Men of a Fandom ~ Manhoor

Evil Dead: Forks and Boomsticks

Recently when the callout was put for interviews with males in the fandom, I couldn’t help but suggest Dan (Manh00r). The bonus is that his wife, Shell (MPG), is also a fic writer. Dan has collaborated with his wife on the story 'Evil Dead: Forks & Broomsticks', a crossover between 'Evil Dead' and 'Twilight' and also his own Emmett/Rosalie fic 'Quarter Mile Lovers'.

Shell has written 17 different stories for the Twilight, Doctor Who & Princess Bride fandoms. My personal favorite of hers is Chasing Victory. She has 5 WIP's going at the moment, including 'Evil Dead'.(The woman is a writing MACHINE!)

These two are among some of my favorite people in the Twi-Dom and they quite often WC with myself and others; Shell always gets an amazing amount of writing done....I get distracted by the RobPorn and this is usually when ManHoor takes his exit.

'Evil Dead: Forks in Broomsticks' is a tale of an original character 'Ash' and Bella. APOV is written by MH and Bella is by MPG. I've never read any crossovers before, but this one has me hooked!

Synopsis:
Ashley J Williams is new in town, overseeing the opening of a new S-Mart. With Ash, things never run quite to plan and he is soon facing a familiar foe, and an uneasy alliance. He'll have to learn to trust the undead to defeat the evil dead.

'My name is Ash and I live in this hell on Earth as a slave; a slave to the modern consumerist society. See, I work for S-Mart. Yeah, 'shop smart, shop S-Mart'… that place. Some people might say that despite the long hours and bad pay it could be worse. It sure beats dealing with Deadites. Ugh, Deadites – those flesh-eating, soul-chomping, sons of bitches who will kill you as soon as they look at you. Even sooner if they had a chance.'

We asked MPG to interview Manhoor. I hope you enjoy it and their stories as much as I do.

Robrator.

MPG: We've been asked by the lovely FerlaV to do an interview for the spotlight on men in the fandom. You are a man (or at least... well... let's not go there) and are, as it so happens, my real life husband as well. Apparently that's supposed to make this interview more interesting…do you feel the pressure?

Manhoor: No. Do you?

MPG: I always feel the pressure it’s what makes me tick. But this interview isn’t about me, it’s about men, and more specifically…you. Let's kick off with the first and most obvious question. How'd you get into writing?

Manhoor: I have always had a knack for writing, and put it to good use writing feature stories for car magazines. Over time, that slowed off and left me with no writing to do. The wife started writing a book—which is still on the back burner—but I was always a little curious about writing more fiction. Then she started to spend a lot of time on the net, talking to all sorts, and writing fics about Twi. Ok I thought, I started on twitter and she put me onto a contest for public lovin’. I thought hmm, I could kick this contest. Let’s do it. It got a great fan base and it kind of spawned from there.

MPG: By "the wife" of course you mean me...

Manhoor: Yes, yes I do.

MPG: The next question I have has probably been answered already in your last answer, but I'll ask it anyway in case you have extra evidence to add. Why Twilight?

Manhoor: Well mostly, you dragged me into it. But I have to admit that after watching it a few times, I found that I actually didn’t mind it. I also found there was a cross section of different genres within the stories that could use the characters. In addition, most of the friends I’ve met are twilight bound as well so it was like destiny.

MPG: Okay, so I know the answer to this question, but for those who don't know you, what are you working on at the moment?

Manhoor: Quarter Mile Lovers, which was my initial entry into fic writing. But this has taken a back seat lately mainly due to lack of interest, ideas and lacklustre reviews. But the collaboration between you and I has taken off quite well, so I am actively working on that one when I get time to give it an extra push. For those who don’t know it, it’s called Evil dead: Forks and Boomsticks and is a crossover between Twi (vamps) and Evil Dead (Ash and his deadite foes). The interest has been astounding I think due to it not being soppy or the normal Vamp vs Werewolf fic. Where will it go? LOL buggers us!

MPG: You maybe…I have a good idea of what’s going to come up LOL

Manhoor: I am also conjuring up idea for a new fic which is a very dark and angsty story about a guy, uh and his demons within. I don’t know who it will be based on though.

MPG: That leads perfectly into my next question then, how do you come up with your storylines?

Manhoor: Evil dead? It was just an idea that hit me. A few things popped up while watching the movie and then we just banged it out from there.
QML, I think it was just a continuation from a one shot, but I wanted to use to style to draw attention to who was writing it; an Aussie male. Yet I wanted to add some things that made it not all about sex and cars. I don't know if that really worked or not. I guess the readers will tell me.
As for the new fic, I have seen a lot of people go through a lot of things through the past twelve months, but it was not all physical, so I am kind of thinking of drawing upon those who have had troubles mentally, whether it be depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, things that a lot of people may not even see on the surface, my goal is for the character to take you behind the scenes.

