Name: blackballet (Signed) · Date: 22 Feb 2023 04:23 PM · For: The Trunk

Hey Noelle,

Back for another event review!

 

Oh no, this is going to hurt already. I hate the way that George describes him as "gone to feed the worms," even though it's just the truth. And the trunk only reminds him of thing sthat aren't real anymore :( And I like the way that you talk about the trunk in the different ways it's practical vs the way that it reminds him of Fred, it's so jarring, it really reminds me of that horrible pain and grief that one feels when they lose someone.

The way that you frame it around the resolution, that he'll get rid of it eventually, is also so heartbreaking. Getting rid of a loved ones' belongings is never easy, and he knows that it's not just leather and brass :(( that's so sad. And then when he asks for Fred's help at the end!! what are you doing to me?

Amazing job capturing such a heartbreaking moment in someone's life. The bargaining, and the eventual giving in, that you can't actaully bring yourself to get rid of anything.

 

thank you for this story,

Cat

Author's Response:

I broke my own heart writing this. Thank you for reading it <3

Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 16 Feb 2023 05:29 PM · For: The Trunk

Hi,

Here for murder mystery reviewing event :)

I love this so much, it was such a brilliant snapshot of the grieving process for George. Grieve is such an odd thing but you captured so beautifully what that represented for George. I like how you describe the physically but also George's emotionally journey and connection to it. I really like that you didn't really have George just move on at the end of the piece because it feels more real and  poignant that he doesn't just get rid of the trunk. He feels like he needs it and that's okay. I thought your use of the prompt was heartbreaking but perfectly played. The last line in particular really packs an emotional punch. 

Abbi xx

 

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! I made myself cry writing this one

Name: Oregonian (Signed) · Date: 16 Feb 2023 07:55 AM · For: The Trunk

Hi, Noelle,

 

What a New Year's Resolution that is -- to vow to throw away the trunk that is such a strong tie to his lost brother.  You have expressed the dilemma so well in just a very few words.  Not a word wasted. 

 

And it's something we all can relate to, the wrenching of the heart at the thought of throwing away the tangible object that ties us to someone we lost, even as we know that the object will not, cannot, bring them back.  Images spring up in my mind -- the well-meaning people who urge you to get rid of these things ("You'll feel better when they're gone") or even worse, throw them away when your back is turned.  I think about people who have lost absolutely everything they owned in a fire, and they say, trying to put the best face on it, "Well, at least we all survived, and that's all that matters."  But it's really not, because in that heap of ashes are the links to your past and your family, and they'll never come back again.

 

Maybe George can eventually put the trunk in a place where he doesn't see it every day, or at leat not several times every day.  Precious souvenirs from Summer Camp will someday seem meaningless and will be tossed out easily, but it will be a long while before George can feel that it's right to release some of his brother's old clothes to new homes, to people who really need them, so that he can honor Fred by helping others. 

 

A great little piece.

 

Vicki

For the FFT Review Event.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! I really appreciate this comment <3

Name: RogueSlytherin (Signed) · Date: 15 Feb 2023 05:46 PM · For: Whoop-de-fucking-do

Gondola ride reviews <3 
NOOOOOOOOO!!! I love cop!Severus and Ted D: I mean, don't get me wrong I know Sev has issues and Ted probably had every reason to not stick with him, but I wanted the best for those crazy kids! AHHHHH I love the way you write Noelle. The way you get so intune with the voice of a character. The way he rambles on about the stool and is so fixated on it, then it's the name of the bar, then it's the barkeep - anything to distract him from thinking about his heartbreak. 

The way you're able to squeeze so much emotion out of a short flash fiction chapter like this is just impeccable and I want to give you all the applause - but also not cause I hate sad Sev </3

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!! I was really sad to sink this ship, for sure. I'll have to write another AU where Sev/Ted get to live happily ever after

Name: RogueSlytherin (Signed) · Date: 15 Feb 2023 05:40 PM · For: The Trunk

Hey Noelle! Here for a trip on the gondola <3

This is one of the most devestating and beautiful little ficlet that I've read in a long time. I mean goddamn if you didn't just reach into my chest, rip out my heart, make sure it's still beating and then smack it back into place. Seriously awesome writing. It's so so evocative. The way you show his grieving and dealing with loss without ever calling it that straight out. 

I love prompts and the way they can spark something so unexpected in a story and boy did this hit that mark. A.Maze.Ing.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! I made myself cry with this one

Name: RonsGirlFriday (Signed) · Date: 13 Feb 2023 01:00 AM · For: Whoop-de-fucking-do

Reading cop!Sev has become like a drug for me. Thank you for this fix. XD

 

Him just angrily sitting in a gay bar post-breakup is the thing I never knew I needed. Ever so endearing in his hard-as-nails bitter coating masking his inner marshmallow. Won't someone give this man a hug and won't he allow them to mean it.

 

<3

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! This means so much to me :')

Name: RonsGirlFriday (Signed) · Date: 13 Feb 2023 12:48 AM · For: The Trunk

Oh my godddddddd. :(

 

This is incredible. Packs a punch in so few words. A trunk of Fred's things, a visual reminder that George keeps subjecting himself to, not even storing it away somewhere at least if he can't bring himself to actually get rid of it. And somehow the fact that it's all things that would "fit him like a glove" makes it that much crueller. Really drives him the point that in getting rid of those things it's like getting rid of part of himself. And the trunk really is part of him now, bringing as much comfort and meaning as sorrow.

 

Beautiful. <3

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! I made myself cry with this one