HillardHouseDan,

2.1:

Elizabeth: "In the red corner, weighing in at, like, a couple hundred po--"

Reggie: "Elizabeth..."

E: "--ounds, with a reach like you wouldn't f--"

R: "Elizabeth, not n--"

E: "--ucking believe; The man, the myth, the legend! The one and only Re--"

R: "QUIET, GODDAMN IT."

E "..."

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.2: MC's favorite room in my home?

Reggie wouldn't give a shit where he was as long as he could stretch out comfortably, so he'd probably stick to the recliner in the living room.

Elizabeth would without question stick to the room where I do my writing. Not only is the computer there, but there's also a TV with a bunch of movies, a PlayStation, and a Switch. It's also where I keep my stereo, all of my (way too many, but never enough) albums, & my instruments. Lots of books, too!

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.3: If your antagonist had to choose something to wear from your wardrobe, what would it be and why?

Nothing. That's as much as I'm willing to say about them.

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.4:

Interviewer: "So, I know this, but for the folks at home, what is your relationship like with your parents?"

Francis: (LAUGHTER)

I: (LAUGHTER)

A bit of time passes, laughter subsides.

F: "Oh, man...I haven't spoken to either of my parents since I graduated high school. I'm fuckin' 41 now."

I: "That's a long time."

F: "Not long enough."

I: "Do you ever mis--"

F: "No. My mother abandoned us, and Dad blamed me...made my life hell. (pauses) I love my little sister though."

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.5: 1/2

Interviewer: “Who was the most influential person in your l—”

Reggie: “Maryanne.”

I: “I suppose that was a given.”

R: “Mm-hm.”

I: “Care to expound?”

R: “Most of the best things that ever happened to me can be tied right to her. Some of the worst, too.”

I: "How did you come back from those bad times? I assume it had to be dif—"

R: "I didn't."

I: "..."

R: "Yeah. That's enough."

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.5: 2/2

Interviewer: "What about you?"

Elizabeth: "Hugh Jackman, obviously."

I: "Beth, give it up already, okay? I think that ship has s—"

E: "YOU CAN HAVE HUGH'S ADAMANTIUM PECKS WHEN YOU PRY 'EM FROM MY COLD, DEAD HANDS, YA' FUCKING TRAMP! DON'T THINK I'M NOT ON TO YOU!"

I & E: (CACKLING)

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.6:
Interviewer: "We talk about bad stuff a lot, so what smell brings up a good memory for you?"

Francis: "Betty's French toast."

I: "It's so good."

F: "She made it the first time I hung out over at her Dad's place. We played video ga-- Wait! You were there too, weren't you?"

I: "OH MY GOD! YES! That was a fun day. (PAUSE) Wasn't that the first time you met Detective Harper?"

F: "Yeah. Dude was fuckin' terrifying, and Betty laughed about it and told me 'just behave, dude'."

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.7: What sound does your antagonist hate?

What is THIS? An antagonist question I can answer!?

_______ hates the sound of anyone taking a slurping bite of any kind of food--especially fruits like apples, peaches, or watermelon.

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.8:

Interviewer: "What kind of touch do you find comforting?"

Elizabeth: "The ever-elusive cool side of the pillow."

I: "That's...that's not at all what I expected!"

E: "I know! You were expecting me to say 'MY BABIES' or something, right?"

I: "Y-yeah..."

E: "Well, I mean, that's the real answer."

I: "Bitch. (turns) And you?"

Reggie: "Kitten whiskers."

E & I: (CACKLING)

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.9:

Interviewer: "Okay, let's flip it. What kind of touch do you hate?"

Reggie: "A bullet."

I: "How many times have you been shot?"

R: "Enough to know I don't like it."

I: "I bet! (turns) What about you?"

E: "Anything traumatic like a hangnail getting caught on a rough blanket."

I: (SHUDDERS)

E: "RIGHT!? Or, also, like I hate being FUCKING STABBED BY PSYCHOS."

I: (LAUGH)

R: "I'd like to change my answer."

I: "To stabbing?"

R: "No, the blanket thing."

I & E: (CACKLES)

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.10:

Interviewer: "What's your comfort food?"

Reggie: (Looks to Elizabeth)

E: "Mom's French toast, definitely."

I: "For both of you?"

E: "Yup. We both have a lot of fond memories tied to it--some we made with her, and some without her."

I: "It is good..."

(ALL PAUSE)

R: "Now I'm hungry."

I: "Me too."

E: "Then I guess it's time to make some fucking memories! (turns to the back) NATTY! WANNA MAKE SOME FRENCH TOAST WITH ME?"

Natasha: "(Faintly) OKAY!"

E: "Break time!"

