553 replies to this topic

[Bryce (003)]

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.

Glad you appreciated it. I also have made reference to Connery with Bryce watching "Outland" in the first chapter of "None Shall Regret".

Also, Sharon/Kate is in the "Wrecking Crew" - Sadly, her last film. Your own just got a second read through and still had me snickering even more so.

Harry - Cheers, thought you'd like it. I look forward to CTD.

chrisno1 - Your style is very much it's own, but I guess, for me at least, for lack of a better word, the flavour of it hit home. Again, though nice work. Writing style and storytelling is like a fingerprint. Everyone's is unique.

[MHazard]

Bryce, I think there might be a little Derek Flint as well as Matt Helm in John Bryce. Didn't I read somewhere that your motto is "living the double o lifestyle so the rest of us don't have to?" Anyway, loved the part where Gala's reading the old files and doesn't believe the part about the supercriminal with the volcano lair, etc. A fun read that makes the reader want to check out the rest of the Bryce world of adventure. Thanks for your holiday offering

[MkB]

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. [...]

You made my day

[MkB]

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!

Ah, c'mon chrisno1, don't let a bad reception take you down. As you said, some people may have a personal agenda when ripping to pieces someone's work, and besides people have very different tastes. I for one regard A Confederacy of Dunces as a masterpiece, and although it is now something of a cult novel, it has been repeatedly rejected by publishers and agents before finally hitting the shelves; on the other hand, I don't care for Jane Austen: to each his or her own And you should have heard what the circle of literary friends of Old Fleming's wife thought of his Bond novels... who cares about them now?

[Harry Fawkes]

Volante: FIRE WITH FIRE. Top marks to this story. Indeed edge-of-the-seat action and non-stop fun which is indeed one of your trade marks where writing is concerned. The technical details and the action are first class as is your description of Bond. I particularly liked the opening when Bond is in the taxi with that sumptuous angel of a girl who has stuck in my mind ever since reading your classy thriller. Yes, classy, violent and very very sexy indeed. Fire with Fire is just the right length for a short and just the right tone for an explosive Volante Bond story that hits all the marks!

[chrisno1]

Just completed another 3 tales of Christmas. I think that's the full library.

Fire With Fire (Volante) -
Sadly I can't agree with Harry's comment above. I'm finding Mr Taylor's ideas are much better than his execution. The set up is very good and I liked the Bond's cinematic review of the mission, but the plot twist was extremely obvious and the climatic fight confusing (I couldn't tell which "he" was which.) Overall it has Mr Taylor's visual hallmarks without offering anything new.

Goodnight Mr Bond (tdalton) -
This didn't really grip me. It's a very straight forward tale, told with a surprising baldness which has a certain charm, but I wasn't much involved with the characters or the intrigue. I'm interested to see this is a two part story as the tetchy relationship between 007 and Goodnight feels unresolved.

Let Nothing You Dismay (MHazard) -
Something of a mood piece, I feel. This has atmosphere and colour. The personas are very real, although some of the humour feels misplaced. I actually wanted more from chapter 3 (it didn't delve deep enough into Silverman's war time experience; there was massive potential for character analysis here) and less form chapter 2 (the confrontation with Volkov was the reverse; too talky). However the shortness of the piece has advantages and I was never bored. Small question, what's that line "the bullets smashing through the windshield of the Lancia" about?

[volante]

Volante: FIRE WITH FIRE. Top marks to this story. Indeed edge-of-the-seat action and non-stop fun which is indeed one of your trade marks where writing is concerned. The technical details and the action are first class as is your description of Bond. I particularly liked the opening when Bond is in the taxi with that sumptuous angel of a girl who has stuck in my mind ever since reading your classy thriller. Yes, classy, violent and very very sexy indeed. Fire with Fire is just the right length for a short and just the right tone for an explosive Volante Bond story that hits all the marks!

Thanks Harry; I think the standard of all the Christmas stories has been high this year.
Some good chuckles; some good ideas; and some great action.
In terms of wine, 2010 would be described as a "Vintage Bond Christmas Story" year.
Obviously a few sour grapes got through; but hey it's Christmas!

[Bryce (003)]

Bryce, I think there might be a little Derek Flint as well as Matt Helm in John Bryce. Didn't I read somewhere that your motto is "living the double o lifestyle so the rest of us don't have to?" Anyway, loved the part where Gala's reading the old files and doesn't believe the part about the supercriminal with the volcano lair, etc. A fun read that makes the reader want to check out the rest of the Bryce world of adventure. Thanks for your holiday offering

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

Yeah, Bryce is largely based on Bond of course, but Flint and Helm certainly are a part of the character. More Flint though.

