Fic Commentary: little rattle stilt

[angstslashhope]

Below the cut is commentary for my Supernatural pre-series gen story, little rattle stilt, at the request of several people.

My commentary is in red.

Comments

[eloise_bright]

You know, I didn't think it was possible, but I love this story even more now

[angstslashhope]

whee! Yay. I'm glad you liked the commentary :D I'm always a bit worried when I post preseries stories because in comparison to those reading them, I don't have all that much experience with small children. So YAY.

You have a million other thoughts? feel free to share at any time *g*. I am slightly shameless when it comes to discussing fic (I tend to think of fic as a discussion in and of itself, anyway).

:)

[astrothsknot]

My son vanished when he was six. Worst 45mins of my life.

*holds you and your daughter*

[gillianinoz]

This was really interesting - especially since this is one of my favourite stories ever. Oddly enough I love to reread from the point you mentioned as well - it's just that sometimes I need the happy schmoop without the preceding angst.

I love the idea of seeing some of this from John's point of view, but I do agree - he is a hard character to write.

And I agree with you about Sammy's place in the family. I really think he was the baby to both Dean & John, that they protected him as much as they could from the harsher realities of their lives. Which is why he had to grow up and go away and return to see it all from an adult's perspective to really appreciate them both.

Anyway, this is a brilliant idea - I would love to do it with my stories but honestly? I'm not sure I could remember now what motivated me at the time I wrote them!

[angstslashhope]

John is indeed one of the hardest characters to write, but I think (for me, at least) immensely satisfying. It's a lot of work, but working hard on something tends to give me a good sense of accomplishment :)

Yep, Sammy = baby to Dean and John. However, I think where I differ with a lot of other pre-series authors is that I DON'T think Dean would have fallen into a parental role. I think to an extent, John would have encouraged Dean to grow up quickly so he was easier for John to care for, but in the family dynamic - Dean and Sammy are always the children, and John is always the parent. He definitely treated Sammy and Dean a bit differently, but that has more to do with Sam being babied than Dean expected to be a parent/adult.

Anyhoo!

Hee, I know, casting one's mind back isn't the easiest, but I have a pretty good memory ;)

Thanks!

[astrothsknot]

My son loves this story. I think it's to do with the idea of losing the main parent - which must be the most awful thing for a child.

I find the story distressing from the opposite angle, losing a child.

I think you do better with the child view point than you think you do.

It is the most terrifying look at well-intentioned adults. I grew up in the 1980s in the middle of the hysteria about satanism and child abuse, so it did grab my attention, the over reaction of the teacher and other staff. Not long ago, here a teacher reported a child for having bruises on her leg. It turned out to be the ink on her wellies, where her name was written.

[angstslashhope]

You read fic with your son? That's pretty cool. Tell me more?

Thank you :)

I can see how this would push both a kid's and a parent's button - it seems a pretty common childhood fantasy to be orphaned or somesuch.

[astrothsknot]

I tend to read stuff with him that's gen, pg13 and below.

usually it's funny stuff, but he's developing a taste for plot. he really enjoys pre-series, particularly of Eloise and dodger winslow.

he also likes fics where Dean and Sam have children

[eloise_bright]

Hope you don't mind me butting in here, but I'm so pleased that you read gen fic with your son. It's such a lovely way to spend time with your kids, and I shall keep the readership in mind when I'm writing my pre-series stuff.

Especially re the language. *headdesk*

I'm re-reading one of my favourite books - A Boy's Life by Robert McCammon, and my nine year old girlie wanted to read it with me, but it's an adult book with some explicit language, although it's told from an eleven year old boy's POV. It also has some very adult themes - murder and blackmail, so I don't think she's quite ready for it yet!

But go you for reading gen fic with your kid! That's just fantastic. *g*

[estei]

I loved this fic, and this commentary has only cemented my feelings for it, it's like reading it for the first time again, which is a lovely way to start a Wednesday. Another highlight is the possibility of a John POV coda to this, which would just about make my year.

[angstslashhope]

Thank you! my writing mojo seems to be pitifully absent of late, though I would love to complete the John coda myself. Hopefully, one day, I'll squeeze it out!

[estei]

I just love the way you write John, he's a tough character to portray and not everyone can do him justice. In the commentary you mentioned that most people focus on the Sam/Dean reunion, but it's the John/Sam reunion that I love. I simply adore the hug, the way the two cling to each other, and I will never tire of reading the words baby boy, that just.. I love it so much. I love that John carries Sam, I love the detail of the cold pavement under Sam's feet. I must admit, every time I read this story I gloss over the last few paragraphs so I can get to that part faster.

[niccy07]

Thanks for the commentary. I always wanted to read about the planning stages of this fic. This is the first I ever read of yours and definitely one of my all time favorites next to Windershins. I love the family dynamics in this fic. Not to mention, while I do love the Dean-and-sam dynamics of the SPN fandom I think it's more realistic to think about Sam's bond with John

[angstslashhope]

Thank you for the lovely feedback! I'm very glad you enjoyed the story :)

I'm not sure if I'll get to that John POV... I am drifting out of the SPN fandom now, unfortunately.