Workshop - Found Objects: Creating and Including Ephemera in Supernatural Fiction

[kimonkey7]

Hey, everyone. My name’s kimonkey7  and, once upon a time, I was a relatively productive writer in the Gen region of SPN. Though RL has currently robbed me of the ability to self-apply that description, I’m still a fan of the show and a lurker in the fandom.

About a million years ago, the folks at spnroundtable  put out a call for workshop topics, and people willing to

Comments

[amberdreams]

Facinating! That was an area of inspiration I hadn't ever really thought about before, and now I must go and check out your [info]found_fic_spn ! You've also got me thinking about maybe incorporating something like this into a wallpaper or two....

[kimonkey7]

Thanks! Glad it was possibly inspiring. found_fic_spn has sadly become pretty sleepy and cobwebbed, but there are a large number of prompts (and response fics) to peruse in the tag listing, and the Found Magazine website is a great resource, as well.

Have fun!

[art_savage]

Absolutely - to all of the above! I don't know that I have much to add, but I will note that ephemera can also be great for investigations in casefics, those little clues that lead the boys to the identity of the ghost, the history of the cursed object, etc. The possibilities are truly endless!

[kimonkey7]

ephemera can also be great for investigations in casefics, those little clues that lead the boys to the identity of the ghost, the history of the cursed object, etc.

Excellent examples, all. Thank you!

I'm currently creating a couple of pieces of ephemera for spn_reversebang and I'm pretty excited about the possibilities it may inspire for anyone who picks my prompt. :)

[nwhepcat]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, as I'm a bit of an ephemera keeper myself. I love details that cement a story in place, and this seems like a great source.

Looking forward to reading the stories, too!

[kimonkey7]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this.

And thanks for the PM earlier; I LOL'd in RL. You have no idea the lj-cut hell I was in.

The Found Magazine site is excellent, as is the Ephemera Society homepage.

Hope you enjoy the stories! Thanks for reading.

[hold_onhope]

I so loved reading this. I've never actually sat down and though about those found objects as ephemera, but thinking back, I realized that they really are a large part of this fandom due to the nomadic nature of the boys. In fic, coming across mentions of ephemera always gives it a more authentic feel for me. There's so much of the day-to-day life of the Winchesters that is fascinating and tells a lot of details about Sam and Dean and their relationship.

Thanks for the links, too! I'm definitely going to use some ephemera as a prompt. Great workshop, thanks. :)

[kimonkey7]

Thanks!

Absolutely, ephemera is a big - if ignored - part of our boys' lives, and I like that the transitory nature of such things mirrors the Winchester way of life.

Enjoy the links, and good luck!

[humming_along]

Great article! I've had a plot bunny for a long time now, about Dean finding a box of maps, brochures, etc from Sam's childhood of all the cool places they got *near* on a hunt, but never got to actually stop and visit. The kind of thing Sam would have picked up at rest stops and gas stations. Who knows if I'll ever do anything with it.

[orehime]

This sounds awesome - whip that bunny into shape!

[kimonkey7]

That sounds like a fantastic idea! Start assembling your ephemera (or creating it) and you might find yourself inspired! :)

Good luck, and thanks for reading!