Greetings, and welcome to the realm of Chibi and Ed the Plot Bunny. We welcome you to our strange slice of the Internet :) I am also ChibiDawn23 at Fiction Press & Ao3.

ABOUT ME

These questions came from a writing blog by a gal named Nicki, and can be found here.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITING

1. What inspired you to start writing?

I honestly don’t know. I’ve been writing for a really, REALLY long time. Maybe my overactive imagination demanded that things get put down on paper?

2. How long have you been writing?

Oy. I wanna say since about third grade, I think that’s when my ‘writing’ really became actual writing and not just like, “If I were a leprechaun, I would…” art projects in lower elementary.

3. When did you start writing?

Officially, my profile says I started in December of ’06, but I used to save things on 3.5 floppy on Windows 95, again, showing my age just a bit.

4. How do you handle writer’s block?

It handles me! No, it depends. If it’s fanfiction, I’ll watch the source material, especially if I want to focus on a certain character or something, I’ll watch episodes that were standout stories for those characters to get me in their mindset.For original fiction, right now I’m dealing with it by writing whenever I get a spark of inspiration. It may not even be an entire chapter, it might just be a scene, or a snippet of dialogue, something for my brain to look at and build off.

5. What comes first, the plot or characters?

I always maintain character first, because if you don’t have a character you can relate to, you’ll never finish a book. From characters’ actions and words comes plot-how are they going to react, how would they describe what is happening, etc.

6. How do you develop your plot and characters?

Psh. It honestly sometimes starts with a killer ending, and then figuring out how to get there. With fanfiction, it’s all about staying true to the character to get there-the characters have been developed, but how do you stay true to them while developing your plot?

7. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Ooo….I tend to get overly involved in my characters, and there’s times where they’ll just take over and write whatever they want. And I will rewatch an episode of something multiple times to get dialogue, facial expressions…I’ll google production stills for eye color, hair color…it borders on obsession. It also drives my husband crazy :P

8. How do you do research for your stories?

Anything that’s not a modern day, I hit Google. I research clothing, slang, locations, I look for old black and white photos or videos on newsworthy events, anything to stay in the time period.

9. What does success mean to you? What is the definition of success?

I don’t measure success in reviews, I actually measure them in favorites. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I guess what I’m trying to say is copies sold or reviews noted isn’t a proper indicator of ‘success’ with a story-it’s the feedback you get and how people respond to it.

10. How do you deal with emotional impact of a story (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

I never give my characters more than I think they can handle. If they can handle it onscreen, then I can handle it emotionally. There is a lot of me in my writing, but I am able to separate myself from the story, for the most part.

11. How do you handle literary criticism?

Here’s the thing. Constructive criticism is usually warranted for any author. You take it, you read it, and you decide if it’s worth changing/pursuing, or you acknowledge it and move on. Always know there’s a big difference between constructive criticism and flaming, and this goes for a reviewer as well. If you didn’t like something, that’s your opinion, but you don’t get to blow up at an author for a choice. If you didn’t like the choice, then don’t read anymore. It’s as simple as that. Or accept it as the author’s choice, and then decide to continue reading or move on.

12. How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

Well, with fanfiction it’s easy because the world is built! It’s your sandbox to play with the toys and go crazy with your imagination. What didn’t you see that you wanted to? How did you want that to end? Now it’s your call. That's why I sometimes think that fanfiction is harder than regular fiction because you have parameters you have to fit into. With writing anything original, it's your backyard to create!

13. When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

It’s all about advancing the story and the characters. Focus on something new in a character backstory. Play ahead with relationships, introduce something totally crazy. I like to explore personality and how characters interact and respond to different situations-I know how one reacts to a romance, but what happens when they’re, I dunno, laid up “Rear Window” style, or something. That’s a horrible example, but I’m drawing a blank.

14. What was your favourite part, and your least favourite part, of the publishing journey?

It was truly terrifying to publish my very first story, I had no idea if my writing was ANY good at all. I get the same butterflies going into a new fandom (ie: jumping from Avengers to Murdoch Mysteries was terrifying), but then my favorite part is that first review that tells you to keep going-that you’re onto something!

