Patti: Okay Erica, there are definatley some questions I want to ask you. First of all, what is your inspiration?
Erica: That's kind of a hard question. Well, one day I was just surfing through Hanson sites and I saw all of these links to Hanson Fiction and I thought, "Hey, I can do this."
Patti: So you just jumped into it? Weren't you nervous?
Erica: Yeah, I did jump into it head first. I wrote my first five chapters of "Never Anything More" the same night that I first discovered HanFic. I don't think I was nervous though, well okay, maybe a little. But I was more discouraged because I didn't really see that it was catching on. I didn't expect hundreds of readers overnight but I was just in shock. I thought I was a bad writer.
Patti: Well I think that most people probably think that they arent any good at first. But then the more they write, the more they progress, and then everything comes together, and you're a good writer.
Erica: Thank you, I realize that now. I mean, my number of readers increased and everyone is very nice. They e-mail me alot and encourage me to write. People have always encouraged me to write.
Patti: Really? Did you start young or is this your first writing experience?
Erica: I started young. I used to be featured in "An Evening With Young Writers" at an Arts Center in my Town. But that was for older people, this is pretty much the first time that I have thrown my work out among my peers and I have to say that that makes it exhilarating and all the more fun for me that they like it.
Patti: That's really cool. So, you mentioned "Never Anything More" before, and I have to ask, are the characters real people?
Erica: Hehehe, that's not the first time that I have been asked that. Well, obviously Hanson are real people. Yes, my name is in there, and that charachter is partly based off of myself. The other two girls, Stacie and Kerri are also based off of my cousin and best friend. But that's where it twists, Stacie is my best friend and Kerri is my cousin. In the story it's the other way around. The rest of the charcters are fictional just as the plot of the story is fictional.
Patti: Well, I can certainly say that I enjoy reading "Never Anything More"...
Erica: Thank you.
Patti: ...and it has had some pretty odd twists. So, come on, what is there to look forward to?
Erica: (laughs) I can not reveal that.
Patti: Come on, just a little sneak peak at something.
Erica: Well, I'll tell you this much, "Never Anything More" is definatley my main story. It's pretty much a priority. And, these characters are definatley here to stay because I plan on making this story into a trilogy.
Patti: Wow, I can't wait. So, you have a trilogy in mind and three new stories?
Erica: Yes that was my most recent anouncement. I began three new stories, one based on each individual Hanson brother. I am hoping that the readers on my updating list will follow these too.
Patti: How are you going to handle all of these stories?
Erica: Um, a lot of coffee at night I guess. I really have no idea. Writing is just something I love to do. Just like Hanson love to make music, I love to write.
Patti: Well, I know I'm looking forward to all future projects from you. The new ones as well as the ones that aren't even a gleam in your eye.
Erica: Cool, I hope everyone is that enthusiastic about it.
Patti: Okay, well thanks for letting me be the one to interview you. I'd love to do it again.
Erica:Hello Patti and thank you for doing this interview to let the readers get to know a little bit behind the author of Rubber Bands And Paper Clips.
Patti:Your quite welcome.
Erica:So, how did you get into writing in general?
Patti:Well, Ive always been into writing. And I have been writing ever since I can remember. In first grade we had something called writing workshop. And you didnt even have to actually write anything down, All you had to do was draw some scribbles on a page and tell it as a story. So that is as far back as I can remember.
Erica: Cool, so tell us a little about Rubber Bands And Paper Clips, do you enjoy writing it?
Patti:I love writing it! It is so much fun to write. Ok, Rubber Bands and Paper Clips revolves around Zac and his best friend Tara. They have known each other since they were little. There friendship is great, until things start to get a little rough. Zac is starting to meet new people and Tara isn't used to not being able to be with Zac all of the time. Zac also starts to hang out with a new girl named Lisa. And Tara is afraid that she is going to fill her shoes. So basically its about the friendship. The title explains some of it too, Rubber Bands and Paper Clips, Some things strech, Others hold things together.
Erica:Is there any inspiration to your story?
Patti:Yes. If I am having a bad day, usually what I write has a little bit of a negative tone to it. If my day is good, good things will most likely happen. If someone is fighting, they might make up, and everything is great. Or if I am watching a tv show, And something happens on it, I might get ideas that i can put in the story.
Erica:That's awesome. So what do you think of HanFic in general?
Patti:I think its really cool. Because its a great way to show how you feel about the stars. Fiction is the main word. It's not true. And most of the time you can write a story with yourself and the stars in it, but after a while it feels true, and it's so cool, because part of you actually feels like you know Hanson. Its a great way for us to be connected with them...in a way. If you know what I mean...haha.
Erica:Yes I do, I completely get where you're coming from. So, are any of the charcters in your story real, besides Hanson?
Patti: Not yet. There may be some in the future. But so far, none of them are based on real people besides the guys. I did use my friends name though. The name Andi, I got from my best friends sister.
Erica:That's really great. Well, thanks for letting me interview you to let everyone know a little bit about you, and I look forward to reading some more of your story.
Patti:Your welcome. I enjoyed doing it.
