Old Dog, New Tricks

[geoviki]

Note the day, my dear LJ friends - Friday night. Sobriety not guaranteed.

I just participated in my first ever timed writing event last night, as part of the hpshortfics comm. Here are my attempts at writing something short with the clock ticking.


Fics entirely composed of letters - Challenge: War letters, Percy/anyone

On Behalf of the Ministry

Ministry of Magic
Department of War Survivors
Diagon Alley
London

Dear Mr and Mrs Finch-Fletchley,

Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son, Justin. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your son was not in vain, but was a brave and noble act that will lead us to eventual victory over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

On behalf of the Ministry, I shall meet with you at your convenience to discuss burial arrangements and any benefits due to your family accrued in the line of your son's activities on our behalf.

Most sincerely,
Percy Weasley, Assistant to the Deputy Minister

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mum and Dad,

It's been far too long since I've put quill to paper. In the past few months, I've been promoted to Assistant to the Deputy Minister of the War Survivors Department. It's a position for which I've worked long to attain, and I've been putting in long hours to fulfill my duties to the Ministry. I believe my work is beginning to attract favorable notice. Although you and I do not work in the same part of the Ministry, perhaps you've heard good reports, Dad? I was thinking, perhaps, I could pay a visit to the Burrow-------

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mr Wood,

Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son, Oliver. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your son was not in vain, but was a brave and noble act that will lead us to eventual victory over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named....

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mum and Dad,

I know it's been too long since I've written to you. I've been busy in my new job as Assistant to the Deputy Minister. It's an important position – one of my tasks is to notify the families of those killed in the War. I can tell you all about it sometime - I'd like to come home for dinner one of these nights----------

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mr Lupin,

Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your wife, Nymphadora. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your wife was not in vain....

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm sorry for the slowness of my letter to you. I have a new job at the Ministry. I want to tell you all about it. Can I come to dinner? Maybe tomorrow night? I had to visit Remus Lupin today about the death of Tonks. It was horrible. I know you'd know what to say, but I certainly didn't. I wonder if I'm fit for this job at all on days like today, when I have to look in someone's eyes and try to tell them why their son or wife or father or sister-------

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mr and Mrs Weasley,

Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son,
Charles....

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for cutting myself off. I'm coming home.

Percy.
__________________________________________________________


Fics entirely composed of letters - Draco, Harry, Neville, Ron or Hermione - The letter desired rather than the one in hand

A House is Not A Home

Redmund, Hall, and Strongfellow
Solicitors
Diagon Alley
London

Dear Mr Longbottom,

On behalf of my client, Mr Draco Malfoy, I would like to convey thanks and satisfaction for the property you've arranged to sell to him. The condition and location are both entirely suitable to a man of Mr Malfoy's position and taste. We hope to expedite the arrangements as soon as is feasible.

With regards,

Erastus Redmund

*****

Neville fished through the legal documents, imagining something else, something hand-penned, perhaps, something friendlier.

*****

Dear Neville,

Imagine my surprise to discover that I'd be buying my London home from you, of all people. I know you saw how startled I was when we met face to face for the first time in over ten years. I admit I didn't recognize you at first - you're nothing like the boy who chased his toad up and down the Hogwarts Express, or drove Professor Snape to distraction by ruining more than a few of your potions. But then, I'm nothing like the boy you knew then, either. I suspect if I spent more time with you and got to know you, I'd find we have a lot more in common than we ever suspected.

In fact, I think that's a good idea, don't you? I'm planning on a housewarming next Friday, just a few close friends, and I think it would be wonderful of you to join me as an honored guest. Would you like that as much as I would? I'll expect your owl in the near future, then. Please don't say no. You can show me all of the secrets of my new home that only a former owner would know.

Here's to the start of a new relationship,

Draco

________________________________________________


Fics comprised entirely of letters - Challenge: Minerva/anyone, rejecting a person's advances.
Between the Lines

My Dear Dear Mr Hagrid Rubeus Hagrid,

It was with utter shock some surprise that I received your invitation to the Leaving Ball since we're all supposed to be there as chaperones, you silly sod. I think you have lost your marbles might have slightly misunderstood what an idiot I find you my feelings towards you. Although we've been colleagues far too long these many years, I still think Dumbledore was an idiot to allow you to teach impressionable children hold you in some horror regard. Make no mistake about that.

