mellarksberries. She sent me a link to some video and, hell I can’t even remember who was in it, but it was 30 seconds long and had these two actors boxing, and tension, and a kiss. And she was like - write me this lol

And I had a personal cheerleader in Amy, ( @muttpeeta ), who loves antagonistic!Everlark more than life. So, I literally sat down one day and, maybe two hours later, I had written some boxing Everlark porn?????? I mean I at least took the time to research some terminology.

Research is always important. ;) Then we can call it scientific, right?

Girl, I am awful! No one should listen to me or my process. I just sit and go.

That’s awesome, though!!

I normally, 95 percent of the time, will write the whole thing in one sitting. I once did a 15k all at once just cause if I walk away it feels like I come back a different writer or something.

Wow! Writer’s marathon! That’s the opposite of writer’s block, btw. You write a lot of one shots. Is that why? Do you have any wips?

Lol, one? Which never should have happened. It was one I started for a PiP and it got away from me, and I got talked into turning it into a WiP. I have not updated since! Even this blind Peeta drabble - I feel awful because people are waiting.

These fandom peeps can be as persuasive as Peeta Mellark. Gotta watch ‘em! Lol. So, you get an idea, write it all in one sitting, and never look back?

I should not be writing in the first place!!! I am a hot mess, busy mom and flighty as fuck, and so yes….people I love you….thank you for reading…what were you thinking??

Give me your best dirty joke.

Omg, I don’t know!!!!!! that’s my husband’s arena  -corny, filthy commentary, and I just play off him. We’ve been together too long, and hell I’m too tired after my schedule to come up with anything original.

He just walked out the door and I told him he’s handsome. To which he said he’s always handsome, and I said there is a fine line between confident and cocky, and he’s full of both. Then he said, hey, maybe if you’re full of my cock that makes me confident. This was seconds ago - I am so so so sorry….

Lol! That was definitely dirty.

Okay, Katniss or Peeta… if you had to choose one. And you have to. No one ever gives me a real answer.

PEETA

Finally!!!!

Katniss, I love you, but I would shove you off the door to let Peeta sing himself as the Titanic sinks, I am so sorry! But, boo, I think you’d agree with me, right? So like it’s okay?

It is okay. ;)

Katniss would totally turn into an ice pop by choice, and hell it even fits, as Peeta whispers he’ll never let gooooo.

Do you still read fanfic?

all the time. It is incredible. And our fandom has such, such gifts!

What are some of your faves?

I have too many

Gimme 5 that come to mind

I mean I have said ten trillion times that I have this bff everlark addiction.

with eyes to hear, no surprises, no unicorns, crash my party, stars, the first time, best laid plans…… those are the first bff ones that pop into my head and are straight crack to my soul.

Do you have a favorite trope?

Yep, friends to lovers. I cannot help it. In fact, one of my fave PiP stories I wrote, which isn’t very popular, let me indulge it… I just remember waking up and like five year old Peeta’s voice was in my head and the first line, “he thought she looked like a princess…..”, and I just ran with it and *sigh*. Don’t ya just love bff everlark growing up with one of them worshipping the other?

I do. What’s this pip story called?

Our Castle. Though, some sites just call it Castle because they nickname the playground where they meet their Castle, and as they grow up it is significant.

Aw! That sounds so sweet! You write the emotional stuff really well. Like, well enough to make me cry. Okay, almost cry. I’m a toughie. 😉 Why do you think that is?

Don’t cry!!!! Lol, but yeah, angst comes easy to me and I don’t have a clue why. Because literally I am one of the most consistent optimists alive. When I was little I became determined to never make people suffer for their misgivings and mess ups. Anger literally makes my stomach hurt, like I get mad hardly at all and would always rather look for the sunshine in something. But in turn, I guess when I fall in love with a character, or both of these two, their pain affects me ten fold so I write it easier? Hell if I know.

Like I said, I still cannot believe a soul reads anything I have written. I will never know why I can make angst happen quickly. People send me prompts and the angst could flow in seconds….lol

You have a dark gift 😉

omg are you about to challenge me or something lol

Oh, I am going to challenge you. But not just yet… Do you enjoy writing?

I do. I love words. Reading them, writing them. I love that, for me, it’s so much easier to write something out than to articulate it. I love how I feeeel them when I read them. They are so powerful.

You use them well. Are you thinking of writing anything past wrapping up blind!Peeta?

I have no idea. Sometimes I feel like you’d have to pry this otp from my dying hands.

What have you not written that you’d want to write?

God, I am sure a ton.

Have you written affair everlark?

I haven’t.

I’m not asking… Fyi. I mean, I am. Just not that I want to read it.

Though, I could see it, and have seen it done so so well, it is a tread careful for sure. But real life is a mess and you can see how sometimes it happens in a way, though painful, that has a HEA.

I have seen it in RL. I’m always impressed when a couple can come back stronger than ever. I just don’t wanna read it in my otp! Lol

Amy’s canon based Hero of the Story rocks me, and is so believable in context. So, it can be done very well, and she shows the ugly well, too. But I have never tackled it.

You’re right! That one is really good. You did tackle the lifeguard setting, though!

Lol, lifeguard was pure smutty fluff fun! I have a dark Peeta that never got finished, but prob my most painful and controversial is the Pieces one, but no adultery.

Dark Peeta? What’s that about?

It is 10k words of unfinished Peeta who kind of loses his humanity b/c of his home life, but only sees life in Katniss….his last vestige of humanity rests in her and he goes into the games and comes back, and, well he’s a wee bit violent and might, as the town says, be a murderer. :(

We will have to look for this one! What are your favorite books outside of thg?

I am a HP nerd. Secret garden was my first grade love. Books of late - I fell so so hard for the Winner’s Trilogy. Arin and Kestrel nearly challenged Everlark for me. I even wrote a drabble so you know that’s a bad sign, lol.

Anne of Greene Gables I grew up loving, and my trashy child heart loved Sweet Valley books. I love Dracula. I love Beloved, though it breaks me.

I love secret garden! What is the Winners Trilogy? I may need to read this if it challenges Everlark.

Arin and Kestrel in TWT, my heart, dude. It starts with her buying him as a slave at auction in this dystopian world and I just… read it!

Yes ma'am.

I just finished The Hating Game and omg. If you love enemies to lovers run nowwwwwww. OMG! Don’t even ask, just go read them.

Okay, it’s time for the challenge. Let’s have a cookie throwdown! Give me your best cookie recipe.

Okay, these are Grandma cookies. They were my husband’s grandma’s cookies. She died when I was 17 after only getting to know her a year….but every Christmas she made this huge container of a million baked goods, and I got to help her make these and now I make them every year for all her grandsons who miss her still 15 years later… I bake like ten cookies and cakes and bars trying to pick up her legacy.

Aw! That’s sweet and fun legacy to continue!

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger 

• 1 teaspoon baking soda 

• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon 

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves 

• ¼ teaspoon salt 

• ¾ cup margarine, softened or unsalted butter 

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 egg 

• 1 tablespoon orange juice 

• ¼ cup molasses 

• 2 tablespoons white sugar 

Directions Cook 10 m • Ready In 50 m 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine or butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the oj and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly. 3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Okay, here’s mine. I’m a little nervous to go up against any kind of ‘Grandma cookie’, but I have converted many people to my side (of anything) with these bribe-worthy babies.

½ c white sugar

½ c light brown sugar

½ c peanut butter

¾ c butter, softened

1 egg

½ tsp vanilla

1 ¼ c flour

½ tsp each of baking soda, salt and cinnamon

12 oz. chocolate chips (semisweet if you don’t like them too rich, otherwise use milk chocolate)

Preheat the oven to 375. Blend together the sugars and the butters, then add the egg and vanilla. DO NOT stick your finger in the batter. That’s gross. But yummy. Anyway - Stir together the dry ingredients and mix into wet ingredients in 3 small turns. Then add the chips, (the chocolate one, not potato chips. Although, I have done that and if you like sweet and salty stuff - dang, Gina. Go for it.)

Drop spoonfuls of rounded dough onto a cookie pan. I grease mine because I hate stuck on food particles, but there’s so much butter in these you may not need to. Your call. Now -

Listen to me! This is MUY IMPORTANTE! Only bake the cookies for 9 minutes. NO MORE. If they don’t look done, take them out anyway, because cookies will absorb the heat from the pan and will continue to bake until *either* you take them off the pan, or the pan cools. If they’re a little too brown on the sides, cut back to 8 minutes. A cookie with a little bit of a soft center is not a problem anyway.

It’s hard, believe me. Sometimes I write on my lunch break. I also carve out time for mini-workouts. 5 minutes of abs here, lotsa squats in the shower there or whatever is on the monthly menu for @tributesintraining. Have you tried our sets for this month?

I haven’t!

