#thetwist

Author name: Creamytinydays (tumblr) / EvvyKurler (Ao3)

Story: The Twist (posted on Ao3)

What makes The Twist unique from your other stories?

One of the fun parts of this story is almost every single character is a professional baker. Katniss owns a bakery, Effie is a cupcake baking queen, and Cato and Gale and Haymitch all bake, too. 

You get to bake! And you get to bake!

  Normally in my stories, the characters have different jobs, lol. So, it’s a fun challenge to differentiate them - how does Katniss approach a baking challenge, versus Delly or Gale? 

What was the inspiration for the story?

I watched way too many baking competition shows. The inspiration for the reality baking competition tv show in the The Twist came from Sugar Rush, with a little Nailed It! and Cutthroat Kitchen sprinkled in there ;)

I came up with the idea a year ago, so I can’t remember exactly what sparked the concept, however, I remember thinking that if Peeta were in the real world he could probably win a baking show like that. Anyway, now we’re here. :)

Do you outline or brainstorm? Or did you just start writing?

I’m generally a lawful good kind of person, but when it comes to writing I’m solidly chaotic neutral. I write scenes on random scraps of paper or across different apps and then forget about them, only to discover them later.

Some stories I have resisted writing. For Mockingjay Temple, I read the prompt and decided I didn’t want to participate because I wanted to finish The Twist. Naturally, the next day, I sit down and start writing a scene for Mockingjay Temple. Now neither of those stories are complete. :)

Did you use a beta? How did it go? 

Yes! Betas are the frosting to my cupcake. Chapter 1 of The Twist was beta’d by my non-Ao3/non-tumblr beta, 2ee. Chapter 2 was beta’d by both 2ee and @butrfac14​. Earlier this year 2ee and @butrfac14​ and @ally147writes​ all beta’d a chapter in another story of mine, which to date is probably the most ambitious story of mine in some ways. Their advice gave me encouragement and confidence in a piece that was very challenging.

My beta dream team has also read Chapter 3 of The Twist. I really value how each beta brings a unique perspective and will comment on different things, and it helps me understand the story through the eyes of a reader. 

Check out @butrfac14​ and @ally147writes​ as they are both awesome, talented Everlark authors.

TLDR: I would highly recommend working with a beta. I really can’t thank mine enough. I know people always say that, but it really is true.

What was the hardest part of the story for you to write?

I was surprised how difficult it was to manage writing 12 named characters in the first chapter. Usually, I’m only writing Peeta and Katniss, and a few supporting characters. Normally, my first chapter of a story will have have two to four characters, and build from there. For The Twist it’s the opposite: because it is a competition, the number of characters actually decreases throughout the story as teams get eliminated. But for the first two chapters, I had to manage everyone! That’s a lot of character descriptions, introductions, and dialogue. It was a lot, and I didn’t expect it to be so tough. 

What is your favorite part of the story?

My favorite is anytime Peeta and Katniss yell at each other talk. One of the first scenes I wrote for The Twist was of them arguing, and it helped me decide to bring the story to life.

So, when are you posting the next chapter?

Chapter Two is up! Thank you to @butrfac14 for her beta help, you are wonderful!!