⭐️ Fanfiction || @CroodsGirl ⭐️

Meet Catherine Victoria Christie (@CroodsGirl), known as Victoria or Viktoria to her readers. A seasoned writer since the 4th grade, she recently earned a Creative Writing degree in December 2022. With nearly 300 stories under her belt by 2023, including eight full-fledged books, Catherine has her sights set on publishing some of her cherished works, like "Claxton" and "Through the Wormhole."

Her writing is immersed in the realm of Fantasy, with the occasional exploration in Fanfiction and Science Fiction. For her writing isn't just a passion but her past, present, and future and it is as powerful as a star gone supernova!


Her novel 'Infrared' won the grand winner prize in The 2023 NanoWatt Awards, in the Fanfiction Category and follows the layered quest of Arven as he seeks to take down the Mastermind of Deception and free his "found" mother AI Sada.

AI Sada vows to be the mom Arven never had, but when the heinous Mastermind of Deception rises from the future, the young android must do everything she can to stop them from taking her humanity.

***

It has been a month since the events in the Great Crater of Paldea, and Arven is still struggling to accept what AI Sada told him and his friends. A chance encounter with the Legendary Pokémon Miraidon encourages him to use its powers to re-open the time machine and send him back to the time of Paradox Pokémon, where he finds the mysterious android. All Sada wants is for Arven to have a mother's love. After a trip through time to the future, she is given the gift to bring her son to her; only this gift proves to be nothing more than something that wants to steal her humanity. At the end of the day, Sada's fate does not rest with the human emotions but Arven's struggle against his infrared.

Will he accept Professor Sada's fate, or will the Mastermind of Deception pull him and AI Sada apart before they can call themselves mother and son?

'•'•'•

How does it feel to be a grand winner of the 2023 Nano Watt Awards? Were you confident that you would make it this far in the competition?

In one word? Awesome! The Wattys didn't have Fanfiction this year, so I'm considering this achievement close enough to a Wattys--and one I need to cherish. While I knew Infrared had potential, I did not believe it was Grand Winner material after looking at the competition I was up against. However, I always felt deep in my gut that maybe, just maybe, I could succeed with this different kind of fanfic, heavily inspired by my older brother's unfortunate death in 2021. Lo and behold, October 31st, 2023, was one of the best days of my writing career!

In your own words what is your winning entry about?

Infrared is based on the newest games of the franchise, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and takes place a month after the events in Area Zero. Beware of Scarlet and Violet spoilers, it follows the story of Arven, struggling to accept his mother's death--through his journey of grief, love, and acceptance with AI Sada, a look-alike of his mother, who wants to be the mom Arven never had growing up. However, the heinous Mastermind of Deception from the future controls the kind-hearted robot through a computer called Infrared that turns her less human than more. Arven and his friends must find a way to free AI Sada from Infrared's clutches before the Mastermind destroys not only the future but also the deep secret Sada hides.

Could you share with us the inspiration behind your story?

I have been a Pokémon fan since I was a little girl. The first story I wrote in 4th grade was a Pokémon fanfic called Mystery of Time and Space. For years, I wanted to return to it and spice it up to be one of my best-written works, but I never found inspiration until Scarlet and Violet and learned Arven's backstory. My older brother was a Pokémon fan--he gave me his games--but unfortunately, he passed away, and I found myself trapped, wondering if I would ever write again. My grief counselor told me to write a story about him to help the grieving process. However, it was too hard for me to write an original story, so I settled on intertwining my experience with a franchise I love. Twas, Infrared was born.

And, in short, what was the process like in taking this book from novel idea to finished product? Were there any challenges or pleasant surprises along the way?

Infrared is one of the hardest stories I have ever written, not just because of grief but also because of months of writer's block between the 2nd and 3rd drafts. The only way I could finish it in time for Nano Watt was by writing 100 words a day (I learned this in school) until I finally broke out of writer's block--surprise!--during the last few chapters. Aside from that, I also wanted to write Infrared in a style so that it read just as much as Science-Fantasy as Fanfiction--with a highly original plot and image of what makes Fanfiction "good". As I mentioned before, it was too hard for me to write an original story about grief, so I had no choice but to make Infrared as original as I could.

Having completed a full novel what encouragement would you give to writers struggling with self doubt and creative blocks?

