Author Spotlight: il-bel-mondo
For this edition of Author Spotlight, SusanAshlea and I interviewed one of our favorite authors, as well as an all around awesome person, il-bel-mondo (IBL). IBL is the author of a awesome fic called A Silver Tongue. I was hooked on AST from the first chapter and squee every time I get an email update. IBL is an all around amazing writer. Her dialogue is whitty and sharp, her plot is engaging, and her lemons are HOT. It was a pleasure to interview IBL, and we hope you enjoy the interview just as much as we did!
Readers be warned, adult language is used in this interview. If you aren’t older than 17, you probably shouldn’t read.
Saluki: Could you tell me what inspired AST?
il-bel-mondo: I liked the idea of having a hard to get Bella, and an Edward that just wouldn’t take no for an answer. College kids have that kind of determination…all bravado and cockiness. The idea just swam around in my head about what it would have been like to go to college and major in poetry and Literature.
Susan: When did you start writing the story?
il-bel-mondo: I started writing it in July.
Saluki: The poetry in AST is very powerful, have you always written poetry?
il-bel-mondo: I have, I started writing poetry at a really early age..My mom says she can remember it as early as age 8.
Susan: Your poetry is amazing!
il-bel-mondo: blushes thanks. The last poem I had a reader suggest the song it was written to: KOL, Sex on Fire.
Saluki: that was awesome – I loved the juxtoposition of the poem and the song. I have to ask, is the character of Charlotte based on anyone we know? *lol*
il-bel-mondo: I do take parts of my Charlotte from different folks. I grew up in Texas and see “Charlotte” a lot, and then my Beta-bestie, Lexiecullen, brings about a lot of the crass humor.
Susan: Lexiecullen? Crass humor?
il-bel-mondo: Haha I know right? So hard to believe. I found my pervtastic twin in her and I love it.
Susan: What is your writing process?
il-bel-mondo: I started with a general outline of exactly what I wanted to happen in the story, and then with each chapter–as I start to write-I make a plot point list of what I want to hit and then build around it. Then after about 2k words Char jumps in mah sandbox and edits as I write.
Susan: Wow, that’s very organized
Saluki: I’m always amazed when writers tell me they outline their stories. I sit down and just write whatever and let the characters lead me.
il-bel-mondo: That’s awesome but with the hectic in my life I need lists and plans.
Saluki: that was one of my questions – how the heck do you find time to write with four babies!
il-bel-mondo: I have the most wonderful, amazing, supportive husband ever. He actually is who encouraged me to start writing ff, and he works late and stays up with the kids so that I can write. He ROCKS. He’s been a real blessing in my life. He also makes my banners.
Susan: I love your banner for AST.
il-bel-mondo: Oh, thank you he’s is a graphic design genius.
Saluki: Have you found the perfect man? He must have flaws. But, don’t tell me, I need to believe the fairy tale. *lol*
lisa plummer: Nope, no flaws he’s perfect *grins*
Susan: Clone him and ship him to Southern IL.
il-bel-mondo: Hehehe, I think I wanna keep him for myself, Sorry <–super selfish
Susan: *grumble grumble* Okay, serious question: Do you listen to music while you write? What kind of music inspires you the most?
il-bel-mondo: Yes I do. It depends on what I’m writing. Smut=R&B sexy time music…every time. My stalker is usually Avenge Sevenfold, Buckcherry, or some 90′s grunge rock. The rest of the plot can jump from today’s top 40, to a random mix of crazy.
Susan: One thing I love about your writing: smut. Your smut pretty awesome. Did it come easily for you?
il-bel-mondo: Wow, I used to be so scared of writing it. The first attempt was in my I love the 80′s music contest. But after that I was pretty comfortable with it…it has become one of the easiest things for me to write. But then erotic poetry was always my easiest thing to write.
Saluki: Smut is easier for me to write than anything else.
il-bel-mondo: Smut is easy because I just picture it in my head and write…plot…eh, my characters have a habit of misbehaving and not doing what I want them to.
Saluki: How many more chapters do you envision for AST?
il-bel-mondo: I see 4 more with an epi, but I know that I’m a wordy bitch and it may run a touch longer. So, 5 if I stay on track.
Saluki: I think I know who ? is. I think it’s that creepy campus rent a cop.
il-bel-mondo: hmmm, I won’t spill on it .But I will say that the next chap has the stalker making their move and the chap after is the reveal.
Susan: What was the first fic you ever read, and what made you want to write fan fic?
lisa plummer: Sacrifices, by Enthralled was the first fic I read. I think she just updated after a hiatus. And I loved reading it but found myself starting stories that I just couldn’t finish, I’d fuss to hubs about it, and he was all “well, if you don’t like what you read…write your own.”
Susan: Who is your favorite character to write?
il-bel-mondo: I love, love, love to write from Edward’s pov. Oddly, I also like to write smut from his pov…there may be a correlation there.
Saluki: hahaha – do you find it easier/harder or no difference to write smut from male POV?
il-bel-mondo: I find it easier. I think because I tend to write more graphic, and I like the words cock and pussy…it feels more like I’m in a guy’s head.
Susan: How did you discover Fan fic?
il-bel-mondo: I read all 4 books in the Twilight Saga in a little over a week, found Midnight Sun on SM’s website, read it and wanted more…So I searched for info on Twilight from EPOV and fan fiction was at the top of the Google list.
Susan: That is almost my exact story.
Saluki: I think a lot of people stumbled on to fan fic like that…after I finished the series, I just wanted more. Of course, Sue found fan fic and sucked me into the addiction.
il-bel-mondo: Yay to peer pressure!
Speaking of peer pressure, I think you should all vote for Il-bel-mondo’s story, A Silver Tongue, in the Best Secondary Characterization & Best AH story that knocks you off your feet categories. You know you want to…DO IT! VOTE HERE
Thanks so much for taking the time to sit down with us. We had a lot of fun. We wish you the best in the Indies!
Hey girls, thanks so much for doing this interview I had a blast chatting with y’all! <3
what? me? crass! you fuckers don’t know what you’re talking about …. *snickers* ok, well, maybe i am a little bit ;)