Pippinacious AMA

6:02 PM Question from DemonGodDumplinPopo:  what is your creepiest experience, paranormal or otherwise?

6:04 PM P<•Pippinacious> Last night, my dog spent about an hour staring at my front door barking at it for no reason, which was pretty creepy. Other than that, it was a shared dream with a close friend in high school. I dreamt I was chasing her around town trying to stop her from committing suicide, she dreamt the same thing, but from her perspective. Was definitely weird
6:04 PM when we mentioned it to each other the next day! x

6:05 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from cmd102: If you had to choose two nosleepers to be stranded with you on a deserted island, who would you choose?

6:07 PM P<•Pippinacious> I would take parts from a number of people and create two fleshcrafts so that I could have a piece of everyone with me x

6:07 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from cmd102: What was the first story you remember reading on nosleep?

6:08 PM P<•Pippinacious> Down In The Library Basement by SleepyHollow_101 (is that her username? I think so) It was amaaaziiinnggg

6:09 PM Question from poppymoonray: Which character from one of your stories would you most like to be?

6:11 PM P<•Pippinacious> That's a tough one. Probably Sadie from Fran and Jock; nothing bad happens to her, she's not traumatized, and she knows she's loved in the end. That answer would undoubtedly change if I had a character who could talk to animals x

6:12 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from poppymoonray: Which one of your stories was the most difficult for you to write? Which one was the easiest?

6:14 PM P<•Pippinacious> Difficult would have been The Disappearing Pets, I think. It dealt with animal abuse, which really turns my stomach, and the two dogs were loosely based on two of my own who I lost in 2015 and 2016. Easiest was Fran and Jock because it was a tribute to my late grandfathers and the story came very easily and took next to no time to write. x

6:15 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from cmd102: If you could have dinner with any actor/actress, living or dead, who would you have dinner with? Where would you go?

6:17 PM P<•Pippinacious> I would love to have dinner with Elijah Wood because I loved him as Frodo Baggins, he just seems like an odd dude to hang with, and I think I could get away with going somewhere cheap and casual. If he's not available, I'll get a little gussied up and see if I can score a double date with Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart, but I think they'll requir
6:17 PM e something nicer, like an Olive Garden x

6:18 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from cmd102: What is your least favorite horror trope?

6:19 PM P<•Pippinacious> People doing really stupid stuff. "Let's split up! Let me run upstairs, where there are no exits, while the killer is chasing! Let me just stab the bad guy once and then drop the knife right beside him and run away!" Y'all deserve what's coming to you, ok? x

6:20 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from poppymoonray: If you could collaborate with any other NoSleep author, who would you choose?

6:21 PM P<•Pippinacious> Honestly? Probably none. I'm extremely creatively controlling and I think if someone tried to work with me, they'd end up wanting to murder me :( x

6:22 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from poppymoonray: Do you think David Cummings will be a kind, friendly ghost like Casper or the sort who plays pranks on people? (Please do not murder him to answer this question)

6:23 PM P<•Pippinacious> I think David Cummings is going to be the ghost who follows you around the house saying "Brace yourself" a lot. Overall, he'll be chill, but I think he'll have some impulse control if he finds you standing at the top of a flight of stairs.
6:23 PM x

6:25 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from poppymoonray: What fruit do you empathize with most strongly? What fruit fills you with an unbridled rage?

6:27 PM P<•Pippinacious> I empathize with plums. They're just small and round and underappreciated 'cos they're always between the bigger, juicer peaches and apples in the grocery store. They're doing their best and just want to be inside of you. Tomatoes infuriate me. Who are they trying to kid? Just accept that you're a vegetable and let us all move on. x

6:28 PM N<•NotMikey> Question from cmd102: You can pick any location in the world to live for 6 months while writing a novel, where do you go?

6:29 PM P<•Pippinacious> Ireland. Just...all of Ireland. x

6:30 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : What song gets stuck in your head most often?

