Dinuriel - Week of 12/27

[dinuriel]

Okay, this is probably a little early, but I happened to be online and it's half past midnight my time, so...

Anyway, I tried to limit the mosaic to one-word, statistical sort of questions, and then added the questions suggested in the thread. I tried to avoid questions from LJ because I think I might be shortlisted for an interview there and don't want to sound too redundant--or worse, self-contradictory

Also, sorry if my answers are somewhat vague. Feel free to ask for specifics if you feel the need

So, without further ado, here's the mosaic:


1. Vanessa cardui, 2. Sirloin Steak Lobster Tail Dinner, 3. Different, 4. White Winter Wonderland - Boulder, USA, 5. Project 20:10 - Day 31, 6. Cuba Gallery: Italy / Venice / natural light / water / bridge / photography, 7. ? Love - Agapi - Ask ? Explored, 8. writing... 9. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/geminipinai/4853302618/[/url]The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest[/url], 10. Five More Wishes to Come, 11. Different... 12. I Don't Know

(Wow, converting all those links from HTML was a bitch.)

Anyway, the mosaic stats...

First name: Vanessa (Or Van. The use of "Vanessa" is pretty much limited to older relatives these days.)
Favorite food: Steak and lobster
Favorite color: Black (although I also love pretty much all the "cold" colors--greens, blues, purples, and everything in between)
Favorite weather: Snow
Favorite drink: Brown cow (kahlua, milk, and ice)
Dream vacation: Venice (or anywhere in Western or Mediterranean Europe, really)
One of the things I love most in the world: Love (cliche and broad, I know, but I felt like being mysterious)
One of my hobbies: Writing (as if that wasn't a given)
Currently reading: Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest"
If I had one wish: More wishes
One word that describes me: Different
Something else: ...I don't know

Aaaaaand the longhand answers (sorry, I did more than eight--I hope that's okay):


1. How did you start writing, i.e. What happened that made you realize that writing was your thing?

Uh, well… I don’t really know exactly how I got started with writing. Like most kids, I was always storytelling—dressing up, playing out plots with dolls and stuffed animals, whatever—but I guess I just never stopped. We started playing RPGs and while I enjoyed the storylines, they were never enough for me; after we beat games, I used to move the characters around the map and narrate (actually, I still kind of do that on occasion—my brother thinks I’m crazy). One day, I just decided to try putting something down in words and after that I was just dead gone.


2. What's your absolute favorite story?

What, like out of all of yours? Nice try—I’m not answering that one

(I love all of your stories, by the way, and I’m sure I’ll love the ones I haven’t read yet too.)


3. What do you eat/drink while writing?

Anything from nothing to a bag of chips to an entire damn pizza. Oh, and sometimes I write while mildly drunk—you can probably tell in some instances


4. Who is your favorite character in fiction?

Not sure I can pin down one specific favorite. In general, I’m a sucker for anti-heroes, but I’m not really sure I can give anything more specific than that, mainly because I’m not well-versed in the classics.


5. Who is your favorite character of your own?

That’s kind of like asking a parent “Who’s your favorite child?” I love them all, or at least the vast majority of them—dynamic, bland, good, evil, popular, reader-loathed, etc. Of course, I do love them all for different reasons, and I probably love some of them more than others, but I don’t really feel as though I could pick a clear-cut favorite, or even a handful of favorites.


6. Which book has had the greatest impact on you (e.g. moved/disturbed/thrilled/made you cry)?

That’s kind of a tough question for me. While I enjoy stories, I’m not often moved by them in any profound sort of way. I’m not sure why that is—probably symptomatic of my being much more of a writer than a reader—but for some reason, books don’t have much of an impact on me. I read, I like them, I’m entertained, but that’s pretty much it. Maybe I’m just shallow that way


7. What is your favorite quote?

“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” –Oscar Wilde

If nothing else, I find this makes me feel better about some of my work


8. What word/phrase describes you best?

That… probably changes day-to-day. Tying back to my last question, let’s go with “inconsistent”.


9. Do you have any hobbies and/or talents outside of writing?

Honestly… not really. I play video games on occasion, but not a wide range of them and I’m not particularly good. I dabble in photography, but not to any great success. Other than that, I pretty much just sit around and waste away


10. How do you like to handle romantic relationships in your story? Do you have a general approach, or is the approach tailored to the characters?

Romantic relationships are a bit difficult for me to write because I don’t have a romantic bone in my whole body, but they do play a pretty big role in a lot of my stuff, so I’m trying to improve. For the time being, I’d have to say I use the tailored approaches—like, I don’t think the same sort of build-up I used for Octavius and Holladrin would work for Tarien and Arydath. I like to think that all of my characters are individuals, and that the relationship between any given two of them would be pretty unique too.


11. Who is your favorite author?

Uh… shit. I’m totally drawing a blank here. Off the top of my head I’m going to have to say Tolkein, but that’s a shot in the dark.


12. What is your favorite book?

My current favorite is Jeffrey Eugenides’ Middlesex. It’s actually held the title for the past couple of years, which is weird for me. I guess I just like controversial topics that a lot of people seem to be afraid to write about—I mean, intersexuality and incest in the same novel? Score!



Uh... yeah. I guess that's my interview?

The floor is now open

[sb]

I love your answers! Your mosaic is charming and quirky and exactly like you, although I'm wondering why you had to convert HTML code. My instructions must have missed a step...sorry.

I'm a huge fan of your work. I love the way you slide in and out of vernacular, never limiting yourself to Middle Ages speak in Naroni, and how startlingly clear and unique your characters are.

You have a number of projects going on at the same time. Do you work on them according to a set schedule? Do you get tired of one and spend more time on another? What made you choose to set Naroni in that particular time period?

