Lisa R. winner of Comic Storyline and Male Character

1. Tell us something about yourself.
I'm nuts (okay, obsessive) when it comes to editing my own work, but I hope it makes for a better story for the readers. I hate the idea of presenting an unfinished/poorly done product. As for personal stuff about me - I love hockey (and some other sports), reading, writing, cooking, travel (California bound this summer!) and music of all kinds. I can't live without my cd collection - especially my soundtracks - and my latest thing is creating my own cds.

2. What got you hooked on TYR?
I was hooked right from the start - cute guys, horses, the adventure of it all, as well as a strong female character that was pretending to be boy…what wasn't there to get hooked on. I loved it from day one!

3. What kind of stories do you prefer? Romance, action, thrillers?
Partial to romance, romantic comedy is even better, but I also like dramatic romance (my writing specialty - I can't make anything easy!) and thrillers.

4. What are you reading right now?
As far as TYR - a little of this and that on the lists, but I have recently discovered fanfic for my favorite TV show - The West Wing. It's unbelievable and I could never manage the snappy writing, but it's so fun to read. As far as a real book - "Travail & Triumph" by Judith Pella and Michael Phillips. It's the third book in a seven book series called "The Russians".

5. Who has inspired you in your writing?
Among the first fanfic s I read was Joanna's "A Bond So Strong" and I was beyond captivated. I was mesmerized and inspired. I wanted to write descriptive, sweeping epics like she did, but at the same time find my own place. I also love to read Nora Roberts and all of her romantic/dramatic books. They're wonderful escapist novels and that's what I want from my stories. I want people to lose themselves in them.

6. Have you written other fanfic than The Young Riders?
No, but if I thought I could even come close to the witty, intelligent and masterful pieces by the writers of "The West Wing" fanfic, I might try it. For now, I know I would not do the series justice so I stick to reading it all.

7. What is most important in your life right now?
Personal Happiness. I am trying to achieve this with a job change and relocation. We'll see…

8. Where will you be in 10 years time if you get your way?
Hopefully married, with a few kids, maybe working, maybe not. Living well and loving life!

9. Any current writing projects?
Yes…and no. I have a piece that I started and put aside twice to write "Secrets of the Night" and "Honor Thy Father" that I have sworn will be my next fanfic, but I can't seem to get motivated to work on it further. Maybe once I know about the move and life settles down I can get back to it. Until then, I *think* about writing if that counts for anything. ;)

10. What advice do you have to give to other writers?
"Just do it!" I swear that Nike slogan is so appropriate. I hemmed and hawwed for a long time before starting my first fanfic and I regret the wasted time. Don't worry that it's not good enough, that people won't like or read it, just write it. The TYR community is wonderful when it comes to new authors and people will read your stuff. They'll offer encouragement and suggestions that will help you improve. Then when you are 5 or 6 stories into your new hobby and you look back at that first piece or the seond, you will see the improvement and the growth and be so proud of yourself that you will wonder what you worried about! If you are an established author, then the slogan should be changed to "Keep Doing It!". Keedp writing, keep the fandom alive and continually strive to meet now creative highs. The stories with the twists and turns - those are what will keep this fandom going strong.

Thanks for taking the time to answer this Lisa!