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR STORIES

1. How many stories have you written? Which is your favourite?

I have written 98 stories, and you can see my “Fab 5” below.” It’s hard to pick a favorite, I like them all for different reasons.

2. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your story(ies)?

I actually can write romance! I didn’t think I’d be any good at it. And I can get fairly dark when I need to, which is interesting for me because I’m a pretty light and fluffy person in real life.

4. Do you have a favourite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special?

This is so unfair. Out of my stories I’ve written…I love writing George Crabtree from Murdoch Mysteries, he’s so optimistic and wildly imaginative and fiercely loyal. I love writing Jack from Mary Poppins Returns for a lot of the same reasons. I also really like Lindsay Monroe from CSI:NY because she’s a Midwest girl like me, we’re a lot alike personality-wise.

5. Where do you get your inspiration?

Sometimes, all it takes is a line. “Wait, she said what? What did she mean by that?”

6. Which of your stories were the most enjoyable to write?

Oh man. The Chimpanzoo was great, I don’t really have a reason why it was better than any other, it was just a fun one. Maybe that balance of like, an adult story with the child imagination or something.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FUTURE WORK

1. How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?

I have a list in my phone of different future fic ideas and several to be written fics. Like, eventually, we’re going to get the effects of the Sokovia Accords and “The Snap” on Clint and Will Brandt from the “Brothers in Arms” series at some point…

2. Do you have any new series planned?

I actually don’t set out to write series. They just sort of spawn!

QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER AUTHORS, BOOKS AND READING

1. What are you reading now?

“Song of Spider-man”-about Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark. I cannot believe that musical (pardon the pun) ever got off the ground.

2. Favorite quote (doesn’t matter the source)

“Exist through it.”-Jonny Harris, Canadian comedian and George Crabtree on Murdoch Mysteries.
“Have you tried? Then how do you know?” from Finding Neverland (the movie with Johnny Depp, nothing to do with Michael Jackson)
"Laughter is the best medicine; the cool thing is, you can't OD and the refills are free." -Rob Paulsen, voice actor

3. Favorite book/story you have read as an adult

“He’s Got Rhythm,”-Gene Kelly’s biography.

4. Favorite book when you were a kid

“Wolf Story” by William McCreery

5. Do you have a library membership?

I do! Support your local library! The books are free! :D

6. How many bookshelves are in your house?

3 tall ones and two sets of wall shelves.

PERSONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Rollerblade, scrapbook

2. What did you want to be when you grew up?

In no particular order: author, marine biologist, fighter pilot, lawyer

3. What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?

Pizza Hut because we were too lazy to cook :P

4. Have you ever been on any sports teams? If so, what sport?

I played basketball, volleyball and did speech and drama in school. I was so well rounded LOL

5. Your hero?

Lisa Beamer. She’s such a great example of a woman with solid Christian values, but at the same time, she totally said she would’ve decked Osama Bin Laden if she ever met him in person. That’s 100% me.

6. Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I am an elementary teacher, and I have a degree in Broadcasting, but I have awful social anxiety. It’s really weird.

7. If you could cure a disease, what would it be?

Cancer, because that’s all-encompassing of all kinds.

8. If you were a tour guide, what would you like a visitor to see and what impression would you want them to take away with them when they leave?

I actually was a tour guide for 5 years. If that job hadn’t been seasonal, and gave me benefits, I’d still be doing it. I loved it, though it was weird to think I’m out in people’s vacation pictures somewhere.

Favorites
Actor(s): Patrick Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Danny Kaye, Donald O'Connor, Jeremy Renner, Hugh Jackman, Rob Paulsen, Seth MacFarlane, Jonny Harris
Actress(es): Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Debbie Reynolds, Julia Roberts, Rebel Wilson, Lupita Nyong'o, Paget Brewster, Anne Hathaway
TV Shows: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Murdoch Mysteries, The Orville, JAG, Republic of Doyle, Still Standing (the Canadian one), American Ninja Warrior, and a TON of cooking shows.
Movies: Love the MCU, old musicals from the 30s-50s, and Disney. Lots of Disney.

