ravurian, one of those rare birds who is an accomplished writer and an incisive editor, has been helping me face the editing of Restraint for publication by breaking the massive project into a series of approachable steps. - Task One: summarize the whole novel in a sentence.
This is painfully difficult, and I couldn't have done it without stealing from's original review of the story. It takes an outsider to boil the outpourings of your heart down to a single sentence, lemme tell ya.
Here's a Twitterized version:
A story of art, identity and sexuality in 19th century England, and the changing fortunes of two men whose love defies society's constraints. - Task Two: write a three-sentence summary of each chapter.
Not nearly as painful as Task One, Task Two has thrown into high relief all the dear scenes of pure, beloved fanservice (shaving scene, anyone?), and the authorial self-indulgence for which the story has been justly criticized. - Task Three: print out these summaries (paper! I know, right?) and slice them into strips, then lay them out and scootch them around to find new structure possibilities.
Laying it all out.
Junior editor
Randomness! Maybe I can read the pile like Tarot cards or something.
So far, I've identified four places other than Chapter 1 where I could potentially start the story for greater impact. Three big thematic groups have emerged. The key points of conflict are clear. I'm starting to see the story's new shape. It's kind of exciting.
So, thanks to
ravurian (and Graydie), I'm on my way. (I need a project name. Hmm. "Project Publish"? "Project Cut 100,000 Words"? "Project File Off The Serial Numbers"? Suggestions?)
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- emeraldsedai
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The junior editor has an intimidating stare....
And thank you for your encouraging words. I'm hoping not to make any serious changes in the tone and spirit of the story.
A lot of people have said that Restraint barely qualifies as fanfic at all (a strangely double-edged comment in our world), but there's a hell of a lot of fanfic to file off it nonetheless. It turns out that a global search-and-replace on character names and telling traits isn't quite enough. Go figure!
But it will still be the story of two hot guys and their forbidden love, because if it's not, then I'm quittin'.
*giggles*
But it will still be the story of two hot guys and their forbidden love, because if it's not, then I'm quittin'.
And all the beautiful color and light and art remain!
Good luck with the project, and I hope the junior editor's way with paper throws up some good ideas!
The nominal fandom Restraint derives from is Supernatural RPS, aka J2, and one of my most gratifying experiences with the story has been having it read and acknowledged from outside the fandom. In fact, that's what has encouraged me to take it "legit."
Anyway (God, I do go on), thank you for dropping by, and for your good wishes.
Hee! Me too. See? Right there--it's all in pieces. :D
Thank you. You've been such a consistent supporter of the work! I value your views and feelings about it highly. I intend to keep the sense of overwhelming passion, and the high price John and Tristan pay to live it, and that ache of loss and regret. I honestly don't think anything really significant needs to change. Mostly some cuts and tightening-up.
You know, I'd love to know what stands out in your mind as the story's strongest point--and, if you're willing, what you'd skip right over on re-reading (aka the boring bits). No obligation, of course!
The second thing that stands out for me is John's despair when T gets married, and the path of self-degradation he goes down...what is especially poignant is that he has very little choice at that point. John's desperation, romantically and financially, hit me right in the gut.
There is something hugely satisfying about a very intelligent fic's power to hit the primal emotions of longing and pity in the reader...
And thank you for your insights. Much appreciated. I've had some misgivings about how to re-work John's downfall. I'm glad to know that you feel it as a key part of the story, because so do I. I feel more confident about proceeding now.