Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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End of the Trail
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November Read 2011: End of Trail
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I actually liked that there was no "outer" big events in this story. It made it unusual to me. It was a quiet romance between two people, living kind of isolated. The stuff that led them there, was not the focus of this story imo, instead the focus was on the romance and I think it was beautifully done. I guess it all boils down if you believe the characters or not? I dont think the fact that Will started to write during the winter when he was injured and couldn't do much was in contrast to him being quiet and calm. I felt he sort of had a childish trait in him, maybe a little bit naive, that enjoyed these stories that he wrote. I think John was much more restless and passionate, but given his violent history I think he was drawn to Wills calm and quiet. I think he felt he could rest with Will.
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I would probably agree with that if we did not have the constant hinting and foreshadowing of big events to come. If the writing overall had been more assured, then I might be convinced that this was the author's intent. But because pivotal scenes break off in the middle, because scenes are left undeveloped, I have to assume the writer is someone learning her craft on the fly.
I'll be interested to see what you make of Larton next month. Larton is exactly the kind of story you describe, only done with skill and experience. Of coruse it's very English, which might or might not be a plus for you.
Josh wrote: "I would probably agree with that if we did not have the constant hinting and foreshadowing of big events to come. If the writing overall had been more assured, then I might be convinced that this was the author's intent. But because pivotal scenes break off in the middle, because scenes are left undeveloped, I have to assume the writer is someone learning her craft on the fly. "Hmm, I never really got this forshaddowing feeling so I can't really agree :P. Larton is the one where there is no ebook version right?
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Unfortunately no. I do have the fan fiction version in word docs. In fact, if I recollect, the lovely and talented Lia was going to see about turning them into efiles for us.
However, if you can at all afford to purchase the print version, I urge you to do so. You can always resell it afterwards, if you decide the book is not a keeper for you.
The thing is, the author is now quite elderly, she's not online, she's no longer in fandom, I don't think she even writes anymore. So this book is sort of her literary legacy.
When I first introduced it to the m/m crowd a couple of years ago, I got a very nice -- very startled -- message from her via another author. The book had been dead for years and was suddenly resurrected into new life. That was lovely to hear -- lovely to see what it meant to her.
It's easy to imagine because we're all going to be there someday.
I bought it and read it when it first came out, and liked it. I had no idea until now that it was once fan fic!
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Her work is not really much like any fan fiction I've ever read. The style relies heavily on exposition and omniscience, recalling writing from an earlier era. But it works perfectly for me in this story.
I'm guessing it will get mixed reactions here, but I'm just happy to introduce it to possible new readers.
Do we know it was once fanfic? I have just seen people saying they think it is fanfic? I mean, it would be a bit tricky if we started up a rumor that was false :PDamn about the ebooks for the next book, I live in Europe so I usually don't like ordering real books through amazon.
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Larton? Yes. I first read it as fan fiction. In fact, it's a fandom classic.
Sagajo wrote: "Do we know it was once fanfic? I have just seen people saying they think it is fanfic? I mean, it would be a bit tricky if we started up a rumor that was false :P
Damn about the ebooks for the nex..."
Saga, the publisher is Wayward Books in England. You can order directly from them. Sadly, no ebooks, only the dead tree kind.
Damn about the ebooks for the nex..."
Saga, the publisher is Wayward Books in England. You can order directly from them. Sadly, no ebooks, only the dead tree kind.
Kate Mc. wrote: "Sagajo wrote: "Do we know it was once fanfic? I have just seen people saying they think it is fanfic? I mean, it would be a bit tricky if we started up a rumor that was false :PDamn about the ebo..."
And how much is shipping?
Also a question concerning fanfic... is that free reads or a story created with already excisting characters from other stories?
Ok, ordered it. Lol, shipping were as much as the book itself costs (this is why ebook rocks).
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Usually both.
In this case the fan fic is still sold in zine format, though original docs continue to circulate.
The characters really bear very little resemblance to their originals. The setting and the mood and the plots are all vastly different. It kind of reminds me of the Irish RM. Or those old Angela Thirkell romances?
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I know! Even if the books themselves cost as much, the amount saved in shipping is considerable.