My Fab 5: The 5 Stories that I think I've written that are my best works.

1. "Loss For Words" (Hamilton): I'm normally not so good at angsty drama-ness, but I'm pretty proud of this threeshot.
2. "The Chimpanzoo" (Mary Poppins Returns): Blame Rob Marshall for this one. I'm normally not a fan of sequels but I LOVED Mary Poppins Returns and everyone's performances in it. Plus, I kind of like writing big brother Jack the Leerie.
3. "A Fine Upbringing" (Murdoch Mysteries): A backstory piece for my favorite character, Constable George Crabtree.
4. "A Good Man is Hard to Find" (CSI:NY): My first period piece set in the 1920s and I LOVE it.
5. "Legendary Legacy" (Power Rangers): A complete (like 95% complete) rewrite of Megaforce/Super Megaforce, with more ranger cameos, more character development and the continuation of "In a Heartbeat." It's a monster at 70 chapters and technically a sequel to "In a Heartbeat."

MY UNIVERSES:

The "Brothers in Arms" Universe: (In which Clint Barton and William Brandt are twin brothers)
1. "Brothers in Arms"
2. "Mission: Avengers" Set during Marvel's "Avengers"
3. "Mission: Avengers 2"
4. "You Didn't See Anything- Or Did You?"
5. "Clint Barton: Rogue Avenger" Set during "Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
5. "Mission: Avengers: No Strings Attached" Set during "Avengers: Age of Ultron"
7. Untitled "Captain America: Civil War" Fic to be written
8. "A Short Trip"
9. Untitled "Avengers: Infinity War" Fic to be written
10. Untitled "Avengers: Endgame" Fic to be written

The "Night Shift Mischief" Series: (In which Danny and Lindsay and the CSI:NY crew can't just do their jobs on night shift)
1. "Night Shift Mischief"
2. "Night Shift Mischief: Twenty Questions"
3. "Night Shift Mischief: I Never"
4. "Night Shift Mischief: Capture the Flag"
5. "Night Shift Mischief: Super Bowl Party!"
6. "Night Shift Mischief: DDR"
7. "Night Shift Mischief: We Love Stupid People"
8. "Night Shift Mischief: Haunted Lab"
9. "Nigh Shift Mischief: Crime of Fashion"

The "Supernatural CSI" Series: (In which Danny Messer can sorta see the future, and he ain't a fan)
1. Going After Montana
2. Five Alarm
3. Darkness Falls
4. Ghost Stories
5. New York Moonlight

The "Don Flack: PI" Series: (In which Don Flack is...well, himself, just in the 1920s)
1. A Good Man is Hard to Find
2. A Kind Word and a Gun

iPod Shuffles: (In which my iPod dictates what I do to the poor CSI:NY crew...sorry guys)
1. The Man He Was Before- an iPod Shuffle tribute to Marty Pino- pre-"Point of No Return"
2. Those Songs in My Head
3. Those Songs in My Head: Part Deux
4. Those Songs in My Head: Part Tres
5. Those Songs in My Head: Part Four
6. Those Songs in My Head Are Back!

"My (Hamilton) Shot(s)" (Random Hamilton stories that just sort of invade and I 'just need to write something down.')
1. The Highwaymen
2. Meet In The Middle
3. Loss For Words

"The Chimpanzooniverse" (I'll think of a better title, I promise--Mary Poppins Returns stories)
1. "Answer the Call"
2. "Practically Perfect"
3. "Colors"
4. "The Chimpanzoo"
5. "Rehabilitation"
6. "Double Dates"
7. "A Bit of Rain"
8. "Nothing's Gone Forever"
9. "Winds From the East"

"Life After Lightspeed" Series: (In which Troy Burrows is in fact Troy Burrows Grayson and his parents are Carter & Dana from "Lightspeed Rescue")
1. In a Heartbeat
2. Life After Lightspeed (the oneshot series)
3. Legendary Legacy