The Vegetable Patch(Challenge Drabble; Pippin, Sam/Merry, PG-15)

[browngirl]

There's a short note about drabbles and their kin in the first comment.

Title: The Vegetable Patch
Fandom: LOTR (Shireromp)
Characters/Pairing: Sam/Merry, Pippin about
Rating: PG-15 or so
Sequel To: Plant a Radish"
Written For: siouxieq
Disclaimer: Hobbits aren't mine, but they're fun to play with.



There were bigger gardens, and fuller gardens, but no hobbit's garden was finer than Frodo's at Bag End, left him by Bilbo and tended by two generations of Gamgees. Pippin wandered along the paths, picking petals and early berries, chasing bright butterflies, and tucking flowers in his hair, till he came to the bean-rows along the back hedge.

Under those broad bean leaves, Pippin found the most remarkable sight yet of the day; Merry, his own cousin Merry, with his tongue in Sam's moaning mouth and his hand right down Sam's breeches.

Oh, what a lad might find in the vegetable patch

Comments

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Apparently, in some quarters, it isn't considered valid to write a "droubble" or a "drabble and a half", but only a drabble of 100 words. Being someone who likes drabbles, double drabbles (aka drobbles), and the different ranges in between, I find this perhaps more dismaying than I ought. For myself, I know that when I write a droubble I'm writing to a specific length just as when I write a drabble; a sonnet is longer than a couplet, but that doesn't automatically make sonnets free verse, let alone bad poetry.

And, I must say, I never thought posting stories of this length would be so controversial. I'm torn between providing context and promoting civility, so I think I will not put a link to the discussions of drabble definition, ficlet length, and validity of artistic form I read today, but I certainly must say I was enlightened as to the opinions of some of the people I "know" on LJ. Which just goes to show that one really doesn't know people online, and for me it was a timely and useful reminder.

I'm not certain at the moment how much longer I'll be in hobbit fandom after I finish posting the results of this drabble challenge. I've never cared to feel legislated out of any arena. On the other hand, there's no sense in swearing anything off that I enjoy, and especially not rashly. I'll see, I suppose.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

In other news.... How is your head today?

[danachan.livejournal.com]

I love you.

This comment said something else, but then it turned -- well, you'll see, I emailed it to you. I just don't want to see you go, and I'll stress that here. Please don't let this push you out of something that you love. I know -- I think I do, at least -- know you still love it here. *lopsided grin*

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*hugs you very much*

I have your email saved, where I can remember to reread it when I need to. Thank you, sweetie.

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I bow to everyone who actually manages to write a so called "true" drabble, getting all he/she wants to say into the length of 100 words, but on the other hand I think all this is done for sheer fun and the enjoyment of creativity - so what? And if it is 20 words too long - pfffth! Is it a good tale? Does it move me or make me laugh? Why should I care for the exact length of a tale if it bores me?

Don't let people with half of your talent make you feel miserable. I adore your writing, and I bow to your skills. Laugh at them, my dear... and keep writing.

*hugs*

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*hugs you tightly* Your comment made me feel so much better, you know that?

I like 100 word drabbles. I just like other ficlet lengths, too.

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

It was made to feel you better - and because it's true.

*blows a kiss*

[siouxieq.livejournal.com]

Apparently, in some quarters, it isn't considered valid to write a "droubble" or a "drabble and a half", but only a drabble of 100 words.

Apparently, in some quarters, people don't know good writing when they see it. I haven't read the discussion, but I say, write whatever size ficlets you like, it your creativity and you get to choose what to do with it. Don't let conventions stifle your talent!!!!!

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*squeezes you* After all, if we let convention squish our ideas, we'd never have written the unconventional pairing we both delight in. :D

[libitina]

If it's 100 words, I call it a drabble. If it is some other length, I give the word count - so people can see it is exactly 150, 200, or 666. But, hey, as long as you're writing, I won't complain.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*facepalm* I should never have let myself get so upset over the issue. I'm usually much more pleasant, really. But anyway, yeah, I write my drabbles to 100 words. I've counted them by hand before, when I was writing longhand. That's part of why I call the other lengths other things.

But, hey, as long as you're writing, I won't complain.

*blush* Thanks. :)

[kshandra]

Back when I was still an X-Phile, there was a series of stories written (I believe it was the result of a challenge, but it was ages ago now, so the memory is badly faded) known as "155 Words" - because that was their length. And there were some 154 Words, and some 156 Words, and nobody cared. (Most of 'em are still on Gossamer, if you should be curious.)

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Now how did I not see this comment before? I'm sorry it took me so long to reply.

And 155 word stories. That's an interesting form, too. :)

[kshandra]

Hey - it took me over a week to comment in the first place; that it took you as long to get back to me means there is symmetry in the world. ;-)

[danachan.livejournal.com]

I like this one, you know.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*beam* Thank you, sweetie.

(Yay wideyed Pippin!)

[siouxieq.livejournal.com]

Wow! Well worth the wait. This was wonderful to wake up to this morning. Thank you very much.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*grin* You are very welcome, brighteyes. :D

[capra-maritimus.livejournal.com]

Hehehehehehe. Pippin getting his education, I see. :D

I am of two minds regarding the drabble thing: on the one hand I prefer that if 100 words is what's wanted, then 100 words it should be. However, we all know that sometimes it doesn't work that way.

I'd say write what you will then post it where appropriate. But really, you'd think that people who had such a problem with off word counts would say so up front.

Hard to balance sometimes....

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Oh, that wideyed Pippin :)

I believe in 100 word drabbles, and in posting appropriately. I just believe in 150-word drabble-and-a-halfs, too, is all. Yay diversities of options. :)

[aprilkat.livejournal.com]

This is, as always, delightful.

I'm so sorry you are feeling bruised by whichever group you speak of. Please don't let that drive you away or interfere with your fine writing.

If your format didn't fit in the challenge or whatever, you do address it upfront. I can see people disagreeing with the length, but not the quality of the writing!

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and, well, thank you. :) *hugs you*

[(Anonymous)]

I really like your hobbits stories. Fluffy fics like this one and your more psychologic fics too! (I'm not familiar with the other fandoms you write about).

Now, I don't know what the disagreement is all about but,I would be sorry if a talented writer like you left the fandom because of what some people have to say about the form or the number of words of your fics.

Hoping to read new hobbit fics from you again, as long as you feel attracted to these characters.

Nimue

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Nimue! Hi, brighteyes! And, thank you. :) *hugs you*

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Hon, your writing astounds me, not only for its excellent quality, but the amount you produce, not just hobbitfic, but your comicbook and other fandoms. I consider you not only a peer, but one of my best friends, if people don't appreciate you, fuck em, do what you want and go where the water is warm.

Right here with Elijah and Frodo and lots o bubble bath ... if you hurry!

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*blush* You always write me such lovely comments. Thank you, sweetie, a lot. *hugs*