Hello again, peeps! It’s nearly the end of the week, which means another installment of our creator’s series, and one day closer to the weekend! As always, the interview is still open to submissions!
Onward and upward!
Author/Artist Name *
TheLaughingStar
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Truly started in 2014.
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
On and off since 2002.
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
The characters and the escape they provide.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Mars or Bust by FastPuck and Nachte.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Mars or Bust by FastPuck and Nachte.
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Be patient, there will always be someone better/with more experience than you, and squash jealousy and take it as a challenge.
What programs do you use?
Photoshop CS4, PaintTool Sai
What mediums do you use?
Sketchbook, mechanical pencil, ink pens
Do you have a preference/favorite medium?
My sketchbook.
How long have you been drawing/painting/sketching?
I was born with a brush in my hand
What inspires you? Where do you find inspiration?
Many things, various things. Music especially, and other content created by other artists that I've seen.
How long do you spend, on average, on a piece?
HAHAaaa... depends.
Which piece are you most proud of?
I don't have one at the moment.
What aspects of art are you strong in?
People keep saying I'm good with expressions and hands, so I'll go with that.
What do you feel needs improvement?
Everything.
Do you have any art related goals for this year?
Git gud.
Favorite pizza?
Hawaiian Pizza.
Do you ride roller coasters?
I used to
Pet peeve?
Hearing people smack their lips or suck on lollipops.
What do you do to relax?
Play Pokemon, Skyrim or Minecraft.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
There's a fuckton of prisons here.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
I've been compared to Pride before by others, but I think I have more Wrath due to my naturally aggressive nature when you get to know me personally. Also because of anxiety.
Happy Holiday Week, peeps! I hope everyone’s pets made it through the week without too much stress, and that everyone’s summer isn’t too unpleasant, haha. As much as I love the heat, I’d rather not melt into a puddle of goo every day. Thank you all for your patience, and as always, the interview is still open!
Now, on with the show!
Author/Artist Name *
kayura_sanada
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Oh, gosh. The first thing I published (which is HORRIBLE) was on 10/26/03. I was 15.
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
Since T.O.M. 1 on Toonami, back during '99 and '00. (Oof, that was a long time ago.) So I was around 11-12 years old when I first became obsessed.
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
The fanfiction. My devoted fans. I have people who have been following me since I was fifteen. So even when I take a hiatus from GW (which I'm on now), I always end up coming back. I love my readers!
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Everything by Sunhawk. She's the one who made me fall in love with 1x2, and she deserves every ounce of fandom love.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
The Ion Series, by Sunhawk. If you want a one-shot, read her "Buried Treasures" piece. (If you're talking about me, oh, no. I'm not going to look through my past works. That makes me cringe like whoa.)
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
You ever seen the screen saver Castle has on his computer in the TV show? It just says "You should be writing." That. That would be my advice. Just keep writing. Skill will come in time.
What programs do you use?
LibreOffice. It is phenomenal - and free.
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
Usually, a scene will pop into my head. That one, single scene will replay itself ad nauseum, until finally I can't stand it anymore and will end up writing the story for it. When I do, I usually have very little idea of where things will go, so I'll have a separate file for notes, story scenes, etc. If it gets long, I might devote a spiral notebook to it. Posting usually happens only when I have at least four or five chapters, since then I know I have some backlog in case I end up struggling with a chapter or scene, and I know I'm interested enough in the idea to keep going, even if I don't receive a lot of reviews. (And yes, as soon as I see a kind review, my butt goes back to the WIP, no matter how much I've been struggling with the story. That's how powerful reviews are. They've made me return to abandoned fics, even.)
How long have you been writing?
10+ years
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
That always depends on the fic. I always end up going onto the Internet for something at least once a chapter. Sometimes I'm on the Internet for days doing research. I remember writing By Your Side and spending WEEKS looking up canine physiology and psychology.
Do you have a beta reader?
No
How many WIPs do you currently have?
7 - 10
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Sunhawke was my first real inspiration. (You can tell because I talk about her A LOT, haha!) DynaDee and Kracken also inspired me, because they were two front runners of the 1x2 fanfic fandom. Calic0cat, too. Crap, there are a lot. Nowadays, I'm usually thrown more by my fans than anyone else. They come a long way and give me so much support.
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
I always feel bad when I see this question, because I don't have a smart answer, haha! That scene can come from anywhere. Usually I'm falling asleep or taking a shower and then boom, there's an idea that won't leave me be. I have no idea where they come from.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Settings. I hate writing them out, so they destroy me. I also need to branch out more; I've started writing very similar things recently. I want to freak myself out as a writer. That'll make me improve on things I haven't written enough.
What are your writing strengths?
From what my readers tell me, I'm great at keeping everyone in-character and their interactions with each other. I'm also good at action scenes and smut scenes - probably because, from a writing perspective, they're both very similar to each other.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
I have my same goal as last year - to post something every week - and a couple of new goals. I want to finish the stories I left behind on ff.net, and I want to start getting through the prompt list I made for myself. It has over seventy ideas waiting!
Which work are you most proud of?
Urf. Urgh. Ugh. I don't really like any of them?? I guess... Sub Rosa??? Because, even though it's awful, it's the story that helped me grow as a writer, and as a person, the most.
Favorite pizza?
Alfredo sauce, chicken, spinach, and tomato. GUYS IT TASTES JUST LIKE PASTA!!!
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
Oh, no, so many. I'd say the biggest is having people make assumptions about me, haha!
What do you do to relax?
...Write... haha, no. (But yes. But also no.) I read all the time, and play plenty of video games. If I need to blow off some steam, my go-to is loud music and Fallout 4. Shoot a few dozen raiders, and you'll feel a lot better.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
Pfft, my town isn't fun. (Number one pillhead town in my state. Yea! -_-) But I do live only a couple of hours from D.C.!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Sloth. If I'm not working, you will find me in my chair at home, on my computer or one of my gaming consoles. If I don't have to go anywhere, I'm still in my PJ's.
