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MURPHY:
[152] Who is your favorite Greek God?FRICTION:
[153] I'm torn between Artemis and Athena. But if forced to choose, I'd to lean toward Athena. She has that virginity thing going and anyone who's read my stories knows that I find the idea of unleashed desire extremely alluring.MURPHY:
[154] Why do fools fall in love?FRICTION:
[155] I think it's the promise of something magical that draws us. Despite the risks and heartaches, when the fates shine on you and you're lucky enough to experience love first hand, there's nothing like it in all the world.MURPHY:
[156] Do you keep a diary?FRICTION:
[157] No, I've never kept a diary and there are times that I regret that.MURPHY:
[158] How has online writing affected your life and how you see yourself, your goals?FRICTION:
[159] I think more than anything it's given me confidence in my ability to express myself. If someone had told me five years ago that I'd be jotting down my daydreams and posting them online, I would have said they were crazy, but here I am.[160] My goal as far as writing is concerned remains the same as it was from the start, to entertain, to make that momentary connection with the reader.
MURPHY:
[161] What skill would you like to have that you don't have now?FRICTION:
[162] Public speaking. Speaking in front of groups terrifies me. I'm much better one on one.MURPHY:
[163] Who is your real life hero and why?FRICTION:
[164] There are countless heroic women both alive and deceased who I admire. But at the moment, I find myself wanting to acknowledge Gloria Steinem. Although it's arguable that other women have made more significant contributions. Back when I was young, impressionable and isolated in a small rural community, she was the first feminist personality I had exposure to. For me, she opened the door to a new way of thinking and forever changed the way I looked at myself.MURPHY:
[165] What fan fiction story touched you so much that you still remember it vividly?FRICTION:
[166] There are literally dozens that have touched me enough to leave lasting impressions. It would be impossible to single out just one. Off hand, some of the of the first fan fic stories I read that made me say WOW were:Wordwarrior's "Truth or Dare"See, I could go on and on.
Rebecca Hall's "Heaven Down Here"
B.L. Miller's "A Queen's Sacrifice"
Phopas' "About that Kiss"
L.N. James' "Relinquish"
Ella Quince's "Well of Sighs"
Cousin Liz's "Illumination's of the Soul"
Bat Morda's "Is There a Doctor on the Dig?"MURPHY:
[167] If you could only choose a single climate with no variation would you prefer it to be sweltering hot or freezing cold?FRICTION:
[168] Sweltering hot, no contest. It never gets too hot for me. I love to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. Mentally, it heals me.MURPHY:
[169] What is the first thing you notice about someone when you meet them?FRICTION:
[170] I'd have to say their eyes. It seems almost instinctive for me to make eye contact when first meeting someone. After that, it's their hands that draw my attention. I find myself irresistibly attracted to women's hands in all their wonderful variations.MURPHY:
[171] Have you ever done something that accidentally caused something really bad to happen to someone?FRICTION:
[172] Not that I know of, but once, I accidentally kneed my partner in the nose at a very inappropriate time. No permanent damage but it did dampen the mood a tad;-)MURPHY:
[173] How is $25 well spent?FRICTION:
[174] Colorful body paints and a large sheet of plastic? Seriously, I haven't a clue. My partner is the frugal one in our relationship.MURPHY:
[175] Would you rather live in a sociable suburb, or alone in the deep woods?FRICTION:
[176] Given the option, I would live with my partner and two cats, in the deep woods and visit the sociable suburbs on weekends. Mind you though, there would have to be shelter, hot water, electricity and cable. I'm a femme at heart. Camping is too close to homelessness for my taste.MURPHY:
[177] What literary character did you most identify with as a child?FRICTION:
[178] Way back then, the literary characters I was exposed to were far too prim and proper for my tastes. As I got older, I identified with the more off beat characters. I absolutely adored Rita Mae Brown's character, Molly from Ruby Fruit Jungle.MURPHY:
[179] What is the source of your inspiration?FRICTION:
[180] Since for the most part, I write about feelings, I would have to say life experience.MURPHY:
[181] Where do your ideas come from?FRICTION:
[182] God only knows. They simply spring from my rather twisted imagination.MURPHY:
[183] What do you find most satisfying about your job?FRICTION:
[184] The research. I get a sense of satisfaction in locating obscure information. I love learning new things.MURPHY:
[185] What are the three things you enjoy most about writing?FRICTION:
[186] Without a doubt number one would be connecting with the reader. When I began writing, I never dreamed anyone would actually read what I'd written, let alone send me feedback. I've come to treasure those emails. They've made me laugh, cry (in the best sense of the word) and thank my lucky stars that I posted that first story.[187] Number two, venting my rather vivid imagination.
[188] And last but not least, researching the love scenes ;-).
