shimotsuki's story stash

I can't say enough about how much I have learned about writing from gilpin25. All her work as a mod at metamorfic_moon, one of the two communities that really got me writing fanfic in the first place, goes without saying. But she's also always been so willing to comment on my stories -- and in this amazing way that is always affirming and supportive, while also somehow ever-so-gently planting seeds of ideas for things I could build and improve on. I appreciate that kind of growth-promoting feedback no end. (Not to mention the trenchcoat jokes, the book recommendations, and all the other mischief we've managed these last few years!)

One of the things that I'm very likely to get gilpin25-style encouragement about is when I take a stab at writing Remus's thoughts, motivations, and -- especially -- growth and change. And so, in honor of the day, I really wanted to post a story that took that as inspiration and tried to turn poor Remus inside-out a little. It's not a particularly birthday-ish fic, and (as usual) I'm running short on time at the end, so there may be typos or oddities lurking and it probably needs one more good edit. But I post this with many thanks -- and a heaping bushel of birthday wishes, in the middle of what has been a very hard year -- to gilpin25. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ♥

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One Step Forward (3510 words | PG)
The day after some robe-shaking in the Hogwarts hospital wing, Remus goes to have dinner with Tonks, still fighting second thoughts.

Note: My first take on this scene was one of the first R/T drabbles I ever posted, at rt_challenge in January 2007: Second Thoughts. A few lines have survived, and the conflict at the heart of the piece is pretty much the same, but this is essentially a complete rewrite of the original idea.

( Remus had never been to Tonks’s flat before. )
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This post is to wish a very, very happy birthday to mrstater (Wednesday) and godricgal (Thursday). You two are both such warm, welcoming, and supportive writers, commenters, and f-listers -- thanks so much for all the friendly words and encouragement over the last few years, not to mention all the work you do for the R/T community.

Among so many other things, you both write lovely romantic stories. And mrstater, in particular, has a history of encouraging me to write, um, steamier stories than I generally do. So in honor of the birthdays, here is...well, I'm not sure I ever got above a soft R rating, but at least it's an attempt at some SSR (Slightly Steamy Romance).

I hope each of you has/had/will have a wonderful birthday, and may you have a wonderful year to come. :)

Restless ( 560 words | Remus/Tonks | R (PG-13?) )
( Remus woke early... )
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This is a birthday drabble/ficlet for hrymfaxe, who gave me the characters Illvin and Arhys and the prompt wishes. Happy (much belated) birthday. :)

Wishes (500 words | PG)
Arhys gives Illvin something new to wish for.

( 'Peace, at last,' Illvin muttered... )
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Here's wishing the happiest of happy birthdays to duck_or_rabbit! I'm so glad I've gotten to know you, and it definitely feels like I've known you a lot longer than I actually have. Your insightful, quirky comments add so much to any discussion. I love the vivid and original language in your writing, and I always enjoy your take on Sirius, Regulus, and Sirius/Rosmerta. And you leave such supportive and thoughtful reviews!

I have to say, though, that meeting you last month wasn't as much fun as I expected. Because it was more. (Erm, that's a Gricean-maxims joke, for the philosopher of language.)

Let me add my voice to the chorus at the birthday comm that the amazing train_lindz has set up, duckbirthday, to wish you many happy returns and leave you a Sirius double-drabble (200 words, G).

( For the Sport of It )
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