GeekWithCurves: Amy Ratcliffe

Amy is just a girl with a love for Lord of the Rings, graphic novels, Dungeons & Dragons, all things Whedon, Battlestar Galactica, the magical interwebz, comics, costumes, renaissance faires, and most things science fiction and fantasy. She is also mildly obsessed with Star Wars and has one of the most popular blogs out there, Geek with Curves. She reviews, interviews, and gathers intel from the biggest goings on and puts them together with some humor for a one stop trip.

I first stumbled upon her blog looking for someone to teach me how to make tiny little clay charms to make into nerdy necklaces and such (which never came to fruition) and she had a post on how to make tiny little rayguns. SQUEE!

L: Amy, why did you decide to start up a blog?

AR: I’ve been blogging in one form or another for about eight years (does anyone remember LiveJournal?). Geek with Curves came about from me really wanting to actually try to make something of writing instead of just saying that I wanted to be a writer. Being a geek is a significant portion of my life, so it only seemed natural to focus most of my energy into writing about any topics related to it.

L: I have to ask because I’m a fan of his work as well. I read that you got to meet George R.R. Martin at one of the Game of Thrones food trucks  and you had an amazing time! Did you get to ask him anything?

AR: It was actually my second time meeting him! I met him several years ago at a signing for A Feast for Crows. Just like that time, I didn’t say much. Mr. Martin was very gracious with his time though. It was a surprise to all of us to see him at the food truck, and he just went down the line taking his time to chat and take photos with anyone who asked. I was with a group of friends, and he asked if we lived in the area (the truck was in Venice). Almost all of us lived in the Valley, so we said so and then he related stories about working there during his time on Beauty and the Beast.

L: You have almost 2000 people reading your blog, hitting up your page and watching your tweets. That must be mindblowing!

AR: Deciding to step off the ledge and put yourself and your writing out there is a scary thing. It’s incredibly reassuring to have people reading along and sending me notes. I mean, I know I’m not writing anything that will change the world, but I have fun and I appreciate all who take the time to read my posts.

L: How do you decide what makes your Geeky Links of the Week?

AR: I don’t really have a set formula. If it’s Star Wars related, a story or image gets higher priority. Other than that, it’s just whatever tickles my fancy. Occasionally people will ask me specifically to include a link to their site or product, but I only do so if it grabs me and I think that someone reading will like it.

L: Is there anyone famous that you’d love to get the chance to meet? Why?

AR: Joss Whedon. He’s a skilled storyteller and an inspiring person. I have no idea what I’d say to him, but I’ll figure that out when it happens. Or I’ll just mumble. I’m good at that.

L: I noticed you also seem to dabble in cosplay. Do you go for screen accurate or do you put your own spin on things? Are you working on anything currently?

AR: I like to play dress-up. Screen accurate is typically out of my reach because I don’t know how to sew (yet), and I don’t have endless funds to commission a seamstress. I try to get close. For example, last year one of my costumes for San Diego Comic-Con was Han Solo. I researched by gathering photos and reading Star Wars costume group forums. I approximated as best as I could, but I did little things like making sure the Corellian bloodstripes on the sides of the pants were the exact size they were in the films. I try to apply those kind of things to each costume I create. Currently, I’m working on a Mara Jade costume. It will definitely be ready by Celebration VI.

L: You also seem to really dig crafts, be they knitting, sculpting,  whatever! Do you yourself create anything?

AR: I really enjoy crafts and crafting! I’ve tried crocheting,playing with polymer clay, making jewelry, and making felt plushies. One day I’d like to attempt bookbinding, making glass beads, and metalsmithing. I still make jewelry from time to time often enough to justify keeping all my tools and wire but not as often as I’d like to. It’s a matter of carving out a few hours a week; I’ll get back to it one day.

L: If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what position would you want?

AR: I’d have to go for an archaeologist/explorer job.

L: Do you have any convention plans for the summer?

AR: I’ll definitely be at San Diego Comic-Con for the whole convention, and then two weeks after that I plan to be at Gen Con in Indianapolis.

L: If you were a Star Trek [or Star Wars] character, which one would it be and why?

AR: Definitely Star Wars, and I’d want to be a Jedi. Or a bounty hunter. Or… just not a politician. For the most part, the politician thing in the Star Wars galaxy seems to be boring. Unless, of course, you are Padme and constantly avoiding attempts on your life. I can’t pick a specific character because I have too many favorites.

L: I appreciate you taking the time out to have a chat with me :) I really do love your blog and I hope our readers will take a glance and get to experience things you like.

AR: Thanks for the fun questions!

Hit up Amy’s blog, Geek with Curves, at geekfemme.blogspot.com

or her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/geekwithcurves!