Naturally, I was going to blast you with my usual accolades at the website, but I'm going to do it here.
Jesus christ on a raft, the whole chapter is humming, completely humming with what that noble and completely idiotic James is going to do. Talk about FOREPLAY. I nearly squealed when he *finally* reached for the pistol. EVERYTHING was leading up to that. His ruminations, his understanding (FINALLY) of their relationship. His conviction of what he must do. And Rene is a fool if he doesn't understand this about James. Because James even defied Rene, despite his tremendous love for him, to free Etienne because it was right> Did squeal at that.
So glad you had that bit about Rene's nightmares because it very nicely sets the stage for James embracing the worst of sins. It's like how can James not do this when his lover (GAH!) can't even sleep through the night. Can't even sleep without a candle (except when he has his manly English boytoy next to him to chase away the bad nightmares).
So much in this chapter to chew on. As always.
Of course, I can only imagine Rene's complete and total rage when he discovers that James has assumed responsibility for what Rene thinks is his right to do, and Rene's total love because James is willing to have that sin on soul on behalf of Rene. And who knows better about hell's fires than Rene?
Have I told you how much I love this story. Like. Way. Love. It. I think I might have once or twice. ::Insert sheepish grin:: But just so you know...
Hell of a story. You are a hell of a writer.
PS am I right in thinking that you are juxtaposing James and Marechal by having Marechal being one of those who necessitated Rene having a nightlight (god, that kills me) and James being the one who makes it ok not to have a candle. I hope I'm right because it is sooo subtle and beautiful.
Cliffhanger ending piss me off? Are you kidding. BEST ENDING EVAH!
My writerly toes are curling. Anticipation like you wouldn't believe. Of course, if the next chapter is ten months in the offing, then I might not be so effusive, but for now. Le sigh.
And James being Rene-ish. I have no idea if you planned this or not, but this role switching of theirs fascinates me because it seems that they started out this saga with false selves. Rene acting all "Fuck off, I don't believe in god" while fingering his crucifix. James acting all "Hey, I'm not a slut. See? I'm carring a bible. And please rip my pants off and who careS if the good book says butt-fucking is wrong. Like I want it NOW, RENE!) and in this false self state, they constantly gave each other mixed signals. Not only mixed, often nearly fatal signals. Like chapter 5 when Rene throws the coins at James feet (god, that was a boffo ending too)! And it's only now that they're roles are reversing that they are beginning to understand each other.
Just stopping by to say that I was up ALL NIGHT reading Ideas of Sin... utterly addictive! It's a wonderful story and I do hope you'll continue it! I'd swamp you with more effusive praise, but I'm just too damn tired, what with the staying-up-all-night-reading bit and all. :)
May I just say how riveting "ideas of sin" is? thanks to pir8fancier (who seemed to have recced this several times over the years and I like to think she's proud of me for waiting until I'm not 15 anymore to read this :D) I became introduced to this world and just recently rediscovered it to read through the whole thing during the hols (actually I should be studying hee.). By the end of chapter 21 I was all "nooo, jamie what are you doing with that pistol..? don't kill rené! ... wait. nooo, jamie don't kill yourself!! wait, nooo, don't kill etienne, wait, wha--?! *frantic clutching of laptop*" that basically sums up my confusion, because holy hell your writing has so many layers and I feel that I have just not been adequately decked out with enough IQ to understand all of it. I have this feeling that I am missing out on a lot of stuff, like I have just barely scratched the surface of "ideas of sin". It's frustrating to know that I can't understand the finer nuances. At the same time it's somewhat of a challenge. I know I'll be re-reading a lot and I'd be rewarded by sussing out the meaning behind René's grimace, James's answer, the shifting mood, behind anything really. It is truly a beautiful thing to see René's and James's relationship progress. Especially chapter 18, wow. I don't care about the porn unless I also care about the characters. And "Ideas of Sin" reminded me of just that. It's not just about cocks but also about the consequences and what they're thinking, feeling, sensing, what will it change? Why isn't he comfortable with that? What's going to shift next the careful balance they have created?-and so on and so forth. When they are in René's room it just them and it's a heady situation, feels fragile like the calm before the storm or the calm before JamesTAKESTHEPISTOL. The theme and topics you let you characters touch upon are also very well handled. That sounded lame I'm sorry. I can't come up with anything better to describe it. "Ideas of Sin" just is</>, if that makes any sense =] Thanks for sharing it with us <3
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Jesus christ on a raft, the whole chapter is humming, completely humming with what that noble and completely idiotic James is going to do. Talk about FOREPLAY. I nearly squealed when he *finally* reached for the pistol. EVERYTHING was leading up to that. His ruminations, his understanding (FINALLY) of their relationship. His conviction of what he must do. And Rene is a fool if he doesn't understand this about James. Because James even defied Rene, despite his tremendous love for him, to free Etienne because it was right> Did squeal at that.
