Interview with littlebird006
We got with the author of Journeyman to get a little insight on the story and her writing!
QUESTION 1: Since Journeyman is a rewrite, what has been the hardest part of reconstructing this plot from Red Dawn to what the fic is now?
ANSWER: The hardest part of writing Journeyman has been trying to balance the old with the new. It is a rewrite and with that comes the decision of which key character traits, plot points, and scenes from Red Dawn that I want to carry over into Journeyman, but at the same time, it is a new story that is unique in and of itself. I want it to be reminiscent of the original but I also want to breathe new life into the story and the characters and that’s been a challenge.
QUESTION 2: What is your favorite type of scene to write?
ANSWER: My favourite scenes to write are the quiet ones, the ones that don’t rely on grand gestures or lots of dialogue. When the characters or the story can progress using subtleties and nuances, that’s what I love.
QUESTION 3: If you asked your character’s if they could look back and change a certain action/day, what would that be?
ANSWER: Harry and Beth would likely have the same answer and that would be the day Beth made it clear she knew Harry was lying about how he was injured. Beth’s impatience and anger was out of character for her and she wished she hadn’t confronted Harry in the manner that she did. Harry wished he had told Beth the truth then and there and hadn’t taken his frustration out on her.
QUESTION 4: What is your writing process like?
ANSWER: I like to have a rough idea of a story’s plot laid out first and then I work out where key scenes or pieces of dialogue might fit into that. I find that knowing what I want to achieve with the next two or three chapters helps me figure out what I need to include in the chapter that I’m currently working on. The key for me is trying to stay flexible with the plot as I figure out which ideas don’t fit and come up with new ones in their place.
QUESTION 5: What advice would you give to writers who are unsure about going back and rewriting a fic?
ANSWER: Rewriting a story means being really critical of your own writing because essentially you’re doing it because you think the original isn’t good enough. It can be tough to disassemble something you worked really hard to write and it took me a long time to get over the feeling that if I didn’t write it well enough the first time, what made me think I’d do better the second time around. My biggest piece of advice is to just have fun with it. You get to take your favourite parts of the original and scrap the bits you don’t like and you might be surprised with what you end up with.
QUESTION 6: Regarding Beth and Bridget’s friendship, what is your most favorite thing about them? Least favorite thing about them?
ANSWER: My favourite thing about Beth and Bridget’s friendship is how it evolves depending on what they need. They meet and become friends because they both need someone to complain to and struggle through an economics class with. Beth becomes one of Bridget’s few female friends. Bridget is the person who really helps Beth settle into London life. They become each other’s confidants and supports. They balance each other out.
QUESTION 7: How would you describe Beth and Harry’s relationship?
ANSWER: At first glance, Harry and Beth seem like opposites. Beth is quiet and shy and sensitive whereas Harry is tough and sure of himself. The more we learn about the characters, the more we see how they’re alike though. They both have insecurities and are trying to figure out who they are versus who they used to be. Because they understand one another, there’s a vulnerability between them and with that comes a tenderness and a softness that could develop into something amazing.
QUESTION 8: Where can readers discover more about you?
ANSWER: My inbox is always open :)
Follow the author on Tumblr at littlebird006
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