rthstewart (
rthstewart) wrote2012-04-16 10:17 pm
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AW, Chapter 15, Stepping Stones (and other things)
So, the whopping (and I do mean whopping) Chapter 15 is up. I thought of splitting it, but once you read it, I think you'll see why I didn't. No historical notes, really. It pretty much speaks for itself.
The first 4,000 words of Chapter 15 (with a notable exception in the first couple of paragraphs) repeats Chapter 1 of Rat and Sword Go To War. Then, it goes off in a different direction. I had really wanted to get this chapter up before Rat and Sword as they are so closely aligned and this is how I'd intended it -- the AW update first and then Rat and Sword. I'll start posting Rat and Sword later in the week on ff.net so they can all be read together in one place.
I'll take this opportunity to signal boost the writers and artists of the Narnia Big Bang stories. They are wonderful and please check them out. Every one is a wonderful, original contribution. I've so enjoyed them all and tomorrow is the last one! A huge thanks to
snacky for running a wonderful Big Bang and to
heverus for my beautiful art.
Also, REMIX. I didn't do the official one, but
musesfool has open season Remix Madness 2012! Post if you are willing to have your stories Remixed and then pick a story from those who have signed up! No word limit! No assignments! No pressure! (and if you've ever had the urge to fix anything I've done, HAVE AT IT). I have signed up and I noticed that
snacky
edenfalling
therck and
vialethe have as well as others whose work I know and love.
Errr, right, signing off now and it's what you were expecting. I think this fleshes out a lot of Rat and Sword, plus stands on its own.
The first 4,000 words of Chapter 15 (with a notable exception in the first couple of paragraphs) repeats Chapter 1 of Rat and Sword Go To War. Then, it goes off in a different direction. I had really wanted to get this chapter up before Rat and Sword as they are so closely aligned and this is how I'd intended it -- the AW update first and then Rat and Sword. I'll start posting Rat and Sword later in the week on ff.net so they can all be read together in one place.
I'll take this opportunity to signal boost the writers and artists of the Narnia Big Bang stories. They are wonderful and please check them out. Every one is a wonderful, original contribution. I've so enjoyed them all and tomorrow is the last one! A huge thanks to
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Also, REMIX. I didn't do the official one, but
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Errr, right, signing off now and it's what you were expecting. I think this fleshes out a lot of Rat and Sword, plus stands on its own.
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Bravo!
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Ditto what cofax7 said, though I kinda wish there had been more in-detail, sentence by sentence coverage of Edmund and Helen talking about Narnia but that's more my desire to know every little detail than flaw in the actual scene. It would mess with the flow/focus of the main story too much. *sigh* Darn. Oh well, I'll live!
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I also love that he presents it as the puzzle with, as the Professor long ago laid out, only one incredible solution, rather than just dumping it out there and daring her to disbelieve as these sort of scenes so often go. It was everything I could have hoped for in that scene!
The meeting of Asim and Lucy was absolutely wonderful as well, from the lack of a dream to the cataclysmic arrival, to the intriguing interlude with Alice Jones, a character of whom I very much look forward to seeing more. I love how she knows what's going on up to a point and just rolls with it, playing her part while taking advantage of what comes by.
And Helen makes the connection to the Wardrobe! And talks to the Lion! And still thinks of her former boss as His Lordship the Penguin! Yay!
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You and some other readers have mentioned how these scenes often go -- I can't say I've read that many of them, so I don't know to what extent I've departed from the usual or adhered to the standard. I'm so glad it worked for you -- the earlier version had Peter telling Helen during that 2 week leave they get right before D Day and it's from his pov, not hers.
And Alice. She's been in the back pocket since the Give the Pevensies a friend comment fic. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with her, other than her being a helper/enabler for Lucy at school. At this point, Jack and Lucy are both stuck at school, though Jack's not in the state Lucy is, plus Jill and Eustace. I've not decided how to parse through those relationships yet.
