The masses have spoken and it is time to shine the brightest of spotlights on our December Members of the Month: bonnyblonde and equuleus86! Congratulations, ladies!

bonnyblonde: Author of the Month

What draws you to the good ship Caryl?
More than anything, I have to credit the two actors responsible for bringing Carol and Daryl to life. Melissa and Norman have this amazing, almost palpable connection when they're on screen together, and that's what has forged the Caryl bond. The characters are connected on so many levels, from past tragedy and hardship to a powerful will to survive and thrive. Neither character would be who they are without the other - Daryl may have physically saved Carol's life on more than one occasion, but I truly believe Daryl would have succumbed to despair or anger without Carol there to smooth over his rough edges, and so she's saved his life in return.

Who are your writing influences?
I read a lot of different books - paranormal romance, mysteries, espionage, horror - and although what I write is focused on the relationships and the romantic aspects of the Caryl relationship, what I want more than anything is to tell a compelling story. Writing love scenes is one thing, but putting them in the context of a larger, more complicated plotline is what I strive to achieve. To that end, I am highly influenced by writers like Jeaffrey Deaver, Robert Ludlum, JR Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Katie MacAlister...there are too many to even list!

I also want to thank some of my Caryl friends - Pixie Grunger, Faeries Masquerade, Liddy, Cheerful B, Jen Melton, Vicki H, MaryBeth - for influencing me with the positive vibes, for picking me up when my feels have sufffered and for all the fabulous prompts. They are DEFINITELY strong influences on my writing as well.

How do you handle writers block?
I give myself and my characters time to sort things out. Sometimes the writing flows and it's all you can do to keep up with a story, and sometimes it takes a while for the characters to let you know where they're going next. And more often than not, when the block is broken, Daryl and Carol like to hijack my plot and take in in directions I never intended when I first started the story!

Anything you want to say to your readers?
I want to say thank you - for supporting me when I took my stories in unconventional directions, for patiently waiting for me to post even if it takes weeks or months for an update, for their unbridled enthusiasm for the pairing. Most of all, I want to thank those who choose to post reviews. As I know I've said in the past, writing fic and putting it out for the world to judge is a very risky venture, and the ultimate payback for any author is feedback. It's what feeds our excitement about writing, it's what prompts writers to turn those niggling ideas into stories that engage and entertain. There are so many amazing writers at Nine Lives, many of whom are far more talented than I am, and I am thrilled to be part of the community!

equuleus86: Reviewer of the Month

What draws you to the Caryl ship?
What draws me to the Caryl ship has to be the fact they have both been the underdogs from the beginning, and to see how far they've come by nurturing each other in the unique way they do just warms my heart. I think the fact Daryl was a bad boy but has this warmth that's slowly shone through, coupled with Carol who was the opposite, cowering in another mans shadow, and together they've evolved becoming stronger through each other. They understand each other and have let each other in and to me that's beautiful and why I can't see either of them with anyone else.

What do you look for in a story to keep reading?
For a story to really grab me it has to be true to the characters. I do enjoy a bit of cheese but not to the point I'm cringing! I also think less is more re conversation at intimate moments. There are certain things I can't see characters saying and it makes it less believable to me. I do love angst also (as you probably guessed if you've read any of my stuff!) And anything I can have a good cry at happy or sad makes a story all the more enjoyable. 

What are your top five favorite stories?
Oooh now that's a tough one... The Long Road Home by Tinkerbell99 left me an absolute mess, it's just beautiful and the smut made me cry for about 10 mins straight. Mad City by Fairies Masquerade is another one of my faves. Just so cleverly written and made my heart clench it's just gorgeous. Blown Chances and Old Regrets by Peta2 of course because it's a gorgeous slow burn and I love the suspense of will they-won't they. Not strictly Caryl (McReedus - can I have it??) but The Surrogate by Liveinadive is defo up there, just such a beautifully written story and never done making me cry. And of course last but certainly not least is Damaged by Kaoscraze82. I know it might be biased coz she's my buddy, but this story kicked me right in the feels. There are looooads of others I could name but these are the ones that stand out for me.

Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?
Keep Caryling on and thank you for giving us beautiful, amazing things we would never get in the show. And to all you closet writers who think you're not good enough or are afraid to let anyone see your work... I was one too! I love reading everyone's work so be brave and just throw something out there - you never know where it's going to lead!