Featured Story of the Week: The Science of Monsters

The Science of Monsters is a wonderful fan fiction that focuses around Tony Stark and Bruce Banner of the Marvel comics. In this week's Featured Story, we take a closer look at this work.

Give us a brief summary of The Science of Monsters.

The Science of Monsters is a Tony Stark/Bruce Banner Fan Fiction featuring my favorite obsession from Iron Man 3, Extremis. It follows Tony through the Iron Man 3 plotline, so during the portion while Tony’s not around you get a look inside Bruce, who is trying (and failing) to hide from Shield. They have a secret mission for him, but he can’t go on any mission because of his new discovery. He finds a woman, Scarlett, (who is one of the first successful extremis experiments) in a building that just exploded. He cleans her up, watches her heal, and then tries to figure her out.

I don’t want to give too much away, but there will be some drama when Tony Stark comes home to find Bruce helping the enemy, and keep your eyes open for that special secret mission that Shield is offering.

What inspired you to write The Science of Monsters?

I’d wanted to write a Tony Stark fan fiction to begin with because Clara asked me to help with her Avengers stories it just put an idea in my head for Tony and this character I have called Misa Ford, but then I watched IM3. When I saw Pepper Potts at the end, I just knew I had to do something with Tony & Extremis…and I couldn’t stop thinking about how it wasn’t fair that Tony didn’t get a chance to play with the Extremis Virus that Maya invented. Then somehow Bruce got thrown in. I actually don’t know where he came from but he’s so perfect for this story.

How long have you been working on this story?

A month or so? The first chapter says it was posted nearly a month ago, so I’m going to stick with that.

What is your favorite thing about writing The Science of Monsters?

If I had to pick one thing I’d go with Scarlett’s character; although I love writing Bruce because he’s so dynamic. I’ve followed him through the cartoons before the movies were made, and if I ever get the chance I’d love to read the comics.

What is the most challenging thing about writing it?

Following the timeline. I’ve never written on a strict timeline before, so it’s tough telling my amazing readers to hang in there with me while Tony is kicking the Mandarin’s tale, and they have to deal with the Scarlett and Bruce show for a while, which is where the story is right now.

Have you ever experienced writer's block with this story? If so, how did you overcome it?

I did the week before last (It’s updated every Tuesday). I was in a tiny freak out mode. I re-read the chapter, and my brain was just blanking, but it worked out after I talked it out with my friends Clara and Rachel.

Do you write with an outline, or just wing it?

No outlines. I tried that when I was in college last year. Even my creative writing teacher was amazed at how far my story come off the outline. For some reason an outline blocks my process so if I use it I either #1: don’t follow it at all, or #2: stop writing the story because of inconsolable writer’s block.

Do you have any pre/post writing rituals?

I make coffee and turn on Pandora mostly. I know I have to be far away from my mom while I’m writing. (Yes, I still live at home!) I don’t know how one woman can be so distracting especially when you’re surrounded by all this white noise and coffee.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

Thank you guys so much for reading! You’ve, honestly, made me one of the happiest people in the world just by reading, subscribing, recommending, and commenting on my stories! Keep reading, and you know, you’re awesome!!

Special thanks to aubs and Airi. for editing!