For our Author Spotlight this time around we’ve got another one of the ‘founding members’ so to speak. Another one of those people that got ideas flowing and stones rolling and was the reason the ‘House Questions’ section was born. Betz88 is our third Spotlight. She has contributed a number of poems, one shorter fic and 2 long fics. Here’s a link to her Author Page which has links to all her works.
Betz88's Author Page Here is an excerpt from her first House fic ‘Marathon’:
“I was thinking I needed to get to work! If you recall, it was you who insisted I put hand controls in the car. So I did. Now I don’t have to use the leg at all. Just had to shove it over there out of the way.
Not like it was going to be good for anything … like pressing down on the brake, or the gas pedal.” He laughed and it was an angry laugh that began deep in his throat and roiled outward. “The only thing the son-of-a-bitch is good for anymore is giving my other shoe a cool place to hang out!”
“Gregg. Please.” Wilson found himself pleading and hating himself for it. “This isn’t helping you any.”
“Yeah? Well, there isn’t anything I know of that WILL help me any, so I might as well keep on bitching. Oh, by the way, did I tell you lately that I’m never going to get any better? I’m always going to walk like I’m thirty years older than I am. Or forty. Or fifty. Take your pick. The only time it ever gets any better is when I’m mad as hell. So I try to stay mad as hell. You get it?”
“Sure,” Wilson joined in sarcastically. “And while you’re feeling sorry for yourself, why don’t you just take it out on everyone who cares for you. Do it up right!” He stopped abruptly, so tired of the same conversation, the same litany. “Gregg … let me go get you a set of crutches. We’ll go to the nearest exam room. I’ll take a look. Maybe there’s something I can do to ease some of the pain.” And a little of what our members had to say:
In the show, 'seldom is heard/a discouraging word...' LOL between House and Wilson. But, that's why fanfic is fun--to present different possibilities. This is a slightly more 'rough and ready' casting of our two lads, but entertaining and true to their essential underlying characters. Good work. :-)-Sanlin Mmmm. Just like an ice cold beer on a hot summers day! Very satisfying. It still never ceases to amaze me all the different little nuances we each home in on. The scene in the dark office was wonderful. I could hear the voices in my head. The lines about having to go to the bathroom had me laughing.
I'm glad you showed Wilsons frustration too. I think he is incredibly frustrated by House but that bond of freindship overcomes. You portrayed it very well, I think we've all experienced those kinds of moments with our own friends so it makes it real, at least for me.
Thank you!-rtlemurs Her next piece is much longer and blends family, friends and backstory with present day events in Houses’ life. Here are some exceprts from ‘Never buy an Old DeSoto’;
Too late, House’s brain picked up on the details. He started to come to his feet and twist his body to leap out of the way. At least that’s how his brain had it planned. His body, however, was half a tick behind; just enough that the top half of the bumper caught his right thigh between it and the door of the barn, pushing both slowly and relentlessly backward.
The barn door cracked and gave inward. The DeSoto rammed forward against one of the heavy uprights, which if it had not been there, might have amputated Greg’s leg clean, directly above the knee.
Two things happened at once: Gregory House cried out in agony and James Wilson stepped out onto the porch of the house across the road, closing the door carefully behind him. Jim froze for an instant at the unexpected blood-curdling scream, then looked up and realized with horror what must have happened. He dropped the flashlight on the floor of the porch and willed his feet to take wings. He was at Gregg’s side in ten seconds, before his mind even caught up with what his body was doing.
There was no way to push the car off him. James assessed the situation in moments, then rushed into the barn through the larger sliding door and pulled desperately backward on the hinged one where Gregg was pinned. “Can you get any leverage to push backwards?” he screamed to his friend. “We’ve got to force the fuckin’ door off its hinges!”
