Sapphire, from CLN, had the opportunity to sit down with the lovely author, Coolcourtney5.  She is the author of several stories on Wattpad incuding This IS My Reality, Cry of fear, Kindred Spirit and several others.

Hello! I am Sapphire, one of the interviewers from the Crazy Late Nighters Community. What pen name and pronouns would you like to go by?

My name is Courtney, and I'm a female. Feel free to use she/her.

Nice! Courtney it is. My first question is, if you could describe writing in just 3 words, what would they be and why?

Who You Are.

I chose these three words because this is what I always remind everyone to do. Put your heart into writing, put a piece of yourself into the words you use.

When you said "put a piece of yourself into the words you use", does that mean that in the stories you made, there were some scenes that were inspired by true life events (e.g. moments that happened in your real life)?

Life events, thoughts, opinions, character likes, dislikes, appearances. Putting a piece of yourself into your words, your story could mean something different to us all. For me, this means each story I write, I take inspiration from many things that make up who I am, and what I've been through, or something I believe in.

Wow, that is something so valuable that should be treasured by your readers and fans. You truly pour all your heart when it comes to writing.

What are your other hobbies? What made writing different from all other activities you love doing?

When I was young, I attended a school that gave up on me since day one. They labeled me 'useless' due to my disability, and never bothered to help me, or work with me. I'm visually impaired, and my eyesight is pretty bad, very bad actually. I always loved to make up stories, but because I couldn't write, or read thanks to the poor teaching at my school, I had to create my stories in a different way.

I would create and sing songs that tell the stories I had invented. I would draw pictures of the scenes I could see in my mind, because I couldn't put them into words.

Finally, I moved schools, my parents didn't want me to grow up thinking I was incapable of doing things. My new school was beyond amazing, and they taught me to read, to write, they taught me everything I needed to learn. It was hard for me, and honestly at first I didn't want to do the work.

So my teacher told me to write stories I created on my own, short ones that she would read. Her kind words, her encouragement helped me discover my love of writing and stories.

What makes my writing different from other things I love is that it saved me. It helped me get out my emotions and fears in a healthy way. My writing is ALL meaningful and personal to me. What makes my writing different is that it's mine, the words are mine, the heart behind it is my own. I have full creative freedom, and I work every day to improve my skills.

I still love to sing, to draw, and I will always love video games, but writing will forever be special to me.

Indeed, you didn't let your eyesight hinder you from doing things you really love, especially writing. Well, about your eyesight, there were a lot of disadvantages that it put you through. However, if I may ask, does that visual impairment has its perks?

Yes, yes there is a huge advantage. I see the world in a different way, and the people in it. I don't have to rely on my eyes to see if someone is genuine, I can't judge anything based on appearance. I feel like I see things in a completely different way, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Not only you see positive things more than the rest of us, but you also get to know and befriend other people without their appearance getting in the way. It's truly awesome.

Well here is the next question. How did you discover Wattpad? Was it self-discovered or someone recommended you?

My best friend Abby introduced me to Wattpad over 7 years ago. We started writing our first story together, it's very cringy and I love it, we both do. It reminds us of how much we've grown. Our friendship is still strong up to this day, we've been friends for 14 years now. We met at the age of 8, and now we're 22 years old.

Wow, 14 years. Well I have two best friends and we've been friends for 9 years now. I bet you knew each other very well! Speaking of friends, are you ready to share your stories to your friends and family? If not, when do you think will be the right time to do it?

I share my stories with my friends, I love them. My family, I'm not comfortable with. They don't have much support for my writing, or at least they never really show enthusiasm when I mention it. They love me, and I love them, but I would rather keep my online life separate from them, at least for now. That is just my personal situation, if anyone feels comfortable showing your stories to your family, I think you should, and I'm proud of you!

Oh that's okay, it still is a good thing! I see you are into making contests for aspiring writers. Making a contest and keeping it going takes a lot of time, effort, and patience. What inspired you into making them?

I wanted to show all of my friends I support them, and I really want to see their works and get the recognition they deserve. This may sound cheesy, but I don't see myself as having followers, or fans, I try to talk to as many people as I can, and I consider them all to be my friends. So really, I made these contests for all of you, to give back to the community and show that I care.

You have a kind heart that everybody should look up to. Were you ever discouraged by someone that made you hate your own piece? What did you realize afterwards?

