Tuesday, November 1, 2011

November 2011: BriAnna





Qui: Welcome to this month’s edition of RWN’s Featured Author of the Month!

Jilly: Our new studio is up and running, as you've seen in our piece on our newest Mod, Jazen. But…due to technical difficulties…



Qui: Technical difficulties? You call this a technical difficulty? Friends, we’re here in the Nirvana Airport’s DETAINMENT Room, and the RWN jet is in QUARANTINE while it’s being swept for explosives! EXPLOSIVES!

Jill: We’ll just let Daijah explain it. She’s currently under observation at the Nirvana Mental Health Care facility. Lucky for us, they have cameras in all the rooms to keep an eye on their patients, just like the airport has security cameras in here. Our wonderful camera men were clever enough to be able to patch us all together. Daijah? Are you there?



DJ: Mental Health Care? The only things mental in this facility are these goons! I was joking – haven’t you guys ever heard a joke before? One little joke about a bomb, and the freakin’ S.W.A.T. team comes out of the woodwork! They were on me like gravy on Thanksgiving turkey, and the next thing I know, I’m in cuffs and dragged here!

Jill: I’m sure they’ll realize this was all just one big misunderstanding, but we’re left with a little problem – well, besides trying to make sure Daijah doesn’t go to federal prison…

Qui: Because the RWN jet is grounded, We weren't able to fly our Featured Author in for the show. We're going live to the Australia National Airport to explain all this to our only available and/or unincarcerated mod, Karima. A local news crew Down Under has agreed to link up our video feed. Karima? Are you with us?



Karima: Yes, Jilly and Qui, we’re here! It’s a good thing we each have our own credit card on the corporate RWN account! I was able to make arrangements to bring our FA here! May I introduce The Featured Author for November...

~BriAnna!~




Bri: Thank guys! Flying out to Australia - what an adventure!



DJ: Hey! Don’t forget me! I’m having an adventure, too!

Small Orderly: You quiet down there, Miss, or we’ll have to sedate you again.

DJ: I’m sorry. You’re right. Why don’t you come over here, and we can shake hands and make nice? What do you say? Hmmm?

Small Orderly: Did you growl? I think she just growled at me!



Jilly: Dai, maybe you should stop scaring the nice people there so they’ll let you out, and we can all get through this. In the meantime, we need to figure out how to make this up to BriAnna – it’s not fair that her time in the spotlight has turned into a train wreck.

Qui: Make that plane wreck.



Officer: What was that?

Qui: I said ‘claim check’, officer. Clearly, this isn’t going to be worked out anytime soon, so we’ll just have to reschedule the interview. Karima, why don’t you use the company credit card and take our FA out for a nice lunch, get her a hotel room, and we’ll get her back home tomorrow.



Karima: (turns credit card over in her hands) I’m sure we can still work this out! We can just wing it – I’m sure some wonderful opportunity will present itself!

Jilly: Karima, what are you thinking?

Qui: I don’t like the way she’s looking at that card…



DJ: You! Skinny orderly! I’m going to kill you first. Then I’m going to rip your arm off and shove it up the big guy’s…



Karima: This is Aussie Karima reporting live from Qantas Airlines concourse. Our wonderful cameramen worked us up a live feed on really short notice, so we’re right as rain! Since we have everything we need to do the interview, I say we go ahead with it!

Bri: I really am appreciative of this! Thank you all so much for taking the time to interview me! And I get to see Australia, too? You guys are great!

Karima: Glad to do it! And that’s just the beginning!

Qui: The beginning? But Karima, how are we going to do this when we’re scattered all over the world?

Jilly: BriAnna, look out!



Axel: Oh! Excuse me!

Bri: No, it was my fault; I wasn’t looking –



Coach Lex: Axel! I told you to slow down! I'm sorry ladies, are you OK?

Karima: Well g’day! Would you care to tell our audience who you two are and where you handsome blokes are headed off to?

Coach: Um…sure. I’m Coach Johnson – Lex Johnson from Maclagan Mee High, and this is our star player, captain of the Maclagan Mee Marsupials, Axel Martin. We’ve been sent plane tickets from colleges all over the world that want to recruit Axel here to play for their school. We’re on our way to tour a few of them.

Karima: And how does your wife feel about you being so far away?

Coach: Oh, I’m single, so no worries there. Just haven’t found the right Sheila, I guess. So we’re off to see the world a bit, just the two of us.

Karima: What a coincidence! I’m escorting my niece, BriAnna here, to do the exact same thing!



Jilly: WHAT?

Qui: WHAT?



DJ: Listen, goons. I have your names. I can find out where you live. When I get out of here…



Bri: WHAT? I don’t want –



Axel: Maybe we can sit together on the plane?

