Labor Day Meme: Stories That Never Were

[browngirl]

From petronelle, who filled this in glorious manner. Give me the title of a story I've never written, and feedback telling me what you liked best about it, and I will tell you any of: the first sentence, the last sentence, the thing that made me want to write it, the biggest problem I had while writing it, why it almost never got posted, the scene that hit the cutting room floor but that I wish I'd been able to salvage, or something else that I want readers to know.

Feel free to try any fandom you have reason to think I know, but if I don't at all know the fandom I'll have to say so.

Comments

[eudaimon.livejournal.com]

"As We Used to Say to The Ones Left Behind" - Pike/Kirk - the angry desk sex, man. I wish I ould write something that HOT and PAINFUL at the same time.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: "Come on, George, pretty pretty George."
The last sentence: Jim stands up, looking at the sky.
The thing that made me want to write it: I decided to take the Pike/two generations of Kirks thing to its logical extreme; what if Pike calls Jim George in bed? What if Jim finally got fed up enough to stop putting up with it?
The biggest problem I had while writing it: I wussed out so many times between having the idea and finishing the first draft, because this Christopher Pike is a brave strong man but not, in some ways, a good one. Writing him that way broke my heart and probably made a couple of people defriend me.
Why it almost never got posted: See 'biggest problem while writing it'. I got this one flame in email that hurt all the more because I agreed with it.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: The original outline ended with Kirk/McCoy, introduced in a scene where McCoy says, "Jim, this is fucked up," but I realized Jim had to, and could, realize that for himself.
Something else that I want readers to know: All of the above is true in an alternate universe.

[droolfangrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh man...um... There was this weird story you wrote. You used Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth ( http://home.earthlink.net/~rkkman/frames/summaries/SPB.htm ) as the jumping point and it just got stranger after that, but you know how I am about crack fic.

I think the title was something like "oh it's you again"

Oh, you mean "You Again?!"

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: "You again?!"
The last sentence: "That's not humanoid."
The thing that made me want to write it: If we can have a story about multiversal Batmans, why not draw on Batmans from favorite fanfics? So I did Te's Angelsverse Jason, and Dick from that '90's Broken Bat sequence, and Petra's "So Sweet a Changeling" Tim, and then I came up with Batman Cass and... well, the rest is fiction.
The biggest problem I had while writing it: Running out of alcohol. Wondering who would read this crack.
Why it almost never got posted: I should combine this q with the previous.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: Transgender Kevin nee Kate Kane. I wasn't satisfied that my execution wasn't offensive, so I didn't include this variant Batman.
Something else that I want readers to know: Reading that article about that crossover was lots of fun.

I want you to know that I screamed when I read this.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Hikaru woke naked, from a dream where she'd been a man.
The last sentence: Jim sat up, rubbing his throbbing jaw, and grinned.
The thing that made me want to write it: I wanted to explore gender. Or something.
The biggest problem I had while writing it: Surprisingly, the Spock!speak.
Why it almost never got posted: Writing a story where someone thinks they're female and doesn't want to be, while never saying anything that could be taken as "being female is bad," is pretty frelling hard.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: I couldn't come up with a plausible motive, so I went with "they're aliens, they have incomprehensible motives" and left it at that.
Something else that I want readers to know: So you like Kirk/Chekov/Sulu, huh? *works harder on my upcoming threesome*

[petronelle.livejournal.com]

Looking at "Unbuttoning thee after supper" now, I can see a lot of the underlying themes that go into much of your work that I love. Hal reminds me of your Jim Kirk.

Falstaff is a bit of a departure from everyone you normally write, though, isn't he.

ZOMG, My Hal really is a lot like my Jim Kirk.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: "Hal, my sweet lad!"
The last sentence: So Falstaff went from the sight of his hard-eyed young king.
The thing that made me want to write it: Overconfidence. Falstaff's adoration of Hal shines off the page, and I tend to give characters what they want, at least proximately.
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: What possessed me to think I could write a story entirely in iambs? I kinda sorta managed it for most of the dialogue. Kinda.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: Scroop's on-stage cameo.
Something else that I want readers to know: If "My Day of Trouble" hadn't met such a quiet reception I might try this for real. But the iambs are a real problem.

[lindmere.livejournal.com]

This is a belated thank-you for "In the Bleak Midwinter." I don't read much Sulu/Chekhov, but sending them off to visit Chekhov's parents in Siberia in January was a brilliant idea, and I since I know many Californians I can tell you that's just how Sulu would have reacted. The Doctor Zhivago references were subtle but interesting, and I've never seen wolves used in quite that way in a slash fic, but it worked. Please tell me you're writing a sequel where Sulu does join the Walrus Club and Chekhov convinces him to wear the furry hat (preferably in bed).

