About that writerly itch...
Dec. 17th, 2002 05:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
capri0mniI still got it, and I think I know what direction to go in to to scratch it... But I've got a Timelord ethics question, and how my storylet turns out depends a great deal on how I answer it:
What are the ethics of a Timelord going back to visit his own past? Say -- visiting a relative or a friend who died before the Timelord reached maturity (or current state of maturity), especially if it means going from the present time (when Gallifrey no longer exists) to Gallifrey's "ancient" past (when old high Gallifreyan was still the common tongue)?
You see, there was a scene I wrote at the latest Hoedown, where Eloise (the little green creature above) catches a glimpse of Florestan's writing desk... and there is an unfinished letter there.... Should Florestan finish that letter and deliver it? or destroy it?
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, the Third Annual Pro-Fun Troll Hoedown is now online, here: http://narm00.tripod.com/h3.html (Good work, Imran, if you are reading this!)
The first and second Hoedowns can be accessed here: http://www.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au/~pandinac/profun/
Please comment... give me a hand, here!
What are the ethics of a Timelord going back to visit his own past? Say -- visiting a relative or a friend who died before the Timelord reached maturity (or current state of maturity), especially if it means going from the present time (when Gallifrey no longer exists) to Gallifrey's "ancient" past (when old high Gallifreyan was still the common tongue)?
You see, there was a scene I wrote at the latest Hoedown, where Eloise (the little green creature above) catches a glimpse of Florestan's writing desk... and there is an unfinished letter there.... Should Florestan finish that letter and deliver it? or destroy it?
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, the Third Annual Pro-Fun Troll Hoedown is now online, here: http://narm00.tripod.com/h3.html (Good work, Imran, if you are reading this!)
The first and second Hoedowns can be accessed here: http://www.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au/~pandinac/profun/
Please comment... give me a hand, here!
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no subject
Date: 2002-12-18 12:52 am (UTC)It... depends, I suppose... I don't think he'd finish it, or he'd finish it but never deliver it. I don't know exactly what you want to achieve with it, so...
Maybe you could write both versions and see which one you think works better :)
Ethics and plots
Date: 2002-12-18 08:40 am (UTC)Right... that was my suspicion....
But that never stopped the Doctor, apparently :P
Nor would "being against Timelord ethics," in and of itself, stop Florestan, seeing as he risked (and sacrificed) his life to bring the Goddesses of the Pythia back to Gallifrey.
It... depends, I suppose... I don't think he'd finish it, or he'd finish it but never deliver it.
I think the question really is: "Would it be against Florestan's* ethics?" If delivering that letter would somehow have a lasting effect in making the future a better, more creative place (Making life better for Gallifrey is a moot point, since it's been wiped from history... But the wider universe is another questionn), I think he'd say to hell with codified morals. But if delivering it would only serve to satisfy some private hunger, I think he'd struggle with it, and then burn it.
What I really need to decide is what is in that letter...
I don't know exactly what you want to achieve with it, so...
My real ulterior motive is to get a firmer handle on Florestan's character, and the relationship he is developing with Eloise, so that by the time of the next Joyful Troll Celebration, he can host with authority.
Maybe you could write both versions and see which one you think works better :)
That's probably best... whatever I decide, the story will very likely consist mostly of flashback, and center around the events leading up to the writing of the letter (And who he was writing it to).
* I'm still not sure how I want to pronounce his name -- whether I want it to be three syllables (Flor'-eh-stan), or two (Flor'-stn). Right at this moment, I'm leaning toward the latter... sounds less like an active ingrediant in toothpaste (Which I think was an aside that Paul G. made).