It’s intense! If you’re not following @tributesintraining, you should and incorporate the daily set into what you’re already doing! It’s been a fun little fandom-based fitness blog. @bitcheslovesprinkles is the brainpower behind the operation and I’m the goofy sidekick.

How I envision you. :)

So you’re real name is not your url, which I totally thought it was for the longest time. Where did you come up with it?

Hmmm. ‘Jenna’ was the anonymous name I gave to guys at bars in college and my out of state grad school (Go Wildcats!). I was very much a taken lady by my own Peeta back home in Texas so I wasn’t giving out my real name to these boys in Arizona. And ‘Jenna’ because it reminded me of Jenna Wade from Dallas (Bobby Ewing’s girlfriend after Pamela Barnes Ewing was out of the picture) and my mom always said she was trouble. Except when I explained that rationale once to someone, they said that they’d be much more likely to get into trouble with a ‘Jackie’ than a ‘Jenna’ so my theory was flawed. So despite the backfire, ‘Jenna’ stuck and ‘Gill’ is a part of my married name. I don’t honestly know why I stuck them together in their incongruency. I’ve only changed it once for a Halloween gag, ‘JennaGhoul,’ which is appropriate too.

My mom used to watch Dallas! And we’re the same age so your mom must have watched it as well. That’s too funny.

Yes… but did your mom go as far as to tour South Fork and to meet Larry Hagman and Linda Gray multiple times? I’m beginning to understand how fangirling might be genetic, lol.

You know, I don’t remember anything like that, but I’m not saying it’s not a possibility - I believe in these fangirl genes.

How did you end up in the Hunger Games fandom?

A friend recommended the series around the time that the male leads had been cast for the first movie. I recognized the kid from ‘Firehouse Dog’ on a gossip blog that also promoted the series, so I gave it a shot. Four days and sleepless nights later, I decided I should re-read the series slower. And then maybe another time for good measure. Then since I'm so Adult…. I googled “Peeta Katniss sex”...

Because ‘so after’ and ‘we grow back together’ wasn’t good enough, right?

NOPE! It might have sufficed when I was younger, but I wanted more.

Anyway, I found the wide world of fanfiction that I never knew existed. I first landed on two fics by LolaShoes (who has been reposted under another name? Maybe Cloverleafsky?) that were exactly what I was looking for… Night before the 75th arena shenanigans and then post-MJ but pre-epilogue loveliness. I went from there to find other writers like Aimmyarrowshigh, Dustwriter, Devanrae, Monroeslittle, Miss Scarlett 05, Everlark_Pearl (@ashyblondwaves), Cali-chan (@girlsareweird), Hgfan1111, and then the modern AU queen Miss Honeywell (@peetaspenis). It seems like most everyone has moved on from those early days but to me, those were my ‘gateway’ fics to this world. I wound up making my own blog on maternity leave nearly 10 months after I started reading fanfiction (Hmmmmm……) because I found checking the other blogs for updates exhausting. Then reading fanfiction during those middle of the night feedings and finding kindred spirits doing the same thing (hey @keetaeverlark.) There was one chapter in @bleedtoloveher’s Infinity (sadly removed) that had me up the rest of the night, fretting for Katniss’s wellbeing and awfully mad at Peeta. Still waiting for that conversion, btw.

Why did you start writing Fanfiction?

Great question! There were stories I wanted to read that hadn't been written yet and stories that I just wanted to write. I dabbled in creative writing between high school and grad school, and my mom is a writer, so I was just sort of hoping that it didn't totally suck when I decided to take the plunge. Right after I made my blog, the very next month was the first round of Prompts in Panem. I was just eaten up with inspiration in the prompts and wrote two for that round. And then continued to contribute here and there since then. Reviewing, beta-ing, pre-reading, prompting, requesting, and okay writing. That's what I've been doing for a long time now.

Were you nervous at all posting for PiP so quickly after joining Tumblr? That would leave some folks with serious nausea and hyperventilation! Are you just naturally a ‘go get’em’ kinda girl?

Prompts in Panem was brand new and had fewer contributors in that first round so it was not as intimidating in the beginning. And I honestly wasn’t nervous for the first one, The Manager. I remember writing it lightning fast… all 821 words, haha, and submitting it. I was more nervous about Diving In because of the sex stuff. I asked Dustwriter to read it before posting and she asked if Katniss was a mermaid because she was quite skilled underwater… so I realized I needed to revise it quite a bit. So to answer your question, I dove right into it.

So we’re gonna get into the smut right up front I guess! This interview is the equivalent of a one night stand. :) I haven’t talked to one author that hasn’t been nervous about the masses reading their smut scenes. What was it like for you to post the first time?  

I had zero expectations, so I just sort of closed my eyes and hit the ‘submit’ button. I was writing for the experience of it and didn’t know if anything would come from it. It's been a few years now and I have collected a few awesome cheerleaders and writing coaches that I'm so thankful for (that's you, @fnurfnur and @papofglencoe!).

If someone were to ask you to give them tips on writing smut, what would you tell them?

I’d blush. Then I’d take a deep breath and tell them to write out the scenarios that appeal to them and to double check arm/leg positioning so that it doesn’t read like a game of Twister.

So what's your favorite story that you've written?

Ahhhh. Don't make me choose between my babies.

I know it’s tough but if all of your fics were drowning and you could only save one - ;)

OK fine. Coxa.

Wow, you really did just pick one! I think you’re the first. Why is it your fave?

I had the idea of how a hip replacement might affect Everlark bumping around in my mind because of real life issues for years but I didn't know how I wanted to write it or where to take it. I floated the idea to other opinions I trust and they agreed that there was something there. Then that damn red Mockingjay suit promo came out for MJ2 and Lionsgate promoted it differently than I imagined… So I imagined it in my own way for a prologue in the final round of PiP. Then it took me another couple of months before I jotted down an outline. Once the outline was in place though, the words flew from my fingers to the screen through the experiences, emotions, and how that all would impact Everlark. It was the fastest, most natural thing I've written. It was amazing. I set my goal for the spring Camp Nano and I exceeded it. I wanted to post chapters weekly. I did that. I feel an incredible sense of personal accomplishment in completing Coxa and I'm grateful that it's been well received by readers.

It’s really an amazing story! How did you imagine the the promo and were you disappointed?

I saw the red suit (that wasn’t in the books) and thought for a moment that they would somehow incorporate it into what hijacked!Peeta sees in his Capitol torture sessions… then a wise person pointed out that the movies wouldn’t get that deep in Peeta’s brain. So I turned it into his nightmare in my story.

We all need to know who has this sort of wisdom… you know, in case we have a question.

Well I floated the idea to the humans in the car at the time, @hutchhitched and @burlesonspride, and then put it out there on tumblr too. I think it was @muttpeeta that shut down my dreams of us seeing in hijacked!Peeta technicolor.  

I know you were recently out of state for something with your husband. Is that the real life issue you are speaking of? What was that like? Or should we just all read Coxa to find out?

Yes, for insurance reasons we traveled out of state for my husband’s hip replacement. We had originally thought that his hip was injured in a high school football game and then overlooked because the focus was on the damage done to his knee. However, new x-rays revealed that both hips are jacked up (thanks, genetics). His left one was in pain though, so it was fixed first. The whole experience was frightening, quiet, invigorating, and smoother than we ever dreamed. In other words, different from Coxa--so you can still read it! I tapped into the medical and emotional distance aspects of the experience for the fic, but I was permitted to travel with him, so at least we were together in real life (spoiler!). We missed our kids something fierce, though. Two weeks without them was bizarre. It’s also part of why I was able to write so much though… he slept and I wrote. I goaded him into his PT and I wrote. The hotel had a mini-gym so I spent sometime down there too. And then I wrote some more.

You’ve explained some about your writing process above. Do you prefer to write the entire story before you begin posting chapters, or do you write as you go? Where do you see the pros/cons of each style of updating?

I’ve done both now and there are definitely pros and cons to the processes. Aside from the one shots, this was the first multi-chapter that I’ve completely written out and published one chapter at a time. I can’t say that it would have turned out the same had I written one chapter at a time over a period of months. Everyone strives for cohesion and it’s much easier to obtain it if you have the whole body of work in front of you, in my opinion. BUT it takes longer and you have to decide whether it’s better as a one shot or as a multichapter… and even then to post it one at a time or what. When @awhiskeyriver posted With Eyes To Hear every Sunday and @alonglineofbread posted Alone in a Crowded Room on Fridays (and sometimes Mondays), it was a fun adventure to follow. Then @eala-musings brought that back for Wildflower recently, so I knew I wanted to try it too. And to maybe seduce a few readers into the guaranteed weekly posting. It was tough between weeks though, I wanted to divulge spoilers and let readers know that it was all going to be okay. Then there are the super patient readers that get to enjoy that self-satisfying click for ‘next chapter’ because they waited until it’s all posted. Sometimes I even hold off in reading a WIP because I want to read the whole thing, so it’s hard to say which way works better because everyone is different.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

Everywhere. That's probably cliché, but really. Everywhere. My own life experiences (fishing trip=Fix My Eyes, personal development class=Comfort Zone, managing boys wrestling in high school=The Manager, etc.), ideas I haven't seen yet in fic, movies, TV, etc.

