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ci5hqTitel: Angels Unaware
Author: Bardicvoice
Pairing: gen
Link: Angels Unaware
Guns, holster, rain, night, flashes of lightning, hounds, concerned eyes, pain and exhaustion, blood, knife, bandage, cover...
I love this beginning! :-)
You are thrown right into the action. It's thrilling and you feel pity for Bodie, you want to comfort him, and Doyle does as much as he can do under these circumstances. You smile a bit when you read 'Even Bodie had limits', and you absorb the few bits of information you get:
"Barn," he said shortly, "about a kilometre. Can you make it?".
You want to know what has happened, you want to know what they will do next, - you want to read on.
For me, something like this is the perfect start for a story!
And we learn about the background of their undercover job in flashbacks.
I like that! It is much more thrilling than a story that is told straightforward.
To be true these background parts aren't really important for me, and I skim them when I reread the story. – and I read the story quite often, when I need something well known and comforting.
And it is! :-)
Surely it's the way Doyle cares for Bodie. His first thought is to make things as comfortable as possible for his injured partner, and when Bodie is all reasonable how things should be done to reach help, Doyle refuses to leave Bodie alone.
My favourite line is:
"I think that's why I believe you," she said slowly, considering each word. "You admit what you've done and that you need help, but you don't threaten to get it."
"I would," Doyle answered levelly, " — if I had to. For him."
*melts*
Another fav part is when Liz finds them. I don't know if I would be so cool, considering the fact that she has heard that the two men are killers.
But hey – they are Bodie and Doyle! One look into their eyes and you know that they are the good ones, don't you? And then Bodie is hurt! Which woman wouldn't melt? ;-)
Well... where was I?
Oh yes! Ok – let's stop swooning over the story! :-)
We're here to talk about 'Notable Minor Characters in Pros stories.'
Let me use some questions.
1.) Do you like it when Notable Minor Characters(NMCs from now on) have leading roles in Pros fic, or do you prefer it that they stay in the background? Is there a difference between the other agents of CI5 and some others like Ann, Geraldine Matters and Marge and totally strangers?
2.) Do you like the NMCs in this story?
I think we get more than usually involved into the daily life of Lizi and Ellery, because Doyle is watching them from his hiding place.
And it's a scenario I enjoy! The nice couple, the horses, a good cop, a bad Guardian Angel, and sentences like this:
The man swung into the saddle, and then bent down to run his fingers along her cheek, curbing the horse's attempt to dance aside with careless ease.
"The highwayman on his great grey steed — I promise, I'll stay away from coaches and inns and the law. I'll do just enough to take the edge off him, then I'll be back."
Yeah, I like them! How about you?
3.) What do you think is the advantage of good NMCs in a story? Or don't you see any advantage?
I think they give us the opportunity to watch Bodie and Doyle through different eyes, but without the disadvantage of a whole 'Third Party Viewpoint' story.
"We don't mean to worry you folks, but we're looking for two men who escaped from one of our holding facilities. They're armed and they're dangerous — they killed three people during their escape. We think that one of them may be hurt, but we can't be sure. Seen any strangers about?"
"Not a one," the man said. "What do these blokes look like?"
"Both tall, late thirties. One's slender, curly brown hair, the other's built like a weightlifter, with dark hair cut short. If they're still wearing the same clothes, the curly-top's in jeans, brown leather jacket, while the dark one's all in black. He may have stolen a Guardian jacket, too."
'Built like a weightlifter'....
Phhhhhhh......!
4.) What do you think is the reason that there are not many NMCs in Pros stories?
- or do you think there are enough?
Let me be a bit provoking - I assume that Pros authors don't dare to develop NMCs properly, because they are afraid that the reader would run away screaming...
Is that true? ;-)
Or are they just 'not interested'?
What do you think?
5.) If you are a writer – do you plan to think about some more NMCs in your future stories? :-)
-------------------------
Now it's your turn.
I hope you had fun reading this story?
Edit: I highly recommend the Crack Van post from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
franciskerst - waves to Scotland!
It's a completely different review, but she loves the story as well - though she says: "I strongly doubt this would be possible in Great Britain".
Ok! It's AU then...! ;-)
Author: Bardicvoice
Pairing: gen
Link: Angels Unaware
Guns, holster, rain, night, flashes of lightning, hounds, concerned eyes, pain and exhaustion, blood, knife, bandage, cover...
