The Turn of the Story, Part VI

[sarahtales]

Originally published at Sarah Rees Brennan. You can comment here or there.

Since last we spoke, I finished the Lynburn Legacy series, wrote an article on sexism in the Toast (super excited to be hosted by the Toast, and Malinda Lo wrote an awesome companion article about homophobia as well as sexism), and went on tour round England with Holly Black

Comments

[alkja]

I am deeply grateful for this wonderful gift but at the same time I bemoan that this will never be a real book because it should.

Only you could manage to cause despair even while being amazing...

[sarahtales]

Well, it is real-book-length. ;) I am so glad you are enjoying! And despairing. I like that too...

[sdskuld]

"I need advice for hussies."

One day I will learn, Sarah, to not read your words while I am eating. But I did eventually get my monitor clean again.

Thank you. Thank you.

Though I realize that I am not yet assuming that Serene dies in the published story, removing the obstacle to Luke and Elliot's love. This is a dangerous state of affairs! With your novels I expect the worst, but for this story I am terribly vulnerable to having my heart ripped out and put atop your shrine to Reader Pain.

[sarahtales]

There seem rather a lot of obstacles besides Serene. ;)

I am, of course, very invested in the shrine to Reader Pain. I also enjoy reader guffaws over hussies!

[elvenjaneite]

Elliot! What is WRONG with you?!

I am very upset on Luke's behalf.

[sarahtales]

I am unsure of which action of Elliot's has upset you (could be several!) but glad to see people still love my Luke. ;)

[elvenjaneite]

Pretty much all of them. (Don't get me wrong! I love Elliot. He just...needs a cluebat when it comes to relationships.)

[sarahtales]

Oh, he gets it right sometimes. ;) Wrong sometimes too...

[cachinna]

Oh gosh this continues to be perfection. And my ot3 shipping remains strong, I feel, especially as I have serious doubts about Luke's true feelings toward Dale Wavechaser (though I suppose that knowing his name is an impressive sign, given Luke!).

But seriously, everything about this, there are too many feelings and too much hilarity for me to remotely be able to express.

And I love the real visceral intensity of the political struggles -- the genuine horrors of war and misogyny clashing against the smaller, warmer school story -- I love how it balances big world and coziness to make the scary stuff even more intense. And all the characters, oh gosh, I want to hug *all* of them, poor baffled Dale and Peter and determined Myra and obviously our trio of glory... *happy sigh* I am torn between wanting this to go on forever and wanting it all now, immediately, right away.

Thanks for writing such wonderful things and giving this one away for free!

[sarahtales]

Aw, thanks for reading, it's fun to write!

Dale is a very handsome and eligible young man. ;)

And I am glad you are enjoying the story! I know it's the Fantasy World version of that Buffy episode The Zeppo, trying to peek around traditional set-ups of the big fights and normalised morality, plus being episodic, so it's a weird shape for people. The hero (in this case Commander Woodsinger) triumphs, but then might've been quietly deposed if not for blackmail by someone who doesn't even see Commander Woodsinger this whole story part. I just like behind-the-scenes shenanigans, I guess, and thinking about the way big victories get pulled out from under women (recent real life example would be Wendy Davis).

Myra's got plenty more to do later so I am glad she has won admirers...

[cachinna]

Yeah, and I love that -- that it is full of the stories that don't get told around the big events, and how they matter so much, sometimes more than the obvious fights.

And I do adore the episodic nature -- when I said I want it to go on forever and also want it all, really, the episodic approach is the perfect combination, because I know it will have an ending (and trust that it will be a great ending, having read all your novels) but meanwhile I get the slow torture of waiting for more fabulous episodes.

[tsubaki_ny]

Oh my god, oh my god, I need to take Elliot and put him in a box for the good of all people. I think Elliot would also benefit from this. It doesn't have to be forever. (I'll let him out for smooches. And besmirching. But he is not allowed to converse with anyone.

<3

[sarahtales]

It seems like Elliot would be lonely in his box. ;) Sometimes his conversations go well! Not... always...

Myra and Dale, both work out fine! One must cling to Myra and Dale. And besmirching, of course.

[tsubaki_ny]

It's a temporary measure -- really!

This one just went so chaotic so FAST. I barely had time to snag him with the butterfly net.

(Feel better soon, hon.)