I wouldn't go to the Leaving Ball with you if you were the last human on Earth.

I'd have to be mad to even consider it.

I wonder what Flitwick is doing that evening?

Or possibly the Bloody Baron.

Even the squid is looking most attractive under the circumstances.

What time would you like to call for me?

I can't believe I'm doing this. Kill me now, please.

Warm Regards,

Minerva

Comments

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

These are stunning, especially considering that they were done during a timed period! The one with Percy is very well done; poignant and captivating. You capture so much with the interspersing of his official correspondence and his unfinished letters… very thoughtfully written. I'm impressed.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I was so nervous about doing this, because I'm not really known for being pithy, you have to admit. I was afraid I'd spend the time dinking around with the best music to play. We have 20 minutes for each one, and the time just rushes by! I think it's good training for me. And last week I couldn't even figure out how to connect to the group, so I've come far already.

[aurani.livejournal.com]

Oh. That first was just...
Such a creative idea way to portray this!
...
Ha, the words aren't coming to me. But I loved how it's Percy-sympathetic without overdoing the Percy-angst or inner turmoil, because it's hard to do that just right. It's subtle but really nails the unsettling and eventually desperate remorse I'm sure Percy must be silently enduring in the canon.
Good stuff. :D

I can't believe your wrote these under a time limit. I mean, you managed to change from real, hurting regret to mildly nostalgic wistfulness to a hysterically awkward Minerva/Hagrid (eeewXD!) moment -- all with limited time. Wow. :D

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

It was fun, and the other women in the group, while awesome authors in their own right, made me feel so comfortable. I've never written this way, and the 20 minutes race by. This week we had someone invent the challenge and we had 20 minutes or so to write, then we chatted and praised each other until the next hour, so it wasn't one immediately after another. There was a little breathing space. But I can't spend too much time plotting or I'll have no time to write, so it's a good technique to practice. I'm glad you enjoyed them; thanks!

[pitchblackrose.livejournal.com]

Very impressive! I loved the first one, you really used the prompt to it's fullest. Great job :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I was pretty nervious for that first one. I heard the prompt and though, "Oh, God, what can I do with Percy and the war, oh, I'll look like an idiot with all these other writers who've done this!" Then I discovered there were a couple of other newbies to the process. I can see how it's a good learning tool. Fun, too.

[tipgardner.livejournal.com]

You continually astound me with your creativity and insight. The fics are as impressive as everything you write.

One typo:
I suspect if I spent more time with you and got to know you, I'd find we have a lot more in common that we ever suspected. Than.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I wasn't at all sure that I could even do this under the gun, so I'm glad you enjoyed them. And I always appreciate typo editing!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Eee, the Percy and Minerva/Hagrid blew me away! So sad and then so funny. Bless you.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I tend to use Percy as a foil to Hermione, so giving him a chance in the spotlight was new for me. And I've never written Minerva before. I think I'll learn a lot on Thursday nights!

[kamion.livejournal.com]

I think the first one is the best.
Even a self-rightous prick like Percy is not carved
from granite.
Good you showed he has a heart.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I think I like the first one the best, too. Maybe it was all that fear of failing right out of the gate that inspired me. Thanks.

[ambersnake]

Since it's already the 16th here, I'm gonna go ahead and congratulate. Happy birthday, Viki! :)

-Twen

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You can see how fun my weekend was by how long it took me to reply.

And I had one of those "aha" moments when I finally connected your name with your LJ name. I never said I was particularly clever at that kind of thinking. Er.

[ambersnake]

I'm happy you had a great time :) For me, birthday and Christmas and the two days when everyone should be able to enjoy themselves.

Actually, I would have been surprised, had you figured it out quicker. It's not like I'm a permanent fixture in your life. But now that you know who I am, I hope do won't mind me dropping in every now and then :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Maybe if I didn't have such a large andloyal group of Scandinavians, I'd be able to catch on quicker and home in on who's who! And you all impress me with your English so much, that if I didn't look up your LJ user info, I'd never know you weren't American/English/Australian.