Long time, no see! I apologize for the radio silence; I’ve been juggling relocating, a new job, and school. Despite the challenges, I’m committed to posting everyone’s interviews! As always, the interview will remain open! Thanks again for your patience!
Enough about me, let’s focus on our next creator!
Author/Artist Name *
lbro009
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Artwork
What other content do you create?
Fanfiction
Where can fans find your content?
Only on Tumblr ( @lbro009 ) at the moment but I have signed up for an Ao3 account (I just haven't posted my fics there yet)
How did you find Gundam Wing?
On Toonami in 2001. It was pretty much the only 'serious' anime there was in UK TV at time, as I recall.
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Um...17 ye---...oh really? No way!!!!!
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
See above *gasps in mock but also sort-of very real horror*. I took some breaks when fandom seemed to be dead and I wasn't feeling any new inspiration . I just didn't realise you'd all migrated to Tumblr. Doh!
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
I think the sense of community and having people to share my ideas with as well as reading/viewing some amazing and thought-provoking content. And I think GW is a great playground for those ideas I wouldn't otherwise know where to express.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
I always really liked Anatexis by Alexe Cinz. It's a fabulous post-EW AU fic arc, exploring a scenario where Mariemaia has won the war.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
See above
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Be you. If you try to be someone else, you will fail mahoosively. You won't ever reach the standard you wish for, but for goodness sake, have more fun trying!
What programs do you use?
Photoshop. And a really crappy Bamboo tablet. Eh...it'll do for now.
What mediums do you use?
For non-fanworks, I favour pencil, or pen and ink. But for fanworks, I tend to do digital pieces.
Do you have a preference/favorite medium?
I love brush and fountain pens to draw with. I adore anything with loose, flowing and delicate line art
How long have you been drawing/painting/sketching?
I was born with a brush in my hand
What inspires you? Where do you find inspiration?
Usually amusing scenarios I've giggled over with fellow fans or scenes from fics I would write if I had the time/knowledge/inclination
How long do you spend, on average, on a piece?
Solidly, I would say perhaps 4-6 hrs? I have no idea. It depends, as sometimes I will work on a piece on and off for weeks. I like to do things in short bursts and then come back to them.
Which piece are you most proud of?
I'm not sure that I'm ever particularly proud of my stuff! But I feel like every piece is a stepping stone to that elusive amazing piece of art I will *cough* one day create :-P.
What aspects of art are you strong in?
I tend to like my drawings better than the coloured version.
What do you feel needs improvement?
Digital painting. I'm pretty much a novice in this area but I am learning. Slowly. Anatomy, too, is a tricky thing to get right, depending on the pose. Foreshortening is one of the hardest things to master.
Do you have any art related goals for this year?
To have more patience; to stop trying to create something amazing right away and just explore the possibilities of a medium. I want to be more experimental with my style, so I need to play around a bit more.
Favorite pizza?
Margarita (I know it's not adventurous but it's simple and lovely). When I was pregnant I ate heaps of it (interchanged with porridge haha)
Do you ride roller coasters?
Never in a million years
Pet peeve?
Fruit peelings/cores left hanging out in empty mugs instead of being put in the bin. This practice is gross. Discarded apple cores, banana skins and orange peel in my living room are the ticket to my wrath
What do you do to relax?
Eat chocolate, drink wine/gin, watch movies, read, dance around in my kitchen to a favourite anthem when no-one is watching (I hope!), scroll through GW content ;-)
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
We might be getting a Space port!!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Oh definitely Envy, as I am among so much talent, hehe! But really, I am quite a saintly individual ha!
Hello again, lovely folks! The sun is shining, it’s nice and warm *coughfreakenhotcough*, and the Gundam Wing fandom is still plugging along! Once again, thank you to everyone who has already participated in this awesome project, and as always, the interview is still open for anyone who wants to participate.
Onwards and upwards!
Author/Artist Name *
Cyn Finnegan
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Artwork
Where can fans find your content?
@cynfinnegan , AO3 , Fanfiction.Net, DeviantArt
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Watched some episodes when it first aired in the US.
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
2 or 3 years, I think.
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
Off and on for a couple years.
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
The characters and story.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Nope. They're pretty much all good.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
"Gundam Fantasy"
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Don't listen to assholes who don't have the brains or the balls to do anything but criticize.
What programs do you use?
RoughDraft for writing, Office for spelling and grammar.
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
I just do it.
How long have you been writing?
I was born with a pencil in my hand
Do you do research for a fic?
Depends on the fic
If so, how much research?
about 25%
Do you have a beta reader?
No
How many WIPs do you currently have?
11 +
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Otto Binder
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
It's either write, or go crazy.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
I tend to ramble
What are your writing strengths?
Plot and pacing.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Finishing something that ISN'T a one-shot.
Which work are you most proud of?
So far? It's a toss-up between Shatter Me and Let Slip the Gods of War
Do you ride roller coasters?
I used to
Pet peeve?
Dealing with fools.
What do you do to relax?
Blast symphonic metal into my ears.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
It takes 45 minutes to get from my house to Casa Grande because of a 25 MPH speed limit in Arizona City.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Another week, another interview! I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and plans to have an even better weekend! As always, the interview still accepting responses, so if you haven’t already, take a few minutes to share a bit about yourself.
And now, without further ado, our next creator!
Author/Artist Name *
Amberly
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Nothing else
Where can fans find your content?
Amberly / @amberlyinviolet
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Toonami
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Oh jeez. 17ish? Years? On tumblr since 2012
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
See above!
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
The people I meet and the need to write.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Rattlesnakes is my go to, and I read it a couple of times a year.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Um. Just one? Probably Two out of Three by The Manwell. Definitely an excellent example of story telling.
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
It’s okay if it’s not perfect. Someone will like it.
What programs do you use?
Google docs usually.
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
Used to be: Have idea. Flail at friends. Talk idea a lot. Write nothing until The Moment. Write to exhaustion. Hand to someone else to edit. Post chapter and forget about it.
