How’s it going?

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

...As the deadline begins to loom on the horizon. Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuun! Yep, that’s about as close to menacing music as I can manage. :D

Are you already finished and lounging about drafting out *next* year’s Big Bang story while cabana boys massage your feet?

Pondering bribing Big Albert who lives down the street into coshing you in to a state of Amnesia?

No matter how it’s going, perhaps you’d like to share some of your work with us. How about a little something to whet our appetites, like a sample paragraph or two?

I don't mean to exclude our artists but I know it's harder to share part of your work without giving the game away. Still, if you'd like to, I'm sure we'd love to see it.

Oh, and if you’d just like to say a few words about anything Big Bang related, please do.

Check-in!

.

Comments

[inlovewithboth.livejournal.com]

I'm all done but not quite dusted, just need a final read through to be 100% sure. And this morning I finished the fan vid I'm making for Verlaine. The only clue I can give you on that is that I was torn between three songs so in the end, went for all three!

An appetite whetter? Let's see...

From his vantage point on the roof Doyle could see Hunapo clearly, watching the strange behaviour of the man as he kept sticking his tongue out as he spoke. Twice he dropped into a stance like the Hakka at the start of a rugby game. He had painted elaborate Maori designs all over his face, although he didn’t look Maori at all.

He was obviously more than a few Green Shield Stamps short of a pop up toaster.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that last line! lol

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Considering you have another five weeks to go you sound like you have it all under control.

I too love that last line. :D

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

Congrats on being very nearly done and my appetite is well and truly whetted :D.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Great description, and this is a killer last line. It's going to be great! Story and vid both.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Artwork done and dusted.

Story done and 'lightly brushed' (still needs a Brit check, but otherwise done).

I'm feeling pretty darn pleased with myself being done everything already. *g*

Hmmm, nope, nothing really that I can show you of the artwork I did for Sineala's story.

As for a bit of a teaser for my story...


Cowley glared at him. “Mr Bodie’s choice of bed partner has no bearing whatsoever on his ability to protect you and see that you come to no harm, Ray.”

“Is he good looking?” Doyle asked. “Might be worth having another nanny about if he’s half-decent looking and willing to present arse. Present arms… present arse – get it?” He cackled at his own wit.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

And look, another one far ahead of the deadline. :D

I've always loved the way Doyle laughs at his own jokes.

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

Congrats on art and story being done \o/.

Love the lines :D

[przed.livejournal.com]

Fantastic news about being (almost) done and dusted.

That Doyle is such a wit. ;-)

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Oh, let's just say panic abounds, shall we?? As to a couple of paragraphs, hows about?::

*****

Gun drawn as cover, Doyle was about two seconds behind Bodie, who already had his weapon out and was pressing it against the temple of the man still conscious. Conscious, but panting heavily and leaning over the one out cold.
Bodie leaned in. “Nice and easy, sunshine. I don’t know who you are or where you came from, but you have just bollocksed up our evening and earned yourself a night at her Majesty’s pleasure. So spread your arms wide and sit back.”

The man spat what might have been a tooth off to the side. “Yeah? Why don’t you tell Uriel to suck my dick?”

Doyle looked at Bodie. Was it code? Was this pair something to do with Lotsky after all? American accent and scruffy jeans aside, were these two part of his infamous security detail?

*****

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

*hands you paper bag to breath in to* There's not a doubt in my mind that you will emerge triumphant.

Doyle looked at Bodie. Was it code? This is where you got me. :D

[marjorammax.livejournal.com]

I haven't touched it for a couple of weeks - real life has been very stressful with a house sale and kids on holiday. But there's not much to do, just one or two (or three or four) small changes.

I am panicing about posting it, though, as I've never posted anything before. Are there any idiot's guides anywhere to AO3 and/or livejournal (for the totally technically challenged)?

As for a sample, here's a little snippet of a stressed out Ray (WARNING: stressed Ray = bad language all round):-

I banged on Will’s door, hammering away until he flung it open with annoyance.
“For fuck’s sake, Ray. What the hell is wrong with …?”
Before he could finish I rammed him back into his living room with both hands flattened against his pecs, the kidnappers’ note, now pungent from the grasp my sweaty hands had had on it, squashed between us.
“Where’s my son, you bastard? What have you done with him?”
“What?” He must have been an amazing actor. The lack of comprehension on his face was very convincing.
“You know, Toby, my son, ten year old boy who lives upstairs from you, the kid that idolises you. Where the fuck is he?” I shoved him again, harder, and he backed into the settee and sat down heavily.
“Ray, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Has something happened to Toby?”
“Yes, something has happened to Toby. I’ve just received a letter from your boss.”
“Boss?”
“Yeah, the bloke that pays your wages.” I waved the piece of paper in front of his face. “Says I’ll get my son back if I stop asking questions. So … where … the … fuck … is … my … son?” My finger stabbing him in his chest punctuated each word of the last sentence.
He plucked the note from my fingers and read it intently. His face drained of colour.
“Ray, I swear I don’t know …”
“Don’t give me that, you bastard. I’ve seen the people you mix with, you’re into some right dodgy shit. Were you there when they snatched him? Is that how they managed to get him to go with them?”
“No! For Christ’s sake, Ray. I would never do anything to hurt either Toby or you.”

