Does grief have a shelf life? This is the question consuming Olivia Pope this holiday season. After losing someone near and dear to her heart on Christmas Day five years ago, Olivia put her heart on protective mode. Will a favor in the form of a trip to Hope's Crossing Vermont bring unexpected healing and a chance at love?
I was doing a general Scandal search on Bing and something called FanFiction popped up. I checked out the site and was hooked after I read “The Olitz Express, a Christmas Love Story”. As I read more and more stories I could not believe some of the writers were not professional. Well crafted stories, beautiful romances, angst that gets resolved with real imagination and not tired formulas breathed creative life into Olitz. The writers stayed true to what fans found unique and wonderful about Olitz. Every variation and complex facet written about Olitz drew me.
Outside of Olitz, where do you get inspiration to write?
Books, TV, theatre, people watching, conversations with friends and life in general.
How do you describe your style of writing?
Eclectic. I like to try my hand at different genres. I have written fantasy, sci-fi, romance, drama, epic and humor.
Do you write (journal, pen/paper) or type first?
I tend to jot down notes on my phone or iPad. When I'm stuck in a boring meeting I write on notepads.
Do you have a special notebook or writing utensil?
I have shopping bags filled with notebooks. As you can image that becomes cumbersome real quick, so I mostly stick to the or iPad.
Do you incorporate visuals, music, and/or poetry to help you get into the writing mood?
Sometimes but I mostly find quiet surroundings conducive to writing.
Do you use mood boards/aesthetics/Pinterest?
Nope
Favorite kind of music or podcasts to listen to before/while you write?
I like quiet when I write but If I feel writer's block settling in I may play some Maroon 5, watch preseason 3 Scandal episodes or some Olitz compilation on YouTube.
Where do you like to write (Home, coffee shop, etc.)?
My den, my car, my office or the train.
How long does it take you to write a chapter?
Seems like forever, life keeps sabotaging my efforts. I also tend to work on three or fours stories at the same time and my chapters are long, so it takes me awhile. The one shots take about a month.
A favorite line or paragraph you’ve written.
Accept my challenge and let's see if you have what it takes to capture my flag.
"Big talk coming from an unproven commodity. What makes your fortress worth scaling the wall?" Olivia walks around the table to whisper in Fitz's ear.
"My walls have never been breached", she breaths with her warm minty breath. She licks his ear for added effect.
Fitz swallows hard, he's temporarily loses the power of speech.
Describe yourself in 5 words/phrases:
Extremely opinionated, food adventurer, nice
Favorite TV shows/movies
stopped watching tv, love action adventure and sci-fi movies
Favorite vacation spot
I haven't traveled to all the places I want to see yet, so I really don't have a favorite. If I had to pick, I'd say Alaska.
Favorite books
most classics
Favorite authors
Really don't have one I like Grisham, Gabaldon
AU or Canon?
AU
Favorite trope/scenario to read?
Anything scenario where Eli, Mellie or Cyrus get what's coming to them.
Favorite Olitz TV moment/conversation?
When Fitz brings Olivia to house in Vermont of course.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I'd just like to say thank you to the FanFiction readers. They've been supportive from day one with their reviews and dms. I never thought I would ever create something anyone would want to read but this lovely supportive community has given me a voice and a safe welcoming environment to explore a dream. Love you all.
It’s time again - Q&A time with our faves from the Olitz writing fandom.
Each week, you will be introduced to several Olitz fanfic authors, who will share thoughts on various topics such as writing, personal favorites, advice, and of course, Olivia & Fitz.
This project is a fun way to get to know your faves who make our days exciting with their stories.
Previous Weeks: Week One, Week Two, Week Three
Featured Authors: Birdy (almousfamousoxo / @songbirdstrivestothrive), Kim (kkimberly49), Reader575 ( @reader575la)
How long have you been writing?
About 15 years, since middle school. I wrote fanfiction about my favorite couple on the soap opera As The World Turns (which my mom LET me watch lol), handwritten, in notebooks that I stored under my mattress. - Birdy
I have been writing different stories in my journals since 1999 when I graduated high school. - Kim
Regularly, since 2013. - Reader575
AU or Canon?
AU. - Kim
AU. - Reader575
Canon! - Birdy
How do you describe your style of writing?
RANDOM, haha. I often write chapters completely out of order, as in, I’ll write the last scene first, then a middle scene, then the first scene, then another middle scene...my brain is an interesting place. - Birdy
I guess I would have to say descriptive. I research a lot, and never use general terms. I want the reader to be able to see Olivia in a specific dress, or know exactly what the couple is dining. It allows them to immerse themselves more into the story. - Kim
Eclectic. I like to try my hand at different genres. I have written fantasy, sci-fi, romance, drama, epic and humor. - Reader575
Describe yourself in 5 words/phrases:
I am very “introverted”, so I’m “hard to get to know”. But, once you know me, I’m very “nurturing”, “loyal”, and “non-judgemental”. - Birdy
Quiet, Kind, Shy, Friendly, Respectful, and Loving. - Kim
How long does it take you to write a chapter?
I try to write for 2-3 hours at a time. In total I would say about 10-12 hours to write it, and then another hour or two to edit. - Kim
Seems like forever, life keeps sabotaging my efforts. I also tend to work on three or fours stories at the same time and my chapters are long, so it takes me awhile. The one shots take about a month. - Reader575
As my readers can attest, it varies! Fluffy things flow fairly quickly, and more serious topics take me longer. - Birdy
Favorite books:
Most classics. - Reader575
Curtis Black Series. - Kim
Harry Potter, everything by Jodi Picoult, Cold Sassy Tree, Macbeth. - Birdy
Outside of Olitz, where do you get inspiration to write?
I draw from my own life experiences, and the experiences I’ve observed from those around me. “The Firsts” for example: I don’t have kids, but I’ve worked with a lot of babies, and many of my friends have kids. - Birdy
My inspiration comes from life. I have a lot of health issues, and despite losing a limb I am still here. I try to make the most of it. - Kim
Books, TV, theatre, people watching, conversations with friends and life in general. - Reader575
Favorite Olitz TV moment/conversation?
SO HARD. “Watch me choose you”, both times, is a favorite. I just think “choosing” to be with someone is so powerful. No matter how magnetic two people are, it’s still always a choice to be in a relationship. It’s always a choice to get up every day and choose to work at that relationship. - Birdy
When Fitz brings Olivia to the house in Vermont, of course. - Reader575
I have a lot, but I think the ending of this season where Olivia was more open was my favorite especially when she ran out to him before he left the White House. It is nice to see her vulnerable. - Kim
Anything Else You’d Like To Share?
I'd just like to say thank you to the FanFiction readers. They've been supportive from day one with their reviews and dms. I never thought I would ever create something anyone would want to read but this lovely supportive community has given me a voice and a safe welcoming environment to explore a dream. Love you all. - Reader575
Author FFN Links
almostfamousoxo
kkimberly49
Reader575
A special “thank you” to the authors for taking time to email us with their responses. Our goal is to feature as many authors as possible, so all are welcomed to join the fun. Don’t worry -- there are more questions we’ve asked so you will be reading more from the authors again.
If you have a question you’d like to ask, inbox us! Please state if it’s a general question or author-specific. Feel free to touch base with our featured authors, and check out their stories.
Authors - if you would like to participate, email us at [email protected]. Slots are still open and we’re looking for more authors to feature. :)
