Name: BookDinosaur (Signed) · Date: 02 Mar 2019 10:16 AM · For: The Ghost of Christmas Past

Hey there! Here for BvB - I hope you don’t mind that I picked an old(er) piece, but I haven’t seen a lot of Ron-centric fic and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity ^^”

And speaking of Ron-centric fic, wow, I really loved your characterisation of him in this! He feels a lot more mellow now than he did in his letters, but ten years is such a long time, and it’s only natural that he’d grow during it! What I really love is that you’ve managed to keep a steady thread of characterisation throughout - he’s a different Ron to the one who’d written that letter, but he’s still Ron, and I think you’ve done a great job capturing that.

The letter itself was, I think, a really great representation of his mindset when he was in Shell Cottage. He says that he regretted walking out as soon as he did it, and we can see that in the letter he wrote -- but then, we can also see the experience acting as a big shock for him, maybe the event that pushes him to grow up all the way, if you will. And as he learns and grows from it he writes himself so that he won’t mess up! I love that :’)

Of course, his present-day interactions with his family were so sweet and comfortable. I LOVED the ending touch of writing another letter to 37-year-old him - that’s such a great touch. I really enjoyed reading this, I think you did a great job with it!

Emily

Author's Response:

Hi, Emily! Thanks so much for taking the time to review!

 

There really is a lack of Ron-centric fic, isn't there? And as someone who considers him to be one of my favorite characters, even *I* don't write him that often lol. It's a shame, really!

 

I definitely have always imagined his time at Shell Cottage being what really kicked him in the pants and made him reassess his behavior. While I don't fault him for his feelings during that time (I mean, for goodness sake, he was 17! No 17-year-old is a saint!), he *did* take it a bit too far. But, I think everyone needs that learning experience, that moment that forces us to take a good, hard look in the mirror. No human is perfect, but the important thing is that we learn from our mistakes. And I really wanted to show Ron doing just that, because for some reason, he has such a bad rap in the fandom. 

 

Thanks again for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

 

Cheers,

Reilly

Name: VaguelyCreativeName (Signed) · Date: 20 Jan 2019 11:00 AM · For: The Ghost of Christmas Past

Hello! I’m dropping by for the Magical Menagerie Event :)

 

I really like your characterisation of Ron here, especially what we see in the letter! The angry outburst at the beginning is a lot like what we see from him in the books, hot-tempered, speak-first, think-later and a bit defeatist. I also think you’ve reflected really well that 17-year old Ron has written this in a moment of desperation and intense emotional stress. At the same time, you can see how Ron’s already implementing his own advice while he’s writing it, becoming more level-headed and reminding himself to behave more thoughtfully, which fits really well with your characterisation of adult Ron. Even if he’s forgotten he ever wrote that letter, he still followed his own advice (perhaps unconsciously in later years). And although Ron has changed and grown as a person, he’s still Ron; the style you used in the letter and for current-Ron’s thoughts and feelings compliment each other perfectly, there’s no clash or break and it’s very evident that while the reader gets to see two perspectives, those are very much from the same person, one’s just a bit older and wiser.

 

Also, Ron’s interactions with both Hermione and Rosie are utterly charming and it’s very clear that he’s just newly taken his advice to heart. This was a really sweet story, and reading it made me feel very Christmassy, which is an odd thing to say in January!

 

Lots of Love,

Julia

Author's Response:

Hi, Julia! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words!

 

I'm so glad you liked my characterization of Ron! I think he is, unfrotunately, mistreated a lot in the fandom (not just in fic, but on Tumblr and whatnot). I hate that he's been pegged as spoiled, whiny, childish, etc. He's not a saint, but a lot of the focus seems to solely be on his negative qualities, and it bothers me. I really wanted to paint of picture of him having grown up a bit, because... yeah, he *was* somewhat immature in DH, but he was a 17-year-old boy. I don't know many 17-year-olds who don't have their immature moments lol. 

 

And hey, there's nothing wrong with feeling Christmassy in January! Christmas equates to warmth and joy, and that suits any season lol. Thanks again for reviewing!

 

Cheers,

Reilly

Name: potionspartner (Signed) · Date: 28 Dec 2018 07:23 AM · For: The Ghost of Christmas Past

Reilly, one thing I love about your writing is the unique perspective you always take. You think of an angle that no one has even considered-- a ghost of Christmas past is, quite literally, your past self. 

 

So many post Hogwarts fanficts depict Ron as explosive, self-centered and crude, but I'd lke to think you portrayed JKR's feelings more accurately--that Christmas Ron did some serious soul searching and finally grew up.

 

He was brutal on himself, but rightly so. He needed a good talking to and ten years later, well it never hurts to remember what's important in your life.

 

I really love the ending (but I'm a total cyclic nut.) It's a great ending that bumps the story up even more, demonstrating what a great writer you are. 

Author's Response:

Hi, Barbara! Thanks so much for your kind words!

 

I do agree that Ron is often perceived as overly emotional and childish, and I really don't think that's fair to him. I always feel like everyone holds his negative qualities against him, yet ignore the negatives of Harry and Hermione. So, I really wanted to redeem him with this, to show that he could grow out of that temper somewhat. I'm glad to hear it worked! Despite me not writing him much, Ron really is one of my favorite characters, so I really wanted to do him justice.

 

Thanks again!

 

Cheers,

Reilly