553 replies to this topic

[tdalton]

EDIT: Part 1 of Goodnight Mr. Bond has been posted.

The interlude between the two parts will be posted maybe a day or two after Christmas, and Part 2 hopefully by New Year's day, if not a couple of days before that.

It's not the best title in the world, I know, but it was the best I could come up with.

Edited by tdalton, 24 December 2010 - 01:37 AM.

[terminus]

Excellent - will add this to my pile of reading alongside Bryce and MHazard's tales.

[chrisno1]

PAST TIMES

by CHRIS STACEY


Season’s Greetings to everyone at Cbn and everyone who contributes to Cbn....

Not sure when I’m going to get around to reading everyone’s wonderful Christmas contributions, but I hope to post a resume around about New Year....

For what it’s worth, let me kick off with my sweet little confection, which is more of a canapé than a plum pudding....

I’ll leave the salmon, turkey and all the trimmings to M.Hazzard, tdalton, Harry Fawkes, terminus, Bryce, Volante, Joyce Carrington and others (please excuse me if I left you off this list). Your stories sound much more substantial! ....

The link below takes you to the Fan Fiction section....


http://debrief.comma...248-past-times/


BEST WISHES, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR

Chrisno1

[Joyce Carrington]

This Santa brings you two links:

2008's Dreaming Of (aka Part 1)
2010's A Right Christmas (aka Part 2)

Merry Christmas, folks.

I'll be reading this year's "harvest" later and post my thoughts.

[Joyce Carrington]

Sat down with a cup of hot cocoa and read the first couple of stories.

Terminus - All the Trimmings: I’ll echo Bryce’s thoughts here. Nicely paced indeed, and I do send you kisses for the nod. Very kind. I find myself simply happy with Alec North’s addition to the Double-O section and I’m curious about him: both what is in his past and what he will be up to in the future. Cheers, terminus.

Bryce – The High Road: Good man. I actually like this much more than Not Quite A Holiday. Good pacing, great on the details, and the nods. You’ve managed to set a fun atmosphere with some nice banter. Yeah… and I like Kate.

MHazard – Let Nothing You Dismay: Ooh, I like this! Terrific character moments and overall, a good story.

Taking a short break now. More to read and more comments later.

[Joyce Carrington]

Break taken...

tdalton – Goodnight, Mr. Bond: Nice, although I must say I feel there was potential for a more interesting ending. However, I know this is only a first part, so I’ll wait until you post the rest. Anyway, I do really like reading from Goodnight’s perspective.

chrisno1 – Past Times: This turned very interesting all of the sudden! I like the characters bits and backstory. It’s a cute tale, actually, fitting for Christmas.

Now, what stories didn't I read yet? Please tell me.

I'm off to have dinner but will be back to read later tonight.

[Harry Fawkes]

THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST LITERARY CREATIONS

FAN FICTION EXCLUSIVE TO CBn

DARK, CHILLING, FULL OF TWISTS

LET THE READING BEGIN

WELCOME TO THE INCREDIBLE WORLD OF OO7

Merry XMas everyone and may you all have a good one.

I'm off to Night Duty Watch in an hour and I will be reading your wonderfull work most of the night, so what a Christmas Eve, eh? In the company of Fan Fic writers like Joyce Carrington M.Hazzard, tdalton, Chrisno1, terminus, Bryce, Volante, Scrambled Eggs, to mention but a few. As they say:

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THAN YOU

[tdalton]

tdalton – Goodnight, Mr. Bond: Nice, although I must say I feel there was potential for a more interesting ending. However, I know this is only a first part, so I’ll wait until you post the rest. Anyway, I do really like reading from Goodnight’s perspective.

Thanks.

I do agree that the ending is a bit weak, although, had I actually been able to nail down the outline for the story much earlier (the plot, characters, and basically everything else underwent several drastic changes between the end of November and this week), I would have done the story as just one story (still in 2 parts, but posted all at once), so I think that the ending of part 1 would have gelled a bit better.

