Wattpad User Name: @dcompbooks

Author Name: Donna Compositor

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I've been writing since I was 9 and I started with fanfic. Of course I still write it! But I also write original work as well. My ultimate goal is to be traditionally published. I live in the desert with my husband, three cats, and a dog, and you can usually find me reading or writing in my spare time. I occasionally work out when I'm not hurting myself doing it.

What genre do you write in? Why are you drawn to the genre?

I usually stick to the supernatural/horror/fantasy realm. I don't normally write any kind of contemporary or non-supernatural type of stories mainly because I don't read that kind of stuff and it largely doesn't interested me. There are a few things, of course, that draw me. I do ultimately read pretty widely. But most of what's on my shelves, and 99% of what I've written, has had some kind of supernatural element in it (much to the chagrin of my writing professional in college, I'm sure, who used to do his best to beat the genre out of me).

What is your most memorable moment on Wattpad?

When a fan of INSIDIOUS asked if they could translate it into Italian so their friends could read it. Of course I said yes! And they seem to be loving it! From what I can translate from the comments.

Do you think that writing on a platform such as Wattpad has helped you grow as a writer?

In terms of the social media aspect of being a writer, yes. It's forced me to be more social and interact with people more and get more involved in the community aspect of writing. Something that I wasn't doing before because I really am a total introvert.

What advice can you give to those that are just starting out on their online writing journey?

Vet your sources. There's so much out there online and if you're aiming to be the best writer you can be, not only get a bunch of hits on your story, you need to learn from those who have the writing thing down too. Just because something is popular on Wattpad doesn't mean it's well-written and I would hate for new writers to pick up bad advice and run with it because it was hit-successful for someone else.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Probably RL Stine's Goosebumps series and Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories in Tell in the Dark. Both of these got me on the supernatural freak-out bandwagon really early in life and they both stuck. I still have Goosebumps and Scary stories on my shelves (with the original nightmare-inducing drawings on the latter) and I think they were both pivotal in my genre development.

Are you a published author? If so, what name do you write under.

Self-published, yes. My book, CURSE OF STARS, is written under Donna Compositor.

Readers can connect with Donna outside of Wattpad as follows:

Twitter: @dcompbooks

Instagram: @donnaduck13

Facebook Page: @dcompbooks

Snapchat: @donnaduck1387

Recipe Name: Ricotta Cookies

Is there a special story behind the recipe? If so can you tell us a little bit about it?

Not really. I was looking for a third cookie to bake at Christmas (I do cookie batches in threes) with my other two regular Italian cookies. I found this one online and absolutely loved it. Super easy to make and the cookies are soft, fluffy, and to-die for.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened ( but really, no margarine UNLESS YOU HAVE TO!)

1 container ( or 15-ounces if you buy the big ones) of ricotta cheese

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Glaze Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of confectioner's sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl beat sugar and margarine or butter until blended.

After the ingredients are blended - beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Add ricotta, vanilla, and eggs until well combined at a medium speed.

Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat until dough forms.

Drop dough by level tablespoons, about 2 inches apart, onto ungreased large cookie sheet.

Bake about 15 minutes or until cookies are very lightly golden (cookies will be soft and cake like)

Don't forget to check out Donna's book - The Lost Boys 30th Anniversary Fanfic Contest Extravaganza! on Wattpad:

Also, make sure you put @KellyAnneBlount 's Wattpad Block Party in your library and party with us all August long!