My Pico project for July
Jul. 2nd, 2015 10:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wiseheartNow that Brothers-in-Arms is finished and posted in its entirety, I've decided on my next Pico project. I chose An Excellent Mystery, as this is a story I can hope to finish if not right away during July but at least in the foreseeable time.
Behind the tag you can see the same analysis I did for the planned new Cadfael story in a recent entry.
1- Name of current Project and back story of the name
"An Excellent Mystery" - a title borrowed from a Cadfael novel by Ellis Peters.
It was inspired by this website.
2- Genre of the story explained in detail
It is a straightforward Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, set in Victorian time. Or is it?
3- Explain your PoV and Style of writing used
I really don't know any of these things. I'm not such a conscious writer. But he story will be written from various POVs, in the third person. Does that answer the question? *is uncertain*
4- Describe your inspiration and what message you wish to bring across
To quote the great Professor Tolkien whom we all admire, the story isn't supposed to have a "message" at all. As already mentioned, it was inspired by this website.
5- Main Character Bio
The main characters are Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson - there's little need to cite their bio, I think.
6- Main Villain Bio
As I still haven't decided whodunnit, I can't give a definite answer here. The best candidates for this role are Alfred Philip Anderson or Miss Fanny Robinson, but I don't know yet which one it will be. So, no bio here just yet.
7- A third important characters Bio
I guess that would be Sherlock's client, Mr William Scott Spice, a wealthy industrial residing in Hawkhurst, Kent. He is the owner of Hawkhurst Old Place, a widower, and the father of Miss Alice Spice. He is a respected member of Brook's Club in St James's Street, London, and was known in his youth to take part in the more... er... extravagant activities of the club.
8- Descriptions of all other important characters
- Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs), the landlady of Sherlock Holmes;
- Miss Harriet Watson, age 34 (Emilia Fox), Dr Watson's alcoholic sister;
- Mrs Mary Watson (née Morstan), (Amanda Abbington), Dr Watson's pregnant wife;
- Miss Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson, age 35 (Katie McGraw); Formerly the nurse of Harriett Watson; before that maid in the house of Mr Spice. Sister of Alfred Anderson.
- Mrs Elizabeth Anderson, the widowed mother of Alfred and Betsy Anderson. Resides at 64, Tatchbrook Street, City of Westminster, London. A statuesque woman and very opinionated;
- Alfred Philip Anderson, (Jonathan Aris), the son of Mrs Anderson. Formerly a gardener, wroking for a certain Mr Edmunds. Starting on the 6th September 1879 supposed to work as a night porter at The Grand Hotel in Calmore Row, Birmingham, but he vanished without a trace shortly after arriving there, at the age of 29. Estranged husband of Miss Alice Spice;
- Mr Clayton Edmunds, Alfred Anderson's former employer. A member of the minor aristocracy, presumably from a vadet branch of a noble family. His actual occupation is vague but it is supposed to have something to do with the government. He lives in a mdoest house alone and Anderson used to be his gardener;
- Mr William Scott Spice, (Anthony Steward Head), Alice's father;
- Miss Alice Spice, (Georgia Moffet), the only daughter of Mr Spice and estranged wife of Alfred Anderson. Likes the theatre, romantic novels and expensive, fashionable clothes. Vanished without a trace at the age of 22, at the same time as Anderson;
- Mrs Lavinia Smith, (Elizabeth Sladen), housekeeper of Mr Spice and gouvernante of Alice;
- Mr Langdale Pike, (Paul McGann), a celebrated gosspimonger whose columns are published in numerous magazines and enwspapers, An acquaintance of Holmes and an old school-friend of Mr Spice. He usually resides in his club, in St James's Street - a canon ACD character;
- Mr Arthur E. Field, (Mark Gatiss), the hotelkeeper of The Grand Hotel in Burmingham, the last known employer of Alfred Anderson - an actually existing person;
- Miss Fanny Robinson, (Vinette Robinson), the housekeeper of the hotel. Had an affair with Anderson at the age of 27;
- Samuel Wiggins, (Rupert Young), the day porter of the hotel;
- Billy Fairbairn, (Colin Morgan), the hotel page;
- Inspector James Bradstreet, (Steven Moffat), police officer in Birmingham and a great admirer of Holmes;
- Mrs Susan Bradstreet (née Vernot), (Sue Vertue); the Inspector's wife
- Mrs Beatrice Vernot, (Beryl Vertue), Mrs Bradstreet's rich and influential mother, widowed;
- Dr Sarah Sawyer, (Zoe Telford), the coroner/pathologist in Birmingham. OC based on Dr Ogden from "The Murcoch Mysteries".;
- Colonel Jacob (Jack) Holroyd, (John Barrowman), Chief Constable of Birmingham and an old Army friend of Dr Watson;
- Mrs Emily Holroyd (née Craney), (Heather Craney), his recently wed wife. Until their marriage the headmistress of a school for orphaned girls, particularly those with a criminal background (mostly thieves and child prostitutes);
- Miss Alice Guppy, (Amy Mason), one of Emily Holroyd's special protegées. A juvenile thief; Emily took her into her house as a lady's maid because she believed in her rehabilitation. Alice has a crush on Colonel Holroyd (and perhaps an even worse crush on Mrs Holroyd);
- Mr Lucius Roberts, (Sir Derek Jacobi), Station Superintendent of the New Street Station in Birmingham, who found the lost luggage that started this whole story.