Who is your favorite THG character and why?

I fell in love with Peeta’s character because he reminded me of my husband and I identified with Katniss, so again...don't make me choose between my babies.

Does your husband love Peeta as well? How does he feel about being your ‘Peeta’?

He let me name his truck “Peeta” so I guess he’s okay with it ;) I actually stopped reading Catching Fire, woke him up next to me and read him the ‘wounded’ bit aloud. I inferred that he was my Peeta through incoherent babbles. He patted me on the head and went back to sleep but the feeling persists. I love this wounded boy that loved a girl, gave everything up for her, and got it back in spades after a while.

Okay, so hubs is your Peeta. Give me your personal Everlark story. Along with meshing your two last names together!

Lol Let’s jump into the way back time machine then for Smitiam or Gillth inception.

I can tell you have small children!

Haha yep!

He liked me but didn’t pursue me because he knew I wasn’t into him at the time, the later years of high school. He gave me rides home from school and was just all around a sweet heart. Poor guy stood by, watching me date dumb dudes until I realized what was right in front of me. Then came along this chick that was all over him and I couldn’t handle it in the fall of our senior year. We went through a rough week of not being friends and it ended with us making out in the back of a friends car (so romantic, I know). I also felt Katniss’ motivations and hoped that she would survive this awful game she was wrapped up in …. And maybe pick the boy with the bread. I had just come off reading Twilight too... so even though I felt the choice, I was worried there would be plot twists. So both. It's hard for me to separate the two. I also love side characters, and try to include them when I can!

LOL you’re Katniss! He pined for you, and you not so much. So you two are high school sweethearts?

Yep!

How long have you been together?

This November will be 21 years since we made out in that car the first time.  

And how long have you been married?

Twelve years married in December.

That’s so sweet!

What plot twist did you hate the most? Was there one you liked? If you had written THG, what changes, if any, would you have made?

I loved all of the plot twists in THG and thought they were all necessary for the narrative. It was the Twilight plot twists that had made me weary and leery (cough, cough love triangle and Renesmee) as I was reading THG the first time. I kept expecting something really awful to happen… you know *besides* the major character deaths. The only changes I would have wanted in THG would have been for there to be more: more ‘grow together,’ more about Peeta’s pre-Games homelife, and more about Mr. and Mrs. Everdeen.  

Agreed. I often wonder what I would fill my extra time with if I didn’t have THG in my life. What would you throw yourself into? A different fandom? A hobby that maybe is second fiddle to Everlark?

I’ve thought about this a lot, since I have committed a vast amount of time to THG. I don’t know that another fandom or series would have inspired me to write, or make friends on the internet, or travel to meet up with those humans. I think I would read more and maybe watch more TV as my personal guilty pleasure. I’ve certainly fallen out of keeping up with shows or reading much outside of fanfic, though I’m trying to read other things. I just started reading Fangirl…baby steps, right?

Yeah, but you’ll come back to fanfic. I’ve tried to get my brain to move in a different direction but all I can think is “WWED in this situation?”

That’s true, it’s hard not to see the Everlark in daily situations. I wondered what Pokémon would represent Peeta just yesterday.

Really? Pokemon!Peeta anyone?

The fandom may have lost some of its members after the 4th movie, but we’re seeing plenty of new people jumping in. What advice would you give them about how to make the most of their time here?

Hmmm. I’m thinking. That’s a good question. I'm so proud of the fandom writers that have moved on and generated original work, or converted fics, or both. That's really exciting to see their progression. For new members, I would just say to enjoy the talent in its abundance through fic, fanart, and gif assemblages. And to let the creative minds know through reviews, kudos, likes, reblogs, whatever. Lastly, to jump in to create their own when they feel ready!

Excellent advice! So, what's next for Jennagill? Are there projects you still have in mind?

I'm working on a THG crossover fic from the 80s movie Her Alibi for @mores2sl. Peeta is a novelist, writing out his story in his head so it gets meta at times! Katniss is a murder suspect that he's drawn to and provides an alibi for her, saving her from women's prison… Because that would lead to a different crossover, right?

I read your sneak peek of that!! Oh man, and I’m so in love with it and can’t wait to read the whole thing! Keep up with that one, please! You had me at hello with that one, ngl.

I also want to get back to the Alias!Everlark crossover, Emissary, with @anonalece and @sponsormusings as our editor. I also have an original idea, but I'm going to keep sitting on it. Maybe try it out as Everlark first to work out the kinks.

It all sounds fantastic! Thank you so much for taking your time and chatting with me!

Thank you!!!

*banner by the incomparable @w00-ly

The typical 'to start' question - How did you find your way into the HG fandom?

Well, I was writing fic for another fandom, The Americans, which is a really cool TV series by the way if you like Russian spies, the '80's, complex relationships and the ever present question of real or not real, and unfortunately life hit one of those road bumps, and out of the blue I got sick. Had to give up watching TV because my brain was now sensitive to lots of things including most types of light and flicker, and it would immediately trigger a migraine. But I could still listen to books, fortunately, and discovered THG. I was sold on the series from whatever the line is about "entrails and no hissing, the closest we will ever come to love..." and then who couldn't love Everlark from the moment Katniss describes that day in the rain? What prompted you to write your utterly fantastic A Painter, a Baker, and a Boy who Never Took Sugar in his Tea? And could speak a little about what has to be seriously copious research to make it so realistic? Gosh, every time I see that written out, I'm like, "That is the longest title EVER." I'm so in awe of people like @quothme, who can come up with concise titles like "Damaged" or "The Victor" and they're absolute brilliance, exactly what the fic is about, boiled down to its essence. Gorgeous fics, if you haven't read them. 

I was prompted to write APAB because in all my perusing of fics after I finished the series, I found some beautiful growing back together fics, and also some really good one-shots about Peeta's time in the Capitol in treatment, but I was really itching to read this long, detailed therapy-based fic that examined and connected themes across different timelines. And when I originally mapped things out, I wanted it to be kind of a hybrid fic. Mainly based in the therapy scenes in the Capitol, but also connected to when Peeta and Katniss finally build something that's real back in Twelve, since some of the same issues come up just to a greater degree, and I imagined that as a beautiful but difficult process that would be really interesting to write about. The research is a bit time consuming, but also really interesting too. I enjoyed hunting for the perfect signs for 'Dr. Aurelius' and learning how to clean and roast a duck. I probably could have lived without knowing precisely how they perform certain types of torture, but for me personally, I can't write something very well without thoroughly understanding it . . . if you've ever read "Standing" by @keeptheearthbelowff, I am absolutely convinced in chapter 7 that she becomes Gale Hawthorne, she just gets his brain that well. It starts with "He sees traps," and again I have to admire the way those simple three words fit Gale at so many points in the series. It's always my goal to get inside someone's brain like that.

So, I have to tell you, I spent half of today reading @keeptheearthbelowff's fics, on you recommendation, utterly amazing, why have I not read these before? I have a special place in my heart for canon fics! I want to ask about your author inspirations (and not just because you clearly have excellent taste in stories, but mostly that!) Well, this could go on forever because this fandom is amazing and I feel like every fic I read teaches me some way to make my own writing better. Let’s see… several people I know have already been interviewed, so I’ll try not to completely be a broken record although having read most of their fics, they are AWESOME! arollercoasterthatonlygoesup ( @fempeeta) and @mtk4fun‘s fics always evoke that feeling of small towns and a slower pace of things. I envy midnighteverlark’s pre-smut scenes and @papofglencoe’s hijacking flashbacks. Opacity, @damndonnergirls and @javistg have the amazing ability to make me love Gale Hawthorne (anyone who hasn’t read FML needs to, but go to the bathroom first and swallow anything you’re drinking.) @forestfairy, atetheredmind ( @muttpeeta), @chaed and maktub have amazing minds for thinking of great angsty scenarios that my brain craves. @jennagill and @notanislander write gorgeous toastbabies, and if there’s anyone left in the fandom who hasn’t read The Grandmentor by @silvercistern, they should, that’s like the Haymitch I aspire to. And I know like as soon as I type this I’m going to read a fic tomorrow morning and be like, oh crap, how did I forget (this)?

