The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Ponine Enjolras/Jenelin

Interviews by Fans
Title:	The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Ponine Enjolras/Jenelin
Interviewer:	LMFFI/Abby Goutal
Interviewee:	Ponine Enjolras a.k.a. Jenelin
Date(s):	posted 27 October 2000
Medium:	online
Fandom(s):	Les Misérables
External Links:	an interview with Ponine Enjolras interview index
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In October 2000, Les Misérables fan writer Ponine Enjolras, a.k.a. Jenelin, was interviewed for The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index.

Interview Series

• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Amy
• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Arlene C. Harris
• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Laura Waterstripe/Quiara
• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Lonely Gamine
• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Ponine Enjolras/Jenelin
• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Stefanie
• The Les Miserables Fan Fiction Index Interview with Ursula

Introduction

Ponine Enjolras, 20, also known as Jenelin, is the webmistress of the Barricade of Revolution, and author of many fanfics, including Les Omens, 24601, and Now When The Rain Falls. She hails from Washington state and is currently at college in Iowa, majoring in theatre. She usually listens to David Bowie while she writes fanfic.

Some Experts

Q: Why do you write?
A: Writing for me is very therapeutic. It's something I do when I'm stressed out or feeling depressed. Besides that, I just enjoy writing because it gives me the chance to create a new world (or change a world which can be the case with fanfic).

Q: Do you usually start with a plot idea or with a character?
A: I generally start with a character. On occasion I do start with a plot idea, but I find that I write better if I just let my imagination run free and see where it goes. For instance, when I sat down and wrote, "The day started normally. Enjolras rose, quickly dressed, pulled back his blonde hair and headed out into Paris," I had no idea it was going to turn into "Orestes and Pylades Shocked." I just felt like writing about Enjolras!

Q: Do you read or write fanfic in other fandoms?
A: Oh, yes! I write a fair amount of Scarlet Pimpernel fanfic. I have written less of, but highly enjoy writing, Sandman, Labyrinth and Ranma ½ fanfic as well. I read a lot of Labyrinth and Ranma stories. There's also fanfic based on Jane Austen's works -- I love to read it, but have yet to try my hand at it myself!

Q: What's your advice to beginning fanfic writers?
A: Just keep at it -- your first attempts are never as bad as you think they are! Most importantly, develop your own style. Don't try to write like Victor Hugo, it will be far better to just write like yourself!