Please stop by anytime! I love to chat with folks reading my stuff.

[ambersnake]

Oh, there are that many of us? You should visit one the countries some time, I bet you'd cause a riot.

Aww, *blushes*. Well, we do like to think our education system is an effective one. Plus, when 70 % of TV shows on most channels are in English and subtitled along the movies, you're bound to learn something. I really admire the Germans, for example, who speak English so well, because they don't hear it as much as we do, with all the dubbing. They have work for it more.

[neonnurse.livejournal.com]

First just let me say (although I should have done so well before now) that I have been enjoying your fics, and I'm looking forward to more!

Next, Happy Birthday to a fellow Coloradan and someone darn near as ancient as I am to boot!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I was going to reply with some kind of platitude like "We're not getting older, we're getting better." But then I decided that was too ridiculous even for someone you'd indulge because it's my birthday.

Instead I'll just say "thanks"!

[cordelia_v]

Just popping in to wish you a happy birthday, Viki! I hope your day is filled with Draco goodness!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Icon love! I remember us chatting and watching fiendling drawing that for you at TWH.

Thank you. Writers for merry_smutmas are certainly indulging my love of Draco lately! Yay.

[fluffyllama.livejournal.com]

Just popped in to say Happy Birthday! Hope you're having a good one :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Llama. Love the hat!

[scoradh.livejournal.com]

Percy ... ahh. There are no words to do that justice. Just so you know, the vestibule of my nose and my eyes and my ears (I know, wtf?) are all scratchy and that doesn't happen unless I really, really want to cry.

And Minerva. Too funny. And she accepted!

I hear it's someone's birthday (well, actually, saw it all over my flist, to which I paid a flying visit while stuck in the Valley of No-Broadband, or home) and just had to wish you a good one!

But don't drink any Flaming Homers.

Just because they look all pretty when on fire doesn't mean they're good to put inside your stomach.

♥

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know what you mean about those strange twitches when you want to cry. I get this weird twinge behind my right ear when I'm moved as I read.

I only drank champagne! No flames were in evidence. It was a great birthday, thanks.

[enablelove.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday! I know i dunno u that well, but i love ur stuff..hope u have a great one!

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I appreciate people stopping by and saying sweet things, so welcome.

[jonem.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday, dearest Viki!

Twenty one years young, oh my!

*blows party popper in your direction*

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you, you craven flatterer. But I must contradict you - I have pairs of shoes that are 21 years old. I'm far more seasoned myself, of course.

[elizabeth-rice.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday!

I'd also like to say that I love 'A Thousand Beautiful Things' & 'Delicate Sound of Thunder'. Both are on my list of my most favourite H/D fanfics.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Well, thank you! That's a very cool thing to pop by and tell me.

[kattiya.livejournal.com]

Viki! Finally getting a chance to read these, and they're wonderful! My favorite would have to be the Percy story - so poignant. I laughed my arse silly over Minerva's. Hee hee. Loved what you were able to do with the letter-writing conceit.

But let's not forget:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! * throws confetti rice and tissue streamers*

Hope this year brings you much health, happiness and luck. :D

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Hey there, Miss Jet-Setting New York Wonderwoman.

I was entertaining an idle fantasy the other day, that you took me along to one of your fascinating fashion parties, and people were wondering who I was. "Oh, yes," I told them, "I'm a geophysicist. Perhaps you've read some of my work? Like Aeromagnetic interpretations for understanding the hydrogeologic framework of the southern Espanola Basin? No? Pity."

Then they threw me out of the party.

Thanks for the birthday greeting! *basks in the luv*

[ambersnake]

Well, obviously you should have asked whether they had read ATBT. You would've been crowned the queen of the party ;)

[oboros.livejournal.com]

just stopping in to wish you a belated Happy Birthday! 'A Thousand Beautiful Things' is my favorite H/D novella and 'Waters of March' will always be a fone fic to visit and re-visit many times.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I always feel warm and fuzzy when I hear praise for my stuff - I'm such a sap! But an appreciative sap.