Unrelated: I want to lick your icon.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: It is so cold, Hikaru thinks he's going to die.
The last sentence: Pavel jumps up laughing and runs to catch up, furry hat swinging from his hand.
The thing that made me want to write it: I didn't think I had anything to say about the "bringing to meet the parents" subgenre of stories, and then I realized I did.
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: Describing a Californian's reaction to such cold was actually very difficult for me; I'm really flattered that you found that notable. I ended up working hard on remembering my cousins' reactions to snow in the USA (my family is from Jamaica).
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: I trimmed about half of Hikaru's cold-related whining. Also, he would never insult Mrs. Chekova's borscht by word or deed.
Something else that I want readers to know: I had to get really drunk before writing that after-sex scene with the musical howling of the wolves. I still don't know where it came from. I do hope for the Walrus Club sequel (I ended with the hat!) but right now have no plotbunnies.

[possibly-thrice.livejournal.com]

One of my favorites of yours (or at least, yours that don't involve Pike ;D): "Softly, Softly, Under These Nervous Stars" - Spock/Uhura/Kirk. I rarely outright adore stories where Kirk brings home his lover(s) to see his mother and stepfather, but yours, as ever, was an exception: every detail was glorious, and the conversations between Uhura and Frank, Spock and Winona, running as they did in gorgeous parallel, just stole my heart and hung it somewhere too warm to stand.

Would That I Could

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Jim hasn't really breathed the entire shuttle trip.
The last sentence: Jim's eyes reflect the blue sky above him. "Okay, kids, time to go home."
The thing that made me want to write it: I have long had a Pet Theory of Jim's Fuckedupness, which is that someone messed with him during his childhood who wasn't Frank or Winona. So I finally wrote it.
The biggest problem I had while writing it: I felt gratuitous and Gilbert&Sullivanny to make sure I paired Bones off with someone, but it was one of the blocks I had to get over in writing K/S/U.
Why it almost never got posted: I am SO glad those parallel conversations worked, because they alone took me two months. I meant to post this story back in the fandom's summer glory days!
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: None of them were having sex during that visit. They refused, o how they all refused.
Something else that I want readers to know: I posted this comment on March 6, 2010.

[runespoor7.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll come out and say it: my favourite part of "To Sleep In Time" was not any of the Robins, or Bruce, or Babs, but Cass. I mean, there was no doubt that any of the others was going to be priceless in Gotham-gone-fairy-tale, but who'd have thunk Cass would work so well? And the Queen of Fables setting her throne in Arkham still occasionally pops up in my nightmares.

Did this comment migrate from Te's journal, or Gloss's?

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Arkham is changed.
The last sentence: He can still catch a sparkle of stardust in the depths of her hair.
The thing that made me want to write it: Reading stories to my little roommates got me on a fairytale kick...
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: I nearly just did Five Things, but then the interconnected storylines would've been lost to each other. I'm glad I put in the extra work.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: Actually, the Queen of Fables bits nearly hit the cutting room floor. I've had nightmares about her, too. I saw her face much more clearly than I described.
Something else that I want readers to know: I have to say, this is one of the best ideas ever.

[emmademarais.livejournal.com]

I admit, you slayed me with your Don/Charlie epic shame fic, 'Silent As Snow'. It was like 2005 all over again, but fresh and new, you know? I rediscovered what I craved about their fucked up love for each other and the visceral physical *need* they had for each other.

When Charlie finally confesses his feelings to Don? OMG that *broke* me. His heartfelt and heartbreaking monologue - and the fact that he wouldn't let Don get a word in until all the he'd been holding in for decades spilled out - just made me hurt so much inside for him.

We need more beautiful aching broken loving fic like that. /vehement nodding/

Oh, te adoro.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Don happens to be looking at the clock when his phone rings.
The last sentence: "Charlie."
The thing that made me want to write it: The cycle of inspiration: just as dsudis was inspired by a previous epic, her Missing Persons made me think, what if Don and Charlie deliberately burned their lives down to be together?
The biggest problem I had while writing it: Alan, I'm sorry I began this story by killing you. OTOH, you wouldn't've wanted to be around for it anyway.
Why it almost never got posted: I don't want to go into too much detail, but this actually caused some turmoil in my personal 'real' life.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: I tried writing out Charlie's letter to Don, then decided to make it a MacGuffin instead. The bits of the letter I liked best went into Charlie's confession.
Something else that I want readers to know: I went 'bwee' at this prompt.

