Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday Meet & Greet with Crash Hale
Author of Be My Biggest Fan, My Brother's Wife, With You, I'm Me, Maybe, What Started in an Alleyway, Taken Away, The Third Woman, Undead Life, Second Time Around, House of Candy, Later, Tornado Meets Volcano, A Woman's Touch, Request Fulfilled, Cowboys and Indians, Given a Chance, Bright Fire et al, Crash Hale has also collaborated with her fic wife, courthale, on Your Best Kept Secret, My Guy, My Girls, Moments, and Just Like You under the penname Irenella Courmett.
If you haven't read Crash Hale's stories, then you're in for a treat. Sit back and get to know her a little better, and when you're done, click click click on her name above to enter the world of Crash!
Tell us about yourself. Married? Single? Kids, age, ..whatever you'd like to share.
Let’s see... I was born in Croatia. Serbian mother and Croatian father. English is my second language. I moved to Australia when I was six with my mum and spent most of my life there. It’s my favorite place in the world.
I now live in the States with my husband. He’s my American boy. We decided to live here since he already has a career and I don’t. My favorite place in the US is Princeton, we live pretty close so we always go for walks and dinner there.
I'm twenty-two. I work four days a week and attend college three days a week. Yes, you heard it. No days off, so if my writing starts to slow you’ll know why. Anyway, I major in graphic design and write fanfiction for fun. I’ve always loved creative writing and I believe this is the best kind.
Also, I have an unhealthy obsession with Blue October. I’m going to see them two nights in a row. PA and NY. That is the excitement in my life as of now, oh and I also found out I’ll be visiting home during summer break.
I feel very exposed right now... hehe...
Tell us about Twilight. How did you first get into the Saga, when was the first time you read it, and which book is your favorite?
This is kind of funny. A male friend of mine was saying how bad it was, so I never gave it a chance, then, one day, I randomly looked it up on the net and fell in love with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (they are so beautiful, funny (Rob) and smart (Kris)). Then a girlfriend of mine started reading them and insisted I’d just LOVE it, so she gave me the first book and I read it in three days. I went out that day and got the other three. I read them all before Twilight (the movie) came out. By the time the movie was out I was already crazy obsessed.
My favorite book out of the Saga would have to be Twilight, simply because my favorite part of anything (books, movies.. etc) is the beginning. I love learning about a new character and setting and so on. Seeing how they first fall in love. Love is always the best when it’s new. Sad but true.
My all time favorite part from any of the books takes place in Eclipse when Edward shows Bella the uses for a bed. I read that seven times over my first time reading the book. No lie.
What got you to start reading Twilight Fanfiction? Do you remember the first fic you read?
I remember a while back I came across a Dark Angel fic randomly when I first got a computer. I never really read any others since then, then one day I was just bored and decided to see if there were any good Twilight ones. I really had no idea how amazing and huge it would be. It was like I had found Heaven, I mean, Jake and Nessie lemons. I went like ‘DAMN, I need more!’ Been reading ever since.
And yes, the first fic I ever read was 7 Days by dakinevamp (it’s still not finished). It’s Nessie teasing Jake. She’s the reason my first two stories were Nessie/Jake. They are undeveloped as a mature couple in Breaking Dawn (obviously, she’s a baby) that it’s so easy to create whatever you wish.
Which are your favorite stories?
Not in order...
All Work and No Play by herinfiniteeyes
Fourteen by crimsonmarie
Little Red and the Big Bag Wolf by herinfiniteeyes
Shadowboxer by nobloodnofoul
Southern Comfort by courthale
The Submissive, The Dominant and The Training by tara sue me
The Ghost of You by crimsonmarie
Emancipation Proclamation by kharizzmatik
Who are your favorite characters, from who you like the most to er...who you would like to kill right off the bat?
I’ll just do my favorites since I don’t really hate any of them...
Bella
Edward
Jacob
Emmett
Alice
Jasper
Charlie
Rosalie
Renesmee
Paul
Jenks
Which fics are you reading right now, and which ones have your complete attention whenever they pop with an update?