There are other characters in this novel - lots of them, actually - but those don't play any important role in the plot.
9- Explain the main basis of the plot
On September 6th, 1879, a train steamed in to New Street Station, Birmingham. After it had steamed out again, on its way north, the station Superintendent, Mr. Roberts, noticed some luggage left on the platform. It was placed in the Lost Luggage Department until someone came to claim it. Nobody came! Ten years later, on the eve of his retirement, Mr. Roberts decides to open it and find out as much as he could so that the owner might be traced. They find out the identity of the owners, and the wealthy father of one of the owners asks Sherlock Holmes to find out what has happened to his daughter.
10- Describe the world that the story happens in (use photos or graphics if you want)
It take place in Birmingham, in the late 1880s and in London, respectively.
11- All the Ships in your novel/ Story
Alfred Anderson/Alice Spice, Alfred Anderson/Fanny Robinson, Colonel Holroyd/Mrs Holdroyd, so far.
12- Your favourite character to write about and why
Mrs Holroyd. She knows what she wants and gets it. That woman rocks!
13- Your least favourite character to write about and why
Anderson. He was a drunkard who cheated on his wife and beat her. 'Nuff said.
14- Which character you are most like
None, actually, though I'd like to be like Mrs Holroyd. *g*
15- Your favourite part of the story
The ladies of Brimingham gossiping in the new French café.
16- Describe any other books related to this one (eg. Prequel, sequel, follow up) or If it’s a stand alone, a sequel or prequel that you could write
None. This is a new experience for me.
17- Which published book it is most like
I'm trying to write it in a similar style to the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries, though I hope I'm not actually copying anything.
18- What stage of editing/ writing are you at?
Well into Chapter 5 and busily trying to figure out how it would end.
19- Writing Playlist
None.
20- If it were made into a movie, which Director would direct it and which band would make the soundtrack
I would never allow a director to butcher it, like they did with the 3rd season of "Sherlock".
21- Dream Cast (with pictures)
See the answer to Question #8.
22- The Ten best things about your story
Ten? Good grief, I'm glad if I find three! Let's see: the atmosphere, the cast and the insider Torchwood jokes. For me, at least.
23- The ten things you could improve
Well, I could certainly cut back on the descriptions and generally become less verbose. *g*
24- Why are you going to do with it when it’s done?
Why, post the rest of it to FF.Net, LJ and perhaps AO3, and then whine that people don't appreciate the genius of it, of course! *g*
25- What is the main twist/ plot point?
Holmes trying to figure out what happened to Alice and Alfred - and succeeding. Or will he?
26- What is the most exciting scene/ chapter/ part
It has to come yet.
27- How often do you write it and in what environment?
Whenever inspiration hits. As I write everything longhand first, I can basically write in any environment.
28- Who else has read it? Or heard about it? Does anyone know you’re writing?
Five reviewers on FF.Net and my wonderful beta,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lindahoyland.
29- Pretend you’re a critic and give a fair but concise criticism of your project so far
I'll have to re-read it first and give it a lot of thoughts.
30- Post a chapter or so for everyone to read and review
Well, it's already up to FF.Net, so feel free to take a look: An Excellent Mystery.