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

No need to worry. Sineala wrote a great handy guide to posting to AO3 (http://ci5-boxoftricks.livejournal.com/38562.html) last year. The only difference to note is that there will be a new collection for 2012.

In fact, if you have any older stories lying about I'd recommend going ahead and posting them to your AO3 archive just to familiarize with how to use it. If you get over the initial nerves you'll be a lot calmer when it's time to post your Big Bang story.

Oooh nice tense scene.

[judesmk.livejournal.com]

Aaaggghhh! 5 weeks! I can't believe I'm nowhere near finished. I was so ahead of myself initially. Oh well, no pressure then.

So a taster. Mmmm how about this?

“What are you talking about, Bodie? We were fine when you left. You promised you’d come back to me.” There was such bewilderment in Doyle’s voice as if he couldn’t begin to process what Bodie was telling him. He knew they’d been happy. Everything had been going so well for them. There was no way this was real. Bodie couldn’t possibly be serious. “This is some kind of sick joke.”

“No … it’s no joke. I just can’t do this any more.”

“But I love you. I thought … I believed you loved me.”

“I believed it myself.” Bodie felt the need to be honest. “But I’ve come to realise that I don’t … love you, that is. Oh, I care for you a great deal. You’re my partner and my best friend.”

“And your lover. I’m your lover.”

“Was my lover. I’m trying to tell you it’s over, Ray.”

“And I don’t believe you, Bodie. What we have is too good. Let me show you.”

Before Bodie could react, he was wrapped in strong arms and a warm, generous mouth latched onto his. And though his brain was telling him that this was all wrong, his body reacted to the well-known taste, scent and feel of Ray Doyle. A Ray Doyle on heat could raise the dead and Bodie was definitely not dead having just spent four months in a war zone.

With a groan, he returned the kiss, their tongues tangling, as they tried to get inside each other’s skin.


There you go. Hopefully there will be a lot more very soon. Oh and it's up to around 26k at the moment.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Deep cleansing breaths now, it'll be fine.

Ray's not one to give3 up easily.

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

*whimpers*

-----------

Passing behind the back of the sofa, Bodie’s good hand opened, palm down above the familiar hairline. For a second he considered a touch. Not a sharp flick at one pink ear peeking from the flattened coils of hair. Nor a swipe of macho farewell to the back of the head. Neither of those customary expressions of fraternity even occurred to him at that moment. What he almost found himself doing was draping his hand across Doyle’s forehead. Bestowing some actual gesture of care.

Luckily, good sense prevailed.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Is the whimpering you, or Bodie? *g*

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

I am over 32,000 words, and still not finished with the draft. I'm swamped at work, my mother's condition is deteriorating, and I keep having commitments on weekends. Gah! But, I just found out I may actually get three days over Labor Day weekend, so... Hope springs eternal!

Have an excerpt:

Bodie’s hands were on him as soon as he closed the door behind them in his flat. “Yeah, okay,” he said, as soon as he could. Bodie was kissing his neck. “Just want to get the light… Don’t really need the…light, do we?” He pulled Bodie’s shirt out of his trousers, touched skin. “Know where every — oh, God — thing…”

“What’s that?” But before he could answer Bodie’s question, he was kissed again. They lurched a few steps down the hallway, until Bodie smacked against the edge of a table. “Ow! Damn — “

And Doyle found himself laughing, clutching at Bodie as he swore. They ended up against the wall. Doyle reached to turn the light on. He grinned at Bodie.

“Well, who puts a damn table in their hall?” But Bodie was laughing as well by now.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Hope is important. Hope and sheer bloodymindedness. :D

My mum always had a table in the hall and people were always walking in to it. Bodie would have been welcome to walk in to it any time.

[dawnebeth.livejournal.com]

why, yes, since I didn't have a story this year, I was lounging about with cabana boys rubbing my feet, trying to think of something for next year. How did you know? Looking forward to a big bunch of stories coming out soon.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

I think we may be currently on the same beach... *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

My story is finished thanks to the hard working betas who went above and beyond.

