Happy Holidays, edna_blackadder!

[goe_mod]

Title: My Afterlyfe for a Hammer
Recipient: edna_blackadder
Author: irisbleufic
Characters/Pairings: John Device; Mr. Cranby; Mr. Bychance, Sr.; Aziraphale/Crowley; Anathema/Newt
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 4,000
Author's Notes:  Dear recipient, I went with the first of your three prompts -Aziraphale/Crowley, something autumnal and spooky-because I never could resist the

Comments

[tomato_greens]

Hello, you! (Well, I think you're the 'you' I'm thinking of--you've got a style!)

I adore Agnes so much that I'm always afraid to write her and afraid to read fic about her, but as usual you've absolutely nailed the characterization right on the head--or roof, if you will. She's completely herself, that combination of mad genius eccentric and practical old thing, and really unfailingly kind in her particular way to the people who need her. And of course your top-notch characterization goes for all the other characters as well, including those who were little more than a punchline in the novel: as usual you manage to cut through your funny lines with just enough half-hidden tragedy to make them stand out in greater relief. You write such lovely, lovely things--thank you.

...This might be the first ghost story you've written that I haven't cried over.

[secret_kracken]

Oh, and hello you, you who let me beta your piece of MIND-SHATTERING BRILLIANCE that your recipient will be so lucky to get that I. cannot. even. Yes, you got me. Fair enough <3

Even after all this time, every time I determine I want to write Anges / have to write Agnes, I get a little nervous. First of all, Early-Early Modern English, but with a pseudo-historical silly cast in the idiosyncratic spelling; second of all, Agnes is brilliant and good-natured and terrifying. I am as intimidated by the woman as Newt is, quite frankly. GET HER WRONG AND SHE WILL END YOU, NEVER MIND THAT SHE IS FICTIONAL *_*

I'm glad you're not crying. I'm glad I wasn't crying for once, come to it *hugs* Thank you.

[thecojsz]

The more Agnes, the better :D My absolute favourite thing is Anathema's reaction, though. Adorable fic *.*

[secret_kracken]

Aw, thank you *hugs* I would love a whole novel devoted to Agnes's life, honest to God...

[thecojsz]

Ahh yeah, I couldn't agree more. I'm currently incredibly happy about my own Agnes gift too, I'm grinning like an idiot, so much Agnes this Christmas yeeeaaaaahhhhh \o/

[secret_kracken]

OMG I KNOW. So much Agnes for once. Life is good <3

[ida_pea]

There is so much to love about this! Agnes' sense of humor, her meddlesome nature, the way she looks after generation after generation of Devices...

Love Aziraphale and Crowley's reaction to this 'predictable ghost'. Thank you for the glimpse of Newt and Anathema; never enough of them in my life!

Lovely, lovely work. ;)

[secret_kracken]

The initial concept, I confess, was this: Agnes is such a crap ghost! She can't even scare people because she's too sensible, and she trails bloody roofing nails everywhere she goes! But, in truth, I realized she could be quite scary if she happened to visit any of the people who read her threatening letters, and that's where the requester's dose of spooky (thank goodness) came in.

Thank you very much ;)

[miscellanny]

That was really fascinating, and I love the sense of stories untold hovering around the edges of it, too. Thank you. :)

[secret_kracken]

Truth be told, every one of the sections could've been longer, especially given how much can be done with guys like Cranby and Bychance, etc. Hinted stories are better than none at all, I suppose! Thank you very much; I appreciate you reading <3

[miscellanny]

I didn't mean it as a complaint! I assure you, when I say that I mean it as the most honest compliment - one of my favourite things about Neil Gaiman's writing is the acres of back story that you sense are lurking just out of sight, and this story has the same sense of depth to it. I really enjoyed it. :)

[secret_kracken]

I didn't take it as a complaint ;) That's my way of saying I felt like a slacker for not teasing more out of those sections where I could have done. But I guess that's what future ficlets and whatnot are for! And I do wonder what the authors have to say about those guys, for sure...

[mazaher]

Agnes is a determined soul! Lovely story. I like a lot the way you step through the centuries. Thank you!

[irisbleufic]

She's as determined as they come, even in death. Thank you so much!