Promptfest fun

[stgulik]

I enjoyed the inaugural sshg_promptfest so much, I probably spent more time reading than I should have, given that they still do expect me to work for a living and occasionally make dinner out there in the 3-D world.

My entry was called Hyperbole, which was based on a delightful prompt put up by tophoenix. I had a great time writing it. I really got into the challenge of having two characters banter through means of letters sent across very long distances. I despaired of doing this right, so at one point I put everything on hold until I could acquire a used copy of 84 Charing Cross Road. Unfortunately, Frank the bookstore manager didn't banter. Remember? All the bantering was on Helene's end! Which makes it less like 'bantering' and more like 'oddly American attention-seeking behavior.' Oh well. It was back to square one on that front.

I'd like to express deep, borderline-creepy love for my alpha, teddyradiator, who subtly discouraged me from making the whole story take place in San Francisco. Thanks also to the wonderful and funny nagandsev, who must have thought I was drunk when I emailed her, but who puts up with me quite politely now. Finally, excellent work, iulia_linnea and Charlotte, moderators for this event. They stripped out all that was maddeningly time-consuming from the SSHG Exchange model, and came up with a more streamlined exchange. Still, they're going to run this twice a year? Very brave!

Comments

[tophoenix.livejournal.com]

Aww, you used 84 Charing Cross Road!

You did the bantering perfectly, and kudos to Teddy, canon places are always the best for me :)

[iulia_linnea.livejournal.com]

We're glad you enjoyed yourself and can't wait for the next run! :D

[toblass.livejournal.com]

I'm behind in my reading...but what's wrong with San Francisco? *glares at teddyradiator*

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Uh oh! It's a rumble!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I was so very proud of Hyperbole, and loved every minute of it. You know, there is a fanfic called Beyond 84 Charing Cross Road, which was another epistolary story (very different from yours, but a real treat as well)

I am proud to inspire borderline creepy love in you. It's well reciprocated.

I love San Francisco. I just thought the story would be better placed in Europe. And it seemed such a long way for owls to have to fly between the UK and the West Coat. Think of the poor beasts!

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I thought about the poor owls, trying to communicate between SF and England. Then I conceived of International Portkey Post Offices, from which local owls would convey letters to their regional destinations. But the system became way too complicated to stop and explain in the course of the story. European locales were the way to go.