40 Questions

This is the "40 Questions" page, where you can find out a bit about me (epcotexpert) and this blog! 

1) How did you come up with the idea for the blog?

I came up with the idea of a blog because there are so many little things I do to help me write, and since I can't share them on Fanfiction, and people wanted to see stuff like that, I created this blog...because I saw many other people doing similar things.

2) Why is it named "More Than 40 Days?"

The title "More Than 40 Days" comes from my second and most popular story (as of the creation of this blog) "40 Days" which is short for "40 Days to Bespin." I have had such an amazing time writing this story, and I can't wait to make this blog the best it can be so I can continue to share my writing.

3) What kinds of things will be on here?

There's going to be plenty to see and find out here on "More Than 40 Days!" First, I have a whole folder filled with pictures that inspire me to write parts of my fanfiction, and I'll be sharing those as time goes by. Plus, I have a list of ideas that might come into play. While I won't share all my secrets, I'll share some general ideas for what is coming up in the story. Finally, you can see all kinds of really random Star Wars stuff, because I have a lot of random stuff I've found on the internet, and some of it will make you laugh, guaranteed. =)

4) What's your favorite Star Wars movie?

The Empire Strikes Back, hands down. ROTJ comes in next, but Empire is just awesome, mostly because it has all the little Han and Leia parts in it. Actually though, I find myself incredibly bored during Luke's parts...I just like watching Han and Leia. And the Carbon scene...I freak out a little bit every time (and my friend and I say that my cat can't watch because "Darth-a Vader is freezing Han-a Solo in Car-bonite!" - as said in my cat's writing.) I really don't like the prequels at all though, just the original trilogy.

5) Have you read any EU books?

Yes, two of them, and I don't really plan on reading any more. The first was...a disaster. I decided to read Courtship, because of course it will be about Han and Leia! So I downloaded it from our local Library's digital library and went to reading it...terrible. I hated that book so much! I want the time wasted back! It was awful. I then decided to try Tatooine Ghost, which was ok, not my favorite, but I love how the writer implied a lot between them, and I find that I write in a very similar fashion. I suggest Tatooine Ghost if you haven't read it already, but don't read The Courtship of Princess Leia....just, don't. 

6) Why did you start writing Fanfiction?

My first fanfiction stuff wasn't actually Han and Leia...funny I know, and it wasn't my first finished story. You see, it all goes back about three years, when I found a site called Foopets. I got on, started playing with my pets, met people on the forums, and had a general good time. While there, I got into something called Role Play, particularly for a series called Warriors. I grew very into this and had a good time. I even wrote another short story while on that site, but then the site got rid of free accounts and I was forced to leave. After that I didn't write for several months (it's been a year since Foopet's did that) and then I took up Warriors fanfiction. I grew tired of that, and of my other story, based on Tangled. Finally, in November of 2011, I watched all the Star Wars movies, found I loved them (ok...just the Han and Leia part) and started these! I loved reading the Han and Leia focused Fanfiction and figured I'd give it a shot, which was my story "Small Talk." Turns out I'm a pretty good writer and a lot of people loved the story, so I began "40 Days" and the rest is history!

7) Why did you choose the trip to Bespin to write about?

I felt that in Empire there has to be a large piece missing. I mean, Luke doesn't just become an almost-Jedi in one day, but it seems like it in the movie because Han and Leia move so fast! So there-fore, there must be a large chunk missing, which involves Luke's actual training with Yoda and the actual flight to Bespin. Of course, there had to be something that changed on this trip because Leia and Han seem pretty close when they get to Bespin, so a lot is implied. I found this period of time that no one knew about to be pretty intriguing, and after reading many "Bespin" fics, I decided to try my own.

8) What's next?

I can't tell you much, other than there will be a short story involving "6 Months" and then another longer story that I'm not totally sure about yet. I will be very sad when "40 Days" ends, but I'll just have to look to the future. I might even go back in time to write about some pre-Empire experiences! It will always involve Han and Leia though, I can tell you that!

9) What else do you like?

Other than Han Solo? I'd have to say my number one love is actually Disney. I grew up with it and have traveled to Disney World almost more times than I can count (and no, I don't live in Florida...or anywhere near Disney). I have another blog, called Everyday Disney, that I use to write about my daily life involving Disney, and the majority of my time is spent thinking about Disney. Other than that, I really love reading, drawing, movies in general, animals, spending time with friends and photography!

