Kiva (@TwittahMom)
I am so thrilled that Icy (Snowqueens Icedragon) agreed to be my first author-on-author interview. She IS fanfiction and Master Of The Universe is a must read for anyone interested in fanfiction. She is a brilliant author who does a great deal of research to make sure the most minute details are accurate. As you read MoTU you will become invested in her characters and what happens to them (just mention MoTU on twitter and you will see). I hope this interview gives you some insight into Icy, the author and Icy, the person. To follow Icy on twitter go here.
Q: How did you come up with your pen name? What is the story behind it?
My hubs and I used to watch a kids’ cartoon when we were very small called Noggin the Nog. It was about a Viking called Noggin who had an icedragon. My hubs is big blond and handsome, like a Viking(!) and he was Noggin the Nog and I was icedragon when we started joining various forums on the internet… back in the day. When I tried to open an FF account icedragon was taken – and I went through so many combinations of names – all taken! Eventually, in a fit of pique some half an hour later I put in Snowqueens Icedragon – and no-one had it! Hurrah! I hated it at first – but now I’ve kind of got used to it.
Q: MoTU deals with some very, very deep, emotional issues like abandonment, depression, suicide and mental illness. How difficult was it for you, emotionally, to get in the mind-set you needed to be in to write about those subjects in such a way that we, as the readers, would be empathetic with the characters involved? How did you go to that place (did you use music, movies, books, solitude)?
This is a really interesting question. I have a lively imagination and (although my husband completely disagrees) a great deal of empathy, and I hope, compassion. So I just imagined what it would be like. When I was very small, I thought my mother had died. She nearly lost my brother before he was born and was hospitalized for several months so I didn’t see her at all – I was two at the time… When she eventually came home, with my baby brother, I fell ill – and nearly died from pneumonia. I think some of this is in here. Everyone is a bit fucked up… makes us what we are… some just more fucked up than others.
I only cried three times when writing this… when B left her Mum at the airport (see above), when they were in the shower and B washes off the lipstick – that was really hard. And when she thought he might be dead!
To help with moods I do listen to music A LOT. It can really really help set the tone to anything you do. I love music and one of my biggest regrets is that I don’t play a musical instrument. I have a huge playlist for MotU – some of it made it into the fic – and some I just listen to set the right mood for me to write.
Q: You work in comedy. Was writing MoTU a nice escape from the daily grind?
I would say my job helped me from the daily grind of writing MotU! Actually that’s not true… I loved writing that fic… However my job kept me all too briefly in the real world – because since I started writing I never go out!!! Though I have to say writing has also been a great escape from housework, the tedium of watching TV and cooking. I am very lazy around the house so it was a perfect excuse to just stop doing that stuff!
Q: What is it like having your husband serve as your beta?
It has been great because I can say things to him that I could never say to anyone else. He also really, really knows what he’s talking about. Last summer I spent a day on a writing course – and the best thing that I took away from it is the knowledge that everything they told me on the course, my husband had told me already. Namely, what is your protagonist’s agenda, and what gets in the way to create conflict? If you have no conflict – you have no story.
He’s watched my writing develop and been so supportive. He’s envious of the feedback – he writes for TV – so he only gets audience figures etc., not the immediate feedback we as authors get writing fan fiction. He’s been a rock – even though he drives me crazy sometimes. I am of course always lovely and reasonable *coughs*.
Q: Do your boys read fan fiction and do they know how famous mom is?
No, my boys do not read fan fiction – and I’m not sure I’d let them. Errr… not sure about the famous bit… I just wrote a popular story.
Q: Every writer shares part of themselves in their writings. What parts of you come through in your stories and characters?
I think I have Bella’s insecurities and 50’s Control freakery – it’s not a happy combination I can tell you – in my RL job I have to be very bossy! (Love it)
Q: Who are your favorite fan fiction writers and why? I know you are friends with several of the writers. Were you friends before fan fiction or after you begun reading and writing?
I didn’t know any other writers or readers before I started writing FF. But I have made many lovely friends during this process, and been lucky enough to meet them both in the UK and in the US. I like SR – he’s gracious and kind and doesn’t go thrusting his err… opinion down anyone’s throats, which is what I find with a portion of the fandom. I never understand why people do that – the fandom is a very opinionated place, telling you what you can and can’t do, and occasionally the rudeness astonishes me. I don’t feel qualified to comment on other people’s stories, and if I have any negative opinions on a story, either I don’t comment and stop reading, or I would comment privately with the author – and not in a hurtful flaming way. There’s enough harshness in the world without adding to it, in my humble opinion.