NOW I try to do the above but I keep my writing more structured. I won’t post something until the whole work is finished, and I’ve started doing loose outlines. I have point A and B and C and while I don’t know HOW they’re getting there, I do get them there! Eventually!
How long have you been writing?
I was born with a pencil in my hand
Do you do research for a fic?
Depends on the fic
If so, how much research?
I once read a thing about Stephen King where he does this thing. He basically does just the bare minimum of research, AFTER he’s written whatever. I find this works best for me, but sometimes I find something I’m really into and then it’s books and books and books.
Do you have a beta reader?
No
If yes, who is it, and how long have you had one?
I have friends who are kind enough to look over my stuff, and it tends to be more “Hey Who has time?”
How many WIPs do you currently have?
4 - 6
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Clara ( @claraxbarton ) is a big reason I got in to 2x3, and she’s always been a huge inspiration, for years. There are things I admire about all of my friends. @kangofu-cb has beautiful characterization of Quatre and she does a great job with dialogue and humor. @chronicwhimsy does one of my favorite depictions of 2x5.
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
Everywhere! Music, picture sets on tumblr, random conversations, memories I have. If I have a Big Feeling, I usually find a way to fic it.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Consistently writing. I am. Bad at that. Follow through, as well. A lot of starting projects and then getting bored and moving on.
What are your writing strengths?
Dialogue and description! I write good, well-flushed characters.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Finish my shit! Also—I want to start original fiction.
Which work are you most proud of?
All of them. I am most MOST proud of Knife in Hand tho. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever worked on.
Favorite pizza?
Extra cheese! Or white pizza. Mmmm.
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
Interruption people when they’re talking. Also—people who want feedback but don’t give feedback. Fandom is reciprocal, y’all.
What do you do to relax?
Hookah and running. And reading. And puppy snuggles.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
So much ocean. So much.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Man, time is just FLYING by; we’re already halfway through May?! Because we’re well into the month, I want to thank everyone for their patience as I post these interviews. Most of them were done way back in January, but I promise, everyone’s will be posted before the year is finished. I hope that this becomes a nice surprise for anyone who may have forgotten they did this, haha.
BUT! That doesn’t mean anyone just joining us can’t get in on the fun too! The interview is still accepting responses! Now, on to our next creator!
Author/Artist Name *
Gwepisode50/IssyWright
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Other
Where can fans find your content?
Ao3: IssyWright , FF.net: imh , @gwepisode50
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Toonami, the year 2000. I'd never heard of Gundam before and distinctly remember the promos and thought it was about five magical boys that transformed into fighting robots a la Sailor Moon. What a shocker.
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Since the year 2000 (wow, makes one feel old...). Been writing for a long time but rarely did I ever make anything public.
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
Since the year 2000! Right from it's American debut. Oh, remember Geocities? Angelfire? Xanga? The anime Turnpike? Wow so many wild websites (some of them were my own, lol).
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
I suppose being my favourite tv show kept me interested, but it was really about the sharing ideas and stories with other people without shame. Anime was not as big thing when I was younger. The general public had no idea what it was and people around me didn't watch it. So having an online outlet for my obsession for the show was great!
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
YES. "Manifestations", "Realizations", and "Revelations" by Isis cw on ff.net. They're 2 1xr fics and a 4xd. Great writing, great 'slice of life' plots. Probs the most true-to-character writing I've ever seen in GW fanfiction.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
See my "never gets old" fic recs.
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Don't be intimidated by yourself or by fear. Just keep writing, keep drawing, don't quit! Don't be afraid to make crap! You can always fix it later.
What programs do you use?
Microsoft Word
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
I often sit on an idea for a long time, letting it simmer in my mind and working out the plot, sometimes for days, months, even years before ever writing something down. Everyone keeps telling me I should do outlines, but I find that rarely works for the first draft. The probably makes the entire process longer, but well, that's the way I work.
How long have you been writing?
I was born with a pencil in my hand
Do you do research for a fic?
Depends on the fic
If so, how much research?
Depends on what I'm writing about. Usually a quick search can help with some small details.
Do you have a beta reader?
No
How many WIPs do you currently have?
4 - 6
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Octavia Butler, Kazuro Ishiguro, Michel Faber, Dan Simmons,
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
It's usually small ideas that just blossom into stories. For fanfic, it's wanting to see these characters in certain situations and to explore how they would behave and react.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Completing work! I have a nasty habit of never finishing anything.
What are your writing strengths?
Dialogue, characterisation.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Finish something! Become better at writing action scenes.
Which work are you most proud of?
Well, I haven't finished any monumental stuff, but I quite like my little snippets, headcanons, and one shots.
Favorite pizza?
Pizza margherita
Do you ride roller coasters?
I used to
Pet peeve?
Nail biting. Ew!
What do you do to relax?
Read, listen to music, yoga.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
NYC!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Happy Friday peeps!! Spring is officially here, the sun is shining, it’s hot as balls, and there’s none of that white crap in sight! The yearlong quest to highlight all members of our lovely little fandom continues, which wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s participation and support. Thank you guys so much!! As always, the interview is still up for anyone who has been on the fence (Might help if I actually link it this time; sorry about last week XD ).
Now on to one of our wonderfully talented artists!
Author/Artist Name *
MaeveMauvaise
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Artwork
What other content do you create?
Nothing else
Where can fans find your content?
@maevemauvaise , under Maeve’s Art tag
How did you find Gundam Wing?
I first came across it on Toonami! It would run episodes when I got home from elementary school - pretty sure I was about 9 when it was airing lol.
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Well, I did find an old fanfic I wrote when I was a little tiny thing. But that doesn't count, lol. So, for the last 4 ish years I've been attempting to draw the things!
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
Hhmmm, well, I lurked for around a year before being brave enough to step in, so probably about 5 years including that.
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
It's the wonderful friends I've met. Some of my best relationships are with my fandom friends!
