I have a friend in the virtual world, Second Life. She used to host readings of her stories on Book Island and let one of her fictional characters do some of the readings. It’s only fair since he also wrote the stories he’s reading.
The woman’s name in Second Life is Hakeber Haber. Her real life name is Rebekah Webb. Her character’s name is Car Johnson.
I was lucky enough to have them both answer a few questions recently.
Enjoy :-)
When did you start writing?
Rebekah:
I started writing when I was a kid. I still have the start of my first fictional story, which I wrote back in elementary school. While pretty good for a nine year old, it had some classics such as “she asked questionally” and characters who suddenly appeared in the story with no explanation of who they were.
Car:
I started writing when I wanted to put down my life story. I’d rather talk about when I first started to sing and write country music. It was in the shower when I was eight. I belted out one of the songs from Mother’s favorite radio station and wondered if a little boy from Northern California could be country. I didn’t get enough courage to write lyrics until later. For some reason, I didn’t mind singing, even though I never hit a tune, but clobbered them over the head with a black board.
What were your early writings about?
Rebekah:
My early writings were varied. I wrote a comedy/mystery as a kid, the same one that had the “she asked questionally.” I never really completed much when I was younger. I wrote a few funny plays, some silly Car-like essays for class, some light horror short stories, and a medical thriller about genetic engineering that never got past the first scene, which happened to be a crazy dream sequence that had nothing to do with the story. After that, I kept my writing to half started fan fiction and original stories and extensive free form role plays. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I really focused on writing and getting things finished. And I found that all the practice made for really good writing, even though the role playing was the only thing that really gave me real practice.
I guess I had a breakthrough and the dam in my head finally broke. Now I write all the time and have two completed novels, The Life and Times of Car Johnson and Midnight Comes Softly, my novel of interconnected short horror stories I have on submission.
Car:
My early writings were mostly letters to girls I had crushes on. I told them how their hair reminded me of mud puddles or dried bits of yellow fungus and other sweet lines. The girls always slapped me in the face after reading them, though. So, I stuck to writing country music lyrics and it took nearly three years to write one five minute song.
What are your “writing habits”?
Rebekah:
I put words down. Then I revise and fix up any errors, mostly cringe-worthy typos.
Car:
I pray to the lyric god, Lyrica. Actually, I’m not sure if she exists or not. I may have gotten the name from a pharmaceutical commercial.
When were you published?
Rebekah:
I was published when a friend I met at a writer’s group liked Car Johnson and decided to host it on his blog. Since that meant Car was technically published, I took all the episodes of Car and turned it into a self-published e-book.
Car:
I wrote a romance guide, but only my family bought it. I guess tips like “when in doubt, wear pants” just aren’t for everyone.
Would you tell us a little more about Car’s book?
Rebekah:
The Life and Times of Car Johnson is a silly comedy about a lovable loser. Through the raunchy humor and rough edges of the main character, there is an almost sad innocence.
Car:
Car Johnson’s Guide to Romance is a fine example of tips for the dating challenged. I mean, most men don’t know that women love being compared to your mother. Most women don’t either, but that’s beside the point.
Thanks, Rebekah and Car. May you both have remarkable success!
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