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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 21, 2011 6:44:09 GMT -5
Twelve Mosaic questions: 1. First Name: Rachel, of Hebrew origin, meaning “ewe” 2. Favorite Food: pizza 3. Favorite Color: blue 4. Favorite Weather: crisp autumn day 5. Favorite Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry 6. Dream Vacation: tour of Derbyshire/the Peak District 7. One of the things I love most in the world: my dogs 8. Currently reading: Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn 9. One Word That Describes Me: prude, prim, inhibited 10. Something Else: I’m pregnant. 11. What is your favourite book? Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 12. What was your favourite book in childhood? Little Women Sorry for the lack of cohesiveness with my mosaic--I have no eye for coordinating the pictures and colors, etc.. Eight Longhand Questions: 13. How did you start writing, i.e. What happened that made you realise that writing was your thing? When I was little, my dad would draw the characters from comic strips he liked, and I was fascinated by his ability to do that. He taught me various things about how he drew them, and drawing became our shared hobby. I was an only child, and I also played with Barbies a lot on my own. I would make up stories to guide my play, and I started combining my drawing with those stories, by illustrating some of my favorite play scenes and writing below the illustrations. When I was in high school, I drew a comic strip of sorts that was a sensationalized saga featuring my friends and our lives after high school. My friends loved it and thought it was hilarious and fun (because the events were so ridiculous). Most of the projects I get really excited about involve both illustrations and story, so it is no surprise that I love sim stories so much. All along, my writing really was something that started out as just…cheap entertainment for myself, and to a large degree it still is. 14. Do you use Maxis pre-made sims, original sims, sims based on other sources (TV, movies, books, other games), or some combination of these? Why? I use a combination of Maxis pre-made sims and original sims. When I use pre-made sims, it’s simply out of laziness—I don’t plan to introduce any new characters who are Maxis pre-mades, simply because I’ve taken more ownership of my story as being really my story at this point. It’s not the casual hobby it was when I started, and I take it more seriously now. I created each of the sims that are used for my main characters (Ed, Sean, and Nick). Since Sean’s looks were based off a person I actually encountered in real life, I had a definite idea of what he should look like, but I had to play around with Ed and Nick to get them right. I’m still not sure I ever got them right, but they are “right enough”. 15. Do your characters have their own theme songs? Not so far, but they definitely have situation songs, if that makes any sense (songs that tend to go with a particular scene or life situation). Some of the songs fitting for situations Ed will encounter have occurred to me, but those are future events. For Sean, I've thought of at least two songs in relation to him at particular times. The first is The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes". This seemed fitting when he was first getting to know Ed, and she had trouble trusting him because of some of the circumstances surrounding their initial meeting. Now, however, the song that most makes me think of him is "Make It Wit Chu" by Queens of the Stone Age, because he is er…rather preoccupied at the moment. (Sorry, trying not to give too much away in case some of you haven’t read my story.) 16. Do you usually create backstories for your characters? Not all of them. I try to keep the focus on Ed, Sean, and Nick, and their backstories are the most complex (for the most part). The backstories of any supporting characters are released on a sort of need-to-know basis (even to me!). If that information isn’t important for the development of the story or the particular plot I’m working through at the time, I keep it out. For instance, I just realized that I have no idea how Ed’s parents met or anything like that—it hasn’t been something that needed to come up in the story, so I haven’t thought about it. 17. If it were possible, would you carry out "romantic interactions" with any of your characters? I doubt it. I’m way too cautious and repressed for men like Sean and Nick. But seriously, Sean is a little too exciting for me, and Nick is way too much like me. I didn’t realize that Nick was so much like me until recently, and I really don’t know how it escaped my notice. I would stare at them a lot and fantasize, though. 18. How emotionally attached are you to your characters? Apparently I’m very attached, because I had to come up with a way to “make right” a wrong (or rather, a bad thing) that will happen to one of them down the line. I want them to be happy and to thrive, but it’s rare for people to be happy and thriving all the time. I have to remind myself of that whenever I think of some of the bad things coming their way. 19. Show and tell: Please show us your workspace (a photograph, if possible, or just describe it), and tell us about the conditions you prefer to work in. Do you have any bizarre habits or rituals? The picture below is of the desk and part of the computer, and this is where I do the simming and staging of the story. When I'm on a decent schedule, I usually do this on a Saturday or Sunday, during the day. The next picture is of where the rest of the work happens. I sit there to plot, write, edit the pictures, and blog them (usually with the TV on in the background, and my husband nearby). 20. Can you give us any hints about what is coming up in your stories? (Oh, come on...) Nick will become more prominent than he is in the story now, and we’ll learn a lot about his family history. Ed will figure out the story behind the engagement ring. We will be introduced to Armand, and the method of the introduction is based on a scene I’ve had in my head from the time I began the story.
