jgzinv

SD: I was interviewing you some time ago and for whatever reason the trend vanished. In light of the upcoming Fanfiction Section release, I would like to continue the interview. Here is what we have so far:

SD: Hello there, JGZ. Now, you are a well-known figurehead on the message boards both as a moderator and a poster. Now, explain to us how it is you begin the writing process. Are there any methods that you use, or is it all spur-of-the-moment?

JGZ: Glad to be here SD…

Fortunately, my inspiration and plot twists are able to flow as bursts of insight, but my method of developing a composition is just the opposite.

After assembling a very loose story line in my mind, the next step involves thought concerning the filler material between each key point. Once a general summery of events has been established, I’ll begin to gather data and resources that relate to the subject – in the instance of Dual!, this would include such things as character profiles, environment descriptions, illustrations, and many notes to keep everything in perspective.

Something you need to understand, is that like many people, I have little tolerance for forced writing. As a result of this over the years, my writing style has evolved with a tendency to be rather long – merging the writing and editing phases into one period to a certain extent. Instead of typing the entire story out in its simplest form and modifying the material afterwards; I compare each and every sentence being written to the preceding content, and what text has yet to manifest itself. In a sense – actively searching for conformity to the atmosphere/plot, word usage, and general appeal with each new phrase.

On the occasion where I find a total lack of interesting ideas or fading interest from the author’s viewpoint – I skip over that section or work in reverse from the next key event sequence. This typically results in a larger amount of time involved to finish such a project, but the final product is usually superior to another copy of the same composition that has not received the “quality control.”

What other information would you like to know?

SD: Those are all very interesting points. But what about those times when you simply stare at the screen wondering how to proceed or, perhaps, how to make the scene seem better? What are your tactics for breaking writer’s block for the aspiring author and what do you do to improve a failing scene in your stories?

JGZ: Besides the two methods I just described? Well, I find that if I arrive in a situation such as that – then either I’ve been working too long or I’ve exhausted the supply of inspiration. The best way to fix this, is to simply get away from the material for awhile and concentrate on another venue. Work and exercise is able to get the body out of a cramped physical condition, but reading a novel, listening to music, or interacting with the environment fuels the mind.

Given such a period of refreshment, I can usually conjure up a plot twist or see the story from a new perspective. For authors other than myself, I’d suggest that they read over their material a few times before reviewing the source that gave them the desire to write in the first place. In other words – if you’re tapping out an idea for Dual!, and start to get the sense that you’re loosing the mindset of a certain character, then you need to watch a portion of the series again. Keeping a small mountain worth of notes is all well and good, but more often than not an author will require a bit of “visual aid.”

On the subject of improving a weak scene – it really boils down to deciding what purpose that particular section originally made you want to have it included. From there, a choice has to be made to fill those plot holes, or discard the selection and use the important information at a later date.

An additional way to improve a weak scene, is to learn more about the situation you have placed your characters in. Think about how they would react to their surroundings or use personification. Reading other author’s material can often provide a different perspective on various subjects – while giving you an idea of how certain areas could be improved for use in your own literary work.

If all else fails… go to sleep. The solution to the problem is much more likely to present itself if your mind is well rested.

SD, you recently posted a thread titled “Opinions Regarding All Forms of Fiction”. If the section is still available on the DualFans Community forum; then I would recommend its content to any aspiring authors searching for a critical review of the world of literature.

SD: So in other words you are saying that if a scene seems weak, try to get your mind off of the material for a little bit or seek out a means to strengthen the weakness by turning to other inspiration? Personal experience maybe?

And speaking of personal experience, I hear that you are actually writing a piece of Dual fan fiction yourself! How is that coming along and could you tell us a bit about what it is about? How closely does it relate to the Dual universe and in what ways have you decided to veer it from the Dual-ish premise?

JGZ: As to “personal experience” – writing is not an exact science, so I would think that every author needs their own method of breaking writer’s block. In my case, it may take a combination of the tactics listed above so that I am able to continue with a certain selection.

There is simply no predetermined time when an author will be able to “open the floodgates” and let his or her ideas flow. As far as my experience goes – the situation is always variable.

Yes – I do have a series of fan fiction planned for Dual! PTA. Although right now the main portion of content exists in my mind’s eye, I do have some notes and reference sheets.

To give an example of how long the original concept has “sat on the back burner” – a portion of my fiction was actually generated as a result of the deceased TechTV forums. It is also worthy of note, that at the time, COhugh’s “Spaghetti or Curry” fan fiction was being introduced and it provided me with the initial inspiration to get started.

