Fic Talk > Featured Story of the Month

Featured Story of the Month for April 2008 - Nothing Gold Can Stay by Maggie

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DaniGiggles:
Crap, I've been meaning to respond, I'm sorry it's taken me so long!

Dude, I think Hayden Christensen would make an amazing Harry or Texas! And I think it's cause of his role in Factory Girl... I kinda envisioned his character with the accent and everything for Texas, so that's hilarious that you picked him for this. Weird stuff! You should throw in Jake Gyllenhaal and Garrett Hedlund for good measure. Make it a modern day Outsiders with all of hot young hollywood... I would totally go see it (for the amazing plot of course, not just the gorgeous men everywhere lmao). Now that I think of it, they really should make another movie like that... would be cool.

I find it surprising that you didn't have an outline because it flowed very well and you definitely had a goal in mind. It seemed like everything just built upon itself to get to the ending, so great job with that!

If you can't pick just one favorite character, maybe pick a couple? I'm curious as to who you liked to write most, or which character you related to/liked most of all.

What was your favorite scene? I know that when I'm writing, I tend to have a few scenes in mind that I just can't wait to get to, but I have to do a bunch of filler chapters until I get there. Did you have anything like that for this story?

How did you and Louise decide who was going to write what scene/character?

If you ever do think about a sequel, I'm so there! I would love to see how they all ended up, especially with Brian dealing with Precious, and Kevin with his dad, and Harry trying to make enough money... well, I guess it would be nice to see how every character ended up lol.

MonkeyAbu:
I just finished reading the story and I can assure you that it has already gone under my favorite stories list. From the moment I started reading it to the point it ended, I didn't want it to stop.

I want to compliment the both of you by saying that you achieved a deep emotional power from the simplicity of your writing, and when I say "simplicity", I don't mean that as a bad thing, quite the opposite actually. Some authors use such an extravagant form of writing with some stories, and that works with certain plots, but with "Nothing Gold" the simplicity allowed for such a deeper impact upon the reader, that I personally think you achieved so much more then you would have had your used style of writing reflected an outright overdone exquisitness. What I'm trying to say is that when authors try too hard to make some stories sound overally extravagant (word usage, sentence structure, etc...), it takes away from the overall impact the reader experiences.

I was especially touched by the "family" development between the gang. You go into just enough detail about the dysfunctional characteristic s of each member's personal family, yet you created an "adopted" family, no matter how dysfunctional as a whole they are, that made way for a sense of normalcy in each of their lives. Family is so much more then blood and you expressed that perfectly through the bond of the Garrison gang. Sometimes having a band of friends you know you can rely on that will watch your back and help you out at all costs is more of a "normal" family then the one you are actually related to. Like Dani said, the camaraderie between the characters really allows the readers to appreciate the characters as people and connect to each of them in some way.

I know you said you don't have a sequel planned, but I really hope you do eventually get one worked up. I could definitely see some development of their lives after all of these events, should a sequel ever take place! Please consider it! :) You can count on me to read it if you do!

I loved the story and am glad it was featured as story of the month. It certainly deserved it! :)

mare:
aww excellent thoughts.

And Dani asked come great questions. :)

MaggieW:

--- Quote from: DaniGiggles on April 15, 2008, 12:05:11 AM ---Dude, I think Hayden Christensen would make an amazing Harry or Texas! And I think it's cause of his role in Factory Girl... I kinda envisioned his character with the accent and everything for Texas, so that's hilarious that you picked him for this. Weird stuff! You should throw in Jake Gyllenhaal and Garrett Hedlund for good measure. Make it a modern day Outsiders with all of hot young hollywood... I would totally go see it (for the amazing plot of course, not just the gorgeous men everywhere lmao). Now that I think of it, they really should make another movie like that... would be cool.
--- End quote ---

I had to look up Garrett Hedlund and now it's decided: Garrett as Harry, Hayden as Texas.  Jake Gyllenhaal.... hmmm... He might be a good Howie.  But I need a Kevin too.  Who would make a good Kevin?  I mean besides the man himself.


--- Quote ---If you can't pick just one favorite character, maybe pick a couple? I'm curious as to who you liked to write most, or which character you related to/liked most of all.
--- End quote ---
 


--- Quote ---What was your favorite scene?
--- End quote ---
  My favorite would honestly have to be the whole of chapter 21.  I didn't want it from any particular POV, so, if I remember right, Louise suggested an outside point of view, which turned into what you see.


--- Quote ---How did you and Louise decide who was going to write what scene/character?
--- End quote ---

Well, we each took our favorites: Louise got Kevin, I took Brian.  She also wanted AJ and Lance, and we shared Harry.  And that just left Howie and Texas, which Louise took.  You know, I just realized that Texas only has one chapter.


--- Quote ---If you ever do think about a sequel, I'm so there! I would love to see how they all ended up, especially with Brian dealing with Precious, and Kevin with his dad, and Harry trying to make enough money... well, I guess it would be nice to see how every character ended up lol.
--- End quote ---

Well, the only brief idea I had was to focus more on Julia at their age.  I don't know what else would possibly happen, so if you guys really really want a sequel, I'll be needing ideas.  It does sound fun, though.

My little brother is reading "The Outsiders" for his homeschooling - mom and I are taking turns reading aloud, really, and I am loving the story once again!  We're at the point where Ponyboy is waiting for news about Johnny and Dally at the hospital after the church burned down in Windrixville.

mare:
Is there anything you'd do differently if you had a chance to rewrite this story?

Do you prefer writing with someone or writing a story by yourself?

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