A few years ago, Fenna was visiting and we had many a late night talking about, well, everything, but mostly our characters. She had never seen the Flint films. Hence, we took care of that.

She said after something like "You know, I thought I knew Bryce...But now I really get it." We moved to the Helm films until the sun came up.

With this little bit and given the events of "And To All A Goodnight" last Christmas, I decided to go with something more personal and glimpse into the "serect life" of a spy outside the office. Originally it was going to be Joyce, but I had spoken to Gala - she's been absent from the boards as of late - but we caught up and she was very flattered to be made 005 in the world of Bryce.

He's a fun alter-ego for me.

[MHazard]

[quote][/quote]

Chrisnol, The reference is to the death of Bond's wife Tracy at the end of OHMSS. I thought it was a rather heavy handed attempt on my part to make sure no one missed Bond's mental sub-text during his ocnversation with Silverman.Thanks for the rest of your thoughts as well. My concern while I was writing it was that the whole thing was too talky and parts three and four were written fairly quickly to meet the holiday deadline.

Let Nothing You Dismay (MHazard) -
Small question, what's that line "the bullets smashing through the windshield of the Lancia" about?
[/quote]

This was the question I was trying to respond to.

[Harry Fawkes]

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.

I must apologize. The above review was for TDalton's GOODNIGHT MR. BOND and not MHazard'S LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY. Sorry for the balls up but there are so many this year that I mixed them up.

Mr TDalton do forgive me. What is written in my review above stands for your story. Must've been the wine.

Mr. MHazard here comes my read of LET NOTHING YOU MAY DISMAY


Harry Fawkes

[terminus]

I wrote most of these up yesterday but then my computer froze - so have had to type them up again. I'll update when I've read MHazard and Volante's tales.


Bryce - I've commented before on your stories, Bryce. But, upon reading them again, I really appreciated how well you have a grasp on all of the elements of the Bond universe - drinks, clothes, guns, cars and the action sequences. I just wish these were longer - would have enjoyed reading more about the mission in the South of France. And, once again, thankyou for the mention of Alec North - it really did make me smile.

Chrisno - Not what I was expecting from you at all. Which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it - because whilst there was no action, no fight scenes, it was a beautiful that made me smile with the great characterisation. I have to admit that though I couldn't picture Holly in my head well, I was picturing Eileen Atkins as playing Ivy Ransome.

clinkeroo - This made me laugh out loud several times. I enjoyed the nods of the heads to various elements of Christmas coupled and the way that the tale is told in a near-perfect imitation of Fleming's style. I hope you write more in the future, your work has always been of the highest quality.

Harry Fawkes - COMING SOON

Joyce - I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've never actually read either published parts of the Circle Trilogy. This is my first true introduction to the world of Joyce Carrington. Like the rest of the stories, this is well written - there's a minimum of location description, but the characters and the situation come alove well. I may have to give the Circle Trilogy a go after this.

MHazard - COMING SOON

tdalton - I like the reboot idea that you've brought to the story - the relationship between Bond and Goodnight is well written, the setting is laid out well and the dialogue is good. I look forward to the second part of this being posted.

Volante - COMING SOON



As an aside, I've stumbled upon the perfect person to play Alec North whilst watching Clash of the Titans Luke Evans, who was in Tamara Drewe with Gemma Arterton. He's a damn sight better for a visual template than the two or three rugby players I'd been using as a template so far.

[Harry Fawkes]

MHazard! Now that's a Bond story if I've ever read one.

You have that Fleming touch, sir, specially when Bond is at the office.

I truly loved the part when Bond offers himself up for Duty Officer in lieu of an assignment. There is that military environment, touch if you will, that few writers here have so far succeeded in actually capturing and you did so, if I may be so bold to say, beautifully (as a service man myself I could relate perfectly to Bond and Tanner's exchange) and that stroke where M confesses he would have loved to have joined him put a smile on my face.

Old school writing.

Classic mate.

I really enjoyed this one a lot. Your action pace following the above opening came on quite seamlessly, smoothly done and not thrust down ones' throat.

The twists at the end, with Felix and Marc Ange, again, are obvious signs of a very fine writer who knows his Ian Fleming, if you catch my drift.

Yes, I must say, for someone who is also trying hard to capture that type of 'flavor' with my coming story, you, sir, do it most finely indeed.

My compliments for delivering a story that treads through some of my favorite territory in the world of James Bond.

Most unexpected I must say, and bravo indeed.

