Becca winner of Adult Story, Dramatic Storyline and Romantic Storyline

1. Tell us something about yourself.
Let's see. Most of my basic bio stuff is posted over at the Hitching Post. Well, I'm obsessive-compulsive when it comes to grammar and spelling. Heck, I even find myself editing my local paper as I read it. hey, I figure if you're gonna make money off of something, the least you can do is edit it for typos and spelling mistakes. :0) I'm also in the mental health profession. Okay, so I'm a nurses' aide, but we're darn important!

2. What got you hooked on TYR?
Well, I caught bits and pieces of it when it started in 1989, but I had a hard time adjusting to the early mornings of Junior High, so when they started playing with the times, I ended up missing it in favor of early bedtimes. I've always loved westerns, too, and I think there's too few of them (of historical fiction type shows period) on TV. I really identified with Kid actually more than Lou like a lot of other female fans. In my circle of friends, I was the moral center much like Kid's character often was so moral struggle was something I identified with. Of course the fact that each of the riders was gorgeous didn't hurt any either. :0)

3. What kind of stories do you prefer? Romance, action, thrillers?
I'm such a voracious reader that I read anything if it's well written, sometimes even when it isn't well written. Heck, I read the back of cereal boxes when there's nothing else. If it's got words on it, I read it.

4. What are you reading right now?
On the net, any TYR fanfic I can find as well as a little Buffy and La Femme Nikita fanfic as well. In RL, my CPR renewal booklet. :0) Actually, I'm re-reading some Shakespeare as I help a friend with a Shakespeare course as well as the occasional frivolous novel. Nothing really of substance recently, because of five years of having to read heavy stuff as an English major.

5. Who has inspired you in your writing?
As far as fanfic goes (and these are in order of my discovery of them, not importance) Joanna, Starbright, Nesciri, Sidney, and Jen have truly been an inspiration to me. After reading one of their works I always feel the Muse poking me in the creativity. In literature, I love Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe ("Dr. Faustus" is an incredible play), C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, Nora Hess, Peter David (of Star Trek fame), and Stephen Lawhead who's written two incredible series (the Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion Trilogy).

6. Have you written other fanfic than The Young Riders?
Not yet, but I'd love to be able to write either X-Files fanfic or La Femme Nikita, but I don't have the scientific or psychological writing ability to pull either off well.

7. What is most important in your life right now?
Living every moment as if it were my last. Being honest with myself about who I am, what I want, and where I've been. Seeing the world through the eyes of my Savior. Recognizing that I'm flawed and imperfect, but that doesn't mean I'm not required to strive for perfection.

8. Where will you be in 10 years time if you get your way?
I'd love to be happily committed to the man I'm meant to be with and have a few children. I don't need an incredibly high paying job as long as I feel like I'm making a difference in one person's life, no matter what field I end up in. However, I'm only looking five minutes in the future right now because any more than that isn't guaranteed.

9. Any current writing projects?
Too many. ;0) Actually I have three right now -- "The Girl From Yesterday," "Through a Glass Darkly," and "The Road Less Traveled By" all posted at the Hitching Post.

10. What advice do you have to give to other writers?
First of all, just write. Just do it. Write the piece and send it to someone you trust to read it over for you. Second, read, read, read. Read novels, text books, other fanfiction pieces, anything that can give you inspiration or help you find a style that fits you. Also, don't compare your piece to someone else's. You just can't do that. Each author has their own style that works well for them. You'll find yours too the longer you write and the more you write. If you lack inspiration, talk over a section with a friend or ask for ideas. Often times that fickle Muse will get her butt in gear after a good IM session. Most of all, just take the chance. You'll never know what others think of your piece unless they read it. It doesn't mean you have to post it for everyone to see, but definitely have someone other than you read it. You may think a piece not worth posting while other may feel it's the best piece
you've ever written.

Becca :0)
barkeep at The Hitching Post website

Thanks for taking the time to answer this Becca!