1. OMG Brianne is such a jerk in the beginning!  Why would you make her like that?

Let me start by saying that it was painful making a character as judgmental as Brianne was in the beginning.  I wouldn't make someone as snippy, whiny, so sarcastic that it's borderline cruel without a purpose.  Kay?  Good.

That being said, Brianne is judgmental in the beginning because this story is her journey to realize that stereotypes are pretty much bogus.  I needed her to be judgmental in the beginning so that she could grow as a person with Dannon.

2. Is Garrett gay?

No, he's not gay--just really girly and energetic.  You can have him be gay if you want him to be though!

3. Is there going to be a sequel?

My friend is writing the sequel, It All Started With A Pear!  You can read it on her profile, Vacantt.  The sequel can be looked at as a spin-off of sorts, as it's about the characters' children.

4. I love Dannon and all, but shouldn't he have died?  Waking up was so unrealistic.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0302/074_cancer_miracles.html (a fan sent me this link!)

I know it's unrealistic to most, but miracles do happen.  And besides.  What would I be saying if I killed him off?  What would be the whole message of this story?  It would be that no matter how much hope you have, there's no point because it's going to end badly anyway.

This way shows people that there's hope.  It shows that faith in God can go far.  I know it might not be the most realistic ways of showing it, but I wouldn't have the ending any other way.

5. Why does Brianne have two uncles?!

So I never really thought about why Brianne had two uncles. Rick was with Jill and Dorner was just . . . there.  And then all of a sudden people are so confused.  They're like, "OMG TWO UNCLES WHY."

Well, dearies, I've edited the story some more (not posting an edited version, okay), and he lives with them because he would rather live with his brother than be stuck in an apartment all by his lonesome.  Nope, he'd rather be a third wheel.

Hey, without the third wheel you wouldn't have a tricycle okay.  They're important.

6. How did you even come up with this idea?

I was a newb at cover making who thought she was pretty dang good.  That being said, I showed my grandmother how I made them--mind you, I was using picnik.  I know--and uploaded a random picture of a guy holding up an apple.  And then I needed  title.  So I put one.

I know.  So inspiring, right?

7. Brianne's family members are such creepers.  Where is the sense of personal space?

I don't even know.  It just happened.

Okay, picture it.  Your boy-hating daughter is suddenly hanging out with a guy non-stop.  Wouldn't you be a little interested as to what was going on?

Okay, maybe not. 

8. Does Brianne say yes?!

Who can say no to Dannon?  That is my question to you.

Anyway, if you want to see more into their relationship, read the one-shots on my profile!

9. Is this going to be, like, legit published?

Yes!  It has been published!  You can purchase it on kidpub.com, amazon, or from me for a signed copy!

10. How long are you going to continue writing IASWAA?

Well, technically speaking, I finished writing it.  However, whenever I can I write a one-shot for it and post it on my profile!

11. Why is Maria such a brat sometimes?

I'd be lying if I said I was all that sure.  I was writing as I went along, and it just happened.  Teachers at school who think that author's put meaning to anything and everything (for example: why the curains are blue) might tell you that it's  contrast between the goodness of everyone around Brianne and to show a bit of conflict.

But I don't really have any idea!

12.  Seriously how old are you because you're so good?

I'm sixteen!  And aw, thanks!

13.  Aren't they a bit young to get married?  I mean, they haven't even started college yet!

Yes, they are a tad young!  Eighteen is a young age to get married, and most people would call it stupid.  There's this girl at my school who is getting married (at least I think she's still getting married?) and she's only seventeen--I think.  I was like, "Whaaaaat?"

14. Is this the end of the story?

Yes, yes it is.

15.  Will you make an official closing?  Like a chapter 2 years later? 

If I do, it'll be posted in the one-shots!  Probably not, though.  The most insight you get on what happens after is what I randomly write for the one-shot book.

16. When will The Apple-Denter be published?

I have decided not to write The Apple-Denter anymore.  I'm sorry to those who were looking forward to it!

17. Are some of your favorite comments going to be at the end of your book (legit published)?

Oooooh that's a good idea!  Wow, that's genius!  And sounds so fun.  I just might do that!

18. What was Dannon going to say before he went into a coma?

Hah, you guys might hate me for this, but I don't really know.  In all honesty, I hadn't gotten past the, "OMG he's not going to finish his sentence here!"  Since I knew he wasn't going to finish his sentence I didn't bother thinking it up.

Ha.

