In my experience, the long history of the series and the amount of media out there means certain characters’ personalities can become a bit contradictory or clouded. Are there any you find hard to pin down? And if so how do you overcome this?
I think it helps that I narrow my focus to just the RWS. I think the characterizations are much better there - well-defined, but still allowing for wiggle room. I don’t know that I struggle with any - I’ve actually had fun playing around Edward!
I wish! My parents have a dog, who single-handedly helped me keep my sanity during COVID 😂 my fiancée loves cats, so I have a feeling we’ll have both a cat and a dog once we find the right place!
Honestly, no. The idea of Dudley - an antagonistic steam engine - had been there for a while, but without a basis attached. It wasn’t until Stephen (SodorRwyModeller) showed me his model of the “demon engine” that the O2 came to be the choice!
I think that would be a fun opportunity! I’d probably bring Sir Haydn over and have him be a real sly gentleman - enough that the others start asking if they can keep him and send Sir Handel to the TR for good!
It might be a lame answer, but Thomas is always really fun to write - especially with Annie & Clarabel! Beyond him, I’d say James, Toby, Daisy and the Mountain Engines!
I am quite fond of your stories that feature any of the coaches prominently! May I also compliment you on your story "The Twilight Years"? That one really hit close to home for me and I found it rather beautiful :)
I guess a couple! There is a heritage railway near me in a town called Port Stanley, and that’s a very special place to me. My favourite, however, is the TR - just such an amazing place to be!
They tease him about the fire he started, but are mostly indifferent. They, like the other Electric Engines, will warm up to him - but those stories shall see the light of day soon!
1. Favourite adaptation/s of your work?
2. Any future plans for stories that you haven't announced yet?
3. Personality's of Talyllyn's and Corris' Railways engines?
And the final one:
4. Other interests that Thomas and Pokemon?
1. Can’t pick a favourite - I’m grateful to every one who chooses to adapt my stories!
2. Plenty - working on three different sets of stories that all converge to another set!
3. I like the idea of them being opposite to their SR counterparts!
4. Music is my first love!
Huh, that's a lot like mine interpretation of them. I am also a bit of a music guy myself, though I have other media of interests I am exploring too. Currently I am working on my own little train OC to run on SR, though their still work-in-progress(no spoilers🤫).
It’s a bit cliché, but my earliest TVS-based stuff is my least favourite. There are some good ones in there - “Deceiving Duck” is a standout to me - but most aren’t my thing now. Current favourite is a tie between “Bells & Brawls” and “Home, James, & Don’t Spare the Horses”!
Interests outside of railways and writing?
If the Awdrys had a included a female steam engine, what basis would have picked in your opinion?
Favorite engine class?
Guilty pleasure story?
Finally, since I forgot to ask this during the Ethel QnA, is it okay to depict her and Glynn coexisting?
Final question, where do you do the research for stories? I've been wanting to write my own Thomas stories but I've struggled with researching British Railways so I'd love to hear where you get information and inspiration.
I do lots of different research! Searching around online for anecdotes based on specific classes is a good place to start. Books, where they can be found and are affordable, are also a big help!
Back for Round Twofer:
- Is there anything in canon you dislike/disregard in your work?
- We've seen your take on 87546, how would you make 98462 distinct from them character-wise?
- Do you think Duke was rowdy when he arrived or was he always wise?
- What would you look for in a Johto Legends game?
1. No dislikes, but I’ve disregarded the Peel Godred Branch being a “light railway”!
2. That hadn’t occurred to me - maybe I’ll write that in future!
3. Funnily enough, I have an idea about Duke’s first time with trucks - maybe I’ll go back to it!
4. Having to literally chase down the beasts. 😂
- Who do you find the hardest to write? Were any of your OCs difficult in developing who they were?
- Are there any "Unrealistic" Characters you'd like to include in your stories?
- With what we know about how names are given in Awdry's writing, do you think Gordon gave his Express Coaches names?
- I don’t know that I’d say they’re “hard” to write for, but I find I have the least amount of ideas for Duncan and Oliver. The OCs have come pretty easily!
- It would be funny to have a big American engine come to visit the Fat Controller’s Railway, crazy as that sounds.
- my pal @/brightonterrier.bsky.social suggested to me that Gordon’s Express coaches could be unofficially named after the stations on the Main Line - Cronk, Maron, Kellsthorpe, etc. - and I really like that idea!
Whichever one I’m working on at the moment! Each new story is a chance to grow as a writer, which is a great feeling. Of what’s been released, “Bells & Brawls” or “Home, James, & Don’t Spare the Horses are my picks!”
I often find I have the least amount of ideas for Oliver and Duncan. I don’t know that they’re “hard” to write for - I just never really have ideas that make me gravitate to them!