6:31 PM P<•Pippinacious> Life is a Highway, but only the one verse about life being a highway and I'm gonna ride it all night long. x

6:31 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Who would win in a fight, Crinklebottom or Fran and Jock?

6:33 PM P<•Pippinacious> Everyone, because they'd realize they have more in common than not and team up to bring a reign of fluffy stuffed vengeance down upon evildoers. x

6:33 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Manen Lyset's written about pigeons, canaries, and crows. You've written about ravens and grackles. What's the next Nosleep bird trend? (I'm hoping for ostriches, personally.)

6:34 PM P<•Pippinacious> I've actually not written about ravens; I've written about crows, magpies, grackles, and hummingbirds! Next up, I'd like to do something with owls or cardinals or a Florida native (and big bully), the sandhill crane. x

6:34 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : You're trapped in a dungeon with a sadistic killer. He informs you that he plans to torture you for 1 hour before killing you, and that you can choose the method of torture and how you will die. What do you choose?

6:36 PM P<•Pippinacious> Form of Torture: A telephone call. I absolutely HATE talking on the phone, so I think it should count. I will call a local dog shelter and request that they provide their fluffiest puppies, who I will allow to smother me with snuggles. It's the only way I'd want to go.
6:36 PM x

6:37 PM C<•cmd102> Question from NotMikey : What's your go-to snack and/or drink that you like to have while writing?

6:37 PM P<•Pippinacious> I tend not to eat when I'm writing, but I drink tea. Lots and lots of tea. Earl Grey or chai tend to be my poison of choice.

6:38 PM C<•cmd102> Question from NotMikey : Where do you draw your ideas from?

6:39 PM P<•Pippinacious> My family, every day life, phrases that pop into my head that make me go "Ooh, that could work as a title/first line!". Auntie Bells was inspired because my charm bracelet was tinkling a lot while I tossed and turned one night, that sort of thing. x

6:40 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : FMK: Pippi Longstockings, Scottie Pippin, Gladys Knight and the Pips

6:45 PM P<•Pippinacious> Well, I only know who Pippi Longstockings is, so I will kill her, marry Scottie because I like the name, and F Gladys and Pips
6:45 PM x

6:45 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Can you please tell us a little more about the process of writing The Brickwell Family Zoo?

6:51 PM P<•Pippinacious> The process? Well, I'm not sure it really differed much from any other story. I knew of the concept of human zoos long before I wrote the story, so I decided to do some research into what exactly they entailed, when they were popular, where they were located, and the kinds of people they would put on display. From there, it was just a matter of cre
6:51 PM ating a fictionalized family to create such a depraved and horrible place. x

6:51 PM C<•cmd102> Question from NotMikey : Dogs or cats, and why?

6:55 PM P<•Pippinacious> DOGS! Dogs dogs dogs! Why? Because DOGS! But I also like cats. But come on, DOGS.
6:55 PM x

6:55 PM C<•cmd102> Question from NotMikey : What genre of writing do you feel you would do absolutely terrible in?

6:57 PM P<•Pippinacious> Probably erotic. I wouldn't be able to take it seriously. There would be terrible euphemisms for genitalia and a bunch of horrible puns involving butts. You know, maybe I wouldn't be so awful at it after all...x

6:57 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : If you had the opportunity to pick the brain of any author in the world, who would you choose? What would you ask them?

6:59 PM P<•Pippinacious> Tolkien. I need to know how he did it, how he created everything that he created. It keeps me awake at night. x

6:59 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : Star Trek or Star Wars?

7:00 PM P<•Pippinacious> Wars. No, Trek. No, definitely Harry Potter. x

Question from NotMikey : Should classic monsters (i.e. vampires, werewolves) be remade for modern times, or should they be left preserved as they are?

7:18 PM P<•Pippinacious> I'd like to see a return to their roots. They were scarier in the beginning, the real stuff of nightmares. So far, changes have led to sparkly vampires and I can just not get behind that. x

7:18 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : What's the best story (nosleep or otherwise) you've ever read?

