Thank you to somethingeasy for participating in this still new interview process ~ Mindy
Interview: somethingeasy
Hey everyone. I wanted to extend a special thank you to westwingwolf for developing these awesome questions… not to mention picking me as a potential interviewee. I can’t describe what a privilege it was to be asked for an interview session. Thanks, www… and also thanks to Ava and Cy for their additional questions too I hope I answered them to your satisfaction.
1) If you could visit any place at any time period, where would you go and what would you do?
erm… can I visit the future? Mostly because I REALLY want to see what forms media (internet, television, radio, film) takes on about a hundred years from now. But I guess that’s cheating… I have to think of some time in the past, right?
hmmmm… beginning of the 19th century when the industrial revolution was starting off? Now THAT was truly an amazing time for creativity and innovation being channeled into industry and profit. It was also the age for people like Edison and Einstein, and wouldn’t you KILL to be able to meet such people and perhaps be able to speak with them… Perhaps even WORK for them?!???
2) Have you ever met anyone famous?
I’ve met a couple members of royalty, only I don’t feel comfortable going into specifics about whom, so I’ll just generalize what it was like.
I’m afraid I was far too nervous about causing an international incident to have a really interesting conversation with The various Royals. I basically just smiled and made ‘very’ careful small talk with them, that didn’t really extend anywhere more interesting than the weather and local sights. It would have been a complete waste, except that I DID have a very fun and interesting conversation with his attendants and bodyguards, who had lots of fun stories about the trials and troubles about traveling with Royalty, such as making sure that his luggage isn’t ‘bothered’ going through airport security. Apparently NO-ONE is allowed to open the diplomatic case of the King, except for the King himself. Which means airport security is basically not allowed to scan the suitcase, no matter how suspicious it might look. LOL! Wouldn’t you love ‘diplomatic immunity’ for YOUR suitcase?!
LOL! Thank heavens for non-intimidating, ‘non-persons’ around Royalty, otherwise the common-folk at these kinds of parties and affairs wouldn’t have anyone to talk to I wonder just how bored do Royal Persons get having everyone either too intimidated to say anything truly interesting, OR obnoxious to the extent of being willing to say ‘anything’ to get a reaction.
3) If you could meet any famous person, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you say/do?
heh… Like I mentioned, I’ve already met some famous people, and I’ve always been too scared about causing either an international incident, OR looking like a complete fool to say anything really interesting. But perhaps if Queen Elizabeth (the first) and I were stuck in an elevator together, I’d really love to have a talk with her about how she managed to whip her court into submissive shape while dealing with her ‘disadvantage’ of being a female ruler in 15th century Britain.
4) If you could switch lives with any person, who would you choose and why? If you want to switch with a person who is dead, we’ll assume that you wanted to live their life while he/she was alive.
wow! I’d LOVE to know what it would have been like to have lived a single day as Queen Elizabeth (the first). I would have to emphasize that it would only be a single day, because I’m fairly certain I couldn’t survive more than that as ‘her’. I’d either end up assassinated, OR throwing Britain into chaos.
5) Who is your favorite author, alive or dead, and why?
I don’t have any favourite author. Although I do have some favourite books. And even then I most usually LOVE whatever book I happen to be reading at the time. Currently I’m in the middle of a mind-blowing book ‘The Black Swan’. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone… especially people who feel highly suspicious by all those self-claimed experts who keep coming on the news assuring you that they know exactly what’s going on with the world, and exactly how it’s going to turn out a year from now (LIES!! All of them!).
From the top of my head, a couple of other all time favourites include:
Watership Down (by Richard Adams)
Dune (by Frank Herbert)
‘The Business’ and ‘The Player of Games’ (by Iain Banks)
‘High Society’ and ‘Dead Famous’ (by Ben Elton)
IT (by Stephen King)
V for Vendetta (by Alan Moore)
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe (By Douglas Adams)
6) Who is your favorite singer, alive or dead, and why? Your favorite song?
I like most types of music, but most especially heavy metal music, such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Bling Guardian, etc. I don’t have any single, specific favourite song… my choices vary by day and mood.
7) What is your favorite television show and why?
