Welcome again to interview with the author.
After so much time, we want to introduce you another of the great authors of this board, Ambrosia.
Did you ever wonder how and why she writes the way she does, or, what kind of girl she is? If you did, read further.


In your words, who is Ambrosia?

I must admit, this is a difficult question to tackle. Ambrosia is me, of course, but I guess with a twist. She is my creative, casual side, the piece of me not obsessed with success and being perfect. She is able to be more sweet and caring, while the real me tends to hold back. And, of course, she has my own crazy flair.


How much time you've been writing stories? And fan fiction?

Thinking back, I wrote a lot when I was a young girl, then there was a big void through high school and the beginning of college. So, I guess you could say I’ve been writing for a little over two years, and that would all be fan fiction.


I remember something you told me once, that I am not quoting exactly:
"being a student of pharmacy, I somehow need to write stories to express a
hidden part of me. Otherwise, I would become one of those geeks wearing
glasses and white coats, who laugh hearing jokes about hemoglobin".
So, how do you feel towards your stories? Do you feel attached to them, or
is just a way to relax and cheer up?

I am laughing so much over here. I can’t believe you remembered that quote. But, as I read it, I find it to be a very integral issue in my life, as it is right now. Being in pharmacy school means you must be addicted to the sciences. All classes are science courses, there is no art, no English...basically, no place to give a girl some creative outlet. Which would be fine for most of my colleagues, but I am a bit different. Any time I have been given a type of personality test in the past, I am neither right-brained, nor left-brained. I’m not strictly science-fact oriented, nor am I an extreme artist or creativity fiend. I sit somewhere in the middle, so having only Science in my education is just not enough for me. I found myself searching for a way to fill this void, and writing turned out to be the perfect solution. So, I feel very grateful towards my stories, they keep me feeling fresh and satisfied. Also, I would say I am attached to them to an extent, some more so than others. But, I would consider writing a way to relax and unwind after I have been listening to drawn out chemistry speech all day.


How many stories have you written so far?

I have written two rather long stories, Friends and With This Ring. Then, I have my relatively short one, Smothering. Also, I have my first attempt at writing, High School Reunion. And, there is a new fic in the works as we speak.

What's your favorite one?

There is no doubt in my mind to say Friends is the one. It was my labor of love; it took me nearly a year to complete it. I guess I grew attached over the time frame. And, there is just something about that story that makes me smile. It will always hold a special place in my heart.


Let's talk about plotting. I noticed your stories follow a sort of
"Amber-scheme", being so different from each other at the same time: love
always plays a pivotal role in your fictions, even if you claim to be
"allergic to TLC". How come?

To be honest, I don’t really know why all my fics come out with a sugary sweet coating of Love. Well, I guess there is an exception with Smothering, but the rest do fall under that category. Maybe because I do resist such sweetness in every day life, but there is a tiny part of my subconscious that secretly craves it, thus it comes out in my stories. I do not know; it seems that is what my fingers want to write. My brain focuses on it, I cannot let my romance go.



How do you manage to make your characters alive? Where do you get the
inspiration for their personalities and performances?

More often than not, I get inspiration from real life situations, friends, and things that happen to me. I have been thinking of my own style, as of late, and I figured something. I write from situations. I think of something I want my characters to do, and I go from there, developing dialogue and their feelings. And, I just love using little, silly details, things that could happen to a person in real life. Grandeur circumstances and issues aren’t much my thing. I like the story to roll realistically, and maybe that is how my characters come alive.


Is there something you are interested in writing, but still haven't
tried?

Actually, I would love to write something with more depth and less fluff. Maybe a whole story full of angst and drama. It would be a challenge for me, no doubt about it.



Checking out the Premiere section, I noticed you are planning to post a
new story soon. Can you tell us something about it, where did you get the
idea from, and why should people read it?

Yes, I do have a new fic coming up. The name of it is Accidentally in Love. The idea came to me when I was driving back up to college this semester, finding over three hours of time on my hands. My brain was focusing on a certain location I wanted to develop a fic through. This island that I stayed at constantly when I was a child, a secluded place. I decided to write a fic set there, and how big time Hollywood actors would react to being suddenly stuck in such a simple place. My different characters developed in my mind, my leading lady quite different from any I have written before. Usually, I go for a tough, attitude-ridden girl. This time around, well, she is nothing like that. Really, it is refreshing to write such a different character. The story will center on my two main characters, but have other simpler plot lines weaved through it. I would compare style wise more to Friends, than to With This Ring.



This question is really mean: I know it from my personal experience you
are extremely critic towards your own writing, but now I'm asking you: why
do you think people appreciate your stories? Because there is no doubt they
do.

This is a mean question, as I am my own worst critic. Honestly, I am often perplexed by why I have readers. But, really, they should all know how much I appreciate them. I guess, since you are asking so point blank, I would have to say I think people like my stories because they are light-hearted and a bit funny. Perhaps, something refreshing to read after struggling through a stressful day. I try to make them as entertaining as I can, and hopefully, I partially succeed at that.


Let's move forward to Ambrosia as a reader: which stories you like the
most on this board, or authors you recommend, and to who? We all know tastes
differ...