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
There's a few, actually. One is most definitely "Freeport" - which inspired one of my first fanworks.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
There's honestly too many! I have a list of things I love! Message me about the things if you want to talk lol.
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
KEEP AT IT, I suppose, lol. It's what I still tell myself each day XD
What programs do you use?
PSE
What mediums do you use?
Traditional, digital, and a combination between the two!
Do you have a preference/favorite medium?
I really miss doing pen and ink, but I don't have the space for that right now.
How long have you been drawing/painting/sketching?
I was born with a brush in my hand
What inspires you? Where do you find inspiration?
Anything and everything. Generally, it's fanfaction I've read. If you look through my stuff, a lot of it tends to be ladies and dresses (my weakness, obviously). Even though I can't write, words are so so important and influence me so much. Pretty sure a lot of my stuff has been inspired by @claraxbarton.
How long do you spend, on average, on a piece?
A long time, lol. The research and initial sketch takes me forever. I'm super picky and can spends weeks just looking it over. Once it's inked and scanned, the process speeds up a lot. I spend a few hours coloring and playing around with things.
Which piece are you most proud of?
Well, generally it's the most recent thing I've done, lol. In this case I really love my rxd mermaids and my europa!dorothy (only because this has a background).
What aspects of art are you strong in?
Um, tbh I wouldn't say I'm particularly strong in anything? There's just so much I need to work on.
What do you feel needs improvement?
Everything lol. Hands, anatomy, backgrounds, poses, movement, color, shading . . . I mean, I can seriously go on and on.
Do you have any art related goals for this year?
My goal is the same as last year - to create at least ONE work of art per month.
Favorite pizza?
Plain old cheese lol. Though I love bacon too.
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
I have a ton of them - right now though, it's people not using their freaking BLINKERS, I mean COME ON.
What do you do to relax?
Read! And watch movies.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
HA. Listen, I live in St. Louis. I can name a million things that are awesome and fun. Like the Zoo. Not only is it free but it's one of the top zoos as well!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Hello again, lovely people! Man, life is really good at getting in the way sometimes, haha. I have to step up my game; we still have tons of interviews to feature! I promise I’ll get to them all! As always, the interview is open for any content creators!
Enough talk! Let’s go!
Author/Artist Name *
Talliya/HelMistress
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Artwork
Where can fans find your content?
AO3, FF.net, AFF.org, MediaMiner, and deviantArt under Talliya. Tumblr under @helmistress (and various sideblogs), and my own site https://ayeeshadragon.wixsite.com/talliya.
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Toonami >_>
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
...well my first ever fanart was of Relena back when the show was first on toonami, but I didn't start writing fanfiction until... what four/five years ago?
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
Um... not actually sure what that means. I've been a fan of the show since I first saw it, but what exactly does it mean to be in a 'fandom'?
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
I never stop liking the things I like. *shrugs*
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Too many. But I super adore this one: Cirque-Du-Solemnity and Advanced Reservations.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Well, obviously Advanced Reservations by DeathAngel125 http://deathangelsden.angelfire.com/advanced-reservations-part-1.html
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Just do it.
What programs do you use?
Um, pen/pencil/color pencil/crayon/marker and paper. Paint, Gimp, and google docs.
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
Loud explosions to complete silence. (I really don't have a method, I just write.)
How long have you been writing?
10+ years
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
Too much.
Do you have a beta reader?
Yes
If yes, who is it, and how long have you had one?
FadedSepia, and Downwarddnaspiral have beta'd for me. All recently. I've also had my best friend beta TLoS for me. ^_^ ...so...however long TLoS has been going (several years of making people wait, I'm a horrible person).
How many WIPs do you currently have?
11 +
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
DeathAngel125, TheManwell
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
Millions of places: music, movies, shows, meme's, prompts, photos, discussions with people, random conversation, CAH games...
Favorite pizza?
Hawaiian (a.k.a. Pineapple and Canadian Bacon)
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
I kind of have a lot of them actually.
What do you do to relax?
Read, write, RP, play video games...
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
The largest park in my town used to be a zoo. They released all of the animals into the park because poachers kept coming in and killing the cougars. So, mostly just due to the area I live, cougars can be seen in said park. I love it!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
I used to say Pride... but Sloth is probably more accurate now.
Another week, another writer! It’s wonderful to see how much support everyone gives to our creators every week. Let’s keep the momentum going! Remember, the interview is open for anyone who has written, drawn, or created something for the Gundam Wing fandom, and will remain open while responses are posted.
And now, for our next contestant!
Author/Artist Name *
ELLE
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Nothing else
Where can fans find your content?
AO3 and FF.net, @ellewritesfiction
How did you find Gundam Wing?
On TV when I was half the age I am now lol.
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
YESH um 5 years recently but you can add another 2 or so if you count my teens.
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
A very very long time hahaha with a break in there called my mum shamed me out of fandom as a kid and it wasn't until I was a full fledged adult that I finally came right on back.
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
My OTP love runs strong and a good OTP like Heero and Duo will always keep me coming back no matter how much I might try to distance myself... ;-)
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
GOSH ummm I have a few but probably 02: Forever Second by Maririn it was one of the first fics I read coming back to fandom as an adult and it's just so weirdly comforting to read.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Hurricane by Miss Murdered
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Everyone's here to have a good time. Don't stress about it, any of it -- reviews, likes, viewership, subscriptions. If you're not having a good time, then change what you're doing, because you don't owe anyone anything in fandom but yourself.
What programs do you use?
Google Docs (unless it's breaking 100k then I gotta transfer to Word but that's rare.)
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
WOW ummm.... Usually I have to have some kind of moment with a unique or strong feeling that stands out to me to spark and idea. From there I spend some time playing with it in my head. What comes before, what comes after, what point am I going to try to make, what is essential to the story and needs to be said. Occasionally I will bullet out some plot points and notes, usually a quick blurb per chapter so I don't forget. Then I literally start from the beginning and write all the way through. Sit on it a little bit then edit. If I have a beta, I let the beta take a crack at it. THEN I post. I don't post anything I haven't finished for three reasons: 1. I hate being asked for updates so no one can ask when it's already done. 2. I hate when someone comments something that could change the whole story and then I spend a million years deciding whether to change it or not. 3. I'm writing for myself as my hobby that I enjoy that I also share with others so while I DEFINITELY enjoy feedback, it's not essential to my process or the reason that I write.