Honestly I'm not doing good on my readings right now, but I am reading Don't Let Me Go by Cydney94 and all the others I was reading seem to have stopped dead in their tracks.
What made you finally decide to start writing your own?
It was never really a question. I used to write just for fun before getting a FF.net account, so the only difference was that I actually posted it for others to read. Turns out it’s a lot more fun to share.
What's the atmosphere like when you're writing? Music.. quiet..kids screaming and ripping each other apart, or husband bitching in the background? Do you drink and/or smoke?
I usually sit on the bed in the bedroom with my laptop, usually have one of my favorite bands playing. I have over 2000 songs so I’m never out of something to listen to... but sometimes quiet is just nice. And yes sometimes my husband is bitching about something or comes and sits next to me so I can’t write. Oh and I’m usually chatting with courthale - yes, we’re inseparable.
No, I do not spoke, and yes I do drink every once in awhile... Not an alcoholic or anything, surprisingly.
What else do you like to read besides Twilight?
My favorite book is The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I also love We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier. Other than that, just anything anyone may suggest to me, but I mainly have FF.net for when I’m wanting to read. I’ve recently gotten into The Host fanfiction. I’m thinking of writing my own some time.
What else do you like to do?
Anything with art. I love my Photoshop. I also love going out to eat, to the movies, and going for coffee with my friends (although I don’t drink coffee myself), hanging out with my nerd husband - he’s so weird it’s never boring. I also enjoy yoga every second day or so.
Tell us a secret.
At this point I'm going to be boring and say I really have no cool secrets to tell anyone. I am working on a sequel to Just Like You though. I'm about 9 chapters in, but I don't want to start posting it just to stop so I want to make sure I'll be able to finish it before I actually put it up. Also I'm trying to work on a Tornado Meets Volcano story because people seemed to like it a lot.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Affiliate Friday for 10/22/10
We love our affiliates! While they may each have their usual weekly roundup of segments, there's always something new going on with our affiliates, like contests, challenges, and more. So take a gander below at what's new. All info is directly taken from their respective blogs. If you have a blog and would like to affiliate with us, send us an email at alteredandsacrificial@gmail.com.
This is all about the top 100 fanfiction stories. But not my top 100, this is your top 100. And when I say your, I mean all of you. I want to know what you guys think of to be the best of the best. This is not about reviews or read count this is entirely about what stories you prefer. It doesn't matter if they're finished, on permanent hiatus, still in the works, a one-shot or what. I don't care if they're famous stories or stories that only have a handful of reviews. I don't care if they are AH, AU, Canon, Non-canon, Slash, or what. I want to know which ones you like.
On January 1st 2011, I will be posting the top 100 list, so from now till November 15th I'm taking your submissions. I want to know what you like and I want to know what your favorites are. Here's how it works, it's real simple. All you do is fill out the following form which allows you to name up to 25 stories, but you only have to name one. You do not have to give me your name or your email. You can if you like, but this can be completely anonymous.
We want you to write us a o/s featuring any of the Twilight men (vamps, wolves, Volturi), but they must be some form of a teacher/instructor. They should be dark, dominant and controlling. They should be sexy and irresistible, if possible. They can also be in human form.
We don't care who, just as long they know their trade! Jasper as a surfing instructor? Carlisle as a headmaster at an all girls (or boys) school? Edward the music teacher or Emmett the football coach? See where we’re going with this?
Voting began October 15 and ends October 22 (today!) with winners announced on October 24, 2010.
We all love vampires, don’t we? I mean, what’s not to love – sexy men and women, danger, lust…sounds right up our alley here at MVF. Whenever one of us picks up a new vampire book or series, we always discuss it with each other as we are reading, and one of the most popular phrases that comes out of our mouth (or keyboards, rather) is, “the author’s take on the vampire myth is really interesting…” That got us thinking, and the first MVF Original Fiction Short Story Contest was born.