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.11: Share a scene that gave you lots of joy to write. 1/2

After a bit of thought, I suppose I could really only have picked this scene from "God Bless The Girl", where narrator Reggie Harper meets Maryanne Hillard, the woman who would eventually become his wife.

Book and chapter titles for this one are David Bowie references, because Maryanne Harper is a Bowie fanatic, and she is probably the most important character in any of these stories.

“YOU HAVE DAVID BOWIE EYES,” she bellowed, making a bee-line for me, almost thoughtlessly breaking away from the group of students she’'d been talking to. “Something like that,” I replied. I never did correct her. I was outside taking photos at the time—trees, birds, people, anything that stood out to me. Largely just people watching, as I tended to do. Aimless, really. Mary though? She was on a mission. She happened to be recruiting for the school paper. Mary sat down beside me on the bench. “I'm Maryanne Hillard. You can call me Mary; Everybody else does,” she said, enthusiastically extending a hand to me. “Sorry I freaked out and deafened ya.” I shook her hand and decided to have a little fun. “What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes and leaning in as if I were trying to focus on what she said. Hamming it up a bit, if 'm being honest. “I said I was sorry I dea— ohhhh...” Mary replied, trailing off—quickly realizing I was fucking with her. Good thing she didn’t take offense, otherwise I'd’ve blown every single ‘best thing’ that ever happened to me again as long as I lived. Of course, that also would've taken away damn near every one of the ‘worst things’, as you may or may not be aware by now.
“Reggie,” I finally replied, warming up a bit and accepting her hand- shake. “Reggie Harper.” Her eyes traveled straight to my camera, then back to my face, then back to the camera. They grew wider and wider with each motion. “Waaaaiiit...the same Reggie Harper who does photography for ‘Melody Mix’1?” Maryanne asked, the excitement in her voice building with each letter. For the uninitiated—which would likely be every single one of you—“Melody Mix” was something of a music fanzine in our area that was popular with certain sects of the college kids. It was created by a young woman named Stef Manzer, and I would—on occasion—provide them ‘with photos in exchange for concert tickets and a little walking around money. It was a good gig while it lasted, but also a distraction. Just one more thing to pull my attention away from my real mission. “One and the same,” I confirmed. “Your work’s amazing!” Maryanne exclaimed. “Ya’ gotta be majoring in photography or something, right?” “Thank you, but no. It’s just a hobby,” I replied, lightly tapping my fingers on my camera. “Crime Scene Investigation.” Mary stared at me with a puzzled expression, keeping silent. “I'm going to become a detective,” I clarified.
“Well, that explains your eye for detail!” Mary cheered, beaming as she got comfortable next to me. “I'd wager yours see more than most.” “Maybe it’s the milk eye,” I said, drawing attention to my right eye’s lighter coloring. Maryanne snickered as she placed her bag on the bench, rummaging around in it a bit. Soon, she took out a copy of “The Delphian”—our school’s paper. “I'm currently heading up the student staff here,” she began, handing it off to me. “I could really use a photographer like you!” I thumbed through the paper, silent as I soaked in every detail. The photography within was, I'm not afraid to say, absolute dog shit. “Yeah, I guess you could,” I jabbed, still focusing my full attention on the page. Mary threw her head back in a hearty laugh. It was music to my ears. Always. “You don’t really mince words, do ya’?” Mary observed, still snickering away. She was always curious about people in a very genuine way. Always looking to connect, always trying to suss out what made someone tick. It was another thing I immediately loved about her. My instant attraction to her wasn’t just physical. I could see her goodness radiating like a goddamn floodlight, and I just wanted to be near it.

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.11: Share a scene that gave you lots of joy to write. 2/2

Here's the rest of the scene:

“Listen, I've got a class across campus in about ten minutes,” she began, tearing out the sheet of paper and thrusting it toward me. “This is my dorm, room number, and my phone. I'd really like to talk to ya’ more.” I looked over the paper a moment, then folded it up and began vacantly tapping it in the palm of my hand. “Yeah, I think I'd like that too,” I said, grinning like an idiot. “Good,” she cheered, flashing yet another smile. “You have a nice day, Detective Harper!” “You too, Ms. Hillard,” I replied, gesturing toward her with the paper. “I'll be in touch.” And I was. Often. I even nearly immediately went and joined the paper as a photographer—which I'll talk more about a little later—but not before I snapped a quick shot of her walking away. One I still have on my bedroom wall to this day. It’s always the last thing I see before walking out.

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.12: Where does your antagonist feel safe?

That's for me to know, and readers to find out when I finally get this damn book out. :catto:

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.13: What’s your favorite thing that you have on your desk or in your writing space?

