Greetings and salutations, Nine Lives family! The time has come once again to shine the spotlight on two of our members. Nominated from within your ranks, please give a shout of hooray for July's Members of the Month: CarolPeletier and Liddym2113!!

CarolPeletier - Author of the Month

What draws you to the Caryl ship?
I watched my first episode of The Walking Dead in late September of 2014.  My sister bought me the first season and just said “trust me, you’ll love it.”  And I went out and bought the other four seasons as soon as I finished with Season 1.  By early Season 2, it was obvious to me that Daryl was much more than what he was presented to be at first.  And then when they were interacting more with Sophia being gone, I was totally enthralled by the chemistry between the two of them.  I was already shipping them before I ever even went online and saw there was a whole community of shippers out there thinking the same things I was!

I love the parallels between the characters.  He comes from an abusive home.  She comes from an abusive marriage.  He doesn’t really know how to connect to people, and she seems to flourish after Ed’s death. I love the way they can tease each other and talk to each other and understand each other so easily.  I especially love how Carol has such faith in him; how she believes he’s a good man and a man of honor.  I also love how Daryl so quickly understands that Carol did what she did to Karen and David, knowing she had her reasons and how he knows she would understand if he left with Merle.  They are so connected, even when they’re apart, and it’s just the most fascinating thing to watch.  I hope to see them interacting on my TV for many more seasons together.

Who are your writing influences?
Oh, that’s a tough question.  I’ve always loved to read.  In college, I especially got into short stories, stories that had a punch and really made you think.  I love to read all genres and styles, and I have had a passion for writing since I was young.  Other fanfic writers inspire me.  I hadn’t written much of anything for a few years before I discovered the beauty of The Walking Dead and began to read fan fictions.  I’ve read some beautiful ones here on Nine Lives.  TheWalkingCaryl is one of my biggest influences (and sounding boards) because I am constantly amazed at the beauty that comes out of her fingertips when she writes. 

Honestly, when I read a really good fanfic, and it makes me think, it’ll stay with me, and sometimes, I think that influences the way I write, the way I view things, and the way I want my readers to view a scene.  I love those writers who can really evoke a powerful emotion in their readers.

How do you handle writer’s block?
Admittedly, not very well.  Sometimes I have the hardest time just thinking of something to write.  I will stare at my computer for the longest time, read other fics, watch a favorite TWD episode, and still, sometimes, that inspiration never comes.  I sometimes get on Tumblr and encourage people to send me prompts.  I love to brainstorm.  Sometimes, I will type out a list of scenarios I would love to read in fanfic, and sometimes, I attempt to write them. 

I think my most successful method of handling writer’s block is to just start writing.  Sometimes it’s no good, sometimes it stirs something inside of me that gets me writing like crazy.  No Regrets happened when I was having terrible writer’s block, and so did Kismet.  They are two of the fics I’m most proud of today.

Anything you want to say to your readers?
Thank you!  Just simply, thank you.  I know I don’t always respond to feedback, and my crazy busy life and work schedule keeps me off the net a lot, but I truly appreciate each and every review left, because sometimes, just reading your reactions helps me form the next piece of my story.  Sometimes I’m hanging on the precipice of a decision, and reading a particularly moving review might sway me in one direction or the other.  I sometimes enjoy NOT knowing where I’m going to end, even if I have a general idea of what I want to do, and I like having a sort of interactive approach to it, and you guys have no idea how many times I’ve been inspired by a simple review.  Thank you so much for your support!  You guys are amazing!

Liddym2113 - Reviewer of the Month

What draws you to the Caryl ship?
First of all, I would say it is the AMAZING chemistry between Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus. The two of them on screen together have something incredibly rare and special and it is simply magnetic. I can't help but be drawn to them. Secondly, the characters simply "get" one another. I am a huge fan of the shows Friends and Grey's Anatomy, and I feel like their relationship is a great combination of both being one another's "Lobster" and being one another's "person." I can't help but think of a post I saw on tumblr one time that said, in any world, in any universe, I would choose you. That to me is Caryl defined and what makes me love them so much.

What do you look for in a story to keep reading?
I love it when there is simmering chemistry and tension betwen the characters. Believable, natural dialogue is important to me as well. It doesn't matter if it has fluff, angst, smut, or drama...I just like a story to make me feel things. Stories that jump off my screen and bleed emotions through the words, whether happy or sad, are my favorite thing.

What are your top five favorite stories?
Here is where I'm gonna cheat because I can't pick just five, so I'm going to pick 5 WIP's and 5 Completed ones. (FM knows I'm a rebel.) WIPs: Mad City by Fairiesmasquerade, My Heart is In You by Bonnyblonde, Contrapposto by Darylsdiva1, Sunny Side of You and Me by Stephtron312, The Spare Room by 27 dayz (on ff). Completed: I am the Danger by wndrw8, Caress by Stephtron312, Salt and Stone by FM, Slow Fire Burn by Racerlovesloopy, and Roses and Thorns by Bonnyblonde. Legit, I love so many fics that this doesn't even begin to cover them all, but these are ones I go back to again and again (and again.)

Anything you want to say to all the Caryl authors out there?
I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!! No, seriously. I do. Caryl fic has gotten me through some of the worst times of my life lately, and it is such a form of escape that I can't thank all of you enough for putting yourselves out there and creating these wonderful works of art! You all are such talented, gorgeous, lovely people. Truly the best in the fandom. And to anyone who is considering writing, don't be afraid. It's scary but so worth it, and you never know whose lives you may impact with your words. xoxoxo!!!!