Comments | halfshellvenus: Supernatural Gen Fiction: We Were Soldiers Once

halfshellvenus

Supernatural Gen Fiction: We Were Soldiers Once

May 22, 2006 22:10

Title: We Were Soldiers Once
Author: HalfshellVenus
Category: Sam and Dean (Gen)
Rating: PG
Summary: Though this be courage, it is not casual…
Author’s Notes: This title is taken from a book on Vietnam. These words have been waiting to form a story for some time now. Written for Debbie (particlesofgale)- something poetic for her birthday. Also written for the kazy25 ( Read more... )

my_fic, sn_gen, poem, birthday, kaz2y5

Comments 51

acostilow May 23 2006, 05:55:38 UTC

My.

Beautiful. Poignant. Compliment of choice.

How do you come up with this? I come up with...porn. Yeah. *is jealous*

halfshellvenus May 23 2006, 06:02:52 UTC

Beautiful. Poignant. Compliment of choice.
I like these ones. *pockets them and pets them again and again*

How do you come up with this? I come up with...porn. Yeah. *is jealous*
This title, and a vague concept, have been poking in the background for awhile. With that "Weapons" challenge on the brain and the idea to write something for particlesofgale... once those first two lines came out the whole thing just sort of flowed. And then wrestled me to the ground again and again over the last part for hours until one of us emerged victorious. Hope it was me. :0

I like the style of this one-- it hits all my weaknesses/strengths depending on your viewpoint. Images, alliteration, echoing of like words-- they're running amok here.

lissa_bear May 23 2006, 05:56:34 UTC

Beautifully written, and yet another perfect ending.

halfshellvenus May 23 2006, 06:05:24 UTC

Beautifully written, and yet another perfect ending.
Thank you, Elissa! This ending took hours instead of *cough* weeks, but... the fight became surprisingly ugly before I settled it out.

*Sigh* It's not just the mood-- there's a whole hidden pace/meter aspect that is just all wrong until it's right. I know that sounds vague, but since your own endings are so beautiful and complete, I suspect you may know what I'm talking about.

lissa_bear May 23 2006, 06:19:15 UTC

I know exactly what you're talking about. Though currently? My brain couldn't work out an ending if my life depended on it. I'm so jealous that you've finished your pbfe fic!

aspensnow May 23 2006, 07:15:23 UTC

....

Wow. Just wow.

I really have no words, my brain is too busy going "OMG I like that line. No OMG I love THIS one. And OMG THAT one."

This piece sort of transcends the fandom I think.

Our dreams are of a Peace we cannot keep. Through stealth and sacrifice, bloodshed and burning, we leave answers and stillness behind. We give resolution we never found, we bring safety to families like our own. We leave a quieter world in our wake, a space for laughter to rise up again.

This part really just killed me. I read and it made me sigh and go "Yeah, that's so right."

It's sad and tragic but it reads with the serene hope of a prayer.

Wonderful job.

halfshellvenus May 23 2006, 20:15:00 UTC

I really have no words, my brain is too busy going "OMG I like that line. No OMG I love THIS one. And OMG THAT one."
This piece sort of transcends the fandom I think.
That is very heady praise indeed. Thank you!

This part really just killed me. I read and it made me sigh and go "Yeah, that's so right."
It's sad and tragic but it reads with the serene hope of a prayer.
It's like any war that must be fought. It is terrible, soul-stealing, and yet important. Their work is necessary, and also without end.

And they believe, and they return to fight again with the coming day... We ache for them, and love them because they do.

The reward is not for them, but oh-- what a difference they make.

impertinence May 23 2006, 11:03:38 UTC

Beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful.

halfshellvenus May 23 2006, 20:15:38 UTC

Thank you! I've missed you lately. :) How's the web-page project going?

impertinence May 24 2006, 14:10:43 UTC

You're very welcome! And yeah, I've been sort of gone lately...I've had fun RL stuff to deal with.

How's the web-page project going?

Slowly. *grins* I have written way too much.

anonymous May 23 2006, 13:22:53 UTC

Wow. Again with the gorgeous. I just skimmed this, but Lord. I'm going to be re-reading it to get at all its layers. Like a person does with a poem, but not usually with fiction.
What a great way to start the day.
Thanks,
DC

halfshellvenus May 23 2006, 20:17:02 UTC

I'm going to be re-reading it to get at all its layers. Like a person does with a poem, but not usually with fiction.
It really IS more like a poem, but if any subject called for density in meaning it seemed to be this one.

Glad you liked it-- thank you! :)