Of course, since then I’ve made many necessary adjustments.

How closely will it tie in with the Dual! universe? I would like to keep the characters themselves as close to their official counterparts as possible. However, I also want to have the characters grow and change as a result of age and events in their lives. The very nature of this action means that some deviation from the original is going to be unavoidable.

I failed to mention it earlier, but there are other Dual! fan fiction stories I plan to write. Some of these will link with the main series, while others may occur in an alternate universe setting.

Much of the core material takes place in space – but we will also see various planet environments, space structures, and possibly asteroid fields or nebula. The side story fiction primarily concerns earth. So this is also a departure from Dual!, even though Ep. 14 did suggest that the cast would traverse the endless boundaries of space.

As to the timeline my fiction takes place in – the series will start just after episode 14. While the additional fiction pertains to a variety of points in Dual! “history” – past, present and future. Recently, there has been discussion about multiple Dual! crossovers; if I was to write or co-author such a composition, then it might need to start from the beginning of Dual!.

In terms of new characters for the central series – there will be characters that interact with the Dual! crew on a regular basis, background characters, as well as pets and new species. One female character in particular becomes a mentor for Mitsuki Sanada; currently I am working with the idea of introducing Reika Nanjyoin’s husband.

If you would like, I have a preliminary timeline of these fan fiction projects for our audience.

SD: That would be spectacular! I am sure the readers will be curious about all of your projects to come. Now, if you would indulge, are you willing to give us a sort of synopsis of your works and is it at all possible that there will be a sort of “preview” excerpt available any time soon?

You mentioned a side story, what will that entail and which of the characters will be involved? How close to the Dual universe will this side story be? And also, why have you decided to have a spin off of the main story that you are producing?

JGZ: I think I can take care of those first questions by projecting my fan fiction outline where our entire audience can see it.

It would appear to be ready – so let’s take a look…

JGZinv’s Fiction Series:

1. Title: To Space… and Beyond/Unknown. Timeline: 2-3 days after Ep 14. Duration: 6 months – 2 years.

Here the groundwork is laid for much of my fan fiction. Preparations for leaving earth, construction of ships for interstellar travel, and adjustment to space life are the initial themes. Later on, the central characters will have to come to terms with death as a sentient virus wreaks havoc among the crew.

2. Title: The Mega Fic/Unknown. Timeline: 2-3.5 years after Ep14. Duration: 1-3 Months.

This is the central core of my fan fiction series, it leans toward character development in Kazuki and Mitsuki Sanada as they are stranded on a jungle planet. However, all of the main characters have critical roles to play. This selection also acts as the staging point for many other events in the series.

3. Title: Time & Space Adventures Part 1. Timeline: Immediately after the MegaFic. Duration: 1 Week.

Nowhere near home, no sign of the fleet, and no remaining food. Following their exit into regular space, Kazuki and Mitsuki must take refuge in an alien city. With Mitsuki’s recent words hanging between them, will the chance for a relationship with Kazuki end before it can truly begin? Is Kazuki able to be saved before the last of their “friend’s” plans are put into motion?

4. Title: Time & Space Adventures Part 2. Timeline: After TSA Part 1. Duration: 2 Weeks.

After arriving on yet another strange world, Mitsuki and Kazuki are separated from Zinv and sold into slavery at the underground mines. Can they reach Zinv in time when the planet’s surface is a constant tempest of deadly temperatures?

5. Title: Time & Space Adventures Part 3 – A Valliant Attempt. Timeline: After TSA Part 2. Duration: 1 Month.

In the distant past, Mitsuki and Kazuki arrive on the planet of Dee’s civilization. While they discover the origin of Jinbu and Dee’s history, the demise of her people draws ever closer. Will Mitsuki & Kazuki be stuck in the artifact period during a futile war, or will they ever have the chance to continue their future?

6. Unknown title. Timeline: After the MegaFic & TSA Part 3. Duration: Unknown.

This fan fiction acts as an epilogue for all of the prior chapters; here the remaining characters will be reunited. Depending on the available information – the plot may involve the Galaxy Police or Senia Yamada’s Idol. There are many possibilities for this section – from weddings, a look at the Dual! character’s children in the future, to perhaps another complete series.