“I’ll … try …” Gregg hissed. James pulled like a bull terrier, with all his considerable strength, further empowered by the panic of desperation. Reluctantly it seemed, the wood began to give, splintering about the hinges, then slowly caved inward. James skittered back, avoiding it as it fell, and held out his arms in frenzied anguish, as his best friend dropped backward like a stone, into his waiting embrace.And another, because one just doesn't do it justice;
Jim closed his eyes and let the pencil fall to his blotter. He wished House were there to talk to. He wished House were there to tease him, pull all his strings and push all his buttons until he was ready to climb the damn walls. He wished House could be at his side right now, giving him a hard time, grumbling about some idiot patient who wouldn’t stop lying to him, or telling him bluntly that if he wasn’t satisfied with his life as it was, then get the hell out and change it. He wished House could be here bugging him to hurry-the-hell up and finish with his paperwork so they could go out for a beer. Everything that was good; everything that was enjoyable in his life lately began and ended with Gregory House. And House couldn’t be there. House was in rehab, busting his ass to try to learn to walk again; trying with his heart and soul to find a way back to the profession he loved, the life he didn’t know if he could ever learn to live without. *Oh God, Gregg … I miss you.* The thought of not having him around made James Wilson want to scream. And again the response from our members;
Betz, Betz, Betz, I love you, thank you so much. Holy freakin crap on a stick. I read part one last night and just finished part two. It's the best thing I've seen today.
What else have I seen today? Les Miserables. And you totally blew it out of the water. I haven't hummed Do You Hear the People Sing in an hour and a half. Till I went to write this post, I forgot that I'd even seen it today. I was thinkin, what else did I do today that this beat the hell out of? I didn't cry at Les Miz--the heart strings were tugged, yes, but no tears. Now, though. Now....
God. I don't think I've read a fic before with a better payoff than this one. Getting to it, that line, "I love you," oh wow, wow, wow, and then the reply. This is the best relationship fic I've read ever, I think. I can't remember one that was better, at least. The way it crept up on us and them, coming on so slowly, everyone realizing it but them, and we never knew for sure if they'd realize it, and I would've been sad if they didn't, but I would've understood and it would've been okay cause life's like that. But when they did. Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, it was good. So good.-sy dedalus *Stands clapping* Bravo! Bravo! I am in awe! That was awsome! You have a true gift! Sy, covered so much in the last post, so all I will add is a personal "Jolly Good Show!"-PillPopDoc Excellent job at filling in backstory and dealing with all the issues that the show hasn't, from pre-infarction friends, to House's family (his Mom, at least), to why he uses his cane on his 'weak' side, to so many other things. Awesome scenes between Wilson and House... ...and it was kind of nice that everyone around those two supported them and understood what was between them, long before they could vocalize or act on it. This tale covered such a lot of ground and made the journey a very pleasurable one, amidst all the angst. Giving you a well-deserved round of applause for an epic accomplishment. -SanlinHer most recent fic ‘The Bitter Angel of East Side Drive’ was just posted last week and has a very unique POV. Here is an excerpt;
A flicker of something stirring in close proximity to the glare of reflection in the afternoon light drew Maggie’s attention to the apartment closest to the center of this side of the building. She concentrated and looked closer. There was a man with his back turned to her, seated; thin build, dark shining hair. His arms moved away from his body, then back; spread outward again and back in and back out, over and over. It looked almost as though he might be playing with a ball, bouncing it back and forth from hand to hand. Then she saw the expanse of white keyboard, and she understood. He was playing a piano. A beautiful dark shiny huge grand piano. Motionless, she continued to watch him. Presently he finished whatever he’d been playing and turned around on the bench, facing in her direction. He could not see her, for the light was full in his eyes. She saw him push carefully to his feet, move slowly up to the window and look outward, leaning into the window sill, his face tilted full to the sunlight. Just standing there. There was a glass of something in his left hand. Maggie went to one of the open packing boxes that still lined the edges of her living room. The old binoculars were there. Arthur’s. High-powered things. She didn’t know why she’d kept them, but at that moment she was glad she had. She trained them on Apartment eight across the street. Her neighbor was still at his window, and now she could see his face. She saw the vulnerability first. Then the pain. Then the intelligence.
Who … was he?