Bri: I don't...I don’t want to be late! We should get going.

Karima: Right you are, Bri. We'll do the interview from each destination! You, camera men. You can come with us, can’t you? My company will pay for everything.



Qui: Karima, I think we need to discuss this…

Jilly: And we’ll have that discussion during this word from our sponsors. * whispers 'Karima, are you nuts?'



DJ: Nuts? I’ll show you nuts…

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And now, it looks like we’re back to the uh...show?


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This is Karima again, and while we’re waiting for our flight, I thought we could start the interview rolling right here at the airport.

BriAnna: You really got us booked on every single flight the guys are on? Are we really flying around the world?

Karima: When money is no object, you can make anything happen! I’ve even pulled in enough tickets for the whole camera crew! Now, our first question is-

Jilly & Qui: NO OBJECT??? The WHOLE crew???



Karima: Before I was rudely interrupted, where was I? Let’s start here. Where do you get the inspiration for your stories? Do they come from real life, other sources, or do you just make them up?

BriAnna: Pretty much all three. I tend to get my inspiration from music and just everyday life. It might either be something my friends or family are going through, or a powerful lyric in a song. 'Save Him' has many real life situations; we just don’t like to think that cruel things like that can actually happen to today’s youth. That was a combination of things – real world issues and a song. ‘Save Him’ came from the song by Justin Nozuka; one of my favorite songs. The song is basically the whole entire plot of ‘Save Him’ – but Shhh! I didn’t tell you that!

Karima: Don’t worry, your secret is safe here at RWN! What about your other stories?

BriAnna: 'Four' is based on real life issues too, and a few other things. 'Golden Flames' is basically made up from the top of my head. I saw the Fairy Tale Challenge Qui implemented and all the epic stories out there, so I wanted to take the challenge! There’s no motive for that one, just a take on Goldilocks and the Three Bears.



Karima: Those are all great stepping stones. What about the characters and plots?

BriAnna: Typically when I’m writing, I try to develop the background of a character, because that’s the driving force for me in writing out their present. And sometimes, I just wing it!

Karima: Great idea! I may use that myself! When you write, do you do it as an escape from reality, or just to put your fanciful ideas into words?

BriAnna: Both! None of my friends know this side of me, so when I get into my publishing/writing mode, I’m unstoppable! It’s like my brain has opened up and fully allows my thoughts to run wild.

Karima: And we enjoy taking that trip with you! How long have you been writing?

BriAnna: I was writing long before ‘Save Him’ – I’m talking a notepad and pencil! I think I was in the seventh grade.



Karima: And that concludes the first round of questions, since they’re calling our flight and we need to get back inside! We’re going to leave you to some local programming until we reach our first college campus. We’ll reveal the location when we come back!



Jilly: Do you believe this is happening? What are we going to do?

Qui: All I know is we can’t do a thing while we’re stuck in here. First things first, we need to charm this guard, pick up Jazen from her Chuck Norris Appreciation class, and go spring Daijah!

Jilly: Oh, I’m ALL over this! Hey…you…with that, uh, …big gun…and your, um, shiny badge. And those shoes! Where did you get those shoes? They are FABULOUS!

Qui: Um, yeah. Jilly, there’s an interesting poem carved into the tabletop – something about Nantucket? Why don’t you come check that out and let me show you how it’s done?

Jilly: That’s not a poem, it’s a limerick! I know this one! ‘There once was a man from Nantucket…’



Qui: Officer, I’m so sorry we put you through all this trouble. We know you’re only doing your job, and the world is a better place because of heroes like you. Maybe we can kill some time here while they sort this whole thing out. I’d love to hear about the things you do here to keep us all safe…

~~A few hours later…..~~




Karima: Here we are at the lovely campus of Bridgeport University! While our new friends are having their interview, we’ll enjoy the grounds and do another round of questions in Bri's.

BriAnna: Sounds great! You might want to hurry though, they might come out anytime, and we told them we were having an interview, too!

Karima: That’s my girl…

Jilly: We’re going to pass the next round to Daijah, since I’m guessing she’ll be heavily medicated before too long. Daijah?





Karima: Hmm...looks like we're experiencing a little technical difficultiy...so please enjoy this banner until we can get word on what may have happened over there!

BriAnna: She probably went forward with those threats!

Karima: Shh don't be silly! (she's probably right...)



Karima: OK, well, maybe we'll just head on over to...

Daijah: Wait! I'm here! I'm here!



Karima: Is everything OK? Is this a good time?

