Fyre

#1 - Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows.

I'm a little undecided about it, on the whole. I like it as an over-the-top action film, but I'm not sure I like it as a Holmes film. RDJ was immensely watchable as always, and I'm never going to say no to Noomi Rapace, but I found my attention wandering at points.

( Spoilers ahead. )

So, in summary, it's a decent action film, but on the whole, it doesn't really feel like a Holmes film to me.

So, you got stuck with my requests, eh? Well, hopefully it won't be too terrible for you and you might even enjoy it a little. That's the main thing I ask: have some fun :)

Now, ( to the specifics: Elisabeth, Downton Abbey and Some Like It Hot )

This year, in the spirit of maturity and ripe old age, I'm having a Disney-themed birthday party. Of course, this means lots and lots of research into Disney. I think that watching the films in rapid succession is what made me notice certain recurring traits.

The main thing that now is actually starting to annoy me quite a bit is the passivity of the Disney heroines, even when they're the lead. I could do a whole rant on the colour-assignment of Disney villains or even the death-by-falling syndrome many of them are afflicted by, but will avoid that one now, but yes. ( The ladies. )

Thus endeth the rant.

So it is the day of the Yuletide reveal, and I can finally name the fics I am to blame for in Yuletide 2010.

My actual recipient was my partner-in-crime Beth Winter, which is only problematical when you think of the fact that she test-reads everything I write and we chat about plans and plot developments and what we're working on. I was horribly worried I would let slip something about being her Santa. But I didn't. Technically. Except in fic ;)

( My eleven fics in 4 fandoms. )

Firstly, thank you for choosing my little fandoms :) I have my basic two fandoms I use every year, but I also try and use two new ones was well, just for some variety. And generally, all the details of what I would like are in my requests, so you don't need to worry about that.

Just to be on the safe side, though: I don't like incest/necrophialia/chan etc. But given the fandoms, this isn't really necessary. Dubious consent is not something I would like to see either. But that aside, almost anything goes. I'll take any rating from G to X, and I'm both intrigued and excited to see what I will receive come the day :)

( Specifics for Elisabeth, the Alexandriad, Discworld and Coldfire Trilogy )

I hope this gives you enough to work with. If you need or want to ask anything through an intermediary, please drop Beth Winter a line.

30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!

Nope. I don't tag. It's pushy :)

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28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there's nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.

Right now, I'm writing an OC who has been paralysed after being hit by a car, which is quite the challenge, but I've also had a partially-sighted character who brain-damaged in infancy due to head trauma (well, dragon, but still!), who is the sweetest, gentlest character I have. Oh, and I have a one with dyslexia, and another with the mathematical equivalent. And technically, George has OCD specifically about numbers while Rufus has a mild varient of ADHD. They get around, my kids.

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26. Let's talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your OCs and post your favorite picture of him!

I did give it a try, but I was never satisfied with the way they came out. I do know exactly what they look like, though. Especially George, who bears a rather uncanny resemblance to Bela Lugosi in this picture. One day, I may give it another go.

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24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What's the most interesting way you've killed someone?

When I used to fanfic in excessive amounts, I was known for maiming and killing characters left and right. I found the follow-through so fascinating, looking at how people would respond and reacte to the deaths. Especially in stories when it was close-knit groups. I considered it a real triumph if I managed to make myself cry when I read back what I had written. And I have done, a few times. I like to understate the drama of the actual death-scenes. I like them to mostly be 'off-camera', since angsty goodbyes can turn cliche.

As for interesting ways, I couldn't pick one. Although I know which is my favourite not-quite-death scene that I've done: Max's father. He's injured in the siege of Buda, and dying slowly of sepsis. Half-asleep one night, Max sees his father talking to someone. It's only years later, after his own encounter, that he realises he watched his father taking wine with Death.

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22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you've never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.

Any of the courtship of Jack and Scarlett. A few people know about their first few meetings (and/or abduction and subsequent smackdown), but I haven't reached the point of writing the point where things changed. It starts with him being brained with a telescope and goes from there, really. (Oh, and the birth of John, their first kid. There is nothing quite as soppy as Mister Tough Guy pirate cooing over his first child)


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