Get a beta reader. I found a few after Infrared's 2nd draft. Beta readers are your past, present, and future when it comes to writing. They help loosen the sting of it by providing tips and constructive criticism, which you need to get used to if you want to go far as a writer. Take breaks between drafts, too. I didn't because I am insane, and I wanted Infrared done in time for Nano Watt--and I regret it. Music is a great source, too. Put together a playlist of your story and listen to it. It's amazing for inspiration and is something I've done since grade school. Finally, set writing goals. Mine was to write 100 words a day for Infrared because of the toll writer's block took on me. Mix that with the Disney College Program... It was a treacherous ride but worth it. If you don't think you can write 100 to 500 words a day, then try something I read in a Tessa Bailey book about a writer: write thirty minutes a day. Set goals, and you will go far. There's so much you can do with writing; you merely need to find your strengths and weaknesses.

In terms of its genre, How would you say your book defy or compliment the expectations/tropes?

Infrared is not just Fanfiction. It is a Science-Fantasy book about loss, grief, and love. I've read a lot of Fanfiction on Wattpad, and most of it is not what Fanfiction is. It's defined as "original" stories in an already established universe. I learned this the hard way in 5th grade. Infrared is not the typical Wattpad fanfiction that has millions of reads. It's its own original story that includes lessons I've learned while grieving my brother, lessons to prepare people for if and when a loved one dies. I want people to understand that they're not the only ones who have lost someone so unexpectedly. We're in this together.

If there was one character that potential readers had to read your book just to meet, who would it be and why?

Arven. He has been through so much, both in the games and Infrared, and is a symbol of my beloved brother and me. It may take a little time to get comfortable with him (he's a bit of a jerk until he learns AI Sada's deepest secret). Don't challenge Arven to a battle, though. He's not good at them, but his cooking skills make up for it. Arven needs all the help he can to accept his mother's death, and we need to be there for him as he works his way through the five stages of grief to save what he has left of his family.

In terms of your writing style and storytelling what authors and/or creative media have influenced you throughout the years?

Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost Cities, a series I grew up with, inspires my writing style. It's dialogue-based, simple, and full of originality. I prefer small descriptions over flowery ones and focus more on character development, dialogue, and creativity. My family calls me an unknown Disney writer because of the types of stories I write. Most of my stories are not really influenced by creative media but rather by life lessons and experiences I've endured since I started writing. If you read any of my stories, you'll notice a pattern: there's always a female and male protagonist and a lesson at the book's core, covered in layers of a cake. My job as a writer is to help my readers find their way past those layers so they can understand the message I'm trying to share.

If you could have a crossover between your book and one of the books of a favourite published/ Wattpad author, who would it be and why?

Since I am primarily a Fantasy author who dreams of visiting kingdoms and meeting fairies and mermaids, I would say C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia. His books are short, sweet, and just what I need to write the perfect Fantasy book that's not too long or short. The symbolism in Narnia matches with the symbolism in my stories. I believe Lewis and I could create one of the most symbolic books in all literature. One can dream, right? I mean, I did have a crush on Prince Caspian in 5th grade. What's one more Narnia-like book in the world of Pinta Country, right?

What other works or stories in the works can readers look forward to from you?

I have a Fantasy story, Claxton, and a Science Fiction story, Through the Wormhole (stories I've been working on for over ten years) coming to Wattpad soon, once I'm satisfied with Infrared, that is. Claxton is a coming-of-age story about a young merfairy named Tracey, who learns he's one of the most feared magical beings in the world, a claxton. Through the Wormhole, one of the sources behind Infrared's inspiration, is a coming-of-age story about Daniel Matton, a futuristic boy who travels through a black hole, wormhole, and white hole in a starship known as PPMC to prehistoric times (and I'm not just talking about dinosaurs!). Both teens are in for the adventure of a lifetime where they will learn the ups and downs of new adulthood--through tragedy, love, and friendship.

Now that the award season has ended, what can you say on your Nano Watt 2023 experience? Can we expect to see you in 2024? 😄

It was one of the best experiences I've ever had with a Wattpad contest because it recognized some of the least popular genres and undiscovered gems that Wattpad has yet to find.

And before you go we must know....ketchup on your fries or ketchup to the side?🍅🍟

Ketchup on the side.

'•'•'•

Thanks again Viky for chatting with us and congrats on your win!

You may find her winning entry Infrared in our TNW GRANDWINNERS 2023 reading list or visit her profile at CroodsGirl

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top