[lazar-grrl.livejournal.com]

I always had a soft spot in my heart for your "Conjugate, Not Conjugal" series, perhaps especially since Pike/Gaila was not exactly a widespread pairing. What I've always liked best about it was the depiction of two very strong people who have each been through a lot, but don't need someone constantly by their side to complete them (and never to save them). They are both unconventional and independent, and find a way make that work within a relationship (for a given value of relationship), even if others might not understand. On a less cerebral note, the last bonus scene with Number One managed to be brain-meltingly hot without feeling sleazy or exploitative.

Holy crap, I want to read this.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Gaila enters Starfleet Academy because of Captain Pike.
The last sentence: She looked over her shoulder with a blinding smile. "Are you coming?"
The thing that made me want to write it: Pike's documented thing for Orion girls You said it so well above! You saw everything I was trying to do. I would just be restating if I tried to describe.
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: Doing Number One justice.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: The threesome with Kirk. My id wanted it, my superego said no.
Something else that I want readers to know: I'm actually working on a Pike/Gaila story right now; thank you for this, as it helps.

[strangerian.livejournal.com]

The portrait of Babs working in the library in "Clue" was nearly more interesting in itself than for the solution to the mystery. The solution was, however, intriguingly innovative.

If I were still there I would try this.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Realizing he was awake, Tim opened his eyes.
The last sentence: "Home again, home again, jiggety jig."
The thing that made me want to write it: I had never written a mystery.
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: I had never written a mystery. I literally ran around my living room making squeaky distressed noises.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: None, actually. I crawled through this story slowly, but without false starts.
Something else that I want readers to know: I would try this if I were still in the DCU fandom, but I doubt I'd actually get anywhere.

[marydell.livejournal.com]

I loved "A God For a Night," the one where Theseus and a time-traveling Kirk took shelter from the crazed Maeneds together. So intriguing, particularly the way you had Theseus and Medea fighting over Kirk (well, parts of him anyway).

If I write one of these it will be this one.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Jim rematerialized outdoors, standing on scrubby grass under widely-spaced olive trees, and of course he was naked.
The last sentence: "Farewell, Son of George!"
The thing that made me want to write it: Getting Jim Kirk into Mycenean clothes, honestly. I have my shallownesses.
The biggest problem I had while writing it: Keeping Jim and Theseus balanced between competition and mutual amusement and admiration, especially since Theseus is actually straight.
Why it almost never got posted: I got stuck at the point when Medea appeared in the cave entrance and ululated.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: Theseus deciding he wasn't so straight. Tempting, but not IC.
Something else that I want readers to know: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and also !

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Your story, "429," made me laugh so hard I think the neighbors heard me. I love the idea of reboot Kirk doing his level best to sleep with every one of the 430 people aboard the ship because it will help him "get to know them" and I love it even more that we find out about his increasingly unsuccessful attempts to seduce the kid from Logistics through a conversation between McCoy and the bridge crew.

I am trying so hard not to wake the baby, omg

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Jim is brilliant, and soaking wet.
The last sentence: "Winslow? Still a virgin."
The thing that made me want to write it: Like Jim, the idea came to me in the shower.
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: I had trouble thinking of how to convey the montage scenes. Not to mention the inevietable monogamy issues.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: I almost let Jim get Ensign Winslow, but the story really wouldn't've been nearly as funny if I had.
Something else that I want readers to know: How did you know my estimate for the Enterprise's crew complement is 400-450?

[melissima.livejournal.com]

Remember Matrix Games? That Charlie/Amita fic where they're both totally thinking about Don. I loved how she expected Charlie to be angry and he was, but not the way she thought - what was that line from Charlie's thoughts--It was something like not begrudging her lust for someone he wanted for himself? /fans self/ Anyway.

The way you write Amita makes me jealous. I wish I could do a better job of sounding like a mathematician when I write from her (or Charlie's, for that matter) POV.

I should have done this meme 3 months ago.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: They have the same eyes, Amita sometimes thinks, even though it isn't really true.
The last sentence: Charlie just sits silently, stroking Amita's hair, as all the decision trees collapse.
The thing that made me want to write it: It was as close as I could get to writing Amita/Charlie/Don.
The biggest problem I had while writing it/Why it almost never got posted: Oh, my God, the math takes so much research, and I usually can't understand 90% of what I read.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: The first outline had Don saying yes.
Something else that I want readers to know: I meant to write something much like this for the numb3rs_het Summer Challenge.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

What the hey, I'll do my own meme.

"Set the Battlements on Fire" was appropriately hot, but what made it worth reading was the way it answered the question of how those two got together in the first place.

[marydell.livejournal.com]

Sting/Copeland! They only THINK they hate each other!