We are issuing an awesome challenge to our readers this fall: write an original short story and give us your own spin on the vampire legend!
This isn’t a fan fiction challenge; this is a chance to let loose and create your own world. Do you have some brand new characters running around in your head? Have you always wondered how vampires would be different if you gave the legend a little tweak? Tired of all vampires being suave sexy men? This is your chance to get it out there!
This Halloween we want you to scare us, to creep us out, to give us the heeby geebies and we want you to write us a oneshot to do it! Everyone remembers sitting around and telling scary stories and Urban Legends. We want you to take one of the five listed urban legends below and use it as your prompt.
Urban Legends to choose from are: Chupacabra, Bloody Mary, The Kidney Thieves, The Killer in the Backseat, and The Ghost Hitchhiker.
These awards are for the people and by the people.
There are categories that recognize the contributions of Authors, Readers, Betas, Artists, Twi-Site Bloggers, and members of the Twific community. We’re asking people to think about the people who make this fandom such a great place to be.
Authors, who hooks it up with insightful reviews? Who goes out of their way to pimp the hell out of your story? Which pre-reader or Beta throws down the most helpful feedback?
Readers, which authors have the best review replies? Who are the most accessible authors on twitter?
Everybody:
Which banners are the hottest? the most creative? the most visually stunning? Who is the master manip-maker? blinkie-maker? banner-maker?
*New Category* We added a new category for best Fanfiction Video.
Which Twi-sites have the best recs? Where can you find the best resources for writing fic?
Who, in the Twific community, is the hardest working woman in show business? Who promotes the love throughout our fandom?
Remember that these are not your average awards. It’s not a popularity contest, it’s an opportunity to show love to the people who often get overlooked in this fandom. Voting began October 11th!
The WFA consists of 25 unique awards, and the lucky winners of these will receive a star on our virtual sidewalk. It's like Hollywood, only better, because no on will be walking all over your award. :)
Nominations are officially opened to everyone. They will remain open until November 30th. Voting will commence on December 1st, and last until December 30th. The winners will be announced on New Years Day!
To begin nominating, visit these three forms.
If you want to see what has already been nominated, or for more information, visit the WFA blog. Thank you so much, and we'll see you in December for voting!
Have you ever wondered if you could have written the TwiSaga better? Well, here is your chance. TwiNet is hosting a Twi-Rewrite Contest where you will be able to rewrite a chapter in one of the books.
How It Works
In order to enter the contest, you must fill out the form on the TwiNet site. You will then be given the book and chapter that you are to rewrite.
You can rewrite the chapter as you see fit, however, it MUST follow the same plot as the original. Therefore, no new characters or events can be included.
Entries will be posted the Twi-Rewrite Contest FFn Page.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
So Long...
Once upon a time, some Lambs ventured into Whitlock Harem territory. The peen-nosed fox was a crafty bugger...and a sexy beast. The seduction was fast and furious. Love blossomed, and before anyone could ask, “Is that unicorn pissing a rainbow?”, a mutant was conceived. The geneticist told both our blogs that we were very lucky – this hybrid would possess all the best attributes of its parents – House of Debauchery, Bitch Slap, Major-Turn-Offs, Where in the World, Truth is Stranger, Silly Saturdays, fandom interviews, and free-for-all fic recommendations. Not only that, but this hybrid would be even prettier (because we know only pretteh people succeed in life *snort*), and it would spawn new segments that would include both an RP and Whore of the Month segment.
*sigh of utter bliss*
But we need your help, Haremites and Lamb Chops – What do we name this monstrous beauty? “Thing” just won’t cut it, you know? We know you’re a creative bunch, so let the creative juices flow! And if you have any fandom interview suggestions – authors, betas, RPers, sites – or Where in the World requests, please speak now! Has anyone burned your britches in a review? *dons whiteknight armour* Let us at ‘em! Have you seen something so Twi-ridiciulous that you think we should share it with the rest of the fandom? Silly Saturdays would like to know about it! Think you’re a snazzy RPer? Show us what you’re made of.