Part of what I was trying to do with the ending of this one was to provide a bit more of an upbeat ending because Part 2, which is more from Bond's perspective, does not end on a particularly upbeat note (or perhaps it's more of a bittersweet ending, I'm not entirely sure, but it's certainly not a happy ending). I also think that Part 2 will be a much more entertaining read, for several reasons, primarily because it's a sequence that I've had in mind for quite a while now, so the it's a much more developed idea than what is there in Part 1. Also, there's a fair bit more action in it as well, which I think will help pick the pace of it up a bit.

[Joyce Carrington]

Understood, tdalton. I'm curious to see what Part 2 has in store for me (I don't like happy endings ).

volante - Fire With Fire: Nice round story. On a purely technical note, I'd advise you to take a look at the interpunction and paragraphs. Aside from that, I'd wish the pacing wasn't so high! I think the impact would be greater if you took a bit more time to tell your story. The ending is the strongest part in that respect; you manage to create some good tension.

[clinkeroo]

I have one dark, peculiar little gift to leave under the tree this year:

The Naughty List

Merry Christmas, everyone!

[Joyce Carrington]

clinkeroo - The Naughty List: That made me giggle repeatedly. Which I think is what you were going for.

[clinkeroo]

clinkeroo - The Naughty List: That made me giggle repeatedly. Which I think is what you were going for.

Making the young ladies giggle is what I'm all about!

[Bryce (003)]

Bryce – The High Road: Good man. I actually like this much more than Not Quite A Holiday. Good pacing, great on the details, and the nods. You’ve managed to set a fun atmosphere with some nice banter. Yeah… and I like Kate.

Yeah, but Joyce isn't going to like 003 too much when she learns of Kate. Nearly seven years of working together as Double-O's and him keeping her in the dark about his little sister. For good reason, but as I get to part two, Joyce is going to be pissed. More out of being left out rather than true anger.

Also, to give everyone something for their "mind's eye" I found a pic.

Some fifteen years ago when I came up with the notion of Bryce having a little sister, I bounced it off 004 and he liked my take and pitch as it were. He made a suggestion as to what he imagined and one day in Hollywood at a poster shop looking through stills, he walked up to me with an album and announced "I think I've found your sister."

I bought the pic and, somewhere over the years, it's either buried or lost, but, thanks to this whole inter-webby flashing box thing, I found it again.

A wonderful picture of a truly beautiful actress taken from us too soon by a horrific crime.

Spies and Spyettes - The late, great and lovely Miss Sharon Tate IS Katherine "Kate" Bryce.

Cheers.

Yes, Bryce has a smoking hot younger sister. Don't get any ideas boys...She's deadlier than the male.

Attached Files

•  Katherine Bryce.jpg   172.66KB   6 downloads

[clinkeroo]

Sharon Tate? Now there's a blast from the past. Sad and horrible stuff. I was already going to read the piece, now I have to.

Fenna, loved the story. There is a very sexy and cinematic quality to your writing. When you switch scenes, you always seem to pick the most interesting moments to cut in on (you don't begin with Joyce entering the bar, you enter mid-scene with the heart of the dialog, you don't enter at the beginning of the romantic scene, you enter in mid-****.) Constantly alive, constantly moving, but the strong characters, and intelligent plotting, keep it grounded so it doesn't fall into Nikita-like cartoon violence and faux sentimentality. I look forward to playing some of your professional work at my theatre, one day.

[terminus]

Slightly off-topic - Would people be interested in reading a slightly longer novelette featuring Alec North? I've got a vague idea on how to expand the first vignette into a slightly longer novelette - as well as a handful of other ideas to use too.

[Joyce Carrington]

Very flattered, clinkers. Thanks.

terminus: YES.

