Sue's interview with Bratty-Vamp about 'The Best Man'

The Best Man by Bratty-Vamp, on adifferentforest.com

I have no idea why I started reading this I asked for something funny and real one day and I have to tell you this is what I got

I REFUSE to spoil the happy ending to this I will tell you there is a part of serious heartfail in here we are talking bawling crying your eyes out heartfail that is the only spoiler you will get

The good news is this fic is FUNNY it has parts in it that made me crack up out loud like a nut and parts that made me say AWWWWW

It is WELL worth the read because it is so real. You can SEE these things actually happening you LOVE ALL of the characters you get frustrated with them as well but mostly you become so attached to them like friends... It is a fic I have read more than once and considering my HUGE list of fic that has to say something.

So no more babbling from SUE read on and then read

The Best Man

Summary: Next-door neighbors home from college, reunited for two weeks of their summer break. Childhood memories and adult hijinks abound. Will a friendly competition strengthen childhood bonds? Or will it help to forge a new relationship between adults? AH/AU
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Humor - Chapters: 25 - Words: 100,541 - Reviews: 6826 - Updated: 8-20-09 - Published: 6-8-09 - Bella & Edward - Complete

Here's a video to go along with the story:

WARNING *SPOILERS*

Bratty_Vamp: Hi.

Sue: HI

You foudn me!

found

BTw I cannot spell at all

B: Yeppers. I really have no idea what I'm doing with Skype though. So early apologies are issued.

S: not a problem

you are doing fine

we just type like Gchat

same thing just a bigger screen

B: sweet

S: OKK let me go find my Qs

do you have any Qs about this beforehand or do you know what to expect?

B: I have no idea what to expect. Sorry.

S: LOL OK

I run a tiny blog with about 13 fans

called SYTYCW

B: LOL

S: what??

B: I've seen your blog mentioned. I'm sure there's more that 13 fans. :)

S: OH OK

we have more staff than fans

B: okay.

S: it takes 3 people to edit my typing

LOL

anywho

I started the blog in July and I interview authors of fics I like and talk about them general fangirl stuff

B: alrighty then

S: that is it

B: Well..I feel privileged.

S: I have no rhyme or reason why I pick fics I just pick them

OK I ask 21 Qs

and lets start

Where did you get the idea for this story? What was your inspiration?

B: Sorry. Which story?

S: LOL

The Best Man

B: ah okay. Shoot... can you give me just a minute please?

S: no prob

B: sorry. My boss called

S: no prob RL comes first

I am so laid back I am barely conscious

B: So idea. Inspiration. Seriously? For any of my stories it's been the same answer. I just sorta wake up with the idea. And then I say "oh... what if?" And usually by later that day I've thought it through enough I know the story in my head and want to write it.

S: wow

B: While writing it, I was inspired (I guess) to just keep it real. By considering real life loss of family and friends.

that's it/

S: OK

B: There wasn't a specific accident that I drew inspiration from

S: People get mad at me when I recd this fic

I told them to give it a week to get over the loss

B: just loss... and seeing how people deal with it and come together because of it. It kept me true while I wrote

S: definately a fic that sticks with you

B: moving on?

S: OK

Is there anything you would want readers to know specifically?

B: about the story?

me?

S: YUP

either

B: I can't really think of anything. I don't consider the audience when I'm writing. At all.

S: WELL that is something!

B: If that sounds awful... it's just that I write the story in my head and I don't write for certain reactions.

S: That actually is something lots of authors do

Why should readers read your story?

B: Because they are bored?

LOL. The weather is bad? Tired of doing laundry? Hell... I can't tell someone to read my story!

HA HA HA HA

S: OK if you were a reader and not the author why would you rec this fic?

B: This is going to go down as one of the worst interviews for you ever. LOL.

B: I honestly love the story. I think it reads like real life. In as much as you can expect in fanfiction.

Real life is funny... and sometimes painful. Sad... and silly. It's sort of all of those things.

S: yes it is

Do you do anything special while writing a chapter like listen to special music, need total silence, eat a bag of M&Ms, drink heavily, whatever…?

B: I prefer quiet. I am easily distracted... so I have to force myself to shut the chat windows and not look at pretty pictures when I'm supposed to be writing. Usually it's all planned out already in my head... so I need to be able to just sit and retrieve it

What do you do after you click the submit button for a chapter?

B: Click to make sure the chapter actually loaded. Because I am techno-stupid and always paranoid that I screwed something up.

S: WOW just like me !!