And then finally yes, Asim and Lucy which has been planned since I first started putting Lucy in trees - earlier, actually. I don't remember now what my original outline called for in terms of their meeting. I THINK it was them all walking up the drive of Russell House in 1946 to meet Mary. But once I knew that Susan would be leaving school (sometime during Part 2), I knew this how they would meet. The hold up has been how to finesse their meeting at her school -- who was there -- and various ideas had Tebbitt, Walker-Smythe, Edmund and Peter present. Phew.. rambling now. I was really worried I didn't deliver on it.
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Thanks so much for writing!
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John is, from the povs presented (and we've not seen his side of it at all) a jerk. So much of that is period, though. He's a traditional, conservative man, he goes to war to protect his wife and family and, as happens, they change. He changes. He pours all this energy into his eldest son of whom he is very, very proud and well, that's a disappointment too. I'm sort of thinking aloud here -- I've had in my head where John ends up, how he is reconciled and he's not there yet. I thought a lot about Edmund's VERY mature statements to his mother and they may be unrealistic except... .if envy of Peter and desire for paternal approval were part of the reason for his weakness with Jadis, as presented here, 20 years can be enough time for the outlook he presents there. And I think the confidence of Aslan's love and Morgan's loyalty and love all give him that strength.
As for the discussion of God and apostles, that's all been on my mind. We were in Rome and so stood on the place where Peter was martyred. We are in the post-Easter, pentecostal and apostolic part of the Catholic liturgy which I know very well though of course won't be participating in any more. One reason I wanted to get this chapter up was because, for me, anyway, its ideas about the road of holy men and women, of zealots and martyrs (regardless of faith tradition) was really resonating with me personally.
Thank you again!
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I'm glad to think there will be reconciliation in the end.
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Anyway, thank you again for gifting soem of your precious time!
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There needs to be a scene. It's funny -- I wrote this before. There are particular scenes that have been in my head for a very, very long time. Mary and Asim on the platform, Edmund declaring himself at Conclave and Susan gatecrashing moments later, and now, another, Lucy falling from a tree on to Asim. I've been putting her in trees since at least Palace Guard in anticipation of this. It's WHY I put her in trees. And so it is here with John and Edmund. There first is a dinner scene in 1948 where it all begins, where Peter is late and the others are delivering some bad news and Helen and John are clueless about it all. There are Chinese noodles. There are stern words and a draft article. Then there is a pub and then there are scenes after. Lines from throughout the story, "Do you desire the truth or the lie?" and other things will happen there.
I've given very little thought at all to what to do with John before 1948. So, I know where he ends up and I need to think about how he gets there. What does he think of Susan? What does he think of Edmund? is Edmund really so sanguine about this? Just how angry is John with Peter?
So, yes, I do need to start that arc. I know where it ends. I just need to get there.
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And now, after some hours of sleep, I am still in awe over that chapter and really, my absolute favorite scene was the discussion between Helen and Edmund about Narnia. The way you used Edmund here to reveal the truth is just so, so, so much better than in the original draft where it wasn't him. Having thought about it, I think Edmund has been the most accommodating of all his siblings to not completely leave their mother in the dark after all these years, especially since she pretty much was not given a choice about how her children grew up and the direction their futures are headed.
Part of it I think (at least this is how I've seen it) is not only because her words remind him of Morgan but because she has been pretty supportive of Ed's decisions on what he wants to do (using the language courses in school as example) and she wants him to be his own person and not worry about following in Peter's shadow nor what his Father wants (or cares) for him to do.
And..... I find I need to re-read this chapter again later, when I'm a bit more awake. (I'm sure I had some thoughts about Lucy as well, but can't remember them at the moment.)
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Helen is the same way and is able to perform a similar function. She sees that Edmund has labored under the disappointed expectation of their father and she's a fiercely protective mother. It's not the same for Edmund of course, but it does help anchor him and remind him of what he had.
