ATLA fanfic update

[timepiececlock]

My new year's resolution is to get a pet.


Fanfic

I've been stuck on my 3x12 plot bunny, so instead I detoured and ended up browsing then consolidating all my notes for The Night Has Come To Hold Us Young.

During this process I posted a new drabble chapter, only to discover moments later that I was supposed to have two more chapters posted before the one I'd just put up. Unfortunately, The Pit wouldn't let me delete my chapter, so I had to replace the text with a lame-ass "I'm sorry, false alarm!" author's note.

I need to write three drabbles in the next couple days, and post four. On top of that, looking at my outline I think I'll have at least 12-15 more before the fic ends. I did some pretty extensive outlining for the latter parts of this fic last year, and I've gotten over one of the difficult sections. Now it's just about writing the stuff in between the exciting stuff. Writing the build-up and the actual business of making two characters fall in love.

We could be looking at 70+ chapters. A daunting thought. I almost wish they were full-on chapters, not just drabbles. Then again, if they'd been full chapters I'd never have gotten as far as 46. It's amazing that this story is still so alive in my head.


EDIT: Does anyone have the song "The Power of Orange Knickers" by Tori Amos? I find myself badly needing it for writing inspiration. I used to have it on my harddrive, but who knows where its gone. If anyone could send it to me, I'd be very grateful. Thank you, faoiltiamatani! The YSI link is in the comments; it's great song.

Comments

[faoiltiamatani.livejournal.com]

The Power Of Orange Knickers (http://download.yousendit.com/972A721055F6F0B3)

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I really appreciate it.

I have to ask you, what episode is that icon image from? I don't recognize it. It doesn't look like fanart, though.

[faoiltiamatani.livejournal.com]

It's from Season 3, Ep. 6 - "The Avatar and the Fire Lord"!

[jade-sabre-301.livejournal.com]

I noticed that false author's note. You tease. :-b

good luck finishing! *claps*

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Oh, it'll be a while yet before I "finish". You can expect a couple updates this week, though. I'm in the groove.

This fis is already WAY longer than I thought it would be when i started. It was supposed to be about 20 chapters, then I thought "okay, maybe I'll get as much as 45 but that's REALLY stretching it." But I just kept adding and adding... I'd think of plot events, and have to add two or foru drabbles in between those drabbles, expanding and expanding. And even though each drabble jumps time gaps and leaves thing unsaid, I still want to convey a lot of stuff that happens, and in drabble format that means a ton of chapters.

I feel a little awkward that its one of my most popular fics, and people wait on it, when essentially they're getting 100-200 word snippets, yet they write reviews like I'd just presented them with an epic update. I feel sheepish, but the little bits is the only way I can do it, now. So I compensate by having LOTS of little chapters.

fic music babble

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

This is something I listen to for the fic's inspiration: snippet of a song, 1 minute bridge.

Particularly the line, | Will you persist even after I bet you a billion dollars that I'll never love you | and the line following it. I was just thinking that I once debated akavertigo and her Remix Universe over the idea that Zuko and Katara could spend 10 years in love with each other and never act on it or even talk about it. Turns out I made them wait 4 years, almost half the time of her story, to do anything. These two characters really make you want to draw everything out to inhumanly long periods, to feel "real."


faoiltiamatani replied above with a link to a fantastic song you should totally grab. :D It's lyrics are more depressing than I have planned for the two lovers, but the rhythm and feel of the song is perfect for one of my later chapters.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Goddammit. I wrote two drabbles. But not the RIGHT ones! I wrote ones that are like 10 chapters from now. Want an out-of-context preview?

[jade-sabre-301.livejournal.com]

...do you even have to ask? :-b

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

This is when Katara is in the FN (again) later in the fic. It's just a conversation.


WARNING MINOR CHARACTER DEATH!


WARNING!






Toph to Katara:

“Are you sure that’s not an excuse?”

“What?”

“This idea you have that the Fire Nation is a place of death, that every time you come here people die. Are you sure you’re not just hiding behind that to avoid the other thing?”

“First of all, it’s not just an idea! Every time I’ve been here, someone I love has gotten hurt or died. Second of all: what? What other thing?”

“People die everywhere Katara. Reality check: your grandmother and your teacher were old, it wouldn’t have mattered where you are. At least you got to stay with your grandmother before she went, and Pakku was with his people. They were lucky.”

“How dare you!”

“Easily. And you know exactly what ‘thing’ I’m talking about. We all know.”

“Well enlighten me.”

“I’ll do one better. Ask yourself this, Sugar Queen: if you really don't know, then why are you here?”

[jade-sabre-301.livejournal.com]

oooooooooooooooooooooooo. I like it very much. it's...just right. Toph especially. (I really loved "The Runaway"; I like the way their relationship works a lot.)