Great question! The ironic thing about me is, I love the Mountain Railway - but I have a fear of heights. It would be funny to live near and work there while grappling with that phobia. 😂
As for a conversation, I think I could chat with Mavis and Toby until the cows come home!
I’d say it’s probably “Mavis”/“Toby’s Tightrope” - can’t have one without the other, and I just love the atmosphere of it all. For a non-Awdry story, I think I’d pick “Something in the Air”!
That’s a good question! I feel like crossing over with something Agatha Christie-related would lead to a good time - who doesn’t love a little mystery?
Oh gosh, quite a few! The first draft is writing with no restrictions, getting the idea out. The second is tightening/enhancing the prose and dialogue. The third is usually reading it out loud to make sure it flows well. That doesn’t even take into account altering it based on the input of friends!
The Snowdon Mountain Railway is high on my list - I’ve always been taken with it. The Ffestiniog, Ravenglass and Corris Railways would be good too - just to check off the major Welsh narrow gauge lines! And, of course, the Bluebell!
I don’t know that I have a favourite - I’m appreciative of anyone who adapts my stories! The most recent one I’ve really loved is “Push-Pull Percy” by Haunted Holmes - I ADORE the old school Trainz aesthetic! https://youtu.be/hEDypHnSSzU?si=fUiam6zQg1DYk6l9
I would love for Mr. Luke Ryan himself to narrate a Skarloey Railway story of mine - it seems only fitting! Stuart (of Auld Lang Syne fame) also did a narration of “Alled Greedy’s Apples” in a Johnny Morris style, and I should see if I can let that one see the light of day!
Comments
Did you have another idea for a basis for Dudley before picking his current one or was it always what he is now?
btw, big fan of your work! always enjoy listening to your narrations and reading your stories!
Honestly, no. The idea of Dudley - an antagonistic steam engine - had been there for a while, but without a basis attached. It wasn’t until Stephen (SodorRwyModeller) showed me his model of the “demon engine” that the O2 came to be the choice!
Thanks for the reply!
Or how would you write them?
what's your favorite Hoenn mon /lh
And the inverse, is there a story that you don't particularly favor?
A lot of my earlier stuff is my least favourite - it’s just not as concise and tends to waffle on.
2. Any future plans for stories that you haven't announced yet?
3. Personality's of Talyllyn's and Corris' Railways engines?
And the final one:
4. Other interests that Thomas and Pokemon?
2. Plenty - working on three different sets of stories that all converge to another set!
3. I like the idea of them being opposite to their SR counterparts!
4. Music is my first love!
2. Favorite movie
3. Favorite characters or location to write about in your stories?
4. Favorite OC, or fan interpretation of obsure ttte character, you have made (Not including Dudley)
2. Good Will Hunting
3. Favourite character is Mavis, but I am really loving writing about the Electric Branch Line!
4. Right now, the Electric Engines - Edith, Eleanor and King Orry. There are quite a few new ones in the works, though!
2. What’s your favorite pre-grouping livery?
2. Great Eastern Blue is my favourite - so striking!
If the Awdrys had a included a female steam engine, what basis would have picked in your opinion?
Favorite engine class?
Guilty pleasure story?
Finally, since I forgot to ask this during the Ethel QnA, is it okay to depict her and Glynn coexisting?
I do have an answer, but I won’t say, as I’m currently working on stories for one!
That’s tough - I do love Class 08s!
From the show? The S18 Samson stories.
Definitely! I don’t plan to include Glynn in my stories, but they can certainly co-exist!
- Is there anything in canon you dislike/disregard in your work?
- We've seen your take on 87546, how would you make 98462 distinct from them character-wise?
- Do you think Duke was rowdy when he arrived or was he always wise?
- What would you look for in a Johto Legends game?
2. That hadn’t occurred to me - maybe I’ll write that in future!
3. Funnily enough, I have an idea about Duke’s first time with trucks - maybe I’ll go back to it!
4. Having to literally chase down the beasts. 😂
- Are there any "Unrealistic" Characters you'd like to include in your stories?
- With what we know about how names are given in Awdry's writing, do you think Gordon gave his Express Coaches names?
- It would be funny to have a big American engine come to visit the Fat Controller’s Railway, crazy as that sounds.
Which engine or character could you imagine having a fun interaction with the most?
As for a conversation, I think I could chat with Mavis and Toby until the cows come home!
2. Any interest in modelling your own characters? (My own model of Dudley for reference!)
2. I am hopeless when it comes to modelling - but I really love seeing people like yourself bringing them to life!
2. Which BR livery looks best on a steam engine?
3. Do you have a favorite mainline Pokémon game?
2. I am a sucker for plain black, but I would LOVE to see a steam engine in Electric Blue, like the Class 83 electrics.
3. I think Crystal takes the crown!