Mary Ayers winner of Creative Turn

1.Tell us something about yourself.
I'm 26 years old and besides reading and occasionally writing TYR plots, I spend a fair amount of time on my other hobby which is the Hawaiian culture. I dance hula (still a beginner :) ), and am also learning the language--or trying to, at least!! I'm interested in tribal cultures which might account in some part for my attraction to the TYR character, Buck Cross. I'm a vegetarian and I like to bake and cook when I get the chance. I also have an incurable sweet tooth; there really should be a restraining order out against me: "Mary Ayers cannot come within 20 feet of any form of chocolate or she'll be sent to jail :)"

2. What got you hooked on TYR?
I'd heard about the show from a friend when it first aired. Actually, I think I flipped past it once and rolled my eyes saying, "Hunks on horseback. . .you have *got* to be kidding me!" But my friend from High School persuaded me to give the show a try, saying that the Cody character was really funny and I'd like him. So, I gave it a try. I think I must have watched the episode for 2 seconds before I caught sight of Buck Cross and became a believer! hehe Sadly, Cody didn't inspire me all that much (physically, that is)--though I did think he was pretty comical. It got to be that I couldn't miss a week of the show--I was hooked.

3. What kind of stories do you prefer?
I really enjoy a good tragedy. I guess that comes from having been liberal arts English major! We read a *lot* of tragedy! I love any story that deals with the deepest, most fundamental workings of the human spirit. I like to read comic stories, too--but a really great comedy seems harder to come by than a gripping drama for some reason. I'm not really one for super happy endings where everyone gets married and life is perfect. I do like a hopeful ending, however--one that promises good things to come. Anyone who knows me knows I enjoy stories that are earthy and realistic. Though, I'm not adverse to the mystical--a ghost or two, a great vision, a premonition. . .they can really add to a story, I think.

4. What are you reading right now?
I just finished a fabulous novel called "A Home at the End of the World" by an award-winning author named Michael Cunningham. The story takes place from the points of view of five different people. (Every chapter is told from one of the five characters' perspectives.) It's primarily about two guys (one gay, one straight) and a girl (straight) who try to create a home together and figure out just what it is that they, as individuals, want in life. It definitely goes under the category of "earthy and dramatic with a hopeful ending".

5. Who has inspired you in your writing?
Well, as far as published authors are concerned, I suppose John Keats (one of my favorite poets) and Michael Cunningham. I'm sure there are many others who have influenced my writing and I just don't realize it yet! As far as fellow TYR fans go, I've been greatly inspired by Kim Roberts. I also have to say that without the help of Melanie Pogue, The Ties That Bind would never have come close to winning an award! She's been a great reader for me--she isn't afraid to tell me when something I write "sucks" :) --though she'd never use that word! hehe

6. Have you written other fan fic than TYR?
No, I haven't. In fact, I've only just started writing stories. "TYR-world" is a great place for a person to test the waters of writing, I think. You have pre-set characters to work with and a ready audience to read your stories and even take the time to help you with them! That kind of positive support wonderful to us writers who are just starting out.

7. What is most important in your life right now?
Right now, I'm pretty focused on my job as a special programs coordinator at our local Boys & Girls Club. I'm hoping to have a full time job there in the near future (fingers crossed). :)

8. Where will you be in 10 years if things go your way?
Hmm. . .I'm not sure I can think that far in advance, to tell you the truth! I hope to be working full time by then! hehe I think I might like to be working as a Development Director--raising some pretty big money--for a non-profit such as The Boys & Girls Club perhaps on a national level. I'd like to spend a fair amount of time public speaking and traveling the country. I'd like to have FINALLY found a boyfriend by then, too :)

9. Any current writing projects?
I think I have something like 5 half-written or "needs serious over-haul" TYR stories lying around. I really haven't had a lot of time to work on them. (Excuses, excuses. . .I know :) )

10. What advice do you have to give to other writers?
I'd say first and foremost, write about something you have a passion for--something you feel strongly about. Second, I'd say try to *describe* a scene, a feeling, a thought, etc. using ALL the senses rather than just *telling* us what happened. Descriptions are more 3-dimensional; the incorporation of all the senses in a description really aids in creating a physical sensation in the reader. . .helps the reader *feel* something for the characters. Also, give you characters (even the standard TYR characters) a history of their own. Get to know each of the characters in your story on a personal level, every detail of them--their favorite foods, their biggest pet peeves, how they'd react to this or that situation. . .--so, when you write them in the story, they seem more real to us readers. A character with complex feelings, motivation, and history can really turn an "OK" story into an extraordinary one!

11. Thank you speech
All I can say is, wow, I really never expected to win any award. Mahalo nui (have to practice my Hawaiian language skills whenever I possibly can, hehe) to everyone who voted for my story--there were SO many great plots out there. . .It means a lot to me that you all thought so highly of The Ties That Bind.

Thanks for taking the time to answer this Mary!