Every Emotion In The Spectrum

[teddy_radiator]

The last few days have been such a roller coaster ride for us. Once we decided to close the shop, we were, of course, inundated with friends and customers, all clamoring for tea and, of course, to scavenge a little. We are giving everyone the chance to do that on April 16; we are having a 'Yard Sale', at the shop, and everything will be for sale.

We have laughed and cried over it; now I feel a peace about it. I know it's time to go. A lady always knows when to leave a party, and the Victoria will be no exception. It's ironic that the last two days have been record sales, since everyone is coming by to say their farewells.

Monday night, I had a long chat with mimimanderly on emails about all the things that interest us; a little while later, the phone rings and it's sempraseverus . I was more excited than if Alan Rickman had called! We talked for over an hour - what a neat, wonderful  person. I just felt like I was speaking to someone I'd known my entire life. It's the same with Mimi darling. Just kindred spirits. I can't wait to meet these two beautiful ladies in person - we've decided to have our own con on Sempra's farm! It was a wonderful moment - and one that shouldn't have happened - I never keep my phone handy, but for some reason it was right by my side. Karma. I'm a big believer in it.

These two ladies, along with so many of you, have inspired and encouraged me, and I am just blown away by the talent of the friends I have here. Just today, bulletimescully has posted a new manip on dA for my fic "As Morning Falls" . You can see it HERE. just another example of how people like her, and Tally and Sempra and Mimi have graced me. If you are not familiar with Bulletime, check out her work, friend her, and you will be blown away by her stunning writing and art. She's on Ashwinder, TPP and other archives as well.

So many of you have been so generous to me.  I have just adored Sempra and Mimi's work from day one; they were the ones who got me into fanfic. Others encouraged me to try, and it has made me a better writer quickly. Up until then, it was all original stuff. Which segues into the next point.

At the end of March, I sent 4 Chapters of my original fic Her Minder to a publisher, as you do, and on March 25th I received a note saying they usually took 6-8 weeks to get back to you. On Sunday, I got a request from the publisher to review the entire book! I'm very thrilled that they wanted to look at it. So keep fingers and toes crossed.

As I have said, it hurts to have a dream end, but I'm at peace with it. We got to build it, we did it on our terms, and hopefully we will end it the same way. The shop is the reason I met my best friend, who turned me onto fanfic, which encouraged me to start writing again, which encouraged me to find visual references, which led me to Sempra and others, which led me to fanfic, which led me here. If for no other reason than that, I will always be grateful we opened the Victoria.

The Hubs will be rehearsing 5 nights a week starting next week for a play, so I'll be all alone for almost two months in the evenings. I'm probably going to be writing my face off here. I apologise in advance if you start getting sick of me!

Comments

[tally1302.livejournal.com]

Yay!!! Congrats :) Will be holding thumbs for Her Minder

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Even if this one doesn't go with it, it's given me loads of confidence to keep trying with other publishers.

[tonksinger.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on Her Minder! That's so exciting. Keep us posted!

*hugs*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Tonks. Perhaps you could show your excitement with another chapter of PF? Am I just the worst hinter ever? lol ;)

Seriously, thanks, babe. The support here just feeds the spirit.

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! for Her Minder!!! I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you!

That manip is beautiful! I really need to start reading As Morning Falls as well as the rest of your work. *berates self for not doing it sooner* But I promise I will!

I am so glad you are in a state of peace about your tea shop. I know letting go of something you love, especially if you and your husband started it from the beginning, is hard. But from what I can tell, you are moving on swimmingly.

Post as much a you want, because I don't think I will be getting sick of you any time soon!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Pink. To be honest, in many ways, As Morning Falls is my favourite. It's my shortest, but I love it in ways I can't describe - it's like my secretly favourite child.

Thanks for your warm words. We still have tears to shed, but we feel that we are doing the right thing, and we are going out on a high note, on our terms, and that means a lot to us.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

congrats! I hope you fic is a commercial success.

