Dear Readers,

Welcome, I am glad you have chosen to drop by and read this week's interview. You will find links to past featured writers at the end of this interview. Just click on the writer's name and you will be taken to their interview.

This week's Featured writer is not only a 1999 Kerth Award nominee but a 1999 Kerth Award Winner. Her fanfic 'The Huntress' Revenge' won for Best Dramatic Story. This is a drama which deals with the lives of L&C after a couple of years of marriage and their feelings concerning an expanding family. Of course, she has also included a villainous plot to rob our Superhero of his powers.

Now without further ado I am proud and honored to present this week's Writer in the Writer's Showcase ...

Personal Information

Author name
Jenni Debbage

E-mail addresses
106532.433@compuserve.com

Residence
Dundee, Scotland.

List, AOL, or web affiliations
Loiscla Fanfiction List

Lois and Clark or Superman Status

How long have you been watching L&C?
Since the pilot was first shown on British T V, which must be a few years back. I immediately loved the show. I particularly liked the fact that they had placed more emphasis on Clark Kent than Superman. And the on-screen chemistry between Teri and Dean was enthralling. As the series progressed I became truly 'hooked'.

How long have you been a fan of Superman?
I have never really been a true fan of Superman, though I did see and enjoy most of the Christopher Reeves' Superman movies. I always felt that Superman was too 'hero-like' and Clark Kent too weak. Yet I loved that moment in the Chris Reeves' movie when, confronted by Lois Lane, Clark dumps his wimpy image and becomes a 'real person'.

How long have you been writing?
When I was a teenager I had a few abortive attempts at writing a historical novel, being from Scotland I felt I had a great choice of themes. However life got in the way and I always seemed too busy to finish them. There were also none of the tools of the trade to help out. I banged out my attempts on an old type- writer. If I were to reread these efforts I shudder to think what my verdict would be. Currently I have been writing for around 18 months.

How long have you been writing L&C fanfic?
As I answered previously; 18 months. When the show was canceled I felt very sad, but that inspired me to start writing my own version of the continuation of Lois and Clark's lives. Around that time I had just found my way to the L & C Archive and that encouraged me to try my hand at writing. My first attempt was 'The New Birth'. Although I enjoyed the writing process I wasn't completely happy with the end result. I felt it didn't flow too freely, but I found myself totally immersed in my creations so I kept on going and 'The Huntress' Revenge' was born.

What types of Fanfic have you written?
Dramatic stories with, I hope, a strong A plot. But also I try to develop my characters, their continuing lives and their personalities. I'm not sure if I succeed but this is my intention.

Most recent story posted? Where?
'The Master Race'. L & C Fanfic Archive.

Favorite story you have written? Why?
I suppose that I have special feelings for 'The Huntress'. Perhaps because it was the first story to receive such wonderful feedback. But more because I felt totally enthralled with the plot. This does not mean that I am not committed to my other story lines, but I had more doubts with regards to my other stories. My latest offering, 'Suffer the Little Children', which should be posted to the Archive very soon, is another favorite.

Current project/projects?
To continue writing about the lives of my Lois and Clark family. I have widened the family circle and I have a number of ideas for future plot lines.

Personal picks of other Fanfics you have read?
Oh, this is difficult; there are so many. When I first found the archive I felt I was in my favorite library and I avidly consumed every story I could. Then I began to be a little more selective and a number of authors emerged as my favorites. All Chris Mulder's stories are like old friends and I return to them again and again; Sheila Harper's Shot in the Dark and Mxysplit are too very different stories but both great reads, very talented lady to be able to write with such variety; Erin Klinger's poignant stories When You Needed Me and What it Means to Love you; Peace's harrowing When My World Divides and Shatters; CCMalo's Recognition parts 1 & 2, I'm waiting patiently for part 3; Yvonne Connell's Fear of series; all Wendy Richard's offerings but more especially It Happened One Super Night, this has to be an all time favorite; the collective offerings of both season 5s and 6, I admire how these authors had to work to a deadline and to maintain the continuity; and last but not least there are some great tales on the Nfic sites, Kathy Brown's excellent Winners; Labrat's epic Caped Fear; Sandy McDremin's trilogy combines excitement with humor and finally Piper's unforgettable Heir. I could go on but I'm endanger of turning this answer into another story.

General Interview Questions

What attracted you to writing Fanfic and what about it do you enjoy?
My love of the series inspired me to begin writing again, but what keeps me going is the obsession to explore the lives of Lois and Clark. Also, having tried to write a historical novel, I know how much time must be devoted to research. Writing about an established series means that a great deal of the research is there for you. If I want to refer to something from L & C's past I just search through my video tapes. Of course that doesn't mean that I don't do research. When developing a new plot I try to be as realistic as possible, even though L & C's world is strictly fantasy.

On the whole, I find that writing about established characters cuts down on the 'leg work' and I just have fun placing these characters in situations of my own imagination.

What about the L&C and the characters do you like the most?
The love story between an earth human and a kryptonian. I am an unrepentant romantic and I find in their story a way to express that romanticism without I hope resorting to mush.

More than that, I love how Lois Lane has matured and mellowed from the feisty, almost uptight, independent reporter to the more thoughtful, warmer but still combative woman of today. Don't get me wrong, I liked the old Lois of the first season and I believe that those kinder traits were there in the beginning, only very well hidden. Just as the feistiness is still there and I believe always will be, that's just a part of Lois. But an older, wiser Lois has learned to channel her energies into causes that are more worthwhile.

