Between the Lines

ShaylaRah

Interview with @ShaylaRah

What is your favorite book you’ve written?

The favourite book I've written... Vampiru, definitely

Why do you write?

A lot of reasons - partly because I want to be a published author someday, partly because I feel like I have to write or I'll go insane, but mostly because I love writing.

When did you write your first story and what was it about? (not just on wattpad)

I wrote my first story when I was 8, and I can't remember what it was about - just that it was a sort-of fairytale story with princesses and dragons.

Where do your stories come from/what is your inspiration(s)?

A lot of things - films/books/TV series, music, pictures, things that happened to me or people I know, dreams, even things I dislike.

When you write who is in control, you or the characters?

A bit of both. I usually set out with some idea of where a particular chapter is going, but the characters keep doing their own thing.

Would you like to become a full time author or Is writing just a hobby?

I want to become a full-time author in the future, but at the moment it's just a hobby

How much do you read and what type of books?

I read a lot, and pretty much anything except romance. At the moment, I'm reading through the Chalet School series and I've just finished the third book in the Alex Rider series.

Who is your favorite Wattpad author? Why? Who is your favorite published author? Why?

Wattpad author: MintSprinkles. Why: "Property of the Mafia" is my favourite Wattpad book.

Published author: I like a lot of authors - Charles Dickens, Richard Adams, J. K. Rowling, Enid Blyton, Jules Verne, Elinor M. Brent-Dyer - so it's hard to choose which one I like best. Why: I like (some of) the books they've written.

Do you plan out your stories or just get an idea and start writing?

Both. I usually have an idea of how a story will end when I start writing, but what happens to lead up to that isn't always planned out. And when I do have it planned, something usually changes it.

When you get stuck how do you re-inspire yourself?

Sometimes I try reading over what I've already written. If that doesn't work, I try listening to music, watching films, reading books, or writing something completely different. If none of that works, I just give it up for a while and then go back to it, and usually that works.

Are you a creative person or more the logical type?

Creative, I think.

Which idea comes to you first, the characters or the plot?

The plot. Sometimes I reuse characters from an old story for a new one, and sometimes I'd base characters in one story on characters in another, but almost always the plot comes to me before the characters.

How did you learn to write stories?

The first "story" I remember writing was for an English exercise in school - we were given characters from books we were reading and told to make up "backstories" for them. So that was where I first learned to write stories, although I can't remember anything about what I wrote.

Do you listen to music as you write? If so what type and does it affect your writing?

At times, and the sort of music (usually Evanescence, Skillet, or Within Temptation) depends on the sort of scene I'm writing.

When and where do you write best?

I don't really have a place where I write best, and I write best when I have an idea of what I'm going to write and don't have to think it up as I go along.

Okay! That's all the questions I have for you! Could I speak to a character from "Vampiru"? First question: What is your name?

Sure! I'll go with Dani.

My name is Danielle Tamari, but everyone calls me Dani

Well hello, Dani! Nice to have you here! Who was your best childhood friend and what is your fondest memory with them?

I'm 12, so technically I'm still a child, but the first friends I remember making were Steven and Gareth Brown, and we're still friends today. My fondest memory of them is when I was upset because it was my birthday and my parents were arguing, and Steven tried to cheer me up by baking a cake. It was a bit of a disaster (he mixed up flour and sugar!), but it was still very nice of him.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

When I fell asleep during assembly at school, dreamt it was role call and the headmaster had just called my name, woke up, and shouted out "Here, sir" before I realized it was just a dream. Everyone stared at me and I nearly died of embarrassment.

What are your dreams/ambitions?

Before I found out about InGEN (Inter-Galactic Emergency Network), I wanted to be a teacher. Now, I'm not sure what I want to do, but it'll have something to do with InGEN if possible,

What is your favorite pass time?

Spending time around the base or playing the piano.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

Tuna and sweetcorn sandwiches.

Do you have any siblings? If so do you have a favorite?

Yes, three; Richard, Edward and Legina. Richard's my favourite, because he doesn't ignore my existence, like Edward does, and he doesn't treat me like a little kid, like Legina does.

Who or what is your greatest loathing reserved for?

All the people who work for Terror except Dracula. But especially Ruthven, Grievous and Terror herself

Who are three people you could not live without?

Just three people... Jackson and Lacey (Steven and Gareth's parents) and Professo - I mean, David Cross. Jackson and Lacey were more like parents to me than my real parents when I was younger, and David's... well, he's David. I'm not sure how else to explain it.

Who or what has made you who you are today?

My parents, I suppose... and my siblings... and the Browns... and David... and even Terror and co.

I think that's all the questions I have! Anything you would like to add?

Thank you for interviewing me and Dani! :)

No problem! I'll get this up as soon as I can and dedicate it to you! God bless!