[chrisno1]

Well, I've done all the preparation for tomorrow and am sipping port, listening to Phil Spector, Dean Martin and Mariah (not necessarily in that order - Elvis is next too) and I've just finished 4 of the Christmas offerings.
My initial thoughts as follows:

ALL THE TRIMMINGS (terminus) -
This follows on nicely from A Flying Visit and has a genial 'christmassy' feel to it.
Alec North reads like a man pre-occupied by surface appearances. I'd like to read more about him...

THE HIGH ROAD (Bryce) -
I'm not familiar with your work, but this read well, without completely involving me. The nods to fellow authors/stories etc is fun. The car chase was well constructed.
Ultimately I thought it was a rather slight tale and if I'm honest the pre-occupation with people's sexual behaviour got a bit repetitive and stopped being funny half way through. Everyone read like interviewees on 'Sexcetera'. Incidently, as a 30 years Stone's fan, it's GIMMIE SHELTER...

THE NAUGHTY LIST (clinkeroo) -
Oh this is hilarious I loved the set up, right from the opening sentence. The jokes and the piss taking are scandalously good; a really excellent piece.
Also the imagery was slightly creepy. It was like reading Tim Burton's screenplay for a nightmare animated version of 007.
Well done! Full marks!

A RIGHT CHRISTMAS (Joyce Carrington) -
Oooo, this is dark....
Very challenging subject matter tackled in an adult fashion. There was some excellent characterisation here and the confusion that rests not only in Joyce, but also in Dawn, felt very real and very hurtful.
I'd need to read this one again (and its forerunner) to attest exactly how good this piece is. I think it has more layers than I initially saw.
Great work. But not very Christmassy...

I'll try to read more over the next few days. Time for Elvis....

Edited by chrisno1, 24 December 2010 - 10:55 PM.

[MHazard]

I have to go to Christmas Eve dinner (and drinks of course) but I am totally looking forward to having all this great stuff to read and will post thoughts as I do. Thank you everyone for sharing your efforts for everyone's holiday pleasure. Oh and Joyce, thanks for the kind words, I've been one of your fans since your offering last year! (to be clear it was the first thing of yours I had read). Looking forward to kicking back with your latest and everyone else's. Merry Christmas.

[Bryce (003)]

Greatly impressed by everything I've managed to read here and also appreciate the feedback on my own.

- chrisno1 - Duly noted on the Stones - Damn spell-check snuck it in on me. As to John and Kate's banter, well, you know how it can be with siblings - Always trying out do one another through either accomplishments or embarassment. Even if they do love and care for each other.

As to your work, quite a good read and you achieve the tone of Fleming which is no easy task. Very enjoyable.

- Joyce my sweet - Lovely dark stuff. Nice tie in to the last story. Pace and details are always tough to manage, but yet again, you do both quite well. Nice tension level too. Granted, I'll always be a bit biased when it comes to your writing, but I really liked it.

I'll get to everyone else later.

Happy Christmas all!

[Joyce Carrington]

Say, where's Fawkes on this?

[terminus]

Back from the mother-in-laws and, although I've got GoldenEye to play on the Wii, I full intend on commencing a readthrough of the stories I've not yet read and a reread of the ones I have - comments forthcoming.

[MkB]

Merry Christmas to all, and special cheers to our authors!
I've indulged myself in some fanfic reading today...


Let Nothing you Dismay by MHazard
A crippled James Bond at a disheartening (for him) time of year... Another night of gloom and brooding for Bond? Well, that's not "cast" in stone and a crippled James Bond is still James Bond...


The Naughty List by Clinkeroo
If it really is your last Bond story Clinkeroo (and hopefully it isn't), it was a nice sendoff! This story is made of the fabric of a classic, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (James Bond, the Red-Nosed Spy?... well, uh, never mind!).
PS: next time I'm in a casino, I'll try ordering a mulled wine, Bond style!


Past Times by Chrisno1
What a change! A Bond Christmas story that is truly about "traditional" Christmas! That's, all things considered, a bold move. We're introduced in the intimacy of Bond's family (or what is left of it), and share some bits of family life - and family tricks!


