Guns and Grapple:
Fanfiction

1. How and when did you become a fan?
I was in a store looking through older computer games when I picked up a demo of Tomb Raider 1. The title caught my attention first as I’ve always had an interest in Egypt, and after reading the synopsis on the back, I was convinced I’d enjoy it. Literally, five minutes into the game I was hooked. I had never played any games before that were like Tomb Raider, and I was totally captivated.

Prior to Tomb Raider I had played hundreds of games on the Commodore 64 (yes, I played on it!), Quake, Doom, among others. I was already a gamer but had never experienced anything like Tomb Raider. It had everything I loved about games: adventure, puzzle solving, and shooting. I also have Tomb Raider to blame for me being so picky with games! I haven’t found any other games that come close to Tomb Raider.

 It has almost been ten years since I picked up the copy of Tomb Raider, and I’m an even bigger fan now. It’s really exciting to go over the journeys I’ve had with the games and with everything I’ve done. Tomb Raider has been a part of my life for a long time, and I can’t see it ever leaving!

 

2. What tips would you give to a Tomb Raider fan who wants to begin their own stories, but are having trouble?
For years I’ve had fans asking me for advice on writing stories, and I always try my best to give the best advice I can. I’ve often answered questions in the Ask Katie section of my fan club, and the most common one I get is where I get my ideas from. I strongly believe if you have an interest in writing, there’s nothing that can stop or prevent you from creating a story. You need to find inspiration – may it be the games, other stories, movies, friends, etc. It all starts with one idea and you build on it through a series of steps.

I’m actually releasing, “Writing Tomb Raider Stories: A Guide Book by Katie Fleming”, a comprehensive and detailed guide in the near future. I literally walk fans through my process of writing, telling everything I do and have done to be successful. While there is no perfect technique to writing, I hope this guide will provide some insight and prove to be useful to aspiring writers!

In short, the best advice I can give fans who want to write, is to write for yourself. Don’t write with the hopes of creating a masterpiece that will win awards, but write one that you will like and enjoy. If you’re proud of your work, the rest will follow. Also, don’t push yourself; if you’re stuck, sleep on it. It’s amazing what your brain can develop when you’re not thinking about it.

3. When you first started your Tomb Raider stories, did you ever think that they would be so popular?
When I wrote my first story, I actually didn’t have any intentions on continuing to write. For me, it was just something to do on a long trip and I hadn’t even thought of posting it online. Once Core Design had read it, and I received positive feedback I decided to post it online. For whatever reason I can’t stop writing! Every time I think I’m finished, and have written the final story, an idea comes to mind and I go again.

So, no, I never thought they would become so popular, and it still baffles my mind with everything that has happened to date. When I won Core Design’s competition, I think it was then when I realized the credibility of my work. I’m really proud of what I’ve done, but I never expected anything to come out of it. All of these little bonuses along the way have been really great surprises and I hope there will be more in the future!

 

4. How do you get your ideas for your stories?
This has to be on the top list of questions I get from fans, and fans who are aspiring writers. I still don’t really know where I get my ideas, but I can tell you my inspiration definitely comes from playing the Tomb Raider games. For example, I was really interested in the Amulet of Horus from Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, and was able to construct an entire story related to it (Search for Delphi).

I typically start with a small idea or interest, and build on it from there. I was interested in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, so I started researching and learning more about it. From there I constructed a general plot, and worked around that. In, “A New World – a New Life” I had an interest in the Bermuda Triangle and made up an entire plot around that.

When I think of Lara, and of the games, I can see her doing things/going to different places. The only roadblock is as far as my imagination will let me go, and I’m always excited to discover new places to write about.

 

5. What is your favourite Tomb Raider game and why?
It’s a toss up between Tomb Raider 3 and Tomb Raider 5 and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to pick just one. Tomb Raider 3 was incredible because of the vast number of locations Lara visited, the order you could do them in, all of the vehicles, the music, and storyline. With Tomb Raider 5, I immensely enjoyed the VCI Headquarters levels with her interesting and effective weaponry. I also loved playing as young Lara and learning more about her history. The storyline was great and the music, as always, was astounding.

 

6. What is your favourite story that you created?

I always have the hardest time answering this question! It’s hard picking a favourite because there are specific elements from each one that I like. Also, I remember various obstacles or exciting moments when I wrote each one that add to the confusion of picking a favourite. At this particular moment in time I’m particularly fond of “The Strenuous Escapade” and “Perilous Paradise”. I believe they’re both classic adventures that really encompass elements from the games nicely.

However, with that being said, my newest story, “A Room in Waiting” is also a favourite – because it’s my latest one. I guess my favourite story changes when I write a new one, but I definitely love and am proud of all of them.

 

7. What was your reaction when you were asked if your fan fiction could be in the first issue of Tales of Lara Croft?
Wow, that was a surprise! I was not expecting that e-mail at all. James Watson sent me an e-mail saying he was a fan of my work and wanted to know if I was interested in having a story published in the first edition. I was really shocked and agreed for him to publish it. It was a great bonus and I am very thankful for that opportunity!

 

 8. What does Lara Croft mean to you?
When I was interviewed for the Tomb Raider Anniversary Retrospective Documentary I believe this was one of the questions that they edited out, so I’m glad I can answer it again! Wow, when I think about everything I’ve done during the past eight years, related to Tomb Raider, it really boggles my mind. Writing stories, making a website, doing a movie, and other various projects – all because of a game!

 I was about twelve years old when I started playing the games, and Lara instantly became a role model for me. I didn’t even realize what was happening, but after playing five minutes of the first game I was hooked, and from there on, she has really been a part of my life!

 Lara is a strong, beautiful, intelligent, daring, and adventurous character. There are a lot of things you can learn from playing the game, and I believe in a way, she helped me become who I am. Without Lara and the games, I wouldn’t have had any of these great things happen, and I am so thankful for discovering the games. In short, Lara means opportunity, new discoveries, and thrilling adventures, to me.

 

 9. When you created your own Lara Croft movie, was it hard to make it and why, also what parts did you enjoy doing?
The short Tomb Raider film I made was a blast to do. The hardest part was trekking across a frozen lake in the dead of winter with all of our equipment, and then running around in -18C weather in shorts and a tank top! It was absolutely freezing; I don’t think I’ve ever been that cold. But it was really fun to do and I loved it. Once you strap on the holsters and get into the outfit you sort of encompass Lara and get to work. Later on when we returned from shooting we realized we had lost half of our footage from outside because the equipment malfunctioned!

 The parts that I enjoyed doing were the shots outside in the snow and at the end where I’m shooting at the big dinosaur. One of the movements was doing a cartwheel into frame, landing in a crouch with one leg extended, and extracting the guns to shoot. Since I made the holsters (out of cardboard, later spray painted black), they were a little too loose to keep the guns in place. Every time I did a cartwheel one of the guns would come flying out and we’d have to re-shoot the scene again!