Can you talk with me about comments?  You are an absolutely prolific commenter (don't think I haven't noticed, you are incredibly generous with your words on my fics, and on pretty much everyone's fics that I've read). What motivates you to comment on the stories you read, and what do you take away from the comments that you receive (and reply to, I've noticed that too!) on your own stories? You know, I think it’s just so cool that we have such a great fandom that is so active and has so many people writing so many great fics… I know as a fic writer by the time I hit submit I’ve usually put a few months of work into a chapter and am eager to get to talk about it with someone other than the voices in my head (and hijacked Peeta… he’s always a hoot), so I try to make a point to leave comments when I read other people’s work. And it’s been a really wonderful way to meet people in the fandom, too, while discussing Katniss and Peeta!

Tell me about your writing process? My writing process... takes a lot of editing 😊. The chapter currently in progress will generally have a 4-5 page outline with random conversation snippets, scenes and the main events in each one, what the major themes and focal points are of each chapter... like in chapter six, one of those was the "four fathers"-Mr. Everdeen and Mr. Mellark, and then the pseudo-father figures, Haymitch and Dr. Aurelius. I rely on the outline to keep me on course, but sometimes the story evolves in a different direction and the outline will get changed. I usually write by hand or type it into the kindle and then transfer it five hundred words at a time over to a word file. Typically it takes me two weeks to a month to edit after the first draft is done, depending on how long the chapter is. I like to edit each chapter five times, plus have the kindle read it back to me because I catch lots of typos that way.

I wonder if you could talk about Peeta's voice in your fiction? It's the first thing that drew me to your story, your characterisation of Peeta, his words and thoughts are just so real and believable and fantastic. How do you get in his head? One thing I really like about the way SC portrayed Peeta is that even though he has this sweet, caring, hopeful core to him that can't be destroyed, there are also darker corners to his personality, or maybe a better way to say it would be, there are also really tender spots that aren't quite what they seem on the surface. He's the Boy with the Bread, sure. But he's also the guy who lost his temper and threw the vase or whatever it was across the room in Eleven. He's also the one who sits on the beach and says "no one really needs me" and believes it. So there's definitely some interesting material to work with, particularly once you add in the trauma of the hijacking, but even without it, he and Dr. Aurelius would have plenty to talk about for a long time. To get into his head, I try to decide where we are at whatever point in the story (which during the Capitol timeline can get a bit crazy, apologies) in Peeta's head and just immerse myself in it. I write with an outline, but I also try to make it very organic, too. Most of my best ideas come when I have no paper or pencil available, like in the shower, or after the sun sets when I have to scribble it on a napkin in the dark and hope I can read my writing in the morning. Sometimes I just sit and let my mind wander through a conversation as if I was Dr. Aurelius and Peeta and see what forms. (My mind is really chaos.)

How about future plans? When you finish ABAP (excellent acronym by the way) will you write anything else for the HG fandom, or for any other fandom? I hope to do a sequel in Katniss’ pov that deals with her healing and also covers different timelines sort of like APAB, but I’m a believer in not spreading myself too thin, so I won’t get too excited about it or make any firm plans until APAB is done.

Since part of the purpose of the interview blog is to inspire the 'starting out' writers, I wonder if you'd have any words of wisdom to share?

Biggest piece of advice would be edit several times before you hit post. If you read the first few drafts of my chapters you'd run screaming like Peeta from a Katniss-muttation. They're a mess. The first few editing passes I make probably come back with six handwritten pages of revisions and every time you go over your own work makes it stronger. Also I wanted to ask you if there is anything else you'd like to include, any shout outs to anyone, any special requests, anything at all? I would just like to thank you and the other lovely ladies who are hosting the interviews. I absolutely love all your work. And I wanted to thank the HG fandom for the wonderful support you have shown APAB and your patience with my slowpoke posting speed. And I realized when I thought of fic writers on my "gotta be more like" list, I forgot to name all the supernatural fics. There were a TON of them last Halloween that were amazing. I'm greedily hoping people will write more werewolf or vampire Peeta this go around :) But definitely @alliswell21, @chele20035, Fanficallergy and @rosefyrefyre are writing some interesting supernatural stuff in a sub-genre that seems less common... ...and thank you again for interviewing me! 😊

So let me start with how did you discover the HG fandom? Let me start by saying, I resisted! Boy did I resist. THG came on the heels of Twilight and they were kind of marketed the same way and I wanted nothing to do with either of them. I first heard about it when the movie was in development and everyone I spoke to totally undersold the books. And looking back on it, I think they were all adult males trying to pretend they weren't totally fangirling on the inside.

But I didn't read them until I had a random day off in the middle of a business trip. The books were free on my kindle and plowed through them in a day. It was something I hadn't done since I read Harry Potter as a kid and I was hooked so I dug around everywhere and finally found this awesome community on tumblr :) What prompted you to start writing THG fanfics? I came in at the 11th hour. I read the books and literally the next day they released that 100 Days hunger games image (the one that contains a covert vulgarity) and it felt like fate.

I've written all my life and had worked on a few specs (kind of like professional fanfic) and I needed something else. It didn't feel like it was over just yet. The Baker was my first fic and it literally wrote itself. I think I wrote 10k words in a week. I'd never experienced creative inspiration like that before. That's incredible! I'd kill for that kind of muse :) What's your more normal writing process like? I am an outliner. I have stacks of notebooks full of outlines and charts. Random stuff like floor plans and calendars with birthdays. I think it's my way of holding onto paper in the digital age. I have timelines in my notebooks. Nothing wrong with paper my friend, nothing at all... I love paper and pens. Have you heard of bullet journals? I'm obsessed. But I type everything in google docs and then shoot it off to one (or all) of my amazing betas. It's a group effort really. @booksrockmyface and @everlylark are always so supportive!! They talk me off the ledge sometimes. Thank goodness for supportive betas! What are you working on now? I can say with complete honesty that I haven't worked in anything since March. But I have some stuff in the works. Inspiration literally hit me a few days ago and I've been looking forward to this long weekend to write. The Baker’s Wife will be completed! Hopefully by August, but no promises. I'm also working on a long WIP. I threw up a teaser a while back about Katniss and Peeta as friends with benefits in Panem. Kind of like what would have happened if neither went into the games. I'm a huge believer in fate and that line "it would have happened anyway" always stuck with me.

And also I'm doing something for s2sl which is still a plot bunny. Well I can't wait to see what you come up with next :)  Okay, tell me about your stories, which is your fave, and why? Of my stories I think my favorite was Love Bites. It is the most personal work I've done and in many ways really cathartic. I was almost scared to post sometimes or check the comments so I was totally caught off guard by the outpouring of support. That's when I really fell in love with thg and the community. It wasn't just my story, it belonged to everyone in a way. And that's kind of what fanfiction is about. I publish in real time so responses and engagement totally influence how I write. Writing can be a lonely hobby/profession so it's amazing that readers and writers and graphic artists are collaborating together on something they love. It's inspiring! It truly is. Do you actually change the direction of your stories in response to comments? I'm not sure I've ever heard that before... Nothing major. But if there's a response to a certain side character I might give that person a bigger part. With Love Bites I got a lot of requests to tell Peeta's story so I wrote a companion piece from his pov called A Kiss of Honey and a Dash of Spice. Because I knew that was in the works I left some chapters open ended with the intention of filling in the gaps. That's clever, the open ended part. How does that fit in, though, with being a strict outliner? That's where the meticulous calendars come in. I chart everything and I like balance so each chapter usually spans the same amount of time, whether it's one day or three weeks. I like consistency. You can ask Danielle who sees all my outlines. The working titles of every chapter are actual physical dates. So when it came to peeta's story, there are major holidays and bdays to build around. That helps me with pacing and stuff. Okay, which of your fics is the most underappreciated then? Oh, that's a tough one. I think everything I write is overappreciated. But that's probably a testament to how supportive everyone is. I'd disagree with the over-appreciated, I think you're a fine writer and I want to get you more readers! Aw thank you!!!

Numbers wise, I guess Fidelity. But it's not a happy story and it's really more of a drabble so I'm okay with that.

Good, I was going to ask you about Fidelity :) What inspired that one because you're right, it's not exactly a happily ever after... It's based on a friend of mine who got married really young. And I kind of riffed off the idea once again that "it would have happened anyway" but with the added twist that maybe time wasn't on their side. I had read some similar stories. A bunch of them seemed to come out all at once and they all kind of villainized the wife and I wanted to flip the script on that. Is that a fun answer?

It's a wonderful answer, truly. How much of your real life bleeds into your stories? Short answer: everything!

Actually, the baker series is the least personal. Which is probably why I have so much trouble with it now. I change stuff up but all of it hits close to home somehow. I think that's the true mark of a writer. Nothing is sacred. I think that's pretty common, feeds into the 'write about what you know' advice, right?

Yeah!! Absolutely. There's a fine line though. I have a tough time reading about writers or watching a movie about filmmakers.