Television went largely downhill since Buffy and Angel finished. It was salvaged for a little while when the all-time stunning show Firefly came on… but then the demon cesspool that is television programming swallowed it into a dark abyss. Nowadays, I only watch a single show on television, Lost, which has come a long way towards redeeming television programming for me, although I’m still traumatized and horrified from the overwhelming number of reality shows out there *shudder*
8.) What is the one movie/television show that you would never admit to family, friends, co-workers that you watch? Yes, I know asking defeats the point, but spill your guts anyway.
heh, I don’t really have any shows that I’m embarrassed about watching. I just don’t watch shows that I consider stupid in any fashion (it hurts my brain). And I’m quite fine with other people thinking my shows are silly as long as *I* think they’re great… for example I’m currently into shows like Naruto, Bleach and the new 2003 cartoon series of ninja turtles. While these choices might be mocked by others, I think it’s still waaay better than most of the crap that other people watch (ugh! reality shows!)
9) Do people in your Real Life know that you are a member of NS? Or that you make fanart?
I’m afraid I keep my addiction for smut-laden fanfic a huge secret from everyone in real-life. I come from largely a conservative family background that just wouldn’t get that there’s ‘clean enjoyment’ to be had from reading NC-17 rated fanfic. And most of my friends wouldn’t get the fascination with fic based on canon shows. I have tried to take *small steps* to show some of my friends the fascination I have with fanfic by introducing them to popular fandom fics like Harry Potter, but they just don’t get it. Telling them about NS is NOT an option
As for telling them about my making fanart. That’s also a big ‘No way’. I’m afraid I’m completely in the closet when it comes to my addiction for Chlex fic.
10) When did you first start reading fanfiction? When did you first start making fanart?
I’m pretty sure that most people my age started their love affair with fanfic with X-Files. That damned sexual tension between Mulder and Scully drove everyone INSANE, and we needed fulfillment, dammit!!! Hence the refuge sought in X-Files fanfic. I then got into Buffy fanfic (more specifically Spuffy… right after season 2 when there was no chance of them getting together, but you could see the possibilities). A couple of other fandoms here and there, but those were my big two obsessions before Chlex.
11) What program do you use to create your fanart?
Is there seriously anything better than Photoshop? I worship that program!!! Yayy, Adobe!
12) Do you plan a project completely formed in your head or do you let inspiration come to you as you work with it?
I definitely have a project in mind before I get started. While the finer points might end up tweaked a little in an alternative direction, the poses, message, tone and feel of the art piece remains the same as I originally envisioned. I just cannot create good pieces while I’m working on the fly. While I greatly admire the people who CAN come up with great work while being completely spontaneous about it, I always feel that the best art work comes from obsessive pre-planning and pre-sketching before getting started on the final piece. For me, creativity comes more from focused thought, than from ‘freedom of feeling’.
13) Is fanart just a hobby for you or do you hope to go further with your talents?
I am currently in advertising design, which means that I am using my ‘talents’ for a living. Isn’t it awesome when one can make a living out of using your personal interests and passions. I’m really privileged in this regard, I realize that.
14) When you aren’t doing making awesome fanart, what do you do and/or want to be doing?
erm… working? Seriously! LOL! I love surfing the Internet for all the crazy new forms of expression that are fast becoming available out there. It’s amazing seeing how individuals come up with new forms of creativity to inspire others while being inspired in turn. I feel truly blessed for being at the forefront and beginning of this ‘information revolution’, because I KNOW (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that the ‘individual freedom of the internet’ is not something that’s going to last forever. We’d better enjoy and relish it while we can, people.
15) How and why did you first get interested in Chlex? What do you like most about the characters? What do you hate about them? How and why did you first get interested in making Chlex fanart?
I remember watching a single episode of Smallville, and I fell in love with Lex Luthor from Smallville and needed to see him put together with some fascinating female. The episode, by the way, was Heat (season 2, episode 2), so you can only imagine how turned on I was by Lex’s potential as a sexual partner as well as a loyal, reliable and dependable mate. I was also enthralled by the idea of the legendary Lex Luthor as a young, kind, brilliant man (brains R sexy!) with a generous, loyal heart. AND also a great deal of damage inflicted on him from a number of variable factors. Smallville might have gone to the toilet with its seasonal arcs and episode plotting… but you can’t deny that there was some amazing characterization over there at the beginning. If only the showrunners had actually developed those characters instead of using and squandering them like unwanted refuse.
Anyhow, after realizing I was fascinated by Lex, I started scouring Smallville for possible female companions for Lex, and Chloe fit my needs as his most compatible match most effectively. She was strong, witty, dedicated, courageous, and everything that is amazing about female characters. Lex was my first obsession, but I developed a very strong interest in Chloe… more from fanfic than from the show itself though.
