Back to the drawing board...

[londonronnie]

A few days ago I watched a tv documentary about the flying aces of WW1. The names of these boys of the Royal Flying Corps (for boys most of them were, make no mistake) were very familiar to me as I'd grown up listening to tales of their exploits. For men of my father's generation, of course, they were their boyhood heroes and their adventures (for want of a better word) would be reenacted in the school playground ad nauseam.

After I'd watched the documentary my mind started to turn to its more usual occupation - how about a Pros WW1 AU? Bodie and Doyle in the RFC, lots of male bonding, hurt/comfort and all the rest? And over the weekend a few vague ideas about a possible story started to take shape.

But oh! That pesky Josh Lanyon has gone and beaten me to it! (*waves to Josh!* *g*). Josh has an entry on the Macaronis blog today which mentions the WW1 novella he's written which is due out in August, and as my mind has been filled with thoughts of the RFC over the past few days I'm really looking forward to reading it. I'll be first in the queue for a copy, have no fear! It's a very interesting post by Josh, incidentally - and I'd also recommend subscribing to The Macaronis to anyone who loves historical M/M fic. There are always excellent posts on there.

Back to the drawing board then - anyone fancy a Second World War POW camp AU? B/D, of course...

Comments

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Forgive the obvious question, but why does this novella coming out stop your from writing your story?

There is nothing new in fiction be it mainstream or fanfiction and everything that is written has, at some time or other, been to some degree or other written before.

To my mind there is no reason whatsoever why you shouldn't write your story. Why do you feel you have to scrap the idea?

[the-cornettist.livejournal.com]

You read my mind *g*

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

*Smiles*

In tune again :-)

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I understand what you're saying, and you're perfectly correct - there is nothing new in fiction. I suppose if I didn't know Josh then it wouldn't worry me, but... I just feel as though it would be pinching his idea.

Maybe it's just me being daft...

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Okay, so say you'd actually written a story or nearly written it and suddenly I or Caffy or anyone up and posts a very similar in terms of plot or place, etc. story. Would that mean this story, this long, story you'd spent weeks writing you just be ditched?

And what about all the other similar to Josh's stories that might be lingering on people's hard drives in the process of being written? Should they all stop?

I do understand what you are saying and I've felt OMG when I've posted a story and then discover another one that has similarities and I know the same has happened vice versa. In fact fairly recently on one of the NCIS comms I posted a team gen story (yes, gen) and an hour or so later, someone else posted a story that had a similar set up. She then edited her post to say she hadn't got the idea from me and came to me to make the point. It would never have occurred to me to even think she might.

You haven't pinched his idea - and I'm sure he wouldn't think you had.

Write it.

[the-cornettist.livejournal.com]

If you have a story already forming in your mind, as you do, I say run with it, regardless of what else may or may not be coming out. Your story will differ from anyone else's, including Josh's, even if they share the same backdrop and in any event, there's always room in the world for at least one more WWI/RFC story, especially one featuring those particular heroes.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right - it wouldn't be the same story (especially if I got started on it before I read Josh's one). Perhaps I'm being a bit over-cautious?

[the-cornettist.livejournal.com]

Having read all the other comments, like... duh ;)

Get scribbling!! You have a good 4+ months before you get your hands on Josh's book and taint your plot bunnies!

Your audience awaits - eagerly by the seem of things. Can't diasappoint them now, can you? *g*

[enednoviel.livejournal.com]

I haven't read Pros fic for a while, but THAT would tempt me for sure! I agree with the others... why not write one yourself? Come on... you know you wanna do it. :D

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, everybody's comments are making me think I've been a bit daft now... *g*

I'll have to have another think about this...

[enednoviel.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's just friendly cheering. And maybe some nudging, too. *G*

[enednoviel.livejournal.com]

And I could send you "The Dawn Patrol" for visual inspiration...
*ducks and runs*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, it must be thirty years since I've seen that!

I'll tell you something that is inspiring - this clip from 'Wings':



It's impossible for me to watch this without turning into a snivelling wreck (and it's just happened again...)

[enednoviel.livejournal.com]

I know, I have that one on DVD, too! (sniff)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Write it anyway! My gods, there's nothing to stop you writing a Pros WWI RFC novella, whether someone else has or not! Rhiannon and Irene have both written Pros WWI fic! I'm writing a Pros WWII RAF novel/la thingie - should I stop because you've said this and it's similar? Should przed not write hers, or me mine because they're set in the same period/airforce? Surely not! And is Josh's story even a Pros story? Cos if it's not then quite honestly I'm not likely to read it - but I'd read yours!

And of course you know that Ancastar was writing her Pros WWII POW fic... so presumably you can't do that either...

And why did Josh write his, when he knows that other people have written m/m RFC novellas, or are writing similar things? And will Josh be writing from the pov of a British woman who's been brought up with the stories, with the culture, with the innate sense of her own history? I somehow doubt it, and I'm personally very much interested in reading that... Does he expect us not to write things because he's writing them? He'd better bloody not! *g*

Stop making excuses and go and write the fic. *g* Please. *vbg*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Looks like I'm getting a right ear'ole bashing 'ere, dunnit? *g*

The general consensus seems to be that I'm looking at this from completely the wrong angle, and I know that what everyone is saying makes perfect sense. I obviously need to think about this a bit more...