Okay, tell me about your author inspirations, who do you love to read, who are you twitching for an update from? Oh yay!! My favorite question. I will preface this by saying I am way behind on my reading. I try to read in order of posting but there are some I will drop everything for. I would be lying if I said I'd never been caught reading Bullseye in my office. I literally freeze anytime there is an update from @papofglencoe. Her "The Hills" inspired one shot needs to be a full blown 100K word fic. And also @everlylark's Cross Checking. I'm behind a chapter (no spoilers) but I need to settle in for that one. Strong Enough to Bend by @xerxia31 (I know!!) is another one I can't get enough of. It's one of those I wish I had written myself. And I think many of us would agree that an update on Crash My Party would not go unread. And Caged Bird by @notanislander is so addictive.

But my work schedule clears up in August and I am dying to discover new stories and rediscover old ones. That's why I think it's so awesome that you're highlighting all these authors :) I'm so thrilled that people might discover new gems in these interviews, seriously!  So August we can expect lots of new words from LVFics? I'm going to mark that on the calendar ;)

Okay, so before I end, is there anything else you want to talk about or bring up or showcase? I really want to thank you though for taking the time to interview me. This whole concept is super fun and I've been so excited ever since I first found out about it. I had to restrain myself from sending you ladies a laundry list of writers. So thanks for doing this. If anything has been under appreciated, it's the Everlark interviews. Even though I'm way behind on fics. I never miss a new one. It's one step away from being my home page. Thank you for talking with me, I was super excited to do this! And I can't wait until August when you'll be writing more :)

Hey! BTW thank you for asking me

Thank you for agreeing, I am super excited! Honestly, you are so very respected in the fandom, people are going to be thrilled to hear all about you, and I'm thrilled that I get to be the one to talk with you!

Oh wow! I really had no idea! Thank you again!

Let's start easy - how did you get involved in the HG fandom?

Ok, well, everything began when after reading MJ, like many others people, I thought, "So? That's it? I need to read more, to know more!" And so I started to read fanfictions on ff.net. I had a tumblr already but I never used it before early 2015 I think? And that's when the real madness started lol. Before that I wrote on forums and on Facebook with fellow friend who loved the series (not) as much as I did, but it was tumblr who definitely made me start to be productive for the fandom.

What's funny is that before reading the books, I saw THG and CF movies, and when I first saw the trailer for the first movie, I thought that it was just a lame copy of that older movie from the 80's and from a 2000 Japanese movie, how wrong I was!! Lol

You'll have to tell me what that 80s movie is so I can look it up! "The Running Man" with Arnold Schwarzenegger! LOL They had this reality show where people had to kill themselves and the ones who were against the society eventually ended up being selected as competitor, against other people who volunteered to be there (like our careers basically) who were usually the stronger ones. The mood of the movie is completely different though, and I only thought it could be similar to THG before watching it, after that I changed my mind lol!

LOL I've never seen that movie! It's very 80's. I don't think I need to tell anything else about it haha!

So by productive, you mean fan edits? Can you explain what exactly a fan edit is? So yes, I'm productive with fan edits and fan videos too. I think I consider myself mostly a vidder, rather than an artist. It's the activity with which I relate the most. It's my comfort zone. I used to be a video editor once, so that's probably why lol.

I love your videos, but I think most people, like me, have absolutely no idea how much work and artistry goes into them. Can you tell me about the process? Fan videos require a lot of time! At least for me, because I’m the most undecided person in the world and I change my mind about the things I do all the time. @titaniasfics always tells me that I’m a perfectionist, but I just think that I’m an obsessed crazy girl lol. When I make a video, usually there are two possible things that give me inspiration: - I can hear a song and because of the melody or the lyrics, being inspired and think about the scenes that could fit here and there. - Or I can have an idea, like “I want to talk about hijacked!Peeta” (so I already picture the scenes that I’d need) and then search for the right music to do it. In both cases I usually think about the voiceovers first. They give coherence to the whole thing, they link the various parts of the video into something more connected. I always want to tell a story, rather than just put random scenes, following the beats.  So maybe that’s why it takes me so long. Because when you have 1/2 minute to express a concept, you need to be focused and even if I try, I’m not always sure I can actually make anything that makes sense! LOL Once I make the main (video) editing, I start to worry about the effects and texts that I could eventually add to it. And this is where I spent the most of the time I commit to videos, like I can make the editing in 2/3 days and then spend 4 others deciding the color corrections, the transitions and such. It’s really exhausting (at least to me - because of that said indecisiveness of mine)! But it’s fun after all, and so… haha!

That sounds incredibly intense. How long does the whole process take, from idea to finished product? Up to 2 weeks, but it depends, some videos where already "made" in my head even before opening my video editing software, and they took only a few days, some others requires much more time, because I define them in the process.

That's really amazing! How many fan videos have you made so far? 26 about the hunger games.

Holy cow!!! That's a ton! Do you have any in the works now? Any planned for the near future you can tease? I had some WIPs but I dropped them months ago. I kind of felt empty after I saw MJ2 and instead of inspiring me it killed my muse lol. I might start working on them again soon, but I'll see, I need to feel it, in order to make anything acceptable.

I was doing a video about the Evolution of Peeta Mellark, and one about the Evolution of Everlark. They were instrumental videos, and those are usually the most complicated to do, because there is no lyrics that help you with what scenes to put in a particular part or not.

A lot of people have said that MJ2 being released felt like the end of the fandom in some ways... The fandom surely became quieter after MJ2 but I don't think that is dead. There are still a lot of writers who keep on writing (and I thank you all for this!) and activities like yours, help it stay alive. ☺

It's such a great group of people, we certainly don't want it to fade away! Okay, so since we're talking about the fandom writers, tell me about your banner work. I've seen so many incredible story banners that you've made for fan fics. How did you get started doing those? Oh it's surely @titaniasfics fault! She encourages me all the time, in everything I do, she really is one of the most amazing person I’ve ever met, always ready to motivate and help people in all the possible ways, so when she first asked me to make her a banner for one of her story, being one of her biggest fan, I couldn’t believe my ears, and I had to say yes!

The first one I think it was for "My Favorite Mistake" a story that I asked her to write, only chapter one has been published so far, but it's going to be steamy! 

Did she tell you about our secret blog where we take inspiration from?! Haha

She did, your secret porn blog, I'm terribly jealous!! Haha it's actually amazing!

So what's your process for making a story banner then? How do you get your inspiration? Well,  I need to know what’s the story is about of course. I usually read the story before doing the  banner so that it can have the right mood. And so that I can know about little details that I can eventually add to them. So far I basically made banners mostly for my friends @titaniasfics and @thegirlfromoverthepond. They can tell me if they want something specific but usually they let me do what I want and see what changes we can make eventually. @chele20035 asked me to make a banner for one of her stories too. She asked me for something in particular, so I gave her two versions of the same banner. One following my gut and the other following her instructions. 

To get inspiration I check a lot of movie covers to see what they look like. Then what worries me the most is the coherency of the piece. It’s not always easy to obtain something that looks like a whole, like, giving a sense of harmony. I always try to make my works as flawless as possible, I spend a huge amount of time trying to obtain a color scheme that is the same for the several images I use. So I focus on the colouring a lot. I’m a bit OCD in this, I have to admit it. Earlier, you asked me what a fan edit is. To me, they are all those works made starting from previous sources. Like photos or videos. Fanarts are from scratch, fanedits it’s the art of manipulating in my opinion, and they both need a lot of time to be made well. I don’t consider myself an artist, far from it, but I can play with Photoshop and I do play a lot with the banners I made!  I'm always thankful when I've been asked for a banner, because I have a lot of fun doing them!

Doing banners like those, it's the best part of my RL job. So they save me from the boredom I can happen to experience with my real works lol

Can I ask, what's your RL job? I'm a graphic designer right now. Once I was a video editor,  so basically I merged my two professions at the fandom service. I don't know if this is a bad thing or not (probably not for the fandom lol), but I have fun and it's the thing that matters the most to me! It's an absolutely incredible thing for the fandom!

But seriously, everything I do is out of fun and inspiration that my biggest friends in the fandom give me. I owe them everything! Tell me more about your edits then. What inspires you to create those? And how do people react, in general, to your art and edits and videos?

Yes those ones are called gifsets. Technically they are the easiest things I do, it’s the idea and the images to use that make the difficult part. I have to credit @ombradellaluna for this, because she always gives me the best suggestions!

The manipulations requires some more technical skills than gifsets but usually they let me be more creative, and I get the inspiration from fanfics or from a particular scene or quote taken from the books/movies. I don’t know about people's reaction, I hope they like them! I have some great supporters both on tumblr and youtube, and they are what keep me going!

There are certain stories, that give me the right vibes and I know that I simply have to do something with them. Recently it happened with @thegirlfromoverthepond's drabble about fairies...

And with "The Pearl of the Antilles" by @titaniasfics. (Click here for an amazing aesthetic!)

