Feedback Challenge
I had the wonderful thrill of critiquing dragonsinger for the feedback challenge. I've known her for a while and have been familiar with some of her work for the ewan mcgregor fandom, but this really gave me the chance to see all of her interests and work. As a note I treated the Ewan Drabbles as one work since there's on one page, so I know I went over the five story criteria, but once I got started I couldn't stop reading ;)
Summer's Law (fandom - XMen)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/summers.html
This was a very cute, sweet fic. I love that the mishaps were realistic and not circusy, and that Scott's recovery with the help of Dr. Xavier wasn't something that would sweep Jean off her feet, but more realistic. That was a great way to play the situation. The dialogue here is simple, effective, and everything really lets the plot take control of the story, which is a fine way to play it. I really enjoyed this a lot, it gave me warm fuzzies at the end.
Aluminum and Steel (Fandom - Joan of Arcadia)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/aas.html
First off, I love the idea of the graphic for each fic...this really helped in this fandom since I wasn't a hardcore viewer, even though I've seen that episode. It was nice to have a reference point to remind me who Iris was. It's an awesome technique that reminds me of the back of a lot of young adult books or videos, mostly because of the caption at the top of the picture. A very nice intro to the piece.
I love the thought process of this story which deals with Adam's decision between two of his interests on the show while he works on an art piece. It fits very well in the context and timing from what I remember of the episode, and the metaphor of the materials he's using to allude to the people he's trying to decide between is awesome and well-tackled. I do, however, think it would work better in third person. The voice isn't really how I perceive Adam as talking, and that was the only thing that really drew my mind out of the story. He's an intelligent character, but the internal dialogue just didn't sound like him to me.
Let Me Touch You for a While (fandom - lord of the rings)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/touch.html
I'm very glad you prefaced that she hadn't read all of the books and that this was mostly movie-based. I'm very pro-Tolkein but I also don't mind a well-written AU, and I'm all about Eowyn. Usually I'm not in favor of putting her with Legolas, but this is a very sweet and introspective piece that's main goal is emotional and not trying to navigate a sexual relationship out of the two of them. Set in Helm's Deep, this piece very nicely showcases Legolas' worries and Eowyn's feelings about herself, as well as having them behave with intrigue and caution towards each other before finding a common ground and a little happiness in spending time together. You do such a wonderful job with her dialogue and I'm not sure if you realized that Eowyn would have been a little reluctant to talk to an elf, but it comes across well without being overstated. You have this real gift for subtle sentimental vignettes and this is a prime example of that.
Another nice graphic for this story, which features Eowyn and Legolas' images, but separated by a border. I'm not sure if that was intentional, to have them togheter but not "together," but it's a nice metaphor.
Helen's Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (fandom - smallville)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/helex.html
for the record I know nothing about this fandom. Never seen the show in my life. But this is an adorable, awesome fic that I enjoyed nevertheless. I love how you can take two people that aren't set together (so I'm assuming) and make them mesh beautifully in her fiction. Helen's having a rough day and in comes Lex to sweep her off her feet. This is a fabulously charming Lex, hell, I'd date the Lex in this fic in a heartbeat
the graphic for this fic is adorable and tied it all together nicely. I love how they're looking fondly at each other under a purple wash. I love how you get to the point of things and write vignettes in a very brief and tidy but eloquent manner. Your characters always connect very well together, especially if they're romantically involved. I'd believe any pairing you write in a heartbeat.
Ewan Character Drabbles (various Ewan Movies)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/emdrabbles.html
This type of writing showcases your ability to get in and out and make a reader feel satisfied no matter what the length.
Truth - Moulin Rouge
This conversation between Christian and Satine was so sweet and touching with a wonderfully sincere Christian reassuring a jaded Satine. I love it, though the last line seems too much of a closure in that I think it reads a little like a conclusion sentence on a report. I would love to see a more open-ended approach to the ending, but I love the soft romance of this drabble
The Audition - Velvet Goldmine/American Idol
This made me grin so much. Curt Wild on American Idol. This needs to happen someday, heh. Each of the judges are dead on, and Curt's reaction at the end had me giggling. I think it's a huge credit that all of these characters in these drabbles and all of the fics are very believable and very true to the characters, themselves, even though you expand on their thoughts or put them into situations they might not find themselves in in their own series or movies or whatever. That's the mark of great fanfiction and a great writer.
The Beach - Blue Juice
I love Dean. I love this movie. And this brief moment in time where a somewhat shady character turns downright loveable. The last two paragraphs are utterly brilliant and poignant and I could see the beach in my head while I was reading them.
The Dress - Shallow Grave
A very brief bit of sillyness that fits in well with the movie. Alex and Juliet's voices are dead on, and I could so see this argument taking place and becoming like a deleted scene. Had me grinning.
The Middle (fandom - Supernatural)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/middle.html
the image for this is amazing, really breathtaking and it sets the mood from the top of the page. I really felt for Dean in this fic and how he's trying to empathize with both his father and brother, though the two are definitely at odds. At the same time Sam is a very strong character and is compelling as well, so each person's argument is presented well. This is a shining example of how well the you her dialogue. The rhythm of how the lines flow into each other is great and it reads very well. My only comment on this and in general is that I really, really wish there would be more time taken with descriptions of the characters and the surroundings. I know it's fanfiction but if it's a series that I'm not familiar with (or even if it is) I want to know what things look like in detail so I can appreciate the action. The flow of this is very well, though, and doesn't waffle about or waste text so the reader feels like they're getting just the good stuff. I love Sam and Dean in this, this makes me want to watch more of the show.
