And then...

[selenay]

The exam went OK. I'm pretty sure that I've passed, although there was one question (thankfully only worth one mark) where I had to make a complete random guess and hope the marker won't be laughing too hard. Some of the questions were complete bitches and I am so glad that was able to not answer the one on data mining and choose a couple of fun modeling Qs instead in the long questions section of the paper. I couldn't skip anything in short answer questions and they were Not Nice. Although I'm sure that I've made some silly mistakes that will lose me a few marks, I'm reasonably happy with the bulk of what I did. Now I just have to wait until mid-December for my results. Yay.

After the exam, T treated me to dinner at the local (rather excellent) Italian restaurant so the day ended well. I went for a long ramble over the local farm before the exam, which ensured I didn't get restless legs during the exam, and aside from the three hours of non-funness in the middle, it was a good day.

This may be why I'm having a crappy day today *sigh* I spent most of last night and Tuesday night feeling like I had bruises all over my ribs and the only way I could sleep was by propping myself semi-upright with a bunch of pillows. Grrr. Crappy body. Still not feeling too great in the rib/chest area today and I know that it's not a post-cold thing because I didn't have too many breathing problems with it. This is why I'm giving up early after a day of attempting pathetically to make notes for my project report (and failing). The books are closing, the PC is turning off and I'm going to curl up in a chair with a book and a cup of herbal tea. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Comments

[yragg.livejournal.com]

Glad that the exam went OK, hopefully you'll do well and get a higher grade than you think. Your results will be fine I have no doubt!!

Soory for the body and pain, feel for you here.

Peace and Happiness, see ya soon. :))

[selenay]

Thank you, on both counts. Exams are way too stressful and my body knows exactly how to fuck up in the most irritating (but not lethal - and therefore not particularly obvious to anyone living outside it) ways. Bleh.

SG-8 is less than a month away - yay :-) Looking forward to seeing you again.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

Crossing fingers for the exam, and sending huge hugs for the bruisy ribs. :-(

Would you be interested in a femslash/slash story to smut your mood? *g* One will be in the anthology fic I've just sent for beta. (::whispers:: the snippet's called "Insatiable" just so you know)


Reading...yes. It's taken me three weeks to get up the nerve to say this to you:

Remind me why I love you? *sniff* I don't do death fics, reading or writing, and I think that follows into published books, hun. Rec me a death fic again and I'm kicking your seriously wonderful booty all over that damned island. *bg* Even if the Last Mage series was an absolutely wonderful story overall, it'll take me some time to read it again. I know what you mean about being in the mood to read some sections and that should have warned me. But I also thought you knew that while I can take a certain amount of angst, robbing me of my hero by killing him off isn't on my list of fun things to read.

Now...question. Does Mercedes kill off all her heroes? If so, I'm not reading another one of her books. Pisses me off. I love her writing style. Reminds me of you...minus the death thing. ;-)))

J
xxx

[selenay]

sending huge hugs for the bruisy ribs.

Thanks, hon. The ribs are much better now and I just wish my body would quit trying to do these icky things to me *pout*

(::whispers:: the snippet's called "Insatiable" just so you know)

That sounds....intriguing :-)

Remind me why I love you? *sniff*

::cringes::
::ducks::

Glad you're still talking to me, hon. I will try never to rec you another death fic. I usually don't read them myself in published fic, but ML has always been the exception to the rule for me. I often stop reading LHM about midway through (y'know, after I know that Van and Stef will be OK together) and have to psych myself up to finish. I honestly didn't think when I encouraged you to read it. Sorry!

Mercedes doesn't kill all her heroes. You will probably want to avoid Burning Brightly, though, 'cos the central character in that one doesn't make it. LHM is the only one where she kills a dearly-loved hero. The Arrows trilogy does have a major character death in it (and her heroine goes through some seriously Bad Things in the final book of that trilogy), but the events in it set up the events for the other books in that time period. If you can cope with that, it's probably easiest (from an 'understanding what's going on' way) to read her books in their chronological setting - many events later in the series are repurcussions of the events in the first couple of Gryphons books. If you want to avoid the final installment of the Arrows trilogy, though, I'll be happy to fill you in on the important things for the rest of the series so that you don't need to read the death fic portion :-) The first two books in that series are a little rougher than her later stuff (they were her first published), but they do have a lot of good stuff in them. The Oath books have some of my favourite female Mercedes characters and need to be read to understand By The Sword (another one about a favourite character *g*).

Mercedes Lackey usually advises people to read the books in order of publication, which also makes a lot of sense when I look at my bookshelves and remember their order :-) I can hook you up with her website, including both order lists, if you're still interested.