You bring up a wonderful point that she didn't have any choice about how her children grew up and the direction they've chosen. (One possible way to spin this out that occurs to me is that once Peter becomes the disappointment John switches to Edmund which just disgusts Edmund).
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I really like the interweaving of historical fiction with Narnia -- I love finding out in the notes at the end of the chapter which bits were real -- and I especially love how the religious element is handled, because it conforms to my own religious attitudes and prejudices very closely, XD.
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It's funny. Among some of the Narnia fen I am an immoral and godless pariah for smutting up Lewis' good Christian creation. Others complain that the work is too religious, though some have noted that at least it's presented in character rather than as a morality play. This most recent chapter came about during a very contemplative time for me -- the Easter season and after a trip to Italy where I spent far, far more time among the ruins of pagan ancient Rome. I was very interested in playing with the ideas of apostolic fervor -- that duty to do, and act, for the sake of a cause. From the Chronicles, I take a message of inclusion and tolerance, and it's always nice to be able to return to that. I'm glad it resonated with you!
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I found the discourses on Narnian sexuality both fascinating and plausible, actually. Why should animal societies have human mores, even if they're sentient? They still have all the qualities of the species of "dumb" animals from whom they originated, and, well, they're all made according to their natures. And dryads are, well, nymphs... and going through their teenaged years, these were the behavioral models the Pevensies had around them. Hardly shocking that they'd adopt Narnian attitudes... and it's a really nice way of giving them more modern sensibilities once they're back in England, too.
I'm also a big fan of religious fantasy, because the religious element in most fantasy stories, even those where the gods are known to be real, often seems tacked on, unexamined... not a central part of life. Not, in short, like religion at all. There are all too few books which seem to approach religion, especially in fantasy worlds, with an appreciation of what religion means ot the religious, as opposed to "aren't these cool mythological trappings?" So yes. I liked the religion in here a great deal. I'm a very heterodox Christian universalist(small u -- the philosophy, not any denomination), so inclusion and tolerance are very important to me. Definitely a lot of resonance.
Out of curiosity, have you read Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion books? Speaking of works that handle religion and apostolic fervor well...
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Bujold, oh yes. I love. her. The whole idea of seeing god-light in people was very much inspired by Cazaril's experience. I've wanted, badly, in this most recent scene, to have Asim describe Lucy as "like a burning city" as Umegat does. I didn't but the combination of Umegat's spirituality and Cazaril's worldliness and utility as the Lady's tool were among the inspirations for the character of Asim.
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No, I hadn't noticed anything about my poem, so thanks so much for letting me know! I'm actually really honored that my little bit of poetry is in something so huge and awesome as RaSGtW. I keep smiling when I think about it. Would you mind, if you have a moment, pointing me in the direction of any of the feedback?
Also, I've opted in for open season Remixing. Never having done this before, do you have any advice?
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As for Remix, there are two of them -- the regular, where you sign up and are assigned (and that one's closed). And there is the "open" remix now going which is anything goes, the are no assignment, just an open agreement to participate. You can look at other remix stories and you need an AO3 account to post your remix. By signing up you agree to be mixed and you can mix anything that isn't safe or is itself a remix. A remix is some variation on the original. Last year, in the big remix, Caleon wrote a lovely missing scene for me for Palace Guard. I took metonomia's story about Susan as Book of Judith and expanded it. You should use some parts of the original to "anchor" your story, but otherwise, you have at it. You can pick whatever you want that's been offered by others and you hope someone picks you -- though with that many participants and the short deadline, there's probably a lot more offers than actual writing.
Does that help? I'm currently looking at something from Snacky and Edenfalling as I know their work well. I saw a Vorkosigan I might want to do. I need to go back and look at the assignments of the last day, which as of this morning were already over 160. I'm not thinking anyone will pick up anything of mine to remix because it's all so long, but you never know.
