Meme: Stories that never were

[rabidsamfan]

From rubynye, who inspired me to give this a try: (If nothing else, it might break the writer's block.)

Give me the title of a story I've never written, and feedback telling me what you liked best about it, and I will tell you any of: the first sentence, the last sentence, the thing that made me want to write it, the biggest problem I had while writing it, why it almost never got posted, the scene that hit the cutting room floor but that I wish I'd been able to salvage, or something else that I want readers to know.

Any fandom you've seen me write before is fair game. I'll try to come back with at least three of the possibilities.

Comments

[janeturenne.livejournal.com]

Oooo, this is FUN *rubs hands with glee*

Hmmm. Well, you know me. That hiatus-era fic you never wrote in which Lestrade and Mary saved the day--at the cost, for her, of the case of pneumonia which took her life and, for him, of that twisted foot we hear about in BOSC (never mind that BOSC is pre-hiatus. Watson screwed up with his references)--will always live on in my heart. The extensive research that went into describing the obscure disease from which they were saving Watson, and the sinister figure of Moran lurking, glimpsed in shadows but never spoken of, behind the dastardly plot, made the whole thing so vividly real. But of course, it was the characterization that made it all so exquisite. This part, I'll never forget:

"I can't tell you not to worry, Mrs. Watson. I'm worried myself, if it comes to that. But I swear to you, I and the Yard will do everything we can. Your husband is one of us, and we never abandon our own."

She looked up at me then, as neat and proper and womanly as ever, but her lips were set and her eyes were hard.

"I appreciate your dedication to my husband, Inspector Lestrade; your sentiments are very kind. But if you suppose that I intend to remain here with hands folded while John wastes away, you have misjudged me sorely. I am a soldier's daughter and a soldier's wife, and I have no talent for sitting helpless and idle when I might be doing something useful."

She stood and smoothed her skirts. I recognized that look of hers. The piercing gaze that Dr. Watson had not managed to pick up in all the years of his friendship with Mr. Holmes, his wife seemed to have learned.

"Tell me everything you know."

It's a good thing Mary died in the end, really, or else you know I'd be begging you for a sequel!

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

the first sentence: The anonymous note which had turned up on my desk during the night was burning a hole in my pocket as I stared up at the brass plaque reading "John H. Watson, M.D." but I couldn't seem to make my feet move.
the last sentence: And with that, he turned and walked away from the grave.
the thing that made me want to write it: I'm fascinated by Watson during the hiatus, you know that!
the biggest problem I had while writing it: Getting Lestrade's voice somewhere close to right.
why it almost never got posted: I kept getting distracted by the research.
the scene that hit the cutting room floor but that I wish I'd been able to salvage: I had this complicated "Mary ends up in a tuberculosis asylum instead of dying before Holmes comes back" plotline, so that I could have her and Holmes butt heads in an epilogue, but it just wouldn't work out.
something else that I want readers to know: There may be a sequel -- I've got an idea about Lestrade's foot...

[janeturenne.livejournal.com]

You're far too modest. You knocked the Lestrade voice out of the park! And oooo, sequel! *bounces*

*grin* Any meme that's all about playing pretend gets two thumbs up!

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Does that mean we'll get you to play? *innocent look*

[janeturenne.livejournal.com]

Already done!

[dreamflower]

Oh, I loved "Return to the White City" so much! What a fun look at Sam's visit to Gondor, with Rose and Elanor in tow! It was just delightful! Rose's reaction to the news she was expecting again was so in character; I loved Sam's worry and Rose's practicality-- and the letter to young Frodo explaining their delay in returning home was very hobbity. You do such a marvelous "Sam-voice"!

I think the most fun however, was seeing Bergil all grown up, and Elanor's little crush on his son! Sam and Bergil were both wise fathers, and handled the situation with diplomatic aplomb, and without any seriously broken hearts ensuing.

