Twelve Days of Christmas and 212 reviews to go...

[gilpin25]

I'm really impressed with this. Especially with those two forming the band, though I had no idea ladybracknell was a pipe smoker... ;) Oh, and I pinched it from bratty_jedi, because it looked like fun.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, gilpin25 sent to me...

Twelve bratanimus drumming

Eleven ladybracknells piping

Ten films a-walking

Nine castles acting

Eight wales a-reading

Seven books a-writing

Six musicals a-moonlighting

Five de-e-e-etective stories

Four sherlock holmes

Three historic houses

Two lindsey davis

...and a sport in a roman history.

Get your own Twelve Days:

It was obviously asking for trouble mentioning the Round Robin letters as, apart from one, they've all been entertaining but swank-free. A lot of interest, though, was generated when one couple proudly told us how well their "body-boarding" was going this year. We spent two days thinking this was possibly slightly too much info about their sex life, before I remembered that the previous year they'd been obsessed by surfing... We're going for that version of events.

I've almost finished my Advent Fic, and those are words I doubted I'd ever type at times. So I've started reading everyone else's now and writing very belated reviews, for which I'm sorry. But Christmas is clamouring for my attention this weekend - so many presents and so much wrapping to do. Still these are a few of my favourite things... ;)

Comments

[jdbracknell.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'm pan-piping, since South American busking seems all the rage wherever I go Christmas shopping? I always think those ponchos set a wonderful, traditional festive note.

Looking forward to your Advent fic, although I can't help thinking that ebing this close to finsihing this soon, you're letting the side down a bit ;). I think my Advent fic is nearly half done - although I'm kind of thinking that the first bit works really well as a one-shot and that maybe I should post it on its own... ah, decisions, decisions....

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Am now wishing I'd included a line in my fic where Molly knits someone a Christmas poncho...

although I can't help thinking that ebing this close to finsihing this soon, you're letting the side down a bit ;).

Fear not, said she, for mighty dread is unnecesssary. (I'm having nightmares with the carol thing btw;)). I've still got the final scene to do, followed by numerous read-through-until-you-can't-focus sessions. I'm aiming to post on Monday, simply because the week's so hectic it's the last quiet day I've got, but whether I'll make it is debatable.

I think my Advent fic is nearly half done - although I'm kind of thinking that the first bit works really well as a one-shot and that maybe I should post it on its own... ah, decisions, decisions....

How long is it? (Please say "Long";)). You'll put me to shame if you do two, but if it works better that way... Is this the angst and fluff divide? ;)

[jdbracknell.livejournal.com]

No, I went totally fluffy in the end (although I'm still planning to write the ambitious angsty one, once I'm done with all my Christmas crack(er) fics) - it's in four parts at the minute, and the first two are about 2000 words each, and they both read a bit like one-shots (well, actually, what they read like is two chapters of a long fic...), so I'm pretty loathed to just lump them together for the sake of it.

It's kind of a prequel to Werewolf, too, so I'm a bit worried anyone who hasn't read that will be mystified....

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Sounds very intriguing... And most of the R/T World must have read Werewolf by now, so I wouldn't worry. I'm going to assume it's the story of how Tonks first discovered Remus had forearms. ;)

Can't you make them longer? I'm going to be known as "The Fic No One Has Time To Read" at this rate. And I see their point!

[jdbracknell.livejournal.com]

The only problem with Remus giving Tonks his forearms for Christmas is that they're so damn hard to wrap....

How long is the fic?

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

I'm presuming unwrapping them is the whole point of Tonks' Christmas. And mine. ;)

Erm, will you still read it if I say around 10,000 right now, and it's minus the end scene?

[jdbracknell.livejournal.com]

I think mrstater has you beaten, then, since her first part alone was 10 000....

I always think length's not the issue, it's what you do with it that counts. I've read 800 word fics that seemed to drag, and epics that held my attention through every word.

And don't we have sledding and sweets to look forward to? Who won't stay tuned for that? ;)

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Yes, but mrstater had the decency to post it early on, before Christmas was nearly upon us. Oh well.

I always think length's not the issue, it's what you do with it that counts.

Very true. And very worrying. In fact, I think I'm even more worried about this one than Up All Night, which is saying something. As for the prompts - I think my use of them can best be described as: "Shoved in because she had to." ;)

So thank goodness for Remus' forearms!

[jdbracknell.livejournal.com]

Maybe we should offer a 'spot the prompt' prize, since mine are - ahem - well, in the background.

I'm sure it'll be fine. Have a festive Tennant to take your mind off it ;).

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Is it wrong that I even find the Tommy Cooper look sexy on him? The highlight of my Christmas Day is going to be Doctor Who.

[jdbracknell.livejournal.com]

Not at all (although I may not be the best for an unbiased opinion ;)) - one of the main reasons I wanted to do Christmas at mine this year was so that I'd feel less guilty about the day grinding to a halt so I could watch Doctor Who.