I'll continue soon with the others. Thanks all for posting!

PS: Harry, hey, no Xmas story ? What the Hell?!?

[MHazard]

Joyce, nice job! Just when I thought you were going one way, you cut the darkness with hope. You've created a very real seeming alter ego. Are you sure you aren't really in MI6? Promise to get to everyone's stuff before the New Year. And MkB, nice to hear from you!

[Joyce Carrington]

Joyce, nice job! Just when I thought you were going one way, you cut the darkness with hope. You've created a very real seeming alter ego. Are you sure you aren't really in MI6?

I'm sure I'm not really in MI6. Thank God!

As for that 'hopeful' ending... are you sure it wasn't something of a sour taste in light of what happened? Eh who cares, I'm glad it gave off a good vibe.

[MHazard]

Joyce, nice job! Just when I thought you were going one way, you cut the darkness with hope. You've created a very real seeming alter ego. Are you sure you aren't really in MI6?

I'm sure I'm not really in MI6. Thank God!

As for that 'hopeful' ending... are you sure it wasn't something of a sour taste in light of what happened? Eh who cares, I'm glad it gave off a good vibe.

No, I'm not sure, your fiction has a level of complexity that I respect. I haven't had a chance to read Clinkeroo's yet, but I could see you two having a dark story Olympics going. I want to go back and read your first part from last year and then re-read this year's part. Main thing is I damn well liked it and the job you did.

[MHazard]

Okay, I just read Clinkeroo's. First, not in a dark Olympic competition with Joyce (I got fooled by your FYWR story), secondly, Clinkeroo, you win, I am not worthy, I laughed my backside off from the first to the last, a great story and a boatload of fun because "the scent and sight and smell of..." Thanks (and if the rest of you haven't read it, you have to check this out.

[clinkeroo]

If it really is your last Bond story Clinkeroo (and hopefully it isn't), it was a nice sendoff!

Oh, no. I don't think it is my last Bond story. Just my last CBn Bond story until the fan fiction section is put back in order. I know things can't be as they were, but there are just too many dead links and truncated stories. I have many ideas left to go (some fun, some bleak) and I'm sitting on several chapters of The Art of Cold War. With Deaver updating the books (can't wait) I think there will be a very strong yearning for stories that involve Fleming's Bond, in his un-PC, cold war world, and fan fiction will be the place to find them.

Mr. Stacey, just read yours. If I read this story, and the main character's name wasn't "James Bond," with all of the baggage that comes along with that moniker, I would consider this publishable on the spot. Somerset Maugham by way of O. Henry's Gifts of the Magi, and nearly flawless execution. A very well written short story. The characterization, and back story, on Bond are a little off by a Fleming litmus test, but this character you've sketched is very well done all the same. To paraphrase Mr. Amis: To each man his own 007. Your craftsmanship is excellent.

Bryce-not done yet, but something too funny not to make note of. I'm reading your story, and thinking to myself, Bryce always reminds me of Deano's Matt Helm, with all of his drinks, women, and style, style, style, Baby. And then you go and name-drop him. I think I'm going to download the movies and watch them again.

[Harry Fawkes]

Hi all. Sorry it has taken me so long to pop in and all but what with night duty, all the drinking and resting and all that, time tends to escape like a wild animal. Anyway, have I done some reading! And what fine works for us this year. I can't believe there is so much beautiful talent in these electronic pages here.

Terminus - All the Trimmings: To say I'm curious about Mr. North would be an understatement. I would like to read more about this new addition to the Double O Division. I like him, and the way you write holds the reader steady, keeping him in there. Again, I would vote for a full length North novel any day. In fact, hurry bloody up, I want more of him!

Bryce – The High Road: Jaysus! Now that is what I call electrifying writing with a blast. Powerful indeed. You really do pull out the stops don't you. Thanks for the 'opening sequence' where you reference me by the way. I am honored. I'll toast you this evening with a couple of Para mates of mine tonight, and that's a fact. A marvelous story in the life of John Bryce. Simply put mate The High road is outstanding.

