Comments | idler_1814: Casting Loose

idler_1814

Casting Loose

Sep 17, 2008 17:40

TITLE: Casting Loose

AUTHOR: Idler
CHARACTERS: Bush
RATING: G
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, not for profit
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Book canon, set in the (American) final chapter of Commodore Hornblower. Many thanks to my beta readers: black_hound, who made sure I didn't commit any howlers in sail-handling, and Quarterdeck, who always keeps me honest.

( Casting Loose )

Comments 14

romanticalgirl September 18 2008, 04:39:04 UTC

Oh, this was just *gorgeous*. The language and the longing and the visual of it were breathtaking and stunning.

idler_1814 September 18 2008, 13:49:34 UTC

Wow. Thank you so much for such lovely words!

pamdram September 18 2008, 12:37:16 UTC

*loves* Just *loves*

Good to see you and your muse back in action Hon. I relished every word. x

idler_1814 September 18 2008, 13:51:54 UTC

Thank you!! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this; it's fun to be writing again. I've missed it.

And I've missed you and your writing as well!

thehappyreturn September 22 2008, 10:53:16 UTC

Here via the rec from black hound.

Oh. God. This is heartbreaking.

he sensed the twin strands of loyalty and duty begin to fray and part. Even the stoutest of cordage could not stand forever, and he wondered why he had failed to be mindful of this, the simplest of lessons one learned at sea.

and for one horrible moment, it seemed to Bush as if Montgomery might reach out. I love how this says so much in one little gesture.

idler_1814 September 22 2008, 13:36:16 UTC

Oh, thank you!

I really do think Bush's decision to leave would have broken his heart. He was always so protective of his captain, and must have felt terribly torn. I'd like to imagine that Bush had proved to be a fine captain, and that his own loyal officers would have wanted him to know they understood.

Thanks so much for telling me that the cordage references worked for you--I'm always worried whether I'm being too obscure or, alternatively, too far over-the-top. Comments like these are the only gauge I have of whether things I attempt actually work, and they are deeply appreciated!

thehappyreturn October 6 2008, 11:07:55 UTC

Sorry about the late reply!

No, I think the cordage thing worked because you didn't press it too hard. I really like writing where the author knows what to leave for the audience to fill in - something I find really difficult. Same goes for the 'for one horrible moment'... I would have said something really descriptive and dull like 'Bush couldn't stand the idea that Montgomery knew how he felt' but I love how you trust that we know what's horrible about that moment.

idler_1814 October 6 2008, 17:27:23 UTC

There's no such thing as *late*! Anytime is fine by me.

Like you, I've never appreciated it when writers try to do my thinking for me, so I guess that has carried over into my own efforts. Though it's entirely likely that fanfiction is the perfect medium for my 'less is more' style of writing--most of the readers know the characters and their histories at least as well as I do. I doubt I could get away with it as easily if I were attempting to write original fiction!

Thread 5

cyntosis June 5 2012, 13:16:08 UTC

I love how you fill up all the lacunae I felt sorely needed filling. Another pleasurable (but sad) read.

idler_1814 June 5 2012, 23:23:19 UTC

Thank you so much! I'm glad CSF left some gaps for us to fill.

Fanfic writing works best for me when I look for those spaces and wonder what might have happened, and how I can use them to shed a little more light on the characters (at least, as I see them).

sanguinity July 23 2018, 21:49:05 UTC

Ugh. He has to, of course. Of course he has to. But dear god, that's a painful decision to make.

And others have said it, but I wish to concur: the cordage metaphor is beautifully apt. Duty and loyalty!

(And damn your eyes! I'm here in part because I want to put off reading Lord Hornblower for as long as possible, and here you are, making me itch to begin it just so I can reunite them again!)

idler_1814 July 30 2018, 16:57:44 UTC

Ugh. He has to, of course. Of course he has to. But dear god, that's a painful decision to make.

And CSF never addressed it. We are only reminded during Brown's conversation with Hornblower that Bush had taken the squadron home, leaving Hornblower behind to recover...or not. It had to have been wrenching for Bush, especially given Hornblower's uncharacteristically supportive presence after his own injury, and his refusal to leave him behind during their escape from Caillard's transport.

And others have said it, but I wish to concur: the cordage metaphor is beautifully apt.

Thank you!

Duty and loyalty!

And Hornblower and Bush, I daresay.

(And damn your eyes! I'm here in part because I want to put off reading Lord Hornblower for as long as possible, and here you are, making me itch to begin it just so I can reunite them again!)

Well, there's always more fanfic!

sanguinity July 30 2018, 17:09:31 UTC

And CSF never addressed it.

I KNOW. It was such a glaring omission, when I got there. So many little and big gaps, scattered around -- I'm so pleased you've taken them on, as they spoke to you.

Well, there's always more fanfic!

There is! I finished Lord yesterday, and it left a terrible taste in my mouth, I'm sad to say. But fanfic has been wonderfully comforting, reminding me of what I love about these characters, and inviting me to enjoy doing so again.