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pinkfiend1
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Post by pinkfiend1 on Feb 21, 2011 14:17:20 GMT -5
They do a cherry Dr Pepper? We don't get that here.
The Peak and Lake distracts are beautiful. It does rain a lot there though. It seems to attract more in summer too just because it knows there are a lot of tourists there.
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 21, 2011 17:40:16 GMT -5
Pink: They do indeed have cherry Dr. Pepper--it's delicious! I like Diet Cherry coke as well, but the combination of the cherry with the Dr. Pepper is slightly more delightful, in my opinion.
Every time I see a movie set in that area (usually Jane Austen adaptations, come to think of it) I just swoon. That area just calls to me like no other place, and I'd brave my slight fear of flying to see it. Someday.
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Post by rad on Feb 21, 2011 17:46:13 GMT -5
I find it funny Derbyshire would be anyone's dream destination, I mean it's nice and all, but I guess when you live next to somewhere you don't notice anything special about it. If you ever come over here I'll treat you to some nice local food and drink.
I like your mosaic, it's classy and fun, like you. Cherry Dr Pepper sounds nice!
Where did the inspiration for the characters of Nick, Ed and Sean come from?
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 21, 2011 18:13:14 GMT -5
Rad: I wondered if our resident Brits would find my dream destination funny. I was the same way when I lived in Florida, in decent proximity to some really beautiful beaches. The grass is always greener, I guess. If I ever do cross the pond I'll definitely let you know! The general idea of a mystery series came first, and I had a completely different set-up and setting when I first started trying to write it. I grew disenchanted with my setting and characters early on and stopped writing for a while. Then one day, I walked into a grocery store and accidentally locked eyes with a guy stocking produce. He was really very cute--lean and wiry build, black hair, bright blue eyes, and arms covered in tattoos. I shook myself from staring and hurried off, but the incident stayed with me and I couldn't get it out of my head. Thus, Sean was born. I started kicking around the idea of a mystery series again and it occurred to me that I had a great scene ready-made, so I started shaping story events to lead up to a version of that real-life encounter. Ed came about as I decided what kind of person would be the voice of the series, and the perspective I could reasonably pull off. Nick came about because I felt that there had to be this more responsible/serious presence behind a person like Sean, and because I felt that having two possible romantic interests would keep things livelier.
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Post by qui on Feb 21, 2011 18:33:44 GMT -5
10. Congrats! 13. That is very interesting and very cool! You wouldn't still have those illustrations by chance, would you? I'd love to see that!
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Post by rad on Feb 21, 2011 18:46:02 GMT -5
Rad: I wondered if our resident Brits would find my dream destination funny. I was the same way when I lived in Florida, in decent proximity to some really beautiful beaches. The grass is always greener, I guess. If I ever do cross the pond I'll definitely let you know! I can't believe you found a pic of Derbyshire with the sun shining!
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 21, 2011 19:22:19 GMT -5
Qui: Thank you! Regarding my silly comic strip (which was done on lined notebook paper because I was usually drawing them in class), I actually put them all in a binder and gave them to a friend as a graduation gift (she was in the class just after mine and she features heavily in the strip). She recently contacted me on Facebook and asked if I wanted her to make copies of them and send them sometime, and I told her that would be great. They were really silly, and I wasn't good at drawing anyone consistently (which is why everyone was labeled in each picture, lol). Rad: That grass has to get green somehow--lots of rain, apparently! LOL
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pinkfiend1
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Post by pinkfiend1 on Feb 22, 2011 13:28:21 GMT -5
oooh. I have proper questions. I know it's shocking.
1. Does America do proper fish and chips? Not your stupid french fries, but proper thick cut chips, all lovely and fried, and you know battered fish fried- usually cod I think. Just curious.
2. Was there anything in particular that inspired you to write a mystery series? 3. What books would you say influenced your mystery series if any? 4. When is your due date? 5. Do you know if the sprog is male/female? 6 What names are you thinking of?
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Post by laura on Feb 22, 2011 15:52:50 GMT -5
I love the image you chose for #9, lol! It's inhibited, yet so proud! There's power in that. I love it! And wow, your desk is so tidy! LOL! I love hearing about how each of your characters in the series were inspired! That's really a neat story behind Sean's inspiration. I bet you would have liked to take a picture of that guy, lol! I'm always doing that myself, seeing RL people that remind me of my characters and wishing it wasn't so creepy and weird if I were to take a picture of them! And I was going to ask about names for the baby too, lol! And Pink, my hubby can testify that no, most times our fish and chips are not up to par, lol! Though he did find one place back when we were living in Ohio that passed the test
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pinkfiend1
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Post by pinkfiend1 on Feb 22, 2011 16:41:21 GMT -5
You blasted Americans. You do have Cadbury's Cream Eggs though right?