--------

Bodie stared at the building with distaste. He would have refused to meet with Keller under normal circumstances. But these weren't normal circumstances. An encrypted message from his old boss, Major Nairn, had spurred Bodie into action with four words: Jimmy Keller - Operation Hellfire. Only five people in the entire world (a group which did not include George Cowley, Bodie thought with unrestrained glee) had known or knew about Operation Hellfire. Bodie had no choice; he had to meet with Keller and discover what information his old mate had.

---------------

My art commitment is also finished and my writer says she likes what I've done. I'm so happy about that! It's more nail biting doing art for somebody else's story than writing my own!

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Meeting with Keller without anyone else's knowledge never sounds like the smartest move. *g*

Congratulations on having finished already.

[murphybabe]

Mmm... a bit panicky, because I haven't touched it for 5 weeks, and now you tell me there are only 5 weeks left. Also, I don't want my wonderful artist to be pushed for time. However, I have two 12-hour flights coming up so hopefully I will get a lot done then *g*

And an extract (with grateful thanks to Golden_Bastet):

Movement behind them had them both on the alert, then as they assessed the situation they relaxed and slumped further into their seats. A late dog-walker passed their car. He was a very large, bald man, mincing delicately along the pavement with a very fluffy dog on the end of a lead. As he passed them they could hear him talking to the dog.

‘Come along then, my little Snookums, let’s finish our business and get you home to the warm.’

The partners cracked up at his high, fluting voice. “Think he’s compensating for something?” They laughed together. Bodie nudged Doyle.

“Hey, he looked like you do, when you’re just out of the shower and you’ve dried your hair in a hurry. All pouffed out and fluffy. P’raps I should call you Snookums?”

“You do and it’ll be the last thing you call me for a while. Anyway, who is it who likes my curls, eh? Gripes and moans when I have it cut?” He looked over challengingly. “What would you hang on to when I’ve got my mouth round your cock, and you don’t know which way’s up any more, eh?”

“Yeah, all right.” Bodie shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and reached over to ruffle the soft curls. “Just need a nice red collar –“ the rest of the sentence was lost in the ensuing scuffle as Doyle defended his dignity, until they were recalled to the moment by a squawk from the RT, and the operation was on.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Ooops sorry, I probably shouldn't have mentioned the time frame. *g*

I love the car scuffle.

[inlovewithboth.livejournal.com]

It does feel more controlled than last year. Am not entirely sure why!

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Probably because you're now a veteran. You've proved to yourself that you can do this. :D

[hutchynstarsk.livejournal.com]

Unfinished, unedited, unbeta’d. *sobs quietly* It’s going quite slowly. I’m near the end, though.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Courage, petal, you'll get there.

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

So much good stuff here! I can't wait to read all the stories. Mine's done - I think - I did just change the end a bit. Can't seem to leave it alone. Here's a peak:


“What about us, Ray?”

“What us? You mean the sex? Was just a way to come down off an op, mate. At least that’s what you’ve been tellin’ me.” There was hurt tangled with the anger in the rough voice now.

“You know it was more than that.” Blue eyes flashed with indignation.

“Do I? You ever tell me how you felt? The one time I said it,” and the anger was gone now, replaced by a soul deep sadness, “...the one time I said that I loved you,” he paused and ran shaking fingers through dishevelled hair, “you walked out and I didn’t see you for two fuckin’ days.” Ray walked over to the window and looked out into the rainy afternoon, his back to Bodie. His voice was as bleak as the weather. “Two fucking days, Bodie, and when you finally decided to honour me with your company again it was as if none of it had ever happened.”

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Awwww, poor Ray.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I've just crossed 21,000 words, which is good, but I reckon I've got at least 9,000 to go, and the words are coming very, very slowly, which isn't good. But I continue to grind away. My goal is to have a complete draft done by the end of the month. It's possible, if slightly optimistic.

It was hard to pull out an excerpt that makes sense on its own, so this one is a bit long...

---

"You've never talked about your family," Bodie said. They were sitting at the edge of the hall, and Bodie had his arm slung around Doyle as the castle's kids tore around between the dancers.

"Nothing to talk about," Doyle said stiffly. "Grace told me they're dead. That's all there is to it."

"I'm sorry." The words were inadequate, but Bodie wasn't sure what else he could say. Because he was sorry. He'd only met Doyle's family a few times, but they'd all seemed lovely, even the kids. They certainly hadn't deserved their fate.

"No need to be sorry, Bodie." Doyle clutched his arm tightly. "You're my family now."

Bodie froze for a moment. Doyle meant the world to him, but he'd never thought to call him family. In his experience, family was a hardship and a trial, not something you'd actively seek out. But Doyle was anything but a hardship and a trial, and being someone his partner considered family was, Bodie now realized, possibly the best thing that had ever happened to him.

