Oh, you two are making me curious now! I'll definitely read it - maybe later tonight, maybe tomorrow. I'm pretty exhausted right now, and I'm not sure if my brain is willing to except anything else but Dutch.

Mara wrote:Oh, you two are making me curious now! I'll definitely read it - maybe later tonight, maybe tomorrow. I'm pretty exhausted right now, and I'm not sure if my brain is willing to except anything else but Dutch.

Poor Maartje--sleep well! And hope you enjoy it when you do read it!

"Life on Mars" has been updated. I need a laydown now...

Timeless A-Peel wrote:"Life on Mars" has been updated. I need a laydown now...

Thank you dear! I hope you start to feel better again soon.

Mara wrote:

Timeless A-Peel wrote:"Life on Mars" has been updated. I need a laydown now...

Thank you dear! I hope you start to feel better again soon.

Me, too. Hope you enjoy the fic, though.

I promise I'll read it sometime this week. I did no studying whatsoever this weekend because of my birthday, so I've got a lot of coursework to catch up on, but after that I'll definitely read it

Philippa wrote:I promise I'll read it sometime this week. I did no studying whatsoever this weekend because of my birthday, so I've got a lot of coursework to catch up on, but after that I'll definitely read it

Good luck with the schoolwork. Maybe the fic will provide motivation?

I left you a review for 'Life on Mars'. Another brilliant chapter

Philippa wrote:I left you a review for 'Life on Mars'. Another brilliant chapter

Thank you muchly! That was a long review (my favourite kind). Made my day.

Yes, Purdey "crossed over" for a second there and saw the "other" Gambit and Steed. It's no wonder the poor girl's confused. But she definitely got a little more action this time around (and she'll do some more stuff in the next chapter or two). Has she proven herself to AU Steed? Watch and see. Meanwhile, poor Gambit's just trying to keep her together, and trying not to fall apart himself. It is kind of cruel to have Purdey running around claiming that she's Carrie. The haircut is the last straw--is there really a Carrie? Has Purdey really absorbed her identity as her own? Yes, I'm aware it's confusing, but you're right--that's half the point. I'm hoping it'll all make sense in the end. I'm getting a little worried about what I'll do if it doesn't! Thanks for the review and for reading. I'm so happy you're still enjoying it. Stay tuned...

I'm glad you liked my long review. We really ought to review more, instead of just telling you here how much we like it, since it seems that people in the Avengers fandom don't leave much reviews (certainly not compared to the A2A section for instance). I think in a section like that, your story would've had well over a hundred reviews by now. Not that it really matters of course, but it's always nice to know that people read your story and enjoy and appreciate it.

Philippa wrote:I'm glad you liked my long review. We really ought to review more, instead of just telling you here how much we like it, since it seems that people in the Avengers fandom don't leave much reviews (certainly not compared to the A2A section for instance). I think in a section like that, your story would've had well over a hundred reviews by now. Not that it really matters of course, but it's always nice to know that people read your story and enjoy and appreciate it.

Yes, reviews are nice, particularly long ones. I don't mind if you comment here, though--it's easy to respond. Either way is good--it's just nice to hear thoughts. The Avengers section isn't nearly as popular as A2A. Even LoM isn't getting updated as quickly, but that's only to be expected--A2A is new and still-running. As soon as it ends, I expect there'll be a gradual decline in the fic area.

My fics do get some hits, though, so someone must be reading. Even my Monkey Island fic got a review yesterday.

Timeless A-Peel wrote:The Avengers section isn't nearly as popular as A2A. Even LoM isn't getting updated as quickly, but that's only to be expected--A2A is new and still-running. As soon as it ends, I expect there'll be a gradual decline in the fic area.

You're probably right there - that's how it goes with fandoms. And I must add that some shows are better to write fanfic for than others. I think the Avengers is a fabulous series to write for, but just compare it to AbFab: I can guarantee you'll have a hard time beating Jennifer's lines.

I'd prefer to commend here, because that's why we have a fanfic topic after all. But please don't expect me to write such long reviews, because I'm not a writer, and I therefore can't (and don't want) to tell you what you could improve.

Mara wrote:

Timeless A-Peel wrote:The Avengers section isn't nearly as popular as A2A. Even LoM isn't getting updated as quickly, but that's only to be expected--A2A is new and still-running. As soon as it ends, I expect there'll be a gradual decline in the fic area.

