The past few months have been really stressful for me, as I’ve noted on the blog here as well as to anyone who will listen to me. I apologize for the lateness of this month’s spotlight. I was nearly afraid I’d have to skip it altogether, but luckily Taye was willing to fill out my last minute interview. Needless to say, she’s awesome.
You can check out Taye’s stories on her website My Mind To Life. Her newest story, Law of Sarah, is currently only available on LiveJounal, and you should definitely check it out too.
ETA: With the closing of AITP, Taye’s site is also now offline.
Why did you start writing hanfic? How long have you been writing?
I started writing when I was about eleven years old(i’m 25 now), however I didn’t start writing hanfic until I was about twelve. I delved into even more so after I met brit and she suggested that I put up my work somewhere and she offered to host me.
I’ve been writing since elementary school. Writing was always my first “art” of choice. I’m the youngest and there’s a big age gap between me and my siblings. I never had anyone else to play with so I always had an overactive imagination. One day I got the bright idea to write some of the chaos in my head down, and I’ve been going with it since then. And although I tried to leave it several times, it never left me. I always found my way back to it, and it was always there waiting to welcome me back. (Very romantic, huh? haha)
You’ve written a lot of different genres, some of which might be considered unusual for hanfic. What’s that like? What inspires you to step outside the box?
Yes, I’ve written a lot of different genres. Some definitely considered unusual! Well, I’m not sure what it’s like, exactly, but what inspires me is the wanting to write something that no one has written before. I want to eventually write that one story that everyone is like, ‘wow .. that is so different from all the rest!’ I want people to feel for my hanfic as I do about a lot of different writers.
What are your favorite hanfic stories and authors?
One of my favorite stories, of all time, has to be Bed of Lies, written by Brittney. Simply put, it brought us together as friends =] There are other authors that I really enjoy as well, but can’t think of their names. I loved The Quiet One, oh and of course, who can forget, Deep Blue Heart? Barbara is an awesome writer!
What is your writing process like?
Brittney always encouraged me to make an outline, but it’s really hard for me. I usually go by the seat of my pants, to say the least. Usually, if I don’t like what I’ve written, doesn’t matter how much I wrote, I will trash it, but I’m trying to curb that so that Brittney doesn’t kill me. lol.
Where do your ideas and inspiration come from?
My brain, lol. I am always coming up with new ideas for stories, probably the biggest reason why I don’t have many stories that are actually finished. Usually when I’m writing one story, another idea will spark off of the story I’m currently writing and it just takes off from here and I don’t finish the story I was currently working on because this new one seems so much more exciting.
Which stories are you most proud of having written?
Hmm .. that’s a hard one. The one that I am currently writing, Law Of Sarah, I am proud to be writing because it is something that is so different. I have never seen anything written remotly close to this, but I guess I would have to say … Through This Glassy Surface and hmm … I think that’s it.
Favorite songs to listen to while you write or which inspire your writing?
Oh, I’ll listen to anything! As long as there is music that is being played, it works for me. Sometimes, it depends on the mood and the type of story i am writing … i.e. if I’m writing one around a song, with the song lyrics, then I will listen to that song constantly throughout my writing, but otherwise, I listen to everything! It doesn’t matter what it is, it helps!
Thank you, Taye, for being this month’s spotlight. It’s nice to find someone willing to be so punctual when I’m obviously not 😉