And the crowning touch was little Tolman, who made his appearance into the world so abruptly, and captivated everyone.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

the first sentence: "Dad! Dad, look! I think I can see it now!"
the last sentence: "It's grand to see what you might never have seen, but coming home is still best of all."
the thing that made me want to write it: I've always wanted to have Rosie see something of the world beyond Hobbiton.
the biggest problem I had while writing it: Working out which children would have had to go along on the trip because they were too young to be left behind and which ones I could leave in the care of the Cottons.
why it almost never got posted: I didn't want to leave it as a WIP!
the scene that hit the cutting room floor but that I wish I'd been able to salvage: I wanted to write about Tolman charming the sisters he hadn't met yet with a toothless smile when they got back to Bag End, but it would have meant coming up with a new last line.
something else that I want readers to know: This story nearly broke my usual reliance on the hobbit to human age differences, because Rosie's got to be nursing at least two of them at a time for years, and how she manages it I don't know!

[dreamflower]

Yes, I quite agreed with you that little Robin had to go along as well! And I understand exactly what you mean about the nursing! It's made me shake my head a time or two myself.

This little bit in the Appendixes really is one of the things that drives home the fact that JRRT was very much a *man*, and a man of his time, at that! I'm quite sure such a problem never even crossed his mind.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Consider this my request too. I can't possibly think of anything I'd want to see you write more, RSF.

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm... I vividly remember Bilbo's Mirror - not only because it was so wonderfully written but because you actually participated in my Before I go to sleep-universe. It makes me smile that I gave my share by sending you that list of mathoms (toys he might have given the little hobbitlings on his famous 111th birthday), how you described him wrapping up all those small treasures (and for whom), and that we finally found out why Bilbo decided to give Lily Proudfoot a mirror.

Sorry for the edits; I should quit making up things before I had my first coffee. *grins*

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

scraps of this are still lurking on my computer somewhere, you know...*guilty look*


the first sentence: "I think this pack must be toys, Uncle."
the last sentence: Frodo gasped, and then laughed, the blush rising to heat even the tips of his ears, and Bilbo laughed too, reassured that he was doing the right thing by leaving Frodo here in the Shire.
the thing that made me want to write it: I wanted to give you a proper present.
the biggest problem I had while writing it: I had a terrible time figuring out how to get Lily in there!
why it almost never got posted: For a long time it had a beginning and an end but no middle.
something else that I want readers to know There really are several pages of this one... *sigh*

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

*smiles*

Well, instead of leaving those several pages dormant on your computer, you should perhaps consider sending them to me and let me play with what you have.I still would love to see this tale come to life!

Well I Never

[calccarbonate.livejournal.com]

A story built on the premise that everyone has an unexpected talent is utter and complete genius. I mean, really. I never thought that Lestrade would even have time for a hobby (his work seems to be his life), and Watson...how could he be an expert on fishing? Holmes is always sending them to land-based cases! Or is it escapism? Hopkins had me rolling, but Bradstreet was like the big, cuddly surprise in the box.

Re: Well I Never

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

the first sentence: "No, no, Holmes," Watson said, blithely unaware that he'd interrupted the denoument of the case and drawing stares from the Scotland Yarders who had been herded together to applaud the detective's latest performance. "That's the wrong weave for an English fishing boat -- the net is from Portugal, or possible Cape Verde."
the last sentence: "Well, I never!"
the thing that made me want to write it: It's always fun to confound Holmes, as long as you let him get cocky again afterwards.
the biggest problem I had while writing it: Researching Victorian hobbies. And spelling decalcomania right every time.
why it almost never got posted: I got lost in that 1880s book on chemistry.
the scene that hit the cutting room floor but that I wish I'd been able to salvage: That would be the one with Lestrade and Gregson challenging each other to come up with the most outre hobby to suggest for Holmes to take up. It was a good idea, but Holmes beat everyone to it.
something else that I want readers to know: You could get really interesting chemicals really easily in the 1890s! Cheap, too!

Re: Well I Never

[calccarbonate.livejournal.com]

Dies laughing.
Of course, it's the scene on the cutting room floor that sounds the most intriguing! And I'd say you're right on that book of chemistry!!! The mind curdles!