You're probably right there - that's how it goes with fandoms. And I must add that some shows are better to write fanfic for than others. I think the Avengers is a fabulous series to write for, but just compare it to AbFab: I can guarantee you'll have a hard time beating Jennifer's lines.

I'd prefer to commend here, because that's why we have a fanfic topic after all. But please don't expect me to write such long reviews, because I'm not a writer, and I therefore can't (and don't want) to tell you what you could improve.

I know. Some fandoms are just impossible to write for because how can you compete with the original writers? I love Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but I never read fanfic, and I'm currently reading a book written by a different guy to finish the series. It's just not the same. I try my best with TNA, and I feel like there's enough latitude to play around with the characters. Purdey and Gambit are more human, so it's easier to put them in situations that the show would never approach. I have a harder time writing Emma--she's a little too superhuman.

Yes, please, comment here! I love this thread and I would hate for it to die. We can have discussions that just aren't possible when leaving a review. I love reading your comments, Maartje--don't change a bit.

I like to do both; leave reviews on ff.net, and have more indept discussions here (it's true, you can't do that through reviews). And in my opinion it's not about telling people what they could improve, I myself hardly ever write anything like that in a review. Usually just what I think of the story/chapter, and which aspects I particularly enjoyed.

And I agree about the fandoms, it's not easy or practically impossible to write for some fandoms like AbFab for instance, but it's much easier to write for the likes of A2A. The LoM section hardly gets updated these days (and a lot of it is slash anyway ), but there are constantly new fics being posted on the lifein1973 lifejournal.

Philippa wrote:I like to do both; leave reviews on ff.net, and have more indept discussions here (it's true, you can't do that through reviews). And in my opinion it's not about telling people what they could improve, I myself hardly ever write anything like that in a review. Usually just what I think of the story/chapter, and which aspects I particularly enjoyed.

And I agree about the fandoms, it's not easy or practically impossible to write for some fandoms like AbFab for instance, but it's much easier to write for the likes of A2A. The LoM section hardly gets updated these days (and a lot of it is slash anyway ), but there are constantly new fics being posted on the lifein1973 lifejournal.

Those are the sort of reviews I like to give and receive--any lines or moments that made people laugh or cry, I love to hear about. I've gotten some of that with my Monkey Island fic already--apparently everyone else felt the same way about the last chapeter's finale I did. Nitpicking is more the territory of a betareader anyway. I try to be positive.

I can imagine AbFab would be nigh on impossible to write for. People try, I know, but it'd be like trying to write for PG Wodehouse, or Terry Pratchett, or Fry and Laurie. Sometimes it's not so much what's been written as the way it's been written, and certain writers have a rhythm to their work that other people can't pull off. But some shows are more forgiving than others. I know I can't rattle off a line quite the way Matthew Graham can, but I'm trying Sam and Gene anyway. And I'm not Brian Clemens, but I won't stop writing Purdey and Gambit any time soon.

And yes, it's lovely to have discussions here. Keep the thread alive!

Timeless A-Peel wrote:I can imagine AbFab would be nigh on impossible to write for. People try, I know, but it'd be like trying to write for PG Wodehouse, or Terry Pratchett, or Fry and Laurie. Sometimes it's not so much what's been written as the way it's been written, and certain writers have a rhythm to their work that other people can't pull off.

Well, I think I've found it. Here's a writer who has actually based a couple of stories on AbFab. I think we'd have some interesting talks, as she claims to be a fan of AbFab, Jam and Jerusalem and House.

The point is that stories for the show always turn out to be femslash, and even though some of the stories are really well written, I don't want to read about romantic escapades between the characters. It just doesn't work for the show, I think.

*shudders at the thought of femslash*

Philippa wrote:*shudders at the thought of femslash*

Yewwww!

Philippa wrote:*shudders at the thought of femslash*

I have nothing against being gay (of course) and I admit I read this. But I'm not happy. *shudders* Patsy and Saf is a no-go, I'd say.

Bring back the good Avengers fanfic please! (and yes, you may take this as a hint)

Mara wrote:

Philippa wrote:*shudders at the thought of femslash*

I have nothing against being gay (of course) and I admit I read this. But I'm not happy. *shudders* Patsy and Saf is a no-go, I'd say.

