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Dec. 13th, 2011

Best Laid Plans, and all that

I had a plan for December. It was all worked out. I was going to
write adventdrabbles, work on Inspired, read every hd_holidays fic and leave a comment, and work through a bunch of old projects, such as a translation and the Snarco archive, a bunch of unfinished stories ...

And then the bookshop called. If I was free to work in December? Christmas rush? Yes, please?

That was the end of my plan. There might be people who are still creative and who can still write after working nine hours straight (no time for breaks). I can't.

Perhaps I can catch up on at least my adventdrabbles story on Sunday. But don't expect to see me again until next year. Retail before Christmas is murder.

But I get paid.
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Dec. 7th, 2011

Drabble: Dreams Might Come True

Title: Dreams Might Come True
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3 x 100
Pairing: Harry/Charlie, Scorpius/Harry, and more hinted at
Summary: Harry and Scorpius talk, Charlie dreams
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognisable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work.
A/N: There was a storm yesterday. It blew away my internetz. I was Not Amused. Here's prompt # 6: Christmas Kissing Ball.



Dreams Might Come True )

Dec. 6th, 2011

Drabble: First Step, Second Step, and to Bed

Title: First Step, Second Step, and to Bed
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3 x 100
Pairing: Harry/Charlie, Scorpius/Harry
Summary: Things progress according to Scorpius's plan. Charlie is reminded why he loves Harry.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognisable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work.
A/N: Evil, evil prompt, and the worst thing is, I have only myself to blame. Bad thinking, Cira. Well, as long as the writing is good … So, here's what I made of prompt # 5 – Christmas Market.


First Step, Second Step, and to Bed )

Dec. 4th, 2011

Drabble: Tinsel Messages (Harry/Charlie, Scorpius/Harry)

Title: Tinsel Messages
Author: CiraArana
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 3 x 100
Pairing: Harry/Charlie, Scorpius/Harry
Summary: Harry and Scorpius meet, Charlie goes home.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognisable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work.
A/N: Today's drabble is brought to you by prompt #4: Tinsel


Tinsel Messages )

Dec. 3rd, 2011

Drabble: Best Laid Plans

Title: Best Laid Plans
Author: CiraArana
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 3 x 100
Pairing: Harry/Charlie, Scorpius
Summary: Things don't always go the way they were – or are – planned.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognisable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work.
A/N: Written for [info]adventdrabbles prompt #3: Candlelight


Best Laid Plans )

Dec. 2nd, 2011

Drabble: Champagne, Plans, and Ginger-flavoured Memories (Harry/Charlie & Scorpius)

Title: Champagne, Plans, and Ginger-flavoured Memories
Rating: R (for hints at kinkiness)
Word Count: 3 x 100
Pairing: Harry/Charlie, Scorpius
Summary: Harry drinks champagne, Scorpius plots, and Charlie reminisces.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognisable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work.
A/N: Oh, dear. Only day three, and I'm already late. But after more than ten hours of running around, carting books, and being nice to customers, I was too tired to write.
All right, so this is drabble #2, written for prompt #2: Gingerbread cookies



Champagne, Plans, and Ginger-flavoured Memories )

Dec. 1st, 2011

Drabble: Ringing in Christmas (Harry/Charlie +)

Title: Ringing in Christmas
Author: CiraArana
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 3 x 100
Pairing/Characters: Harry/Charlie, Scorpius
Summary: Harry is forced to attend the Ministry Christmas Celebration alone.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognisable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work.
A/N: This year's adventdrabbles are going to be the sequel Draco Dormiens to my Harry/Charlie fic The Dragon and the Pygmy Puff. Be warned for kink. This drabble was written for prompt # 1: Ringing Christmas Bells


Ringing in Christmas )

Nov. 30th, 2011

Uh, hi! *waves* Haven't been around much. Haven't been writing much, either. And this time, it's not Muse's fault. She's cooperating, but of course things can't ever be easy when it comes to writing. *is much put upon*

But! First of December tomorrow, which means adventdrabbles. Yay! And I have a plan. Remember that sequel to The Dragon and the Pygmy Puff that I talked about ages ago? No? Good. I'm going to drabble it. *rubs hands and bounces excitedly* Kink, here I come!

Nov. 9th, 2011

Month in Review(s) June 2011 - part 2

Well, if that isn't the sign that I'm talking too much in those "short and subjective" - harhar - comments.



Original Fiction Online

Undesirable by [info]velvet_mace: Scary but Brilliant )



Fanfiction

Head of the Class by pir8fancier: Fun even without knowing who these people are )


All the Lonely People by Meri/ [info]meri_oddities: Again, no idea who these people are. Very enjoyable read, though )




Special Mention:

My Man Godric by [info]r_cooper: This short story came recc'd on [info]the_slash_pile. A look at the summary – Bertie is just the king's foolish, embroidery loving, sometimes crossdressing brother, useless in times of crisis and completely beneath the notice of someone strong like the country's most famous general, Godric of the South. Or so Bertie thinks. – and I was caught. Bertie is a wonderful character, adorable, sweet, and a little oblivious. And not only with regards to Godric. Godric, though only seen through Bertie's eyes, is a very solid, strong character as well, unreadable at first but as the story progresses, I began to suspect things weren't as Bertie thought they were. Oh, and Bertie's full name is Aethelbert of Clas Dragioch, which is Gaelic and I love it (even though I feel a little guilty because I know I ought to be able to translate it and can't).
Conclusion: The story is wonderful, even though the end is a bit open, and I strongly second the recommendation. Wouldn't say no to seeing Bertie and Godric reunited, though.


