The Odds

Interview with Megan (_justcloseyoureyes_)

[Questions by Lizzie (RobotsWillCry)]

Why does Pandora hate the colour orange so much?

 Pandora hates orange for the same reason any other sane person would hate orange. In small doses it is tolerable. But in large quantities it is garish and overwhelming and just unnecessary (clearly no one has bothered to tell wattpad this!) Especially on clothes. No one should go overboard on orange clothes. That’s why they dress prisoners in orange. It is a punishment. Peach is fine, certain shades of yellow are acceptable. Just not orange. Pandora prefers the subtle touch when it comes to clothing. Orange is just far too tacky for her!

Any behind the scenes gossip to spill?

Behind-the-scenes isn’t that glamorous to be honest. Things are usually done in an orderly fashion over wattpad PMs. We have a private messaging room. That can be interesting. It’s where we share ideas and opinions, discuss what we think of the recent entries as we cruelly critique them to shreds (just joking!) It’s where we will probably be going over ideas for the next Games. But that’s for Gamemaker’s eyes only – sorry!

What's your favourite AG task ever?

That’s a hard question! There have been so many! I think my favourite task, as a Gamemaker, has to be ‘The Danger Inside’ from Memoranda of Terror. It was my first time Gamemaking so it was all very exciting and it was with that task I found Pandora’s niche: tasks that mess with the tribute’s minds and emotions. They are the tasks I find most enjoyable to read. Watching the characters slowly unravel and derail is my favourite part of the entries.

What are your pet hates to see in entries?

Where do I start? Sometimes it is just the little things such as writing ‘2’ instead of putting it in word format as ‘two’ or overkill on ellipsis and exclamation marks, other times it is more obvious things like paragraphing done horribly wrong. But my biggest pet hate is lack of originality. When you have twenty or so tasks to read all following the same prompt - originality becomes something very valuable. Sometimes we set a task and end up with at least a handful of entries that are almost carbon copies of each other and you begin to feel like once you’ve read one, you’ve read them all. It’s the ones that think outside the box and come up with something completely unexpected that make you sit up and take notice as a judge!

Which piece of your own writing are you the most proud of? Why?

I sort of feel like I am yet to write it. ‘Glitch’ is the only story I have written in full… Well, that’s a lie. I’ve written other stories on wattpad before, but they are on an old account I am too ashamed to admit ownership of. My fifteen/sixteen year old self was an utterly horrendous writer. She’s a disgrace – best not to mention her really. So I guess ‘Glitch’ is the only story I have written in full that I am willing to admit to. But now I’m out of the honeymoon first draft period I’m feeling less and less proud of it. Currently I have a love/hate set up with it. So hopefully, my best is yet to come!

You've been put in charge of every library and bookshop in the world. You can burn all the copies of one book. Which one?

The first book to come to mind is Twilight. Mostly because I don’t think young teenagers should be presented with, what is essentially, an emotionally abusive relationship as something to be romanticised. Another book that comes to mind is Fifty Shades of Grey – and I think no explanation is needed there. Especially because a friend of mine is keen to see it in the cinema - hell will freeze over before I agree to watch that in a room full of strangers! But then again, thinking practically… I would burn every copy of something like Harry Potter removing any trace of it. Then re-write it from memory, sell it on and make my millions. Rowling couldn’t sue me because there would be no evidence her book ever existed in the first place. And then I would be rich, living the high life. I would definitely use this power for evil!

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

 Probably my mother's 'nip it in the bud' advice for when it comes to dealing with people trying to kick up trouble. Without getting my violin out, I was a pretty easy target as a tweenager. (I was one of those unfortunate definitely not part of the ‘in-crowd’ types). Turns out people are less willing to pick on you if you start answering back. So I learnt to stand my ground. Something I got pretty good at. 

Desert Island Discs! If you could only listen to five songs for the rest of your life, what would they be?

This is cruel. Only five? I don’t even know where to begin. I couldn’t live without Arctic Monkeys so they would obviously be in there somewhere. But I really don’t see how I’m meant to pick just one of their songs. Can I pick five entire albums instead? That would make my life easier. I would need The Smiths in there somewhere. And maybe a bit of 90s brit pop. Arcade Fire? Should I throw in Beyoncé as a guilty pleasure option? – I can’t do this. The thought of living in a world with just five songs… Nope. I just can’t do it. That's it. Interview over. Megan out.