Summer's Law (fandom - XMen)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/summers.html
This was a very cute, sweet fic. I love that the mishaps were realistic and not circusy, and that Scott's recovery with the help of Dr. Xavier wasn't something that would sweep Jean off her feet, but more realistic. That was a great way to play the situation. The dialogue here is simple, effective, and everything really lets the plot take control of the story, which is a fine way to play it. I really enjoyed this a lot, it gave me warm fuzzies at the end.
Aluminum and Steel (Fandom - Joan of Arcadia)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/aas.html
First off, I love the idea of the graphic for each fic...this really helped in this fandom since I wasn't a hardcore viewer, even though I've seen that episode. It was nice to have a reference point to remind me who Iris was. It's an awesome technique that reminds me of the back of a lot of young adult books or videos, mostly because of the caption at the top of the picture. A very nice intro to the piece.
I love the thought process of this story which deals with Adam's decision between two of his interests on the show while he works on an art piece. It fits very well in the context and timing from what I remember of the episode, and the metaphor of the materials he's using to allude to the people he's trying to decide between is awesome and well-tackled. I do, however, think it would work better in third person. The voice isn't really how I perceive Adam as talking, and that was the only thing that really drew my mind out of the story. He's an intelligent character, but the internal dialogue just didn't sound like him to me.
Let Me Touch You for a While (fandom - lord of the rings)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/touch.html
I'm very glad you prefaced that she hadn't read all of the books and that this was mostly movie-based. I'm very pro-Tolkein but I also don't mind a well-written AU, and I'm all about Eowyn. Usually I'm not in favor of putting her with Legolas, but this is a very sweet and introspective piece that's main goal is emotional and not trying to navigate a sexual relationship out of the two of them. Set in Helm's Deep, this piece very nicely showcases Legolas' worries and Eowyn's feelings about herself, as well as having them behave with intrigue and caution towards each other before finding a common ground and a little happiness in spending time together. You do such a wonderful job with her dialogue and I'm not sure if you realized that Eowyn would have been a little reluctant to talk to an elf, but it comes across well without being overstated. You have this real gift for subtle sentimental vignettes and this is a prime example of that.
Another nice graphic for this story, which features Eowyn and Legolas' images, but separated by a border. I'm not sure if that was intentional, to have them togheter but not "together," but it's a nice metaphor.
Helen's Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (fandom - smallville)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/helex.html
for the record I know nothing about this fandom. Never seen the show in my life. But this is an adorable, awesome fic that I enjoyed nevertheless. I love how you can take two people that aren't set together (so I'm assuming) and make them mesh beautifully in her fiction. Helen's having a rough day and in comes Lex to sweep her off her feet. This is a fabulously charming Lex, hell, I'd date the Lex in this fic in a heartbeat
the graphic for this fic is adorable and tied it all together nicely. I love how they're looking fondly at each other under a purple wash. I love how you get to the point of things and write vignettes in a very brief and tidy but eloquent manner. Your characters always connect very well together, especially if they're romantically involved. I'd believe any pairing you write in a heartbeat.
Ewan Character Drabbles (various Ewan Movies)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/emdrabbles.html
This type of writing showcases your ability to get in and out and make a reader feel satisfied no matter what the length.
Truth - Moulin Rouge
This conversation between Christian and Satine was so sweet and touching with a wonderfully sincere Christian reassuring a jaded Satine. I love it, though the last line seems too much of a closure in that I think it reads a little like a conclusion sentence on a report. I would love to see a more open-ended approach to the ending, but I love the soft romance of this drabble
The Audition - Velvet Goldmine/American Idol
This made me grin so much. Curt Wild on American Idol. This needs to happen someday, heh. Each of the judges are dead on, and Curt's reaction at the end had me giggling. I think it's a huge credit that all of these characters in these drabbles and all of the fics are very believable and very true to the characters, themselves, even though you expand on their thoughts or put them into situations they might not find themselves in in their own series or movies or whatever. That's the mark of great fanfiction and a great writer.
The Beach - Blue Juice
I love Dean. I love this movie. And this brief moment in time where a somewhat shady character turns downright loveable. The last two paragraphs are utterly brilliant and poignant and I could see the beach in my head while I was reading them.
The Dress - Shallow Grave
A very brief bit of sillyness that fits in well with the movie. Alex and Juliet's voices are dead on, and I could so see this argument taking place and becoming like a deleted scene. Had me grinning.
The Middle (fandom - Supernatural)
http://dragonsinger.ink-and-quill.com/middle.html
the image for this is amazing, really breathtaking and it sets the mood from the top of the page. I really felt for Dean in this fic and how he's trying to empathize with both his father and brother, though the two are definitely at odds. At the same time Sam is a very strong character and is compelling as well, so each person's argument is presented well. This is a shining example of how well the you her dialogue. The rhythm of how the lines flow into each other is great and it reads very well. My only comment on this and in general is that I really, really wish there would be more time taken with descriptions of the characters and the surroundings. I know it's fanfiction but if it's a series that I'm not familiar with (or even if it is) I want to know what things look like in detail so I can appreciate the action. The flow of this is very well, though, and doesn't waffle about or waste text so the reader feels like they're getting just the good stuff. I love Sam and Dean in this, this makes me want to watch more of the show.