Casper Gets His Wish by [info]r_cooper: After the adorable My Man Godric, I had a look at what else this author has written and promptly fell in love with Casper and his story. It's a cute office romance – with the office being the North Pole and the guys being elves employed by the Big Guy. Casper is adorably uptight and insecure and totally oblivious to the fact that Dmitri isn't laughing at him for being a non-creative elf but trying to flirt with him. They are so very cute and if you're looking for a Christmassy-themed story, it's a Must Read (Now!).

Month in Review(s): June 2011

Yes, I know. June.

Books & eBooks


Alliance in Blood
by Ariel Tachna: For some reason, I couldn't get warmed up to this book )



Paris A to Z
by Marie Sexton: Meeting old friends and tying loose ends – lovely end (?) to the series )



Long Lonely Howl
by Lyn Gala: Wonderful, well-written werewolf tale )



Shying Away
by Kate Sherwood: Romance, sharp and sweet )



Some Kind of Magic
by R Cooper: love/heart/squee )




Let There Be Light
by R Cooper: Intense and wonderful )


Crown Jewel by Megan Derr: Or the Courtesan and the Royal Sleuth Fall in Love While Trying Not to Get Killed )


Fairytales Slashed Volume 2, edited by Megan Derr and Sasha L. Miller: Must Read fairytales for adults

The Beast by Megan Derr: This story? Is absolutely fantastic. )


The Wizard's Tower by Sasha L. Miller: Second wow! story in this anthology )


The Huntsman by Megan Derr: Saying,  )


Sleeping Beauty by Sasha L. Miller: The only tale that bears a fairytale name is also the only one that doesn't actually retell or twist a fairytale. )

Overall appraisal of anthology: Amazing tales, great variations on a theme, and if you never read another fairytale, you Must Read these.


Love and Wrath by Kaseka Nvita: Or Love, Magic and Secrets in a Gripping Tale )


Bound by Megan Derr: Amazing. Loved it. )


The Best Revenge by Andrew Grey: Too boring to finish )

Oct. 19th, 2011

Original fic: Inspired (2/8)

Title: Inspired
Rating: NC17
Word Count: 1,934 this part
Summary: When Soren enrolled for the Nude Drawing class, he didn't expect to meet a Nordic God. Or his boyfriend. Or what they'd offer.
Warnings: A WIP for now. Will end as threesome
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters etc. are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A/N: I'm working on part 3, 4, and 6. Hope to have sequence of events figured out and more to post in a couple of days. For now, have this mini part.


Part 2 - Seconds

Oct. 13th, 2011

Original fic: Inspired (1/8?)

Title: Inspired
Rating: NC17
Word Count: 3,479 this part
Summary: When Soren enrolled for the Nude Drawing class, he didn't expect to meet a Nordic God. Or his boyfriend. Or what they'd offer.
Warnings: A WIP for now. Will end as threesome
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters etc. are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A/N: So, here it is, part the first of the rewrite. I hope you like it. I'm still not sure if I do.

Part the first: Descend of a Nordic God

Oct. 9th, 2011

On the State of ... things

Just in case anybody is interested in what I've been doing - or not doing - the last couple of months.

writing fiction )


the stories )


lots of stuff happening in RL )
Tags: ,

Sep. 27th, 2011

Month in Review(s) overview

In case anybody is interested - and for me to keep an eye on things - here's a list of what's going to be in the June to August reviews, with a preliminary list for September.


Read in June 2011 )



Read in July 2011 )



Read in August 2011 )



Read in September 2011 )

Month in Review(s): May

Surprise! You probably thought I'd abandoned my reviews project, right? Well, I didn't. I was just … delayed. Yes. Erm.

See, in my optimism, I decided to review everything I read, the re-reads too. But then the list of reviews to write got so long that I was quite disheartened. And then I got distracted by writing fiction. Once Muse had toddled off again, I got hit by a severe case of perfectionism, which resulted in being convinced that I had to write reviews to University Approved Standards. It took some time to talk myself out of that again.

Well, those are my excuses. Here are the reviews for May.