"You're going to regret saying that one day," Bodie whispered into Doyle's ear as the band jerked into a mellow rendition of Over the Hills and Far Away. It was a bloody soppy tune, Bodie thought as Doyle looked at him, his green eyes wide and clear in the flickering candle light of the hall.

"No," Doyle said. "I don't think I will."

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

End of the month? Sounds like a noble ambition to me.

Very nice, sweet without being sweet, if you know what I mean. :D

[golden-bastet.livejournal.com]

How did I miss this? :(

Just about through one complete edit, and sent it over to the betae last night. I'll probably be "done" in time, but not through as many iterations as I'd hoped.

This is a lot harder than last year. Or something. Wah.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Fifty lashes with a wet noodle! Erm... it was only posted this morning so I don't think you really missed it. *g*

I think that's just the way some stories are, like pulling teeth, but they often end up being the ones we like best.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I CAN DO THIS *determined face* I have had this entire plot in my head since January, *surely* actually writing the last part of it can't be the hard bit, right? Right? Oh tell me a soothing lie and say it'll be easy, g'wan *g*

- - -

Taking a long breath, Ray spoke, as calmly as he could, aiming for lightness.

“So,” he said, “which one of us is going to say something first?”

Bodie’s face had been a shuttered blank, his eyes wary if you knew how to read him, and Ray, oh, Ray had thought himself an expert in that art until two minutes ago.

“Me, obviously,” Bodie answered, and there was something lifting him now, the slightest curve of his lip as Ray tried to steer the moment away from disaster.

Ray noticed with a peculiar sensation that Bodie’s lips were swollen and reddened.

They’d become warm. The kiss had made them warm and Ray knew how Bodie tasted, now.

- - -

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Of course it can't be the hard bit, nope, nuh huh. <-- convincing enough? :D

\o/ You can do it, petal, you know you can. ♥

Well that's a tantalizing little snippet.

Progress report

[airelle1.livejournal.com]

Only 5 weeks left ! Where has all the extra time I had gone??? 10000 words, and at least 10000 more to go. I can do it, I know I can do it.

Here's an excerpt. It doesn't spoil anything as the setting is clear from the first few sentences.


As he watched, Kira saw the Cardassian try to push himself upright, and collapse with a scream as his right arm gave way under him. A pain-filled face turned up to him and bitter, disjointed words reached his ears :
“Couldn’t you let me die... alone ? Have to... watch me suffer... don’t you ? I... won’t... beg...”
The voice faded and the strikingly blue eyes closed slowly. Kira registered some surprise in the back of his mind that the Cardassian had such a fair complexion, unlike the other members of his race. Still, he had only stopped for a fraction of a second. He bent down towards the fallen Cardassian, and took him up in a fireman’s lift. The man was not as large as the other Cardassians Kira had met, but he was still bigger and heavier than the slim Bajoran.


I just hope I can finish it in time... (I added an extra blank line above to make it clear that last sentence is not part of the excerpt, but of my tired and confused brain waves.)

Re: Progress report

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Yes, but you're in the home stretch, right? Right! \o/

My only knowledge of the Cardassians is from Deep Space Nine a show my husband used to watch, but it's an interesting scene.

[maddalia.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I haven't been on LJ in so long. Basically because RL has been throwing all sorts at me and all I've had time for is my BB story. I've just been glancing at all these teaser paragraphs and I cannot wait to read the stories. It's going to be an amazing year!

As for me, my story is pretty long and I'm still quite a few chapters from the end, but I feel confident and on track. I've just had a very positive beta experience and I'm pleased with what I'm writing. So, what can I offer you as an appetite whetter from me? Hmmm ....

*****
Doyle forgot, for the moment, that bar the odd look, for which that interpretation was far from being the only one possible, Bodie had shown no sign of being anything but straight -- that their partnership was volatile enough without bringing sex into it; and, for all his lustful thoughts, he’d never once allowed himself to fantasise about kissing him ...

One of the blurred, shadowy figures stepped directly into his path. Spoke his name, once.

Doyle also forgot to disguise the relief in his voice as he gasped out his partner’s name in answer. Bodie’s broad frame was like a protective wall as it moved seamlessly to block his pursuer’s view of him. Bodie, arrogant in the certainty of his right to do so. Doyle, neither meek nor defeated in his submission to it: merely the unarmed half of their perfect whole.

One long, pale arm swung forward, two shots rang out, and one more terrorist was dead.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Not to worry, there's no roll call here... except of course when there is. :D

Nice scene. I like Doyle's thought process in contrast to the action.