Behind the tag you can see the same analysis I did for the planned new Cadfael story in a recent entry.
1- Name of current Project and back story of the name
"An Excellent Mystery" - a title borrowed from a Cadfael novel by Ellis Peters.
It was inspired by this website.
2- Genre of the story explained in detail
It is a straightforward Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, set in Victorian time. Or is it?
3- Explain your PoV and Style of writing used
I really don't know any of these things. I'm not such a conscious writer. But he story will be written from various POVs, in the third person. Does that answer the question? *is uncertain*
4- Describe your inspiration and what message you wish to bring across
To quote the great Professor Tolkien whom we all admire, the story isn't supposed to have a "message" at all. As already mentioned, it was inspired by this website.
5- Main Character Bio
The main characters are Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson - there's little need to cite their bio, I think.
6- Main Villain Bio
As I still haven't decided whodunnit, I can't give a definite answer here. The best candidates for this role are Alfred Philip Anderson or Miss Fanny Robinson, but I don't know yet which one it will be. So, no bio here just yet.
7- A third important characters Bio
I guess that would be Sherlock's client, Mr William Scott Spice, a wealthy industrial residing in Hawkhurst, Kent. He is the owner of Hawkhurst Old Place, a widower, and the father of Miss Alice Spice. He is a respected member of Brook's Club in St James's Street, London, and was known in his youth to take part in the more... er... extravagant activities of the club.
8- Descriptions of all other important characters
- Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs), the landlady of Sherlock Holmes;
- Miss Harriet Watson, age 34 (Emilia Fox), Dr Watson's alcoholic sister;
- Mrs Mary Watson (née Morstan), (Amanda Abbington), Dr Watson's pregnant wife;
- Miss Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson, age 35 (Katie McGraw); Formerly the nurse of Harriett Watson; before that maid in the house of Mr Spice. Sister of Alfred Anderson.
- Mrs Elizabeth Anderson, the widowed mother of Alfred and Betsy Anderson. Resides at 64, Tatchbrook Street, City of Westminster, London. A statuesque woman and very opinionated;
- Alfred Philip Anderson, (Jonathan Aris), the son of Mrs Anderson. Formerly a gardener, wroking for a certain Mr Edmunds. Starting on the 6th September 1879 supposed to work as a night porter at The Grand Hotel in Calmore Row, Birmingham, but he vanished without a trace shortly after arriving there, at the age of 29. Estranged husband of Miss Alice Spice;
- Mr Clayton Edmunds, Alfred Anderson's former employer. A member of the minor aristocracy, presumably from a vadet branch of a noble family. His actual occupation is vague but it is supposed to have something to do with the government. He lives in a mdoest house alone and Anderson used to be his gardener;
- Mr William Scott Spice, (Anthony Steward Head), Alice's father;
- Miss Alice Spice, (Georgia Moffet), the only daughter of Mr Spice and estranged wife of Alfred Anderson. Likes the theatre, romantic novels and expensive, fashionable clothes. Vanished without a trace at the age of 22, at the same time as Anderson;
- Mrs Lavinia Smith, (Elizabeth Sladen), housekeeper of Mr Spice and gouvernante of Alice;
- Mr Langdale Pike, (Paul McGann), a celebrated gosspimonger whose columns are published in numerous magazines and enwspapers, An acquaintance of Holmes and an old school-friend of Mr Spice. He usually resides in his club, in St James's Street - a canon ACD character;
- Mr Arthur E. Field, (Mark Gatiss), the hotelkeeper of The Grand Hotel in Burmingham, the last known employer of Alfred Anderson - an actually existing person;
- Miss Fanny Robinson, (Vinette Robinson), the housekeeper of the hotel. Had an affair with Anderson at the age of 27;
- Samuel Wiggins, (Rupert Young), the day porter of the hotel;
- Billy Fairbairn, (Colin Morgan), the hotel page;
- Inspector James Bradstreet, (Steven Moffat), police officer in Birmingham and a great admirer of Holmes;
- Mrs Susan Bradstreet (née Vernot), (Sue Vertue); the Inspector's wife
- Mrs Beatrice Vernot, (Beryl Vertue), Mrs Bradstreet's rich and influential mother, widowed;
- Dr Sarah Sawyer, (Zoe Telford), the coroner/pathologist in Birmingham. OC based on Dr Ogden from "The Murcoch Mysteries".;
- Colonel Jacob (Jack) Holroyd, (John Barrowman), Chief Constable of Birmingham and an old Army friend of Dr Watson;
- Mrs Emily Holroyd (née Craney), (Heather Craney), his recently wed wife. Until their marriage the headmistress of a school for orphaned girls, particularly those with a criminal background (mostly thieves and child prostitutes);
- Miss Alice Guppy, (Amy Mason), one of Emily Holroyd's special protegées. A juvenile thief; Emily took her into her house as a lady's maid because she believed in her rehabilitation. Alice has a crush on Colonel Holroyd (and perhaps an even worse crush on Mrs Holroyd);
- Mr Lucius Roberts, (Sir Derek Jacobi), Station Superintendent of the New Street Station in Birmingham, who found the lost luggage that started this whole story.
