Yuletide
Once again I have had a wonderful but frustrating Yuletide.
First: my gifts.
I received two fabulous presents. Both apparently were pinch-hits as the person originally assigned was unable to complete a story:
King and the Maiden
Length: 7,509 words
This is another chapter in Kipling's Stalky & Co and masterfully written.
Cobbler's Tales
Length: 3315 words
This is set in Renault's The Last of the Wine and is also beautifully written (and historically accurate).
It is a sign of how busy I was that I had not even noticed my name had gone out on the pinch-hit list. Normally I check those carefully. This year I did not bother as I was struggling to write my own assigment, and therefore could not offer another.
Second: the presents I gave.
Hmmm...yes...well....
And here is where the frustration comes. I did write something. In fact I wrote two somethings. For those who don't know me that means I wrote less this Yuletide than for previous. Stresses and strains of work meant I was unable to write more (which has been the theme all year). What I wanted to write for my original assignment, if done properly, would have meant something about 10,000 words long. Facing the deadline (I just managed to post it on 22/12/2013, which was the day of the deadline), I found a way to cut it down to something more managable (and considerably shorter). The rest of the plot bunnies are hammering madly on the door to the hutch, wanting desperately to get out to join their sibling. However, they will take time (and some research) to write and I had insufficient time before the archive opened to do any justice. So I turned deaf ear to bunny howls. Feeling guilty that I had short-changed my recipient, I wrote a short treat (I was fortunate to match with three of the recipient's requested fandoms this year, which is unusual), one easy to write, if nothing terribly original. It was uploaded on 24/12/2013.
I am now working on a New Year's Resolution for another participant, started on 24/12/2013; but, though it is flowing easily, I quickly realised I would not complete it in time (not given my responsibilities to such little tasks as trimming the tree, decorating the house with garlands, last-minute shopping, Christmas meals, etc). I hope to be done soon so it can be posted in January.
There are also a lot of other Yuletide requests that have given me ideas. Whether I get round to them - well we shall see. Work remains quite difficult at the moment. But I have good intentions. Let's hope 2014 is a better year for writing.
First: my gifts.
I received two fabulous presents. Both apparently were pinch-hits as the person originally assigned was unable to complete a story:
King and the Maiden
Length: 7,509 words
This is another chapter in Kipling's Stalky & Co and masterfully written.
Cobbler's Tales
Length: 3315 words
This is set in Renault's The Last of the Wine and is also beautifully written (and historically accurate).
It is a sign of how busy I was that I had not even noticed my name had gone out on the pinch-hit list. Normally I check those carefully. This year I did not bother as I was struggling to write my own assigment, and therefore could not offer another.
Second: the presents I gave.
Hmmm...yes...well....
And here is where the frustration comes. I did write something. In fact I wrote two somethings. For those who don't know me that means I wrote less this Yuletide than for previous. Stresses and strains of work meant I was unable to write more (which has been the theme all year). What I wanted to write for my original assignment, if done properly, would have meant something about 10,000 words long. Facing the deadline (I just managed to post it on 22/12/2013, which was the day of the deadline), I found a way to cut it down to something more managable (and considerably shorter). The rest of the plot bunnies are hammering madly on the door to the hutch, wanting desperately to get out to join their sibling. However, they will take time (and some research) to write and I had insufficient time before the archive opened to do any justice. So I turned deaf ear to bunny howls. Feeling guilty that I had short-changed my recipient, I wrote a short treat (I was fortunate to match with three of the recipient's requested fandoms this year, which is unusual), one easy to write, if nothing terribly original. It was uploaded on 24/12/2013.
I am now working on a New Year's Resolution for another participant, started on 24/12/2013; but, though it is flowing easily, I quickly realised I would not complete it in time (not given my responsibilities to such little tasks as trimming the tree, decorating the house with garlands, last-minute shopping, Christmas meals, etc). I hope to be done soon so it can be posted in January.
There are also a lot of other Yuletide requests that have given me ideas. Whether I get round to them - well we shall see. Work remains quite difficult at the moment. But I have good intentions. Let's hope 2014 is a better year for writing.