How long have you been writing?
4-9 years
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
Entirely too much, way more than ever needs to be done.
Do you have a beta reader?
No
How many WIPs do you currently have?
1 - 3
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Miss Murdered, SeekingSquake, Ashnapalm
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
Typically a completely non-essential one-liner someone says in front of me or the feeling of a song or some other random occurrence that pings my brain and makes me go "hey! why not spend the next few months miserably writing 50,000 words about this!" =P I don't mind though. Writing is a way for me to cope with my own emotions and explore beyond my very limited life so really any new or novel thing or even seeing something old and typical in a new way can inspire me.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Experimenting with new styles, letting go of some of my rigid structure and need to control everything down to minimum chapter lengths.
What are your writing strengths?
Dialogue and helping the reader experience what the characters are experiencing emotionally.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Write SOMETHING. I'd like to touch base with all my fandoms and accomplish an original manuscript.
Which work are you most proud of?
In GW fandom, probably I Will Find You. Not my longest, but the structure in that one.... I'm not sure I'll ever accomplish something like that again.
Favorite pizza?
Supreme
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
Where do they end? Anyone not closing a thing or not putting it back where it needs to be.
What do you do to relax?
Veg on the couch with a beer.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
Literally we are so boring hahaha we're the suburb of a major city so not much cool here although Atlanta is now a huge movie location so the fact that you can stumble into major actors on occasion is pretty cool.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Hello lovelies!!! It’s starting to look like Spring, finally! Welcome to another exciting edition of IwaC (not to be confused with its Star Wars counterpart). I hope everyone has been having a wonderful week! I’ve been seeing some awesome GW content floating around my dash, and I hope that if you see someone who hasn’t yet participated in the interview, send them my way!
And now, ladies and gentlemen, on with the show!
Author/Artist Name *
Clara Barton
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Artwork
Where can fans find your content?
Clara Barton on Ao3, @claraxbarton
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Cartoon Network. And I think my first foray into the fandom was Gundam Wing Archive and those much beloved epubs
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
too too long. More than 10 years. JFC. 15 years???
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
The same
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
Trowa Freaking Barton. Also the amazing people - creators and friends and just. There are extraordinary people I've met in this fandom over the years who have changed my life.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
This is not a fair question.
Any art by Fast Puck. @dragonhusbands
Maldoror's Freeport
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Maldoror's Freeport
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
It's okay when the sentence isn't perfect.
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
I get a wild idea that won't let go, I let it simmer for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years and then when I can't write anything BUT that idea I sit down and write. And then I battle with it for however long. I usually post while my fics are in progress, because I'm desperate for all forms of validation.
How long have you been writing?
I was born with a pencil in my hand
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
Way, way too much
Do you have a beta reader?
Yes
If yes, who is it, and how long have you had one?
Luvsanime02 (Ro) who is an amazing writer and I am so damn lucky to have her. Also, sometimes - a lot of times - @kangofu-cb beta reads my work and I am so so damn lucky.
How many WIPs do you currently have?
11 +
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Okay. I tried to think of a fanfic author. I'm not going to do that because there's no way I can list just one. Actually, I can. Shenlong. She's an amazing writer, who has been creating content since this fandom was BORN and she gives back to the fandom - she has her amazing archive and is so supportive and nurturing and just. Epically amazing.
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
Music, art, movies, books, tv shows. Lots of music.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Finishing what I start. JFC finishing what I start.
What are your writing strengths?
Dialogue, I think, is what I'm most comfortable writing?
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Finish at least two fics??????? Not including Bad Company, which WILL be finished.
Which work are you most proud of?
Bad Company, which is still in progress, and is a collaboration with Kangofu-CB. Because writing with someone who I admire so much, who GETS me, and who I want to impress and support, has been one of the most rewarding fandom experiences I've ever had.
Favorite pizza?
white pizza with smoked Gouda and roasted garlic from the now closed Salty Caper
Do you ride roller coasters?
No
Pet peeve?
apart is not the same thing as a part. In fact, they mean very different things.
What do you do to relax?
... I'll have to get back to you on that.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
I'm surrounding by farms but I'm also less than an hour from NYC. I never knew that was possible.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Hello again, fandom peeps! Welcome to April, and maybe, eventually, Spring. I appreciate all the likes, reblogs, and love everyone has shared for our creators, and please, as always, if you know someone who you feel deserves their moment in the spotlight, send them my way!
As a reminder, since it’s been a while, I pick creators by a random number generator. Please be patient if you haven’t seen your interview yet. I won’t forget anyone!
Now, on with the show!
Author/Artist Name *
Sistercacao ( @scacao )
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Nothing else
Where can fans find your content?
scacao.livejournal.com (until my AO3 is active) (Now active!!)
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Saw it when it was on the original Toonami run :)
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
10 years
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
15 years
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
This is my first and really only true yaoi fandom love. I am so attached to these characters and the happiness I've gotten from reading fiction in this fandom over the years. I leave for years at a time but always come back.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Trial & Error by Maldoror, Domestic Bliss Arc by Flamika, All of the works of Lorena Manuel and Becca Abbott
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Becca Abbott's stuff. Any/all of it.
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Make outlines of your stories because you will forget what you were going to write :(
What programs do you use?
Google Docs
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
1. Get the inspiration (songs help!) 2. Write it out (I have a bad habit of writing a whole fic in one sitting) 3. Come back to it 1-2 days later to edit with fresh eyes. 4. post
How long have you been writing?
10+ years
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
A few hours of googling, max
Do you have a beta reader?
No
How many WIPs do you currently have?