There are other characters in this novel - lots of them, actually - but those don't play any important role in the plot.
9- Explain the main basis of the plot
On September 6th, 1879, a train steamed in to New Street Station, Birmingham. After it had steamed out again, on its way north, the station Superintendent, Mr. Roberts, noticed some luggage left on the platform. It was placed in the Lost Luggage Department until someone came to claim it. Nobody came! Ten years later, on the eve of his retirement, Mr. Roberts decides to open it and find out as much as he could so that the owner might be traced. They find out the identity of the owners, and the wealthy father of one of the owners asks Sherlock Holmes to find out what has happened to his daughter.
10- Describe the world that the story happens in (use photos or graphics if you want)
It take place in Birmingham, in the late 1880s and in London, respectively.
11- All the Ships in your novel/ Story
Alfred Anderson/Alice Spice, Alfred Anderson/Fanny Robinson, Colonel Holroyd/Mrs Holdroyd, so far.
12- Your favourite character to write about and why
Mrs Holroyd. She knows what she wants and gets it. That woman rocks!
13- Your least favourite character to write about and why
Anderson. He was a drunkard who cheated on his wife and beat her. 'Nuff said.
14- Which character you are most like
None, actually, though I'd like to be like Mrs Holroyd. *g*
15- Your favourite part of the story
The ladies of Brimingham gossiping in the new French café.
16- Describe any other books related to this one (eg. Prequel, sequel, follow up) or If it’s a stand alone, a sequel or prequel that you could write
None. This is a new experience for me.
17- Which published book it is most like
I'm trying to write it in a similar style to the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries, though I hope I'm not actually copying anything.
18- What stage of editing/ writing are you at?
Well into Chapter 5 and busily trying to figure out how it would end.
19- Writing Playlist
None.
20- If it were made into a movie, which Director would direct it and which band would make the soundtrack
I would never allow a director to butcher it, like they did with the 3rd season of "Sherlock".
21- Dream Cast (with pictures)
See the answer to Question #8.
22- The Ten best things about your story
Ten? Good grief, I'm glad if I find three! Let's see: the atmosphere, the cast and the insider Torchwood jokes. For me, at least.
23- The ten things you could improve
Well, I could certainly cut back on the descriptions and generally become less verbose. *g*
24- Why are you going to do with it when it’s done?
Why, post the rest of it to FF.Net, LJ and perhaps AO3, and then whine that people don't appreciate the genius of it, of course! *g*
25- What is the main twist/ plot point?
Holmes trying to figure out what happened to Alice and Alfred - and succeeding. Or will he?
26- What is the most exciting scene/ chapter/ part
It has to come yet.
27- How often do you write it and in what environment?
Whenever inspiration hits. As I write everything longhand first, I can basically write in any environment.
28- Who else has read it? Or heard about it? Does anyone know you’re writing?
Five reviewers on FF.Net and my wonderful beta,
lindahoyland.29- Pretend you’re a critic and give a fair but concise criticism of your project so far
I'll have to re-read it first and give it a lot of thoughts.
30- Post a chapter or so for everyone to read and review
Well, it's already up to FF.Net, so feel free to take a look: An Excellent Mystery.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2015-07-04 03:28 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2015-07-04 07:58 am (UTC)Have you taken a look at the Lost Luggage link? It is amazing! The whole story was inspired by it!
(no subject)
Date: 2015-07-04 10:59 pm (UTC)