MHazard – Let Nothing You Dismay: Brilliant. You really know how to write mate. I like the way you build upon Mary's character and the scenes you create absorb the reader entirely. I would like to read the follow up for more though because I also feel you were holding back a bit. Believable and exciting and the setting was really stylish in a classic sort of way.

Chrisno 1 - Past Times: The insight into Bond's feelings and past life make this a very reader involving story if I can say that. There is heart and soul in the way you write which captured me completely. Fast, you don't trail off which kept me wanting more. The ending has a wonderful twist to it that simply brought a smile to my face. You are, Sir, a wonderfull storyteller.

Joyce Carrington – A Right Christmas: 100 percent proof bloody fine writing. You are, simply put, my Lynda La Plante (another author I love). There is something passionately haunting about your style of writing that indeed touches the reader, me, rather deeply I must say. The remarkable thing about your stories is that, where I'm concerned of course, lady-spies don't usually do it for me! I'm a man-spy's man if you get my drift. However, and there's a big however, having read all your stories I have found myself soon becoming truly a fixated fan of the spy you call Joyce Carrington (A fact that all boils down to your wonderful writing, girl dear. It is is beautiful, compelling and atmospheric). You have me hooked indeed. So hurry up and give me more please.

Clinkeroo – The Naughty List: Now if there's anyone in my book that does it like Fleming then it is most certainly you! Wow! Although you are obviously taking the piss, you left me breathless. Your story is one hell of a read. You are so cool and your description or whatever one calls it (narrative perhaps) grips the reader by the neck, if not the balls. Reading you is simply a pleasure although I would have preferred a more serious toned Bond story. I was about to log out when I first came across The Naughty List but as soon as I got past the first few sentences your style devoured me and i couldn't even if I wanted to stop reading you. I can only call your story the best read this year and that is not whoever you are!


So, thank you all for the wonderful work you have put up on CBn this Christmas. It has been worth every moment I spent in your worlds reading you all. You have all written thrilling and entertaining stories that were beautifully paced and wonderfully engaging. Fools to those Bond fans out there who ignore this thread or are too lazy to sit down and take a plunge into the Fan Fiction world of the authors who have dedicated so much time in giving something that is as good as the best of them out there.

A mate of mine asked me what it was like without Bond this year, knowing fine well I'm a Bond fan myself and that MGM is going through all that trouble. I simply looked at him, smiled snugly and said: 'Who said I'm without Bond this year. Bond and his world are alive and well on the CBn fan fiction thread!'

Now then, as for my Bond story, please bare with me. I am going to post the first three chapters sometime tonight or tomorrow morning. I failed the deadline due to my heavy workload (best excuse in the world I know) but I'm sure you'll enjoy what I came up with.

Which leaves me one thing left to do: READ VOLANTE’S FIRE WITH FIRE

[Joyce Carrington]

Harry! Many thanks for reading and your very kind comments. We missed you. Looking forward to your story.

[chrisno1]

Just a quick note to say "thank you" to all the kind comments regarding Past Times.
For 9 months last year, I struggled to get any literary agents interested in my first non-007 novel; eventually I presented it to a local literary group I go to every so often and they ripped it to pieces, which felt like a very personal attack.
Your comments regarding this piece have reaffirmed what I honestly believe: that there is a possible future for me as a writer. It really makes me feel better going into the New Year!

Mr Clink, to quote, "...I would consider this publishable on the spot... your craftsmanship is excellent" was wondeful to read.
Harry: "A wonderful storyteller" thanks, my friend.
Bryce; "...to achieve the tone of Fleming" - well, I always thought it was my tone, but I guess that makes it a massive compliment.
Joyce, MkB, I'm pleased you enjoyed the Christmassy feel of the piece, which was my main intention.

Still reading the other contributions and can't wait....