I just don't want you to kick my booty around the island - could get painful :-) I can promise that Lyn Flewelling does not write death fic (at least in the Nightrunners series - haven't read her other books yet), so she's safe :-)

Reminds me of you...minus the death thing. ;-)))

::blush:: Thank you. I think you're deluded, but thank you :-))) I can promise never to write a death fic in fanfic and I'll warn you if I ever need to kill off a favourite character in an original fic. I can't promise that my fic will be brilliant, but I'll try not to spring death fic on you again in recs or my own stuff.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

I just wish my body would quit trying to do these icky things to me *pout*

:-( That's what I say to mine, only for allergy reasons. :-(



I often stop reading LHM about midway through (y'know, after I know that Van and Stef will be OK together) and have to psych myself up to finish. I honestly didn't think when I encouraged you to read it. Sorry!


I adored Stef, and just adored the "cliched" (BG) tying of him and 'Lendel. :-))) When I do reread, I will *have to* read scenes between him and Van just because they're so wonderful -- with *the* seduction scene my favorite and it's forever burned in my mind. Jesus. She did her vague thing, but the description of Stef and how he was dressed, sliding the bolt of the door, locking it, making it plain that Van wasn't leaving that room... ::happy sigh:: While there *still* wasn't a first kiss there *scowl* that scene is forever one of my favorites.

But at the end, I just knew that Van wouldn't survive. I kept hoping that his dream was changeable, that he'd win and remain alive. ::sighs::

I love her writing, and yes, the URL to her website would be lovely, thanks. :-))))

Now, does Lyn write slash pairings or does she write het ones? I forget if she was one of the other good authors who write gay leads.


And I'm not deluded. :-p~~~~~
I look forward to your orig. fic because I love your writing. :-))) I say that your writing sounds like ML because I think she's a major influence on you. Certainly some authors, published and fandom, are that way with me. :-)))


I was *mostly* teasing you about the death fic. ;-) I just needed you to know not to do that again. I have to sit and think about my feedback reply to ML because I don't want to lapse into a "How could you kill him!" rant. I'm *sure* she's heard that at least a thousand times. But...that's what she gets, the swine. *bg*

Anyway, I'm *NOT* sorry that you recced the story, sweetie. I loved it. I'm only sorry that it ended badly. Okay, not completely bad, but you know what I mean.

J
x

[selenay]

I adored Stef, and just adored the "cliched" (BG) tying of him and 'Lendel. :-)))

*g* Yup, Stef is second only to Van on my "Mercedes characters that I adore" list :-))

She did her vague thing, but the description of Stef and how he was dressed, sliding the bolt of the door, locking it, making it plain that Van wasn't leaving that room... ::happy sigh::

::cough:: Those pages are rather well-thumbed now. My copy falls open at those pages *g* They're one of my standard readings when I need cheering up. For me, it's in the bits that I add - ML doesn't expand on the details (damn her), but my imagination supplies enough extra details to compensate, particularly that first image of Stef.

But at the end, I just knew that Van wouldn't survive.

I wasn't completely convinced until the final pages - I kept feeling certain that she was just teasing and I'd discover that Van really had survived. Damn.

I love her writing, and yes, the URL to her website would be lovely, thanks. :-))))

http://www.mercedeslackey.com/
Her writing style in somewhat addictive :-) If you need to check on the death fic status of any or want details of any you skip, just let me know. The only Valdemar book that I haven't read is Take a Thief, mainly because I know that it was aimed more towards the young adult market and I wasn't terribly interested in the main character. The other books are all well worth reading :-)

Certainly some authors, published and fandom, are that way with me. :-)))

Hmmm. I think most writers are to some degree influenced by favourite or admired authors. We also tend to take note of the things that we don't like and try to avoid doing those things. I'll be pleased if my work can compare favourably with ML's stuff, with enough of my own style around so that it's obvious that I'm not attempting to copy or parody her :-)

I just needed you to know not to do that again.

Understood :-)

But...that's what she gets, the swine. *bg*

Van is one of the favourite characters for most ML fans - so I'm sure she's heard plenty of variations upon "but...but...you killed him!" :-)

but you know what I mean

I know what you mean. I adore the book, I love the characters, I appreciate being made to feel so much for fictional characters...but I really wish it ended differently.

Now, does Lyn write slash pairings or does she write het ones?

Lyn writes slash pairings :-) At least, her Nighrunners series is slash :-)) And they were written about ten years after Last Herald Mage, so she gets to be slightly less vague than ML. Not terribly graphic, but our heroes do get a few kisses and we're left in no doubt at certain points in the third book that they are More Than Just Good Friends *g*

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

::cough:: Those pages are rather well-thumbed now. My copy falls open at those pages *g* They're one of my standard readings when I need cheering up. For me, it's in the bits that I add - ML doesn't expand on the details (damn her), but my imagination supplies enough extra details to compensate, particularly that first image of Stef.


