Hello Erina, you amazing person 🙂 *hugs* 

C: Who is your favorite character of your own?  Who is your favorite character created by somebody else?  Why?

ohshit, um. Difficult. It’s a three-way tie between Hrera, Baris and Bomfris. Hrera because I adore writing her, so so much – she’s one of the most fun characters to write, and she has so many shells and ways of deflecting that she’s literally an emotional onion. There’s a lot of fun to be had there. Baris because we share a lot – A LOT – in common. I love her, shy clever musical thing that she is. I’m nowhere near as brave or as stupendously talented as she is, though! And Bomfris because my aggressive awkward sausage with terrible timing is my child forever and ever and ever. 

Of characters created by others (not canon characters, obvs) I am in dizzy, giddy love with both Bera and Valka, both in equal but different ways. They’re from Azhar by @yubiwamonogatari. Why? Because Valka is a badass and Bera is a SWEETHEART and alkjsdhfkajsh just read it.

L: What advice would you give to other writers?

Uh, I’ve tried to give writing advice when asked for it before – it never comes out right, I am shit at advice. So here goes! (you’ve been warned lmao)

Write YOUR story. Doesn’t matter if it’s the zillionth College AU in that fandom -it’s yours, your story.  

People will criticise. Learn to distinguish between true, meaningful criticism that cares about the end product AND about you as a creator and human being, and discard the meaningless criticism that only seeks to tear you down or hurt you. One is useful and helps you grow and work and learn, both as a writer and a person. The other is not. 

Do your research, particularly if you’re gonna write characters that are not of the same gender/race/orientation/ability as yourself. That Shit Matters. 

Work on something else if the words aren’t coming out. Me, I compose music when I can’t write. It’s still keeping my creative mojo flowing, but I’m exercising a different set of muscles, if you will? Draw, dance, write headcanons, whatever. 

Re-read a lot. Edit as you go – and then edit afterwards. Be ruthless. Even if you really like a section or moment, is it NECESSARY? Where does it lead? If it is a stand-alone moment and leads to nothing, it’s not necessary. Cut it out, save it elsewhere, re-use the ideas later on, when they can be relevant to the plot rather than to character or author service.

Adjectives are awesome. Adverbs are awesome. Verbs are awesome. Dialogue is awesome. Description is awesome. Language is awesome. Anyone who says ‘(this word) is a dead word’ or ‘the way you write is too (x or y)’ after consuming your work for free can go step on a lego. 

that being said, though? New paragraph every time someone talks, please. “New idea, new paragraph” is also worth remembering, in order to break up your description.

Okay, I’m done, that’s me all advice’d out!

O: What motivates you to write?

Usually, escapism. I want to disappear into the world I’m writing about, the characters I’m writing about. I love the sensation of falling into the words, disappearing into a moment, feeling it take shape around me. 

(and then ofc I have to tear it to bits THANKS EDITING)

lasdghjkhas thank you, thank you erina!