Buuuut, if I went back and looked at the context, he'd probably be about to suggest something to do.  And Brianne probably would have told him no.  Sorry, guys!

19. What about the new baby? 

He would have been introduced in IASWAP.  Ray, my BFFL, had created his character and he seemed pretty awesome.  I forget who he was cast as, and I'm not even sure what his name was at this point.  I think it might have been Dustin?  I'll have to ask Ray and get back to you guys on that.

20. Can you post a picture of their kids as a foreshadow type of thing?

Ooooh that sounds cool!  Sure, I'll post it on the side when I find a good picture!

21. Tell us if you get published?

Most definitely!

22. Why did your friend that started writing the fanfic about this book delete her account and book?

Personal reasons. 

23. Where can we find the one-shots of IASWAA?

On my profile!  It's called One Shots (IASWAA). The chapters are labeled as deleted scenes because of the first title I gave it, not because they are actually deleted scenes.

24. Do you have a twitter?

Yes, yes I do!  It's @iTaintedRain.

25. Which was Brianne's favorite from Switchfoot?

Dare You To Move! 

26. Will you be posting the crew's reaction in the one-shots?

Yes!  I've already started a one-shot for that.

27. How did you feel after writing IASWAA twice?

Pretty dang good!  Ha, after that I still had to delete a good chunk (20-ish pages) because they weren't really needed.  And now I'm editing.

IASWAA is still being worked on.  In fact, it's open on my computer right now. 

28. What does IASWAP stand for?

It All Started With A Pear.  It's the sequel that my friend and I are going to be writing for fun.  It'll be posted on Jaanuary.

29. Whatever happened to Brent?

Hm.  That's a good question.  I don't really know.  I might do a story on his college life and make it a linking story.  That'd be fun!

30. Are you going to carry on writing for a career or is it just a hobby?

Definitely a career!  It's never really been just a hobby for me.  In Elementary school we had these planners, and this one section asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.  The job list always changed, but one job always remained there: Author.

31. How did you get the idea for a character like Brianne?

I don't really know!  A lot of her is me.  The sarcasm, they way she says some things.  My friend even pointed out how alike we were.  But the judgmental, mean part kind of came on its own.  Her character was sort of shaped as the story went on. 

32. Wait who's Brent again?

He's the jealous jerkface who asked Brianne out in the beginning of the story.  He's the mirror of how Brianne used to be, and when she sees that, she's disgusted.  Ha.

33. How come you're only sixteen and you're so good?

I'm not human. . . . Grr.

Ha!  Thank you so much!

34. What surgery did Kyla have done?

She had to get surgery done on her ankle because of an accident in gymnastics.

35. Do you have a friend like Kyla?

Kinda, not really!  Haha, my friend told me once that she was going to find me a boyfriend, but that was about the extent on that.  My friends are hyperactive like Kyla is, but not to the point where they're . . . Kyla I guess.  Kyla is kind of her own person I suppose.

36. How did you come up with Kyla's character?

She shaped as the story went along.  I never really planned her character besides the, "going to get Brianne a boyfriend," thing.  I never really expected her to turn out how she did, but I'm okay with that! 

37. Are you a Christian?

Yes, I am!

38. I cried nearly the whole time when I found out about Dannon.  How did you feel?

Not nearly as devastated as you guys were, haha.  I knew he was going to live, so I didn't cry at all, not even during the really heartbreaking scenes.  Though when he was in a coma I got a little sad.  Not because Dannon was in a coma, but because I really missed having him around.  That's pretty much the only reason I put dreams in there, by the way.  Because I missed Dannon.  My reasoning for why I do the things I do are very inspirational, really (please note the sarcasm). 

39. What was Dannon's reaction to Brianne's video?

I'll have to make a one-shot for that!  Hah, would you kill me if I said that I never thought of that even though he was supposed to watch it?  What if they never watch it because he went into a coma before he could?  Gasp!

40. What would have the students' reactions been when Dannon went back to school?

He may or may not have been attacked by fangirls in a massive fangirlish hug that may or may not have knocked Brianne to the ground.  He may or may not have thought he was going to die that day, but survived with a smile on his face.  Oh, and Brianne may or may not have sprained her arm from the fall, oops.

I'll have to make a one shot for this, haha!

______________________________________________________________

I was taking more questions, but I've discontinued it.  I'm no longer adding questions to this section!  Please note that some of these answers are not up-to-date (seeing how a lot of them are from when I wasn't published yet).  I went through and fixed some, but I doubt I got them all.  So.

Anyway, thank you guys so much for reading! 

-Ashley