Author Spotlight: Bonnysammy

Posted by Susan in Author Spotlight | 1 comment

Hello again readers! Today’s edition of The Proud PG-13 features bonnysammy, the author of one of my favorite AU stories at the moment: Lost Cause.

Lost Cause tells the story of Bella, a 30-something woman who one day wakes up in the woods as a teenager, not knowing who she is, where she is or how she got there.  The Cullens happen upon her and take her in for the night, only to end up falling in love with her and adopting her, and helping her find out her identity.  Of course, along the way, there are bumps and potholes to navigate, all by the name of Edward.  Bella’s relationship progression with the Cullens seems a little more natural and the vampire reveal is a bit more believable than in the actual books.

Because I enjoy Lost Cause so much, I begged bonnysammy to sit down with me and answer some questions about her writing.  Check it out, she is on smart cookie!

SusanAshlea: Okay, first things first: Where did you get the idea for Lost Cause?

bonnysammy: That’s a hard to answer fully without giving key plot points. I can say that certain quotes from the books have given me ideas. The first quote is from the end of New Moon. It’s where Edward tells Bella that the Volturi might not think of her until she was 30.  So I thought what if Bella was 30? In many ways, the original character is already old beyond her years.

Susan: When did you first read the Twilight novels?

bonnysammy: I started Twilight in November of 2008. Of course I started with the audiobook. When I realized I wouldn’t be able to listen to the CD long enough, I rushed out and bought the book (the same day). I stayed up until 4 a few nights reading! That’s not a smart thing to do when you have an 18 month old and work full time! But I was engrossed.

Susan: wow! Did you read all 4 books back to back?

bonnysammy: Yes. As soon as I finished one, I rushed out and bought the next. I was almost depressed when I finished Breaking Dawn. Then I found the extras on SM’s website, including Midnight Sun (which I love). Later I found all the videos for the movie. After that, I was on IMDB looking at info for the movie, and I found fan fiction.

Susan: Do you remember the first fan fic you read?

bonnysammy: Of couse. IMDB had threads that listed Wide Awake and fan fic. I’d never heard of fan fic before (I lead a sheltered life). So, yes it was Wide Awake. Next was Dark Side of the Moon. Those were my gateway drugs.

Susan: do you have a particular type of Fan fic you like to read?  like AH, alternate POV’s, etc?

bonnysammy: I’m mostly a canon/AU reader, though there are some AH I read. I love EPOVs that are canon. I’m a sucker for that character.

Susan: aside from Edward, who is your favorite character?

bonnysammy: I’d have to say Bella. I know a lot of people are down on her because she appears weak and fairly bland. Though I can see how people would come to that conclusion, I see something else. When reading first person fic, you have to remember that the narrator is flawed. We do not get all the facts; we get the facts as the narrator sees them. Bella has very little self-confidence. Her view of herself and her world is skewed, much as everyone else’s is. But she’s actually pretty strong. She’s loyal, brave (would you go to certain death to prevent someone else’s), smart, funny (I’m sarcastic by nature and sometimes pick up on sarcasm that might not be there), etc.  Her major flaw is her lack of self esteem, closely followed by how much she lets Edward get away with. She wouldn’t let anyone else do that. But again, her view on him is skewed, too. He’s not as perfect as she sees him. But she’s not as perfect as he sees her, either.

Susan: Is Lost Cause the first fan fic you wrote?

bonnysammy: Yes, it’s the first thing I’ve written other than papers for school. I’ve never tried creative writing. Everything else I’ve tried has been terrible.

Susan: what made you want to write fan fic?

bonnysammy: I enjoyed reading it. And the ideas for LC kept flitting around in my head. I’d be at work and an idea would hit me. At first I thought I’d just write it down for me, so I wouldn’t lost the ideas. I never thought I’d have the courage to actually post it.

Susan: when did you start writing?

bonnysammy: The ideas started over a year ago. But I didn’t actually start writing until June, I think. I wrote it on loose leaf paper. I figured I could hide that better than a Word doc on my old laptop.

Susan: what is your writing process? Outlines, no outlines, music, no music, etc.?

bonnysammy: I have a very rough outline, but it’s been kind of falling apart lately. The characters are starting to take over. There are certain things that are going to happen, the timing is now up in the air. I have certain parts already written out. Some of those parts are far in the future. If I get blocked, I sometimes write a part of story that hasn’t come yet to get past where I’m stuck. I use music as inspiration, but I normally listen to it first. If I try to listen while I’m writing, I get distracted and start singing or focusing on the lyrics. I have background music, but it’s usually not to set the mood, just for sound. I have to say WCs are a god send. I sometimes need the “competition” to force myself to focus.