MURPHY:
[189] What were your favorite book, TV show, and movie when you were a teenager and what do you think of them now?FRICTION:
[190] BOOK: As a kid, I loved books with strong female characters or should I say, books where at least the lead characters 'were' female, like "Nancy Drew." I also thoroughly enjoyed Wonder Woman comics.[191] TELEVISION: Honey West (anyone out there remember that one?), The Girl from Uncle, and The Avengers.
[192] MOVIE: In my younger days, it was Julie Andrews that made my heart race. And although my taste in women now leans to the more butch end of the spectrum, I still nearly drop to my knees when I see the scene in The Sound of Music where she stands up to the captain.
MURPHY:
[193] What's your idea of a perfect world?FRICTION:
[194] A world run by lesbians. At least we wouldn't have the same old problems, we'd have new ones. What the h*ll, at the very least, the heroic female images portrayed in the media would get to stay 'alive' in the end.MURPHY:
[195] How real is your fiction to you?FRICTION:
[196] Fiction???? ;-) Just kidding[197] It's not as if my partner dons leathers and does Xena's war cry in our bedroom, but to some extent I think the old axiom that you write what you know is true, at least in my case. I'm a rather emotional kind of gal, so I find myself writing largely about feelings because that's what I identify with most.
MURPHY:
[198] What Disney character do you most identify with and why?FRICTION:
[199] Aaaah, such a tough question, but I guess I'd have to choose Pepe Lepew. I too lust for what many others feel to be an inappropriate mate.MURPHY:
[200] Who do you read for inspiration?FRICTION:
[201] No single author. I've found that nearly everything I read inspires me in one way or another.MURPHY:
[202] What's your favorite website?FRICTION:
[203] Gods, I have tons, but in keeping with the Xena theme, I would have to say "Lunacy's Fan Fiction Reviews" site and Mary Draganis' "Australian Xena Information Page."MURPHY:
[204] When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?FRICTION:
[205] A Secret Agent. It looked like exciting work and in the end they always got the girl.MURPHY:
[206] What are the limits in sacrifices for true love?FRICTION:
[207] I hate to sound cliche, but for me there are no limits.MURPHY:
[208] If you could interview your favorite author, what questions would you ask?FRICTION:
[209] I would ask which of all the books they've read they consider a guilty pleasure and why.[210] Why that particular question? I'm always searching for offbeat reading material. I tend to be drawn to the unusual.
MURPHY:
[211] What makes a great kisser?FRICTION:
[212] As in all things, lots and lots of practice.MURPHY:
[213] What have you learned from your animals?FRICTION:
[214] Naps are important. Life shouldn't be taken too seriously. And last, but certainly not least, rubbing up against someone you love, can be great fun.MURPHY:
[215] Does our society glorify violence to the point we have become desensitized to it and the consequences?FRICTION:
[216] In a word, yes.MURPHY:
[217] What is your motto?FRICTION:
[218] Make love, not war, and often.MURPHY:
[219] What do you think we take too seriously as writers?FRICTION:
[220] Reader's reactions. Intellectually, I understand that what others think shouldn't matter to me, but deep down it does matter. I write to entertain, not to make a statement. When I fall short of that goal I can't help but feel disappointed.MURPHY:
[221] What questions should I have asked? Then answer them.FRICTION:
[222] I think I've revealed enough, a little mystery is a good thing ;-)
Friction's Stories
Friction's e-mail address is wlw@penn.com
The Stories:
The Enchantment?
Determined to keep Xena from discovering the love that Gabrielle holds for her, Ares enlists the aid of magical berries to help break the warrior's will and make her desire only him. Just as he is about to succeed, an untimely interruption causes the God of War's plan to go awry. In a twist of fate, it is the naïve bard, not Ares that becomes the object of Xena's obsession.
Short Story / 36 pages. (10/8/97)]
Genre - Romance, alt (mature) / First time
Note: continued in the sequel ENCHANTED AGAIN?
Palm Pilot version
Lunacy's ReviewCallisto's Antidote
Callisto concocts an evil plan of revenge that threatens to separate Xena from her traveling companion forever. Their only hope--the determined bard's love for the warrior.
Short Story / 40 pages. (11/12/97)]
Genre - Romance, alt (mature) / Hurt-comfort /First time
Palm Pilot version
Lunacy's Review
Xenalicious Fan Fiction Recommendations
Fanfic Art: Barron Story CoverEnchanted Again? The story continues where The Enchantment left off. Having at last acted on their feelings, Xena and Gabrielle are deliriously happy. It is a happiness that inspires the bard's creativity, motivating her to write a new tale. Unfortunately, some troubling news puts a damper on things, alerting them to a possible threat and distracting the usually suspicious Xena from other unforeseen developments.