And of course you know that Ancastar was writing her Pros WWII POW fic...

No, I didn't know that!! Aaarrghhh!!!

Stop making excuses and go and write the fic.

yes, miss...

BTW, you might find the clip I've just posted in my reply to enednoviel as inspiring as I do... ;-)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Hee - sorry, I get very ear-bashy when people say they're not gonna write Pros... *g*

And not fair - I can't watch clips at work, I'm gonna have to waaaaait!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Did you watch it?

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Ooh - well reminded! *goes go watch* *vbg*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Awwwww... You must be so inspired to write now! I hope you're writing now!

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

Write it, write it! We can never have too much Pros WW1 fic (I adored Rhiannon's story).

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Oh my good gawd! Alright, I'll do it!! *g*

Ooh, I love Rhiannon's story too, especially as it's based on one of my all-time favourite films. And I've just realised that by saying that I've shot my original observation down in flames (to use an appropriate analogy...)

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

What they all say! *points upwards* *g*

There can never be enough B/D AUs... please, please write it! *g*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I'm being more and more convinced by the second...

*g*

[probodie.livejournal.com]

*slaps*

Go write it, woman. Although whether we get to see it this side of 2010 is another thing...

*g*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Ouch!

You've got a good point there...

*g*

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

I'm late to this 'ere party but... "what everyone else has said". Likely as not it'll be nothing like t'other story and surely there's room for everyone in Pros? Write it. You know you want to. ;-p

ETA: If you fancy a good 'research' type of book that's also entertaining, The First Casualty by Ben Elton is fantastic. And then there's All Quiet on the Western Front but that one's hard going and anyway I reckon Elton used that too...

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Well, I think I'm pretty much convinced now! *g*

Thanks for the book tips - hadn't heard of the Ben Elton one!

[lisaloveslewis.livejournal.com]

Oh yes please write it!! I saw that documentary as well and have just read 'The Boy I Love', (although not about airmen just WW1) and that got me wanting to read Pros WW1 stories.

Must reply to your mail btw, although I did in fact write a reply but then left the lappy before I'd finished and someone, (naming no names but points at smallest child), managed to delete said reply and your email. Will try to get time again soon!

hugs Lx

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Oh I adore "The Boy I Love" - you know there's a sequel? *vbg* I keep looking out for it, but bloody Cambs. bookshops are useless... *headdesk*

[lisaloveslewis.livejournal.com]

Oh yes I need the sequel too, just waiting for it to come! Found a seller on Amazon selling it for 1p (plus postage of course!) and can't wait to find out what happened to them all.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Oh, byslantedlight recommended The Boy I Love a few weeks ago as well! I'll definitely have to put it on my 'to buy' list!

Child-proof lappies would be nice, wouldn't they? Izzy's convinced that hitting any button on mine is sure to bring up the Cbeebies website! *g* Look forward hearing from you when you get the chance anyway...

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

Well it doesn't really need saying, does it! *bg* others more eloquent than I(and with stouter pokey sticks and a greater propensity to fetch you a clip round the ear, apparently *g*) have said it all already. So I shall merely agree that there is no way in the world there could ever conceivably be too much WWI or WII B/D and that I'm looking forward to it enormously!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

with stouter pokey sticks and a greater propensity to fetch you a clip round the ear

Oh yeah, there's been plenty of poking and clipping going on! *g*

Looks like I'm going to have to write it now, dunnit?

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Yes, and how many post-DIAG stories have we got? Or post-Involvement? Or first time stories? Or...whatever other subset you want. *g* And there are several WWI and WWII stories, and I know of several people with their own ideas for ones. Which, of course, should all be written as each one of them is unique.

The funny thing is, I bet Josh, from things he's said, is the one who would understand your dithering better than anyone else who has replied. *g* He has a fear of "pinching" as well. And you are both of you daft. (He would also bonk you over the head for evening hinting that you wouldn't write the Pros story just because he came up with his m/m novella. Honestly. And, hey, he's deeply into reading Pros at the moment and wants/needs more! *g*)

I know how deflating it is to see your setting already done by someone else. But believe in your own voice!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

You're dead right, I know you are...

And I'm sure you're right about Josh too.

But believe in your own voice!

Good advice, m'dear. *g*

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

have you finished it yet? ;-))

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Slave driver...

*g*

[sineala.livejournal.com]

Coming in late -- yes, write it, write it! It's not stealing the idea in any way!

Also you are perfectly free to write a story where Bodie and Doyle have to go undercover as a gay couple and one of them has a Secret Gay Past. That too. :)

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Also you are perfectly free to write a story where Bodie and Doyle have to go undercover as a gay couple and one of them has a Secret Gay Past. That too. :)

Heh, heh, heh... Point taken *g*