Oddly enough, the show itself only caught my interest enough to watch random episodes here and there, but not really enough to follow it as religiously as I currently follow Lost. But Smallville fanfic… ooooh, boy… Smallville fanfic caught my attention, interest and loyalty in a way that television executive producers can probably only dream about from their viewers, LOL!
16) Is there anything while viewing Chlex fanart that you really like/hate? Is there anything while reading Chlex fanfiction that you really like/hate?
I love Chlex fanfic and fanart that explores the intelligence and wit of out two main characters… especially by placing them both as adversaries against each other before they (perhaps eventually) admit that the situation might be worked out to a better advantage if they started working as allies rather than antagonists… OR until one defeats the other into complete submission (preferably with Chloe as the winner, although I’ll also accept Lex as the gloating champion… provided Chloe still has hope to get payback for the humiliating defeat). LOL! Oh dear… I don’t think I’m explaining myself very well, am I? Basically, I love the sparks that fly out whenever the two of them are on-screen… whether they’re both fighting each other toe-to-toe OR helping each other back-to-back. There’s something so compelling about the interaction and powers between the two of them.
Besides that, I also love fics that involve embarrassing Lex in some form or another, LOL! It’s always so much fun to see his arrogance punctured… especially by something so basic that he knows he should have seen it coming (in hindsight). LOL!
hmmm, I don’t like fics that paint Chloe as a victim. OR, if you do start off by painting her as the victim, then don’t make it so Lex is her ultimate saviour… make it so she saves herself… even if Lex IS there to lend her his support through the process.
I also don’t like fics that turn Lex into a ‘nice guy’. He’s NOT a ‘nice’ man. He’s ruthless, cunning, self-serving and selfish. He’s a brilliant, master manipulator who has been trained to think of 99% of the human race as his personal pawns to be shifted around a board for his profit and/or amusement. Yes… he’s also got a core of self-sacrificing generosity within him, but that’s reserved only for ‘special occasions’ (or for special peoples). So don’t turn him ‘nice’, because then I lose interest in him. There are a few exceptions of course, but this is the general rule.
So basically, I LOVE fanart that explores the darker, brilliant and ruthless side of Lex… as well as fanfic that does the same. And same with Chloe… I want fanart and fanfic that explores her bright, ambitious, determined brilliance too.
17) What (if any) other fandoms do you create fanart for and why? What (if any) other fandoms do you read fanfic from and why?
I’m afraid that Smallville is the only fandom that I’ve created artwork for so far. It’s rather surprising now that I think about it, considering that I’ve actually received formal training in Photoshop manipulation and everything, but somehow a small amount of Chlex fanart is all that I’ve produced during all my years of fanfic reading. Most of my contributions to the world of fanfic has been looong, detailed reviews to the artists and authors whose work I have admired.
erm… I’m currently getting into… oh dear god, I can’t believe I’m about to say this out loud but… I’mcurrentlygettingintoNinjaTurtlefanfic! THERE! I’ve admitted it. Not all the disturbing brotherly-incest fics out there, although one or two of them are actually good reads… but I like the humourous, family bonding fics. They’re darned adorable! For some reason, I don’t like the angsty fics very much… which is REALLY strange (considering how mad I am for angst in Smallville fanon)?
18) What type of environment do you need to create fanart? For example: extreme quiet, blaring music, subtle background noise, etc.
Definitely a quiet environment. The same kind of environment that I like to work in too, actually. I mentioned earlier about how creativity (for me) is all about focused thought? Which means minimum distractions! I send my ninjas out to kill everyone who’s breathing too loudly or popping gum, and my creativity has gone up 10% because of their efforts
19) Do you like to leave feedback as soon as you finish reading a story to give your immediate reactions or do you wait to gather your thoughts?
heh, I sometimes have a tendency to leave slightly longish reviews… which means that there’s quite a bit of time given to my review writing. Some of my reviews are comparatively short, taking only twenty minutes of writing, while other reviews are stretched out over half hour sessions over several days. Even taking this time into consideration, I DO like to take some time to muse over a story and think over how it made me feel. Especially for intense stories which have a lot of emotion and/or plot complexity behind them.
20) What do you believe is the most essential aspect of feedback for the authors? What makes you write detailed reviews?
I think all authors just like to know that their work has been appreciated. At least, that’s what I keep hearing from them all the time… and it makes sense! I do realize that authors also like constructive criticism, because it does help them hone in their writing skills as well as make their stories better. But I firmly believe that it’s appreciation first, and criticism second. Which is why, whenever I DO make a critical point about any fic, I’m always careful to ‘sandwich’ it between at least two layers of love and appreciation for the good points of the fic.