Short Story / 44 pages. (1/28/98)]
Genre - Romance, alt (mature)
Palm Pilot version
Reviews: Lunacy's ReviewFire And Ice Set in the present day, this is a story of two very different women: Alex Lord: a tall, dark-haired master thief trapped in a dark world of her own making, and Danielle Stafford: a blonde, emerald-eyed journalist caught in an unfulfilling life and unsure of what she's searching for. One fateful night, Danielle stumbles on the robber in her uncle's home, setting a chain of events in motion that will change both of their lives forever.
Novella / 64 pages. (5/27/98)]
Genre - Uber / Adventure / Romance, alt (mature) / First time
Palm Pilot version
Reviews: Lunacy's Review Laura's review
Awards: Getting Serious-Swollen Bud Award
Fanfic Art: "Alex" by Barbara Maclay
Ciegra Story CoverSomewhere In Time
Set just after Perdicus' death in the episode Return Of Callisto, the story begins in Ancient Greece with Xena and Gabrielle deeply regretting the distance that has grown between them, while at the same time misunderstanding the reasons for their estrangement. The situation grows even more complicated when Gabrielle realizes she's pregnant. Assuming this means an end to her life with the warrior, the bard steels herself for the coming separation as they head for Amazonia. Likewise, Xena is also agonizing over the impending separation, sure her love for the bard is not returned. With the help of their Amazon friends, the two eventually clear up their misconceptions but unfortunately their happiness is short-lived, as a cruel twist of fate once again drives them apart. Desperate, Xena is forced to risk it all on a quest that will take her over two thousand years into the future, to a very different world and a soulmate with no memory of the bard she used to be...or the warrior she once loved.
Novella / 125 pages. (11/24/98)]
Semi-Uber / Romance, alt (mature) / First time
Palm Pilot version
Reviews: Lunacy's Review Diamonddog's Review
Awards: Getting Serious-Swollen Bud Award
Forevaxena's Bard of the Month Award
Fanfic Art: Ciegra Story CoverAwakenings
A mystery set in pre-third season. As the Amazons prepare for a confrontation with Temira, a former Amazon-turned-warlord and alleged ex-lover of Xena, they discover that the warrior and bard are missing. When they are found, injured and unconscious, all the evidence suggests that the queen was violated and brutalized by Xena before they both fell through the roof of an underground cavern. It doesn't help that the two appeared estranged when they first arrived at the village or that Gabrielle is reluctant to talk about what happened, though clearly she is standing by the comatose warrior she so desperately loves. While Ephiny tries to put the clues together, the bard is forced to make a reluctant alliance with the highly untrustworthy Temira who seems Xena's only hope for recovery.
Novella / 86 pages. (8/30/99)]
Romance, alt (mature- elements of BDSM) / Mystery/ First time
Palm Pilot version
Reviews: Lunacy's Review
Sophia's Review
Awards: Getting Serious-Swollen Bud AwardWet Dreams
Though somewhat uberish, the story is set in the classic XWP period. On their way to Poteidaia for Lila's wedding, Xena and Gabrielle are feeling restless - both distressed by dreams neither is willing to discuss. Uncomfortable with the bard's family and with her growing feelings for the young woman, Xena heads for Amphipolis, initiating a separation between the two that will eventually bring to a head the emotional turmoil they're both in. In the weeks to come, as the warrior tackles a mysterious curse that seems to be plaguing the couples in her hometown, Gabrielle struggles to understand the dreams that have taken over her nights and seem to haunt her every waking moment. Lost without her warrior and sensing, as in her childhood days, a keen difference between herself and others in her home village, the young bard embarks on a self-journey that will demand the greatest of courage as she at long last faces a very personal truth. Her determination to hold to the one thing she knows will ever bring her real happiness unites she and the warrior in a battle unlike any they've ever fought before, not against weapons but against misconceptions and prejudice.
Novella / 248 pages. (4/24/01)]
Semi-Uber / Romance, alt (mature)/ First time / Mystery
Palm Pilot version
Reviews: Lunacy's Review
Cee's FanficReviews
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Kamouraskan for the beta.
Articles
L. J. Maas and Murphy Wilson [Amy Murphy]. One Step Beyond ... Uber, That Is. WHOOSH #49 (October 2000)
The "Inside the Head of…" series in Whoosh issues #58, 61-
Biography
Amy Murphy
Thirty-one-year-old Amy Murphy resides in Indiana, and is an avid reader of Xena: Warrior Princess Fan Fiction. If it exists in the Xenaverse, chances are she's read it! Murphy has also tried her hand at writing fan fiction, turning out two very nice pieces that reside on a couple of web sites throughout the Xenaverse.
Favorite episode: IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE
Favorite line: "I have many skills" (various episodes)
First episode seen: THE TITANS (07/107)
Least favorite episode: LYRE, LYRE HEARTS ON FIRE (100/510)
