Temeraire Interviews

Fanfiction Award winner: Roxydog05

Congratulations to Roxydog05 for coming first place in the fanfiction category of the Temeraire Awards with Kiss me if you Can. As one of your prizes, you receive a free interview! Thank you for sending your responses to the interview :) 

Basics

Username: Roxydog05

Book title: Kiss Me If You Can

Genre: Fanfiction

Short synopsis: Helen Corning is a young woman living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1950s. Unlike most girls her age, she isn't allowed to date until she turns nineteen, but this doesn't begin to bother until she begins to attend Jefferson High where she reconnects with her childhood friend Richie Cunningham and meets his friends, Potsie, Ralph, and Fonzie. Although close with them, she isn't able to be as close as she wishes, especially with a certain handsome aspirational singer. How long will she be able to resist him?

General questions

When did you start writing? 

About a little more than a year ago actually. In just one year, I have improved phenomenally. But all the reading I did before I started writing definitely helped me be the writer that I am today.

What is your favourite and least favourite thing about writing? 

My favourite thing about writing is investing myself in the story. When I do this, I will often daydream about my story and come up with scenarios that may eventually become scenes in my story while listening to music and whatnot. My least favorite thing about writing is how time consuming it is and how difficult it may be to write at times because I have so much to do.

Who is your inspiration in writing? Do you have a favourite author or book?

I don't really have just one person who inspires my writing, but I'd say the person who really got me where I am now would have to be the Quotev user @Kimiko Mekishika. My favorite author is George Orwell, author of my favorite book, Animal Farm.

Would you consider yourself a planner or a pantser – do you like to have a detailed plan for your story, or would you rather dive straight into it and see where it takes you? 

I'm a little of both actually. I plan out the beginning and end of my story, but how to get from the beginning to the end, I pretty much see where it takes me till I get there. With a little planning here and there along the way.

Which genres do you prefer to write? 

Romance, teen fiction, chicklit, fanfiction, and young adult.

Regardless of genre, what do you feel makes a good story? 

A very fleshed out one. I want to fall in love with the characters and get to know them well before the plot thickens. Basically, long stories to me are the best.

That's a good shout! Do you have a writing routine? 

Not really to be honest. I write whenever I can which may be either late at night, in the middle of the day, or even early in the morning. I have to be in the writing mood though and in a good mood in general. Or else my writing will not be at its best.

Story-specific questions

What was the inspiration behind this story? 

I first began to watch the TV show Happy Days at the beginning of last summer. It was showing on a channel that plays reruns of old TV shows, and since I had nothing better to do, I began to watch, knowing my mom used to enjoy watching Happy Days as a kid herself. Since then, I have become hooked on the show. I eventually fell in love with the characters and even began to subconsciously play out scenarios in my mind about the characters. This led to the creation of my Happy Days fanfic: Kiss Me If You Can.

How much of this story have you written and uploaded to Wattpad? 

Eight chapters so far, but I plan on there being exactly thirty-two chapters, so I still have a long way to go.

What is your favourite thing about writing this story?

I'd say the fact that I really get to invest myself in one of my favorite TV shows. Sometimes I even feel like I'm in the show myself while writing it!

That's so cute! Do you have a favourite character in the story? 

My OC, Helen Corning of course!

What is your personal favourite scene, moment or chapter in this story? 

My favorite scene so far would have to be when Potsie tries to kiss Helen good night while he's tipsy. It was a really funny scene to write.

I like that you blended your own characters with the characters from Happy Days. What was your favourite part, or the biggest challenge, of inserting your OC's into the story? 

The hardest part is figuring out their dialogue. They talked slightly differently back in the 50s so figuring out how my OC's should talk, can be a challenge at times.

Well, I thought the 1950's lingo and cultural references were really cute, and gave a lot of detailed depth to the story! Did you have to research this or did you go by the style of Happy Days? 

Both actually, every now and then I do have to do some research into who or what the characters are talking about or doing because it's something special to their times, the 50s.

Were the chapters inspired by any specific episodes of the show? 

Actually, every two chapters is based on a Happy Days episode as indicated by the intro and end credits videos I have included in the chapters.

That's great! My favourite part was the cute friendship between Helen, Potsie and Richie. How would you describe their dynamic? 

They're the absolute best of friends, helping each other out when needed, bringing each other up in tough times, and making each other laugh when down.

I also thought that, despite the time difference, all the characters felt warm and relatable, Helen especially! How did you go about ensuring this connection with the characters? 

A lot of empathizing and sympathizing. You have to think about what people are like in real life as well as how the characters acted in the show Happy Days themselves. It's all about how the characters compliment or contrast each other based on their attributes, morals, and attitudes.

Finally...

Other than the book we are discussing, are there any other stories you want to promote? 

My Happy Days short story fanfic: "Maybe Baby // Happy Days (Potsie x OC)" 

Who is your favourite Wattpad author, or what is your favourite Wattpad book? 

Favorite Wattpad author...hmm...I have two! YourGalNocnitsa and Sister_Of_Wakanda! But I don't really have a favorite Wattpad book to be honest. There are SO many to choose from lol

Do you have any other social media for your writing? Any accounts on other fiction writing websites? 

My only other account on another fiction writing website is @Lydia Rogers on a writing site called Quotev.

Anything you want to say to your readers or potential readers? 

I love you guys so much! Your feedback and comments are so encouraging, and I get really excited when I read them! I hope you guys enjoy this book, and I can't wait for you guys to see what I have planned for it!

Thank you for the great interview! The link to Kiss me if you Can is in the comments and also in the 1st place winners reading list on this account :) ----->