More Tea Parties | Content Warnings
Hello everyone! It’s the end of the month, which means it’s time for another tea party! Before we begin, we have a very important announcement.
This will actually be Apple’s last month with us. Though we’re very sad to see her go, we are wishing her the very best in the future!! The updated schedule for JAAM will be at the bottom of this post, but in the meantime, let’s grab our drinks and celebrate everything Apple!
Do you have a favorite Apple story or character?
Pineapple
I really love all of the things that Apple’s put out! I think I have a soft spot for the Gummy Bear Case Study since I really like how she’s done the sci-fi. There’s a certain freedom and recklessness in the feel of it that I can’t really explain, ha ha. Faery Bargain is also so so good, though. I know it’s still simmering in the back of her mind, so I’d love to see what she ends up doing with it.
Raspberry
Oh my gosh, everything she’s ever created has been amazing! It’s so hard to choose, but I think her grumpy/sunshine Nick and Holly from the Group Picnics always live in my heart.
Apple
I think my favorite story to work on was “Ocean’s Favor.” The found family trope is one of my absolute favorites, so it was really fun bringing all of the characters together. But if we’re counting group stories, then the Ways to… series has my heart. It was such a good time seeing my characters interact with Pineapple and Raspberry’s!
What’s your favorite thing about Apple’s writing in general?
Pineapple
In general, I feel like Apple’s pacing is top-notch! It’s one of the really stand out things to me in all of her stories. The pacing is just so… well done. I always say it when I read her things for the first time. It’s always fun and exciting when it needs to be, but slows down to let you sit with the calm of a nice moment. Like Oceans Favor versus Counterclockwise.
But I also can’t not mention the characters! They’re so personable! They’re so adorable! When other people talk to me about the JAAM fam, the first thing they mention about Apple’s writing is the characters! They’re so easy to like without being unrealistic. I don’t know how she does it ha ha.
Raspberry
Apple’s descriptions are always amazing, and her characters always have such strong and unique voices! She has this incredible ability to make her scenes and characters really jump through the pages (figuratively, not literally, thank goodness), and I’ve always admired that.
Apple
As a reader, I’m someone who gets really anxious during the stressful parts in stories, so in my own writing I tend to either resolve things quickly, put off dealing with the stressful stuff as long as possible, or add something silly right after to break the tension. I wouldn’t really call this a strength because there’s definitely value in allowing space for serious and meaningful moments (and, you know, not giving readers whiplash), but it does make things a little more fun for me personally.
Top Apple behind-the-scenes moments?
Pineapple
Of course the infamous scene of her breaking her computer over CatCS’ Cart Boy. Also her calling a cut scene from How Journeys End the “whack-a-mole plan,” ha ha. Basically all of her theories about storylines and characters are golden, really. The questions she asks me have sometimes been integral to my world building!
Raspberry
Definitely her laptop breaking over the Cart Boy mention haha. Also listening to her theories about characters and plots. I could listen to a podcast of her just roasting characters and fangirling for hours!
Apple
Any time the topic of a sequel to Pineapple and Raspberry’s stories comes up, trust that I am giggling and kicking my feet. Like, it doesn’t even have to be confirmed. I asked Pineapple about what happened to a certain character’s weapon, and did she say she’d do a sequel during that conversation? No, but I’m staying excited just in case. Plus, the fact that Cat and the Cryptid Spring exists! And is coming out now! I’m so happy!
Anything else you want to say?
Pineapple
I just want to thank Apple for going on this journey with me and us and for editing my works so thoroughly when she really didn’t need to. Doing something like this has always been a dream and I’ve been disappointed before, but we actually got quite far with this one! I’m proud of what we accomplished. She did a lot of work behind the scenes to help us stay on track and help us move forward in ways I never would have thought of. I’m always thankful for her as a partner in JAAM and as a dear friend that I’ve gotten to know for many years now.
Thank you for bearing with me and my endless comma splices. I’ll try to be more diligent about catching them without you editing for me, ha ha.
Raspberry
Apple is an incredible writer and an even more incredible person. I’ve known her over half my life, and I am so lucky to call her my friend and fam. I’m so excited to see her writing in the future. I’m also so proud of her for taking care of herself!
Apple
I’m so grateful to Pineapple and Raspberry for letting me be a part of JAAM with them, and I’m so excited to see their stories continue! They are a huge inspiration and encouragement to me. I haven’t forgotten the first time I saw Pineapple’s cover art for the Faery Bargain or saying that I have to finish the story because of it. Even if it’s not something I end up sharing, it’s a mission I’ll hold on to. And thank you to everyone who took the time to check out my stories. I’m sorry to be leaving them in their current state, but I hope we were still able to make some good memories together!
Thanks for partying with us!
Please continue to send Apple all of your love and support! Let us know in the comments your favorite thing about her writing or her stories.
As for the new schedule, Raspberry will be posting the first and third weeks of the month while Pineapple will be posting the second and fourth weeks. Thank you for reading and following us so far!
JAAM Writing 