I love this beginning! :-)
You are thrown right into the action. It's thrilling and you feel pity for Bodie, you want to comfort him, and Doyle does as much as he can do under these circumstances. You smile a bit when you read 'Even Bodie had limits', and you absorb the few bits of information you get:
"Barn," he said shortly, "about a kilometre. Can you make it?".
You want to know what has happened, you want to know what they will do next, - you want to read on.
For me, something like this is the perfect start for a story!
And we learn about the background of their undercover job in flashbacks.
I like that! It is much more thrilling than a story that is told straightforward.
To be true these background parts aren't really important for me, and I skim them when I reread the story. – and I read the story quite often, when I need something well known and comforting.
And it is! :-)
Surely it's the way Doyle cares for Bodie. His first thought is to make things as comfortable as possible for his injured partner, and when Bodie is all reasonable how things should be done to reach help, Doyle refuses to leave Bodie alone.
My favourite line is:
"I think that's why I believe you," she said slowly, considering each word. "You admit what you've done and that you need help, but you don't threaten to get it."
"I would," Doyle answered levelly, " — if I had to. For him."
*melts*
Another fav part is when Liz finds them. I don't know if I would be so cool, considering the fact that she has heard that the two men are killers.
But hey – they are Bodie and Doyle! One look into their eyes and you know that they are the good ones, don't you? And then Bodie is hurt! Which woman wouldn't melt? ;-)
Well... where was I?
Oh yes! Ok – let's stop swooning over the story! :-)
We're here to talk about 'Notable Minor Characters in Pros stories.'
Let me use some questions.
1.) Do you like it when Notable Minor Characters(NMCs from now on) have leading roles in Pros fic, or do you prefer it that they stay in the background? Is there a difference between the other agents of CI5 and some others like Ann, Geraldine Matters and Marge and totally strangers?
2.) Do you like the NMCs in this story?
I think we get more than usually involved into the daily life of Lizi and Ellery, because Doyle is watching them from his hiding place.
And it's a scenario I enjoy! The nice couple, the horses, a good cop, a bad Guardian Angel, and sentences like this:
The man swung into the saddle, and then bent down to run his fingers along her cheek, curbing the horse's attempt to dance aside with careless ease.
"The highwayman on his great grey steed — I promise, I'll stay away from coaches and inns and the law. I'll do just enough to take the edge off him, then I'll be back."
Yeah, I like them! How about you?
3.) What do you think is the advantage of good NMCs in a story? Or don't you see any advantage?
I think they give us the opportunity to watch Bodie and Doyle through different eyes, but without the disadvantage of a whole 'Third Party Viewpoint' story.
"We don't mean to worry you folks, but we're looking for two men who escaped from one of our holding facilities. They're armed and they're dangerous — they killed three people during their escape. We think that one of them may be hurt, but we can't be sure. Seen any strangers about?"
"Not a one," the man said. "What do these blokes look like?"
"Both tall, late thirties. One's slender, curly brown hair, the other's built like a weightlifter, with dark hair cut short. If they're still wearing the same clothes, the curly-top's in jeans, brown leather jacket, while the dark one's all in black. He may have stolen a Guardian jacket, too."
'Built like a weightlifter'....
Phhhhhhh......!
4.) What do you think is the reason that there are not many NMCs in Pros stories?
- or do you think there are enough?
Let me be a bit provoking - I assume that Pros authors don't dare to develop NMCs properly, because they are afraid that the reader would run away screaming...
Is that true? ;-)
Or are they just 'not interested'?
What do you think?
5.) If you are a writer – do you plan to think about some more NMCs in your future stories? :-)
-------------------------
Now it's your turn.
I hope you had fun reading this story?
Edit: I highly recommend the Crack Van post from
franciskerst - waves to Scotland!It's a completely different review, but she loves the story as well - though she says: "I strongly doubt this would be possible in Great Britain".
Ok! It's AU then...! ;-)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 03:12 pm (UTC)I like this couple and I like the way the story ends. They are developed just enough that we get to know them and care about what happens to them at the end of the story. Their development and story compliments the main story.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 03:30 pm (UTC)I like this couple and I like the way the story ends. They are developed just enough that we get to know them and care about what happens to them at the end of the story. Their development and story compliments the main story.
Yes. I'm glad about the end too. Often enough the heroes survive while the minor characters are used as cannon fodder. - it's bad enough with Sammy, the dog.
I'm happy that you like them!
Thanks for commenting! :-)
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 04:27 pm (UTC)I loved your choice of quote, too:
I would," Doyle answered levelly, " — if I had to. For him."
