Random Interview: FwirlDaSkwirl

By Vitora

(My questions are in bold, and its [*sighs* long story] answers are in italics.)

What got you interested in the Redwall series?

They were recommended by a friend. I already liked Narnia and The Wind In the Willows, so I was of a temperament for Redwall—talking animals, you know. I read Bellmaker first, and while it took me a good few pages to get the gist of what this series was all about, once I was in I never looked back. I think Hon Rosie hooked me for good.

Which Redwall book was your favorite and why?

I would say it's a toss-up between Mossflower and Bellmaker. Bellmaker was my first Redwall book, and so it holds a lot of good memories. It's also a cracking good story. And there's Hon Rosie. Mossflower is really an amazing tale as well—in plot and characters I don't know that anything but Bellmaker can touch it in the series. Martin the Warrior usually ranks pretty high on my list, too, but it's not quite a favourite.

What was your first ROC experience like?

I would say it was one of the best I could have had. I lurked on the ROC for some months, checking it out and getting a feel for what to do and not to do. I was a pretty well-educated newbie—but sill a newb. I finally got up the nerve to start posting at Starfire's Redwall Abbey. *sniff* Starry's was a great site for newbies—the folks there were very friendly, and gave me good, gentle advice. I still hail with joy my compadres at Starry's, when I run across them.

Do you have any recommendations for newbies?

Research. Read the rules on lots and lots of places. Lurk forums for a long time before posting. If you're going to RP, read as many guides on the subj. as possible (I'd recommend, but the very best guide—the one that made me who I am today RP-wise—was Tari's RP Nexus, which is sadly no longer in existence). When you do start, start on one place. Get your bearings. Be polite—it pays—check your spelling and grammar. I know you're excited, but if you take it slowly you'll make not just a good impression, but also friendships that may last for years.

Are you much of a RPer? If so, what have been your experiences with this genre of writing and what advice do you have for other RPers?

I have been RPing in some form or another pretty much since I joined the ROC. My first character was fairly abysmal—Sellie Kaprix the albino rabbit. Her only flaw I can remember was "a fiery temper." I like to think I've grown a bit in that respect. I've done several kinds of RP over the years—from the fast-paced, present-tense RP on the Salamandastron Dance, to the more literary PALS-style RP that is in vogue in many places these days (I first learned it in QBI, and it's by far my favourite way to RP).

Advice? Hmm. Well, I can only give novice RPers the same advice I give newbies—research, take it slowly, check your spelling and grammar. More experienced RPers—well, the only thing I can say is keep at it. Keep yourself in practice. RP is a great way not only to play a game of make-believe, but also to hone your writing skills in general. I can also pass on my maxim for character creation: the more pathetic, the better. Except when it's not. Heh.

Who is your favorite author?

Just one? I can't really pick one. J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, Richard Adams, C.S. Lewis, Kenneth Graham... I could go on for hours. Heh.

What was it like to participate in QBI?

In a word: BRILLIANT. I got into that at the perfect time—I learned an amazing amount about writing and cooperation, and made friendships that have lasted unshaken through the years. My writing improved amazingly, and QBI was really the impetus that got me well into the ROC as a whole. I guess you could say it made me who I am today, online. Heh.

Someone walks up to you, hands you a million dollars, and runs away. What do you do with it?

Stare blankly. What does this mean? Is it a conspiracy? Is someone trying to get me in trouble? Is The Cabbage behind this? Should I panic? AAAAAAAAUGH! *runs amok*

Do you plan on revealing your true self at any point in time, or will you forever remain anonymous?

NO! YOU'LL NEVER GET ME YAAAAAAGH!

...

Well, more sanely... to the ROC as a whole, I have no plans to reveal my gender, appearance, location, or anything. Being the Secretive Fwirl is far too much fun. I have let slip a good deal of information to some of my ROC friends over time. But no, I much prefer remaining mysterious. It's the foundation of my infamy. Or something.

Do any of your characters have something to tell our readers?

What Theo Predderstaffen (who isn't a Redwall character at all, being human) has to say is completely unprintable. Fflewdur (from QBI) wants you all to know "Woohoo, an' up the dragonflies!" Wolky (from ROC:S2), if he was not dead, would probably say "What ho!" The others seem to be more or less taciturn, and—oh, wait. Gipsy? What's that? Oh, right. Gipsy Vanner the ratlady wants you all to know that if you see a pair of cherry-pits running about loose to please send them straight back to the oysters, who are frightfully worried.