I think the best thing about doing these spotlights is that it sometimes allows me to really make an author’s day. That’s the case this month; Katt still isn’t quite convinced that she deserved to be in the spotlight!
Katt is one of those new/old authors, and she’s recently been editing and republishing a few of her older stories. Among these are a Tike story called Writer’s Block and a handful of unique and dark oneshots featuring various pairings. You can read these all at her LiveJournal, here.
Why did you start writing hanfic? How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing hanfic since 2007, when I got back into the fandom. I had a really good idea for a story (I don’t remember it now) and decided that well, it can’t be that hard. I write anyways and have for most of my life. I was wrong about it being hard, by the way. I let a friend read it and she said I should post it to LJ and I did and she promoted it a little bit and people started wanting to read more from me and it snowballed from there.
You write a few different cest pairings. Do you have a favorite? If so, which and why?
I love all of them, really. I’ll read almost anything but I have to admit, I love Tike. Taylor/Isaac is just… I don’t know how to explain it. People look at Zac and Taylor and see this chemistry and write about it. I do the same with Taylor and Isaac. I just really liked it and it quickly became a favorite. Zaylor and Zike also have a special place in my heart but Tike just… works better for me.
What are your favorite hanfic stories and authors?
I don’t think I could list all of them because they’re so good. It’s been an eclectic journey on LJ to find the best. I have to say that Sarah (forgottenhall on LJ) is one of my favorites. We’re actually pretty close friends and talk about fic sometimes if one of us is having a problem. I’m guilty of relying on her for so much advice, especially with the re-write of Writer’s Block.
I’ve been reading more stuff recently after connected with more writers in the fandom. The Innocents by malfunkshon is one I read after getting to know the author when she was recommended to me. I used to read stuff by Ali (whose LJ name I’ve forgotten) and I really liked them but since she’s been on hiatus, I’ve been rereading some of her older stuff. There are a lot of stories I read, mostly on LJ and finding spontaneously through recommendations and sites like PlaceToHide.
What is your writing process like?
I would describe my writing process like Attention Deficit Disorder. I jump around, I write stuff that makes no sense, I come up with crazy ideas then work them back into something less volatile. It’s just a mish-mash of “What do I feel like today?” and “Well, there’s this crazy idea I had…” I write what I feel at the time. That’s why sometimes I’ll write this fluffy, cutesy thing and then the next day, there’s something darker and more sexual being written. Since moods change quickly, I’ll usually have several projects going on at once.
Where do your ideas and inspiration come from?
Anywhere. Everywhere. That’s, like, the least specific answer but it’s honest. One night at work, I was staring at a bowl of loaded mashed potatoes and I got this crazy idea for a story that I’m working on now or I’d tell you about it. The next night, I saw a music video on VH1 and decided to work on the next chapter of Writer’s Block. Sometimes a random conversation will spark an idea. I wrote a short about Isaac being a vampire and I think that idea came from watching Twilight and being so mad about how they changed vampires and just wanting the old school sexy, powerful ones back.
I probably sound a little insane now. But still, between my old LJ account and this one, I’ve written a lot and it’s all one big whirlwind of ideas and stuff.
Which stories are you most proud of having written?
Oh man. I don’t think I could choose. They all mean something to me. But I suppose it’s Writer’s Block. The more I work on it, the more attached I get and want to really bring it to the readers the way it was originally meant to be. Last time, I gave up part of the way through and didn’t work things in properly and while I hate the first version, this second one is like birthing a baby. I’m overly attached to it because it’s so different from other things that are out there right now.
Favorite songs to listen to while you write or which inspire your writing?
Oh dear. Music is my life. Well, not really. But I’m always listening to music or humming it when I’m doing anything. My music taste is almost as insane as my writing process. I listen to just about every generation of music between now and the 1950s. It’s just random. I have a Disney Pandora station that I’ve listened to during writing fluffy stuff. The two dark short stories I’ve posted were inspired by songs (one by Love The Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna and the other by Smooth by Santana featuring Rob Thomas) and one chapter of WB was partially inspired by Milkshake by Kelis.
Let’s just call me eclectic and be done with it. My brain is like a tornado or a hurricane that never dies. With music and writing, it’s a controlled chaos. But I must be doing something right, right?
Thank you, Katt, for being the June spotlight! I think you’re definitely doing something right 😉