Interview with LORI OLSEN, ENDEARMENT and SHORT STORY Awards of 2002

1. Tell us about yourself and your literal interests.
My literary interests? I like action/suspense type books. I really don't read alot of contemporary authors. Tom Clancy is my favorite though. I have every book in his Jack Ryan series (and named my son after the title character) and absolutely love them. I've read some Robert Ludlum and Patricia Cornwell and have enjoyed their books. I also love Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite. Also loved my 19th century Russian Lit class I took in college and grew to have an appreciation for the writers of the day.

2. What made you become a TYR-writer?
Reading the other stories when I first came into the fandom nearly three years ago. I enjoyed reading their stories, and realized that when I was watching the show when it originally aired I'd created fanfic just by making up stories in my head for the riders. So, I just decided to give it a go, and have been hooked ever since.

3. What do you look for in fanfic?
A good plot line and good writing. I'm not looking for English PH D levels, but bad grammar and spelling make it really hard for me to get through a story. Beta'd one too many stories to not want to correct. But a good plot line is a must. Something that really explores the thoughts of the characters, puts them through some growth, gives them a chance to stretch the limits the show created for them just a bit. I don't want to see drastic changes in personality, unless there's a definite and marked reason for it. But just a well-rounded story that can pull me in and make me care about the characters in a whole new way.

4. What do you feel is your strengt/weakness in writing?
I always feel weak when I try to describe action occurring. I can do dialogue I feel pretty well. I can do getting inside someone's head and trying to work out their thoughts and feelings. But trying to describe action, be it day to day or suspenseful action taking place, I feel I'm lacking. And trying to write romance that doesn't come off cheesy.

5. Who or what is your source of inspiration?
Many things can inspire me. Songs often inspire me. Just a feeling or an emotion behind a song can make me think of long drawn out plots that may or may not entirely stay true to the lyrics, but often always the general theme or feeling. Conversations with others definitely spark ideas for me. And sometimes it's just an idea, "what would this person do in this situation?" and I see where it leads me.

6. Have you written other fanfic than The Young Riders?
Yep. For two other fandoms. I've been pretty happy with their reception.

7. What are your writing goals?
Just to keep writing. To try and keep things fresh. To try a style or a storyline that stretches my norm a bit. I have fun entering contests or challenges where someone gives an idea and I get to give my interpretation on it.

8. Where will you be in 10 years time if you get your way?
Hopefully the mother to one or two more children and just helping raise my children to be well adjusted and respectful people ready to deal with life. I hope to keep the good friendships I have made.

9. Any current writing projects?
Lots. They're just not all in TYR. But I will not be abandoning TYR anytime soon. This was the first fandom I wrote for, I have many close friends here who continue to inspire and encourage me, and since I help run a site of my own, I keep my fingers in the fic world. But I have a goal to do at least one TYR story a month, or at least do significant writing on a story if it's not a short one. And even though it's only March, I've kept that goal.

10. What advice do you have to give to other writers?
Just to do it. Even if you never think you'll have the courage to post it, write it down, share it with a friend, and who knows, maybe you'll get the courage to post. Find a beta, find two. Mine are invaluable because when I'm stuck on a section they can find a new way to look at it that gets me over the hump and sends me flying. And they let me know when something just isn't making sense.

11. A thank you speech, please
Thank you to those who voted. Thank you to the person who nominated me. It is immensely thrilling to know that my story touched someone enough to just even nominate it.

Thank you Lori Olsen for taking the time!