LET NOTHING YOU MAY DISMAY Classic Bond indeed!

Harry Fawkes

Now then, after reading all your wonderful stories out there, I will now try and get off my and post my own first part.

Harry

[tdalton]

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.

I must apologize. The above review was for TDalton's GOODNIGHT MR. BOND and not MHazard'S LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY. Sorry for the balls up but there are so many this year that I mixed them up.

Mr TDalton do forgive me. What is written in my review above stands for your story. Must've been the wine.

Mr. MHazard here comes my read of LET NOTHING YOU MAY DISMAY


Harry Fawkes

No apologies necessary.

I hadn't visited this thread in a couple of days, and hadn't even noticed the mistake. Been busy with the typical holiday stuff and working on the second part of my story as well as the UB treatment in the other thread which, sadly, means that I haven't had any time to read the other stories put forth, but I hope to rectify that over the course of this week (probably after I've managed to actually finish up my own work )

Also, many thanks for taking the time to read it and for your comments on the story. It means quite a bit to receive some praise from writers that have the reputations that you and terminus (as well as the other fine authors here) carry, so thank you for that.

Edited by tdalton, 27 December 2010 - 08:05 PM.

[MHazard]

A couple of specific comments and then a general observation for everyone. First, Christno, Past Bearing has a relaxed Quantum of Solace (short story not the movie) feel. Now, being that I am a very wonky Fleming continuity geek (I own a copy of the James Bond Chronology and argue with its dating of events sometimes in my head, that's how bad I am) when I first read the story I had a few continuity alarms going off in my head, although I realized that one could, with imagination, reconcile them-for example suppose that Bond's family told everyone that his parents died mountainclimbing rather than admit it was a drunken road accident). In any event, the story holds up and as has been demonstrated before, the Bond fan fic site gives everyone a chance to boot up their own Bond universe (more about that below).

Volante, Fire with Fire, seems very cinematic in its pacing and imagery. I the first chapter could be the traditional first scene after the Pre-Title sequence in a Bond movie. Quick question, is MI6 not the same as the British Secret Service in your fictional world or if it is does that mean Sir Miles is no longer M?

Now, a comment, thought for everyone. In reading all the stories, it strikes me that each of us approaches "Bond fan fiction" in their own unique way. It's sort of like an ink blot test. For example some authors, Joyce, Bryce, Terminus create their own characters based on the Bond universe, situated in the Bond universe, but not actually Bond (although he may make a cameo or in Joyce's case, I guess more than that, from time to time). Others, like Volante and tdalton give us a modern Bond, who understandably seems to have elements of Fleming, the movies, and the author's vivid imaginations. I, of course, have chosen to write, at least lately, in the time period shortly after the end of TMWGG (i.e. approximately 1965). Clinkeroo,is of course, totally unique and unpredictable. My point is just that its interesting to see how many different directions are takaen by so many different authors all writing "Bond fan fiction". Keep writing and thanks for a fun holiday.

[terminus]

There isn't actually a British Secret Service - or, at least, an organisation by that name. MI5 is the Security Service, MI6 is the Secret Intelligence Service.

[chrisno1]

A couple of specific comments and then a general observation for everyone. First, Christno, Past Bearing has a relaxed Quantum of Solace (short story not the movie) feel. Now, being that I am a very wonky Fleming continuity geek (I own a copy of the James Bond Chronology and argue with its dating of events sometimes in my head, that's how bad I am) when I first read the story I had a few continuity alarms going off in my head, although I realized that one could, with imagination, reconcile them-for example suppose that Bond's family told everyone that his parents died mountainclimbing rather than admit it was a drunken road accident). In any event, the story holds up and as has been demonstrated before, the Bond fan fic site gives everyone a chance to boot up their own Bond universe (more about that below).

Perhaps I need to clear this up. My Bond isn't the Bond you all know and love; he's a cipher. While my Bond shares the number and some traits of character and history etc of Fleming's Bond, he is not meant to be the same character per se. If you read chapter 2 of Those Whom the Gods Love Die Young, you'll understand how the persona of my 007 works.

[Bryce (003)]

...For example some authors, Joyce, Bryce, Terminus create their own characters based on the Bond universe, situated in the Bond universe, but not actually Bond (although he may make a cameo or in Joyce's case, I guess more than that, from time to time).

I mentioned before that having your own character does give you some creative licence in certain regards. I'm quite impressed how everyone has taken on Bond. I found it too daunting, but I like the take that all have done to be very damn solid work as well as entertaining.