I don’t know if it's because I’m particularly into h/c stories (I don't think I am but I've never really bothered to analyse my likes and dislikes so who knows? Maybe that *is* at the heart of my preferences....) but I think I like that kind of writing
even more when it’s gen because it reflects the strength of feeling we see between them in the actual episodes and so also shows us where the slash comes from (sorry about the grammar but I haven’t had any wine yet..). And it gives *us* (the readers) a chance to speculate and imagine what might happen between them which is half the fun.
Now comes the hard part:
1)Do you like it when Notable Minor Characters(NMCs from now on) have leading roles in Pros fic, or do you prefer it that they stay in the background?
I think it depends on whether they’re well written, believable characters or not and so their importance in the story would depend on that.
2.) Do you like the NMCs in this story?
Yes because of the reasons given above.
3.) What do you think is the advantage of good NMCs in a story? Or don't you see any advantage?
I swear on my laptop’s life that I thought about this for a second and then came up with the same answer as you...... Honest! They could be used to bring out different aspects to Bodie and Doyle’s personalities. e.g. Jack Stone’s daughter in the Irene stories does this. And the tutor, Cambridge, in Arabian Nights, is a very useful tool in explaining Bodie’s past to Doyle.
4) What do you think is the reason that there are not many NMCs in Pros stories?
- or do you think there are enough?
Well now that you’ve asked….I think there *is* room for more, but they’d have to be well written and maybe that’s why we haven’t got that many because it’s probably hard enough translating Bodie and Doyle onto paper, let alone other people. Would it require a different kind of writing talent? To create original characters? Maybe *not* being tied to canon makes it easier to write and create? I honestly don't know because I don't write.
Thanks for this! I enjoyed reading your questions.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 06:00 pm (UTC)Thank you!
"I would," Doyle answered levelly, " — if I had to. For him."
I think these few word are a story in itself.
"...even more when it’s gen because it reflects the strength of feeling we see between them in the actual episodes..."
Yeah!!! I think 'Slash only' readers sometimes forget, how strong these feelings between friends can be and that it can be very satisfying for the reader to be witness of this connection between them! Every 'first time' skirmish would have destroyed the story! (Though an established relationship would have worked as well, I think.)
Good point that NMCs must be well written to enjoy them!
"3.) What do you think is the advantage of good NMCs in a story? Or don't you see any advantage?
I swear on my laptop’s life that I thought about this for a second and then came up with the same answer as you...... Honest! They could be used to bring out different aspects to Bodie and Doyle’s personalities. e.g. Jack Stone’s daughter in the Irene stories does this. And the tutor, Cambridge, in Arabian Nights, is a very useful tool in explaining Bodie’s past to Doyle".
Well, as long as you don't swear on your Kindle's life... ;-) Still enjoying it?
Oh yes, the tutor. He was French, right? - I really must reread it!
"Well now that you’ve asked….I think there *is* room for more, but they’d have to be well written and maybe that’s why we haven’t got that many because it’s probably hard enough translating Bodie and Doyle onto paper, let alone other people. Would it require a different kind of writing talent? To create original characters? Maybe *not* being tied to canon makes it easier to write and create? I honestly don't know because I don't write."
I can't believe that original minor(!) characters are harder to write than Bodie and Doyle for example. There is no one who can say that anything is OOC, is there? ;-)
Maybe it's really that authors don't want to waste their time with someone else than Bodie and Doyle - and Cowley and the others from CI5...!?
Thank you for your comment! I really enjoyed it! :-)
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 07:46 pm (UTC)It's OK, thanks, though I don't think I'm in love with it quite as much as I feel I should be! It's great when I've started reading a story online and I want to continue to read in bed etc but I do feel that the ideas and shape of a story don't leap out at me as clearly as it does when reading online or from a zine, especially when reading a long story. But yes, overall I'm very glad I've got one.
Oh yes, the tutor. He was French, right? - I really must reread it!
He was but I've just had to check! Can't believe that, considering I've read it so many times......
I can't believe that original minor(!) characters are harder to write than Bodie and Doyle for example. There is no one who can say that anything is OOC, is there? ;-)
That's true, but how easy is it to create characters and bring them to life so that the reader can see them as easily as they can see Bodie and Doyle? Surely both types of characterisation have their challenges?
Thank you for your comment! I really enjoyed it! :-)
You're welcome.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 08:46 pm (UTC)I must say I'm utterly in love with my kindle!
It would be among he three pieces I would save if the house was burning...