Bring back the good Avengers fanfic please! (and yes, you may take this as a hint)

It's not the content you object to so much as the blatant manipulation of the characters to do things you know they'd never do. If you're writing for Will and Grace or Torchwood, it makes sense. But it doesn't for a lot of other shows. The other thing I hate is the desire to pair everyone up. I find my main problem with slash is that it denies one of my favourite relationships, that being the friendships between men. I find male friendships very sweet, and when people insist on taking them into full-blown slash territory, the sex idea alone ruins it for me (I should mention I never read slash, but some of the story descriptions are enough to scar me for life). If there are pairings, I want them to adhere to the canon. Purdey and Gambit are the only characters I've ever had a strong desire to bring together. Even Steed and Emma I can take or leave--I'm all right if people write them as a couple, but I'm not devastated if they leave them as two people who never got it together.

But there's still lots of Purdey/Gambit love to come. Maartje wants more, anyway. Well, I've got a few fics in the works, and I'm pondering whether or not I can sneak in another AU one-shot. I've got an idea that I've been pondering for awhile...

Until then, has anyone read those fresh pages of "In Custody" I posted awhile back? I've been writing some more and I wouldn't mind a little feedback as I go.

Timeless A-Peel wrote:If there are pairings, I want them to adhere to the canon. Purdey and Gambit are the only characters I've ever had a strong desire to bring together. Even Steed and Emma I can take or leave--I'm all right if people write them as a couple, but I'm not devastated if they leave them as two people who never got it together.

That is true. The Harry Potter fandom is probably the best example you can get: I remember coming across fanfics in which literally every couple was possible. Dumbledore/Hermione, Harry/Snape... I think some writers just have to accept that some characters just don't work that way. I agree that Emma/Steed and Purdey/Gambit are perfect for it. I've been scanning a few House stories too recently, because I think one could do some very interesting things with Cuddy and House. Turns out it's mostly slash again anyway...

Timeless A-Peel wrote:Until then, has anyone read those fresh pages of "In Custody" I posted awhile back? I've been writing some more and I wouldn't mind a little feedback as I go.

I read it, but I totally forgot to comment. I find the reference to Gareth in the story really sweet. Good character are immortal, which sometimes makes you forget that the actors who play them aren't. You wan't them to stick around forever and keep on doing amazing stuff, don't you?

Mara wrote:

Timeless A-Peel wrote:If there are pairings, I want them to adhere to the canon. Purdey and Gambit are the only characters I've ever had a strong desire to bring together. Even Steed and Emma I can take or leave--I'm all right if people write them as a couple, but I'm not devastated if they leave them as two people who never got it together.

That is true. The Harry Potter fandom is probably the best example you can get: I remember coming across fanfics in which literally every couple was possible. Dumbledore/Hermione, Harry/Snape... I think some writers just have to accept that some characters just don't work that way. I agree that Emma/Steed and Purdey/Gambit are perfect for it. I've been scanning a few House stories too recently, because I think one could do some very interesting things with Cuddy and House. Turns out it's mostly slash again anyway...

Timeless A-Peel wrote:Until then, has anyone read those fresh pages of "In Custody" I posted awhile back? I've been writing some more and I wouldn't mind a little feedback as I go.

I read it, but I totally forgot to comment. I find the reference to Gareth in the story really sweet. Good character are immortal, which sometimes makes you forget that the actors who play them aren't. You wan't them to stick around forever and keep on doing amazing stuff, don't you?

House is another one. Do they have to make things between him and Wilson slashy? I really enjoy their friendship, precisely because that's what it is--a friendship. Sex ruins that. Why can't people conceive of people loving each other in a non-sexual way, like Gareth and Joanna did?

I'm glad you're liking the little bits of "In Custody." I have written more, just haven't posted it yet. But I wanted to get a bit about Gareth in there, because I think Sam would remember Gambit, and feel sad when he died. You do sort of forget these people age and die. Doesn't make it easy when you lose them.

I intend to read your bits of 'In Custody' tomorrow, since I don't have to work. I'll definitely make sure to give some feedback afterwards

Philippa wrote:I intend to read your bits of 'In Custody' tomorrow, since I don't have to work. I'll definitely make sure to give some feedback afterwards

Yay! I'll try and post some more pieces soon, too. And I should type those pages of "Vignettes" I wrote last week. I actually worked on fic today, but it wasn't one of the two I've been planning on working on. I need to FOCUS.

Got sidetracked again? It's so tempting isn't it?

I really hope to get some ficwriting done as well today. A few days ago I was on a roll, added nearly 2000 words to my story without so much as thinking about it.