Snowflake Challenge, Day 1

[curiouswombat]

If you don't know about the snowflake Challenge, and want to, click here.

The Challenge for today is In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you have created. It can be your favorite fanworks that you've created, or fanworks you feel no one ever saw, or fanworks you say would define you as a creator.

Actually I find it quite hard to blow my own trumpet - but I am best known by some people for the Return of the Key series - so I thought perhaps to actually start by a rec for that original story, which featured both characters from the Buffyverse and those from Lord of the Rings.

Return of The Key - 17 chapters long, rated FR15.

Then I have a favourite which is purely a Buffyverse one, written well before the comics and so fitting canon up to Chosen, which looks at a possible future for Xander.

Half a Sky of Stars - just over 2,000 words long, rated FR13.

And a favourite pure Tolkien world one, that is not part of the Returnverse and seems to not get noticed much - this looks at the sons of Elrond in the fourth age - it was a really difficult one to write - but it wouldn't let me stop until it was done -

A Powerful Absence - just over 7,000 words long, rated 'teen'


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Comments

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

It's funny, I said exactly the same thing, that I found it hard to fly the flag for my own stuff.

As I hope you know, I adore Half a Sky of Stars. It's one I want to point new writers to and tell them that's how you write strong, independent post Chosen Xander who's found purpose outside of the Scoobies.

And you've got me curious about the other ones, because I've never dipped my toe in Tolkien fic before. :)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

As I hope you know, I adore Half a Sky of Stars.

I didn't know - and I'm really pleased that you do as I think of you as a real Xander writer.


Xander is there in 'Return of the Key', too... (Dangling him like a carrot!!)

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

Eek, in that case I'm a very bad reader because I know I've recced the story to other people but obviously didn't come back and tell you how much I loved it. Huge apologies, but god yes, I love it to bits and it's one that I really wish I had written.

Hee, you bad carrot dangling lady, you. Okay, sold, another one for my to read list! :)

[minuial_nuwing]

Oh, my. **sniffle**

I have followed your Returnverse since we met through LJ, but I had never read 'A Powerful Absence.' It is only the second twin death story I have ever willingly read (jay_of_lasgalen wrote the other), and it was painfully poignant. I especially liked your take on Galadriel. Lovely piece.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

it was painfully poignant.

Oh - thank you; that is how it was to write, too. It kind of wrung me out. The only other thing that sat in my brain and screamed at me to write it as this did, despite it being out of my comfort one and painful in places, was Pure Morning (http://curiouswombat.livejournal.com/233690.html) - there, too, someone's life does not turn out as they expected.

I really like Jay's one with one twin left behind, too. I mus tgo back and re-read it; if I remember rightly their reunion is slightly different.

I'm glad, too, that you like Galadriel here - I like to think of her as a loving, but clear-headed, Grandma!

[wheelrider.livejournal.com]

Huh, I had missed "A Powerful Absence" -- will put on my reading list!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I do hope you enjoy it - although it was quite painful to write, in places.

[(Anonymous)]

I am rereading Return of the Key at the moment for about the third or fourth time, I will have to try Half a Sky of Stars when I get done and I think A Powerful Absence is so possible, including Arwen's reaction to the news. I can't blame Elladan for wanting to keep Elrohir to himself for a while!

I don't write my self and I have every admiration for those who do and give us non-writers so much pleasure.

Huggs and a Happy New Year,
Lynda

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

You know, I am really so pleased that you think Arwen's reaction is so possible.

I wanted the grief of different people, and the way they dealt with it, to take different forms; and at least one person thought I was mean to Elrond when he chose to cope by almost ignoring the fact that Elladan must still feel ripped in two. So it is good to hear that Arwen seems right.

[(Anonymous)]

Well she had to blame someone and the poor horse just would not have understood, so Elladan it was!

As you say different people handle grief different ways, Elrond was probably working on the premise that he had one child back with him, one child he would not see until the Remaking and one waiting on the sidelines as it were, who would be returned in time and Elves have all the time they need and then some! A bit cynical I know, but such is life.

Must go and reread Jay's story.

Lynda

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

I had not read Half a Sky of Stars, before, but I have now and it is lovely.
Strong, independent Xander is a character I love and the version you have drawn is beautiful. All the more real for the gradual nature of his realisation of independence.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like it. I wrote it a long time ago, I realised whilst looking for something else - January 2006 - and it is really good to know that it still stand up - if you see what I mean!

[draconin.livejournal.com]

I like Half a Sky a lot. The acceptance and peace that he's reached is wonderful, and although I also enjoy ones where he goes on fighting the good fight I've always felt that he really, really deserved to be at peace not only with the world but with himself.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm really pleased that people like it, and think it works, even after all this time (it was actually written almost 8 years ago).

I remember when I wrote it that I decided that he would still fight the good fight, but against slightly different evils, and in his own way, this time.

[draconin.livejournal.com]

I imagine that you probably have since it's quite well known, but just on the off chance; have you read Lilac City by nwhepcat (http://draclinks.livejournal.com/115089.html)? If not, very highly recommended.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Yes - but a long time ago. I must go back to it.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've been wanting to read "A Powerful Absence" but I had failed to bookmark it... I've remedied that and it's now in my "Snowflake" folder. Which is getting quite fat.

I know what you mean about it being hard to SSP. I'm not wild about it myself.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I do hope you like 'A Powerful Absence'.

This challenge has been such a good start to the year - I have a big thick reading folder, too.

[spikereader.livejournal.com]

I've not read the Tolkien fics, but I do love Half a Sky of Stars.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Whilst in the mood to pimp myself I actually think you would enjoy Return of The Key as the Scoobies are all there Scoobying, and Spike features quite largely.

[the-winterwitch.livejournal.com]

Wow, I thought I already knew (and had read) anything from your pen, but the second one has escaped me so far! *downloads*
(I should rather go to bed, I suppose; I managed to understand your entry completely wrong... *smacks head*)
"A Powerful Absence" is such an intense story and features among my personal most favourites ever.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Yes - Half a Sky of Stars would certainly work best if you knew who the central character was...!

I am always so pleased when someone says they like A Powerful Absence or Pure Morning, which is also outside my usual comfort zone - quite a long way outside it!

[the-winterwitch.livejournal.com]

*smacks head* "Pure Morning" is one I haven't read yet. *makes a note* Yay, I have one fic of you yet to be read...

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Here's a link (http://curiouswombat.livejournal.com/233690.html) to it.

[the-winterwitch.livejournal.com]

Thanks! *hugs*

[(Anonymous)]

Just one more comment on A Powerful Absence, why does every body kill off Elrohir? I think of the three dead twin stories I have read, yours, Jay's, and Eresse's it is always Elrohir who dies, not fair I like Elrohir, he strikes me as the more vulnerable of the two, or at least the one who seems to get injured more often!

Lynda

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

why does every body kill off Elrohir?

You know, it hadn't occurred to me.

I actually did it because I had used Elrohir as the point of view character in Brotherhood and, especially as it is a different 'verse, I wanted a slightly different 'feel' to the voice. In a way I wanted to look at Elladan's vulnerability I guess.