I love that, hearing the things that inspire you to have to create something incredible! So what are your very favourite pieces of art/video/banner/gifsets that you've created... and why? Ok I need to think about this for a while lol!

LOL of course! It's kind of like asking you to name your favourite child. Haha yes even if I tend to be super critical about myself, and I would say "none of them are good enough!" So I need to think lol

They're all amazing, really, you do incredible work, like magic! So, if I have to name one favorite edit that I did so far, I’ll go for the last thing I did for @titaniasfics’s tPotA. I made a series of manipulations taking inspiration from her story’s universe. And I can say that I’m satisfied with the result :) The best banner (in my opinion) that I made was probably the one for Heretics, it took me a lot to made it but I had a lot of fun merging Everlark with The Star Wars universe!

Also, I’m currently working on a big project for @thegirlfromoverthepond’s beautiful story “The Firebird”.

She asked me to make aesthetics for every chapters and I just love searching for the right images that can describe the mood of each one! I’m so grateful she asked me to do it!

One video could be “Real not Real”, that I made last November. It tells the story of Katniss and Peeta throughout his hijacking. I realized that I just love doing videos about Hijacked!Peeta, and once again, I have to thank @ombradellaluna since she always supports me a lot with these… she just loves Peeta so much and she always wants me to make videos about him!

Another video that I was proud of, was an underrated one (here on tumblr at least, on YT it’s ok lol) called “Pity Party”, it was all about Katniss and for once the story wasn’t my main concern. It’s full of complex effects that I had fun experimenting to do!

And I can’t choose a gifset, or maybe that one with Everlark smut, yes! Smut always makes everything better! Hahaha

Smut does make everything better, ha!! How about upcoming projects? You've mentioned the chapter mood boards for The Firebird, what else are you working on? I have no upcoming planned projects at the moment, apart from the occasional gifsets that I make, everything I do just happens out of the blue. Probably I'll try to finish those videos, if I'll find my muse back. But right now I'm trying to focus on multifandom videos, I'd like to experiment new styles and I need multifandoms to do that lol!

Which other fandoms? So many others: Harry Potters, movies from the  Marvel and DC Universe, Outlander, Orphan Black, the Walking Dead… I'm telling you, to make multifandom videos, you don't care about the story, you only focus on the actual visual result, and I could use even movies/series that I've never seen, if they have the right scenes or gives you the right emotion! It's a complete different way of making videos, that's why I'd like to give it a go!

It sounds fascinating, and complicated! I can't wait to see what you come up with! We will see! Lol.

So would you be open to having people contact you with requests for fan art/banners/edits? I don't want to overwhelm you, but you know people are going to line up for a chance to have a little slice of your incredible work. Oh my, are you kidding me?! I really never thought people actually liked my banners, apart from @titaniasfics and @thegirlfromoverthepond! Lol they are kind of different from the ones we usually see and the style might not be liked by people.

You have a unique style, for certain, that's part of why people love your work so much, it's refreshing, and gorgeous. The video you made, about hijacked Peeta, I was astonished, it was so so so good. And the banner you made for Firebird, so utterly gorgeous! Thank you so much! Thank you so much for chatting with me, I really had fun, you're great to talk to! I hope we can do it again!

Thank you!

"Katniss had never been any good and giving presents." It lead to my first story.  Called Presents (of course) which ended up being about how Katniss decided to finally have a baby.

How long has it been since you've written it?

I had to go back and look, but it looks like it was back in 2012.  Boy, have I been doing this for that long? Time flies.

Yeah, I saw that! I wasn't sure if you just opened an account then or if you started writing then. That's a long time!

It is.  I hadn't realized how long it had been.  I had been reading fanfics before then, but just usually as a guest. I didn't get an account until I decided to post something.

So I read I can't make you love me...

And it was killer!

Thank you!  I have to admit that is probably my favorite piece of writing out of all of them.

When he told her he loved her and kissed her forehead I felt his pain deep in my heart! It was really well written!

What inspired you to write it?

Thank you.  That one totally came from the lyrics of the song by Bonnie Raitt.  I had used it in another story., and I read the complete lyrics and they just sounded like exactly what Peeta would be feeling.  I originally saw it as a "nights on the train" story, but the line in the song about these final hours made me realize it had to be the night before the Quarter Quell.  The lyrics just fit so perfectly to me.

You captured it really well! So how long have you been on tumblr?

About a year or so.  I honestly tried to avoid it as long as I could, but finally broke down and joined.  I'm glad I did.  It's been great connecting with people here. And it's been a good platform not only to post fanfic stuff, but to also put out stuff from my blog where I write book reviews and any other writings I may do.

Lol, Hold up! Gotta ask... Why did you try to avoid it? Not because it's a never ending black hole of fandom stuff to get riled up about and/or cry over??

Lol!  Yeah, that plus I just wasn't sure I wanted to deal with another social media site to add to what I was already on.  Glutton for punishment I guess.

But there are really some great people here and I have really enjoyed that

What social media sites are you part of and which do you prefer?

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr,  Twitter and I have a blog.  My Facebook is personal so I don't really don't use it for HG fandom things.  At this point for being in the fandom right now I enjoy Tumblr the most. For my stories it is definitely Tumblr and A03 that seem to get the word out the best, but I feel like I'm still learning Tumblr a little bit...especially about tagging and doing that effectively.

Tumblr has a very specific learning curve! Actually its more of a jagged line. Like chevron. 

So there's a fic you've written called Katniss Got Married. Tell me about it. The summary sounds very intriguing...

Yeah.  That is the story that I am currently working on.  I got the inspiration from the 80s movie Peggy Sue Got Married.  Katniss and Peeta got married right out of high school but years later their marriage is falling apart.  At their high school reunion, a twist of fate sends Katniss back to their senior year.  She begins to reexamine her life.  Will she change the course of her life, or one more decide to marry Peeta?  I really enjoyed the movie and a scene that would be towards the end really came to mind that I hope I will eventually get to write.

I posted the first chapter, and have a begun on the second, but work and life has gotten in the way.  I hoping after next week once school is out and I don't have to work that I can start get going on it!  I really want to and my friends @mtk4fun, @norbertsmom, and @titaniasfics have told me that I have to write this, so I am pretty determined to keep going.

Can you elaborate on the scene from the movie you're wanting to write?

The scene I really was inspired by in the movie is basically the end where she has almost run off away from her life but realizes at the last minute that she really loves her husband and decides once more to take the path to marry him. I really saw the way I would write this with Katniss and Peeta and can't wait to get to that part.  My motivation to write the rest is to get to that point!

It's funny the little piece of dialogue or moment that you get in your head that inspires you to write something.  For this one, I saw the ending of the story first once the movie inspired me.  And just have to work back from there!

Do you find it’s easier to work forwards or backwards?

It's definitely easier to work forwards, but it just depends on what inspiration I have.  I do think that a certain scene or piece of dialogue you have in mind and are really excited about is a great motivator to keep on writing!  I know it is for me because I always want to get to that moment or scene that may have been in my mind for awhile and finally write it.

Have you ever written any personal experiences into your stories?

Oh absolutely.  In Together By Chance, Together By Choice, the chapter where Katniss and Peeta have trouble conceiving.  All the emotions there definitely came from my personal experience with infertility.  In Celebrity Daughter I put a lot of emotions and some of the personal things I went through in adoption into that story.  Learning to Fly was another one.  Some of the personal touches come from my relationship with my husband.  I like having that piece of me in there, because I know the emotions so well and I believe in writing what you know!

You can definitely tell when an author has experienced something. Do you have kids now?

Yes.  We couldn't have any on our own.  But we were blessed by being able to adopt a little girl.

I put some of those emotions and a little experience of adoption into my story Celebrity Daughter.

That's so sweet! I've always wanted to adopt. Is the process difficult?

I do hope someday you will do it because it is so worth it!

I would describe the process as a roller coaster.  

Kind of like this?

Yep!

A friend of mine who adopted before we did described it that way to me and I found it to be so true.  Emotionally, there were so many highs and lows, and honestly our process was fairly smooth overall.  A few obstacles, but nothing compared to others I have heard.  It takes lots of decisions and patience, but the end is so worth it! It took about a year and a half for us from beginning to end.

So how old was your daughter when you finally got her?

She was 2 days old, but we saw her for the first time at the hospital an hour after she was born.  Adoption law here in Texas says that they have to wait 48 hours after birth before asking the birth mother to sign relinquishment documents.  So, 2 days after she was born, the papers were signed and we got to take her home.  We had her 6 months and then it was finalized.

Ah! You're in Texas?! I'm in Texas!

You're kidding! : )  That's amazing and such a small world.  I'm in the north Dallas area.  Where  are you?

Lol!! South Dallas! Small world.

Definitely!! : )

With so many people in the fandom from all over the world, to talk with someone who is pretty much right where I am.  What are the odds?  It's crazy.