Daijah: Yes, now’s a good time. They finally left the room, so let’s move along, since I don’t know when they’ll be back. Is there a special place you like to do your writing? Anything you do to set the tone and find the Zone?

BriAnna: Alone in my room, surfing the web with my music on. I don’t want any distractions, so the TV stays off, and other than my music, SILENCE! The perfect situation for ideas to arise!



Daijah: Sure, Some people like that feeling of isolation, locking themselves away.. No one to talk to…. Anyway, what challenges do you face when writing?

BriAnna: The Curse of Writer’s Block! I hate when I’m in the middle of a good story, and suddenly, I don’t know where to take it. Another thing I hate while I’m writing is trying to find that perfect word that will bring everything together. I know what it is, but I can’t remember it to save my life!



Daijah: Sometimes that perfect word makes all the difference. That reminds me…I’ll be right back.

BriAnna: Dai, what are you doing by the door?

Daijah: Hey! I know you can hear me you gutless, limp ****s! When you come back here, you better have my clothes and a HUGE apology!

Bri: Do you think that was a good idea?

Daijah: They just need to be put in their place. It’s all good. Anyway, back to the interview…Do you plot the story before hand, or do you play it by ear?

BriAnna: I do a little bit of both. I try to plot it out before I write so I can convince myself that ‘this will be the one I finish!’. Then I usually end up thinking of a new better idea half way in and play it from then on.

Daijah: So sometimes you second guess yourself?

BriAnna: Very much so. Every time I reread what I wrote, I always think, ‘yeah, this is crap.’ Sometimes I even fear sharing it with the public. Speaking of second guessing yourself, look behind you. Those orderlies are back and they don’t look happy at all!

Dai: Not to worry. I know how to handle these brainless wonders…



Karima: I hate to cut in, but the boys are coming out of their interview now, and we need to hit the road to make the next flight! We’ll leave you with a quick word from our sponsors:

****************************************************************

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****************************************************************



Small orderly: Miss, you’re disturbing the other patients. We need you to calm down until we can get someone in here to evaluate you.

Dai: You’re right. I’m sorry. Why don’t you come a little closer and we’ll hug it out.



Small orderly: I don’t like the way she’s looking at me…Oh my God! She’s trying to kill me! Help!!!

Daijah: Oh, that’s right. Sic the big guy on me you little worm! You think I’m afraid of you? Bring it on!

Small orderly: We’re trying to help you! If you’ll just calm down –

Daijah: Calm down? CALM DOWN? You want calm? You’re going to be so calm they’ll be checking for your pulse!



Big orderly: I’ve got her – give her the shot!

Dai: I will find you. I will find both of you. *yawn…and when I do….*yawn...I’ll...I’ll...I’ll just lay down here and take a little rest. Nighty Nite. Don’t let the...bugs…Zzzzzz

~~…A few Hours Later…~~




Karima: Well here we are in Sunny Sunset Valley, in the Athletic Department of SSVU. The boys got out of the interview earlier than expected, so they’re going to sit in with us for the next round. Who’s up?



Jilly: Qui’s still busy with RoboCop over there, so I’ll take the next round. BriAnna, When I first met you, I was very surprised to find that you were actually from the US of A. Your Norweigian Detective in ‘Four’ was so realistically portrayed, and you were a completely believable middle aged man –I mean that as a compliment! What made you set your story in a foreign country? Is there a special reason you chose that particular country?

Bri: Don’t worry – I’m not offended! I was tired of the standardized U.S. - *giggle I just wanted to be different and go out on a limb. The idea for ‘Four’ came from CSI: Miami – one of my favorite detective shows, and also some inspiration from the book ‘The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo’. I don’t know…something just clicked in my head when I read it, and the rest is history!



Jilly: ‘Save Him’ was probably the most hard-hitting, gut-wrenching stories I’ve seen. Your depiction of life on the seedier side was horrifying, and the character’s voices were so strong. How did you get insight into that world?

BriAnna: Five words…’Save Him’ by Justin Nozuka. 


****************************************************************
That song spoke VOLUMES to me. Once you all listen to it, you’ll understand. I couldn’t help but tell the tale of the girl in that song. It struck a nerve in my heart.

Jilly: You’re right about that – what a song! I’d never heard of him, so thanks for turning us on to him! In 'Golden Flames', you manage to have two different plots going – Ellyn’s new life with this family, and her past as Mackenzie, and they seem to be on a collision course. Is it hard to write something so plotty? Any tricks you can share?

BriAnna: Hmmm. To me, not really. I already have Ellyn’s past planned out. The hard part is just trying to plan the future! My advice on doing a double plot would be to have one part planned out COMPLETELY. You cannot change it, or it will mess up everything. I mean, there’s always room to tweak a few things, but nothing major.

