Erm, for those that only care bout the art, this is my crazy cuties that I drew literally on a paper bag...

Okay @goldblossom tagged me, but I'm still posting an art thing, and you might wanna read this tag thing if you like writing. I'm not tagging anyone to do this cuz it never said to, so I don't have to annoy anyone. But enjoy some writing tips from a person that almost never even posts stuff she's written!

1. When did you begin writing? [minus because of school, work, Ext.]

I joined wattpad 3 years ago according to my account bio. That was when I started to want to share others my work, but I was always a bit of a word nerd, no one ever needed to tell me to practice writing! I really can't think of a time though, that pinpoints the start of my own work...

2. What was the first book you read/wrote that made you cry?

Not so surprisingly, the "original" Big 5 book by QueenOfSnow which inspired me to write my ask and dare book was the ticket to my tears. I remember thinking to myself, "Is this really how fandom feels like? Do I want to go on?" Spoiler alert: I did 😂😂😂. Since then, even though I'm not as active of a participant, fandoms are what keeps me going.

3. Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It depends, like, ultimately it exhausts me, but when I have an idea, I HAVE to write it down or I'll feel like exploding!

4. What is your writing kryptonite?

Ironically enough, other works of writing. Authors can be so creative, and as fun and wonderful as it is, sometimes I leave the fictional world that was created feeling like there is no better way to tell it, and kind of get into a mind set where I can only think about the story I read. I guess that's why I have written fanfics, because I can't stop thinking about the show/movie in question, and get obsessed. Oh and not just the thinking stops me from writing, but taking time to read.

5. Do you try to be more original, or deliver the readers what they want?

Eh, it is usually determined by the process I go through for the specific book. I always stick to what I originally planned, but if I haven't planned an aspect that people have ideas for, I'll try to include it.

6. What other authors are your friends with, and how do they help you to become a better writer?

Justallsmiles was the gal that got me on this site, and has always encouraged me to the very end. We don't talk as much about writing as we used to, probably because I'm more on the geeky cartoons side of fandoms, and she is more about creating her own characters which I hold to the highest respect. Not a lot of people can do what she does in such a way, and with so much brilliance. She'll probably text me later to tell me I'm exaggerating, but I'm not!

KatieKendrick0 is someone I've met more recently, and helped me get back into the game of doing books. She's my Starco mess up twin and an obvious choice for mentioning, because without her, this book would be nonexistent.

7. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Oh, I wouldn't even try to use that chance. Sure, I do have regrets and can point out so many embarrassingly bad choices in my past writing, but I don't want to change a thing. Mistakes are apart of life, and most often than not, you have to experience it first hand to understand the ins and outs of your style. No one, not even your future self, is fully understanding of how your brain is working at the moment and it's a trail and error process. Not to say the typical, "No one understands me!" trope, many people in this world have gone through a situation similar to yours, I'm sure, but the point is, to be critical of the past and dwell on it is never a good territory to explore.

8. What was the best thing you spent money for as a writer?

Uuuuuh....... you mean as far as writing supplies? Or like is it for like, since the point of starting writing, what was the best thing that you've bought? Or uh.... I'm just gonna skip this....

9. What is your favorite under appreciated novel?

Oh, definitely The Anybodies by N. E. Bode, or if you use her real name and not the pen name she uses, Julia Baggot. It's a wonderful novel, but the sequels are a little bit to fantasy driven to the point where you just don't care anymore. "The Anybodies" is just so amazing and is a book that in retrospect praises other books. I think that the reason why I like it so much, is because the sentences are so descriptive, and a little wordy, just like mine. Her tone is playful, sarcastic, and makes me wonder if maybe she has a wattpad account!

10. How many unpublished, or half finished novels do you have?

Oh man. Er- all of them? I swear, unless specifically stated otherwise in my books are a frizzle-frazzle of ideas and I probably have twice as many completely unpublished books as I do published. And then chapters... I even have an unpublished chapter of this book that is not this chapter at the moment, IN A FREAKIN ART BOOK!!! I have problems with wrapping up stories if there's a lot of parts... that's why I'd like to be a TV show storyboard artist, just working on one episode in a series while the creator of the show ultimately has the overall plot.

11. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before you begin a book?

Oh, Ice is my name, fanfics are my game. Okay, Ice isn't really my name, I just prefer that instead of my legal name cuz why not. Any who, saying fanfics are my game is true, and I'm a stickler for technicalities in my works, trying to make things as close to the "facts" as possible. I tend to use [insert show/movie] wiki when I'm not at least 90% sure I have the right facts, but mostly when I'm in the middle of writing, because honestly, if you're deep enough into a fandom to be writing fanfics about it, you probably know what you're talking about. I say probably, because that's my method in particular. Only writing about things I'm pretty obsessed over at least.

12. What is the most difficult thing about writing a character of the opposite sex?

Not much, I mean guys and girls seem to actually not be that different to write as. As a girl, the way I write as a boy is I just say to myself, "what if I had the same feelings as I regularly do in this situation, but society tells me I'm not supposed to show it?" Then I go from there, adding in the guy's traits, and how that might have affected him. Maybe just holding back on being so emotional.

13. How do you select the name of your character?

I like odd names. Once I even named a character Odeyssa, but got constantly teased by my family about it. I like the name to sound close to the person in question's personality, and sometimes slightly embarrassing if possible. My favorite thing to do is search up name meanings, and then depending on how I want the character to be, I'll choose a name accordingly.

14. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people can find?

Yes actually. I tend to be a big shipper, and almost always plan romantic plots or sub-plots. It's usually not a question of whether or not there will be romantic tension, but with who, and when.

15. What was your hardest scene to write?

Well, depends on if you're referring to finished scenes, or unfinished. For unfinished, probably my last Phinbella one shot, I couldn't even get through it, and it actually caused me to abandon the Phineas and Ferb one-shot book I have. It was just awful, and I thought I knew where I was going, but as I kept writing, I found that I didn't. And then for finished, let's just go w/ most of the last chapters of my ask & dare the big 5. I was going through some emotional stuff, and it really was just bad all around.

16. What is the most difficult part of your creative process?

Being consistent. Like seriously, I mostly of my stuff is one-shots, cuz I get inspired, and I just wanna write down it all in one sitting, then I get distracted by my next idea. The only reason why I'm even continuing this long chapter of questions in different sections of time is because it's a list, and I don't needa be reminded of what I wrote. Idea! Next time I write something, I'll have all the chapters already added on the book before I write it, and for each one put notes on what will happen! Then when I go back to write again, I just follow the outline I made! Eh, maybe I'll try it, maybe not but I'm keeping it written here in case I wanna use it, cuz I'm forgetful.

17. On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

Ah, most finished ones were made in one sitting, but in that sitting, it's like any where from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Yes, you heard me right, I will sit down and write for 2 hours straight cuz I can't keep on the same subject/plot on two separate occasions, with out using great discipline.

18. Do you believe in writers block?

Yes and no. I think that writers can get into a mindset where they have difficulty being creative, but at the same time, it will only last as long as you let it, because you just need to look up new subjects, find a new hobby for awhile. Don't feed the thought of "I can't think of anything", and you'll be back to writing, even if it's not published on a site, if that's something you've loved to do.

19. Which one of your characters do you feel closest to?

Well that's hard... I tend to get immersed in the characters I'm using, so it's difficult to choose a single standout, because my answer will always be the character that I'm writing in the point of view of most frequently. It's not like I really choose what character's perspective I write because of my own connection, I just do which ever would benefit the story at that point.

20. What's one piece of advice that you would give to other aspiring authors?

Do you like writing? Write! Have you written a story of something sort no matter how small or stupid you might think it is? If so, BAM! You're an author! Congratulations! If you enjoyed it, keep doing it, you might think it sucks, but there are all kinds of people who have different opinions, and practicing makes you become more of the writer you want to be. It's okay to have dead ends, and wanna just delete everything you ever typed, but in the end you have good ideas, they just have to be assembled in the right way. It's up to you to find the right way. Now go! Do something great! I know I can count on you to write Starco fanfics that I desperately need! Wow, this is 1988 words... Good job me.