“Paul” was the first one to whom she gave a name. And some of our member’s responses;
loved what you did with the point of view thing. LOVED. -Auditrix Your stories make me feel all mushy inside. -Telegram SamNow if that doesn’t get you interested I don’t know what will. Here are the links to each of her works and to her Author Page. Turn off the TV, unplug the phone, grab a cup of joe, some Pecan Sandies, a box of Kleenex and settle in for a good read! But remember to come back for the interview! It is definitely not to be missed.
Betz88's Author PageMarathonNever Buy an Old DeSotoThe Bitter Angel of East Side Drive Because several of the members here know Betz it was suggested that we do a group interview over MSN. So last Tuesday after another unforgettable episode of House, Sanlin, Auditrix, Ambra, and myself sat down, logged in and had a 2 hour chat with Betz. We had a great time and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed doing it.
rtlemursFirst question Betz, and it's a standard, every Author has had to answer; If House were a fruit what would he be and why?BetzWhaaaat? Oh Lord! He'd be an apple, I guess. One a day etc etc ... only I wouldn't want to keep him away. Is the standard answer "banana"?rtlemursLOL! No, so far we've had banana, lemon and pomegranate rtlemursSo you're sticking with apple then?BetzCan't imagine why!rtlemursI could take one of him a day! LOLBetzYeah, mark me up as "Apple" with a capital AAmbraIs he a green apple or red apple?BetzGreens make better pies.SanlinHe is a cutiepie. LOLBetzYup!rtlemursFor those out there who don't know the history…… What inspired you to start writing?BetzInborn, I guess. I love words. Like concocting stories. Used to bash the hell out of poor Chester on GUNSMOKE!rtlemursSo you've been writing for a while then? BetzEver since I could hold a pencil.rtlemursThen along came computers and ...Betz... and I was lost! I wrote everything in longhand!SanlinI still do. LOLBetzI outline stories with tablet and pencil. There's a sort of security blanket thing about a pencil and paper ...rtlemurs[colr=blue]I hated long hand. That's why I never wrote anything before I started using a computer.[/color]
SanlinDo you stick to your outlines, or let the Muses take you once you get going? BetzThe outlines are a beginning. Stories often go where they want to, and when that happens, I follow along. My characters "talk to me" ... and when they don't, I wait ‘til they do.rtlemursHave you written for any other fandoms?AuditrixBetz, what made you interested not just in writing, but in writing fanfic?BetzOh Lord! I was into the original Star Trek big time. Like 35 years worth. Poor Kirk and Spock! I bloodied them on a regular basis.rtlemursIs that the only other?BetzQUANTUM LEAP a little. Never submitted anything though. There was a 12 year lapse since the last time I wrote a story. Then HOUSE came along and stole my heart!AmbraDid you ever have dreams of being a script writer--you'd be very good at it.BetzScripts? No. Not at all. I like the brain bending stuff that comes with doing the characters' thoughts, and the fun of doing descriptions. Like accident scenes and things moving ...BetzAnd relationships and friendships. And blood!rtlemursHmmm Another psychiatrist dream, I think we're all a little crazy!SanlinI'm sensing 'blood' is a recurrent theme. Are you a big hurt/comfort fan? LOLBetzThe biggest! When I found out that Dr. House was disabled, I thought "wow!" They created this guy just for me!rtlemursSo you knew about House before the series started or were you just channel surfing and ...BetzI started to see blurbs for the show around the beginning of November. He looked very intriguing ... but at that time, I had no idea he was going to be a cripple. When I saw the "orange guy" scene in the pilot, it blew me away when he had to hop because he didn't have his cane in his hand.rtlemursSo fate stepped in and a match was made in heaven! LOLBetzYou got that right!BetzAnd I have come to admire and respect Hugh Laurie.rtlemurs Yep, pretty amazing guy huh?! Still needs lots of hugs if you ask me!rtlemursOkay, here's the obligatory dumb question for the interview...BetzOh boy!SanlinIs the character House still the main 'draw' to the series, for you?rtlemursWho's your favorite character on House? BetzOh My God Yes!!! I watch his face like a hawk. The face is everything. Then the leg. And Hugh NEVER gets it wrong. He is great! My favorite character on HOUSE????? Silly girl!rtlemursHey, someone's gotta be the silly one!rtlemursPickles?BetzI like 'em. And I don't ever order a dry Reuben![color]
