5 Things Meme-of the Ficlet Variety

[scribble_myname]

This entry is part 44 of 51 in the series 365 Challenge
Gacked from penknife:

You post a topic, list, category, whatever, in comments. (examples: "Five SG-1 Mission Reports That Were Less Than Entirely Truthful", or "Five Times Bruce Banner Lost His Toothbrush," or "Five Ways Nikola Tesla Failed to Take Over the World"). I'll answer with a list of

Comments

Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[scribble_myname]

“You could have said something,” Rede said softly as he handed Cate his stack of reports

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[thecatisacritic]

So... I guess I was expecting more of a reaction.

It's like when Shift handled that moment when Justus met Red Wolf. It's not bad, I liked the story. It's an interesting perspective and dynamic, but I still didn't see the thoughts of the person I was expecting. I get Cate's thoughts, not Marc's. I still know nothing about him. And for some reason, I came off not liking Cate very much after this.

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[scribble_myname]

Well, don't know what to do with Cate for you. She really, really likes the fact that she can't read Marc without trying. This wasn't a strong enough moment to indicate that to her, as a telepath, this is blessed relief. Cate's one of those extremely complicated layers kind of people. She doesn't even always evaluate her own self, just adjusts to please.

Hadn't really thought about you wanting into his head. Hm... Well, let's try 'er again.

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[thecatisacritic]

I wasn't expecting you to do this one for a bit, and it probably would have been better if I'd gotten their long fics first. I didn't get that sense about her, that she was enjoying not reading him. It was hinted at, but I didn't really understand the hint. So her teasing didn't seem... appropriate.

I admit, I'm not sure I want in his head, but I would think the reaction needs to come from him.

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[scribble_myname]

"So her teasing didn't seem... appropriate."

I will say this about it (because this sort of thing crops up in my work often): if he's asking specifically about more than one ability and he's SEEN her use more than one, then I do think her teasing was appropriate, especially when she's pointing out that he should have noticed.

Though that was more obvious in his version, it was certainly present in this one.

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[thecatisacritic]

I think sometimes with me, it's like walking a minefield, never knowing what might set me off

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[scribble_myname]

With the second one, he wasn't subtle about explaining her reactions.

And there is the big kicker. :smacks forehead: I tend toward subtlety and you tend to like characters who are striving toward understanding. Duh. Should have caught that sooner. And that's a real blind spot I sometimes have on picking POV, especially en media res of a longstanding relationship. Going to keep this in mind.

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[thecatisacritic]

Well, you can't go altering your style just for me. I wish I was better at the subtle... I don't understand why I need things to hit me like a brick. It makes me feel stupid, and I'm not, and I'd blame it on my reading being too fast, but I have good retention of what I read. I just seem to struggle with getting it.

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[scribble_myname]

You don't need it like a brick; you just need it clear. There's a difference and it's why I run everything original but commentfic through a beta. I sometimes err on the side of hinting and that's not entirely stylistic. :shakes head at self:

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[thecatisacritic]

It has felt kind of like I need a brick lately.

How many times do I ask for clarification on a given piece or part of the story world?

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[scribble_myname]

If it wouldn't wholly embarrass me, I'd show you my beta's notes where she asks the same number of questions for clarification. It's not you; it's me. :grins: But I'm okay with that. It's just my process of writing first drafts. :shrugs:

Re: Kingdoms and Thorns Ficlet: A Simple Question

[thecatisacritic]

Yeah... I don't think I could share any of the beta notes I've ever gotten. I'd be too ashamed because usually I get notes when I do stuff that's really dumb.