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| Second Mum by Larner | 6 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/15/2007 |
| Can't keep up, it seems. Ever. *sighs* But I'm trying, and I did finally read all the way through this one, in fits and starts. Sorry for not stopping to comment on everything, but I haven't always even been able to finish entire chapters, between a new member of the family introducing herself and requiring care (a stray beagle mix found by Dad and my brothers while on a mountain retreat--and a perfect darling), sickness, somewhat pressing things involving original work, and other matters that would mean very long stories. (I thought summer vacation was supposed to be *relaxed*! But then when is life ever not at least a little busy?) Oh, wow, I have no words to truly describe this. Esme comes alive in this story; I doubt I'll ever see her in quite the same way again. Her letter in the last chapter gave me that wrenching feeling of wanting, almost needing to cry and being beyond tears. "Your second Mum" Yes, she was certainly that, and that she signed the letter that way made it all the more poignant, I think. I am so glad Gomez did well in the end! Wonderful that not all bullies turn out to be sad cases. It makes me wonder about my own Gomez and how he is turning out...or if I really want to know. I just love the way this is written, in these short but very rich vignettes. The detail is amazing. I find myself taking such things for granted sometimes, but when I really think about it, it's astounding. (When I make attempts, I always feel they turn out unnatural, and at times I've wondered if some of my writing isn't very empty of description indeed.) But the most impressive thing, as ever, is the characterization. Everyone is so wonderfully normal, even the main characters--just ordinary people living their lives--and yet each is extraordinary in a very subtle way. (Well, there are a few--four or five...or six or so--that do stand out markedly, but I mean in general...) That's the mark of a really good writer, in my opinion. Thank you for yet another true jewel of a story. I'd say this is one of my favorites...but if I'm going to be really honest, I'd end up listing a whole lot more in your unvierse right up there with it. :) God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: I am honored, my lady. Haven't time for a full response, for my schedule's been changed and I must get to work. To make a character real is important, and for you, if you focus on characterization and dialogue, giving just enough details others can fill the rest of the setting from their own imaginations, you will do superbly. I need to get to your independent story, but haven't had the time on an untroubled I S P as yet. Hughes continues in fits and starts--at least, contrary to what it was two months back, I seem to be able to spend at least half my time properly online. And I am grateful you appreciated Esme's letter and her character. I feel she's grown over the length of the story, which is every individual ought to do--and Gomez--his brush with death helped his potential to begin to shine. Some do give over meanness, you know. Good luck with the dog! Sounds wonderful. | |
| Lily | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/11/2007 |
| This is a wonderful story, Larner, and I'm honoured to be among those who influenced you a little :) Author Reply: And I'm honored to know you accept the tribute and that you liked this one. We do inspire one another as much as we're inspired by the Master's own works and our own life experiences, as I'm certain you're aware. Thanks so much for all the feedback. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/9/2007 |
| As always, it was interesting to know more about what your motivation for this story was. And your explanations prove very well how much our own experiences are influencing us in what we do or write. I found it rather obvious that you know how it is to raise foster children. And I always thought of all the parents and other family the four left behind, it had to be hardest for Esmeralda when they vanished from the Shire, for she probably saw Frodo as much as her son as Merry. Not to mention that Pippin was her nephew ... so I thought this story a nice tribute not only to the mothers in our days, but to the one who raised not only one, but at least partly a second of the Travellers as well. Now I feel tempted to say I’m curious which Nuzgul will be next to get you sidetracked from the two other unfinished fics ;-) Author Reply: You have the right of it with Esme worrying the more because she helped in the raising of three of the Travelers, I think; plus she must have realized how close Frodo and Sam had become by that time. And our own lives to tend to affect what we write. And the Nuzguls are circling me again, I must say. Which will decide to affect a disguise this time I couldn't begin to be certain at this point. Heh! | |
| elanor winterflowers | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/9/2007 |
| Splendid notes. Thank you for posting them. One of my favorite non-fiction books is a slim little volume published sometime in the 60s called "The Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters," in which a selection of John's Steinbeck's collected correspondence details the personal experiences and psychological themes that together with his writer's sensibilities nurtured and begat that stunning novel that explored, together with a complexity of profound human issues, the perfect simplicity of 'timshel--thou mayest.' It begat in me a profound respect for Author's Intent. So it is that your Author's Notes are every bit as interesting as your story! I think Tolkien would be astonished at the explosion of creative endeavor that has sprung from his Myth. But then, he said 'thou mayest,' didn't he? It is our joy to bring life to the details he left to our imaginations, each of us for our own reasons and in our own ways. I admire your scholarship and your botanical research (I do that, too) and the charming idea of leaving small tributes to favorite authors and, of course, the knowledge and sensitivity that come of your own experiece brought forth to so beautifully illustrate the many aspects of 'motherhood' and the many blessings and--sometimes-the exquisite pain that comes with it. It has been important to me to know whereof the author speaks! Great story, great notes! Author Reply: Thank you, Elanor. I usually add author's notes of some kind to my longer stories, you'll find, and I do try to weave in real life themes. I'd not heard of Steinbeck's collected letters concerning "East of Eden," and I think I'll now read the book now that this has been brought to mind. I always loved his "Travels with Charlie" and a few of his shorter works. And I rejoice indeed that Tolkien did tell us "Thou mayest." It offers a good deal to the world of Arda that we may indeed partake of it and add to it. As for the botanical research--two moments that bothered me much in watching "HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban" had to do with a spray of foxglove being frozen--in September, and the executioner cleaving ripe pumpkins in June. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest and having visited England several times betweem late February and late August I shudder at those images and feel they can only come from the director being from Mexico and having no idea when such things come to pass. Similarly, one story I read had the children of the Hill playing at scavenger hunt and bringing back fresh edible berries and daffodils and some other flower that isn't native to England at all in what are described as the snows of December. All I could do was give a small shudder and say, "Okay...". I learned the author lives in southern California and has never seen a snowfall save in movies and from a great distance. She has a good deal to learn. And, as I said, I empathise with what Esmeraldo must have felt. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/8/2007 |
| Thank you for another memorable story and for sharing your notes with us. I have two grown children, and I always relate to and appreciate stories that touch on motherhood. By the way, perhaps you'd like to try the modern version of a "stuffing": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken . Have never had one, myself! :o) Author Reply: So glad you appreciated it, Cookiefleck. This one meant a good deal to me, obviously. So glad you appreciate it. As for trying a modern version of "stuffing," I may try it one day, but always found the idea of it rather silly. However, it would be an interesting thing to try, I must suppose. Thanks so for the website and the comments. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: Author's Notes on 6/8/2007 |
| Thank you for sharing your experiences.I can tell you write your stories with a great deal of feeling. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda. And I'm grateful for your faithful following of my work and your comments. | |