Hi everyone! The time has come once more to celebrate two of our own, chosen by you to as stand out members of the Nine Lives family. Your June Members of the Month: wndrw8 (Author) and Rodgerse (Reviewer)!

As always, a huge shout out of thanks to untapdtreasure for creating the MOTM banners. 

Now, onto our featured members! :)

Wndrw8 (Author of the Month)

AWWW this made my day! I’m on vacation right now so my answers will be a bit short but this makes me so happy :))))

What draws you to the Caryl ship?
I'm drawn to this ship because I love Carol and I want her to be with the person that makes her happiest! On many occasions, Daryl's just really proven to be the man. I love how he looks at her--like she's his world. Love like that is rare and beautiful.

Who are your writing influences?
In the real world, I worship Hannah Tinti and Karen Russell. In fanfic I adore Lamport, NotLaura, sweettooth, leigh, and EleanorK.

How do you handle writer’s block?
I don't believe in writer's block. Sometimes you write more and sometimes you write less. Being forgiving of the leaner times is so important. Writing is like everything else--it ebbs and flows.

Anything you want to say to your readers? ;)
I love my readers. Like so much. There are a few of you (and you know who you are) that read and review everything I write. Such support is simply astounding!

 

Rodgerse (Reviewer of the Month)

I am completely floored by this win. I didn't think I had a chance since I haven't been reviewing as much since real life got busy and I have been beta-ing for lovesdaryl. I always keep reading but sometimes I don't want to just say "great job!� But I try to really make an effort in giving feedback. So here are my responses:

What draws you to the Caryl ship?
I am going to be totally honest here. What draws me to Caryl is Daryl. Daryl is a manifestation of all the hurt, anguish, and sadness a man can be while still trying to be a good man. His abusive childhood, dysfunctional love/hate relationship with Merle and his longing to belong make my heart cry. And because I want so much to make him better, I want the best for him and that can only be Carol. Carol has grown through her abusive marriage, loss of Sophia, and betrayal by Rick to become an extremely strong woman --a survivor. She also has an insight like no one else on what it takes to overcome abuse and rejection. This experience gives her the ability to not only understand Daryl but to feel what he feels. Her empathy and understanding of him goes beyond simple love but manifests itself as more like soul mates rather than just mates. And though at times TWD does not emphasize or show directly that bonding, I believe it is always there. Perhaps sometimes hidden but always there just below the surface.

Because this relationship is so different, so unlike other pairings, I am drawn to the possibilities. And it is these possibilities that draw me to Nine Lives. It is here that every aspect of this relationship can be explored. From an A.U. set on an alligator farm, to fighting aliens who have conquered earth, from the dark recesses of a back alley speak easy to the telling of each moment and scene we did not see on TWD—Nine Lives gives me a glimpse, a chance, a moment when the two can come together and just BE.

What do you look for in a story to keep reading?
Honestly, I just keep reading--good, bad, sad, smut, angst, love or just plain bad--I keep reading. I can't stop myself. It's like an addiction. And often, especially on this site, I find the golden moment--the words that give me the profound feeling "he has found her and he is going to be O.K." This moment can show up in a story that makes him laugh, that causes Daryl to give his trademark smirk. The moment Carol's eyes touch his and I just know from what I have read that they both know, they both feel the connection. Her teasing, her disappointment, and her fear for him I find all of these somewhere in each and every story I read. Even in stories where they don't get together--even there as painful as it is to know they won't be together--they really are because in spite of themselves their bond will never be broken and as such they will always be together even when their not. And so I keep reading, always on the look out for the "moment" and I am happy to say the writers on this site do not disappoint.

What are your top 5 favorite stories?
Impossible to answer!! How do I pick five gems from a chest over flowing with precious jewels? I have authors that I return to again and again-- lovesdaryl, bonnyblonde, Booksrbetter, CarolPeletier, clare009, DaisyG80, definitelywalkerbait, EleanorK, Fairies Masquerade, Haitus80, Jennifer_Collins, JJDernhelm, Lena Carr, Little Cinch, liveinadive, meeshie, NotLaura, queenpeletier, ramblinrose, Ravenesque, sweettooth7, The Readers Muse, TheWalkingCaryl, wndrw8, youremykindoftrouble and probably a dozen more that I have forgotten to list.

There is one story though that I have to say is my all time favorite but unfortunately it is not on this site even though I have asked the author to visit and consider contributing. Some of you may know her from Tumblr, her name is Praxid and she wrote "Wild", a story where Carol and Daryl are separated (kind of like FM’s "Three Little Birds"). This story moved me so much that I read it to my husband when we were on a car trip and (he will kill me for saying this) he wept and told me that was the most romantic thing he has ever heard. Pretty powerful stuff so I guess that's why it stuck with me. I truly have to say the authors on this site move me this way everyday and that it is why it is just too difficult to pick just five favorites.

Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?
First and foremost THANK YOU! You provide for all of us an opportunity to have our dreams become a reality through the thousands of words each of you provide this site. This community this "family" is one of the kindest, caring, and giving of any online community I have encountered. It is so obvious that the respect each and everyone has from writer to reviewer manifests into a loving, safe place. Please, please continue writing your wonderful stories; please continue sharing a little piece of yourselves with us. I know there is always someone's heart inside each and every story and I am so proud of the fact that each of you has the courage to share that special part of who you are with us. Because even though everyone is building around the characters of Daryl and Carol each story is still a part of the author--their baby. So for that reason I thank you again for sharing, for overcoming all obstacles and putting yourself out there. I am humbled by your awesome talent. Live Long and Caryl On.