Dare I say it? *whispers* the odds are in our favor... 

So... What drew you to the books? Where was the point at which you became hooked?

I am an Elementary school librarian and hear about the books in reviews and from other librarians.  One of my good friends who really knows my tastes told me that I absolutely had to read it, so I finally picked up a copy.  Katniss' strong voice drew me in immediately, along with the story, but the point at which I got hooked was when we first hear about Peeta and the bread.  I As I heard in one interview.  I came for the romance, stayed for the rebellion. And of course once I finished the first book, I immediately went and read the rest.

What did you think when you saw the first movie?

Overall, I loved it, although I  was not a fan of the ending as I was upset they didn't have the confrontation on the train moment which I thought was so important to the ending of the book.

All the movies I thought were really well done, though.

What did you think of them?

(Another one trying to turn this interview around on me)

The first one I was horrified with the whole children killing children thing. I hadn't read any of the books. None of it really made sense to me. The second time around it was so much clearer because I knew the books were written in Katniss’ pov. 

I understand.  That was my first reaction to the summary of the book before I went and read it.  My main attraction to the book were the romance pieces of it anyway.  I just tried to remember that the violence aspect of it was trying to send a serious message about society and consequences of war.

But when they make a movie from the book, I am thankful when they stay fairly close to the storyline.

Favorite character and why?

Peeta.  I loved his devotion and strength of character.  I think he was probably most like me personality wise, so I related to him the most. But I also really enjoy Johanna a lot for the humor. I relate to her sarcasm.

How did you feel about the hijacking?

At first I couldn't believe it when Peeta attacked Katniss.  Then I was curious as to how they would end up because I couldn't see how they could come back together from that.  I think that is one of the reasons I love Katniss and Peeta together so much because they had come through so much and still were able to find each other and heal together.  That's a pretty amazing love story.

It is!! It'll go down as a classic I'm sure.

Why should people check out your stories?

I hope that people will check out my stories if it seems like one that they would be interested in.  I think fans of romance or Everlark hopefully enjoy them and I try to make them as entertaining and interesting as I can.  And I always promise a happily ever after!

Good enough for me! What's up next on your writing schedule?

I plan to continue Katniss Got Married, and I also have a one shot idea inspired by the song Don't Speak by No Doubt that I think fits a Gale/Katniss relationship story.  I hope this summer I can really get going on them!

Oh my that brings back memories. When they still sold tapes! Lol

I know just what you're thinking

So please stop explaining

Don’t tell me ‘cause it hurts

I know, right?

You and me.  We used to be together.  Every day together.  Always.  I really feel...like I'm losing my best friend.

That's so Galeniss!! Except for the Always… that belongs solely to Peeta.

Definitely a Gale song.  I have a lot outlined out, just need to start writing.

Okay so give some advice to new authors/bloggers, and any last words to the fandom?

Keep reading, keep writing, and keep supporting the writers out there.  It's what keeps the fandom going.

My day typically begins around 7am,  I go to work - I'm an administrator in a government job - but the place I work is not boring at all, it’s actually really good and I work with some great people. I work four days a week, Monday to Thursday.  Fridays and weekend time gets up by family stuff and errands.  I have one daughter,  usually referred to on Tumblr as Teen!Lou, who is 19 years old.  I've raised her as a single parent since she was born, so it’s just the two of us. But she is the light of my life, and we're great friends.   Fridays and weekends gets taken up with family stuff, I also look after my Mom, who is 77 and has dementia.  I find fandom and fangirling great fun, I've even taught my daughter how to do it, lol, since my first fandom years ago, BTVS.  I have a crazy cocker spaniel too, that demands my attention, and a very old, very cranky cat called Willow.

I think you should change your cat’s name to Buttercup. 😉 Did you ever write fic for Buffy?

No, I never even ventured into reading fanfic until I hit the brick wall at the end of Mockingjay and wanted to know what happened next! Like so many others, I googled and viola, found the rabbit hole that I've been sucked into the for the last 3 and half years or so.

Do you remember the first THG fic you read?

Yes, it was MissScarlett's "growing together".  It blew me away.

You know I've never even heard of it! I'll have to find it and give it a read.

Oh you have to.  It's considered one of the "classics".

So now to the big question....

Oh jesus.

Ask and ye shall receive.

You have arguably the most sought after updatable fic in our fandom. I've seen people ask in other writers comments about it. I've had a person even ask me about it. How many asks do you get for updates about Degrees of Separation?

Really?  I haven't!  I don't get that many asks really, due to my lack of updates, so that's not surprising.  I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking it's abandoned. I get the odd snarky comment on ffnet guest reviews.  But then, there are some lovely people who faithfully, every few months, will send and ask about the story.   And I'm shocked they still care!

Oh we care!! I'm sure I'm not the only one that you broke with that story and now you have the surgical challenge of putting us back together! Dr. Lou, the Everlark cardiologist. 😉 Lol

Is it your only story?

No. I do actually have another story called Waiting for Midnight.  I published the prologue for F4LLS in 2014.  I intend to complete that too, but it’s very different from DoS.  It’s in-Panem, for a start.

I must have missed that one! Give me the summary…

WfM : Nearly ten years have passed since the day the rebel forces stormed the City Circle and brought the War to an end. Peeta returned to District 12 afterwards, and threw himself into rebuilding his shattered District, along with his shattered life. And he watches over she who is most shattered of all… Katniss.

It sounds fab! How many chapters are posted and what's the projected length?

Only the prologue is posted.  I have about four chapters written, and I guess it will be around ten.  But I suck at outlining. Really suck.

Well for someone who sucks at outlining you tell a kick-ass story!

Thank you!  I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of .. gal... writer.. Lol.

Then I posted a one shot from the DoS universe called Carols on Campus, for PiP.  That's actually tied in with the next chapter.

I did read that one! It was a good fix during the wait! I snorted that baby right up. 

Let's go back to Degrees for a minute....

What was the inspiration for it?

The song Six Degrees of Separation, by The Script was a very strong influence. But it was actually inspired by something I read on tumblr.

What did you read on tumblr? 

Somebody asked someone else if they'd ever read a divorced!everlark fic and my mind went into a tailspin of "hell no!"  And it crawled into my mind and stayed there, and I could shake the horror of the idea of everlark being divorced.  So the only way I could get control of that feeling, was to write the story myself.   And viola. *couldn't shake the horror, so I talked about it with my friend Alison (KnottedEnergy) and she said "do it."

Those plots we don't want to read sometimes call us to write them. 😬

Exactly.

So we're in control! Lol I don't have to leave my HEA in the hands of someone else, so to speak.

Yes, and it’s a good feeling.

There is an update ready, yes?

Very close to it.  I still have to send it to my beta, and it’s a very busy time of year for her (she is an educator) so hopefully it will be published soon.

Happy dance time! How many more chapters will it be?

That I really don't know, as each chapter has grown from where it started ... the next chapter I'm publishing has been split, and is only about 2/3rds of what I originally intended as I tend to write long chapters.  The next chapter will be about 12k words. I'd say at least four more. Plus short epilogue, which is written.

We love long chapters! So there could be two quick updates!??

Possibly! I found this chapter the hardest to write - as it is NOT as angsty as the previous stuff.

There are people squee'ing right now.

I find angst much easier to write than fluff!

Yay for fluff!

There is undoubtedly a lot of huge talent in our fandom. What does it feel like to have written one of the most talked about and anticipated fics?

Scary.  And honestly, I feel like it is undeserved.  I have written one story, and there are so many hugely talented writers who have soo many ideas, and such variety in their work that sometimes I want to say... "but look at this person's work... it's so amazing.."  please ignore my one, unfinished work....

Lol! Sometimes all it takes is one damn good fic to get on everyone's radar. I think I died in that chapter where she looked in his drawer. It cut like a knife. 

I don't see myself as a writer.  If I'm honest, I love encouraging other people in their works, and seeing them flourish, almost more than writing my own.  Does that sound weird? I love bouncing ideas and plots around. I am amazed by the talent in this fandom.  And so delighted to see so many moving onto original works, even if it breaks my heart to see them go.

Not weird at all! People like you are the backbone of the fandom. We all need support and you do it very well!

Let's go back to your earlier statement… You write angst best. Why do you think that is?

Oh, the deep stuff again!  

You know it!

I guess life experience? Apart from my own, I've seen a lot of my friends and family go through some terrible heartbreaks.... DoS is partly based on a true story.  It’s easy to find ways to break people (Everlark) up and keep them apart... not so easy to put them back together, and the same is true for real life, I think. *Not my own true story, by the way! A friend’s.

Is your friend reconciled like we hope Everlark will be?

It never went that far...she suffered serious postpartum psychosis after her third child, and was hospitalised when her family realised what was going on.    I was more thinking along the lines of how it could have gone if she didn't get the help she needed at the time.  Her and her husband are fine now, as is she. :)

She has read DoS.

