The Writing on the Wall (Ch2)

Finally, I have my kitchen sink back! I celebrated by having a bath... forgetting that the bath sealant hadn't fully cured yet, having been done later. Ooops ;-p

Well, I'm not nearly so sploshy in my bathing as I am in my washing up...

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The first chapter of "The Writing on the Wall" went down like what felt like the proverbial lead balloon, struggling to reach 30 page views in total and getting no reviews in 24 hours other than 'is this all or will there be more?' But now I've got a couple of reviews from Raoul-friendly people and am feeling happier about it :-) ( Read more... )

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Ch2: Words in the Dark

At the end of a few minutes’ frenzied excavation, the candle set well back out of danger, Raoul had in his possession the rotted remains of what had once been a wooden sabot, several lumps of stone large enough to serve as a weapon or a hammer, and — the ultimate prize, clawed out at the farthest stretch of the chain from between two slabs too heavy for him to shift — a blunted and broken chisel-blade. It would not do for carving out caryatids or smoothing off the bannisters of a marble balustrade, but at this precise moment it meant hope, and perhaps life. Perhaps freedom for Christine. Beyond that prospect he dared not let himself think.

( Read more... )

A new plot?

I had an idea for what might be done with the 'musical-Raoul is already married' scenario that I've been potentially thinking about for the Writers Anonymous Break the Cliché Challenge. This goes all the way back to phanwank when I first read Vicomte de Phantom and thought what a missed opportunity the author had had with a really original idea. I could just never think of anything to do with the idea myself.

But I think the necessary second twist might be accomplished by having our protagonist enceinte during Act 2 (the young couple having been performing their marital duty), thus giving an extra emotional dynamic to the conflict and also providing a practical rationale for keeping the narrator on the sidelines. ( Read more... )