Snippet Twenty Two - The Queen of Hearts

[namu_chewy]

Title: The Adamant Snippet Twenty Two
Author: namu_chewy
Summary: A note from Will...
Genre: Romance/Angst
Characters: James Norrington, Andrew Gillette, Elizabeth Swann
Pairings: Gillington
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Snippets continue immediately after Curse of the Black Pearl, but not following its sequels. None of the official characters belong to me, I

Comments

[wicked_jade]

Actually, every book I've read on the subject said that officers often drank just as much alcohol - if not more - than their men, the only caveat being that being drunk while on duty was clearly frowned upon. It was safer than drinking the water, after all. So teetotaling James is a bit ridiculous, from a historical standpoint. That's not to say I see him as a full-on alcoholic, either. I just think it would be impossible for a man in his chosen career to completely abstain, so I always end up rolling my eyes at fics like that. It seems like they try to make him perfect, and personally I find 'perfect' characters boring.

The image of James in a drinking contest is fun one, though. :) I think my Jamie would drink Teddy under the table. Drew would hold his own, but ultimately he'd lose. Jack Sparrow would give him a run for his money, but I think it would be a surprisingly close call...you know, I think liver failure might kill my Jamie before any pirates can manage it. ;) Poor boy, he has issues. *cackles evilly*

Well, I'm a huge fan of psychological entanglements, so keep them coming, I say. :) As a reader, I appreciate it when an author takes time to develop the background characters. It makes the world the protagonists are living in feel far more rich and real.

Aww, I'm sorry about the twitch! I've got one of those going, myself. I'm still having terrible trouble with the second half of Far From Fine. I had it about half written, but I wasn't happy with it. It felt totally wrong, like it didn't fit with the first half. So I'm completely rewriting it. I hate that there's been such a long delay, but I'd hate it more if I posted something I felt was half-assed or a disservice to the story.

[namu_chewy]

Funny you should mention that. You might have noticed already, and I know it is terrible...but I have edited/added to past snippet posts quite often, mostly to pan out a conversation or such in the attempt to add depth/further explain a situation which was not worked out fully in the first attempt to lay down the bare bones of the storyline. I have a habit of thinking I can capture everything with simple dialogue, but then think twice after bloody posting, and go back to add something small and nit-pickety, such as...how the speaker said it, as they looked at their shoes, at the wall...I think I ought to take more time and care like yourself. :) I like to push things on, but only looking back do I realise I haven't perhaps teased enough out of things...?

But enough of that, *laughs* you know I'm really impressed and inspired at your interest in and depth of research - I think it is so incredibly satisfying knowing the story you are reading is written by someone historically informed! :D Suddenly their world is so very real - you're standing on solid ground. Kind of reminds you why you keep writing too. You see such good handling of character and story that you're inspired to carry on yourself. Ahh, it's such a wonderful thing, being able to share your tales with other writers with similar interests... Oh, I'm sorry, there I go again.

By all means, please take your time and produce another wonderful piece of writing, Jade. *twiddles thumbs, secretly pining...?* Don't mind that twitch, a top-up will take it away, if James would be so kind as to share...though personally I'd go for the tea bags, *laughs*. Keep that muse fat, fat I say! :)

[wicked_jade]

Hee, I would argue that I take WAY too much time to tease things out! I have a tendency to obsess over everything, and consequently get hung up on stupid little details of research or word choice that don't even matter. That's why 'Get Me to the Church' is still not finished. I wish I could just push forward and move things on...there's thinking things through, and then there's overthinking, and I'm very guilty of the latter. I think you've done a really good job of building your 'verse and fleshing out your characters while still managing to keep the plot moving smoothly. :)

I agree, its nice to have other writers with similar interests to share things with it. I was really stuck in a rut until you started posting these snippets - I enjoyed your stories, and that gave me the push I needed to try harder and keep writing. So thank you for that. :)

[namu_chewy]

Oh not at all Jade, there's no need to thank! Though I feel really honoured that I helped to inspire you to get writing again, especially since I'm a keen admirer of your stories. :) Now I have a large, silly grin on my face after reading such a lovely and kind comment! It's given me a lift out of the stress of work I'm about to topple over into, so maybe I should thank you in fact! :D

You know I was saying to hips_lips_tits before, obsession can be good (and bad...I still can't be sure what my own is doing for me, hah!) but I think yours can only suggest perfection from a perfectionist - nothing much to complain about there, then! :) At least overthinking is better than underthinking...the worst scenario I can think of is to have a reader point out a problem with the plot. I think that would be my ultimate nightmare! At least there's some level of leniency with most fanfiction readers though...do you think? Many don't mind filling in the spaces with their own imagination, or to look over the odd questionable moment or two, providing it's not too out of place...*laughs* Or maybe I am talking about my own preferences there!

Nevermind. We'll all just keep thumbing through those interesting facts, collecting books on ships (ahem) and feeding off each other's muses, or at least that would be my ideal way to spend the days in some wonderful, writer-ly haven! God if only actual work was like that. *laughs* I suppose that makes this space even more important - the fact that it's an escape of sorts...but enough rambling from me! *apologetic grin*