7. Title: Robot’s Day Out. Timeline: Slightly before the launch into space. Duration: 1-4 Days

The new Core Robots with personalities need to be synched with their pilots, so the cast is brought in for the procedure. An accident occurs during the process, and the pilot’s minds are switched into the incomplete metal shells of each mecha. However, the AI personalities have escaped into the character’s bodies. The “robots” discover human sensations and gallivant around town having fun while causing disturbances. Since Jinbu and Kazuki are linked, only those two can communicate directly; even though Kazuki can “hear” the others trapped within their motionless armor. Hayase realizes that something is wrong and tries to reason with the out of control AI personalities. After much rejection and consideration, Jinbu gets the constructs to return to their previous forms. Later, Dr. Sanada learns that the robot’s experiences have improved their mental linking capabilities, and as a result, they are far more developed then his original design.

Unrelated Dual! Fiction:

1. Unknown title. Timeline: Dual! PTA universe. Duration: Unknown.

The “Choose Your Parallel Adventure” fan fiction. Read through a page, decide on options A, B, C, or D at the end, and click to be transferred to the indicated page. Proceed through the “book” until the series is brought to a conclusion directly affected by your choices.

2. Title: Through the Dressing Room & Back Again/Unknown. Timeline: Alternate universe. Duration: 1-3 Days or less.

The female characters go out for a shopping trip around town and fall through a dimensional rip in the dressing rooms. They find themselves in a world with multiple Kazukis, each one a little different. Ultimately, they each discover what they truly love about the original Kazuki. When they finally get back home with the multi-Yotsuga’s help, the original is completely clueless as to their adventures.

3. Title: Dual! Digital Trouble Adventure/Unknown. Timeline: Alternate Universe/Unknown. Duration: 3 Days – 1 Week.

As a result of overloading the old Sanada lab equipment after everyone receives new broadband hardware – the Dual! cast is downloaded onto the internet. Now they must travel through environments based in a worldwide virtual realm while trying to find someone that can return them to normal. Will Ayuko seize the opportunity to regain her lost dominion, can the Core Robots help the situation, or will Kumu simply step on the delete key and end it all..?

4. Title: Rebel Zinv. Timeline: 3 Years after Ep. 14/Alternate Universe/Unknown. Duration: One week.

In this dimension, Kazuki and Jinbu are hunted by all the world’s nations – with his friends leading the operation. Kazuki desperately wants to contact Mitsuki Sanada so that they can return to their original universe, but she is held under house arrest by Commander Sanada and his military faction. With this new dimension’s Kazuki & Zinv already deceased as a result of these alter-ego counterparts, can Kazuki succeed where he has already failed?

Crossover Fiction:

1. Title: No Need for a Vacation/Unknown. Timeline: A week after Ep.14/Alternate universe. Duration: One week.

A decent crossover featuring Dual! and the Tenchi Universe/OVA cast. Both “families” decide on a road trip – Akane is getting really tired of the Dr’s space talk & Tenchi just needs to get out of the house. The two groups end up colliding; general character antics and hilarity ensue.

2. Title: Dual-yasha: Troublesome Feudal Adventure. Timeline: Start of Inu-yasha series/Alternate universe. Duration: Unknown.

This particular fiction replaces the Inu-Yasha characters with substitutions from Dual!. Suggested character exchanges include: Kagome – Mitsuki Rara, Inu-Yasha – Kazuki, Kikyo – Mitsuki Sanada, Sango-Dee, Miroku-Shiozaki or Izawa, Kagura-Yayoi, Kirara – Kumu, Myoga – Hiroshi, and Reika as Lady Kyadae.

Using ancient enchantments to summon symbioses of might (mecha) – our adventurers set out to find the 212 lost pieces of a recipe that will satisfy the great lord Sanada, so that they may each get one wish.

Similarities to Inu-yasha: Kazuki is unable to commit to Mitsuki Rara, because he does have feelings for Mitsuki Sanada. Kazuki met Miss Sanada first, and both Mitsuki’s are practically twins – similar to Kagome & Kikyo. Songo was reborn in a sense, while Dee helped vanquish the evil of the Rara army. Shiozaki and Izawa are basically lecherous; they just need a push in the wrong direction. Yayoi is locked within her requirements to duty and life as an adult, similar to Kagura’s circumstances.

3. Title: Dee’s Kawaii Diary Tales. Timeline: Ep. 13-14+/Alternate universe. Duration: 2 Days

Dee begs Mitsuki Sanada to let her keep a ham-ham – she names it Kumu. Later, another ham-ham creature joins Kumu and its name is Jinbu. Together they explore the bowels of Dr. Sanada’s basement laboratory and accidentally fix the equation that Dr.S needed to recreate his transporter device. At the end, Dee feeds them curry.

4. Unknown title. Timeline: Feudal Japan or Middle Ages Europe/Alternate universe. Duration: Unknown.

Original concept by ShadowDance II & JGZinv is still under discussion.