"That's true, but how easy is it to create characters and bring them to life so that the reader can see them as easily as they can see Bodie and Doyle? Surely both types of characterisation have their challenges?"
Probably! And it really is a big advantage, that we don't need to describe the look and the life and the personality of Bodie and Doyle, that's true!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 06:49 pm (UTC)And I will read it again and again ......
THANKS!! for the brilliant review.!!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 06:56 pm (UTC)Thank you for your comment!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 08:19 pm (UTC)In my opinion the end is too sappy, but I LOVE it!
And the NMCs are loveable and so real, it´s great!
I´d say that NMCs are hard to write, with The Lads you already have the characters and reactions, it´s a given, but NMCs have to be carefully invented, believably presented and it´s probably very easy to overdo.
And these were my answers to Q No. 2 and 4. Oh, and to 1, too, as I just realised....
Good NMCs make great stories, it´s more like the series, I like stories where there are only the Lads, but there´s this difference between a story and a novel.
See Larton. (Oh, you don´t see Larton.... *eg*, too bad.) Just look at Elery and Lizi, they take this to a whole new level.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 08:41 pm (UTC)Just look at all those movies where the 'second best heroes' all die, just to make the glory of the main actor even more shining.
And I surely I couldn't enjoy the story a second or a seventh time... if Liz, or Ellery or maybe Jamie would have died!
Just look at Exile by P.R.Zed...
"...with The Lads you already have the characters and reactions, it´s a given, but NMCs have to be carefully invented, believably presented and it´s probably very easy to overdo..."
Hmmmm... I would have thought the opposite. Must try it. ;-)
Larton... Larton... please help me... what was it...?
Thanks for stepping along!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:04 pm (UTC)Larton is the book you´ll read aloud while we are working on Rainees of different fandoms, it´s the one story I was able to reread multiple times at once, and if it´s the last thing on earth I´ll get done, I will make you like it!
And sure, it wouldn´t be as enjoyable in THIS story, but with P.R.Zed´s Exile it´s the same!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:15 pm (UTC)*g* Never!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:18 pm (UTC)(I´m very determined, because I KNOW what you´re missing!)
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:23 pm (UTC)*ducks and runs* :-P
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:25 pm (UTC)The only problem with Larton is the addiction.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-02 09:29 pm (UTC)(Whereever you are!) *g*
no subject
Date: 2012-08-07 07:16 pm (UTC)I did enjoy the story from the point of view of this Reading Room theme - Notable Minor Characters - and thought the couple were very well drawn, played a good supporrting role to B&D and were both very believable. I even liked the dog! Unfortunately, my British heritage and uncontrollable pedantry prevented me from enjoying the tale completely. I was unnerved by the location descriptions. While being able to accept dishonesty and dishonour in local government - and I thought this was a really good plot line - there were too many Brit-check errors for me to maintain a happy read.
Having said that, this is a good story and I am glad you gave me a reason to read it through. Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-07 08:28 pm (UTC)And I'm happy that you like the story - at least in principle.
Fortunately I don't notice Brit-check errors unless they are really, really obvious. ;-)
I know you are a very popular beta reader, and maybe you've talked about it with the one or the other author?
What do you think is the reason, that many authors aren't interested in good minor characters?
I think the couple adds a lot to the story! And in films and books, minor characters are used very often, for various reasons.
As deus ex machina, for funny elements, as cannon fodder, whatever.
Maybe there is no place for a third person in all the 'first time' stories???
no subject
Date: 2012-08-08 07:52 pm (UTC)I don’t think I have actually discussed notable minor characters with “my” authors as a specific topic. One of them does in fact always use characters other than known agents and other characters in the episodes and in fact usually sets her stories outside of the immediate CI5 arena.
I’m not sure I agree that many authors aren't interested in good minor characters and that the vast majority of stories include minor characters, it’s just a question of picking them out to analyse them. (Which is what I think is so great about the Reading Room!)
I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “Maybe there is no place for a third person in all the 'first time' stories???” I would not have labeled this as a “first time” story.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-08 08:36 pm (UTC)It's just a feeling, I never counted it, but in many stories you have B+D, Cowley and one or two other agents, but other peolpe are just background actors. Not really important for the story. Here in Angels Unaware it's different, and I like that very much!
I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “Maybe there is no place for a third person in all the 'first time' stories???” I would not have labeled this as a “first time” story.
Of course not!
But first time stories are very popular in Pros. And most of the time it's a two-person play.
But I think that good minor characters would add even to a first time story!
- and not only in threesomes... ;-)