spuriousstarlight asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Hello Lois! A while back I read somewhere that when you were writing A Civil Campaign you originally had a draft where Ivan and By had to hide a body, which you scrapped because it didn’t fit the tone of a comedy of manners. Is there any chance you could tell us what the gist of that scrapped storyline was? (Whose body was it?) I’m dying to know! :-) Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful stories with us!

Lois McMaster Bujold Hiya!

It never went as far as a draft, just unsatisfactory planning notes scrapped instantly when I had a much better idea. I don't actually remember who the victim was supposed to be, possibly Richars, but I do recall a plan to plant him in the garden under/in where the structural construction work was going on, under the walkway. Sort of like those murder victims who end up under a basement with new concrete floor poured over them.

It would have given Ekaterin's new gift garden an awfully weird vibe. Donna/Dono was a much better way to thwart Richars' nefarious plans, and was actual science fiction for a bonus win.

Not that by and Ivan, not to mention Dono, aren't all perfectly capable of hiding a body at need, mind.

Ta, L.

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