I...erm...actually wrote an extended scene for Stef and Van, simply because the freakin' scene wouldn't get the hell out of my head. ;-p Oh, and I agree, that first image of Stef is lovely, and Van cracks me up that he doesn't *see* how he feels until Stef ambushes him. I love that. The whole thing is so romantic but the lack of sex...well, it didn't need to be explicit but the innuendo method drove me nuts. *g*


Thanks for the link! I'm going to go scour and examine (and look for Lyn at the same time) waiting patiently (or not) for the FB to arrive and tell me whethor or not I failed with my latest attempt at writing...if you can call writing porn *writing*. ;-p

[selenay]

The whole thing is so romantic but the lack of sex...well, it didn't need to be explicit but the innuendo method drove me nuts. *g*

*g* I know that innuendo drives you nuts :-) Maybe I need to rethink my ending to the next Inner Voices story, just to get you yelling...

*g*

if you can call writing porn *writing*. ;-p

Writing porn is definitely writing :-) It takes a special talent to write convincing porn. I'm going to get a bit of writing done and then I may spend a fun afternoon reading delicious porn :-)

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

Maybe I need to rethink my ending to the next Inner Voices story, just to get you yelling...

*g*



You're not *trying* to wind me up. You *are* winding me up. Stop it. Or else. :-p


I'm going to get a bit of writing done and then I may spend a fun afternoon reading delicious porn :-)

Woohoo! for the writing. *dreading cringe* for the reading. Gods know I'm bad at femslash, so I have no idea how you'll view that bit. I'm way too het/slash in my writing to do it any damn kind of justice. But if it's at least *OK* then I'll be happy. ;-) I think the slash is alright, tho. There're pieces I'm rather proud of and think I must've been asleep when I wrote them. *bg*

[selenay]

You're not *trying* to wind me up. You *are* winding me up. Stop it. Or else. :-p

:-p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I take it that you've somehow missed my evil nature up until now? :-)

There're pieces I'm rather proud of and think I must've been asleep when I wrote them. *bg*

'Insatiable' was definitely fun :-))) And 'Aliens Made Us Do It' took the cliche, ran with it and did something slightly different. Also hot. Haven't had time to read the others, but these are good :-))

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

:-p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I take it that you've somehow missed my evil nature up until now? :-)


Somehow evaded me, yes. ::leers:: Not anymore though. Now, go finish IV 4. Please. ;-)


'Insatiable' was definitely fun :-))) And 'Aliens Made Us Do It' took the cliche, ran with it and did something slightly different. Also hot. Haven't had time to read the others, but these are good :-))

:-))) I'm glad you liked Insatiable. I'll have to figure out a way to write subtle femslash and drive you up the wall...figuratively speaking, that is. ;-p Your view of the Cliche story is almost exactly what Catspaw said when she betaed. I'm trying not to be puzzled by you both. Someone, somewhere, had to have written a story where Daniel and Jack had to have Alpha Male dominant sex or be killed. Seems like a cliche within a cliche to me. *g* But Chaka and that whole episode was just...well, ripe for the er, taking. ;-p Besides, I've had that fantasy in my head for over two years. I finally wrote it down. ;-)

[selenay]

Now, go finish IV 4. Please. ;-)

:-p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm trying. If I hadn't written such aweful crap the first time around, it would be going much faster *sigh* The rewrite has a lot to fix. Bleh.

I'm trying not to be puzzled by you both.

The thing with this particular cliche is that's not usually Alpha Male dominant sex stuff. Usually their either both nervous and unhappy, only discovering how much they're enjoying it part way through and followed up with much angst, or one of them is trying to hide how much their enjoying it while the other struggles with the amazing discovery that they're loving it, with much angst ensuing. Your version kinda kicked the crap out of those cliches and did something cool and slightly different with the basic cliche. If that makes any sense :-)

And I'm glad you wrote that particular fantasy down :-)

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

:-p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm trying. If I hadn't written such aweful crap the first time around, it would be going much faster *sigh* The rewrite has a lot to fix. Bleh.


Damn, you're as critical as I am about my own work. I'd tell you to knock it off but you know, pot meet kettle. ;-)



The thing with this particular cliche is that's not usually Alpha Male dominant sex stuff. Usually their either both nervous and unhappy, only discovering how much they're enjoying it part way through and followed up with much angst, or one of them is trying to hide how much their enjoying it while the other struggles with the amazing discovery that they're loving it, with much angst ensuing...(snip)


GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That's the same sort of turd-inspired horseshit that inspires all that fucked up Wussy!Daniel or Virgin!Wussy Daniel fic, or... fics where Jack is so goddamned repressed, it's amazing that he even knows that he pisses out of his dick--since it's obvious that he doesn't know what else to use it for.


If that makes any sense :-)

It does and thanks *so* much. :-))) As I said, I had that scene in my head for over two years and I finally had a reason to transfer it to paper. :-))) It boggles my mind that no one else would come up with the Alpha Male thing since the *entire* episode is all about Alpha Male displays--Daniel's, Chaka's, Jack's, Teal'c's, the Goa'ulds.