Sue's Interview with LadyGwynedd, Author of The Exchange Student

I am VERY nervous writing this, for a couple of reasons

1. We all know how horrible my grammar and spelling and all around writing is.
2. This author, well, I like her AU human stories, I really do. And I wanna impress her because, well, she writes another fic I love, and I wanna interview her again.
3. She teaches High School! Eekk! I would like to think that I am smart, but my writing does not show my intelligence, so I think impressing her in this way is not going to happen! LOL

What do I like about this fic?

Well lets see...

• An Edward with an accent
• A blue collar Bella
• An evilish MIL
• And an all around sweet fic about falling in love

The Exchange Student by LadyGwynedd

Summary: He's simply an exchange student looking for a decent cup of tea and Bella provides it. She thinks he's completely perfect. When he finds himself in a jam, she offers to help him out; however, they are both soon way over their heads.Will true love prevail?

Exchange student reminds me a bit of the movie, The Green Card, but not enough to call it a cross over. A young pair of friends decide to get married so he can stay in the states.

This talks not just about the lengths they go to to prove that they are legitimately married, but also the process that Bella goes through discovering that this great guy actually loves her.

My favorite part would have to be their first fight, as a married couple. Before that, they are so polite to each other, like new roommates, but a fight over something simple like how to prepare a certain dish for dinner.

*giggle* Ahh, the joys of being married...



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What was it that gave you the ‘spark’ for your story? Was it a picture? A moment or event? Can you remember the initial inspiration?

I think that I had listened to a darling interview with Rob Pattinson talking about his role in Twilight and his accent just slayed me. So, I started thinking about how dreamy it would be to have an English Accented Edward Cullen and how that would work, and so there came "The Exchange Student."

Do you have a particular process when it comes to your writing, perhaps a certain mood, environment or music? Do you have any ‘triggers’ to get you in the writing mood?

I just get a thought about a story and start extrapolating it. If I get far enough that I need to write something down, then I know I have a story. It is spontaneous and nothing I can force, I've found.

Give us an elevator pitch. Say you’re in an elevator with a prospective reader for 2 minutes – what would you tell them about the story?

I'd only have to say four words: English Accented Edward Cullen.

Do you picture particular actors for your characters, or are they someone else entirely? If so, who?

I suppose my Bella resembles Kristen Stewart and my Edward resembles Rob Pattinson but in a very distant second cousin once removed way. They take on a personality of their own distinct from SM's work and the movie's interpretation of it. By the time I have reached the second chapter, my characters are unique unto themselves.

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

I have a general plan or out line but I know a story is really working when the character starts writing him/herself.

Have you got any other projects going on? Any planned for the future?

I am writing The Mail Order Bride right now. I am not sure what is up for the future. I write as the spirit moves me.

What was it that brought you to Twilight fanfic? What is it that has kept you here (besides your own writing)?

I fell in stalkery compulsive mode with the Twilight Saga and was gobbling up anything I could find on it. I've had a live journal for ten years and I read on there that there was a community called Lion_and_Lamb. On that community, I found links to fanfictions that had been written about the saga and was entranced.

I am still a newbie to fanfic but I have met some really wonderful people here. It's been great. Plus I have a bunch of fics I am following and I have to see how they turn out.

Do you have a background in writing? Has the fanfic experience expanded your creativity?

I don't have a background in writing unless you consider writing educational curricula a background. I love the creative exercise and am very happy to be doing it.

How about your creative self-confidence? By nature writers tend to be a notoriously insecure lot so how are you finding the online writing experience?

I write to please myself. I write what I'd like to read. If there are others out there who like what I write, I am thrilled. Their encouragement spurs me to continue but I've learned that unless I write for myself first, I can't be true to the creative spark that started it in the first place.

Do you tell your friends and family that you’re an online author with a devoted following, or is this something that you tend to keep for yourself?

Do I have a devoted following? That's really sweet to hear. I am not sure I do, though. There are some people who like to read my story is all. They are pretty wonderful people.

My family thinks I am nuts but they are proud of me. I think they wish I'd spend less time on the computer and more time doing laundry, though.

Is there a particular character in your story that you identify with the most?

I think I identify with all of them to some degree, even Esme. I am the mother-in-law in one young man's life but I try not to be so bad that I try to separate my daughter from him. I know how frustrated Edward feels when he's tried every which way to communicate something important only to be doubted. I know how feeling so unworthy of someone's love you tend to doubt the obvious, like Bella.

Which RL author(s) inspires you?

I guess I'd have to get a shout out to Stephenie Meyer for creating the characters that I've preempted.

I have had a huge crush on JRRTolkien since the 70s. I love Sue Grafton's mysteries. Jane Austen has always been a favorite. The list is long but not really surprising.

Did any FF authors inspire you? What was it that had you reading FF and thinking “I could do this”?

Rochelle Allison is an amazing author. I love her stuff. I don't think reading a FF author got me thinking "I could do this." It was more, I'd like to tell the Twilight story the way I wanted to and that set me off.

Let’s have some fun. What would your porn star name be? That’s the name you get when you combine the name of your first pet with the first street you lived on – personally I’m *cough*Jaques Lincoln.

Ginger Margaret. Although Margaret Street wasn't my first address. I was only four months old when we moved there. I'll have to call my 86 year old mother and explain why I needed to know this. Okay. Back from the phone call. My name would be Ginger Stanhope but my mother's would be better -- Big Boy Maltby.

Give us a Random Fact about yourself.

I used to work in the Pentagon when I was in college. Yes, that Pentagon.

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)

I would LOVE to sit down with Rob Pattinson and give him some motherly advice. (All the while drooling in an unhealthy way over his perfection.)

I would give him motherly advice too.


Tie your shoes, comb your hair, button your shirt, you can't go out looking like that!

What is your FanFic Pet peeve?


Taking a million years to update but then, perhaps those authors have a more balanced life than I do.

What is your Fandom Pet peeve?


While I love my reviewers, I get a little peeved when they tell me how my story should go.

What did you want to be when you grow up?


What I am -- a Teacher and a Mom and a Wife.

Anything else you would like to add?

I am honored you would like to learn about me and my writing. Thank you very much.


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There you have it, folks. Another sweet low-angsty read for you, that has some lovely images to take your mind off your troubles.

This was a good read. A nice escape AND, best of all, it is complete.

So if you are looking for some fluff, that is fun, read The Exchange Student, and don't forget to leave some lovin' for the author!

Sue's Interview with LadyGwynedd, Author of The Exchange Student