TQ: What do you like most about writing challenge pieces? What do you like least?

Well, mostly, I like the challenge part. I mean, it's all good and well to write a story (or 20) but it's entirely another thing to have a story with specific criteria. I don't think there's anyhting I dislike about them, but I have to say that one of the hardest things is the deadline. It's not uncommon to have very, very little time throughout the week to actually get something started and completed. Which, I supose, is part of the challenge, but yeah.

I can't say there's anything I don't like about challenges.

Critique: Sensitized by Adorelo

First of all: X-FILES FIC! Thank you Adorelo!! It's good to know there's another X-Files freak on the FCG. It isn't just me.

Uber-kudos for using the word "prevalent" twice. I love that word. I don't know why, it's just fun to say.

More on the point of the fic itself: This definitely takes the cake (strange expression) for both "passion" and "senses". The way you've described everything is so intense, you can almost feel it all yourself. It's nifty, actually. And not in an I-have-a-huge-thing-for-Mulder kind of way (though I do - who wouldn't?!) but in an I-can-see-this-happening kind of way. Which I suppose is the point of fanfiction.

And, that's something entirely unique to the X-Files, I think. The fact that seven years after the show has ended (though, technically, I watched all nine seasons for the first time this year) and for this all to not only be plausible, but tangible. Not to mention the fact that we see so little of Mulder and Scully's... whatever relationship that this could quite legitimately have happened while we weren't watching. For all we know, the millennium wasn't their first kiss. And most certainly not their last.

I'm ranting, aren't I? Oops. Oh well.

I have to admit to reading this a total of about five times, too. Maybe more.

Also, the way you've managed to fit this:



Into the paragraph/sentence without it sounding obscene or the least bit out of place is commendable. It simply sounds impassioned, which is exactly how it should.



I really like this sentence, too. It's almost the transition between (*cough*Mulder's perving*cough*) a sort of softer romantic feeling to outright passion. Which, I suppose, if I'm honest, is never a standalone thing in the X-Files. Any passion is either fury or love (or both), but you know what I mean. Hopefully.

Besides the fact that the whole piece is fantastic and the language is wonderful, I especially like this line:



in reference more to character than anything else. She so knows.

And I very much like the use of second person, here. Usually it bugs me, becuase so many people can't use it properly, but because the theme of 'passion' is so prevalent (God, I love that word) in this piece, it works to add to the overall effect and drag the reader in more. Hehe, I do believe there's a reason hypnotists use the second person even with a group of people.

Critique: The Place Between by LLK

First of all, let me say outright that I absolutely loved it, and am glad you posted it. It was fantastic.

I like that you kept repeating "she was in the place between asleep and awake..." because I feel like that really kept things in focus. It's an understandable place, and also made for great transitions as you moved from one sense to the next. I also liked how you summed up each moment of sense with the comment that she'd never sense that again. It gave the piece a feeling of power and final-ness (yeah, I made it up, go with it haha) that emphasized the challenge.

Throughout the entire piece, you could see all the elements of the challenge- the senses were the most obvious, but the subtle way you kept reminding me as the reader that it's over (she'd never feel him or see him or taste him again) and that they shared much passion and intimate moments was really great. I feel like you totally knocked this one out of the park, and you did an amazing job.

You know me, I'm a sucker for angst stories, and this one was just... amazing. It had passionate memories coupled with the cold reality that their relationship was over- he had passed on, and that was it. And the only way she could still have him around was to be in the place between asleep and awake.

All in all, I absolutely loved it. Amazing job.


TQ: I love challenges. I love people asking me to write certain things or try to incorporate certain elements into my pieces. I find that to be a lot of fun as a writer.

Challenges usually get me to think in a realm that I normally wouldn't have thought of. I never would've come up with "Summer Nights" if it wasn't a challenge, and it's one of my favorite pieces. And I think part of that is because I hadn't really been thinking about much of anything until I started writing. The challenge inspired the scene with Kacey and Tim as the dream that she always has, the torment of the lover left behind, and everything like that.

Or with "Going Home Again". It was my way of introducing myself to writing for NCIS, a show I had fallen in love with but didn't know how to get started in writing for it. I love thinking about shows and fandoms and other ships that I wouldn't normally attempt, and that's the beauty of challenges.

I think the hardest part (and, subsequently, the part I like least) is when the challenge due date is coming and I have no clue what to write. Sometimes that spawns great pieces, as it did with "Summer Nights," but it's frustrating all the same. So I guess that's my least favorite part about challenges.