Susan: I agree about the WCs. It’s very motivating.  You have several different outtakes for Lost Cause. Who is your favorite character to write?

bonnysammy: I feel most comfortable writing Bella, that’s why the main is in her POV. I had a lot of fun with the others, so it’s hard to pick. Alice is just great to write but I feel I have to keep the energy level up pretty high, so it’s sometimes intense. Rosalie was cool. I didn’t want to make her a total bitch; she isn’t. But letting some anger out was fun, too. Tanya was a way to incorporate a fun, kind of flirty character. I’ve written an Esme POV, too that isn’t posted yet. She’s hard. I can’t really get into her mindset too much. Of all the extras, though, I think Edward is the one I like to write the most. But he’s also the hardest. It’s difficult to write a male perspective and not come off too feminine. I don’t think I succeed sometimes, but I keep trying. Plus readers have such a strong idea of what canon Edward is like, so writing him is a lot to live up to. I’m trying to keep my characters as close to canon as the story allows.

Susan: Let’s talk PG-13…we have had discussions about how difficult we find writing lemons. But you finally did and it was great! How do you feel about it now that you’ve come through to the other side?

bonnysammy: I’m still going to stay mainly PG-13. I think it limits my reader pool but it’s where I’m comfortable. I still don’t think the lemon was that good, but I needed to push beyond my comfort boundaries. I may try again… maybe even in extra for LC, I’m not sure yet. It would be in BPOV; I couldn’t write sex as a guy. I already have a Bella extra that will be posted next month. I wrote it for the Haiti compilation. So there will already be extras from B. I just need to psych myself up.

Susan: what fics are you reading right now?

bonnysammy: I have so many on my list. Two of my favorites are Dark Side of the Moon (well, anything by blondieakarobin) and Ithaca is Gorges. I talk about them all the time. Ones I’m reading right now are: The American Vampire Series, I Don’t Believe in Vampires, Ethan Church, Bright Like the Sun, Metamorphosis, No Choice, Monster’s Serenade, Embodiment, Hide and Drink, How to Save a Life… the list goes on and on. I have over 300 on my fave list! (Yes, I’m blushing at that confession)

Susan: wow! How do you keep up?

bonnysammy: I’m a quick reader. Plus many of them haven’t updated recently. lol

Susan: So, do you have any teasers you want to share?

bonnysammy:  Okay, this is far off… completely uneditted and seen by only one other person .

He stared deeply into my eyes, then scanned my face a few times, searching for something. I’m not sure what he was looking for or what he saw there. His eyes became soft as they met mine again. His lips pressed into a hard line and he took a deep breath. It looked almost like he would cry if that were possible. His actions were contradictory and completely confusing.

I was about to ask what he was thinking when at that moment, he pulled my face closer to his. I had never been this close to him, and I was beginning to feel woozy. It was not unpleasant, not in the slightest. He rested his cheek against mine and his lips flitted against my ear as his breath chilled me. I was sure he’d said something but I couldn’t tell what. I heard him breathe deeply though his nose and I closed my eyes as he slowly pulled his face back, trailing his lips along my cheek.

He left a burning path where his mouth had just been and an electric current pulsed out from the route, filling me with the warmth I had been yearning for. His snail’s pace was torturous, almost agonizing and terribly confusing. I had no idea what he was doing. All I knew was that I liked it and wanted more. I could gladly drown in the feeling he was leaving behind.

Reflexively, I leaned my cheek into him, causing him to stop moving suddenly. An uncontrollable moan left my lips at his lack of movement. I wanted more of whatever he was willing to give. After a few seconds, he drew a deep shuddery breath and began his trail again.

His lips reached the edge of mine and he hesitated. He pulled back slightly. I could no longer feel the chill of his skin against mine and I sighed, missing the sensation.

“Bella, open your eyes,” he said, his voice sounding more sultry than usual, drawing me in like a siren’s call. I would refuse nothing for this man.

My eyes fluttered open to see him staring at me intensely.

“Do you want this?” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.

Yes, I want you to kiss me. I want you, all of you. All you’re willing to give.

Beneath my lust-filled thoughts, I realized that there was something in his eyes telling me that hi question was beyond the tiny bit of intimacy he was giving me in that moment. There was something much deeper that I was unable to grasp, a hidden question that I didn’t understand.

I scrutinized his face, trying to comprehend the reservation I sensed, but I couldn’t come up with a definitive answer. He seemed not only worried about my rejection – though I couldn’t understand how he would feel that way – but also there was something else that I couldn’t place. His eyes were expectant and . . . sad in a way. He was truly an enigma.

When I realized that there was no possible way I was going to fully understand the weight or meaning he was placing in his outwardly simple query, I answered the spoken question.

“Yes,” I mouthed, unable to find enough air to speak, though I was practically panting and nodded.

He smiled slightly; his eyes looking blissful and yet at the same time they were still reserved, penitent. For what, I had no idea. He nodded, then tilted has head and closed his eyes.

Wow, that is some pretty good stuff! Make sure to start reading Lost Cause for more Bella goodness, and check out bonnysammy’s author page to see all of the alternate POV goodies from the story. And when you are done reading, head on over to the Indie Twific Awards, where Lost Cause is nominated for Canon/AU story you can’t get enough of!

Until next time…