1 - 3
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Becca Abbott, Keelywolfe, Jei and Sunhawk (because they're still so prolific!)
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
Specific songs can conjure an entire story arc for me. Fic prompts can really help as well, and current events.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Finishing what I start, in particular multipart fics.
What are your writing strengths?
Dialogue, humor
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Just write consistently!
Which work are you most proud of?
Armistice (won the Moments of Rapture contest I wrote it for, which is life a life's accomplishment in the 1x2 fandom!)
Favorite pizza?
olives, anchovies
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
In fiction: spelling mistakes, out of character characters.
What do you do to relax?
Write, sew, watch television, program.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
I can walk to the beach!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Sloth, because I have a hard time finishing what I start sometimes :(
Hello again, lovelies! The campaign to shower the wonderful members of our fandom with praise continues! I don’t know about you guys, but I’m having a blast learning more about each of you. If you know someone who hasn’t done the interview yet, my door is always open!
On with the show!
Author/Artist Name *
TwitchyTrickster
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Artwork
Where can fans find your content?
Tumblr, @twitchytrickster
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Toonami
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
17 years
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
17 years!
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
Duo being awesome, and Heero being sexy.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Oh shit...so many. But one by SmartCat, and a lot by Ellesmith I use to love
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Thats a tough one...
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Do rewrites and research!
What programs do you use?
SNote and Word
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
Sometimes I see a pic, and really draw it. Then I write a little about what's going on, then I let the story flow. Sometimes my dreams write parts before I type them out.
Then I find the courage and try to post it up.
Holy cow, it’s been a week already? Time is just flying by, but on the plus side, Happy Spring!! Just ignore all that snow outside; it’ll be gone soon enough. But another week down, another installment of our interview series! Remember, the interview is still open for any of our lovely creators!
And now, on to our next creator, whose header is just perfect for the occasion!
Author/Artist Name *
CosmoStar
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Artwork
Where can fans find your content?
Co-Star at Fanfiction.net and Minimony at DeviantArt, @cosmostar
How did you find Gundam Wing?
When I first watched it at Cartoon Network
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Since 2007
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
The character and their relationship's unending potential of development and friends I met while posting my works.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
I consumed little fan work in English all these years, but I'm really fond of "Note Passing at St Gabriel’s" by Omnicat
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
To plan some things better, but not to get obsessed with scheduling everything. Some early mistakes are bound for us to make, but other could be prevented by thinking clearly and paying attention to the information available from the canon, when creating fan work. But in general, the better advice I can offer is to really enjoy myself and do as I believe.
What programs do you use?
Word, traditional media, PaintShopPro
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
Usually, some day-to-day fact, some thing makes my gears start turning. Other times, it's some kind of feeling I observe in people around me that puts me thinking and wanting to explore it. I like prompts too and usually gather inspiration from fairy tales. I don't do much planning, I think a lot about the general plot, the idea I want to convey with the story, I think about things I want to happen through the plot and then I take some notes, like names, data, only the most important things. Then I start writing the first chapter and usually, even though the story isn't finished, I post the chapter. Posting chapter per chapter motivates me to finish the story. I have many self-doubt moments for I'm too perfectionist, but I've got a steady writing pace.
How long have you been writing?
I was born with a pencil in my hand
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
A lot, but enough, if it makes any sense. I love researching and I need it, but I only look for what I need.
How many WIPs do you currently have?
7 - 10
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
I really like Danielle Steel, Norah Lofts, and Stephanie Perkins in the English side and Clarice Lispector, Machado de Assis, José de Alencar in the Portuguese side. And in the fandom, my old friends are my great inspiration, Miyavi Kikumaru, Lica and Shirayuki Hime, all at FFdotnet
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
From life, other books, fairy tales from personal feelings and experiences, from other artist's fan work and sometimes from movies. Writing is a way to working out things for me and studying life, trying somehow to capture it through my point of view.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
I want to improve in my narrative skills. I want to work on my insecurities as a creator, learn how to deal them and overcome the most of it, to really feel comfortable on my skin as a writer.
What are your writing strengths?
I like the dialogues I create and I work well with foreshadowing. Usually I get compliment on character development.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Finish at least 2 WIPs
Which work are you most proud of?
"Tentando a Sorte" (Taking Chances) and "Mestres do Segredo" (The Secret Masters). I chose two, but they are so different from each other that I think it's excusable. Tentando a Sorte is a huge work with so many life on it that it'll be forever my favorite. But "Mestres do Segredo" is a short work in which I feel I excelled myself.
Favorite pizza?
Pepperoni
Do you ride roller coasters?
Never in a million years
Pet peeve?
Repetitive unnecessary noise, like clicking pens. And kicking my seat.
What do you do to relax?
Listen to music, read, sleep, go shopping.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
There are great places to eat here.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Pride because I tend to do everything by myself. I just feel like I have to work it all alone... it's hard for me to reach out for help in some situations.
New week, new creator! We’re back on schedule, and have more lovely people to highlight. Per usual, the interview will remain open as responses are posted! Thank you to everyone who has participated and spread the love.
On to our next lovely creator!
Author/Artist Name *
noirangetrois
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Nothing else
Where can fans find your content?
Ao3 and @noirangetrois
How did you find Gundam Wing?
I watched it when it aired on Toonami way back in the day.
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Since 2001
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
On and off since 2000
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
I love literally everything about Gundam Wing, with the exception of General Septum's English dub voice actor. When I first watched it, I was only a year younger than the pilots and really identified with and idolized them, Duo in particular. The plot was interesting and complex, and though the politics of it all and especially Treize's "war is beautiful" attitude really went over my head, as I've returned to the show years later they really speak to me. Well, I completely disagree with Treize, but at least now I get where he's coming from. The characters are also really compelling and ripe for exploration and additional character development through fanfiction.
