Writing in Précis: Drabble WIPs

[fignewton]

Okay, yes, fandom is currently very quiet, so I won't take the Gen Fic Day thing personally. :) And since my own writing mojo has apparently fled, I can't really complain, can I?

With too many stories that are partially started (or just in the idea stage) and none of them wishing to step forward to be properly written, I hereby offer drabble-sized bits of some of my WIPs instead. Please bear in mind that there is no guarantee that the finished product will contain, or even resemble, the drabbles here. Or even that there will be a finished product, sigh.

The one where Clark Kent of Lois and Clark meets Daniel Jackson three times over the years

Route 66 had many impromptu roadside sales along the way. They'd stopped at this one to exchange their BDUs for more casual wear.

It was sheer chance that Daniel spotted the laughing, dark-haired child darting past, heading straight for the open highway.

"Hey, little guy!" Daniel scooped the child up. "Your mom and dad wouldn't --"

His words died in his throat. It was nearly a decade since he'd met Clark Kent in Mexico, and that was twenty years from now. But as Daniel stared at the small face, he realized he was holding the boy who would eventually become Superman.


The one I started writing for Aurora two years ago that refuses to settle on any one perspective

"It is an odd thing," Teal'c said at last. His gaze swept the neat rows of silent sentinels paying tribute to the fallen. "A Jaffa who dies in victory might be remembered by his fellow warriors, but those that are defeated receive no such recognition."

"That doesn't matter here," Jack said quietly.

"Yet you have explained that Vietnam was highly unpopular to the general population."

"That's true," Sam agreed, "but that doesn't lessen our respect for the men and women who gave their lives in fighting there."

Teal'c nodded. "So it would seem." His eyes gleamed a little more brightly.


The one I started for hsapiens that wants to turn into In Search of Possibilities

Carefully maneuvering the wires inside the panel, Sam tried to talk around the penlight she had clamped between her teeth. "Wouldn't it be more sensible to follow the circuits in the same direction?"

"Not in this culture, no," Daniel called. She could hear rustling as he crawled to the next set of pictographs on the other side of the fissure. "Mythology isn't usually based on logic, anyway."

"Okay. We've gone right, right, left, right, and down. Which way now?"

"Well, this creation story has Khelmi walking though the underworld towards the sleeping sun... Which direction is sunrise on this planet?"


The one I promised to uniquinum where the team discusses the merits of movies based on novels

"I'm surprised to hear you say that, Daniel," Sam said, looking amused. "You don't think it's better to read the book instead of watching the movie?"

"For a school assignment, yes." Daniel snagged another pastry. "And I guess it depends on how far the movie strays from the book's intent, too. But in general terms, the transition from paper to screen is just adapting another form of storytelling."

"There are some pretty awful adaptations."

"Certainly," Daniel agreed. "And some fantastic adaptations of pretty mediocre books."

"I'm going to remind you that you called books mediocre," Jack gloated.

"Would you rather we discussed ruby slippers versus silver shoes?" Daniel asked sweetly.


The one Kalquessa suggested and is too insane not to write

As Luke's ship rose from Degobah's surface and Obi-wan mourned the loss of his apprentice, Lya's gaze fell on the fluffy kernel of popcorn she held in her hand.

"Yoda called him too old," she noted, "but he seems very young to me."

Teal'c paused the movie. "As the Tau'ri do?" he asked.

Lya dropped the popcorn kernel and nodded. "Impulsive. Blind to the greater picture. Eager for violence, and too impatient with peace."

"Much like the Tau'ri, then," Teal'c agreed. "And yet with that same love for freedom."

Lya's mouth curved into her sweet smile. "Yes. That too."


The one I was going to write for Lokei that keeps trying to be a longer story

Teal'c frowned down at the small pieces arrayed across the board. "What purpose does this serve, Daniel Jackson?"

Daniel looked up with surprise. "It's just a game, Teal'c. Like Hounds and Jackals."

Teal'c tilted his head slightly as he narrowed his eyes. "O'Neill wishes to teach you military strategy?"

Jack choked back a laugh. "Daniel beats me about as often as I beat him, Teal'c. Sure, there's strategy involved. But it's mostly about understanding how your opponent thinks."

The frown deepened, and Daniel suddenly wondered if they were missing something. Teal'c seemed unusually disturbed by a simple magnetic game board.


The Proving Ground one I've started for cesy that refuses to decide how long it should be

"I don't think that was accidental," Hailey said abruptly. "Do you?"

Satterfield thought back to that beautifully violent dance, the blows and counterblows, and shook her head. "No way. They made sure we'd witness Major Carter sparring with Teal'c."

"The question," Hailey continued thoughtfully, "is what lesson we're supposed to take away from it."

Satterfield smothered a grin. "Besides Major Carter being downright scary?"

Hailey shrugged. "It's not like we didn't know that part already. No, there's something else."

"There could be more than one lesson here," Satterfield pointed out.

"Yeah. And it's a good idea to figure out what."