Board Name: Zan

Real Name: Suzanne

Age: 38

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Time Zone: You know that stuff freaks me out! Whatever Aus is in!

What's your Occupation? Secondary School Teacher of English & Humanities. I’ve also worked for about fifteen years as an aerobics/gym instructor.

Brief bio  I was born in England and came to Aus in about 1970. I’m married to a wonderful Aust/Italian guy I’ve known since we were both 17. We have a six year old daughter who keeps us busy and entertained. I completed a Bachelor Of Education at Melbourne University and I teach four days a week. I love exercising, my job, going to the beach, watching Aussie Rules and watching my daughter dance.

When did you start reading the Hardy Boys?  Late Primary School years.

Who started you reading the Hardy Boys?  I had a friend who liked Nancy Drew. I read a few of hers and quite enjoyed them. Inside the cover was an advertisement about the Hardy Boys. When I found and read my first Hardy Boys book, (I think it was ‘The Arctic Patrol Mystery) I was hooked, and never bothered with Ms. Drew again!

When did you start writing Fan fiction?  In 2003 – Into Thin Air, although I had previously jotted down ideas for Hardy Boys stories over a number of years.

Who is your favorite character? Definitely Joe!

What attracts you to the Hardy Boys? The link to my childhood. I also love the relationship between the brothers. After reading half a dozen of the books, I found myself really caring about them and what happened to them. The boys have good hearts and usually triumph over bad.

What is your favorite Hardy Boys Series? Definitely the Casefiles series, although I also have a fondness for some of the original stories.

What is your favorite Hardy Boys Book? The Casefiles book ‘Dead Of Night’

What is your favorite Hardy Boys moment?  In ‘Dead Of Night’, the graveyard scene when Frank is trying to convince Joe that he’s not one of the ghosts out to get him, while Joe is wildly swinging at Frank with a shovel!

In the same book, I also love the conversation between Chet and Joe about whether Chet blames Joe for what happened to Iola.

What is your favorite Hardy Boys moment in your own stories? I’ve only written two, but I quite like the part in ‘Behaving Badly’ when Frank is telling an amused Joe that he and the teacher are going on a date.

Who is your favorite original character in your own stories? AJ in Behaving Badly. He’s ‘rough around the edges’ and misjudged by most adults, but he has a good heart and Joe decides to trust him.

How would you describe your fan fic? I’d like to think my Fan Fic is reasonably fast-paced, quite humorous, and with moments of angst and drama. I’m never really happy with anything I write (I suppose most writers are self-critical) but I gain a lot of satisfaction from actually finishing a story.

Which of the Hardy Boys books we're familiar with and/or own? I probably have about 16 of the original paperbacks. I really regret that I gave a large number of hardbacks away when I was about fourteen! I own 2 Casefiles and have been able to borrow some Casefiles from libraries.