1. What is your name or nick?

Crazomatic (Amber is my real name)

2. What is your E-mail address/addresses?

ambersource@juno.com

3. How old are you?

34, as of 2011

4. Are you female or male?

Last time I checked, female.

5. What is the name of your home page name and what is its URL?

N.A.

6. List the Transformers fanfics have you written.

Transformer Babies;

Meggy's Glorious Destiny (ch. 2 of TF Babies);

Meggy's Nursery Conquest (ch. 3 of TF Babies);

It's not Mt. St. Hilary, It's Mt. Doom!;

The Purple hand of Rumble, (ch 2 of Mt. Doom);

Optimus Prime meets God;

Rodimus has a dream (my first non funny fanfic), and, DUN DUN DUN;

Orion Pax gets a new body.

7. Which, of the Transformers fanfics you've written, is your favorite and why?

Hands down; Transformer Babies. The story is a parody of Muppet Babies, where all the TF Babies interact in a nursery. It puts humor into the characters before they sided with an ideology. The main thing I was after was to base the great war over Cybertron on a series of funny childhood dramas from their past. For example, the very first thing that Megatron "Meggy" gets angry at Optimus Prime "Oppie" for is the fact that he stole his favorite teddy bear. It was that very act that started the rift between the two of them at their early stages of development. Part 2, called "Meggy's Glorious Destiny" puts even more silliness into the mix.

8. Which is your favorite Transformers fanfic written by someone else and why?

Oh! That's SOOO easy! It's T.L. Arens! She is absolutely magical! Her fics draw you right in and her imagination is unsurpassed when it comes to detail. Every time I read her stuff, especially "Silent Scream" and "Testament," I think about them for days and days. I haven't felt that way about a fictional story until I read "Interview with a Vampire!" If you haven't read her stuff, I highly suggest it. They are a bit long, so take your time and soak them in, it's worth the read!

Also worthy of mention is the fantastic Rob Jung, his stories are amazing! I get all emotional reading his works. He has character insight that is refreshing and rare in the TF fandom. His writing gives me the goosebumps!

9. What influences you to write Transformers fanfic the way you do?

Well, I'm a bit of a ham and it's a part of my personality. Comedy is my major avenue I take with these guys because (for one thing) the antagonism between Megatron/Starscream and Optimus/Megatron opens major doors for silliness. There are some pretty funny parts in the original G1 series. My favorite part was when (I can't remember the episode's name) but Megatron and the Decepticons were sitting on rocks in a circle pounding down energon cubes. They then started getting majorly drunk, Megatron started slurring his words, and Rumble just about passed out. I was crying with laughter! [Lexicon Comment: Sounds like the episode "Microbots".] You know that behind closed doors this has to happen more than once at Decepticon HQ. I'm sure that Megatron sits in his command chair after another lost battle and opens up premium cube for consolation. Then he probably wakes up the next morning on the floor wondering what the hell happened the night before. Then goes, "Oh yeah, lousy Autobots!"

10. What other Transformers fanfics writers write in a similar way to you?

I wouldn't say that anybody writes quite like me, but I can say that some writers have a similar humor style as me. Some writers that have written some great comedic pieces are, Cyberpunk's "Psych" and "Decepticon' Antics"; Charl's "Energon Tasting"; and Firestorm's, "And nothing but the Truth" and lots and lots more! I tend to like the silly stuff the best.

11. How much time do you usually spend writing Transformers fanfic?

It depends on the idea that flies into my head. I usually start a fic with a general theme in my head, but I usually have no details worked out. Some times an idea will hit me right away while I'm in the shower, or when I'm driving to work. For example, when I came up with "It's not Mt. St. Hilary, it's Mt. Doom!" I was in the car one day thinking about how Mordor looked like such a scary place with this fiery volcano at its center. Then I thought about how the Transformers crash landed in a volcano 4 million years ago. Then the two ideas sorda hit me and I thought, "Hmmmm, I wonder how I could use that little fact to write a funny story about the Autobots and Lord of the Rings?" So I went to my computer and started to pound it out. The fic flew out of my head pretty fast, in just a couple of hours over a few days. Well, for me that's fast! "Rodimus has a dream" flew out pretty fast too. I remember I was in this really pissy mood too, and I channeled my anger through Rodimus. It was quite therapeutic.