You've also begun a resource list which I particularly admire. Apart from people asking where you got something, does the list help you sort out CC you use?

How do you manage to post such witty, sad, engaging and lovely updates so consistently? You rarely miss a post date.

You have been such a kind and generous source of support for me. I can't end this comment without thanking you so much for taking time out of your busy life and giving it to other people. You're an absolute gem.

[themctavishams]

Van this was great I'm so intrigued by these interviews all the time. I love the mosaic, that was a really cool idea to include that in here.

My question would be one that echoes SB... how on earth do you manage to write for all of your stories (plus a prompt once and a while over at Sim Haven, that I'm aware of!) and not a) go crazy, and b) lose sight of where you want to go with the plot? How do you organize? Do you write from a list on a notebook or do you just sorta KNOW here you're going and let the words lead you?

[dinuriel]

Beth: Oh, no, I only had to convert the HTML because ProBoards uses a different coding system and I felt the need to put the photo credits up there. Thanks again for the wonderful instructions

In general, I try to update in this pattern:

Naroni-Ashelia-Naroni-IFV-Naroni-Orbis Umbra (before that, THIV)

I sometimes break from it, though. If I'm really not feeling the post I'm supposed to be working on at the time, or if I don't have the resources or energy for a particularly annoying photo-shoot, I'll just move to the next update on the list and come back to the difficult one later. Also, if I have somewhat pressing news that will affect updates, I try to get to each story right away in order to spread it.

As for Naroni's time period... well, I'd originally intended to play Naroni out as an RKC, which sort of implies (but doesn't demand) a Medieval-ish neighborhood, so that's pretty much the whole story behind that. I sometimes wonder what a modern Naroni might be like, though. Probably the biggest changes would come from the developments of a) easier divorce and b) the social acceptance and overall improvements to birth control and abortion.

The list does sort of help with organization--reminds me which places I need to check more often and whatnot--but I think the main thing is trying to give some credit to the creators (especially since I'm a cheapskate and nab stuff off PMBD all the time--well, I don't really agree with the notion of paying for extras for a video game anyway, but regardless of whether or not I agree with their business practices, I do think the creators at least deserve the recognition).

As for post frequency... err, I just have a lot of time on my hands?

I guess it's because my updates are pretty short and I only take pictures if I feel I absolutely need them--I only have maybe like a dozen outtakes. I'm also quite lazy with my shots and don't usually spend much time playing with poses and OMSPs and stuff like that--I have entire posts that were shot with only the chat animation. And then providing I don't get distracted (which I usually do, but whatever), it'll only take about an hour or so for me to write the post.

Thanks, Beth. I'm just glad I can help from time to time, or at least give people something they can hopefully enjoy


Christi: Heheh... who's to say I haven't gone crazy? I've certainly been close!

I keep a vague sort of outline--one sentence-summary, approximate date, POV character, Sims needed--and work off of that. Usually, I just have to glance at the following posts in order to remind myself where I was planning on going. Other than that, it's largely intuitive.

Thanks, Christi. Glad you enjoyed

[gayl]

Van I just love your mosaic. It does feel just like you from what I have gotten to know. I don't think I have another question in mind although I would like to say that I am always amazed and impressed that you can manage so many stories and stay on a regular posting schedule. That and the fact that your updates are always so well done.

I also want to say that I enjoy your quirky sense of humor. Stay different. Trying to be someone else never works out and you end up losing yourself.

[dinuriel]

Aww, thanks Gayl. I'm just glad I'm not the only one getting enjoyment out of my stories

[dinuriel]

Thanks Illandrya

I'm... not really sure how that happens. I guess it's just a time thing--I used to have to refer back to old chapters all the time while I was writing, just to make sure the voice was right, but I find I don't really need to do that anymore.

I'm glad to hear the profiles are helpful. Some of them could probably use an update, though :S

[rad]

I;m impressed by how detailed your worlds are, so my question is:

How much do you 'build' your worlds before writing (whether in your head or on paper), and how much do you come up with as you go?

[dinuriel]

Thanks Rad

I usually start with a very skeletal vision of the world in my head. Sometimes I'll whip up a map in Paint or make some spreadsheets for different regions, but I usually start the story with a rough idea of the world and fill in the blanks as I go along. I hope that sort of makes sense :S

[thelunarfox]

I found this to be very informative! It's nice to get to know the woman behind the stories.

Random question: Where does your user name come from?

[dinuriel]

Thanks Lunar

If I remember correctly, my username came from some fantasy name generator that a friend of mine discovered. I needed a name for some reason--probably a character--but for some reason it ended up as my Gmail address and has since become my username on Blogger and everything Sims-related these days.

[Stacy]

I love your mosaic! And yes, it is very you.

And, like Beth - I enjoyed your answers.

Thank you for posting this and for being here with us.

[dinuriel]

Thanks Stacy

Sorry I haven't been too active lately. I'm home for the holidays and I've forgotten how busy a person can be in a city where they actually know people.

[drew]

Great interview Van, I am still in awe of your productive output and the depth and feeling of your writing. And Happy Birthday. God, I can barely remember being that young~

Also, your mosaic was gorgeous. Very...you.

[dinuriel]

Thanks Drew

[muzegoddess]

Wonderful interview and beautiful mosaic. You never cease to amaze me with your stories (that I am feverishly trying to catch up on, btw) and the descipline you have to post as regularly as you do. Your worlds are so intricate and rich as are your characters. You are a talented writer that I look up to and appreciate very much.

[dinuriel]

Awww, thanks Muzegoddess

Glad to hear you like my work so far.