What it's given me are some rich characters to adapt into my tales.

Part two will be delivered for the New Year.

Outline is complete. There'll be more of Kate and some action as well.

I can give you the title to watch for though as the follow up to "The High Road" -


On December 31st...

John and Katherine Bryce will have....

NO WORRIES FOR THE NEW YEAR

[chrisno1]

Chrisnol, The reference is to the death of Bond's wife Tracy at the end of OHMSS. I thought it was a rather heavy handed attempt on my part to make sure no one missed Bond's mental sub-text during his ocnversation with Silverman.Thanks for the rest of your thoughts as well. My concern while I was writing it was that the whole thing was too talky and parts three and four were written fairly quickly to meet the holiday deadline.

Now you tell me, I see it perfectly
The relevance is excellent, and inserted at precisely the correct moment. All it needed was a feeder line, something like "Bond cast his mind back to a sunny New Years Day, a mountain pass and the bullets... etc"
DON'T EVER BE AFRAID OF DIALOGUE! - as long as it remains relevant. Every spoken sentence in a novel or story should either reveal character or move the plot forward; if it doesn't, I consider it a wasted sentence. I don't think you quite achieved that in Chapter 2, but you got it pretty much spot on in Chapter 3.

[MHazard]

A couple of specific comments and then a general observation for everyone. First, Christno, Past Bearing has a relaxed Quantum of Solace (short story not the movie) feel. Now, being that I am a very wonky Fleming continuity geek (I own a copy of the James Bond Chronology and argue with its dating of events sometimes in my head, that's how bad I am) when I first read the story I had a few continuity alarms going off in my head, although I realized that one could, with imagination, reconcile them-for example suppose that Bond's family told everyone that his parents died mountainclimbing rather than admit it was a drunken road accident). In any event, the story holds up and as has been demonstrated before, the Bond fan fic site gives everyone a chance to boot up their own Bond universe (more about that below).

Perhaps I need to clear this up. My Bond isn't the Bond you all know and love; he's a cipher. While my Bond shares the number and some traits of character and history etc of Fleming's Bond, he is not meant to be the same character per se. If you read chapter 2 of Those Whom the Gods Love Die Young, you'll understand how the persona of my 007 works.

This just goes to demonstrate what I was getting at, that everyone uses what you would think would be the confining restriction of Bond fan fic to get to incredibly different places. Everyone is trying to tell a good story, but all using their own voice to tell the story they want. Your Bond is obviously not my Bond or Fleming's Bond, but your Bond. Maybe that should be the motto of the fan fic site "finding your own Bond" or "your own Bryce, or Joyce or Alec..." It's about playing with a character and making it your own, I guess.

A couple of other things. Terminus, I am (because I'm a wonk) aware that MI6 is the British Intelligence Service and MI5 the Security Service and that there is no other "British Secret Service". In Fire with Fire, Bond is joined at the climax by the heads of MI5 and MI6, who is identified as Sir John Greene. My question was does that mean in Volante's (unique, see above) fictional world, Sir Miles is no longer the head of British Intelligence or is there a separate British Secret Service apart from MI6. (Side note, there is a very interesting discussion in the James Bond Chronology about the differences between Fleming's British Secret Service and the real MI6. One can speculate whether this is due to Fleming's lack of knowledge or desire not to run afoul of the Official Secrets Act). Anyway, I just wondered what Volante had in mind in his Bond universe.

Oh, and Chrisnol, thanks for your comments on my attempt. For me the hardest part of the story was actually trying to come up with a plausible Chapter 2 in which a one legged Bond saves the girl from three assasins. I agree that the dialogue may get a little bogged down there, but Bond villains have this tendency towards expostulation and Bond's original plan was to try to keep him talking until anticipated help arrived.

One final note, looking forward to seeing how John Bryce and sister greet the New Year.

[Harry Fawkes]

Just a quick note please for all your information: The British Secret Intelligence Service is known variously as SIS and its military intelligence cover designation MI6. It is also known by insiders as 'the firm'.

It was once said that 3 institutions rule the world: The White House, The Vatican and the British Secret Service.

What I have just written is not fiction but fact.