That’s easy; It’s my Matthew Sweet cats. “What the hell is that?” you may or may not ask? Well, barring one of them, they’re pieces of art pottery made by one of my all-time favorite musicians.

First pic's cat is 12 inches. Blue one in pic 2 is around 6, and the little ones are around 2. The last cat is bronze, and is around 4 inches. All are desk buddies but the tall one, who sits on a shelf.

A stocky, intricately-detailed, sky blue cat sculpture with two little gray cat sculptures. Also pictured is a little card sent with the blue one, signed: "Matthew Sweet 2009"
image/jpeg

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.14: If you had to date one of your characters, who would it be?

I don't like thinking about my characters this way, so I suppose this is as far as I go with this question.

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.15:

Interviewer: "What would you say is your greatest achievement?"

Reggie: (GESTURES TO ELIZABETH)

E: "Aww! Yooou looove meee!🎶 "

R: (SHRUGS) For now.

I: "What about you?"

E: "MY BABIES!"

I: "Okay, outside of that?"

R: "My solve record."

I: "Which was?"

R: "91%. I worked over 400 homicide cases."

I: "Wow. That's...that's impressive. (TURNS) And you?"

E: "Helping Robyn get her shit together."

I: "I should've know you would say that!"

E: "I think ya' did, deep down."

HillardHouseDan,

#WordWeavers 2.16: What is your antagonist’s pet peeve?

People having spoilery information about them, I suspect.

HillardHouseDan,

2.17:

Interviewer: "What’s the most embarrassing thing you've done?"

Elizabeth: "(Offers handshake) Hi, I'm Elizabeth. Have we met? There IS no most embarrassing thing. I'm a fucking personification of a fail video. I mean...JESUS, have YOU ever legitimately accidentally cupped somebody's balls? I have, and that's NOTHING. That shit's almost normal for me."

I: (LAUGHS)

There is a pause.

I: (Turns) "What about you?"

Reggie: (Gestures to Elizabeth) "Made that."

E: "Fuck you."

HillardHouseDan,

2.18: Does your antagonist eat healthy?

I don’t know. We’re not very close.

HillardHouseDan,

2.19: Which of your MCs would try online dating?

Elizabeth, definitely. She sort of did back in the early days of online dating, but her detective brain kicked in and said "no, he's probably gonna make you a tarp burrito" and she called it off. Now, she has no need for dating.

HillardHouseDan,

2.20: How does your antagonist sleep?

With their eyes closed, I assume. Again, we’re not very close.

HillardHouseDan,

2.21: Is there a genre or type of story you’ll never write?

I’m open to writing any genre and pretty much any type of story that doesn’t glorify or graphically detail certain hot-button issues of mine (which I won't go into right now). Other than that, anything's fair game within reason.

HillardHouseDan,

2.22: Does reading your own words bring you joy?

Not in that back-patty, “god DAMN, I’m good (takes long drag off cigarette)” way, but more in the “I can’t believe I finally got that shit out, now I can move on” way. I could probably stand to be a little more celebratory about it, but I fear that might make it lose its magic.

HillardHouseDan,

2.23: What was the first story you ever wrote?

I genuinely don’t know. I’ve always done it, and any time I think I have a contender pegged for 'first', I'm reminded of something even earlier.

Though I couldn't physically write yet, I used to make up stories on the fly with my brother (either together, or one tells, one listens) when I was very young, and we did that so often that so often that by the time I actually could write I'd already had a lifetime of stories under my belt.

HillardHouseDan,

2.24: If your love interest was a writer, what sort of books would they write?

One of the love interests in my books is a writer, and she doesn't limit herself to one type of story. She writes high-fantasy, mystery, slice-of-life, romance, horror...anything she feels like. She never publishes the stories though. They mostly exist as keepsakes for her closest loved ones. For her, they were always more a compulsory effort, or even used as a form of escapism from her problems.

HillardHouseDan,

2.25: What’s the most out of character fact about your mentor character?

There's one that I can think o, but I can't say it without spoiling something fairly big, so...🤐

HillardHouseDan,

2.26: Do you draw inspiration from other characters?

Not really. I mostly draw inspiration from real people (family, detectives, killers, etc.). Now, with the character of Reggie Harper, I wanted him to initially seem like a standard pulp hero to readers, but slowly become more open and less guarded in his narration. Though while I was conscious of those kinds of characters, he wasn’t inspired by them so much as made to filter their archetype as misdirection.

HillardHouseDan,

2.27: Have you written poetry?

I have written a lot of haiku (for books), but other than that, not really. Unless you count song lyrics, in which case I’ve been doing it consistently since I was 11. I...have quite a lot.

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