B: :)

S: I cant tell you how many times I have screwed up the blog

it is so not funny

when I get called on it

B: I couldn't begin to do it (run a blog.) So *claps* for you

S: like I said I have a HUGE staff

they do all the tech stuff

I just write the semi funny

B: (that's what he said) -staff

S: lol

and I have a mind like a 12 yr old boy

it helps

B: so do I. Apparently

Do you have a soundtrack to this story?

B: Yep.

How's that for one word answer?

S: fabulous

B: My music girl is getting me a link for ya

S: AWESOME

What actor/actress do you picture as YOUR Edward and Bella?

B: Usually I don't.

Typically, they are just their own people in my head. Though Rob Pattinson does creep into SOME of my descriptions. Can't help it. He's purdy.

S: I agree

he is very easy on the eyes

I have lost much time studying his visage

B: http://www.playlist.com/playlist/17549301259

S: Thanks!

we will add that link to the Q about music

B: My friend Jess hears all my ideas/ramblings early... reads early... and puts together excellent soundtracks (with very little input from me. Just yay's or nay's)

S: Good to have a second set of eyes

Was the story all planned out or did you do it as a fly by the seat of your pants thing?

B: All planned out. From start to finish before I started typing. Like I said... it's usually driving me crazy within a day of getting the idea and then it's like I have to write it.

S: WOW

We have to skip Q number 9 because it is for WIPs

Do you believe in HEA?

B: Absolutely

(Q courtesy of Mels) Give us a Random Fact about yourself.

B: I say fuck way too much for a Kindergarten teacher.

but never at school. LOL

S: BWHAHAHA

I have a kindergartner

he could probably out swear most adults

but it sounds like popeye

he mutters under his breath at his brothers

B: okay that's funny

S: we are working on that

B: I yam what I yam. Now fuck off? that sorta thing?

S: he is 4 of 5

KINDA

you ever see old Popeye cartoons from the 30s

he actually swears

in his mutterings

B: Guess I missed those

S: I pick that kinda stuff up

Give me a list of your current projects AND do you have any more fic plans in the future?

B: Right now I'm working on My Escort. Next... I'm supposed to be working on a vampy collab with a friend of mine. And I've promised my husband that I will spend some time getting back to my own original story that is collecting dust.

S: OHHH neat!

What brought you to fanfic? To Twilight?

B: I read the books because I kept hearing about Stephenie Meyer on the news. You know... she was going to be the next J.K Rowling and all that. So I wanted to check it all out. So I did.

Then I sorta fell into the online fandom stuff I suppose.

One night I was talking with some friends online, and telling them about my story (the one I just mentioned.) They told me I should try writing fanfic.

So about three days later I started writing Abbracciare Il Cantante.

Up until that point... I had only read one fanfic.

S: do you remember which one?

B: Wide Awake

S: OH my

That is kinda the intro fic for most people

What is your background in writing?

B: I didn't even know there WAS fanfic before that

S: I had never heard of FF till last Feb

B: I don't really have any background. I don't consider myself a writer. I'm creative... I'm a story teller. But I'm technical about writing... at all.

I'm NOT technical. See? Proof.

S: do you mean you are not technical about writing

I get it

cause I do that a lot

too

B: I type like I'm using my toes.

S: LOL

I tend to not use any punctuation my fingers get tabgled and I hit enter too fast

tangled

see??

B: yup/.

see?

S: exactly

OK this is a VERY silly Q purely for fun

do not take it seriously

cause I do not

FANTASY TIME

If you could have 15 minutes with any Edward FF or SM's, which one would you choose and what would you do? (If you do not LIKE any of the Edwards feel to substitute an actor here: Rob, Kellan, PFach or Jackson.)

B: let me make sure I'm understanding

I get 15 minutes alone with any FF Edward for what?

S: anything you want

B: you said "would you do" and I got confused.

S: which one would you choose and what would you do

we got another typo

B: Sheesh. Can I break the 15 minutes up for random FF Edwards?

S: SURE

B: LOL.

S: or take extra time

LOTS of people have

B: I would HUG Edward from an Introduction to Swirl and Daisy. Caravaggio Edward would get junk-punched by me right now. I'd go to a ballgame with the Edward from My Escort... you get the idea? There are a lot of talented writers who are putting out a lot of great Edwards to read!

S: I agree

B: And I am an Edward fan.

S: I think I would leave Carraggio Edward to stew in his own misery though

B: after I junk punched him

S: you KNOW he has a serious case of Catholic Guilt going on

but being the way he is the junk punch might make him feel better

B: that story makes me rage. Which... I think... is a good thing!

S: like he was performing pennance

see

I love it

any story that can bring about a visceral reaction like that

just wow

B: yes.

What is your FF pet peeve?