The stories I enjoy the most on the board would have to be…wow, it is almost too difficult to say. I am an avid fan fic reader, and there are so many wonderful ones out. My special little baby is White Lies and Wild Nights, I must admit!

All of these authors have fics I just adore reading: Mena, Blondie, Jaime Girl, White Andie, Smashing Adri, Elijahfan14, and Frodo Lives. Each of these ladies has their own personal style, and it is so wonderfully refreshing to read their work. They never disappoint!


what are the things that, according to you, make a bad story? What you
hate the most to bump into as you are reading?

I guess a bad story to me would be one where things seem too farfetched, like, too impossible to ever happen in real life. Now, I’m not talking about fantasy fics or anything of that nature, those are supposed to be fictional. I’m thinking of those that are supposed to have a realistic air and be serious, yet, they flaunt foolish or impossible situations.

But, the thing I hate to bump into the most would be a ‘perfect’ character. I pour faults into my characters as much as I can. It’s just not a good fic to me if the protagonist seems unbelievable. Faults make them more endearing, and more worthwhile. That’s my little two cents.


What do you think about joint fics? Who would you write with?

I think joint fics are very interesting. Its quite lovely to see authors melding together their talents and styles. And, I would love to write with Mena or Blondie. They both have such a wonderful feel of words; it would be an honor to write beside them.


Do you ever suffer from Writers Block? If you do, how do you get rid of
it?

I find that writer’s block sneaks up ever so often. The best way I flush it out of my system is to ask a fellow author for advice. It does really help to have another brainstorm with you when you are stuck.


Your favorite book and writer.

Impossible. I have read so many books, there is no way I could choose a favorite author, or even a book. The genre I usually go for are comedies or mysteries, though.

And, last but not least, the Marcel Proust questionnaire!

A Dream: To hear the words Dr. Amber Loup
A place: the mall
The name you'd like to have: Actually, I love my name
Favorite color: Pink
A Song: Material Girl….pfff, you all knew it
Your passion: my career
Your love: my downtime
Your disappointment: my lack of emotion
Favorite movie: The Shining
Favorite food: crawfish bisque
Collection: faeries
Rebel?: Just to obstinate
A fragrance: Beautiful estee’ lauder
White lies?: wild nights, baby
The most important person in your life: My mother
Secret formula for success: Be as superior as you can be
Inspiring moments: A day off
Stories or Poems?: Stories
You'd like to meet: Madonna
Greatest fear: Failure
You wish with all of your heart: that everything will work out
The perfect guy: Not lovey dovey, and that can put up with mean, old me
Ideal vacations: Italy, Scotland
Best city to live: Baton Rouge
God?: Yes
Do you believe in fate?: Yes
Your mission in this life: Care for people
A nightmare: E.T. the extra terrestrial chasing me around in a bank teller’s outfit
Love is: not so glamorous
War is: more serious than we all care to believe
What do you want to be when are grown up? A pharmacist
An advice for writers: Keep writing, always. If it makes you happy, go with it.



I, Mena, would like to thank Ambrosia for this interview. Girl, you're simply one of the most smashing persons I ever met, just in case I don't tell enough. :yes:

Oh squee, Interview with Amber!!! You know I adore your writing, hun, you probably write the best comedy on the forum, and your fics are so totally addictive! And did I mention that you've managed to (almost) turn me into a hopeless romantic! lol Congrats babe, I think you're great! lmao!! Lots of Love and Many Hugs,

Jaime

YaaY!!!

I'm so glad you had this interview! I was starting to think that the interviewers (sp? I don't think that's word!) were kind of blind!

Amber! I just love how you express about yourself! I just love it! Really! And I just can understand how you feel about been in pharmacy...

No offense but that's true (Can't say anything about finances, I think there're too many Scrooges in here)

Hugs!

:box:

Andie

Yayyyyyy! Interview with Amber! :lol:

Ah hun, I simply adore your answers, serious and truthful but fused with a hint of humor. That's my girl! Smooches.

Awwww...*sniff, sniff* Excuse me, but I do believe I am getting a bit emotional here. You mentioned that you love my silly story and that you would love to write a joint fic with me. *sniff, sniff* That just totally made my day. :hug:

Well, there is no doubt about it, I simply adore your style of writing and the sappy romance that you deliver. But it isn't all sappy romance. You forgot to mention that your stories aren't sugary sweet all the time, there is some very tough as nails angst thrown in there that I know you personally enjoy throwing in there for good measure. You know...to balance out the sappiness.

Anyway...just wanted to say that I think you are brilliant and I am glad that everyone has the chance to read a bit more about the girl called Ambrosia. :love:

Aw, girls! Thank you so much for reading my interview. :hug: And, all your words...so kind! Much love to you all! :love:

YAY!
Interview with Amber!
I loved reading it. That line that Mena quoted about the glasses and white coat thing gave me a laugh. ^_^
Thanks for mentioning me as one of your favorite authors. You're a sweetie pie!

Kudos to Mena for putting out a great interview. :yay:

~Stacy~

I love reading all those interviews. Mena, you did a great job on this, and that of course also goes for Ambrosia... Very interesting! ^_^