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I think I may try something with one of yours. It'll be short, but I think I have an idea in mind. I'm kind of hoping someone will remix one of mine, but they're so short I have the opposite of you. And thanks!
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(Anonymous) 2012-04-17 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)I did not anticipate Asim passing out when confronted with Lucy. I got in trouble with my dog for distubing her sleep at this point in the story. (I might have kicked my poor girl I was laughing so forcefully.)
I'll look forward to seeing what comes next.
Doctor Dolly
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I've been thinking about the comment about Edmund's emotional maturity. And while it's hard to follow the timeline because I jump back and forth between pre, during, and post Morgan and pre and post Dawn Treader, I think we are seeing a pretty emotionally mature person at this point -- Narnia is over, his wife is dead, what is next? He's got some big decisions ahead of him -- big meaty, weighty, important things, but I do try to dial back the Ed angst. In my head, one reason why Aslan was able to send Edmund back was that ultimately, Edmund would be better able to handle it. Or it may be that my characterization is inconsistent. I'll need to be on the watch for that.
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Anyway, I've been poking through your blog a bit, and I wanted briefly to address the 'Not My Children's Narnia' thing. Personally, I really appreciate the incorporation of mature elements into the stories. Let's face it, not only have the four grown up around beings with non-western ideals, they're also adults. Most adults drink and have sex and swear, and not just the Godless among us. Just the other day a professor of mine was talking about the orgies thrown by various Popes (it was relevant to the class, honest!). I think by acknowledging that side of adulthood you've helped bring the Pevensies to life as three-dimensional characters. As I get older I increasingly appreciate authors who acknowledge the humanity of their characters (assuming the characters they're working with are human) and match their behavior with their age.
So yeah. Essentially what I'm trying to say is that I, at least, really like the direction you chose to take in writing your characters as adults who grew up in a different culture. I think it makes for a much more compelling read and certainly all your characters feel incredibly real to me.
(Also, given the rather amazing amount of incest-fic I found in the AO3 archive back when I was poking through it, I don't really think the fandom as a whole should be getting all up on its high horse about pre-marital, consensual, heterosexual sex. ~grins~)
Also also, I really, really loved Rat and Sword.
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To a point, I get the complaint. Doctor Dolly has mentioned that these books are used in evangelical Christian curriculum. They are taught as allegorical and the films for instance were very deliberately marketed and packaged for the American faith community. There is a segment of the fandom that feels very proprietary about the Chronicles and that adherence to Lewis' assumed Christian intent is paramount. These are supposed to be safe. Given however that we are in fandom culture that spins vids and stories about Maru the Cat and the octopus that stole the camera, nothing is off limits to the creative process.
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The Not My Children's Narnia has been ... hmmm... a journey for me. It certainly shocked me the first time I got slammed for incorporating adult, consensual, heterosexual conduct. (A segment of the fandom routinely lumps incest with same sex pairings together btw). I whine and moan about it but I don't actually change what I write. Or, well, yeah, I probably have, some, actually. I set out to explore these issues for many reasons, and one of them was that when I first started reading the fic, I was very troubled by how negatively Spare Oom was presented and there was a streak of intolerance running through stories and forum posts that I felt was very contrary to what I had gotten from the Chronicles.
As I wrote in response to Matt up above, in not my children's Narnia, the differing sexual and bonding lifestyles of the beasts served several purposes -- it amused me, it allowed me to satisfy my biology research interests, and it allows me to use it as a shorthand for exposure to differing cultural norms that then were relevant when they did return. Admittedly my goals with By Royal Decree and H&M were not so lofty -- I love snarky, inneundo UST and sexy banter between couples and those stories are so common in fan fic and there wasn't any of it in Narnia.
Thank you also for reading Rat & Sword. Feel free to drop a comment if you are so inclined. I'll be posting the whole thing on AO3 and FF in the next week or so. But ohhh remix. right.
Thank you again.
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Thank you!
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