Critique: Tortured Senses by Kazalene

Now I reviewed briefly and touched on how much I loved the way you started this piece out. I did that because it's SO good. Lol. I was being absolutely honest that I loved the beginning it was incredible. It was so raw and disappointing and sobering at the same time. The way he rolled over looking for her and she wasn't there would have been bad enough. But the thought that she never had been—well that was so so much worse. And by worse I don't mean bad. It was good. So good. It gave me the exact sense and feeling that Eric was having. In those few simple words you pulled us as readers in and immersed them in absolutely everything he was feeling. Coarse. Raw. It was stunning. I'm not sure how a person can pack so much into so few words.

From that point the story picks up and doesn't let you down. You move from the scene of him waking up in the middle of the night thinking about her to another very simple scene. Not nearly as powerfully charged as the first few words but absolutely as profound. A simple exchange between friends or perhaps more? The way you take something so simple as ice cream and turn it into such a powerful, ironically hot, tete a tete.

The story was slowly escalating. That was obvious but once you too us (the readers) to the next scene we knew that we were in for it. Calleigh and handcuffs. Even the straightest of women like myself can see the suggestive thrill in that and can picture all the things it would do to Eric. It's easy to imagine what he'd be thinking and feeling. But the way you put it, the wording, the electricity—it was an obvious physical climax to the very sensual rising action. Awesome!

And the close was perfect. I couldn't help but want the very same thing for Eric. The distinction between fantasy and wanting it to be a reality. Catherine Willows once said that “the great thing about a fantasy is the possibility that it might come true.” It's wanting the possibility and the might to become real. It couldn't have been put better. It's a heavy theme you rested on Eric's shoulders and honestly I don't think anyone could have carried it quite as well as he did.

The only issue I took with the story at all was that you weren't as proud of it as you should have been. It's one of the best you've ever written easily. I loved every word, every drip, every scene. How can you not see how incredible it is?

TQ: What do you like most about writing challenge pieces? What do you like least?

I think what I enjoy the most about writing a challenge piece is that it's exciting. I especially love the deadlines though I'll never admit that again. You guys might as well pretend you didn't see that because I'll deny it. I just love the charge I get while I'm writing them knowing that they have to be different—better than anything else I write. And that I only have so much time to do them. It's why I love writing in general.

I guess what I don't like about challenges is trying to come up with them for one. Or when there's an element that I'm struggling with. Or, how tough they can be if I don't have an idea in the first few minutes. I can come up with the perfect idea in seconds... if it takes longer than that I really struggle to find inspiration or to like what I've come up with.

Oh, and another thing I love?!?! I love that I get to design the challenges (almost always anyway) and then I get to read all of the amazing pieces that result from them. Pieces like the one Kaz wrote for this one. Have you guys seen it? It's stunning.

Wow, you guys are quick off the mark this week!

You know, LLK, I REALLY don't like the sound of this ten week ban, so... I'm off to spend the next five days finding out what the hell "Bones" is, so that I can do my critique a tad of justice!! You would go and pick the one fandom I've never even heard of! Ah well, taking the plunge, widening my horizons, stretching my boundaries, all that kind of stuff - supposed to be good for me, right?

[*Bones. Bones! Bones? Wasn't he the doctor on Star Trek...?*]

Leni

Haha, Leni, you're about to discover the hotness that is David Boreanaz!

Here are a couple of links to get you started:

Bones Homepage at Fox

A random Bones promo on Youtube

Okay and for some reason, this link doesn't want to work properly so I can't directly link you. Just click on the second option (Bones TV series).

Bones according to Wikipedia

Yeah, sorry Leni. And thanks Kazalene.

YouTube is probably the best (and easiest) bet when it comes to Bones. Especially BB ship moments. If you'd like some more, just PM me, or stick up another post and I'll see what I can do.

And yes, you will be soon to realise the hotness that is David Boreanaz. *drools*

Exhibit A:



And B:

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise... Naked man candy can help you feel better when you have a cold...

Thanks, Adorelo!

LMAO! racefh, you are so right! David is much better than any dang cough drop, that's fo shizzle! (this is how I am when *I'm* sick, so...)

*Sighs at Eye-Candy* Thanks for the pictures, Jodie. Sorry I didn't get my challenge fic finished in time. I'm still taking care of my Mother and one of my Cats died. It's been a weird week...

NOOOO! No sadness about dead kitties! I have nine (possibly soon to be ten) and I don't want to even think about what it's gonna be like to lose one of them O_O!

Oh, I'm sorry about your cat, and I hope your mother's feeling better soon!

And THANK YOU Adorelo! *drools again* I'll actually watch the first few seasons of Buffy because he *points at conveniently placed naked man* is hot.

And he's getting rid of my cold, too, so happy me!

Sorry about the kitty, Audrey. Hope your mother's feeling better soon. *hugs*

Audrey, I hope your mother makes a speedy recovery and *hugs* sorry to hear about your cat.

And now I'm about to get all mod-like and ask that we stay on topic, please. (I know, I know... boo, hiss and all that.)

Amanda, expect a critique in a little bit...