rtlemurs
[color=blue]Good girl! It's the only issue I'd have with the man. Dry Reuben ick!BetzAnd I don't eat lollipopsAmbraDo you play Gameboy?BetzDon't even know which end is up. I'm more of a "stone knives and bearskins" kind of broad!rtlemursWhile we're still close to the subject, Hugh Laurie or House?BetzHOUSE I have fallen head over heels in love with. That's allowed. Hugh Laurie I admire and respect because I believe he is a gentleman and a sweet person. I have no designs on him. Also, I have a son his age!rtlemursWell, House is available, shall we set her up girls?SanlinI'd have a 'conflict of interest,' there. LOLSanlinBut, I *share* well. Betz/B]
Hey! They want him for themselves! Me ... I might just give him to sweet James! LOL
[B]AmbraI don't know--she might be too much for him to handle!AuditrixHmmmm... Cam v. Betz....SanlinMy money's on Bets. LOLrtlemursI don't care who he's with as long as it makes him happy.AmbraI'd pay $ to see that!SanlinWhere's the guys who run 'Pay Per View' when you need them? LOLAuditrixHouse might find this entertaining SanlinLOLrtlemursOh yeah, definitely Betz before Cam!BetzCam? She's a baby. "Squeeeeeee...." LOL LOL LOLSanlinLOLAuditrixTake her to school, BetzBetzI'd take her to the wood shed! Kick her butt!SanlinLOLrtlemursSo Betz, what do you want to be when you grow up?BetzA cowboy!rtlemursHmm That ‘s got me thinking about the pony conversation in Intervention?! LOLBetzLOL LOL Auditrix And where did you grow up?BetzNorthumberland, PA., but I live in Milton now. On the Susquehanna, across from Lewisburg. Hick country ... but don't tell the Pennsylvanians that!rtlemursSo you're fullblooded PA?BetzYeah, but as they say, The Grass is Always Greener ...rtlemursDon't I know...LOLrtlemursIsn't really, optical illusionBetzI've been kinda all over when I was in the USAF. I really liked Cheyenne!SanlinLike Erma Bombeck wrote: "The grass is always greener over the septic tank." LOLAuditrixBetz, how long were you in USAF and what rank did you achieveBetzBoy! This is really letting the cat outa the bag. I did basic at Lackland, then to FE Warren, then to PBAFB in Fla, then got married and got out. I almost made it to A/1c, but got preggers instead. AT that time you couldn't stay in, so never made the final rank to A1C. I loved the AF. Sorry I got out!BetzWent to Lackland in San Antonio in 1956! There! I'm dated. And case you wondered, I really did have a 1959 DeSoto!!!rtlemursSo what did you do in the USAF? BetzCarried coffee and donuts to the officers, mopped the floor, ran errands, took their cars to be lubed, picked up their dry cleaning, bought their wives' anniversary presents, babysat their kids ... Oh, you mean my AFSC? I was general office. I took dictation and typed correspondence when I wasn't doing all their shit work. But I actually had a great time. And in the 50's it was not considered humiliating to be a gopherrtlemurs Yeah, I guess in the 50's it wasn't a real wide open opportunity for women.rtlemursWas it black?BetzThe DeSoto? No. It was turquoise with a black roof. It rusted out before I got it painted. But it WOULD have been black!SanlinWhat happened to it? Sell it, eventually?BetzSadly, it had to be hauled away to the junk yard. The body went to hell, but the engine still ran like a 747! I would give anything to have another one. My daughter was really angry with me when I had House sell it at the end of the story. I told her he didn't need it anymore. He had Wilson! rtlemursTruth be told, I was a little disappointed too. Kind of back to the writing here, what advise would you give to new writers?BetzWrite, for God's sake! And write and write. Show it to someone who has a command of the English language. Learn to be thick skinned and take constructive criticism ... then write some more. If it's in you, it'll come out, and you'll like what you see! rtlemursOf all the things you've written what is your favorite? BetzI did a Star Trek Novel called "RY" that I'm sorta proud of. After that, I guess it would have to be "DeSoto" After all those