And, I fell in love with yaoi and especially 1x2 (my original OTP and the one I will stick to forever and ever). And of course, I keep coming back because of the wonderful people and amazing content they create.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
"The Wedding Planner" by snowdragonct:
I can't remember how many times I've read it, and I know I'll be reading it many times more in the future.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Aside from The Wedding Planner? "Oh, Injustice" by one-hep-cat
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Don't be shy to ask for a beta reader! People in this fandom don't bite, and are super generous and helpful. Even if someone says no, it's okay, someone else will be happy to help out!
What programs do you use?
Text Edit
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
Generally I tend to do a whole bunch of brainstorming, assigning roles to characters from GW. Inevitably a small idea will turn into a monster of an idea... not since my early days have I been able to write a one-shot to save my life. I tend to get a now spiral notebook or similar for each story and write a lot of it out by hand, because that's just how my writing flows best, though I eventually switch to writing on the computer just to save time. When it's a fic I'm currently working on, I carry the notebook with me just about everywhere I go so that when I get time or inspiration strikes, I can work on it anywhere.
Most ideas never get past the brainstorming stage, with maybe a paragraph or two of the actual story written down, but I pour my heart and soul into those that do, including spending hours re-watching the show and transcribing dialogue etc for the stories I write in canon. I reread what I've written over and over, making small edits as I go and correcting typos.
To date, all my long shots are unfinished, because life has just gotten in the way, but every story I've started is very close to my heart and I fully intend to finish them when I do get the chance.
How long have you been writing?
I was born with a pencil in my hand
Do you do research for a fic?
Depends on the fic
If so, how much research?
In canon? An obsessive amount of rewatching the show, transcribing dialogue and taking notes. Outside of canon, I tend to make it up as I go along.
Do you have a beta reader?
Yes
If yes, who is it, and how long have you had one?
Kangofu_CB, for about a week
How many WIPs do you currently have?
4 - 6
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Juliet Marillier
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
So many things, but most often, music.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Actually sitting down to write. I do a lot of planning and brainstorming, but that's the easy part. Once I get started it tends to go smoothly, but putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is something I often shy away from even when I have the time because of anxiety about whether what I write will be any good.
What are your writing strengths?
I think I do a good job with pacing in my stories, and with hooking the audience by giving them just enough information to get them interested but also keeping enough hidden for later reveals to keep them coming back for more.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
Finish a fic! Specifically, Of the Sea. I'd love to also get some work done on the other long stories I have in the pipeline, and hopefully complete some more one-shots like the one I did for the Gundam Wing Secret Santa Exchange.
Which work are you most proud of?
I've only published the prologue so far, but it has to be "Bring on the Wonder." I'm extremely proud of the story I've plotted out and what part I have managed to write so far.
Favorite pizza?
All the vegetables plus pineapple, and no cheese, because I'm allergic.
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
What do you do to relax?
Read, play video games, hang out with friends, drink fancy loose-leaf tea, cook, listen and sing along to music.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
I don't know much about where I live now so I'll go with the town where I grew up, Livermore, CA. Livermore is home to the longest burning light bulb in the world, known as the Centennial Light Bulb and burning since 1901.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Gluttony. I love pretty much all food (though dairy doesn't love me back) and am always down to try something new.
Hello again, lovely people! Can you believe we’re already into March? There are so many people who deserve to have their moment in the Tumblr sun, and remember, if you know someone who deserves that chance, send them my way! The interview is still open to any creators!
Allow me to take a moment to point out that the interview only covers one part of our creator’s talent. Out of all the responses, a large portion of them create multiple types of content. The interview highlights only one side of their work, so don’t forget to check out anything else they’ve worked on!
Now, on to our next creator!
Author/Artist Name *
Elle Smith
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Fan edits
Where can fans find your content?
Ao3 and @gundamwing-ellesmith
How did you find Gundam Wing?
I was really into Transformers when I was a teen (way back in the 90s) and that's how I discovered Gundam. Gundam Wing was popular in Japan at the time. I bought these fansubs on CD... awful quality, but I was hooked. I read every piece of fanfiction I could get my hands on at the time. I was into 1x2 before I even finished watching the show. LOL
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
Since 2008.
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
20 years or so...
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
Heero. LOL. I love his character. I can't fathom my life without the idea of him lurking somewhere in the back of my head. Also, my love for 1x2 had seen me through many tough patches over the years. I think it shaped me as a person, I mean, it must have, because I fell in love with them before I even had my first kiss. I might take long breaks away from GW from time to time - years even - but I always come back because Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell are a part of my life. I grew up loving these characters. I will always love them.
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Road Trip by Sunhawk
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Anything by Sunhawk, really. ^^;
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
Be kind. To yourself and to others. Forgive yourself and just write whatever comes to mind. Even if no one reads it, even if it sucks so bad - just write. You don't have to post it if you don't want to. Just write. You're doing this for you, not for anyone else.
What programs do you use?
Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
I have no idea where my ideas come from, they just do. I remember where and when each of them popped into my head and there's no pattern.
I let them simmer for a while, then I plot and outline the story start to finish. Sometimes, it takes the edge off writing and I lose interest, but most of the time it helps to know where I'm going.
Then I do some research. Sometimes I make the cover art before I even begin to write - it helps inspire me and puts me in the mood.
Then, I start writing according to the outline. I rarely deviate, unless something REALLY good pops into my head. I sin by editing while I write, because I tend to go back a few scenes to read what I have so far before I continue. It helps with writing, but not with proofreading. Lately I've been listening to my work on a Text to Speech app, which helps with the proofreading a lot.
I also do more research while I work. It helps come up with new ideas on how to tell the tale I want to convey.
Once done, I read the whole thing start to finish (or listen on my TTS app) and then I post, praying to god someone reads it...
How long have you been writing?
10+ years
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
A lot. I'm a total nerd. I can spend weeks researching and reading academic papers on the subject, just because it's interesting. I like to know what I'm doing.
Do you have a beta reader?
No
How many WIPs do you currently have?
1 - 3
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
My younger brother. He's a published author and like the smartest person I know. He doesn't use a pen name, so I'm not comfortable giving away his name. Sorry.