That is great to hear! I was about to ask if anyone in RL has read your fic.  What was her opinion?

She cried, but she said I caught her feelings exactly.  Then I got her drunk.

Lol!! Irish whiskey?

Jack Daniels, actually!

An import?! Tsk tsk. 

So you've been around the fandom for 3+ years. How has it evolved since you joined? Does it look different now?

I really have teen!Lou to thank for introducing me to all this, she was the one who made me read THG in the first place... then she told me about tumblr.  Then I joined tumblr (and she had a meltdown at her Mom being on tumblr) but she got used to it and we respect each other’s boundaries!  I think THG fandom does look different now, a lot of people have come and gone, some have moved onto other fandoms or into developing their own original works - but that’s okay, that was to be expected.  I found it much busier in the run up to the movies, but I always expected things to become quieter after the fourth movie was released.  Though even now, I still see new faces popping up on my dash with THG stuff.  So it’s still good.

What do you enjoy most about being part of it?

The friendships I have made.  I still follow a lot of those who no longer post much THG stuff. I've made friends in THG fandom which (I hope) will continue for a long time. My daughter also says Tumblr has been good for my attitude!

Oh, from the mouths of babes. Or...teens. All young people, really.

And I have to agree with her.  I see a lot of things from the perspective of younger people, that I might not have done before.... I think tumblr has done great things for my parenting, and she agrees with me, as we often discuss topics that come up here.

That's really cool. Who would've thought tumblr would be good for parenting skills?

Have you ever met a fan-girl-friend (that's what I call fandom friends) or have plans to meet some one day?

Not from THG fandom, but I did meet some THG fangirls at a TMI - (For anyone who doesn’t know, TMI is The Mortal Instruments series, which Loueze can’t read and fangirl with me over because teen!Lou said no. :( And literally no one else I’ve talked to in this fandom has read it.) - thing a few weeks ago, and ended up chatting Everlark in front of Cassandra Clare.  Oops.

Haha! Nothing like raving about another fandom in front of a writer that started her own! Are they on tumblr as well? Are you mutual followers?

No, they were there for a book signing and I was there because I went with my daughter - she needed me to get extra books signed!  (but I think you know about that ;) 

I do!

There are loads of people from THG fandom I'd love to meet.  Maybe someday!  I do plan to travel stateside - it’s on my bucket list.

Ireland is on my bucket list! They always have the fall groupon packages that are crazy good deals. One of these days… Where in the states would you like to go?

Oh lord... all over.  New York.  North Carolina.  The deep South.  LA, though I don't really fangirl celebs.  But I'd love to see real, small town USA.   "Smallville" if you like. It would have to be a month long trip or more.

There are some excellent Smallville's in the south. Very friendly.

I'd love to see Maine as well.  I have a friend who travels there regularly and it sounds beautiful.

I'd love to see Kennebunkport one day. But only in summer! What advice would you give any newcomers or first time writers to THG?

Stick around!  We're nice.  And if you want any help with your story, don't be afraid to ask, there are some great writers here who will help and encourage, and some blogs for that as well.  But one thing I would say is don;t be afraid to write what you want to write.  I was terrified writing a divorce story - I remember getting a review after publishing the chapter where the divorce went through saying "you did it.  You actually did it.  I thought you were going to pull something out of the bag at the last minute, but you actually divorced Everlark.  I've never seen that done before" - I thought I'd be universally hated for it, but no. I did get some haters yes, but for the most part, THG fandom was supportive of me exploring that.  So don't be afraid to take a chance.  But tag appropriately!  LOL.

Great advice! Thank you for taking your time with me and answering all my nosy questions!

Thank you, for asking them, and putting up with my long winded answers! ;)

When did you decide you wanted to write a story and why?

I’ve always wanted to write a book, and a friend of mine suggested looking into Fanfiction as a way to start. Of course I went straight to the Hunger Games and started reading some of them. It was actually seeing peetaspikelets putting out her first one that gave me the final push.  It was nice seeing a new author and it gave me the courage i needed.  I had a couple stories already started so I picked one and put it on AO3. The response was amazing!

Wow! You’re a go-getter! No lolly-gagging for you. So give me some info on the story... What's the title, the summary, is it a wip or a one shot?

My first one was Better Things Ahead. It was 2 chapters and is done. Peeta is a Professor who has custody of his niece after his brother and sister-in-law are killed in an accident. Katniss is a former student who needs a summer job after graduation. She goes to work for him as a nanny and of course they fall in love.

How many words is Better Things Ahead?

About 9,000. I also have a WIP that I just put out called The Lighthouse. Katniss and Peeta are working to restore a  lighthouse that has a dark past.

The Lighthouse sounds like a fun story! What kind of dark past?

Right now they don't know too much, but there is a couple of deaths associated with the house and strange things are starting to happen. The house/ghosts use your fears against you.

Ooooo a ghost story?? 

Where did your inspiration come from for this?

I was listening to the radio and the song The Lighthouse Tale (it’s a few years old) came on. My first idea was along those same lines, but as I started to write It kinda took on a life of it's own and went to a darker place.  I love history and ghost stories.  In fact I can't get enough of those tacky ghost hunting shows. I think that is what pushed me to a bit scarier story.

I will have nightmares if I watch those! 

So you love history. I think we can tell by your chose url. 😉 what is your favorite part of history and will you be writing anything along those lines one day?

I do love history, and I am a big World War II buff.  I actually have two stories ideas that are set during this time period (one short and one longer) . But my next one is going to be around the events of 9/11.  I feel like I want to get it out before the anniversary this year.

I love WW2 as well and I love fictional stories placed around that era. Can you give me some details about what you're thinking? Is this Everlark? If so, what roles will they play?

All of my ideas are Everlark right now :). I have one idea where he is a pilot and she is a nurse stationed out of Pearl  Harbor, the kicker is that she had dated his brother for a short time. The second is actually in Nazi Germany where Peeta marries her because they find she is of Jewish descent and it is a way to keep her safe. The 9/11 story follows Everlark for the year before and after 9/11 where they worked in the towers. It shows how they handle everything that happens.

Ah! I literally almost said nurse/pilot in my question!

Yea, I had a similar idea for a story in college, just never put it down. I love those stories!

Well, I, for one, am excited to read them! 

So what are you hoping to give/get out of the THG fandom?

That's a tough one.  I feel like everyone has been so helpful and giving to me as a new author.  I use reading and writing as a way to escape real life and stress so I just hope that when people read my stories they are able to get lost in them for a bit.  And if they learn a bit of history along the way that is a plus!

What do you do for fun? What does a day in your life look like?

I work full time and have a 4 year old daughter...that takes up most of my time, in fact Mockingjay part 2 is the only movie I saw last year that was not animated.  When I get time for myself I am usually getting hanging out with my friends.  I have two that have really been supporting me and one who is now thinking of writing as well.

I'm with you on the animated movie thing. Although I did take my 5 year old to see jungle book and he said it was too much for him! It even scared me a couple of times!

I heard that it was a bit much!

What's your favorite movie to watch with your daughter?

We watch a lot of Frozen and Toy Story movies. What is your favorite?

Hmmmm...

Who's asking the questions here? 

Maybe I should let it go... too corny? I’d have to go with Madagascar 3 actually, or Kung Fu Panda 1. I love to laugh and I’ll watch those movies when I’m alone! You don’t have to twist my arm.

Those are good ones. I used to work in public relations sometimes we turn it around on the interviewer.

Lol! I will always answer. 😃 What is the biggest challenge you face when writing?

Finding the time first of all. Then trying to make it conversational. I spend a lot of time and academic / professional writing so that's been the biggest challenge

Are you talking about your job when you say professional writing?

Yes. I work in politics and now I'm in Academia so it's always got to be professional

Lots of government workers in this fandom!

I've noticed that! Should we be a little worried that we are all interested in a story with the dystopian future? Actually I think some of it is that it shows us what we already know that the government can get out of control if it's allowed to.

Lol! Maybe... Is there anything you wish would have been different in the THG trilogy?

I just hate that Peeta Got Hijacked but that's about it.  I do wish that she would have gone into a little bit more of what created that future, though.

Do you mean what happened before the Hunger Games?

I wish that earlier in the story should have explained better as to what led America to fall apart like that. I love that Peeta comes back in the end but it hurts to see him so damaged. I was team Everlark from the first second I started watching!

Who is your favorite character? Besides the obvious two we all fangirl over all the time...

Joanna...just love her I don't care attitude.

Have you participated in any of the writing challenges yet?

No, but I have something I am working on for the D12 drabble that have started  every week

Nice! We will be looking forward to it! Any last words for the readers and the fandom?

No just a thank you for the warm welcome to the fandom I really couldn't ask for more. And thank you to you for doing the interview with me!