7:19 PM P<•Pippinacious> I honestly don't have an answer for this. I've read a lot of really great stuff and I'm not sure which I'd choose. For horror, I definitely think Woman In Black is up there; I love Gothic ghost stories. x

7:20 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  What author has influenced your writing the most?

7:21 PM P<•Pippinacious> It's probably a mix between Tolkien, Pratchett, Gaiman, Rowling, and Salvatore. I try not to consciously emulate anyone's writing style, but I'm sure the influences are there. x

7:21 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Will you adopt a hedgehog with me? ❤
7:21 PM Follow up: If yes, what should we name it? If no, why not? 😞

7:23 PM P<•Pippinacious> While I cannot currently add any more pets to my already full roster (except the cat we're bringing home in November), I will definitely help you name it! I am fond of Sir/Lady Wigglesnort of Chub Chubville, but I can see how that might not be for everyone. x

7:23 PM C<•cmd102> Question from NotMikey : What's your favorite frozen treat?

7:23 PM P<•Pippinacious> Cookie dough ice creeeeaam. Or mint chocolate chip. Or moose tracks...maybe I just really like ice cream. x

7:24 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : Worst decision you've ever made?

7:24 PM P<•Pippinacious> Trying to keep a friendship going after I'd already heard its death knell. Lotta heartache, zero payoff, 0/10 do not recommend. x

7:25 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Your stories often have a wholesome twist. Is that intentional?

7:26 PM P<•Pippinacious> Sure is! I'm a sucker for a happy ending. x

7:26 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Was your doggo named after the musical Pippin?

7:27 PM P<•Pippinacious> No, he was named after the hobbit. Maybe if I'd gone the musical route, he wouldn't be such a mischief maker? x

7:27 PM C<•cmd102> Question from NotMikey : Do you prefer Jack-o-Lanterns with perfect, stenciled designs or gritty, handmade ones?

7:28 PM P<•Pippinacious> Both have their place. Mostly I like the creative ones the most. x

7:28 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : What's the luckiest thing that's ever happened to you?

7:28 PM P<•Pippinacious> Meeting my husband <3 x

7:29 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Are books or movies a bigger influence on your writing?

7:30 PM P<•Pippinacious> I read a lot more when I was younger and had more free time, so I think when I started writing, it was definitely books. As an adult with less time to slip between the pages, I think it's shifted to movies now. x

7:30 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Vanilla or chocolate? Nsync or Backstreet Boys? Coke or Pepsi? Hall or Oates?

7:30 PM P<•Pippinacious> Vanilla, Backstreet Boys, Pepsi, Oates x

7:31 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : Worst tattoo?

7:31 PM P<•Pippinacious> The pornographic Pokemon tattoo I saw online of Bulbasaur being very naughty to Jesse from Team Rocket. x

7:32 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus : Do you write other genres besides horror?

7:33 PM P<•Pippinacious> I do, mostly just fantasy, though. Horror has been my go-to for the last year and it's been hard switching back and forth, so I think I need to settle on one and focus for a while.x

7:33 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : What are your feelings toward the Oxford comma? Please be expansive in your answer.

7:35 PM P<•Pippinacious> Oh Oxford comma, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways! Look, I don't care what my boss says, you shouldn't say, "I had eggs, toast and orange juice for breakfast". You're not mixing the toast and orange juice! We have that beautiful little Oxford comma to avoid such situations and if you don't use it, well, you're just plain wrong! x

7:36 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : If you had to fight any nosleep writer, who would it be?

7:37 PM P<•Pippinacious> I'm a lover, not a fighter, but I'm pretty sure I could take Manen_Lyset (don't tell him I said that) x

7:37 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Who in your life is the biggest influence on your writing?

7:39 PM P<•Pippinacious> My parents. They're the most supportive, amazing people ever and when I was a wee Pip who said I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, they told me to go for it. They read all of my stories, let me bounce ideas off of them, and encourage me endlessly. x

7:39 PM C<•cmd102> Question from XylonEx : Who would you murder for a Klondike bar?