10) What are some of your favorite books?

I really love the "Kingdom Keepers" series by Ridley Pearson. It's a Disney series, about a group of teens who fight against the Disney villians. It's really cool and has a lot of modern language and writing style in it. I suggest it for anyone interested in Disney or who's a teen that likes Adventure. I also loved the Hunger Games series, and the movies as well. Warriors is still high on my list, although I don't read as much of it now as what I used to. Other books to note: Marley and Me, Delirium, Divergent and a bunch more.

11) What are some of your favorite movies?

I could go on forever. Anything Disney, we'll start with that, but of those my favorites include Beauty and the Beast, Lady and the Tramp, The Lion King, Tangled, Toy Story (all three), Cars and A Bug's Life. I also, of course, love the original trilogy of Star Wars, as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The Proposal, The Wedding Planner, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Meet the Fockers, and a bazillion more are on my list. 

12) What's your favorite color?

I really enjoy blue, or really anything that's bright and bold. 

13) What kind of music do you like?

Disney music, of course, and John Williams music, or any film score music. I also really like listening to Owl City, Coldplay or similar groups (such as The Postal Service).

14) Favorite TV Shows?

Once Upon a Time, totally. I love that show! Otherwise my two other regulars include The Office and GLEE. Ace of Cakes is pretty awesome too, when I have time to actually watch it. 


15) What's your personality?
I'd have to say I'm a mix of shy and outgoing. I know, it contradicts itself. I am, in general, a outgoing person, but I hate talking to people on the phone and I'm not one to just go up and start a conversation with someone I just met. I try my best to make sure I'm not being rude and ignoring people though, for instance, I am the Vice President of my High School Band this year, and when our freshman came in I made it a point to talk to as many as possible and introduce myself. Other than that, I am very random, which I'm sure you'll figure out soon if you haven't already. I also enjoy using sarcasm.

16) If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Hmmm, I'd have to say something bright, probably a blue or green. I have no idea what the actual color would be though. 


17) Where do you live?
I live in the good old state of Wisconsin, 30th state of America. And no, I don't live on a farm. Well, I kind of do, but it's not a working farm. I have a barn, and fields, and barn cats, but that's about it. No cows. My best friend has cows though! And yes, I do love cheese. =)


18) What kind of neighborhood did you grow up in?
I live just outside of a small town, well, semi-small. It's actually a city, although it's a long way from being as big as Milwaukee. It's actually a pretty cool town, but I can't tell you exactly where it is otherwise you might come creep on me or something. It's been nice growing up here because pretty much everyone at school knows everyone else, and it just makes for a close community. 


19) What did you want to be when you were little? How about now?
When I was REALLY little I always wanted to be a teacher, but I guess most little girls want to be that at some point, that or a Princess (LOL). Then when I got a little older I realized I loved animals and wanted to be a Vet. Since then, I figured out that I couldn't hurt the animal, and I am not that big of a fan of blood, so that wouldn't work out. Now that I'm in High School I am thinking of going into either history or English, but probably English. Music is high on the list too, but I'll probably end up double majoring in Music and English lol. 


20) What's your religion?
I am a member of the U.C.C which stands for United Church of Christ. It's a more open kind of worship than say a Catholic church, but we aren't really a specific "type" of Christian, we're just UCC. I am a Sunday School at my church as well as a Youth Leader. I also help with the Sound System and counting offering. =)


21) What are you most grateful for in your life?
Good friends. I mean, not just those friends I hang out with all the time, I meal REAL true friends that are always there, although I love all my friends. That and the fact that I've had so many amazing opportunities in my lifetime that most people don't have.


22) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
This is tough, but I'd have to say my "meanness". I often feel like I speak without thinking it through first, and then it comes out really mean, or at least not the way I meant to. Yes, everyone does this once and a while, but I feel like it happens with me a lot. Thankfully, as I just said, I have good friends, and they put up with me through all those moments I forget to think first. 


23) Do you have a favorite word?
Yes, I do actually. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! 


24) Who's your favorite actor/actress?
Harrison Ford, but you probably already knew that, huh? He's just so awesome! Han Solo AND Indiana Jones...awesome!


