the world in solemn stillness, tbbtfic, s/p, 5500 words

[allthingsholy]

Title: The World in Solemn Stillness
Author: allthingsholy
Spoilers: Everything aired as of now is fair game. References to S2.
Rating/Warnings: PG
Word Count: 5500
Disclaimer: Special thanks to lulabo for the hand-holding, and to everyone at sheldon_penny who continues to make it such a fun place to ship and flail and fandom. Seven Christmases Sheldon and Penny spend together.

Comments

[rj_anderson]

Beautiful, lyrical writing, and the story is thoughtful in a way the show never is but -- if they were real people instead of comedy characters -- feels right and true.

I really enjoyed this, and you have a very distinctive authorial voice. I hope you'll write more in future!

[allthingsholy]

"Distinctive authorial voice." That's a good thing, right?

Thanks so much for commenting, and liking.

[rj_anderson]

Voice is a very good thing, because a lot of otherwise competent writers don't have it. It's the kind of thing that makes editors sit up and take notice.

[allthingsholy]

I used to have a very different style, lacking in dialogue and all description and headspace, and then a few years ago I all of a sudden completely switched and can't write anything but dialogue and movement. The clench of a jaw, the hard push of a breath. I'd like to be able to find a balance between the two, but I'm still working on it.

Anyway. Thanks again. And I heart your icon. A lot.

[weirdmisty]

I always find it difficult to adequately word my reactions to the most inspired, heart-rending fanfictions that really touch me, so I hope you'll forgive me if my comment proves less than coherent.

This was, put simply, beautiful. I don't know if I could possibly get into all the things I loved about it. I love that you were able to convey an evolving relationship only through Christmases. I love that you worked in so many canon details. I love that you made Leonard a good guy, and that you didn't villainize the relationship he had with Penny. I love how perfectly you characterized them, how easily I could think "That's so Sheldon, that's so Penny" as I read. I even love that Sheldon and Penny broke up, because seeing them find each other after such heavy turbulence made it feel that much more real, that much more tangible.

This really is a wonderfully written story, and I'm very glad I took the time to read it.

[allthingsholy]

Wow, thanks firstly for everything nice you had to say, it really means a lot to me.

Secondly, that's the highest praise, "that's so Sheldon, that's so Penny," because I'm so worried all the time about getting their characters wrong. Sheldon's so easy to do (I mean, he's no EASY by any means, but so distinctive, I guess), but Penny's so blank slate, to hear that it resonated with the actual character is amazing to hear.

Thanks again, and I'm glad you took the time to comment.

[lightandwaves]

I really don't know what to say other than this is the sweetest, most beautiful SP story I've ever read. I just want to marry it LOL

[allthingsholy]

I'm glad the evolution and the parallels stuck, because that was really the whole point, I guess. I'm so glad you liked it, and thanks for taking the time to read it and respond.

[galfridian]

♥ Yours, I believe, is the first Christmas story of 2009-and it’s beautiful, and it’s moving, and perfect. You’ve set the bar so high for this particular fan fiction genre this year.

I love everything about this story, from its beginning in last year’s Christmas to its ending in Nebraska. The pattern falls nicely, between Sheldon and Penny, between discontentment and contentment, between his world and hers. Really, it’s wonderful.

[allthingsholy]

You’ve set the bar so high for this particular fan fiction genre this year.

Dude. I don't even know what to say to that. Umm. Thanks, so much.

[artic_fox]

I'm dying from the gorgeousness of this fic. It was somehow so sad, and aching, and yet uplifting and sweet. I hope you write more for this ship in future.

[allthingsholy]

I can't seem to write fics that aren't at least 40% Sad!Angst!OHNOES!, but hopefully the mostly cheerful rest of it buoyed it up enough. Glad you liked, thanks for commenting.