Hey Jammers, it’s Cuteypie here! Today is the release of PART ONE of the THREE-PART SPECIAL leading up to Ready or Not; Book 3! The first part was a Q&A, which has been pretty requested throughout the running of the series. I’ve collected all kinds of questions YOU guys have asked me throughout the year the series has been running. I’ll be answering 15 of them in this article!
With that out of the way, let’s get into it!
1. Why did you title the series ‘Ready or Not?’
I was struggling to come up with a title at the planning part of the series. Figuring out the ENTIRE PLOT was easier than the title. After a lot of brainstorming, I decided ‘Ready or Not’ would be a good title because of how Mariah is never quite prepared for the next challenge she has to face, but she has to face it head on anyways.
2. Is there a theme or a meaning to your series?
I never honestly put too much thought into a ‘meaning’ towards the series while writing. As a reader myself, I know that everyone interprets things differently. I’d say the two best themes I like to portray in my book is to 1. Accept yourself for who you are and 2. Show you that you can do anything you want, no matter what others or your past says.
3. What is your favorite part about writing Ready or Not?
I absolutely LOVE writing scenes that show character development. I get to grow the characters in more ways than physically, which is amazing. I also loved writing scenes that showed the relationship developments between Mariah and the other characters.
4. What is your least favorite part about writing Ready or Not?
I’d say writing sad scenes is my least favorite because I hate seeing my characters upset. I also hated writing Andrew in pain because he’s the best and deserves all the happiness in the world.
5. Who is your favorite character?
I obviously love Mariah, but if I had to pick someone who isn’t the main character, it would be Andrew without a doubt. He’s the GOAT and nobody can tell me otherwise.
6. Who is your least favorite character?
I honestly hate Hatchi with a burning passion. It’s mostly because of how she treated Mariah, but she’s just a garbage phantom.
7. Why is Mariah named ‘Mariah?’
I remember searching through name meaning websites for literal HOURS trying to find the perfect name for her. After a while, the name Mariah popped up on a suggested name. I looked it up on the Urban Dictionary, and I knew it was a perfect fit.
“Mariah is a very intelligent, loving, caring, passionate,at times an introvert, and at other times very outgoing. Mariah is very creative, whether it be in drawing, writing, graphic designing, or singing. Oh and can be very bi-polar at times. Often an Aries. Hands are like lethal weapons when you get on their bad side. Very independent.”
That’s such a Mariah description!
8. How did you come up with the ‘Destroyer’ lore?
Fun story about that. That aspect of RON was actually a separate fanfic series I used to write about LEGO Ninjago and Power Rangers. Funny, right? But I decided it would fit PERFECTLY with the series because it could add another aspect of the series that could be special. It hasn’t been explained too much yet in the series since it’s supposed to still be a mystery.
9. Who inspired Mariah’s character?
I really don’t know who inspired Mariah, but I know that parts of her came from my old OC, Destiny. As I said before, that Destroyer lore came from the same fanfic as Destiny. Mariah isn’t much like Destiny, but she gets that spunky nature from the original character I had once only written about. I don’t think anyone really inspired Mariah. She was just created with the same sort of attitude an old OC of mine had. I don’t write that fanfic anymore, but Destiny will always be a lit OC.
10. What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
I’d say my favorite chapter had to be the book 2 finale. I absolutely hated having to write my favorite characters in pain, but the outcome was the greatest. I loved that little ending scene after it was all over, and they were at the soccer tryouts. It was so sweet and wholesome.
11. What is some advice you’d give to your past self when writing book 1?
I would look at myself right in the eyes and tell myself “Cutey, don’t be so dang cringy.” In all seriousness, I’d probably tell myself details details details. The more details you can add into the plot, the better the chapter and book will be. I would also have myself better explain settings and emotions.
12. What is advice you’d give to people who want to write a series?
I’d tell you to follow your dreams. I had dreamed of writing an actually FINISHED book for years, and look at where we’re at now. We’re at the end of book 2, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I’ve loved writing since I was a little kid, and I don’t think my younger self could believe I am where I am today. If you believe that you can do something, you’re gonna do it. This doesn’t apply to just writing. It’s anything. You can do anything you want to in life. Don’t let your brain’s limits stop you.
13. Will Mariah’s mom be released from the necklace?
Now, these types of questions are ones I really can’t answer. Maybe she will, maybe she won't. It'd be a spoiler if I release that sort of information! But I can tell you that necklace is involved in the next book!
14. Who’s your editor(s) for the series?
I actually have one specific person in the Archives who absolutely LOVES editing my chapters. Her name is Yum, and she’s one of the sweetest people I know. She’s always so excited when I have a new chapter for her to edit. Without her editing skills, this series wouldn’t be as successful as it is. Thanks Yum!
15. Who or what inspired you to start writing?
I’m not entirely sure WHAT inspired me to start. I’d probably say Power Rangers because I had an obsession with the plot writing of Power Rangers series’. I would write random stories about Power Rangers as a child, and I eventually got into fantasy writing as I got older.
That’s all for today! I hope you learned a thing or two about me or Ready or Not! What was YOUR favorite question? Let me know in the comments!
Jam On!