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my own life, and especially from my husband. I hate to admit it, but the Heero I write is basically my husband in Heero's skin. He doesn't like it, which is why he refuses to read what I write, even though I would really like him to. Oh well.
I also find inspiration in my academic studies. It sure opens one's mind to new ideas and perspectives.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
Grammar, grammar, grammar!!! I'm multilingual and English was not my first language. I've been speaking it since the age of 4 and if you hear me speak you'd swear I'm just another American, but... I wasn't born in America. So yeah. I have like 3-4 languages running in my head at any given time. It's fucking confusing. Now that I'm learning German, it stirred the mixture even more. I want to say something in German, but it comes out in any other language BUT German! Stupid brain.
What are your writing strengths?
Plotting and character development, I hope. Also, I like to add a little something extra to what I write, convey some sort of message, so I guess that's a strength too. I know fandom isn't really the place to do it, because it's mostly about shipping, but that's what I like, so that's what I do. I know it makes my work less popular, because it's not "shippy" enough, but that's OK. I write because I enjoy it, nothing more.
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
2017 is nearly over and I will HANG myself if I don't post the rest of Paradox by New Year's Eve!
As for 2018, I want to finish my 2 WIP - Standstill and Ceres Redemption - which are a 1xR and 1xD, respectively. Then, I would really like to go back to my roots and write something 1x2.
I hope I'll manage to do at least half of that, because I also have TONS of papers I need to write for my graduate studies, not to mention an MA thesis... maybe even leading up to a Ph.D.
Which work are you most proud of?
Left Unsaid.
Favorite pizza?
Pineapple and ham.
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
People who leave things open, like cabinets, doors, pickle jars... drives me nuts. And I'm married to one! He leaves the cupboard door open and then bumps into it, cussing. Why the hell did you leave it open, then?!?! CLOSE! THE! FUCKING! DOOR!!!
What do you do to relax?
Get drunk. Way too often. I should really stop.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
I have the most amazing mountain view. Always green, always beautiful. Also - a small beer brewery that makes the best beer in the whole fucking world and it is a short walking distance from my house. I love this town! ^_^
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
Sloth, I suppose, as in failing to do things that one should do. I'm a terrible procrastinator. I have my ups and downs, though. I can be REALLY energetic and productive the one day, and a terrible sloth the next. It's all about motivation.
Hello, beautiful people! I’m back after an unexpected hiatus (blame the usual life stuff), and intend to hit the ground running! More interviews have been added - thank you wonderful people! - and I have some ground to make up. In case anyone forgot, the interview will remain open for any and all creators! If you don’t see your interview immediately, please be patient. I have another 40 wonderful people to highlight!
Now, without further ado, on to our next talented creator!
Author/Artist Name *
Vega Lume
What content do you create? (If more than one applies, please select your main focus) *
Fanfiction
What other content do you create?
Artwork
Where can fans find your content?
AO3, Fanfiction.net & tumblr ( @vegalume )
How did you find Gundam Wing?
Toonami
How long have you been writing or drawing/painting in this fandom?
14 years
How long have you been in the fandom? (Not necessarily creating for it)
19 years (I think)
What has kept you in the fandom? Or kept you coming back?
the boys and the friends I have made through the fandom
Is there a go-to fic or art piece that never gets old? What is it?
Te Amo by Akuma - Ion & Road Trip by Sunhawk - The Equine Intervention arc by Shenlong.
Please recommend one fan work you believe everyone should see.
Ion by Sunhawk
What piece of advice would you offer your younger self, in terms of creating?
your writing will improve in time.
What programs do you use?
Microsoft Word
Describe your writing method from start (an idea) to finish (posting your work).
The muse hits me with a tire iron. I don't write beginning - middle- end. I write middle, end, middle some more, close to the beginning but not quite, more of the middle, the end again...
How long have you been writing?
10+ years
Do you do research for a fic?
Yes
If so, how much research?
often more than I actually needed.
Do you have a beta reader?
Yes
If yes, who is it, and how long have you had one?
Shenlong, on and off for the last 5 years or so.
How many WIPs do you currently have?
11 +
Who is an author or writer who inspires you?
Shenlong, Max and Catlyn Gunn (she write Invader zim)
Where do you get your inspiration? What inspires you to write?
Nowhere really, an idea just takes hold and I write it as much as I'm able before it lets go and the WIP sits unfinished until the desire returns again.
What are some areas you feel you need to improve upon?
IWAY to many to even try to touch here.
What are your writing strengths?
Umm... I can write 10,000 words in a day or two. (then go months without writing a single word.)
Do you have any writing goals for this year?
I wanted to get chapter 12 of 'Afterthoughts of Discourse' up before 2017 was over. I don't think I'll make it.
Which work are you most proud of?
Not necessarily proud because it's so badly written in some places. But I love 'Afterthoughts of Discourse' It's my baby.
Favorite pizza?
Gyro meat, black olives and mushrooms from the Pie Pizzareia
Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes
Pet peeve?
'your' when it should be 'you're'
What do you do to relax?
read, do art edits, draw when my hands let me, listen to music.
Name one cool/fun fact about where you live or somewhere nearby (if you don't want to be specific).
We hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2002 and I have worked in three different places that were venues for the games, including where the Olympic Cauldron is.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins best describes you, and why? (Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath)
I just wanted to thank you for this beautiful, incredible blog! I fell in love with GW about 15 years ago now, and it's one of those fandoms with content that I can just return to any time and sink right back into. I was so overwhelmed with happiness when I saw that there were folks still active in this fandom and when I discovered Interview with a Creator. I was so inspired by this blog, I'm going to do something similar for the fandom I'm in now. So just thank you so much <3
I'm so happy to hear that! The fandom isn't nearly as big as it used to be, but we're still kicking, haha. I'm so flattered that you're inspired to create your own interview for your fandom. Let me know when you set it up! I'd love to promote your interview as well!
Interview with a Creator @interview-with-a-creator - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