So glad you had that bit about Rene's nightmares because it very nicely sets the stage for James embracing the worst of sins. It's like how can James not do this when his lover (GAH!) can't even sleep through the night. Can't even sleep without a candle (except when he has his manly English boytoy next to him to chase away the bad nightmares).
So much in this chapter to chew on. As always.
Of course, I can only imagine Rene's complete and total rage when he discovers that James has assumed responsibility for what Rene thinks is his right to do, and Rene's total love because James is willing to have that sin on soul on behalf of Rene. And who knows better about hell's fires than Rene?
Have I told you how much I love this story. Like. Way. Love. It. I think I might have once or twice. ::Insert sheepish grin:: But just so you know...
Hell of a story. You are a hell of a writer.
PS am I right in thinking that you are juxtaposing James and Marechal by having Marechal being one of those who necessitated Rene having a nightlight (god, that kills me) and James being the one who makes it ok not to have a candle. I hope I'm right because it is sooo subtle and beautiful.
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um...james is thinking more than rene right now. how odd. james is being...smart? and paying attention? wow.
well i think he's aware that marechal had something of the same role as protector in rene's life, but that marechal failed completely.
when james gets hardcore, it's hott. *shallow*
if you're curious...the ending is based on a quote...i believe from the bible but i can't remember now.
"i come not to bring peace, but a sword."
james is a sexy avenging angel.
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My writerly toes are curling. Anticipation like you wouldn't believe. Of course, if the next chapter is ten months in the offing, then I might not be so effusive, but for now. Le sigh.
And James being Rene-ish. I have no idea if you planned this or not, but this role switching of theirs fascinates me because it seems that they started out this saga with false selves. Rene acting all "Fuck off, I don't believe in god" while fingering his crucifix. James acting all "Hey, I'm not a slut. See? I'm carring a bible. And please rip my pants off and who careS if the good book says butt-fucking is wrong. Like I want it NOW, RENE!) and in this false self state, they constantly gave each other mixed signals. Not only mixed, often nearly fatal signals. Like chapter 5 when Rene throws the coins at James feet (god, that was a boffo ending too)! And it's only now that they're roles are reversing that they are beginning to understand each other.
So much fun. So wonderful.
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It is truly a beautiful thing to see René's and James's relationship progress. Especially chapter 18, wow. I don't care about the porn unless I also care about the characters. And "Ideas of Sin" reminded me of just that. It's not just about cocks but also about the consequences and what they're thinking, feeling, sensing, what will it change? Why isn't he comfortable with that? What's going to shift next the careful balance they have created?-and so on and so forth. When they are in René's room it just them and it's a heady situation, feels fragile like the calm before the storm or the calm before JamesTAKESTHEPISTOL.
The theme and topics you let you characters touch upon are also very well handled. That sounded lame I'm sorry. I can't come up with anything better to describe it. "Ideas of Sin" just is</>, if that makes any sense =] Thanks for sharing it with us <3
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hee.
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i think i ought to start a mailing list or blog comm someday for something just so i can name it cocks and consequences. :)