My third 2005 Christmas fic: Justin's Christmas Carol

[wren_kt7oz]

This is the one that wouldn't leave me alone, but somehow wouldn't write itself either. But then three days ago I woke up knowing the full story. I dashed off three pages of notes, while it was all fresh in my mind, and last night I sat up until after three, getting it all down on paper

Comments

[asm614]

Perfection.

I'm still digesting everything, so I'm sorry I can't offer anything more profound... But this was so very good.

Thank you, and it was definitely worth the wait! :)

[wren_kt7oz]

Thank you. I'm glad you thought so.

:)

[_alicesprings]

Ouch. There was some scary stuff in there.
I'm feelng very maudlin lately, thinking about 513, and this was an ending I could have lived quite happily with!
Thank you!

[wren_kt7oz]

Velcum. Glad it was scary. I worked on that bit. *g*

[elaere]

Well done. I find it easy to believe that Justin had fears before his move to New York and that they could get this kind of form in his dreams. Is it not the function of dreams to sort out the confusing events of our waking hours? In the show, nothing made Justin understand how weakly founded his hopes for success in NY were, I'm glad, for him, that in this scenario he found a better way of reaching for his dreams.

If I change my point of view and take a look on what is happening in Brian's life in this fic I'm not sure that what is happening in the end is easy to swallow for him, though. Justin's words tell about Justin's changed attitudes, true, but is Brian convinced by just words? During the last season of the original show, Brian was taken through an emotional roller-coaster ride that had to leave some emotional scarring. I have this doubt that at the end of this fic Brian might be afraid that he is being led to another ride. Does he want to?

[wren_kt7oz]

Is it not the function of dreams to sort out the confusing events of our waking hours?Exactly. I think that if we are to accept that Justin has the wisdom and maturity to cope with any relationship, let alone one with Brian, we have to give him enough credit to be able to see what a phantasm he was chasing in NY. Especially after his LA experience, which had a much more solid foundation and still came crashing down in disappointed hopes

[wren_kt7oz]

Oh, Ela, I also wanted to say 'thank you' for the thoughtful comments - both to this, and the others you've sent this week.

I want to address those, too, but it might have to wait a day or so. And I think that I'll pull them into a main post, so that if anyone wants to get involved in the discussion they can. Is that okay with you?

[m_elle_22]

Reading this reply to this comment was almost as satisfying as the fic, lol. Your understanding of Brian is really wonderful, and key to my keeping the BJ love alive so many years after the show went off air. I know I probably would have already moved on if it wasn't for fics like yours: quality with depth and true understanding of the characters. Whole new worlds and possibilites created and explored. Aaaaaamazing.

[shadownyc]

This is one of the most outstanding Christmas themed fics I have ever read!!! Your angle of having Justin visited by spirits rather than Brian was perfect and the situations that you created were original and definitely feasible.

I also like the twist you added as Justin waking up still with Brian and truly being able to "fix" everything by making the appropriate decision and NOT going to NYC.

This was well worth the wait and since it's still Hanukah, I consider it a fantastic gift!

I look forward to seeing the continuation of "Homecoming" & "Reverberations" in the New Year. Thank you for many hours of enjoyable reading. :D ♥

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[wren_kt7oz]

Thank you.

I truly appreciate this feedback, especially the reference to "the twist".

I've had this plotline in my mind since midway through November, and have been trying to write it for weeks, but I kept hitting a wall when I tried to work out how Justin was going to get back from NY and fix things.

It was only when I woke up the other morning understanding (at last) that the whole point was that he hadn't yet gone to NY, that it all fell into place. So I'm really glad that you liked that little twist, because without it, I don't think I could have written the story at all.

With thanks (and the assurance that, Chrissy fics now out of the way, the next chapters of H and R are on the move),

Hanukah greetings, and Happy New Year!

W

[strlingdragnfly]

Yes, finally a Christmas Carol that's from Justin's point of view instead of Brian's. Thank God you wrote this - I've had this plot bunny running around in my head for a while, and you've done a much better job with it than I would have.

Wonderful work, as usual.

[wren_kt7oz]

Thank you. It's been buzzing around my head for a while, even last Christmas. But the end of S5 gave the perfect opening, I thought.

Glad you enjoyed (although you could still write yours, you know *g*)