years of nothing, it poured out of me like water from a broken floodgate. BetzAnd House is soooo easy to write! rtlemurs Have you ever considered a career in writing? BetzConstantly, but my talent is not of that caliber. I know what my limitations are. SanlinApart from your Desoto, Betz, do you draw on other things from your life when you write House fics? BetzOh sure. I think everyone does. My daughter who likes most of my stuff, recognizes stuff from her childhood that she sees there. Especially the smartass comments I've used my whole life. BetzMy Mom used to swear like a longshoreman. That helps with the snark! SanlinLOLSanlinAre there any characters that you find especially challenging to write? BetzNot difficult so much, as my own indifference to them. The ducklings leave me flat. I have a certain amount of respect for Foreman, but the other two could disappear tomorrow and I'd never miss them. I love Wilson, and I really like Cuddy. rtlemursSo what's the hardest thing about writing House fic? BetzMaking it interesting, not repeating myself, keepin’ the continuity straight, and the dialogue not TOO mushy! rtlemursWhat's wrong with mush?! LOLBetzI have this soft spot for House and Wilson, y'see ... BetzNothing! But you don't want it to sink too far into "maudlin".SanlinYou're middling on maudlin, hey? LOLBetzBingo! I'm working on a pretty bloody one now. Sanlin"Pretty bloody." Nice oxymoron, Betz. LOL BetzOxymoron ... shit! You caught it. THAT's the stuff you gotta watch out for in a story!!! SanlinIt takes one to catch one. ;-PBetzWell Pfffffft! Betz (I just got spit on my shirt!) LOLSanlinLOLAmbraIf you got a chance to go on a date with House, what would be your ideal night out? BetzGO ON A DATE????? Jeeez! Like going to dinner with my son, that's what. IF I went out with the man, you can bet I'd sit there for as long as he would allow it ... and just pick his brain!!! AuditrixEwww, he might not like thatSanlinLOLBetzYeah, but I'm older, and I have tenure. He'd do as I told him! Or I'd break his other leg. LOLSanlinLOLrtlemursHmmm I think you're just what he needs BetzrtlemursSo what's your speculation on why House is the way he is? Mind you I have not had a chance to really delve into your new one and you explored some reasons in 'DeSoto' (don't want to give too much away for those who haven't read it yet!). BetzWhy is he the way he is? I really don't know, and I don't delve into it much. He can be any way he wants. He does what pleases him, and the hell with the rest of the world. I do the same, and I believe I could meet him as an equal and I would not make an ass of myself in front of him. AmbraIf you could change one thing about House, what would it be? BetzNot a single thing, baby! He's just so cool. rtlemursWhat's your favorite episode so far? BetzDETOX. rtlemursIf you could be any item in House's office what would you be and why? BetzI would NOT be the yellow chair, so forget that! LOL. The cane. I would like to look at it, not BE it. rtlemursSo....? What would it be? BetzI have no idea. rtlemursI figured this'd be a tough one for you! You're too busy watching House to notice much in the office I'd guess. BetzLike I said, the eyes are on the face, go to the leg and back. rtlemursSo how many monkeys with bottles of Motrin would it take to cure Cameron of her crush on House? BetzWhat? Just take her to the banks of the Delaware and drop her. Nothing spent on Motrin. rtlemursGotta keep the monkeys busy though! BetzGive them bananas and vibrators. SanlinLOLOLOLAmbraYeah, or they start throwing poop everywhere! BetzThat's why you gotta keep their hands busy. rtlemursBored monkeys are definitely trouble. WoW That'd do it!! LOLrtlemursWe could put them in Vogler's office. BetzWherever did the monkeys come from? Occam's Razor? rtlemursYep! AmbraAnd lock Chase in there with them! SanlinSpace Monkeys... *hee hee*BetzThat’d work. rtlemursOoo Space monkeys with solar Motrin! BetzSimpering little screw-up! Just wait ... he'll get his. Sanlin Not a big fan of Chase at the moment? LOLrtlemursI know I'm disappointed. AmbraYou'll be even less of one after you see the episode tonight! SanlinUh oh. BetzNever was. Or Cam. Foreman is only one step above. But I have this nagging feeling he is squarely in House's corner, even though he won't show it. rtlemursOf the other