L & C's and Dean Cain's interpretation of Clark Kent, though, was probably what really hooked me on the series. The fact that he was a quiet, humorous and highly intelligent individual who just happened to have all these amazing capabilities, captured me in a way that the other portrayals of Superman never had. He was a super-hero who wasn't perfect, he made mistakes in judgment and he could sulk with the best of them when things didn't go as he planned, especially with Lois. In other words he was a very human individual even though he came from Krypton.

All the other characters also became real people, with personalities and joys and sorrows. Together the team created for me a wonderful series.

How do you interpret them in your work?
Everyone grows and matures as they get older. I try to take what the series left us with and continue to develop their characters through my stories. Hopefully I stay true to the original premise.

How did you begin writing in general?
I've always had a vivid imagination and from a very young age a joy of reading, Combine the two and you are almost compelled to write.

How do you feel about being nominated for a Kerth Award?
This is probably the easiest question to answer; simply over the moon. I must have had a silly grin on my face for hours after discovering that I had been nominated. On a more serious note, it's a lovely way for the fans to say thank you for my story and I would like to return the compliment by saying thank you to all those who took the trouble to read and vote for my story.

What story of yours was nominated for a Kerth Award and could you tell about it?
'The Huntress' Revenge'. It's a story which takes place around a couple of years after the series left off. Lois and Clark are the proud parents of a very young son and contrary to all medical opinion, Lois finds herself pregnant yet again, a situation which she is not happy with, she feels she is not ready for another pregnancy and this leads her to once again shut Clark out. Meanwhile villains are plotting to expose and kill Clark/Superman. These villains succeed in kidnapping Clark and disabling him with kryptonite. Our hero does manage to escape but there are many trials and tribulations ahead before our favorite couple emerge triumphant. And there is some soul searching too before the end credits.

In fact I have received one or two messages from readers who were surprised that our Clark was not as kind to his alternate self as he might have been. I can only say that in my interpretation Clark was unhappy not with his other self but with the fact that an active Superman was a constant reminder of what he had lost and remember that he was feeling extremely ill and that made him more sensitive than normal. He instinctively understands too that there is some connection between the alternative Clark and his wife and as we all know our hero is not immune to the green-eyed monster.

Have you ever been nominated for the Kerth Award before? If so, please name the fanfic and tell something about it.
No. 1998 is the first year that I have posted my stories on the Archive.

What are you working on now and where do you see it going?
I have recently started my fifth story in my series of L & C's life. Entitled 'Tears of a Clone' it tackles the subject of cloning, though not in the manner already portrayed in the T V series or in other fan fiction. As I develop story lines as I write I'm never quite sure where my muse will take me, but I feel that this will be another fairly long tale.

What is your opinion about the following types of L&C fanfic's?
Action?
I enjoy action stories especially if they are tied to a good A plot.

Drama?
I would have to say that these are my favorites, perhaps that's why I write them. Normally the dramatic stories are the more complex stories. I enjoy a long read and winding my way through an engrossing plot. But before I upset anyone I know that there are exceptions to every rule.

Humor?
I admire writers who can write in this genre, especially those who can combine humor and A plot. 'Charity Begins At Home' springs to mind, I loved this one and I laughed my way through '3 Capes to the Wind'. I try to lighten my own stories with a few humorous interludes, I just wish I could do it better.

Round Robin?
I have enjoyed a few of these stories and I think that they are improving as they go. ' Edge of Darkness' was great. I think this must be a very difficult skill to master, though I'm sure that the authors must have a lot of fun participating. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Nfic?
I love some of the stories generated on these sites. I've attempted a couple of aborted forays myself, but just couldn't make it believable or passionate enough. My favorite reads are when the sexual interludes are combined with a plot. So many of these authors do this so well.

Has *everything* been done in your opinion, and if not, what is left?
No!! Categorically no!! Even though the T V series was canceled our favorite couple lives on in the writers' and fans' imaginations. Not to mention in-between episodes and re-writes and elsewhere worlds. As long as these fanfic sites are out there and people are still interested in reading these stories then Lois and Clark will go on.

What do you think makes the best story?
That's a difficult one and I don't think that there is a clear answer. People have different tastes and everyone has their own theory on this.

I enjoy long complex stories with involving plots that draw the reader into the story. Stories that develop the relationship between Lois and Clark, whether from their friendship blossoming into love or as an old married couple many years into the future. But I think that no matter what the genre, if a writer loves and believes in the characters and story plot and if they can make their creations live in their readers' mind then that story will become memorable.

Where is the best place for a reader to locate your work?
L & C Fanfiction Archive

Open Forum For Author Comments
I would simply like to say thank you to my editor who helps me with the nuts and bolts of writing my stories and also answers my questions on 'Americanisms'.

And I am truly grateful to all FoLC out there who work so hard on producing the various sites and web pages that enable writers and readers to enjoy their passionate interest in Lois and Clark.

I would also like to encourage the FoLC who read my stories to send me feedback. I like to hear what you think of my efforts. I enjoy the good comments and steel myself for the bad, how else can I improve my writing. In exchanging thoughts and ideas I have met some great new friends.

And finally thank you readers for being out there. If you didn't exist I wouldn't have an excuse to indulge a much loved hobby; writing about Lois and Clark.

Yours,
Jenni Debbage