(no subject)

[kiwisue]

I spent most of the past 24 hours in bed with a head cold, so I haven't replied to comments on my last post - afraid this one will have to suffice for all of you.


As I mentioned last post, the story is planned as a Pros AU. byslantedlight and I talked about the general concept back in May last year, while on a trip to Ely, and I've been thinking about it, on and off, since then. I have scenes in my head and a reasonable story outline. It promises to be long, which scares me quite a bit - the only Pros story I've ever written which was over 15,000 words still needs a major rewrite (which I am doing, slowly, when I have the courage). Perhaps posting about it is a good thing - knowing people know I'm writing may help keep me inspired!

Currently, I'm doing research. I did early medieval reenactment before starting the 17th century gig (the first group I joined was called "1066") so I already have some background. There's a stack of books in my library that have had the dust shaken off them and are now in various piles around the place. I've found a fair amount of material on-line as well, although it's needed very careful filtering to get the useful stuff.

Research doesn't solve every problem, however. The riding scene is only one of several where it's difficult to decide not only what works best for the story but what is the more authentic choice. Sometimes there is no right answer - I can see that possibly I might end up using a slightly unlikely scenario because it gets me where I want to go, although at the risk of having other people who are knowledgeable about the period (waves at arthwollipot*g*) point and tut-tut. Sometimes there's a fourth or fifth alternative to the problem (thank you very much for the suggestions).

Yep, it's gonna be fun *g*


There was one benefit at least from declaring myself sick & taking to my bed - rosie55, I finally finished Dissolution! I enjoyed the way the writer kept so many different suspects in the frame for so long. Early on I got a little impatient with some of the historical scene-setting, which seemed intrusive, but not for long. An absorbing read!

Comments

[rosie55.livejournal.com]

First off, commiserations about the cold do hope you can shake it off quickly.
Second, I can see how Ely might set you off, somehow there were bits of it which have a very medieval feel to it. And since you posted about your story, it has kept coming into my mind! I shall look forward to that!
Thirdly, glad you got to the end of Dissolution and very pleased that you enjoyed it. Yes, I suppose there was quite a lot of scene setting but of course with your historical knowledge, you would be aware of what he was doing in a way some readers wouldn't!
I enjoyed the way in which he managed to convey aspects of the feel of the period to me and the skilfully constructed plot. Some of his detail was very striking, descriptions of smells, for example. In our sanitised society, most of us tend to forget how smelly life was then, though as a re-enactor, I imagine you are well aware of some aspects of that! The denouement managed to take me by surprise, I seem to remember. I also liked the fact that he created a very human main character in Shardlake, with faults, both physical and personalitywise but whom I ended up liking and wanting to hear more about. Actually, you've made me want to read it again now, I shall have to go and find it! Are you going to read the sequels?

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

Are you going to read the sequels?
Definitely. I liked Shardlake too. I was a little sad that his assistant won't be in the next one. I liked the various characters - and there were clues enough to let me work out who the most likely suspects were well before the end, without giving the whole game away, which is a sign of a good mystery IMO.

[crimson-37.livejournal.com]

Oh sorry to hear you're poorly. Hope you are up and at again soon. As for the fic it sounds great! I did a bit of research into that time a while back, but most of mine was name searching, as I was doing family history stuff. Don't worry about the size honey, just look at each bit as it flows, you know the story, and I have heard many an author on here tell me of difficulties when they hit a little wrinkle in the story such as that one. Go with what your heart tells you.
Happy writing and get well soon.
((hugs))

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

Much better today, thanks! *hugs*

You never know, I may need local history assistance sometime!

[arthwollipot.livejournal.com]

Ah, so you're an ex-1066er. That explains a lot :)

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

Hey! I resembles that remark!

I always considered myself one of the White Hats, y'know :)

[towerbridge2006.livejournal.com]

Sorry you're feeling ill. :( I'm impressed at anyone's courage to write a lengthy pros fic. Good luck with the research and writing. I'm looking forward to reading it in the future.

Feel better soon. :)

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

I hope you're feeling better now. And I'm very impressed with news about this long Pros fic in the makings. Good luck with all your reserach and writing. I look forward to teh results!

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

Hope you are shot of the lurgi - good luck with the research (I love and admire it so much that people do thorough research like this!) and of course with the writing .... count me among those waiting eagerly!