Claiming my HD-Erised fic: The Full Four Seasons (Harry/Draco, NC-17, 49.2k)

[ravenclawsquill]

Erised reveals are up! \o/

glittering_git wrote the wonderful Wait for me to come home for me, and I’d strongly urge you to check it out! It's 8.8k of bickery non-linear goodness, and if that wasn't enough to entice you, there’s some post-sex fingering! Repeat after me: guhhhh

Comments

[birdsofshore]

I hope you know how I feel about this story. It was worth every single minute you spent to create what you've created. ♥

[ravenclawsquill]

Thank you so much, that really means a lot. <3

(That said, you don't know how many minutes I spent on it! Hundreds of thousands, I expect!)

[carpemermaid]

I love everything about your commentary on your fic, but this especially:
There is so much that never made it into the story: huge sections written in the third person, before I finally bit the bullet and took the huge risk that is 50k of first person narrative; countless scenes which were never used; a 2010 calendar on my wall with every scene and interaction marked on it; innumerable weather reports, news articles and bookmarked web pages on magical theory … it’s the biggest exercise in world building I’ve ever completed.

Plus your words about the broader issues! So important <3

It makes me so happy and proud to see how much work you've put into this fic, all the care you've taken to write this and write it the right way! I'm even more excited for when I get the chance to read this! Congratulations on writing something that resonates so much with people, and for sticking with it when it got tough. I'm so happy + proud of you! <333

[ravenclawsquill]

Thank you, lovely! <3

Oh, I went full-on Ravenclaw for this fic. So much ridiculous research that will never be of any use to anyone! I had a blast with it, though.

I really hope you like it!

[lq_traintracks]

All of those feelings you felt while writing, the absolute care you have for the subject matter and the characters -- especially Draco's plight -- all of the writing on the 2010 calendar, the notes springing from your purse, the weeks with these characters... you can feel ALL of that in this story, I promise you. It's both alight and deep with your love for it, and we got to share in that love. It's truly a triumph, and I thank you for it. ♥

p.s. I've got my eye on your journal! Holy shit, what a writer!

[ravenclawsquill]

Thank you so much for your kind words! (I have to say, your comment was one of the ones that had my eyes prickling, and "spitting rainbows" made me smile until my cheeks hurt!)

I think there may be more of my soul in that story than it would take to make a Horcrux. ;)

[shiftylinguini]

OMG it was you!!! I love that fic <3 SO much, what a beautiful journey it was. It's amazing to read, and you handled these issues you discuss really well and sensitively, without ever losing sight of the impact they were having on the characters, and the broader social implications.

And good luck with fandomtrumpshate!! That's wonderful you're doing it <3

[ravenclawsquill]

Argh, LJ ate my comment. If I've replied twice, that's why!

YES, it was me! And nobody guessed because I'm still a bit of a newbie and have never written anything quite like it before! I felt ever so mysterious.

Thank you ever so much for your wonderful comments. The fact that you took the time to comment on each chapter meant a lot, and put such a huge smile on my face. I really appreciate it.

(And thanks! If nobody bids on me, I'll have to bid on myself! XD)

[shiftylinguini]

Ahhh, it was incredible, I loved every chapter of it -- really, I don't have enough praise for it, it was such a beautiful piece! I think I've thought about drawing Ray's order it every day since?

Oh gosh, I hope the bidding picks up!!! I'm sure someone will :D

[ravenclawsquill]

Oh my gosh, don't even joke. I'd pretty much die if you did! XD

[felixfvlicis]

I wish everyone talked about their writing process because I find it absolutely fascinating. The most difficult stories are often times the most rewarding, and I'm completely thrilled that you've shared such a meaningful, real story with us all.

One of the things that struck me the most as I read this a second time, was how well Draco was crafted, and that's due to the time you spent with him. You managed to make his struggle a realistic, heavy one -- my heart ached for him as he came to particular realisations because I could feel how badly he wanted things to be different, but the solid anchor of duty kept him from giving into his own desires. It felt very personal for him, and the fact that Harry was the one who, throughout everything, stayed, even when he was just out of reach, meant so much.

This story will stay with me for a long time. You should be incredibly proud of yourself, because this . . . is something truly remarkable.

♥

[ravenclawsquill]

I also find it fascinating! I wouldn't usually do it, to be honest, but in this case, the process of writing this story was so significant that I couldn't resist a bit of self-indulgent wittering. It's more for me to come back and reflect on than because I think people really want to read it. That said, I'd love to know more about how my fellow writers build their stories.

Thank you so much for your lovely comment(s!). I'm blushing!

Crafting Draco took a lot of work, and was an absolute priority - on one of my very first pages of rough notes, I had the following bullet points:

* Need to make Draco real
* Astoria must be properly crafted - she cannot be a flat, 2D character
* Overall theme: identity

So there he is, right at the top. I grew ever so fond of him, flaws and all. <3