S: this is about the stories now

B: I read too much. So too many things are repeated. I HATE gross sex descriptions. Dripping folds...core.... anything that squirts is a no-no. And for God's sake... if I have to read that he "reached for a little foil packet" one more time I might fashion my own noose from a fucking condom. CONDOM. Just say it.

S: LOL

I read tons of fic too I have a list myself

B: I'm sure I do many things on the pet peeve list. Like this..... and this..... and I'm very fond of ..... LOL

S: I find the cliches that have become fandom cannon amusing

he smelled like a man and all that

B: hmm.

I TRY to avoid cliches that annoy Me, personally.

But some of them are just always gonna work for me. I guess it's like that for everyone

S: true

What is your Fandom pet peeve?

B: people who take this all so seriously. It's supposed to be fun. a hobby.

And I also get bothered by people who assume that everyone who writes fanfic must be horrible parents... have miserable relationships... and let their lives fall to shit around them

I have a full time job I love. I'm married to my best friend and I adore my child. Who is very well taken care of and the love of my life. If my dishes aren't done... it's because I don't feel like doing them right now. NOT because I am busy carving TWILIGHT into my leg because I'm some crazy person

S: BWHAHAHA

well I have 5 kids and run a small hobby farm

so I understand

this is my fun mommy time

and I read really fast

B: :) I write fast.

S: COOL

I go through too many books

I was spending LOADS of $ at amazon

so I have saved a ton reading FF

B: thrifty!

S: it is a frugal moms dream!

LOL

Which character do you Identify with the most? Any character who would you like to see yourself with? Either as buddies or more?

B: in my own story?

S: yes

B: Shit... lemme think

I think I have a litle of myself sprinkled in all of my characters.

My sense of humor is most like Jasper's. I'm stubborn like Bella. Very determined to "do the right thing" usually like Edward...

S: and which character would you like to see yourself with either as buddies or more

B: I would hang out with any of them. Even that Bella. She was fiesty.

Jasper... definitely. I would want a best friend like him

S: I like that Bella

B: I would have had a crush on Edward too.

S: and most I find annoying at times

Which RL author inspires you? Did any FF authors inspire you?

B: I like a lot of RL authors. None of them inspired me to start writing. Same with FF authors. Though now that I've read a bit, I am definitely inspired by some of them to want to be better.

I've pointed out a couple before... would you like me to do that now?

S: sure

B: Jennyfly writes description like nobody's business. She KNOWS her characters inside and out and describes imagery so well that I can see it myself when I'm reading. And Jandco freaks me out how she is able to pull me into any story so that I FEEL every bit of what she's writing.

I want people to SEE the world I'm describing. I want people to FEEL the emotions I'm putting in words. It's a lofty goal. But I'd like to do those things.

If you could ask any Twilight Cast member a Question who would you ask and what would your Question be?

B: Robert Pattinson. And I'd ask ... "Can I touch you?"

:)

S: LOL

where?

B: Anywhere. LOL. Just a little.

or not

S: *mindgutter*

B: GOOD

ha ha ha ha

S: YAY

we're there

Any Fic Recs for us?

B: I like reading things that are a little different and unusual. I love Elemental. And I adore the Cannabean Betrothal right now. An Introduction to Swirl and Daisy is refreshing and sweet. Loneliness Be Over is the only story I'm reading right now that isn't strictly E/B and I'm actually okay with that. And for canon goodness... I love Bloodlust by Kalejay.

S: OK last Q and it is a BIGGIE

S: you ready?

B: deep breath

Anything else you would like to add?

B: I can't really think of anything. Sorry. I'm lame.

S: That is OK

most people can't

B: I think it's really cool that you asked me to do this!

S: I am glad you had fun

I did too

it is a relatively painless process

B: Yep. I just don't take myself very seriously...

S: even though you made me cry

B: I'M SORRY for that

S: That is ok

B: For what it's worth... I STILL maintain it's a happy ending

S: but here I am happily reading funny

it was a HEA

and SLAP SLAP

you slaped me sadness

B: life is harsh and painful sometimes. Beauty can be found in how we come from that.

S: yes it is

which is what made the story stick with me

if you had not done that

it would not have been as good!

B: I had beautful and amazing stories shared with me after that

people who wanted to share similar experiences and stuff. It made me very proud to have connected to some people

S: neat!

and again I show my articulate side

B: Well Sue... It's very good to have met you. Say "hi" sometime. And please send a link if you decide to use the article. I'd love to read how spazzy I sound.

HA HA HA HA HA

S: OK hon

I will

B: thanks. Talk to ya later!

S: night

Sue's interview with Bratty-Vamp about 'The Best Man'