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 22, 2011 19:52:17 GMT -5
Pink: Oooh, delightful questions! 1. I've had knock-offs of your version of fish and chips before, but my father-in-law (who has had the real thing) claims that it doesn't come close. In the southern parts of the USA, the main fried fish is fried catfish (which I love), but it features a cornmeal batter. It is often accompanied by french fries, hushpuppies, and coleslaw. 2. I just love mystery series--I find them to be one of the most interesting genres (particularly the suspense-thriller types). I like that you can have this puzzle to sort out that brings a particular group of people together and drives some of their actions (and can cause them to act in ways against their character), but the series allows you to take time with their character development. 3. I was definitely influenced in certain ways by many of the mystery series I read. I liked the interplay of characters in some of the series done by Amanda Quick (with Lavinia Lake and Tobias March, whose stories took two or three books to complete), Deanna Raybourn, and (for the hilarity value, mostly) Janet Evanovich. Quick and Raybourn are writing stories set in a different time period, but it was the way their crime solving teams worked together that really captured my attention. 4. My due date is June 20th. It's strange because it feels both like it is very soon, and yet very far away, all at the same time. 5. The ultrasounds we've had so far indicate that the little one is very likely a female. 6. Her name will be Elizabeth, and her nickname will be decided once she is born and we have time to get to know her. We do have Cadbury Cream eggs....I only ever see them around Easter and a few other holidays. Laura: I looked up "prude" in Flickr and was thrilled when that came up. It's kinda fitting because I get so defensive about it sometimes, LOL. The desk was tidy the day I took the picture--normally it is covered in various office supplies, DVD-Rs, batteries, and my notebook to take notes for my Sim challenge story. I do wish I could have taken a picture of the guy who inspired Sean--I would always look for him every time I went to the store (very discreetly--wouldn't want the hubby thinking I had a crush), and I tried to figure out what his tattoos were, but to no avail. It would have been so much easier if I'd just had a picture. It's too bad you can't just go up to people and say, "Hey, I'm a writer and you look like a character in one of my stories--can I take a picture of you for inspiration?"
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Post by sb on Feb 22, 2011 20:00:59 GMT -5
This is just lovely! Your mosaic is beautiful and seems to completely 'you'. I really love number 9: I can see where Ed gets her blushes...
I remembered that your daughter will be named Elizabeth. You have many nicknames from which to choose: you're right, you'll know the one that fits after she's born!
Your writing is so charming. The mystery is addictive and the characters simply wonderful!
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 22, 2011 20:06:53 GMT -5
Beth: Aww, thank you! Yeah, Ed definitely gets her tendency to blush from me. I'm very excited to meet my daughter, and I'm sure you know how great her name is. I'm so honored you like my story! Your encouragement means a lot to me!
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Post by Stacy on Feb 23, 2011 18:18:26 GMT -5
I LOVE YOU!!!! You're the most awesomest Rachel ever, and I love you, and I love your story, and your replies to the comments on your stories, and everything about you ever. So...my question: How did you become awesome?
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 23, 2011 19:29:56 GMT -5
Stacy: Aww, I love you too! You are too sweet! I won't agree that I'm awesome, but I will say this: everything I learned about blog etiquette and how to relate to readers came from observing the wonderful people here--so if I seem awesome, it is only because I've been influenced by the best and I try to follow their good examples. And I just realized that I didn't even use the baby girl smiley when I had a perfect opportunity to do so! So I'll use it now!
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Post by thelunarfox on Feb 26, 2011 12:46:01 GMT -5
You're not a prude. You're just classy. I love the story of Sean's inspiration. And I can't wait for the upcoming stories to be told. That would be awesome! Why not? You might make a new interesting friend. (Who might also think you're crazy, but whatever. Best to embrace the crazy.)
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Post by jennifer on Feb 27, 2011 1:29:34 GMT -5
I love your mosaic. It doesn't need to be color coordinated, it's your mosaic so you put it together how you want to. Great interview too. I'm really loving reading all of these. Mmm, pizza. The figurine of the big boobed lady made me laugh. We have one very similar except she's made out of wood. I put her on the bottom shelf but my bf keeps moving her back so she's on display. ;D
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Post by raquelaroden on Feb 27, 2011 16:18:00 GMT -5
Lunar: I'm not sure everyone embraces the crazy LOL. I think people would be more likely to believe that I was making fun of them or something... Jennifer: Thank you! Yeah, the fertility statue is kinda funny, and my husband was the first one to point out that I bore some resemblance to it when my belly first started growing (he was very admiring of the fact--he loves the whole pregnancy process).
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Post by muzegoddess on Mar 11, 2011 11:27:39 GMT -5
I love your mosaic, especially the pizza (I could eat it monrning, noon, and night). And congratulations on the baby. My question is, who/what do you think she will be like? Do you think/hope she will be like you?
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