As for my detailed reviews… I can’t help but bubble over with enthusiasm over some of the fantastic fic out there. I WANT the authors (and fanfic artists) to taste a small portion of the pleasure that I feel from viewing their work. I want them to know exactly what I found attractive, original and brilliant about their work… mostly because I hope that they will repeat these elements and qualities in some of their future fics. If I tell them what I like, then it makes sense that they might write another fic with everything that I like AGAIN, right LOL!
I also write detailed reviews as a means of relaxing after coming home from work. It’s just a de-stressing kind of exercise. AND I also like the fact that I always go a lot more in-depth into analyzing a story when I’m writing a detailed review about it. Most of the time, I’ll notice subtleties and subtext about the story that I would have completely missed if I hadn’t gone in-depth into detail. So basically, my detailed reviews are for:
1) encouraging my authors to write more by telling them what I appreciated the most about their characters and plots and
2) enhancing my own personal enjoyment of the fic-reading experience.
21) Do you prefer reading quick, easy stories or long, layered stories?
oooh! Long, layered stories, beyond all shadow of a doubt!! And more than that, I love long layered stories that involve lots of character angst, torture and suffering. But, paradoxically, I also like a happy ending, or at least an ending that closes on hope for the characters. I just think that the characters will appreciate the happy ending all the more if they really have to SUFFER to get there. Characters who have a cutesy, happy life from the beginning of the fic right through to the end… they’re never going to appreciate happiness and joy like the characters who were pulled through an emotional wringer.
22) Is there anything that you won’t read or feel uncomfortable reading? Is there any art that you won’t create or feel uncomfortable making?
hmmm, I’ve already said that I like darkness and suffering in my fics… so there’s actually very little that would be a turn-off in Chlex art/fic. I’m dark, twisted and demented, so the only element that would turn me off from a fic would be keeping everyone too well-adjusted and happy throughout the fic
Bring on the suffering! Throw the kittens into the blender and see what happens!
23) What advice can you give to anyone who is either or afraid to post their opinion or just prefers to lurk?
Lurking is a sign of either low confidence in your opinion… or laziness. I can understand this because I’ve been guilty of both. So to the ones lacking confidence… write anything in your review… even a one-liner like ‘I loved your fic’ would be considered precious by a author/artist who is counting her ‘viewed post numbers’ against her ‘reviewed post numbers’. Every little bit helps boost the author/artist’s confidence in her talents, and therefore encourages her to produce yet more work.
And those who are too lazy… for heaven’s sake, don’t you understand that writing reviews is the best way to encourage the artist to write more fics OR post up more fanart. If you want more stunning work posted for your viewing pleasure, then make it clear that you WANT more of that author/artist’s work!!
24) Have you ever read someone’s fanfic and wanted to write it?
A few times I have read a premise which I wished could have been taken over by an author who was a little more competent in her skills… but I’ve never really wanted to take on someone else’s fic for myself.
25) Have you ever read a story and flamed it or at least really wanted too (obviously not any on this site)?
LOL! There have been far too many times when I’ve come across fic (in various fandoms) that was just AWFUL! It’s sad, but bad-fic hugely outnumbers the good-fics out there on the Internet. BUT, I’ve never once flamed a fic, not have I ever felt an impulse to do so. Why should I? It would just be a waste of time for me, and it would needlessly hurt a person who is obviously still developing as a writer. No need to crush her just because she’s young and incompetent right now. Easier (and better) for everyone to just ignore all bad-fics, and focus my time on encouraging the postings by authors that I like.
26) Are reviews vital to keep you making art or will you continue as long as you have ideas?
I like reviews a whole lot! I cannot emphasize that enough. I love, adore and worship reviews of my fan-art. However, I have to confess that they are not strictly necessary for me to create art pieces. If I have a cute idea, as well as the time to execute it, then it’s quite likely that I’ll create it. But I think that reviews do make it rather more likely that I’ll have the inclination to find time to execute new ideas for art pieces. So, in conclusion, reviews are not strictly vital, but they do help.
27) Have you ever had a review that made you think something about your art that you never thought of before? Has a review ever made you want to make a major change to your art?
hmmm, not that I remember. I don’t think anyone really gave me any suggestions in reviews for new art pieces. Although, I do remember that there was someone who asked me to create an art-piece based on her fanfic, and I even started it off. Unfortunately, after numerous attempts, it kept turning out just plain awful, so I gave it up. But I do remember that I made the attempt, therefore I guess I DO take requests. I don’t guarantee results, but I guess I even like requests.