fics on the site which do you like? BetzI like every one of them EXCEPT the ones with same-sex relationships where two guys get all slurpy with each other, or the sex gets too graphic. I won't read House-Cameron stories. I carefully check out House-Cuddy pairings. Some of those are good, because if she's written right, she doesn't take his crap. I like H/C and will read that stuff ‘til my eyeballs cross. Betz There's a story called TOPOGRAPHY which blows me away. The ones I like best are the ones with HOUSE THOUGHTS in them. I like the ones with lots of neat dialogue. I like the ones which explore House's Mom. I love. "Light H/W" the best. BetzThere! rtlemursSo why do you think House has a mom? I mean everyone has a Mom but why do you portray her the way you do? BetzI think because I had such a neat Mom. I'd like to share some of the inner beauty of her with him, this fragile man who needs a Mom very badly, and could benefit to no end by having one to just love him and be there for him. One of my own sons went thru a bad time some years ago, and I was very proud to have been there for him. BetzSo you share the wealth! rtlemursI have to say I really like House's mom the way you've written her. BetzThank you very much. She's a little more gentle than my own Mom, but she has the same love for her son. rtlemursThat's what I love the most about all the fic's, Everyone has a little different view of how each character is. Julie is another example. Many different views there. BetzI'm very interested in trying to make Julie a sympathetic character right now. See things from her POV. It is a little difficult, but I think Im, getting her figured out. Her whole problem seems to be ... guess what ... Gregg! rtlemursI don't know, he knows her name. I think they get along but again that's my opinion. So any hints on new stuff? BetzI'm doing a thing where House has to stand by Wilson as Wilson has stood by him when he was injured. It's turning out that House may not be physically up to it. Also, in my opinion, he doesn't shirk the clinic for any other reason than he is not able to stand the strain. I'm beginning to get a little niggle that his health is very precarious. Why? I dunno. AuditrixI have a question. Tell us more about how you became a nurseAuditrixand do you eat Pecan Sandies? rtlemursGo Aud! LOLBetzI am not a nurse. Maggie is. (I loved Maggie!) And yes, Maggie and I love Pecan Sandies! AuditrixSorry, Betz, I had it in my head that that was something you'd drawn on from your own lifeBetzDo you guys eat Pecan Sandies? AmbraYummy! With a dish of vanilla ice cream or a cup of coffee! Auditrixindifferent to Pecan Sandies, myselfrtlemursNot my fav but I certainly won't turn them down if offeredAuditrixoh, and one last question -- tell us how you came up with the idea for the unusual POV for "Angel"BetzWell ... daydreaming, y'know ... rtlemursAny other wisdom you'd like to pass on to the writers and readers out there? BetzWisdom? I think not. But this was a hoot. Did you get what you needed? It's obvious the work you put into it, and I appreciate that more than you know. rtlemursThanks, I really enjoy this. It's a bit of work but it is sooo much fun! You guys are great and it's fun to pick your brains. BetzAnd here I thought I was picking YOUR brains! C'est la vie! rtlemursOkay, time to call it a night guys. Thanks again Betz for all the great stories and for sitting down with us ‘til the middle of the night chatting. BetzSo good night. Take care, and may your House be safe from tigers! Once again I have had an absolute blast doing this and it was great fun talking with another one of the great talents that call House T&M home. I hope this has peeked your interest in Betz88 wonderful works. Please remember to check out her poetry as well and as always remember to FEED THE AUTHOR!!!
Here once again are the links to everything you'll need to enjoy and leave feedback. Until next time... Toots!
Betz88's Author PageMarathonFeedback for MarathonNever Buy an Old DeSotoFeedback for Never Buy an Old DeSotoThe Bitter Angel of East Side DriveFeedback for The Bitter Angel of East Side DriveJust a note, you do need to be a member to post so please feel free to join in on the fun, it's easy and only takes a few minutes. The only requirement is a valid email address and 18 years of age.