Pimp yourself, whore out your friends, and dry hump the worthy!
Email us at whitlockharem@gmail.com or alteredandsacrificial@gmail.com!
Altered Lions and Sacrificial Lambs will still be posting the occasional segment until the switchover, so don't fear... HoD, Silly Saturdays, and Monday Meet & Greets are still coming your way.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday Meet & Greet with Live720
with
Since it's Wolf Month, we decided to interview an author known for her love of Wolf fics - Live720. Author of Jacob/Bella fics Seventh Inning Stretch, Fall For You, and its Jacob POV companion, A Twist In My Story, she is also author to Edward/Bella fics Corner Coffee Shop and Love is a Circle.
Live720 also co-blogs with artbeatsandlife and Kay Cannon on new affiliate site Phase Fics, so if you enjoy your share of wolves, mosey on over and show those ladies some LaPush lovin'.
Tell us about yourself. Married? Single? Kids? Age...whatever you'd like to share.
I’m happily married of 5 months (May 22, 2010 was our wedding date) to my fabulous husband who is part nerd, part stud muffin. No kids for us yet, unless you include our 7-year-old cocker spaniel, Toby, who thinks she’s our baby. She’s pretty much the cutest dog on the planet.
Tell us about Twilight. How did you first get into the Saga, when was the first time you read it, and which book is your favorite?
Oh, yes, the good old days. Well, I actually found Twilight over 2 years ago. It was in the summer, and I recall my RL BFF calling me one evening and going on and on about this Edward character that she was totally in love with. She was even telling me detailed dreams she was having about this vampire babe, and to be completely honest, I began to be concerned for her mental health. She always had a thing for the vamps, but this was taking it to a whole new level. Anyway, time went on and one afternoon we were girl dating in our usual spot--Barnes and Noble--and it was around the time Eclipse was just released. Twilight books were EVERYWHERE. My friend basically threatened my life if I didn’t buy Twilight since I was, in fact, looking for a new book to take to the beach with my future hubby and his family that weekend. I bought Twilight that day, read it that night, went to Walmart and bought New Moon and Eclipse, read New Moon the next day, and then ignored my fiance (at the time) at the beach while reading Eclipse.
Eclipse was definitely my favorite book out of the Saga. I have a thing for love triangles, if that wasn’t obvious already.
What got you started reading Twilight Fan Fiction? Do you remember the first fic you read?
I actually used to read Otown fan fic back in the day (Liquid Dreams, anyone?), so I knew FFnet existed. After reading Eclipse, I couldn’t WAIT for Breaking Dawn to come out, so I checked out some Fan Fic about what people thought was going to happen in Breaking Dawn. Not gonna lie, they were pretty awful. I don’t remember specific titles. After that, I didn’t read anything for a while.
Breaking Dawn came out and I was pretty bummed about the outcome, so I started writing my very own “What if” Jacob/Bella story. I loved Edward, but he already got his happy ending, so I wanted to personally give Jacob his, as well. I wasn’t planning on posting it or anything, but I spent days looking up Jacob/Bella fan fic and found nothing worth reading (besides Breathe Again by Ysar, which was only a few chapters in).
Which are your favorite stories?
I hate to admit this because it makes me sound like a snob, but I am incredibly picky about what I read. Honestly, I don’t know what it is, but it is so difficult to hold my attention. I guess my favorite all-time story would be Suicide King by Racket Ghost. It basically has everything I look for in a fic. It is so unique from everything else out there. Some of my other faves off the top of my head include: What’s Lust Got to do With It? by my hubby is no edward (an Emmett/Bella fic), Wide Awake and CLM by Angstgoddess003, With Teeth, The Neighbor: Anytime, Anyplace by artbeatsandlife, Expectations and Other Moving Pieces by chrometurtle.
Who are your favorite characters, from who you like the most to who you would like to to kill right off the bat?
