A Short Q&A With Capt_Esq

                                                                                 CAPT_ESQ




1. Why did you start writing?
I finally listened to the voice in my head that said “you can do this just as well.”

2. If you had to do it all over again would you still write?
Yes, the satisfaction and relaxation is very comforting when I’m writing.

3. Once you’ve written a story do you ever read it again?
On occasion, but not often, because I tend to find errors and fault, this is especially true of the first story I wrote.

4. How did you start writing Xena fan fiction? 
I found it easy to imagine characters that already had some form of personality already built in.

5. Is your muse a constant companion, or does it abandon you for long periods of time?
I do have periods of abandonment.

6. How do you feel about sequels?
I tend to find sequels often lacking compared to the original.

7. Is writing a quiet thing for you, where there can't be any noise or conversation going on? 
Outside noise doesn’t bother me.  In fact, I’ve even done it at work LOL. Interruption bothers me more.

8. Do you prefer to write/read romance, angst, horror etc, etc?  
Romance with a good plot and not overdone sex.

9. What usually sparks a story idea for you? 
No clue. Though some have come from dreams I have had, or real life experiences.

10. Do you write a story straight through, or do you write in pieces, then put it all together.
I write straight through, though will edit as I go along.

11. What advice can you give to future writers?
Stick do it and don’t listen to 1 or 2 critical people.  Be happy with your work and realize they may have no experience trying to create something.

12. What has the show Xena meant to you?
I feel it opened the door for strong women characters at the time and which we now often see on TV.

13. How do you feel about the way it ended?
I was a little disappointed and felt it was a bit over the top.

14. How real are your characters to you? 
Very.  The basics are sometimes drafted from real life for me.

15. Do your characters speak to you? 
Yes

16. Are you in control of your story, or do the characters run the show? 
I tend to control there lives though situations may be steered by circumstances.

17. How would you feel about another writer giving one of your characters a cameo in their story?  
I would be fine with it, so long as they asked first.

18. Has online writing changed your life in any way?
Not particularly, though it has given me an great outlet for writing.

19. Which one of your online stories is your favorite?
“Safe Haven.” But I am starting to like my current project “Traumatic Love”

20. What is your favorite word? 
Comfort

21. What is your least favorite word?
Fuck. I feel it is well over used.

22. What turns you on? 
Confidence

23. What turns you off?
Arrogance

24. What sound or noise do you love? 
Thunder

25. What sound or noise do you hate?
The sound of my boss’s voice

26. What is your favorite curse word? 
CRAP!

27. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? 
Anything that would limit my interaction with the public at large.

28. What profession would you absolutely not like to participate in?
My current one.

29. If Heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? 
“You were right.”

30. Do you have to do a lot of rewrites?
I don’t really go back and rewrite unless I am editing at the same time.  Even then I am usually working along on the next chapter.

31. Is there ever a point in your writing where you get stuck each and every time? How do you get out of it?
Sometimes I will have difficulty.  Most times I will resort to outlining the scene. I don’t work of a full outline, I just type as I go and let the story flow.

32. Which part of the writing process do you enjoy the most and why? 
The dialogue, as I feel that is where the personalities really come through the most.

33. When you're working on a story are you obsessed with it until it's done? 
Not really. I have gone long periods without working on a story when real life gets in my way.

34. Who are your favorite top five writers? Online or published. 
I don’t really have favorites.  I will read anything.  Though my most enjoyable stories came from LJ Maas.

35. The song says "Who rules the world? Girls. If that were true would the world be a better place? 
Not really, as I’m of the feeling that anyone in power positions usual are elitists and will allow power to corrupt to some extent.

36. Where do your ideas come from?
The voices in my head.

37. What do you enjoy most about writing? 
Again, dialogue.  I find it the most enjoyable part.

38. Do you read books for pleasure while you are writing?
Yes

39. Do you have a favorite Greek God? 
Athena

40. Do you have a pet peeve?
The improper use of “good” and “well” and knuckle cracking.

41. Have you ever been stalked on the internet by an overzealous fan? 
No

42. What do you see yourself doing in the future? 
Living in Provincetown and writing as often as I wanted to.

43. Have you created a character that you would like to meet?
I think out of all of them Sam from my "Safe Haven" would fascinate me the most.



Here is Capt_Esq's favorite story, Safe Haven aka Peconic Haven

Peconic Haven by Capt_Esq - 163 pages
Niamh (pronounced: Neeve) Fitzpatrick is a thirty five year old, bookstore owner, who has two strangers enter her life at the same time. One is a shy, remote woman, while the other appears to have more dark intentions.
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/capt_esq_peconic_haven.html