12/24/04
http://www.livejournal.com/users/sarahandcocoa
I am determined to change this ridiculously out of date page.
My name is Laura, twenty years old, and a student at Durham University. Yes, that can at times mean I am an opinionated know-it-all, but usually only to do with matters occuring during the 16th and 17th Century. I'm originally from South Yorkshire, reside in Nottinghamshire, and generally end up all over the place.
I have an obsessive love for a dead woman called Anne Boleyn. Everytime I hear Phillipa Gregory's posh voice talk about how this "remarkable woman" changed the face of England, it makes me inspired to write a better story than the hideous one that she did with "The Other Boleyn Girl". Not that this is my only reason for spending so much time engrossed in history books only vaguely relevent to my course. I love Anne because she is a woman of so many ambiguities. The more I learn about her, the more I realise how little we know of her. She is my muse for many small projects and I have ambitions she'll be the muse for a big one, too.
I love horse riding, writing, banner-making and reading Snape-centric fanfiction. I have an imagination more interesting than my life and am very rubbish at coping with simple things, like walking in the right direction. I am happy to waste away an afternooh watching Top Gear or go for a stroll in my local park with my doggy called Sarah and car called Musher.
I enjoy travelling, evident by my around-the-world trip to Australia, China, New Zealand and America last summer. Countries I hope to visit include Ireland, Paris (plus France again, I guess), Africa, Italy, South America and various others.
You may notice a few stories missing. I'm sorry to say that I don't see myself completing them, so I feel it's only fair to delete them so that people aren't anticipating chapters that will never arrive. I did have fun writing them, but it's just a case of not having time to complete them!
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Follow the Basilisk Home by indigo_mouse
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •
Summary: Time is the magic that transforms the words and deeds of mortals to myth and fable. Who were the Hogwarts Four? Who were the people behind the legends? This is the story of the monk and maven, healer and hero who lived and dreamed and built a school in years long gone.
Date: 08/03/08 Title: Chapter 2: Chapter 2 - Den Mother
This chapter was really beautiful! I loved Helga's personality, her voice, and the original quirky features of her story. Keep up the good work!
Author's Response: Thank you! I am striving for a different 'voice' for all the founders, and that has made this fic both fun and challenging.
Date: 10/04/08 Title: Chapter 4: Chapter 4 - Lion Cub
Ahhhh, that was just lovely! You're characters have an effortlessness about them, have I told you that already? They're yours, even though they were created by JKR, because you turn abstract qualities into flesh and blood, with feelings and motives and ethics. I love how Godric is the "Other Gryffindor" and how Godric's Hollow isn't even named after him - your efforts to de-romanticise him and push him from his pedestal certainly worked! I also loved the way you described the battle scene and its aftermath - and OMG! I just read your Author Note - The Battle of Maldon is AMMAAAAZZZZING! I studied it last year, and yes, you certainly did it justice with that scene. I just love the way you've managed to turn an amazing yet not well-known area of English history into something so life-like. It's a very difficult area of history to get your head around, yet you make it seem easy and effortless. You're a superstar writer! (and I am sorry - one day you will get a nice coherent review from me, I promise)
Author's Response: If I were really clever, I could think of other ways to respond to reviews besides "Thank you!". I stumbled across the Battle of Malden, and after trying hard to incorporate the actual battle into the story (but what would the Gryffindors be doing so far from home?) I decided to take artistic license with it instead. And I left out the part where Byrhtnoth falls and someone named Godric rides off on his horse - causing the British to think that Byrhtnoth was fleeing, which in turn caused panic and a route. Although that would have been interesting! Perhaps in the future.
and doesn't this quote from the "Battle of Malden" just send shivers down your spine?
Thought shall be harder, heart the keener,
Mood the more, as our might lessens.
Date: 08/09/08 Title: Chapter 3: Chapter 3 - Fledgling
Arwww, that was very beautiful! (Wait, I said that about the last chapter, didn't I?) I just love how you take these characters and make them your own. I've dabbled in Founder Era before but never imagined Rowena's backstory and personality to be like this. Once again a very different voice - a young and fragile but very mature voice! I now can't wait to see how you handle Godric.
Author's Response: Thanks! Godric is a little difficult because he is a bit on a pedestal, in my opinion. How to retain that regard and bring him down to a human level? Its more challenging, I am finding, but the chapter is coming along well, just a little slower than the others. Stay tuned!