Jilly: So…Isaiah or Gabriel?

BriAnna: Definitely both of them…at the same time! But if I had to choose, it would be Isaiah.

Jilly: *mumble my Gabe will give him a fight…

BriAnna: I missed that – what did you say?

Jilly: I said maybe you’re right! And that brings us to the end of this segment. After this short commercial break, we’ll be back live with Bri and Karima.

****************************************************************



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And here we are on the grounds of the prestigious University of Riverview, our last stop of the day. Coach Lex is going to teach us a little about astrology before the bonfire, then it's back to the hotel for us. *Did you know they have a hot tub there?
Ahem - ! Qui, I believe you’re up?

Qui: Perfect timing! I’ve just convinced the guard to give us our walking papers. While we’re waiting, we can knock this out. BriAnna, a lot of people prefer doing stories with Sims 2 over Sims 3. Why did you choose that road?

BriAnna: I think it’s because I fell in love with TS2 first, and it’s more lifelike to me. Plus, I’m more familiar with it, so it’s easier to use.

Qui: What do you love most about the Sims?

Bri: It’s my escape from the real world. My simself can have $654135121 dollars, a family, and the perfect career. Seeing that gives me something to aim for in life!

Qui: Our Simselves do have it made. That’s a really great way to look at it – like an inspiration. Do you have other stories planned?

Bri: As a matter of fact, I do, but I won’t be starting it any time soon. I already have three stories going on at once, so I don’t need any more angry fans!

Qui: Speaking of fan anticipation, please say you’re going to finish your other stories!



Bri: Yeah, they’ll all be finished. That is a promise!

Qui: You write some pretty heavy stuff! Do you ever wirte anything lighter? Comedy, mild drama, romance?

Bri: I love romances, but you can go and get bubbly happy romances anywhere. When I write, I write to be different so I can give my audience something different to read that will hopefully grab their attention. I might write something lighter in the future, but I doubt it.

Qui: Believe me, you’ve grabbed our attention all right! About how long do you spend on writing a chapter?

Bri: If I wake up in “story mode”, and my day doesn’t contain anything exciting, then I start writing. Sometimes, if I’m on a roll, I’ll write two or three chapters at a time. Then when I feel like like waiting for my game to load, I’ll open it and start the picture process. Typically when I’m writing, I have a specific idea of the picture I want to associate with the written text. In the summer, it usually takes a whole day, but right now, it’s days. I have to write and take pictures on two different days.

Qui: Now some personal questions…

Bri: These weren’t personal?

Qui: Well, these are more about BriAnna the person and not BriAnna the author. What kind of movies, books or TV shows do you like? I know you mentioned CSI: Miami and “Dragon Tattoo" earlier. What else catches your eye?

Bri: For movies, I’m a sucker for a good romance. Today, my favorite is ‘Love and Other Drugs’. As far as TV goes…pretty much anything entertaining or humorous. Right now, I love ‘Operation Repo’. And books, again, sucker for romance! That’s really all I read. It would have to be something extremely interesting for me to read it if it doesn’t involve romance. My most recent read was ‘Love in Darkness’. EXCELLENT book.

Qui: I know how hard it is to balance school and RL. Do you have any time to just kick back and have fun?

Bri: Oh, of course! If I’m not screaming my lungs out at a football or basketball game, then I’m with a big group of friends acting stupid in the middle of the road! *lol

Qui: What career path are you planning - how much longer do you have in school?

Bri: Nursing. With this being my last year in High School, I’m at the cusp of college life!





Well, here come our dates, so that’ll wrap up our interview for November’s Featured Author of the Month! BriAnna, it was really great spending time with you, and I can’t wait to hear all about your dinner with Axel!



Qui: Dates? Are we paying for those too?

Karima: Silly girl, a gentleman ALWAYS pays!

Jilly: BriAnna, thank so much for your time, and we’re so sorry that this interview was so delayed! You have the patience of a saint!

Bri: I really am appreciative of this! Thank you all so much for taking the time to interview me! You guys are great, and I hope you’re released from custody really soon!





This is Karima and BriAnna…and Coach Lex and Axel...



Jilly and Qui, and Daijah…?



Qui: Well I’m sure if she were still conscious, she’d say how great it was to have you, Bri. Luckily for us, Karima gave you our gift back at the airport! For those at home, Karima specially made your gift – a RWN T-Shirt for Sims 2, and a sim made by Karima to use any way you see fit! Thanks again!



Jilly: This is Rebel Writer’s Nirvana TV signing off! *Did anyone remember to pick up Jazen? Anyone?



A Ranger never forgets...
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