Harry Fawkes

[Harry Fawkes]

Well, Charm the Devil's first three chapters have been posted finally. I'm taking my time because I'd like to try and make sure the last ever Harry Fawkes James Bond Fan Fiction story is the best I can deliver. I've tried my hand at something new with this story which is why I got back down to writing this sort of stuff again. What I have attempted is to try and capture the flavor of the old books, touched of course with a bit of Harry Fawkes on the side. Succeed or not is another question but what I have written and will obviously continue writing should ring true to a certain extent with any true Fleming fans out there. The story is set about two years before Casino Royal with a younger Bond than Fleming's (not that young mind). I'm not going for the usual action packed, violent, full of sex Harry Fawkes story; but in this one I am trying to hit a hard edged classic thriller relevant of that time period. It isn't going to be that long, but it's not short either. As for the Christmas touch, unfortunately I failed in that respect. I lost that part of the challenge. Having said that, I do believe I won the personal challenge of writing again and I do set the story just before New Years Eve (I think that should count somewhat) so at least that's a consolation prize of sorts to me. I will try and provide a link to the story as I have posted on the main Fan Fiction page. Why? Well, I think it's a bit too long for this one that's for sure.

To conclude, if you are hungry for some old school Bond or an old school spy thriller, then be my guest and dive into my world. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I can charm the devil sometimes, so what makes you think I won't charm the hell out of you gentle reader...



http://debrief.comma...ost__p__1139446

Love and kisses Harry

[Bryce (003)]

Cheers Harry.

[chrisno1]

I'm hungry for old school Bond
But I also have to be at work in 3.5 hours and I've just been on the lash! This'll be me in a few hours :

I'll copy and paste and read it tomorrow, Harry... Good to have you back!!!

[Joyce Carrington]

Lovely so far, Harry! Quite Flemingesque.

[Harry Fawkes]

Thanks for all your positive comments so far guys. Much appreciated.

COMING SOON

Chapter 4

THE
SECRET SERVANT

[chrisno1]

Ah, now, Harry, with this Christmas confection you are really spoiling us.....

Charm the Devil (Harry Fawkes) -

I don't want to write a thesis about exactly why this is so good, let's just say it is - very good.
This is reminiscent of Fleming c.1952-5, when he was just starting out and chose to expound his writing with short, snappy sentences and dialogue. I notice too you haven't avoided the more 'talky' type of passage (eg. the section on the Korean War) which often framed Fleming's novels at this time.
This is (currently) a very character driven piece and you have invested time and effort in bringing a late-twenties James Bond to life, carefully projecting his foibles and assests without him becoming merely two-dimensional. This reads like a very rounded and real persona. My only quibble would be the line "For Heaven's sake.." I just think Bond's military training, his respect fro authority, would prevent him at this stage in his career from answering back his bosses accusations. He'd probably sit in silence.
Additionally you weave a web of Bond folklore through the tale and it is entertaining and well observed and never dull.

Highest of marks... better even than Loneliness is a Loverand the closing chapter of Troubleshooter.

[volante]

Thanks for all your positive comments so far guys. Much appreciated.

COMING SOON

Chapter 4

THE
SECRET SERVANT

Hi Harry;

I'm not liking the new story!

I'm Loving it

There's an instant connection to the era.
I can feel the grit eroding the glamourous sheen of the proffesion of SPY.

[Bryce (003)]

Having read through CTD yet again, I look forward to the next.

Damn solid work in the details. Bloody well done mate.

BTW - You and North are both getting another nod.

[MkB]

Harry, I've just read the first chapers of Charm the Devil: nice job, dear!
My only reservation would be about M using a register of language rather casual, given his background. But I enjoyed very much your insertion of various elements, like the Bentley, and even 30 Assault Unit and "you know who"
Waiting eagerly for the next chapter!

[chrisno1]

Joyce,
Yesterday I read "DREAMING OF" the companion piece to "A Right Christmas"
Interesting.
While I accept you are delving into very difficult territory here, I wondered if it perhaps wasn't a litle too bitter. There is a lot of sadness attached to the tale, a lot of stories untold, and while the follow up goes someway to explaining them, it also re-enforces the impression that Joyce is trapped in her own world, still unable to communicate what she feels and thinks, exactly as when she was struck dumb by a sudden calamity.
The characters feel very human here. Your writing is detailed and quite terrifying in its understatement. The motions and words that to the insensitive would appear innocent, are very real threats to Joyce, and the ultimate tragedy is that while she recognises the danger, Joyce is unable (or unwilling?) to say so. It is a harsh irony.
The household of Michelle and Gary is well drawn; normality shrouding the illwind of domestic abuse. They both sound spectacularly ordinary, which was exactly the point, I assume. I wasn't so sure about Dawn however - I'm not certain nine year old's talk that at. Occasionally she sounded a little too adult.
Overall an excellent piece, although as you point out, not really a Christmas story at all.
I'm looking forward to nvestigating some of your past work if it's still available.
Chris