[lomedet.livejournal.com]

It feels weird to think back so far in time (and far back in fandom evolution/migration), but the story of yours that first made me sit up and take notice of your writing was "Great Princes' Favourites".

Your take on Tim-as-the-object-of-almost-everyone's-desire was simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, and watching him pull through to figuring out the distinctions between what he needed, what he wanted, and what he could live with was one of the truest character moments I've ever seen.

Back in the day, huh?

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Tim first realizes there's a problem when Barbara kisses him.
The last sentence: Smiling, Tim takes a deeper breath and turns around.
The thing that made me want to write it: I have a thing, in fiction and in real life, for people who don't realize how lovely they are. I like telling them.
The biggest problem I had while writing it: This wasn't a story that could end with Tim having a harem, as it were, though it hurt my polyamorous soul to admit it.
Why it almost never got posted: The entire Batfamily had an epic brawl inside my head over who got Tim at the end.
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: I really kind of wanted to end this with a fivesome, but there's gratuitous and gratuitous.
Anything else: BWEE. That is all. Also, see icon.

[dreamflower]

Your beautiful drabble of the moment when Pippin catches Pervinca's eye after his return home, and his realization that his family, his sisters, did not come through the Troubles unscathed, his feeling of failure that makes him think of Frodo-- and then the end with his cheerfully cheeky last line-- an attempt to cheer Pervinca up and lighten the moment in true hobbit fashion, well it just brought tears to my eyes.

I know you wrote it for Dana, but it felt like you wrote it for me.

I had to think for awhile to remember my Pippin.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Pippin stepped forward, and his sister looked at him.
The last sentence: "Well, it wouldn't be the Shire without mushrooms," said Pippin, watching sidelong as Pervinca smiled.
The thing that made me want to write it: I wrote Merry realizing how his kin had suffered without him by conversing with his cousin Beri, so I had to give Pippin an equivalent story with his sister.
The biggest problem I had while writing it: I had several false starts. For instance...
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: Not a scene, but the first line was originally a more straightforwardly symbolic statement about Pervinca's restrained hairstyle when she'd previously worn it loose.
Anything else: AHAHAHA I almost had to go and write the whole drabble just to answer this. Well played! *grins and hugs you*

[ilthit.livejournal.com]

I LOVED your fic 'Twice in a Blue Moon'. I don't usually expect to see gen from you but I always love the gen tidbits in your non-gen fic. Loved the ST fake science bits - those always made me so happy about TNG, not that that's here or there, and the action writing could have come out of - no, scratch that. It was way better than the sort of action writing we usually see. More "Moria bridge scene of Fellowship of the Ring" than "shootout of the week". Fantastic.

Sequel?

! I have an actual story idea this corresponds to.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

The first sentence: Sinaht has been mourning her world for a lifetime, and her mate for fifteen cycles, when she finally finds the way.
The last sentence: Jim laughs and slings his unbroken arm around his First Officer's shoulders, which Spock endures with remarkable ease as they look out at their familiar stars.
The thing that made me want to write it: From watching Nova [an American science show] I learned that Mars once had a rotating molten core, liquid water, a thick atmosphere (maintained by the magnetic field produced by the rotating core's dynamo), and a large satellite, all just like Earth, but when its satellite crashed into it Nars lost the internal dynamo, the atmosphere and the water and thus any chance of sustaining life-as-we-know-it. And then I thought, what if that collision weren't an accident? What if Earth had been saved from the same fate? And when you need time-travelers to save the Earth... (well, one could also call on The Doctor, but he doesn't have photon torpedoes.)
The biggest problem I had while writing it: I've never seen Enterprise, so basing my villains on a race from it was a bit... dodgy, probably.
Why it almost never got posted: Being as that the plot of Star Trek XI (and umpteen other instances of Star Trek) hinged on time travel, it felt redundant to write yet another time travel story. But the plot was so compelling...
The scene that hit the cutting room floor: I was going to put in explicit Kirk/McCoy, even if just a smooch, to make it slightly-slash-flavored gen in analogy with all the het flavoring gen usually gets (both in fanfic and in professional works) but that ended up not fitting in anywhere.
Anything else: I might write this one day, and if I do, the Kirk/McCoy smooch will be in there.

[miss-bonesmccoy.livejournal.com]

Don't know if you're still doing this, but here goes. My favorite story of yours was "I'm dead, Jim" about how Bones dies and Jim is very sad. My favorite part after the gut-wrenching death scene is when Spock sleeps with Jim shortly after and Jim keeps getting choked up and calling for his Bones.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'd have to rewatch The Search For Spock to even do your prompt justice. But you have me pegged correctly; if I were going to write K/S, this is likely how it would go.