Soledad's Journal

Yep, it's finished, with 12 chapters altogether, 9-14 pages each. It was about the shortest time I've ever finished a multichapter story, considering that I started it after the summer season of picowrimo, so I'm reasonably proud of myself.

The last two chapters have been typed up, proofread (alas, only by me) and will be released during this weekend and the next one, respectively.

Mum and I have celebrated with eggnogg, sipped from dark chocolate shot glasses. She never read a word of what I've written, since she doesn't even speak English and doesn't share the vast majority of my interests (like sci-fi or fantasy; although we do watch "Castle" and the "Murdoch Mysteries" together). But she always celebrates with me whenever I manage to finish something.

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Chapter 06 - A Day in the Hub, Part 2 has just been posted to otherworlds_lib and to FF.Net.

In which we learn a little about Jeannie McKay's past, Adam meets his first Weevil and the vomit-o-matic makes its first appearance. Have fun!

Reviews are love and help the poor muse to give birth to a new chapter on a weekly basis, which, trust me, is really hard work. *hint, hint*

Chapter 05 - A Day in the Hub, Part 1 has been posted to otherworlds_lib and FF.Net. In which Adam befriends Andy (or the other way round?) gets introduced to Myfanwy and receives his own workplace, while Ianto has physio and a long chat with Dr. Fox in Providence Park. Enjoy!

Reviews are still very much appreciated. Hey, it's the only reward I get, right?

Chapter 04 - Discussing Timelines has just been posted to otherworlds_lib. In which the gang discusses timeliens (obviously), Archie from Torchwood Two makes an appearance and Jack and Ianto have a heart to heart. Enjoy!

Chapter 03 - The Tale of the Prodigal Son has been posted to otherworlds_lib and FF.Net.

In which Ianto gets his massage, Adam has to 'fess up and the leading triumvirate of TW Cardiff is discussing what to do with him. Enjoy!

I've started Chapter 6 of "Atonement", with a closer look at this alternate version of Jeannie McKay. Some part of it are very depressing, but I'm still quite content how it turned out. I'm just not sure about the grammar. In fact, I'm never really sure when I absolutely have to use Past Perfect and when can I get away with using Simple Past. It's so much more confusing in English than it's in German. It's the easiest in Hungarian, of course, since we only have one past tense in our language, but that's another matter entirely.

So, if anyone would be willing to take a look at these 2.5 pages and tell me if I could leave it as it is - which would be my preference, as it rings true for my ears, but I can't be sure, of course - I'd be eternally grateful.

Anyway, excerpt:

The depressions were still there like a constant, dull ache, they never really left and flared up unexpectedly at the slightest, most ridiculous stimuli. By the changing layout of a familiar website, for example, that made her feel like a complete failure again, until she figured out how to use the re-organized features… and lasted long afterwards.

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Aside from "Atonement", I was suddenly attacked by a particularly vicious plotbunny about an alternate universe in which Sherlock - or a rather alternate version of him - is actually the 13th Doctor. Don't ask, I've got no clue where that came from. The title is supposed to be "Ginger At Last! (But Still Rude). I think it's funny. And I've got even more fun with figuring out how certain other Sherlock characters would fit in the Whoniverse.

Fortunately, I've established a notebook titled "Plotbunny Nest", where I write down the basic ideas for future use. That way, I avoid being sidetracked while working on something else. I've promised myself not to start any new story before one of the WIPs are finished.

In this particular case that not only means "Atonement" and the Elfhelm story, but Book One of "Arthur's Quest" as well, since the latter two are the stories I actually know how they'll end. Eventually. If I ever get far enough with them.

It will take another 3 weeks until it hits the ether, but at least it's done. It's grown bloody lang and talkative, with little to nothing to happen, but sometimes such chapters have to be, too. Copied the first 2 pages of Chapter 6 - they were written in advance - and that means the plot will make another lazy turn. I think I'll have to write some drabbles to even out the ungodly word count. I mean 6600 words in one sodding chapter? It's not normal!

Excerpt:
In which Ianto visits Dr. Fox in her office at Providence Park

She looked up from her papers, smiling, when there was a knock on the door and Ianto Jones limped into her office, without waiting for an invitation.

“Ianto, you’re done already? How was physio?”

“Effective, I must assume, since I hurt a lot more now than I did before,” Ianto replied with a crooked smile and collapsed into the armchair before her desk.

Dr. Fox gave him a sympathetic grin. “Sorry to hear that. But the control tests are promising. The tremors in your hand have lessened by sixty per cent in the last four weeks – that’s great news. The prognosis is that you’ll regain full control over your fine motoric within another month.”

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Again, warning about wrongly used expressions or mutilated grammar are very welcome. At least some of the paragraphs would turn out grammatically correct that way.

