Let us begin...
This is my last day of being 22.
2. Meow.
Meow to you too. You didn't believe I was going to answer every question, did you?
3. Why do you go to bed so late?
OK, allow me to clarify. I go to bed at around 3am, and I like waking up between midday and 3pm. This makes me nocturnal, but I'm happy with my sleep pattern. I might be the only one that is happy, but it works for me. I've tried a "normal" sleeping pattern, and it just does not work.
4. What are you writing at the moment?
This answer. In general, I'm working on my NaNoWriMo project, but you can get the opening chapter here if you really want to get it before the official release.
5. Do you have any pets?
Sadly not. I would love an entire house of fluffy pets, but I can barely look after myself let alone a whole load of pets.
6. What motivated you to get published?
I had a university assignment that basically required writing something, and finding a publisher; we had to do everything but send it off. Once it was graded, my tutor suggested I send it. I did. It was terrifying, and I didn't get anywhere, but it was such a thrill I wanted to do it again. I already had the title Rose on Fire but did not really know what to do with it. I then released the collection. I knew it would be a long time before I could release anything that was finished, so I decided to do a weekly serial. More details soon!
7. What made you get all of those lovely pictures done?
For those of you who are unaware, I had a photoshoot to get the pictures for my Facebook page. It was awkward, and at one point we had a crowd gathering around us, but it was great. I wanted to hide, and it took a lot of nagging for me to have so many taken. I was happy with just one!
8.What do you do in your spare time?
I write! Seriously though, I love to make things; I spend a lot of time doing cross stitch, counted embroidery [blackwork, hardanger], freestyle hand embroidery, crochet, knooking, and needlepoint. I'm also in the process of doing a dolls house and I'm making things for that. I love to read, especially the classics - anything before 1910 I have either read it or it is on my reading list. I love watching movies, especially from the 1920s-1960s. I spend too much time on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, and Netflix. I love to sleep too.
9. What fuels your writing sessions?
Chocolate and YouTube. Don't look at me like that. I love chocolate. My writing sessions are so short, usually lasting about five minutes at a time, that I tend to not need fuel.
10. Who is your favourite YouTuber?
No. No. No. You are not allowed to ask me that. There are too many, I can't pick one. Nope. That's like asking me who my favourite author is, or my favourite movie, or favourite director; I can't answer.
As a part of GCSE Sociology I was asked to go to a thing where basically other GCSE students were asking local MPs various questions. I got the last question. That in itself, is pretty impressive. I'm actually very proud of the question I asked: "Why have none of you given a straight answer?"
Labour talked about the Olympics; the Green Party talked about funding; Conservative talked about the other two parties.
12. What stages have you performed on?
I was in a school musical, and done GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre Studies, so school stages. I have been at the Roundhouse several times in a few different areas. I was also in a project at Hampstead Theatre, and I was once at the Shaw Theatre.
13. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I want to avoid saying everything and everywhere, because it seems so cliché, but it is true. I literally get ideas from everything, but Tumblr helps. Photography, or films, will give me an idea for a setting or a narrative. My own emotions and thoughts will then get a different type of poem. Sometimes I write just because I want to write.
14. What characteristics do you value most in a person?
Empathy, honesty, and kindness. The world needs lovely people who will stand up for what is right for all, not just for some.
15. Do you have any writing rituals?
Yes, but only for prose. For poetry I can write no matter what, but for prose I need to have music on and quite loud. Any music will do, but I have found for Senate of Blood I work best with the Andrews Sisters playing. I need to be mentally alone, so even if I'm with other people, I shut off mentally. It takes me a little while to "come round" again, so after a writing session I can be tired and not really up to a conversation for a while.
16. What is your writing playlist?
OK, I'm just going to list all the bands I love because I have had them as background noise at some point while writing. If you track my poetry well enough, you might be able to work out what I had playing.
AFI, Aiden, Alex Day, Andrews Sisters, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, Cruxshadows, Emilie Autumn, Evanescence, Fall Out Boy, Fred Astaire, Green Day, H.I.M., Lacrimas Profundere, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, My Chemical Romance, Nightwish, Placebo, Theatre of Tragedy, Within Temptation.
17. What book made you realise you wanted to be a writer?
I've been writing for as long as I could hold a pen, so I guess it would be the first book I ever read. The one that made me want to take my writing seriously was Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. I found such beauty in that, I wanted to create something that beautiful myself.
18. Have you ever come across an author whose book was changed for you by getting to know the author through interviews, social media, etc.?
So few of the authors I worship are actually alive today, but I did learn a lot about Edgar Allen Poe after I loved him as a poet. I'm able to look at the poem and not the context [I'm sorry, English teachers, you tried. You failed.] but when I re-read The Raven it gave me chills.
19. Most people have a defining moment where for the first time they realise they are one of the grown-ups. When was yours?
I've not had it yet. I've always been aware of my own mortality, but I have yet to had the "Oh. I'm an adult." moment.
20. Is green tea popular because it's tasty, or because people are more interested in the claimed benefits it has?
Taste. Without a doubt. I love the taste of green tea, and I would love to be sponsored by Twinings. They make the best green tea, and oooooooh so many flavours!
Elvis Presley.
22. Why do fools fall in love?
Why do birds suddenly appear?
23. You have a choice between being Queen of England, or a sexy nun in a chip shop in Cornwall. What do you choose?
I think I would have to go for Queen of England. I could have one room for each of my crafts, but the electricity and heating bills might be a bit high, considering the size of the palaces.
24. Brad Pitt or tar pit?
Brad Pitt I guess? I could have a conversation with him. I doubt I would get much from a tar pit.
25. Ben Affleck or the sound of a dying fox?
Ben Affleck, because I would want to go help the fox. No one should die alone. I could talk to Ben Affleck about things that aren't dying foxes.
26. Cat or dog?
Not allowed. I love all four legged creatures equally.
27. Milk or white chocolate?
I'm good with all chocolate really. Because you gave me those choices, I'm going to rebel and say dark chocolate.
28. McDonalds or Burger King?
Neither. I hate fast food with a passion.
29. Hood or hat?
I'm going to go for hood, because hats tend to fly off. I like hooded capes; they make you feel all Victorian.
30. Brolly or wet?
Wet. I love being outside in the rain, even if it is bad for me. Walking and holding an umbrella just does not work. I'm going to have to go with wet.
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, even if they did get deleted. I promise to do this again! I wanted to do it every six months or so, but I might do it more often than that. My ask box is still open so feel free to ask me anything.
I'll be back next week with a normal blog post.
See you when I'm older!
E