This is my interview with njmurderscene

They have 154 followers at the moment and 2 published works including Unafraid which is a Frerard.

1. Why did you first decide to start writing?

I was inspired by all the fics I've read and the lovely people who write them, and also just by my own imagination. I always have scenarios floating around in my head, and sometimes there will be one in particular I just can't stop thinking about, imagining how it would play out.

So at one point I said, "hey, I think I could actually do this, too." I realized I didn't just have to be a reader, that I could be a creator, do it my way and tell my story the way I want it with my own writing style.

There's just something exciting about that, and it's really cool that sites like Wattpad exist these days to empower people that way and make it easy to share your own work.

I'm pretty new to writing fanfic, but the support of people on here has been instrumental in helping combat any anxieties I have about putting my work out there for the world to see. And when some of my favorite writers said they were excited to read my stuff, that honestly gave me the confidence push I needed to actually go ahead with it!

2. You mostly write Frerard, so how did you first get into that ship?

Oh boy. Well, I'm fairly new to the fanfiction world in general, having only learned last year that Frerard fics are a thing. It was when I decided to read through some YouTube comments on My Chem videos that I fell down the rabbit hole.

I can't believe I never knew band member fics were a thing before that (and such a huge thing, at that), but I'm endlessly thrilled I happened upon them and that my curiosity opened the door to this wonderful world. It was really an "I've found my people" moment.

I've liked My Chem since 2005 when I saw the video for Helena and became obsessed with how attractive Gerard is. That started it all. And I was cosplaying Party Poison before I even knew about the fanfic. So I guess I'm both an oldie and a newbie.

3. When you write do you have any certain music or playlist you listen to while doing so?

I find certain types of music can either help or hinder my writing, and it's totally dependent on what I'm writing.

Music is a massive part of my life, so I do incorporate it when I write. I try to listen to what would basically be the soundtrack of the scene I'm writing, much like they do in movies. What would the characters be listening to? What would be the sonic representation of what they're going through right now?

The right song or style of music can really help you place yourself into your character's shoes. Music is a huge influence on mood and can definitely end up affecting the atmosphere of a piece.

For the first chapter of Unafraid, I listened mainly to Leathermouth during the writing process, as much of the chapter takes place at a show like that. So, that one was kind of easy, it was just obvious that it fit and helped me get into that mindset and really be there, so to speak.

On the flip side, I was recently working on a part of another story and the scene was supposed to be kind of cheeky, flirty, light-hearted, a little sassy. I happened to be listening to a beautiful classical piece, and I noticed it actually influencing my writing; the scene turned out much more serious and romantic than I'd intended, so I had to turn off the classical and rewrite that scene!

So it's not so much about any specific band as it is the general mood of the music. I'm basically the queen of playlists, but I don't think I could have a writing playlist as it's so completely dependent on the specific thing you're writing.

4. Do you like reading on this site as well or mostly writing?

I love reading because it's such a beautiful escape, whether just to pass the time or as a momentary respite from the reality of life itself. And I really love fanfic because the characters are already so beloved so it's easy to imagine things like their body language, the face they'd make, the way they'd say something in their own voices.

Fanfic writers are really brilliant at conveying those things, which is so awesome! I can't tell you how many times I've been in awe of how perfectly a description or interaction has been written.

5. Do you have any other ships you enjoy but haven't written about yet?

Yes! I've recently fallen head-over-heels in love with Fryan (Frank Iero x Ryan Ross). I'm not even sure it's a "thing" yet, but you don't really see it, and I want to change that because I love it so much.

TheGirlWhoDiedWolf and vampirexchild are my partners in crime on our new shared account Fryan- where we'll soon be posting the gloriously gay fruits of this ship we're obsessed with.

I know, I kind of feel like I'm going to Frerard hell for it, but Frerard is still OTP, and I mean, who doesn't love cute li'l Frankie and cute li'l elfin Ryro? So yeah, we're starting Fryan, so check that out if it sounds as A+++ to you as it does to me.

6. Would you like to one day work on getting a book published or do you write more for fun?

I'd be a full-time writer in a pipe dream, but that's just not really in the cards for me at this point in my life. So I'm here for the good times.

I really admire so many writers and think it's just amazing when they do get their work published, though. The talent out there is incredible and inspiring. I really think there are a lot of writers who could get their work published, even if they're just doing it for fun right now.

7. What is the hardest part about writing for you?

I'm forever my own worst enemy, my biggest critic, a consummate perfectionist, so that usually ends up being the bane of anything I do creatively.

With writing, I start to obsess over it and nitpick everything. Because of that, I feel the need to let things marinate, so I'll write something and then force myself to walk away from it so I can reassess it in a week or two with fresher eyes.

Sometimes maybe something I was fixated on and couldn't get quite right actually ends up jiving perfectly with the piece, or a paragraph doesn't sound as good on the second read and needs to be rewritten.

All of this causes me to be slower with updating. Kind of a double-edged sword, because while retrospect is sometimes the best editor, I do always feel that internal pressure to finish things.

8. Is there something you wish you could change about Wattpad besides the bugs and glitches?

I think Wattpad's great, so not a lot, really (I mean, I wouldn't turn down a nice shoulder massage while I read and write? A few updates down the line, maybe...?).

I think it'd be cool if we could make certain things only visible to people we follow. I've deleted things on my account that I felt would be too recognizable as created by me should anyone I know personally stumble upon them. Not stories but just things that would identify me personally.

I mean, I pretty much have no shame, but if we could just keep the fact that I write smutty gay fanfic from, say, my coworkers and family, that'd be great, ya feel? (And maybe we can do this, I don't really know; someone hit me with deets if this is a thing.)

9. Do you have a future goal you would like to reach on Wattpad?

I'll feel so great once my first story is finished, and I'd like to continue to publish more and use this space as my fangirly creative outlet.

I'd also like to really get Fryan going; we're working on stuff right now and I'm really super excited about that, as well. I'd love to see other people get on board with that ship!

Other than that, I don't know...I've never done anything just for followers or likes or whatever, so I don't have any number goals or anything like that. It does feel good when people read my stuff, though.

Honestly, when I get a notification that someone's added my work to their reading list or that I've gotten a comment on my work, it does make my day. Just to know that someone has enjoyed what I've put out there enough to do that, that's really fucking cool!

10. What has been your best moment on Wattpad so far?

I do have to say I'm truly grateful for the great friends I've made so far! Everyone is so truly lovely, and supportive, and helpful, and hilarious, and just...it's so great to have found a place of kindred spirits where we can geek with each other about things we can't with people "IRL."

Whether we're dying over "that face Gerard makes" or the amazing fact that Frank Iero exists in this world, or talking about shows, ideas for fics...I loved Wattpad from the beginning when I was just a reader who didn't know anybody, and now I just love it even more because the camraderie is so awesome. I love being a part of the community, even in a small way. I love you guys!

Also, hitting "publish" on Unafraid, even though it's still very much in progress. That was huge. I hemmed and hawed, so finally taking the plunge and submitting it to the world felt amazing.

Starr, thank you so much for the interview! I'm so flattered and it's been fun!

I hope you enjoyed my interview with the lovely njmurderscene

Don't forget to comment suggestions for other authors I should feature next.

Love you all xxx

- starr