Books & eBooks

Between Friends: Sammy's Place by Sean Michael: One of the better novels by the author )


The Dragon's Tamer by Megan Derr: A Megan Derr classic )


An Admirer by Megan Derr: A favourite plot with a twist )


Living Words by Sasha L. Miller: Wonderful novel all around )


Arson of the Heart by Sasha L. Miller: Sweet and funny )


That Famous Happy End – Anthology published by LT3: All's Well that Ends Well )



Lost Treasure
by Kate Sherwood: Good, but not as great as her first two novels )



Sparks Fly
by Clare London: Entertaining fireworks and great characterisations )


Stolen Hearts by Sasha L. Miller: Magic and crime – take the title literally )


Embrace by Megan Derr: Creative borrowing and a combination of myth and science )


Finder Tolan by Megan Derr: Lovely little adventure-and-romance story )



Original Fiction Online

Without Accident by found_feather: Confusing at first and somewhat open ended )


Underlying by magalina: A story about sexual tension so high it's violent, but underlying there are issues that make me look back with mixed feelings )



Fanfiction

Sometimes the Best Gifts Come in Small Packages by [info]frayach: And this is a very nice … gift )


As Souls From Bodies Steal by femmequixotic: Immensely satisfying but read with caution )


Ragnarok by [info]lomonaaeren: Disturbing )

Aug. 26th, 2011

Wedding entertainment. Why me??

Dear flisters, you marvellous, creative bunch! Help? Please?

One of my best friends is getting married in about three weeks, and she's asked her closest friends to contribute to the entertainment at the celebration. And I've been racking my brains but it seems as though my creative grey matter went on holiday. I can't think of anything that's not stupid or embarrassing or just plain boring.

Help? Any cute or funny games, traditions, blessings, whatever, you can think of or saw or been subjected to part of? Preferably something that won't make me look like a fool in front of approximately hundred guests. Some of which are famly. Conservative family. Ack.

Aug. 15th, 2011

it's because I like blue

Saw this everywhere, so I put on my Hufflepuff cap and did the test as well. The result, it does not come as a surprise. Though I am a bit surprised that I rate Slytherin higher than Gryffindor. :)

Your result for The Sorting Hat: A Comprehensive Harry Potter Personality Assessment [Test/Quiz]...

Ravenclaw

61% Ravenclaw, 53% Hufflepuff, 47% Slytherin and 38% Gryffindor!




Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,


if you've a ready mind,


Where those of wit and learning,


Will always find their kind;


The cardinal traits of Ravenclaw are intellect, wit and openness to experience. They are the most introverted house of the four. Ravenclaws are more likely to prefer small gatherings of like-minded individuals and require recooperation after stressful social interaction. These individuals are intuitive creatures, the quintessential researchers. They lack the stubborn, strict, and rule-abiding qualities that would inhibit intellectual growth—one can't be too set in their ways if they are to be open to exploring new ideas and paths of thought.In contrast to Slytherin and Gryffindor, Ravenclaws in general are much more emotionally stable. Their reactions seem dampened compared to the sometimes dramatic responses of the other houses—they're much less likely to get offended, they're more open to criticism, not particularly argumentative and interested in hearing different points of view. They can at times seem to be less interested in people and more interested in their own inner world, and appear to be disconnected from the rest of humanity.


Ambition is secondary to them. Although they may strive to excel in school, knowledge and self-enrichment is the primary goal as opposed to simply wanting good marks. If they do happen to strive for excellence, it is because it fits with their other goals, not out of a desire to be superior or the best. Due to their intuitiveness and willingness to listen, Ravenclaws can be empathetic and make good advisors. They should generally leave leadership roles to people who are more extraverted and who would enjoy them more, however.

Take The Sorting Hat: A Comprehensive Harry Potter Personality Assessment [Test/Quiz] at HelloQuizzy

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Aug. 12th, 2011

Buying ebooks from Loose Id is No Fun

Because:

a) each page takes ages to load. No matter whether it's my wish list, my shopping cart, or more info about a book. It makes pulling my hair out more fun than browsing.

b) they lie. I have a book on my wishlist, I can put it into my cart but no matter what I do every. single. time. I search for the book, they tell it doesn't exist.

c) I have to search for books from my wishlist because Loose Id, in their infinite wisdom, made it impossible to go directly from my wishlist to the title in question by clicking it. And since I'm in the habit of pretty much putting everything that ever interests me on my wishlist first to come back at a later time and then decide what I want, the meagre information of title, ISBN and price isn't sufficient for me to decide whether I feel like buying the book or not. Hello? How about at least the author's name in there, too, to make searching a little easier?

Anyone who manages to find Don't Look Back, author unknown, ISBN 978-1-59632-972-0, $ 4,99, send me a link, please. I might actually want to buy that book.

*huffs*

Dear Loose Id, that is not the way to sell books. I am most seriously displeased. Not to say pissed off.

Read more... )
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Aug. 4th, 2011

This happens when you read a lot of books ...

Followed [info]alisanne to this really interesting test - yeah, well, I'm a reluctant linguist, what can I say - and got a very pretty result.

My English vocabulary is esitmated to be 31,200 words.

According to the test people, "[m]ost Native English adult speakers who have taken the test fall in the range 20,000–35,000 words. [...] And for foreign learners of English, we've found that the most common vocabulary size is from 2,500–9,000 words."

And no, I'm still not a native speaker of English. :D

*is disgustingly proud of herself*
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Jul. 21st, 2011

SkyLights 2010

After lots of hair pulling and cursing and trying to understand what deviantArt is doing to my stuff, it's finally up in print - a calendar for 2012 with some of my sunset pictures. Very amateurish but mine. *is proud*



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