12. What inspired you to write Transformers fanfic?

I originally wrote Transformer Babies back years and years ago. One day I stumbled on my old paperwork in a file and found it. As I re-read it (it was way more condensed then), I started to crack up. Then the temptation hit me to post it. I was actually afraid to do it. It had been so long since I had anything to do with Transformers (I'm a college student now for crying out loud)! I thought, "I'm sure this stuff died out YEARS ago." So, just for fun, I went online and found this site (lexicon) doing a goggle search. The result was amazing! Not only had TF not lost steam, but it had grown into this Mecca of literature and imagination. I found other fanfic sites also, like Fanfiction.net that was also a haven for TF fans. So, I went ahead and posted it, then BAM! I began to get feedback immediately from other fic writers who loved my story and wanted me to post more chapters. I was astonished! So, I went ahead and started to write more chapters, and now I'm totally hooked.

I have stumbled upon another early work also, called "Crazomatic Apparatus" which was the first TF fic I ever wrote. I get my pen name from that piece, as crazy just about sums me up (as in being a grown up in college writing about cartoon characters from episodes that left Saturday mornings 20 years ago)! I mean C'mon! That's crazy!

13. What drew you to Transformers in particular?

After school cartoons! I was in the second or third grade when I first became acquainted with them. They were so awesome! Me and my best friend Becky would watch the episodes and then play Transformers in the yard with her older brother. I watched every episode, and cried my heart out when I watched the TF Movie (didn't everybody)? I remember how the kids in front of me threw popcorn at the screen when Prime died. It was pretty traumatic. I waited around endlessly for his return, and got really excited when he finally did. But then there was that whole, "Dark awakening" episode, which was the most horrible episode written EVER! Didn't they torture that poor Bot enough? Zombie Prime was pretty scary, and I think that episode showed how terribly out of touch they, that is (corporate), had become with their fans. But alas, he's back now, and Cybertron is restored to its former glory, HOORAY!

14. Who is your favorite Generation 1 or Generation 2 Transformers character (fan-created or official) and why?

Optimus Prime. He's the whole reason why I'm here writing this stuff. He's really the inspiration behind all of this. When I actually think about what it is that draws me to him, there are many factors.

First of all, (are you ready for this)? He's big; strong; brave; tall; won 99.999% of every battle he fought; cared about his Autobots; stood up for his beliefs; wasn't full of himself (as some have argued); played basketball (who doesn't remember that)?; got all sad about destroying Kremzeek; took on the entire Decepticon army single handedly several times; constantly watched over and guarded the Earth; displayed unmerited mercy; died to protect his friends and his cause; and was one of those hero's who was approachable. I bet that if anybody needed some advice, he would have given it to them. Phew! I could go on and on folks, but I'll spare you.

15. What do you like most about the official Generation 1 and Generation 2 canon?

The thing I like most is watching the characters grow and learn, especially Hot Rod. I really like Hot Rod, because he's so much me at times in the sense that he doesn't take life to seriously. When he becomes Rodimus, I can relate to his pain, because he had to grow up a lot faster than he should've had too. It's not fair to label him a bad leader, because in reality, he never chose to be "the next Optimus Prime", the Matrix chose him. What an awkward place for him to find himself! Looking at it that way, he has a right to feel a little angry. Why, if I had Optimus Prime back, I'd be shoving the Matrix in his face too! I explore this dilemma in the fic, "Rodimus has a dream." Rodimus has to deal with this "expectation" that he's going to have to be the next Optimus, and feels extremely lost and secretly angry at his new position in life. He also feels alienated and troubled by his lost youth, but gets an unexpected encouragement that helps him accept his destiny.

16. Who is your favorite Beast Wars character (fan-created or official) and why?

Missed all of Beast Wars, sorry. I heard Megatron has a rubber ducky. It that is true, then I'm really sorry I missed it!