Other than that, I've read through my good friend Larner's essay about Tol Eressëa because she asked me. As usual, it was well-written and well-researched. Still no progress with Elfhelm, I think I've trapped myself with those dratted marriage negotiations. *sighs*

Oh, and I've updated my fanfic rec comm, telekis_vendiak, adding a few Sherlock stories, if anyone's interested.

Six more days until school restarts. *sighs again*

Well, Elfhelm refused to co-operate, so I went for the Torchwood story again today. I'm up to 8 pages of Chapter 5 and fairly content with it... save for the fact that it seems to spawn new chapters, as usual. Which is annoying, but nothing new.

Excerpt:
In which the gang discusses the unwanted attention to their work shown by UNIT's new commanding officer.

“I don’t know,” Jones admitted with a shrug, “but Colonel Oduya is a bit too ambitious for my comfort. Sir Archibald thinks he wants UNIT replace Torchwood completely and has certain supporters in the Home Office who’d like to see him succeed.”

“That’s so not good, in so many ways that I can’t even begin to count,” the bespectacled bald man in the white lab coat sitting next to the lady scientist said grimly. “Could Archie be simply paranoid? Ms Hartmann always said he was.”

The lady scientist shook her head. “No, he wasn’t. He simply didn’t like Yvonne Hartmann and refused to send her any reports on principle.

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If there's anything grammatically incorrect, a little hint would be welcome. This is another one of those dozens of stories that don't have a beta reader.

On other topics: one week until school restarts. It's a depressing thought.

Dual goodies today. I wrote 3 pages of Chapter 5 of "Atonement" - not much of interest, mostly filling stuff, but that has to be done, too.

Excerpt:
In which the Torchwood gang has breakfast together.

They all seemed in a fairly good mood, laughing and joking about the previous night, which seemed to have been quiet. At least compared to the average.

“Only two stray Weevils and some alien toaster,” Andy was saying when Adam entered the main working area. “Can I have the toaster, Ianto? Jack says it’s harmless, but the power cell is supposed to last a lifetime, so I could use it on camping trips, too, where ain’t any local power source.”

“Not before we’ve checked with the database,” Director Jones, clad in a sharp suit and a purple shirt with a black tie, replied, sniffing the coffee vapours woefully. “If it does check out safe, be my guest. We’ve got too much junk in the Archives already."

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I've also managed to trick the Elfhelm story into some kind of cooperation. I'm still stuck with Chapter 11 (the marriage negotiations), but I've started translating small pieces of Chapter 12 that can be used in Tolkien context. I may not keep everything I'm translating, but at least I've slightly moved away from my dead spot.

Excerpt:
In which we visit a mysterious place.

Deep in the heart of the mountains, not even under the roots of Falun but under Grenaar, roughly three or four miles afar from Ragnar’s halls dwelt Tanfana, the norna, the timeless tutor of all shieldmaidens. The caves of her dwellings reached far under the northern outskirts of Grenaar; beyond them only the few deep halls of the Dwarves still alive under Nimwarkinh could be found, but those were beyond the reach of all living Men.

The Meeting Hall – the only one where outsiders, especially men, were allowed - was a cavernous room. Its arched ceiling held by natural dripstone pillars shaped by the trickling water during countless Ages. The walls of the cave, too, were smoothed by the relentless work of water, resulting in the most fantastic formations. Neither Man nor Dwarf had ever laid hand upon these stones, and yet the mortal eye was tempted to find familiar shapes in them: a candle, a draped curtain, the likeness of animals and monsters.

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As it's still fairly early, I'm hoping to make some more progress with both stories, but that will come in tomorrow's report.

I've finished the capricious Chapter 4. *is relieved* AS I mentioned the last time, it didn't quite turn out as I expected, but I'm content enough with it. The whole thing is becoming slightly uneven after Chapter 2, switching to and fro between the different characters, but since I'm dealing with such a large cast, it's inveitable, I think.

I'd like to make it smoother, but it just doesn't work any better. I could lie to myself and say that I can still return to the story later and iron out the details I'm not satisfied with, but we all know that I won't, so it's a moot point. I've simply got too much stuff I still need (and want) to write to tinker around with old stories, even if it would make them better.

Excerpt:

(this time with a little fluff on the side)

“You need a long, hot shower and your bed,” Jack said. “Actually, a bath would be even better.”

“I don’t think I can manage,” Ianto replied, without opening his eyes.

Jack snorted. “Nonsense. I’ll carry you to the bathtub if I have to, but you’re not going to bed with all those knotted muscles. Your leg must be a mess by now.”

“You just want to see me naked,” Ianto still refused to open his eyes.

“That, too,” Jack admitted unrepentantly, “but tonight only for medical purposes. Wait here. I’ll start running that bath; then I’ll come back and help you.”

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Now on to Chapter 5. Which might take some time, as I don't have any sound concept about what should be happening there. Other than they'll have to go to Torchwood House. Eventually.