MPG: Sounds ambitious and, my favourite, angsty.
What would you say inspires you most? Is it wanting to get a message out, like in your new fic idea or QML, or is it other stories/songs/pics etc?

Manhoor: I think the involvement in a group, as well as the social aspect of WC's etc, drives me to come up with things that I always hope to be left field and perhaps a little confronting (like Esme and Carlisle getting it on and spicing things up). I like to be that person who is different. From being the male in a female dominated field, to being an Aussie bloke in a sometimes US orientated scene, who has a little writing talent and the character of the everyday hard working guy.

MPG: In QML, you wrote from a number of different POVs and worked your way through all the canon pairings. Do you have a favourite pairing (canon or non-canon)? Alternatively, is there a particular pairing that you just find icky?

Manhoor: Dude, I don't even think male on male could make me feel icky! If anything I think...hmmm….nah nothing. My fav would maybe be Alice and Jasper, the cute couple. Esme and Carlisle would run a close second.
What about a mad idea of getting Edward and Jacob together? I might leave it for someone else though.

MPG: LOL I'm sure it's been done… many times. Who is your favourite character out of the books (or movies, considering you are still only halfway through Twilight at the moment and that's only when I read it out loud to you)?

Manhoor: Jasper. He is just such a man’s man. The Major. He’s a guy I could see myself having a few brews with….while perving on his missus. Oh shit did I say that?

MPG: Well that ruins my next question, which was going to be...do you have a favourite Ward? I guess that Q should now be, do you have a favourite Sper (from fanfiction)?

Manhoor: Fav Ward? I think there is a tie there between RaceCarEdward from your Chasing Victory (but no favouritism between us LOL) and HotRodward from Luvrofinks "My Life, Now". I haven't read much to do with Jasper really, but he is cool in that fic also.

MPG: Oh, but he's not cool in mine :P j/k What was the first fanfiction you read?

Manhoor: I think I started to read Chasing Victory, at around the same time "Arousing Bella" from MyMunkyMan. Both good, hot fics.

MPG: LOL My recollection is a little different. I seem to recall having to beg you to start my fic, you still haven’t read most of my stories. Maybe I should take that as a hint?

Manhoor: Then keep miss4 away from me, and it may happen. ;)

MPG: Have you got any favourite stories or authors?

Manhoor: Luvrofinks "My Life, Now" definitely rates up there. I like your CV series. And after seeing little bits and pieces in private teases, I predict I might have a new fav in KatieWinkles just launched fic, "Blindsided"

MPG: Yeah, the teases we've seen for that definitely look interesting. And the prologue! Gah! I want to know what’s in the folder.
Focusing back on the reason we are doing this interview (men in the fandom), what would you say is the hardest thing about being a man in the fandom?

Manhoor: The lack of men in the fandom that support each other. Just by sheer volume of woman in this world makes it a bit of a chook-pen at times, all clucking and chatting with one another. It definitely singles the males out and makes it a little difficult to get motivated. I think this is where men struggle a bit in getting readers and followers, as I know I have a couple males who are kicking my arse to get evil dead updated quicker. But in saying that, there are definitely some brilliant, and very lovely ladies in the fandom world, who see past male or female that are supportive, understanding of how hard it is to get off the ground (for everyone, not only as a man ). And those people I have kept on my friends list and they have supported me in my writing and me. I try to keep them on track to where I can.

MPG: What advice would you give other men in and around the fandom (including those who might be less than thrilled about their partner’s cough obsession)?

Manhoor: Don’t hesitate, find something you like, be it sex, bloodlust, action, anything really, and just have a go. Accept the help of your partner where offered, but be warned it's not an easy road to tread sometimes. But hey, such is life.

MPG: Is that a barb at me? *narrows eyes*

Manhoor: I will admit it's a big shadow you cast. Being a brilliant and successful writer that you are, it feels hard sometimes to break away from that shadow and create a name for myself. I would like to think that my fics and I can get themselves places, but I will always appreciate the help I get from the wife, after all you do have the experience.

MPG: Free podium time *hands you a soap-box* Is there anything else you would like to say about the fandom, about being a man, or about anything else in general?

Manhoor: I think a lot of people out there do get carried away with the politics, and the addiction it can cause; which in turn can cause grief elsewhere in their lives. That being said, people like this can be found in anything, car clubs, schools, and the everyday workplace. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and having relaxing. There is no need to stress over whose story is the best this week. Just everyone get in with some jelly or oil and have a good time in the rubber tub of fun—being in a female orientated tub makes it that much better—and ENJOY!

Thank you MH and MPG! Don't forget to check out their stories, leave them some love and let them know that FFAA sent you!