28) Do you see Chloe and Lex or other Smallville characters in different television shows or movies? Meaning, do you watch a movie like Star Wars and start thinking that Lex is just like Han Solo? Perhaps use those ideas to make manips?
ROTFLMOA! It HAS happened a few times. Although I wouldn’t really imagine Lex as ‘Han Solo’… it just wouldn’t fit for me at all. Lex Luthor has a few archetypical character qualities that tend to get repeated by several different characters in several works of fiction… the arrogant, rich, brilliant, master-manipulator of human beings. Usually these are villainous traits, but you DO get some anti-hero characters of this type from time to time. For example, there is a certain ‘anti-hero’ (or was he an outright villain? I’m not really sure) from Watchmen who fits Lex Luthor to a T, now that I think about it.
But I do remember reading a book some months back, and throughout the WHOLE of the first chapter, I couldn’t shake the image of Lex Luthor while ‘hearing’ the characters speaking. The book was ‘Chart Throb’ by Ben Elton, and the early chapter was all about a scene between a rich and powerful media mogul who had married himself an ‘appropriate trophy wife’ who asked for a divorce immediately after the honeymoon informing him that she married him for his money, and if he doesn’t give her half his assets then she’ll go to the courts with stories about spousal abuse (emotional, physical and sexual). And the media mogul KNEW that the press and courts would be more than willing to believe these horrible stories about him being an abusive monster, because that was precisely the kind of reputation he had gained over the years of being a ruthless, cutthroat businessman.
LOL! This lady was a hell of a lot clever than Lex’s wives because she didn’t go through any messy process of trying to kill him or anything… just a clean simple divorce, otherwise she bats her wide eyes at judges, juries and reporters, describing all the ‘horrible, atrocious, monstrous acts’ that her husband forced her maidenly body through.
30) What do you think AM and MR would say if they knew about NS? What do you think AM and MR would say about your art if they saw them? How would you feel if someone from the show looked at your art?
hmmm, I don’t really watch the show anymore. Oddly enough, the only connection I feel to Smallville is through fanfic and fandom… otherwise canon Smallville doesn’t really exist for me. Isn’t that weird? LOL! But hopefully any persons from Smallville who checked out the fanfic and fanart would take it with good humour and indulgence. I suppose it’s always possible that Smallville folks might end up offended (bad) or even hurt (worse) by the fandom produce, but I’d like to think that they’d smile and laugh about it instead.
31) If you could have any super power, what would it be and why? Would you use it for good or evil?
ooooh, I want the power to read minds!!! Desperately! I have an embarrassingly low EQ, which means I cannot read people at all! So it would be damned convenient for me to be able to read people’s thoughts and NOT have to rely on unreliable things like their ‘words’ to understand where they’re coming from, what they want, and what they’re trying to tell you. erm… I’d use it to further my understanding of the human race, which is for good, right? And the thought of stealing bank account information did NOT cross my mind, not even for a second!!!
32) What does it take to be an excellent fanfic author stalker?
Love, baby! LOVE!!! It’s only when you feel intense love, devotion and loyalty towards someone or something that you’re willing to go through ANY lengths to acquire it. Lex understands love too! Look at how he goes around expressing HIS affections by staking out Chloe’s bedroom window, maiming her boyfriends, buying her apartment and work-place, putting bugs in her home, car and work cubicle. It all comes from LOVE!
33) What do you feed your ninjas? Will you hire them out for other people who wish to send them after their favorite authors?
Ninjas don’t need to be fed. They hunt down their own food. However, they DO require ‘interesting’ forms of payment. The reason why I’ve gotten addicted to shows like Bleach, Naruto and Ninja Turtles is because my ninjas insist that part of my payment includes providing them with the very latest in all these series. Downloaded no less than two days after they air!
34) Are there any ideas you’d like to hand out as assignments?
erm… Anything dark, angsty… but also with a happy (or hopeful) ending? The greater the intensity of the gut-wrenching angst, darkness and despair that the characters have to go through (at key moments during the story) the better
oooh, and also, something that makes the brilliant master manipulator Lex feel like a complete and utter fool (at LEAST for a minute) would be fantastic!
I’m afraid I can’t get more specific than that, because I made a promise to Skauble that I’d keep the really scary ideas in my own head and NEVER publish them openly on a public forum where the unprepared or innocent might stumble across them.
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