[an-fhanai.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that body-boarding is a type of surfing, but I would have loved to have been there to see the look on your face when you first read that and assumed it was sex related. :p

My Advent fic is...well, it's progressing, certainly. I'll tell you, though, if I end up posting at midnight of the cutoff day like I have the other two times, there will be swearing involved.

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

After I'd had my moment of body-boarding surfing inspiration, I did check on the wonder that is Google and, yes, it apparantly is. There's even a magazine by that title for enthusiasts. I'm a bit disappointed it really wasn't to do with their sex life as that was more fun, LOL.

I'd quite like them to try their hand at fan fic as they write these perfectly nice letters that never explain anything at all. Last year, they just announced something about being "really pleased with our new wet suits," and then went on for another page before mentioning the all-important surfing word to help the innocent reader along. ;)

Good luck with the fic! A midnight finish will be very exciting... ;)

[an-fhanai.livejournal.com]

Very exciting for who exactly? :P

Unless, of course, I could find a way to force everyone to stay up with me so they can read it immediately, at which point the excitement would be entirely related to my impending death...

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Well I was thinking we could all count down to Christmas with you. And as the clock strikes twelve, your fic appears, and we all start the day by reading R/T. Perfect. Except for your shattered nerves, of course... ;)

[an-fhanai.livejournal.com]

While I'm tentatively beginning to think this fic would be worth reading first thing on Christmas day (blatant self advertisement), the shattered nerves are definitely a deterrent. Better to force myself into a nervous breakdown early, so as to have more time recovering before the holiday.

You've created a lovely picture there, though - can you imagine everyone posting at midnight, followed by a flurry of opening up all the gifts...

[godricgal.livejournal.com]

A sport in a Roman story...Does that mean that you get Russell Crowe rolling around on the floor?

Body boarding is a lot of fun. It's like surfing for people with no balance. ;) But sex is probably more interesting, and definitely a better source for gossip.

I've got the same feeling that the Advent fic will never earn the description of completed.

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

I suppose Russell Crowe rolling around on the floor is no bad thing... Especially in his Gladiator outfit. ;)

I'm thinking you Mods should include body boarding in your next lot of prompts. So many possibilities!

Thought that mentioning I'd nearly finished mine would kick me into actually ... finishing. But the mind games didn't work. Though we did have our mad quiz friends come round in the evening and it's probably as well I didn't. Hope your will power is better than mine. ;)

[molly-coddles.livejournal.com]

Heaven help me, but I just started going back through my f-list posts and not recognizing anything... and going back another 20... and another 20... I'm something like 60 posts behind! I have no hope of catching up, but since your post was the first familiar one I found - a veritable life buoy in a sea of unanswered posts - I thought I'd poke my head in and say 'hello.'
Good luck with the writing and wrapping! :)

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Fear not; I may never catch up, either. I'm not sure the multiple multi-tasking is going that well at present. And don't mention presents; after yesterday, it's going to take a while before I can tie a bow again. Good luck to you with it all, as well!

Re: Gil, centaurs, fog, straddling Remus... I can sort of see Gil having a close centaur pal (good-looking, palomino, lovely flaxen tail etc.;)) - would she and Tonks be interested in an evening of having their future foreseen in the stars? (Except there might have to be cracks in the fog;))

And now I'm sounding as if I've had far too much mulled wine, LOL.

[molly-coddles.livejournal.com]

I'm days behind on reviewing, and it's long past my bedtime, but I just finished reading your fic. It's really wonderful and I'll tell you why (hopefully tomorrow) when I've had enough sleep to be a bit more coherent. ;)

And this icon made me think of you and Sirius's stocking, so I had to share.

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) I've been chewing my nails over this one for many reasons, not least because I know you love Ron and I wasn't sure I did him justice. Though I thought he'd be the hardest to write and, in many ways, he was the easiest.

I love that icon! Made me giggle like mad over breakfast.

[molly-coddles.livejournal.com]

OK, it's not going to be today, because I haven't had time to read it again properly.
*sigh* Christmas fics were such a good idea, but it's frustrating to not have the time to actually enjoy and review them.
Maybe I ought to plan for a late night tonight to catch up a bit and see if I can't come up with a name for a palomino centaur... ;)

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I know what it's like. And at least you haven't kept Gil waiting about five days for a review like some rotten person did.

Besides I can't look at anything apart from your icon, which has to be your best yet.

Best of luck with names for palomino centaurs. Perhaps "Flash" is Gil's pet (emphasis on pet;)) name for him... ;)

[molly-coddles.livejournal.com]

I just skimmed down my f-list and realized I am another 40 posts behind and still haven't reviewed yours, mrstater's part 2 or either of ladybracknell's. At least I've read them, I haven't even got to godricgal's. And I'm supposed to spend the day baking cookies, so I'll probably never catch up on a lot of posts. And my brother and his girlfriend are arriving today from Chicago. And did I mention a sick child... Why does life conspire against me, I ask you? I have icons to make and centaurs to write, for pity's sake!

*throws hands in the air in exasperation and wanders off mumbling, "Flash... Flash of inspiration... Flash Gordon... Flash in the pan... Flasher... Hmmmmm, might have something there...*