Q: Who are your favorite real-life authors and why?
So this is where I fess up that I have an attic full – and I mean full – of romantic fiction. Laura Kinsale is my favourite – she writes wonderful, wonderful, meticulously researched elaborate tales of love. Brenda Joyce (smut queen – nuff said) and countless others… Elizabeth Lowell… gosh, the romance list is endless. I also like Jane Austen, Kate Atkinson, Steph Penney and David Mitchell.
Q: You have written two stories and hope to write a third. Do you plan to stop after that or will you continue writing as long as your characters continue to have something to say?
I just don’t know. I am torn. I am being asked for a sequel to MoTU. I have two ideas for new fics/novels and a novel to finish – I thought I could re-write my first novel as FF… I don’t know what to do. Fifty and Bella are still around, and they won’t leave me alone – so who knows?
Q: You wrote about Seattle and the Pacific Northwest as if you had spent some time there. I know you currently live in England. Have you spent time in Washington State or did you just do a lot of research for MoTU?
I have never been to Washington State. I would love to go – one day I will – and I’d like to go to Portland too and stay at the Heathman (though I understand that it’s haunted!) I have to fess up that Streetview is my friend… nuff said.
Q: You have told me before that you had to do a tremendous amount of research for the BDSM aspect of MoTU. What made you brave enough to take these characters, that readers have formed very specific visions of, and take them to the dark side (which you did brilliantly and have hooked so many readers – many of them loving your Fifty much more than the original)?
If my computer is ever confiscated by social services my children will be taken into care. Why did I to do this…? It’s hard to remember. I read some BDSM fics – loved some (Tara’s TS/TD), hated others, so didn’t read them beyond a few chapters – and I wanted to get in touch with my inner sub. Fortunately doing MoTU, my inner sub and I are quite happy with the status quo! I also wanted to read a contract. I never saw one in these fics, so I was determined to do one of those and find out what’s involved. And I wanted to explore what would happen if someone didn’t want to be involved in the lifestyle, and – to be really wanky – I thought of BDSM as an allegory for vampirism.
Q: EVERY reader wants to know – will there be a sequel to MoTU because the way the story ended, it seemed to leave that option open. If so, when can readers expect it?
I don’t know… I left the door open deliberately, and also I knew many readers wanted to know what happened to Echo Charlie.
Q: How many twitter peeps have you met in RL?
So far 20 or so… though I am off to DC shortly to meet more, then on to San Diego where I hope to meet more still!
Q: How has your love of Twilight and Edward changed your life?
My husband has a bright twinkle in his eye and a spring in his err… step…(!) and I’ve written some stories… then there’s all this strangeness that is FF… the overwhelming response from the readers and reviewers of my fic… it’s been extraordinary, and I’m now addicted to my Mac… what can I say?
Q: Will you ever shoot for a real life novel? I think you already have the fan-base you need to become a best-selling author.
One day I hope to. It’s what we all dream about, and I for one would never stomp on anyone’s dreams.
Now, a few light-hearted questions:
- Favorite smell? My sons when they were babies… they are a bit whiffier now!
- Favorite movie and why? Casablanca. A fabulous story, great script, beautiful actors, great score
- Favorite television show and why? Shooting Stars because I help make it and I don’t watch TV any more. But it used to be ER and X Files – back in the day.
- Everyone has a bucket list (things to do before you die). What is the most important thing on your bucket list and why? I’d love to see the Northern Lights. I have been to the Arctic Circle once when the kids where little and we went on a trip to find Santa. My favourite part of that trip was driving a husky-pulled sled across the Arctic tundra… and every night I would stand outside our lovely wooden house and stare at the sky, wanting to see the Aurora Borealis.
- Favorite snack food? – Humus with broccoli
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to new fan fiction writers? You are one of the pre-eminent writers in the fandom and are highly respected by so many people. You are obviously doing a lot of things right and new writers, as well as established writers, could benefit greatly from your words of wisdom.
Blimey… I don’t know. I don’t think of myself that way. I would say… just keep writing. Get a notebook, carry it with you everywhere, and every little idea – write it down – you’ll come back to it and use it later. Also – use music to set your mood… but I’ve already discussed that. It’s also about managing people’s expectations (one of my favourite quotes and basically what I do for a living) So if you say you will update in a week, do it, and if you have to go on hiatus for any period of time, then tell people – make it clear. It really helps to bring your readers with you.
This interview was beyond lovely. It definitely gave me a better look into Icy's mind. Job very well done!
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