Signal Boost: "The Old Country" · 12:12am Jan 15th, 2016
Dear Loyal Watchers, Interested Visitors, and Confused Passersby:
One of the things that settles me into a story the most is the setting. All too often I find that authors overlook the "where" of a story. I can understand that, as it seems to be easy enough to allow the reader to define the environment from just a few hints. The narrative and characterizations need to be developed before everything else, so it is often the place where the story is set that gets developed the least. This is especially true in fan fiction, as the scenes are already defined for us.
I've often found that to be a shame.
I loved developing the place and the atmospherics of my works. Whether it's taking the time to describe the furniture in Blues' crappy first apartment or the chill of the morning as Joe goes to take a leak in the woods near his regiment's camp, I like to feel immersed in the place... to know that it is there.
I recently found an new story that does this remarkably well. Let me introduce you to it:
It's not often that I take the time to read a story as it develops and move it to my Favorites before it is even fully released, but this one made it there very quickly. The story involves the Yaks, and this is perhaps the first time I've read them as being anything other than comic relief. You truly begin to understand that they and their culture have adapted from the brutal landscape that Ast has developed.
Of course, I read it because it is about Spike—and Twilight is there too. The winds that whisper through this story drive the action forward, but "action" isn't the right word for it. There is a hollow longing in the piece, an idea that is attempting to be filled. The scenes move through the landscape, and you can no more escape the biting winds and driving flecks of ice than the characters can. You feel the glare of the sun in your eyes, and by the end of each chapter the setting leaves you as happy at being around the campfire as Spike and Twilight are.
This is setting used to enhance the perceptions of the characters to the Nth degree. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have...
... just have a warm mug of cocoa next to you as you do.
Stay Awesome,
-Desc
I've always had a weird relationship to setting. Ironically, as every other wordsmith out of God's chosen Prison, Mississippi, are obsessed with Where. I am too.
But like them, I end up talking about the Land. The Land is hard not to talk about in a mthyopoeic mode. Leave a surly Dixie tribal 10 acres and he'll barely leave.
So it all ends up being the same setting with slightly different colors. It always ends up trying to be what's around me
Oh, that does look worthwhile; I'll track it and read it when it's done. I thought I recognised the author's name from somewhere -- turns out I read another of their stories (TLTC) a little while ago and rather liked it. It would be nice if this signal boost got them a little more attention.
I am... admittedly... not a fan of atmospherics. It is my worst feature as a writer.
But... the characterization in this is also solid. You get a good idea of Spike as a grump who's being unfair but is vaguely aware he's being unfair... it's nice.
And I agree, the yaks are pretty nice in this. They're never the focus but you're right, they are given really good and serious characterization.
Also I'm glad for this bump. I remember when I was worried the story would have to have a bump just to get past 10 votes.
So, I'm glad it's taking off.
Oh wow, that looks really good.
I pretty much share that sentiment with you.
I'll have to give that story a look sometime...
I took your word for it and read those first two chapters. I am quite impressed! Astrarian is, just like you say, great at writing beautiful settings. The level of detail he puts into his descriptions makes them absolutely gorgeous to imagine
, and they always contribute to the mood of the story.
Plus, only two chapters left and they'll be published in the next two days! I'm looking forward to the short story ahead
Wow. Admittedly I look at this post with stunned shock more than with any kind of misty-eyed joy but wow. How unknown am I – I've never come online to 26 notifications before, most of them from people tracking the story. I know it's not much in the scale of fimfic. But thank you all the same, Desc. It really means a lot to me. I just hope you keep enjoying it, and everyone else too!
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I remember feeling like that too! I certainly wouldn't have got this far without The Descendant. He was bumping the story even at the start by adding it to relevant groups. I owe a lot to the person who added it to Twilight and Spike in the first place where he saw it...
3687456 Thanks. Next chapter out later today.
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Heh! I've never heard the Southern Condition explained so well.
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I certainly hope that it accomplishes exactly that, Logan.
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I'm very glad that it has gotten a bit more attention as well, Rad.
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I assure you that it is, D.J.!
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I'm glad that we're in agreement. I hope you enjoy it!
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I'm very glad that he is releasing it every day. I haven't been this excited about updates to a story in a long time!
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You are most welcome, Ast. I wish you nothing but success with the piece.
3689689 living in Faulkner's city helps
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I use his "the past is not dead... in fact, it is not even past" quote all the time.
Too often attempts at describing the setting, or using setting as character, are decried as 'weather reports' or 'purple prose' which I find deeply annoying as well. Atmosphere, tone, and setting are inexorably intertwined and simply because you think a fic should never break 2k words doesn't mean that it's to be avoided. Thank you for posting this. I look forward to reading it later.
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He just posted the last chapter, so it's all complete now. I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Thanks for the suggestion, TD!
It was a good story, and one that I wouldn't otherwise have noticed.
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I'm glad that I could point it out to you, Lurks.
*reads title* Oh WOW! This title really hit home for me, cause my home is in the Old Country, The 150 year old state, West Virginia. I'll be sure to check this out. Even though the story is largely irrelevant to WV...just reminded me of it....
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It's been a while since I was in "Loyal Virginia," but I do have some fond memories of your state. I hope that you enjoy the story! Astarian has since completed it, and it was well worth the trip.