7:40 PM P<•Pippinacious> Depends; is it the plain kind or krunch bar kind? 'Cos if it's the latter, I'd murder YOU for one. x

7:40 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Please complete the following sentence: Despite all my __, I'm still just a __ in a ___

7:41 PM P<•Pippinacious> Despite all of my rage, I'm still just a rat in a cage. I'm sorry if you were hoping for something clever; I'm not witty enough to come up with spur of the moment rhymes. x

7:42 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : Proudest accomplishment?

7:42 PM P<•Pippinacious> Homeowner before 30. x

7:42 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Close knit families feature strongly in your stories, is that inspired by your family?

7:44 PM P<•Pippinacious> Yep. I come from a very close family. My parents have been married over 30 years, my brother (whose wife is a good friend of mine from high school) is an amazing man who I look up to, my sister is my best friend. I've been lucky to add my husband to the family, along with his equally amazing parents. Love and admire them all. x

7:44 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Favorite Disney princess? Favorite Disney villain?

7:45 PM P<•Pippinacious> Mulan isn't technically a princess, but whatever whatever, I do what a want. Gaston or Frollo are meeessed uuuup. x

7:45 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : You just saw a shooting star! What do you wish for?

7:45 PM P<•Pippinacious> I can't tell you or it won't come true. x

7:46 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : Would you do it like this, like that, or a whiffle ball bat?

7:46 PM P<•Pippinacious> Little of column a, little of column b. x

7:46 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Favorite kind of food?

7:47 PM P<•Pippinacious> My palate never developed beyond a 12 year old's, so pepperoni pizza e'ryday, all day! x

7:48 PM C<•cmd102> Question from poppymoonray : Toe socks: Friend or foe?

7:48 PM P<•Pippinacious> Foe, stop putting material between your toes and pretending it's not annoying as heck. x

7:48 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : Best sexual experience in s Camaro? (Feel free to skip this. Fate is a butt.)

7:50 PM P<•Pippinacious> Your mom and dad after prom while I watched from the bushes. I took pictures; I'll send you some. x

7:50 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus : Do you have a signature drink?

7:50 PM P<•Pippinacious> Nope! Unless you count tea? x

7:51 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  What's your favorite (non-dog) animal?

7:52 PM P<•Pippinacious> Corvids, with a special place in my heart for magpies. x

7:52 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : Do you prefer to write on paper or on a computer?

7:53 PM P<•Pippinacious> Computer, but 95% of my writing is done on my phone because I hate myself. x

7:53 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Unicorn or mermaid?

7:53 PM P<•Pippinacious> Unicorn. x

7:54 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus :  Favorite decade for fashion?

7:54 PM P<•Pippinacious> January 4, 1902-January 4, 1912. x

7:55 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : If you could pick any of your stories to be adapted into a movie, which would you pick? Who would you want to play the main character?

7:56 PM P<•Pippinacious> The Murder In My Backyard with...I dunno, I'm really bad at actors. So just insert someone talented. x

7:56 PM C<•cmd102> Question from blindfate : Favorite horror movie?

7:56 PM P<•Pippinacious> Right now, The Woman In Black. x

7:57 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus : Pennywise: sexy or scary?

7:57 PM P<•Pippinacious> Clowns are never sexy. Scary. x

7:58 PM C<•cmd102> Question from onyxoctopus : What was your first pet?

7:58 PM P<•Pippinacious> Rupert, a lhasa apso who had the same birthday as my sister. x

7:58 PM C<•cmd102> Question from cmd102 : Any advice for new or aspiring writers?

8:00 PM P<•Pippinacious> Write all the time, even when you don't want to. The only way you're going to really learn and improve is through trial and error, which means putting a lot of effort into it. It can be super annoying, especially when you're feeling uninspired, but sometimes I find that's the best time to write, it helps you dig up stuff you might not have thought
8:00 PM of otherwise. x