I had the oppurtunity to interview missliterati member and self-published author, Forever. On missliterati, she is actually known for writing novels such as the Ruleless Society Trilogy, Dark Angel, and Collide (the novel she published!). She is also known for expressing her opinion, having an awesome music taste, and winning the first ever Story of the Year competition. I had the oppurtunity to talk to her about publishing her debut novel, missliterati users looking up to her, and what the future holds for her.

 

Q1: What was it like publishing Collide? What was the hardest part about trying to turn it into an actual novel people can buy and hold in their hands?

 

It was pretty insane. It was a ton of hard work, but it all ended up worth it in the end. All of the pieces coming together were difficult, and I think there’s a lot more than goes into it than people realize. But I guess the hardest part was getting over the initial fear of people knowing about it, and seeing it, and everything. Like, people I know in real life.

 

Q2: How does it feel when fellow misslits tell you that you are their inspiration?

 

It’s the coolest thing ever. I honestly think that what I did wasn’t that super fantastic (because, let’s face it, anyone can self-publish). But I love that it makes them want to follow their dreams, too. It’s really great that they see what I’ve done and want to apply it to their lives.

 

Q3: What can your fans expect from you in the future? Any more Collide novels?

 

No more Collide novels, sadly. However, they should keep their eyes peeled, because there may be a special announcement coming in future months.

 

Q4: What kind of music do you listen to when writing? Any specific bands/singers?

 

It all depends on the kind of mood I’m in, really. When I was writing Collide, it was all of my favorite bands, like Asking Alexandria, Sleeping With Sirens, Black Veil Brides, Pierce the Veil, etc. But sometimes, depending on the mood I want to be in, I’ll listen to Mayday Parade for emotional stuff, or Silverstein, or things along those lines. And when I want to get into a writing mood similar to one when I first started writing, I’ll get all sentimental and rock out to Allstar Weekend.

 

Q5: What do you fangirl over the most?

 

Sleeping With Sirens and Black Veil Brides all the way. They’re my two favorite bands, and music is such an important thing in my life. Not to mention at Warped Tour when Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens grabbed my chin and sang to me. I still fangirl and cry over that.

 

Q6: What was the inspiration behind Shay? Is he inspired by anyone you know? What made you make him into a character that was completely different from the average male literary character?

 

I wanted him to be attractive, and I’m just not into the normal attractive guy. I’m into guys with black, flippy hair, and who are sarcastic assholes, and are funny, and such. Shay is someone I’d be heavily attracted to. But I also came to realize that he’s a lot like a male version of me, with some of his characteristics amplified. We come from very different pasts, but we’re both socially awkward, don’t talk to a lot of people at school, we’re sarcastic assholes (though he’s A LOT worse with that than I am), we’re both writers, hopeless romantics, and we both fly off the handle. So, while he wasn’t intentionally based off of anyone, he’s actually kind of based off me.

 

Q7: If you were locked in an elevator for two hours, what band/singer would you want with you?

 

Oh man. It’s between Black Veil Brides and Sleeping With Sirens. WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE THAT. I choose both. I don’t care if I’m only supposed to choose one. Both.

 

Q8: When you were publishing Collide, why did you choose your pen name Forever instead of your actual name or a different pen name?

 

There was a lot of debate going on with that, actually. Back in December, a few friends of mine and I were trying to decide whether I should use Forever, my real name, or a completely different pen name. My real name was out very fast, because my last name is very hard to read. So then it came down to keeping Forever, or choosing something else. But since I’d been going by Forever for two years, and everyone knew me as such, and it really did just fit me best, we chose Forever.

 

Q9: In the terms of writing, where do you see yourself in ten years? Will there be more published books in your future?

 

I think there will be more books, but I’m not entirely sure where I see myself as a writer in the future. I plan to move on to music, because I want to be in a band (performing at Warped Tour is on my bucket list), but I don’t think that means I’m going to give up writing. It’ll probably just change my dynamic and genre by all of my new experiences and everything.

 

Q10: Final Question! If you had a unicorn, what would you name it and what would it look like?

 

It would be black with purple flames for the mane and tail and I’d name it Mr. Munchy.

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Interview by Siren