17. What do you like about the Beast Wars canon the most?

N.A. 18. What do you like most about the Beast Machines canon?

Again, missed all of it.

19. Who is your favorite Beast Machines character (fan-created or official) and why?

N.A.

20. What do you like most about the Robots in Disguise canon?

Missed all of it.

21. Who is your favorite Robots in Disguise character (fan-created or official) and why?

N.A.

22. What do you like most about the Armada canon?

I love the animation. Geeze! It has improved over the years, hasn't it? The only thing I don't care for is the announcing of the attacks the robots are going to use before they do it, and them announcing their transformations too. I kinda liked the old sounds effects. Another thing that sort of bugs me is the character of Tai. She is just incredibly annoying to me. But the great part is that the comedy has improved.

23. Who is your favorite Armada character (fan-created or official) and why?

Megatron! He's still absolutely 100% scary. To me, Megatron will always be the scariest evil bad guy created in cartoon history. Armada did a good job on preserving his soul. I'm so glad he's back and Galvatron is retired. Megatron rocks!

24. What parts of your Transformers fanfics are based on events in real life?

Actually, none of it. But some of the gags are from real life. The whole thing about "Friendship dues" that is discussed in "Meggy's Glorious Destiny" was inspired from a discussion I was having with my best friend. We were goofing off and she said something like, "Well, I could help you out, but your friendship dues are late." So, it's sort of a gag between us, whenever we need something from each other, we'll whip out our wallets and ask for an offering. It makes me laugh every time.

25. What would you like to change about the Transformers fanfics you've written?

Ummm. . . .maybe some of the dumb typo's, ya know, that stuff you catch only AFTER you post the fic. DUOH! I hate that!

26. What do you consider to be a trite or overused theme in fanfics and why?

Trite? Well, no offence to anybody, but when the Transformers have sexual relations, that kinda makes me frown. When Prime and Magnus are having the hots for each other in a story, that's just WAY TO MUCH INFORMATION! Transformer sexual relations are one of those areas that's difficult to use anyway, whether it's gay or straight. The fic that stresses this area can be in danger of losing its believability.

27. Have you had any interesting feedback as a result of your Transformers fanfics?

I have received many kind reviews and e-mails about my work. Just the fact that other TF fans are reading it and writing to me that they are reading it (and getting a laugh) is a great gift. I am grateful for every one I receive.

28. How much time do you spend online? What percentage of that time is devoted to Transformers?

Depends. I usually run on inspiration. Some days I have more energy and can go for an hour or two, and some days I can't even go five minutes. Comedy writing is very a moody art, so when I feeling tired, my brain won't give me anything useful. But some days it seems it pours out of me and I can't write fast enough. I never know from day to day how long I'll spend, which is fine with me, since I live my entire life that way; just one day at a time.

29. Which Transformers newsgroups do you use?

I don't use any Transformers newsgroups. Now at this point anyway.

30. Have you any other comments to make about Transformers fanfic?

Write your fics for YOU first. Don't write a story trying to please anybody and attempt to dazzle them.  Write so that no matter what anybody says, you love the work because it was for you first.  If people jump on board and love it also, great. If not, at least you can look in the mirror and love it for yourself.

If you are just starting to write fics, you need to completely let go of all your fear. Let a story run its course and allow it to go where it needs to. For example, when I started to write Transformer Babies, I noticed that Meggy was getting all the good lines and Oppie wasn't saying much. So, I decided to just flow with it and let it develop where it was naturally going, and it turned out better than I originally expected. Also be willing to take suggestions and run with them. For example, people kept asking me for Unicron to make an appearance in TF Babies and I thought, Unicron? How absurd! Then I did it anyway and found new plots and funny stuff because I took a chance. Suggestions can often lend a story with new wind in its sails. TRY IT!

With all that said, I would also encourage you to review the fics you've read. I don't know why, but I've noticed we're a bit review shy around here. We've got to let the author know how we were impacted by the story. It helps us grow as writers ya know? You can also build some great friendships with the people here by doing that, too. Like many others, I enjoy getting e-mail and talking to other writers and getting feed back. We sort of encourage one another, and there's great strength in that.