I have gotten many, many hateful comments. About 2 years ago, someone started leaving cruel comments on one of my works, ripping it apart. It hurt, a lot... But after I pulled myself together I realized a few things. 1. Some people are just cruel, I don't hate them. I should try to at least understand them. 2. I am not invincible, words can hurt me just like they can hurt everyone else. I need to be strong, and believe in myself, just like I inspire everyone to do. 3. Finally I realized my works are far from perfect, I will always have room for improvement, and I will continue to constantly improve.

That was horrible, but at least you pulled yourself together and didn't give up given the consequences that you have experienced, and that is the great thing! How do you generate ideas from your book?

What I write comes from ideas I have been re-working, re-imagining, sometimes even for years. Other ideas come from dreams I had. I love to sit down sometimes, and just write. Sometimes not even with a goal or plot in mind. I write something basic, simple, and then I work on it and turn it into something I can be proud of. However, some ideas for my work come from real life events.

Hmm, your stories are well thought of then, I mean most of the time. Who is your favorite author on Wattpad? What is your favorite thing about him/her?

I won't say I have a favorite. I have read many stories from many people, some by friends, some by people I don't know. My eye condition limits my ability to read, since i can only read for a small amount of time before my eyes begin to hurt. I don't like to play favorites, everyone is equal in my eyes, so I don't have a favorite author.

It shows that you are appreciative of every writer's piece. That is wonderful! Are you more of a dreamer or a doer? What do you think this contributed to you in writing?

I think I'm a healthy mix of both. I love to dream about what could be, what I want, and then I do my best to work toward that. I think about what kind of story I want to create, I imagine it, I dream of it, and then I begin to write it.

It's perfectly well balanced then, and you could actually make a work of quality if you have a fair amount of both. What specific audience do you dedicate most of your books to?

I write some for a teen based audience, but mostly I try to focus on people who are 18+, so people around my age.

Oh. What is the genre that you dream of writing?

I prefer Fantasy above most. I do enjoy vampire/werewolf/supernatural genres as well though.

That must mean you love description! Aside from your visual impairment, what is one peculiar thing about you that you would like your readers and fans to know?

I want you all to know I have suffered through a lot in my life, as many of you have. I had been at the lowest point of my life, but I rose back up to where I am now. You can all do that too, I believe in you all. I wouldn't change a single horrible thing that happened to me, because in the end every experience made me who I am today.

You experienced a rocky road track, but I believe that track shaped you into an amazing woman you are today. Are you more of an early bird or a night owl? Why?

I am usually an early bird. I love waking up in the mornings, having some alone time, and thinking over my dreams. It's a relaxing slice of alone time, and I enjoy it.

Me too, although I am a member of CLN lol. If you could connect a word with this phrase, "I am a crazy __." What would it be and why?

I am a crazy completionist! I can sometimes get super crazy or passionate about certain things. Video games, a book, writing, singing, an app, whatever it is, I can't stop until I feel I completed 100% of it. Or at least I've put in a lot of hard work.

Oh wow, and here I am lol. Do you like listening to music while writing?

Sometimes if I need inspiration, but other times I need a quiet environment. Sometimes I'll have a show I love playing in the background.

Okay, my last question is, if you can convey a message to your readers and fans, or should I say friends, what would you tell them?

To all of my friends, all I can tell you is... Keep trying. Keep trying to improve your skills, keep trying to make things better for yourself, and those who need you. Keep trying, and I promise you'll grow, and learn, and though you may fail at times, as long as you keep trying, I promise when the time is right, you will succeed.

A wonderful message! Well sadly, our interview has come to an end. On behalf of CLN, I thank you for your time. Have a nice day!

Thank you as well.

Message to friends:

I would like to dedicate my writing, my inspiration, and all I do in the future to my closest friends. Phil, Michaela, Spy, and Kat, I love you all. We have been there for each other through the hardest of times, and we will continue to do so. I've laughed with you, fought with you, and you four have been my constant salvation in this changing world.

To Shane, my love. These past few years with you have been life changing, and I look forward to our future together. You brought me out of the shell I was trapped in, and you helped me regain my confidence and love of writing. I love you.

This group of five are the lights in my life. This is overly emotional, but I don't care. I want you all to know how much you mean to me. I'm glad we are one big happy, messy, cringy, close group.