Josh wrote: "Sagajo wrote: "Ok, ordered it. Lol, shipping were as much as the book itself costs (this is why ebook rocks)."I know! Even if the books themselves cost as much, the amount saved in shipping is ..."
yes, at least for books like this that I can't find in the local bookstore.
Oh so what original characters are Larton fanfixing?
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Believe it or not, The Professionals.
Josh wrote: "Sagajo wrote: "Oh so what original characters are Larton fanfixing?"Believe it or not, The Professionals.
"Never heard about it. Ok, this will be fun!
So I finished this month's read. I don't want to get Josh started again, but I've been thinking about the bum leg. I think it was used as a way to force Will to accept John's help when he came back at the start of Chapter Two. (There was a lot of focus on Will's problems with the ladder.)
After that the leg brought them into physical contact when Will needed help getting off a horse (I think that happened) out of the bath etc. and thus increased their sexual awareness of each other and the sexual tension.
ETA Though I didn't see much evidence of unresolved sexual tension. I kind of had to assume it from Will's acceptance of John's advances.
I did like some of the humorous touches such as John's obsession with all things poultry.
Sagajo wrote: "Do we know it was once fanfic? I have just seen people saying they think it is fanfic? I mean, it would be a bit tricky if we started up a rumor that was false :P"A good place to look up such things is FanLore, see for ex.
http://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Professio...
Antonella wrote: "A good place to look up such things is FanLore...". I followed the link and discovered that Paper Flowers also has its roots in Professionals fandom! I was blissfully unaware...
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A good place to ..."
Ah yes. The interconnectedness of all things. Being a fanatic, I want to recommend the show to everyone, but the fact is most people DO NOT get it. And, in fact, on the few occasions I've tried to share it with the SO he giggles through the entire damn thing. :-P
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Yeah, this is the problem. I became so obsessed with the writing and the lack of editorial guidance, that I missed things like this.
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I don't know how you missed all the forshadowing! He kept mentioning his neighbor who was breaking his fence down and killing his cattle. If that's not forshadowing for a larger, future event, then I don't know what is. Well, that's the biggest thing that stuck out for me, but I know there were others.
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Unfortunately no. I do have the fan fiction version in word docs. In fact, if I recollect, the lovely and talented L..."
That's really awesome that you were able to bring the book back and make the author happy! Gosh, I know if I were her, elderly or not, I'd be dancing around the room! Go Josh!
I have a feeling I'm going to like it. Even if it's not my usual style. I liked the excerpt I read online a lot, so I'm good to go.
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Believe it or not, The Professionals.
"That's soooo not what I was thinking when you said fanfic. They seem so different from each other. I'm assuming, then, that Larton takes the characters out of their usual "blow things up" world and sets them in a relaxing atmosphere for a change of pace? Seems like a fanfic thing to do. I've never seen The Professionals, but might be interesting to compare them, even if the characters are unrecognizable. It sounds like she did a great job transfering them over to original!
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Yeah, this is the problem. I became so obsessed with the writing and the lack of e..."
I actually found that rather funny myself... but the way the rest of the book sagged, this part by itself couldn't bouy the rest up.
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From http://prosfinder.livejournal.com/478...The authors chose new names for the more visible, commercial sale of these stories. In most cases, these names were male or consciously androgenous names so as to appeal more to male readers. (It's a practice I have issues with but that's for another discussion.) That's why the Wayward version of the The Larton Chronicles lists the author as James Anson (aka Rhiannon).
Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Pender wrote: "I did like some of the humorous touches such as John's obsession with all things poultry. ..."
I actually found that rather funny myself... but the way the rest of the book sagged, this part by itself couldn't bouy the rest up."
True.
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Bene! I hereby hire you as my personal Italian teacher! Buonanotte! A presto a M/M Italia. :)
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
The Larton Chronicles (other topics)The Professionals (other topics)
Paper Flowers (other topics)
The Professionals (other topics)
The Professionals (other topics)
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Well, that's why all of our characters are always going to have similarities. That's true of every writer out there. Even when we write against type, we're going to do it in a certain way.
But the more you write and publish, the more you have to try to stretch a little further and try to explore personality types less like your own or less like psyches you've already explored.
It's always a balance because there's not fun writing about what doesn't interest you, but you can't just keep recreating the same people time and and time again.