I know you got a crocodile in spelling, but this has gone too far

[adelagia]

On dragonsangel68's recommendation, I rented Definitely, Maybe a couple of days ago. I'd been wanting to see it for a while, but also kind of avoiding it because I really don't care for Elizabeth Banks, not since she Mary Sued it up on Scrubs (which I recognise is not necessarily her fault because she wasn't the one who wrote the character, but writers don't have faces and I need someone to blame, and irrationality is complicated). Anyway. Good call, Jen. Thank you. It was such a sweet movie, and really pleasantly atypical for a romantic comedy while still fulfilling the requirements of the genre.

 

And now for something completely different.

I'm hopelessly stuck on my latest fic; I still have a number of chapters to post before I start feeling guilty about not updating, so hopefully I'll get my groove back well before that all kicks in. The trouble is, I have specific plot points I want to hit in my outline, and time needs to pass from point to point, but I don't know what happens in between those points and I don't want to just go, "And six months later..." because that feels like cheating, but then if I do write what happens in between, it maybe just comes off as massive amounts of useless filler.

I got a one-sentence review asking when D/G was going to happen, which I translated as, "Shut up and make them kiss, already."

Which, you know, I guess is a valid concern, seeing as it is ultimately a D/G fic on the D/G archive, and I've written eleven chapters and they're still barely speaking to each other.

I'll admit this fic is a bit of an experiment for me; I wanted to see if I could write a serious narrative that didn't rely so much on dialogue to push the story forward because I think I tend to drift towards fluff and humour and lots of banter but not a lot of emotion or description.

Is it too much? Self-indulgent? I don't know if people find it as interesting or fun as I do that, like, there's a whole scene centered around Draco going to the bank, or if it's all blah blah fishcakes and everyone's just sort of making that circular, wrap-it-up gesture in their heads and waiting for me to get to the good parts.

Anyway, to sum up: Blergh.
 

Comments

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

I'm finding it fun and interesting and I think it's only right that they don't just go "S/he's hot!" and start snogging.

[dragonsangel68.livejournal.com]

So glad you enjoyed it!

You know I love your fic *g* And, honestly, fics that have them suddenly together without background work don't make much sense. You're doing a wonderful job of it!

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Okay. Good. Thank you. :) I'm just an awful and wibbly judge of my own writing.

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

I understand completely, but I'm totally in love with this story and the way you're telling it.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

I think I might buy it eventually, actually. Isla Fisher is such a rock star in it. :)

And thank you, I'm really glad you do! I'm just worried about writing things that won't really have any bearing on how the rest of the fic plays out or don't give any insight into the characters, and wasting everybody's time.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that really means a lot. No plans for sticking them in a conveniently placed broom closet any time soon, then.

[dragonsangel68.livejournal.com]

I own it and we watch it every so often :) Isla Fisher is an amazing actress! You could tell she had potential right from her early starts in Aussie soaps.

So far everything is quite relevant and you're giving your characters amazing depth. It's one thing that's lacking in a lot of fics and something I look for in a good fic :)

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. That makes my writerly heart really happy. :)

[embe11ished.livejournal.com]

I agree with Sharlene and Jen. Your fic is awesome the way it is. Watching Draco and Ginny come together is a lot of the fun of D/G for me, so your fic is my favorite kind. So far, it's been very natural and interesting, you've really developed Ginny and Draco well, and some of your secondary characters are fantastic. I am in no hurry for a resolution! But I do hope you get unstuck. :) If you'd like, I would be willing to brainstorm with you a little. I don't know if I would have any brilliant (or even halfway useful) ideas, though!

[lyndsiefenele.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll admit that I haven't read your lastest fic yet, but I do know something about the masses. We have a rather bitter relationship. You can write something really good and totally awesome, and those squeal-wielding fangirls who are only in it for the shiny hearts and swooning might not even recognize it. (This isn't as much of annoyance of mine personally, but how I feel on behalf of others I beta for.)

See? I said I was bitter. Anyway, I'm sure it's really good. It's on my to-do list. Really. "Read A's new fic" is there between "Eat more vegetables" and "Code like you've never coded before!"

[xalexandriam.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think if you rushed ahead to D & G realizing that they fancy each other, then it could come off sounding too forced. I love the tension you've created between them in this fic, so when they finally do realize their mutual attraction, it's going to make the realization that much more awesome. :D

And I've had my fair share of fangirly complaining for my fics. I don't think on FIA, but definitely on other sites. I also agree with the above comments regarding the type of fic that you've created -- I get such a kick reading how they get together.

[humbuggirl.livejournal.com]

I got a one-sentence review asking when D/G was going to happen, which I translated as, "Shut up and make them kiss, already."

*points to Hospitality aka the WIP of Doom*

I'm on chapter twenty-three and they're barely being civil with each other.

My point is, don't worry if people are nagging about when they're going to get together. For every one person wondering that, there are probably twenty or thirty who appreciate the way you're moving the story forwards.

If you get to chapter fifty and nothing has happened, start to worry.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Thank you. You're the best. :) And I'll definitely take you up on your offer! I'll email you or try to catch you on gchat when I get my thoughts together.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

That is true. Thanks for the perspective. :)

Hey, I also have "eat more vegetables" on my list. Followed closely by "learn CSS". I don't think either one of those is going to be very successful, though.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Yes, thank you. That's been my feeling as well, but all it takes, really, is one terse review to make me doubt myself. Thanks for setting me straight. :)

Heh, that's also part of the reason why I don't post anywhere but FIA. We get a slightly higher class of fangirl most of the time!

[embe11ished.livejournal.com]

I tend to have chat turned off unless I'm expecting to chat with someone or am totally bored, so give me a heads up by e-mail if you want to chat. I guess we'll need to figure out time zones too, but I bet we can find a time when we're both free and awake at the same time!

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

True, that. I myself am one of those readers who loves the journey. And I don't think I'm capable of fifty chapters, so that's one less thing to worry about. :)

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Hee, sure thing!

[idreamofdraco.livejournal.com]

I saw that review and I thought it was kind of silly. Your response was perfect for it. D/G goodness will happen when it happens. At least we all know it is going to happen (because of where the story is posted, you know).

I say, don't worry about it. Personally, I tend to really stick with the stories that don't have them together right away (or they tend to stick with me, I guess) because I'm just waiting for it to happen. I think those tend to be really memorable too. It means a lot more when they finally get together. I love the way things are going so far, and it seems reasonable that they won't hook up immediately, especially with Draco's involvement with MUSIC, whatever he will actually do for them. :)

So, I say don't rush if you feel like you need to draw things out. Write it the way you want it to go, and don't worry about the fan girls. :D

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm also one of those readers who prefers it when stories take the time to get them together; the pay-off is more satisfying that way, isn't it? Thanks for your input and support. :)

...especially with Draco's involvement with MUSIC, whatever he will actually do for them.

Yeah... I still have to work that bit out... :/

[idreamofdraco.livejournal.com]

Much more satisfying. :D

Yeah... I still have to work that bit out... :/
:O Really! Well, I'm excited to see what you come up with! If you need help let me know, though I don't know how much help I could be. :P

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Well, I have one major thing that he has to do for them, but it won't happen till much later. I'm kind of all over the place right now, so maybe I can come up with something once I get myself together. If not, though, I'll come hit you up for ideas. :)

[idreamofdraco.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope you work it out! I'd be glad to help if you need it.