My favorite fic characters to read about are mostly Edward/Bella, but I do enjoy Jake/Bella fics, too. I have been looking for a Bella/Paul fic everywhere but have yet to find one! I really don’t have a character that I hate. They all serve their purpose!
Which fics are you reading right now, and which ones have your complete attention whenever they pop with an update?
I haven’t been reading many fics, sadly. When chrometurtle starts updating E&OMP, I will drop everything I am doing to read it. Same goes for anything AngstGoddess003 writes. As for most of the other fics I’m reading, I can live without the updates, but certainly don’t mind when they fill my inbox.
What made you finally decide to start writing your own?
I kind of touched on this already, but I wasn’t happy with the way SM dealt with Jacob in Breaking Dawn. I wanted to further explore the relationship he and Bella could have/should have had.
What's the atmosphere like when you're writing? Music...quiet...kids screaming and ripping each other apart...husband bitching in the background? Do you drink and/or smoke?
Usually I am sitting on my couch and it is on one of my days off, so my hubby isn’t depressed that I’m paying more attention to my computer than him. I am always listening to music that inspires me. I have a glass of diet iced tea within reach and a Gdoc open. More often than not, I have my ficwife, my hubby is no edward, on gchat helping me to get the writing juices flowing.
What else do you like to read besides Twilight?
My book collection is extensive. I’m pretty much obsessed with books. My husband wanted to buy me a Kindle for Christmas and I yelled NO at the top of my lungs because I like to actually have the books in my hands. It’s weird, but that’s me.
One of my all-time favorite authors is Jennifer Weiner. I love all of her books. I also love reading everything and anything by Jodi Picoult. Recently, I bought a book called “Let Me In” that sounded fantastic and is about a vampgirl. I’m excited to start it.
What else do you like to do?
I love my husband. He’s my best friend first, so spending time with him while just being silly is my absolute favorite thing to do. Just the other night, for example, we both woke up at 5 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday and my hubby looks over at me and says, “I’m hungry.” I said, “Me too,” so we both got out of bed and went down to the kitchen, Toby at our heels. We sat down on the couch in the lamp light and ate a Peach Yoplait Yogurt, then went back to bed. We’re just big goofs. We enjoy going out with our friends, going to sporting events (Lets go Pens!), and being with our family.
In my professional life, I am a pediatric occupational therapist. I work with kiddos in school districts in my local area. I absolutely LOVE my job, and I couldn’t be more blessed to be doing something so close to my heart.
What do you like best and least about this fandom?
I guess I would say I least like all of the drama. Sometimes it can get pretty ridiculous. I’m a very nonconfrontational person, so I usually try to avoid it and hopefully don’t have too many enemies.
With that being said, I love the unity and support in the fandom. I know that seems like a contradiction, but for the most part, most people are so friendly and supportive.
What have your experiences been like shipping for a non-Edward character?
Well, I guess it hasn’t been an easy road. Up until a few months ago, I had never even been recognized by a fic site that didn’t revolve around wolfpack or Jacob fics. I have been in this fandom for over 2 years and I guarantee you that many people still have no idea I exist unless I’m their beta over at Twilighted. I’m not complaining about that because I truly love the small group of readers and friends that I have established. The Jacob and wolfpack community can be pretty great! However, prior to the release of New Moon in theaters, Jacob writers took a lot of crap. I kind of felt like we were shunned from the major parts of the fandom. I mean, popular fic sites would come right out and say, “We hate Jacob, so we don’t want anything to do with those fics or fic authors.” Maybe not in those exact words, but you get the point. Thankfully, that has changed. Maybe Taylor’s abs are the culprit? :-)
Tell us a secret.
I have two, how about that?
1.) Jacob in Seventh Inning Stretch may not have been completely honest with Bella about all of the details of his past. It might come back and ruin everything if he’s not careful.
2.) I am working on a new fic idea that involves Jacob as a Marine who may or may not return home from Afghanistan to Bella, the love of his life, to find that in his absence she has moved on and kept a secret from him that will change his life forever.
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