(no subject)

[pensnest]

I was pleased to spot the DVD for the recent "The Personal History of David Copperfield" film while I went round Sainsburys yesterday. I thought it'd probably be something we could share with FIL, and would want to watch again. The cast list is terrific! But with all the ingredients there for a delightful film, I... wasn't delighted. I can't really say why. I thought it was cleverly done, but meh. I mean, I found myself not liking David Copperfield himself very much, despite it being Dev Patel playing him. I get cross with characters who make stupid choices—I suppose I must blame Mr Dickens for that, but still. I dunno. It was very clever, but I don't think I'll bother to watch it again.

*

I did enjoy "A Little Chaos", with Kate Winslet as a tough gardener and Alan Rickman (who also directed) as Louis XIV of France. His palace of Versailles, and amazing gardens, are being built. And there's love, intrigue, guilt, machinations etc. Very grown-up film.

*

Fic title meme from china_shop, via lannamichaels

Some fun questions on the first twenty titles that show on your AO3 page. Note: I have not included the stories for which I did the podfic, as I did not write those. I'm not going to link all the stories because I'm feeling lazy, but I'm pensnest on AO3 so anyone who's interested will be able to find them.

How many are you happy with?
Happy with 15, particularly proud of 6. (Out of the habit; Con-Stir-Nation; Neville Longbottom and the Boke of Fecretf; Perceptions of Reality; in porco, veritas; It's Cool, It's Hot, It's a Relationship, It's Not.) None of them is Actively Bad.

How many are… not great? Three. Target, Ritual, Jamie - these are very basic. Not bad titles, each one is something essential to the story, but not memorable, unique or attention-grabbing. Though that last characteristic only really matters with SeSa stories!

How many did you scramble for at the last minute?
hmmmmm. Don't remember. It's been a while. Usually I don't have a huge problem finding a title. I think 'Out of the habit' arrived late, though it's perfect.

How many did you know before you started writing, or near the beginning?
in porco, veritas - I figured out the title before I knew more about the fic than that it would involve a porcetta
Perceptions of Reality - arrived early in the process.
Healing Hands was a title I think I was given (orig fic, but written for a fan-style challenge)
Con-Stir-Nation arrived pretty fast, but then, the whole story was written in less than two very last-minute hours for a Christmas challenge
Hair was another obvious one, given that the subject is Backstreet's 'hair band' video

How many are quotes from song or poems?
take a second just to breathe
fallen down I'm still alive
you could make a reasonable case for 'Thriller'


How many are other quotes
Could definitely make a case for 'Mirror, Mirror' (a Star Trek reference)
Neville Longbottom and the Boke of Fecretf is a riff on the standard Harry Potter title format

Which best reflects the plot of the story/content of the fanwork
Hmm. I'm pretty pleased with many of them as appropriate titles, but probably *the* most exact one is It's Cool, It's Hot, It's a Relationship, It's Not

Which best reflects the character voice of the story/POV of the fanwork?
I don't really know.

Which is your favourite?
in porco, veritas. I mean. How not?

Comments

[frausorge]

I'm jealous that titles come easily to you! Apart from a few rare moments of inspirations, I often struggle with finding something that feels right.

[brandywine28]

You already know how I feel about in porco, veritas, but I *just this minute* realized that Con-Stir-Nation is kind of amazingly clever! I'm in awe! Again!

[turps]

My reaction to The Personal History of David Copperfield was similar to yours. It held my attention while watching, but I have no desire to see it again.

Titles. Gah. I hate thinking of them so am impressed with your perfect ones.

[pensnest]

I feel almost guilty sometimes! Not that all my titles are brilliant, but I've come up with quite a few that make me very happy, and I know so many writers really struggle with them.

[pensnest]

Hee! Thanks. I wonder if there's actually a convention called 'Constirnation', because it would be an excellent name for one. Mine was based very firmly on Nine Worlds (ephemera recognised it), which was a really good geek convention, and the sessions Chris attended (with the obvious exception) were ones I'd been to.

[pensnest]

Funny, isn't it. I thought it was very cleverly done, with the writing down of favourite phrases and the cinematic tricks, but it just... I don't know. Perhaps I don't really like Dickens very much.

[rikes]

Ahhh, I love in porco, veritas so much! Both the fic, and the title. :D

[pensnest]

Old school popslash insanity! :-D