25) What is one thing you would like to change about the world?
I really feel like our world is too focused on religion. I mean, everyone believes something different, so who's right. Of course, I have my own beliefs, but it really annoys me when people get mad at people for having their own beliefs...like if someone were to say that God was really multiple 'Gods', someone might say they are wrong and are an idiot. I think that's wrong, I mean, hasn't our country fought to protect all rights? I don't know, and you are fine to disagree with me, but that's just my answer. 


26) Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? 
I'd have to say doing the right things. I mean, I worry daily about doing things right because of school, but in the overall perspective of life, I worry about doing the right things. I don't really have an example at the moment though...LOL.


27) What's something you know you differently from most people?
In my personal group of friends and school, I'm really one of the only people who writes so much. No one else writes like I do for fun. I mean, I write fanfiction, two blogs, deviantart stuff and a personal journal. I really enjoy writing and hope to continue writing in my future! 


28) Why are you, you? 
A lot of "me" came from how I was raised, but I'd have to say an even larger chunk of it came from Disney. I've noticed more and more over the years how much the parks, movies, etc. have influenced me. For instance, I found that because everything at Disney is done to the best of the ability of the company, as well as go above and beyond anyone else, I do that to. I won't hand in a school project unless it's going to be better than everyone else's. Some people might say that's a bit rude, that I feel mine is always better (and people seriously ask me why I had to go and do that), but I can't help it. And although my project might not always "win" a competition or something, I find it's generally not my fault...or that there was something I could still do better. 


29) What's your greatest fear? Has it ever come true? 
Can I just answer this from Leia's perspective and call it a day? No...fine. My greatest fear is of Tornadoes. I can't stand the thought of something like that coming through and completely taking away everything I have ever known, within seconds, and have no chance to save any of it. I mean, in a fire, you probably have a few seconds to grab something that means a lot to you, but in a tornado, you have to run. Thankfully, it hasn't come true.


30) If you knew that everyone was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? 
Well, I'd kidnap all my friends, catch a plane to Florida and spend it with them at Disney World for the last few minutes of our lives. I'd have about 15 people that would come with me. 


31) How to you get rid of writers block?
I don't really. Sometimes, if I really want to finish a chapter or something, I'll grab my notebook, which is also my private journal, and go through my notes on the topic, in this case, a fanfiction. I generally write down plot ideas and short story ideas and more in there, and eventually I'll get through it. Otherwise, I'll just walk away for a while, do something, and wait until I really feel like writing again, and then my writer's block is generally gone. Sometimes I'll read other fanfiction too, and then I'll just be in that mode. 


32) Do you have any writing habits? 
I ALWAYS write on my laptop, at least for Fanfiction. I write my English Papers on my home computer though. I generally listen to some sort of music while writing, probably Disney music. For "40 Days" I change fonts in my word document, and I'll post a picture of that sometime...one for general conversations, one for Han's journal and one for Leia's journal. 


33) Are you a early-bird or night-owl?
Night-owl. I hate morning...other than the sunrise time, when I'm the only one awake. That's nice...otherwise night, cause I'm the only one awake. Ok...the times of day when I'm the only one awake, we'll leave it at that. 


34) Ninjas or Pirates (Or Jedi?)
All three...I'm a pirate ninja jedi. Yeah, I'm special.


35) If you had 1 million dollars, what would you spend it on? 
No taxes? Well, I'd take about 15 people to Disney World for like...3 weeks, and then come home, give some to charity and save the rest for a future date, or college. I might buy a car too.


36) Have any celebrity crushes? 
Yes...Han Solo, if that counts. I honestly wouldn't mind cuddling up with him in that giant chair I keep talking about. Stupid Leia....


37) What is one thing most people don't know about you?
Actually, that I write Fanfiction. At my school, it's kind of weird thing to do (thanks to one weird person....that writes fanfiction...it's weird). I pretty much keep it a secret and don't let anyone know. 


38) What kind of cell-phone do you have?
I have an iPhone 4S, and I love it. I'm honestly not sure what I would do without it. 


39) What other sites are you on?

I'm on pretty much every site you can imagine, and all with the same username, so I'm easy to find. You can find me on Yahoo, Twitter, Deviantart, and Fanfiction, all as epcotexpert. Those are my normal sites, although I'm sure you can find me in other places too. I am also on Youtube as TheEpcotExpert. =)

40) Can I ask a question?

Of course you are welcome to ask a question! I'll just add it on to the "Extra Questions" section that will form below this! It won't be just 40 Questions anymore, but really, who expected that it would be?