Thank you all for sending me questions! Here is my first Muted Voices Q&A! If your question wasn't answered, go ahead and send them, and I'll get to them in the next one!
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Q: What inspired you to write Muted Voices?
A: I had a lot of inspiration in starting this project. I love re-reading PuffedGill's I Provide Protection, which sparked a general love of fanfiction in me. She inspired me to put pen to paper and create an MHA fanfiction. The movie Bumblebee inspired Koto's quirk, and the book Silently Falling by Liz_Plum inspired Koto's disability. Her backstory came from there. And then I was ready to begin this amazing, four year long project. While writing, I took a lot of inspiration from my own life, especially when it comes to Koto's emotions and mental struggles.
Q: What was your biggest challenge about writing Muted Voices?
A: I struggled a lot with striking a balance between what I wanted, what I thought readers would enjoy, and canon plot. Every time I relied too much on canon, I found myself sinking into writer's block, hence the long periods of inactivity on my part. I found myself at some point becoming consumed with what I thought the fandom wanted and had to reel myself back into telling the story as I felt was right.
Q: What was your favorite part about writing Muted Voices?
A: My favorite part was branching off of the canon storyline and working with the characters and stories happening in the background. I didn't want to necessarily change the plot, rather add a new layer to it. And I had a lot of fun doing so, exploring characters' lives outside of school and interactions between friends. It gave me a chance to be silly and creative while writing fluff and angst of my own.
Q: I may have missed this, but who did Koto get out of a serious relationship with? 👀
A: I never really came up with a character for this. I just figured that in the time after the main story, she'd go to America and meet someone, but it wouldn't be THE one, you know? It was more sorta there to let you know how her life has been going in the five year gap. She's still open to dating, but hasn't had much luck. She is still reeling from her breakup when she stumbles upon an older and more mature Bakugo. And when he offers her a seat, and maybe a new friendship (or maybe more 👀), she takes it. She willingly chooses to take that leap with him after all this time. So I wanted to include the little snippet about a breakup to show her growth through the years and her willingness to trust even after everything. And then in the epilogue, we see that reflecting well on both Koto and Bakugo.
Q: Do Koto and Bakugo ever get back together, or no? If not…is Mordekoto canon then? 😅 Or does she not want a relationship after everything?
A: I always knew that I wanted the epilogue of Muted Voices to be open-ended. In fact, I had it written for a very long time and just sitting there, waiting for me to finish the rest of the book. I like the idea of Koto and Bakugo reconnecting when she visits for their 5 year reunion, but do they ever officially start a relationship? Who's to say? They've changed a lot in the time they've known each other. I'd actually like to hear the readers' headcanons about what happens between the two of them. And as far as Mordekoto (a ship between Koto and aBitGrim's Mordecai Rockefeller) goes, I'd say their relationship is mostly confined to The Fault In Our Sound. So you'll have to rely on that and other crossovers for Mordekoto content. But I'd say Koto is still open to relationships after everything. She's grown a lot and matured a great deal.
Q: Can I assume Koto ends up with Ducky? 👀
A: You absolutely can! I wanted to end the story so open-ended so you can imagine your version of happily ever after. If you want Koto and Bakugo to be together, then they are!
Q: Who is your Favorite OC you’ve created for Muted Voices that you wish you could expand upon more?
A: I love working with Reina. Her family is incredibly dynamic, and I know every adventure she will take in life will be super interesting. I look forward to expanding on her story in an upcoming spin-off book from her perspective!
Q: Who is your favorite canon character to write and why?
A: I think my favorite has to be Kirishima because of how seamlessly his personality fits with Koto's. Every time I have them in a scene together, the dialogue flows out of me. I also loved delving into his mind in the arc where I wrote from his perspective. His character is incredibly authentic in all the ways hesitancy and uncertainty lie in wait under his cheery facade. I loved writing his sections so much!
Q: What Easter Eggs did you throw in your story? 👀
A: I tried to include a lot of nods to classic rock and modern movies since Koto is interested in them. But apart from outright mentions, I did throw in quite a few details from my next book, Jaded, to help transition into that story! One of the characters I introduced in the last arc of Muted Voices will come back in Jaded with an even bigger role!
Q: What would Koto's favorite movies be?
A: Koto, of course, loves her Disney movies. I'd say her favorite of those is Cars. As for musicals, she really loves Les Miserables.
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If you have more questions, comment them here, and I will do another Q&A soon! I hope you enjoyed!
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Muted Voices (A BNHA/MHA x OC Fanfic)
FanfictionKoto Yamada has a powerful quirk: to manifest any sound she can imagine from wherever she wants. Her untrained power results in pain and suffering for both her and those around her. She is sent away to live with her uncle in Japan, where he is regar...