If you guys decide to do a meetup. I demand pictures. If you drive, you can stop by here. =)

Hugs you.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Aren't you coming? You are part of the Golden Quartet - we have to have a Death Eater there to keep us witches grounded.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

I would need a proper invite. =)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Consider yourself properly invited!! - will you wear the coat with the buttons? Loads and loads and loads of buttons? In a drunken moment, I would probably sit and count them.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

I will have robes. I can tell you that there are going to be 55 buttons that I know of. =)

The frock coat is dying. Hence the new costume. But the coat does not have as many buttons.

If you want you can button it up and unbutton it, but give yourself a good 15 minutes to do it.

I dont have to be drunk to count buttons. =)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I've got all the time in the world. I don't have to be drunk either, but I thought I could use it as an excuse so you wouldn't think I was the biggest degenerate on the planet =)

mmmm........55 buttons......

[droxy.livejournal.com]

Trust me you will NOT be the first fangurl who as requested and done Snape's buttons. I know of several. =) After they've done it there is much swearing. Because trust me the buttons are a bitch,especially the collar buttons. I can usually do the buttons in 5 minutes, but I've done it so many times.

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

I want to do Snape's buttons! I want to do Snape's buttons! I want to do Snape's buttons!!!!! *impatiently waits in line to do Snape's buttons*

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

I believe this thread gave me an idea for a new icon, although I'm sure it has been done many, many times before. Oh, well. I will be able to have my perverse thoughts while making it, and that is well worth the effort.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

-come to con-

go to droy's room on snape day. =)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can't this time! (insert whiny voice here). I'll get you, Droxy, and your little buttons too!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Now you're just enticing me - I'll just have to live vicariously for awhile. But I have promised myself I will come to one of the cons, just so I can see you.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

sorry. but if you guys manage your fangurl get together, and it's not July (I am booked). You may see him.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

In the immortal words of Mimimanderly, I just might squeee so loudly I wet myself!

[talesofsnape.livejournal.com]

Hugs you! Well, you know that saying about doors and windows. I hope you get good news from the publisher.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, babe - you have always been so supportive, and it means the world to me.

[bonsaibetz.livejournal.com]

It's a hard time for anyone in an industry or business where discretionary spending can be so heavily impacted. This economy reminds me of when my mother bought her deli in 1979, just as the economy started to tank, unemployment went sky high and interest rates were in the double digits, not to mention gas shortages and lines at the pump.

I'm sorry to hear that The Victoria has to close, but as they say, when God closes a window, he opens a door. When my mother eventually shut down the deli, she moved into catering only and then into wholesale food production, so you may find a different niche in which to work once you've closed down.

Good luck in what ever business adventures await you.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Well, the Hubs and I weren't restaurant people to begin with, and we have lots of other skills. I really won't mind, as long as I can write in the evenings and can enjoy life. We started the business on our own terms and we're ending it the same way - we paid for it all ourselves, and we owe no one anything, so we can move on.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Lily - whatever happens, it has given me loads of confidence to keep trying, and, of course, to keep writing! I was thrilled to see you are giving serious thought to progressing on some of your fanfic, and I hope Solace is one of them - amazing, amazing story.

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

I hope Solace is one of the stories, too. It is such a compelling tale!

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

I know it's difficult to let go of a dream. It's also a scary situation. All I have to say is: trust Dahlra. If he seems like there's nothing to worry about... then there's nothing to worry about!

And you can always chat with me in the evenings, while I'm drawing and you're writing! I need frequent breaks to uncramp my fingers....

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Mimi darling. I have to say, I have a peace about it all. Dahlra has been very active, giving me lots to write about, lots of comfort. I have always known when I was in the place I was supposed to be, and I'm there now!

I'll check in later tonight - I've had a killer day, and thank goodness, loads of people stopping by to say goodbye and to pick over the carcass - we've had our best days ever, ironically.

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

The news about your book is FABULOUS!!! I hope the publisher has good words for you about Her Minder. I would love to go down to my local bookstore and pick up a copy and settle in for a lovely weekend of Teddy's-Magic-with-Words.

The manip that bulletimescully made for As Morning Falls is beautiful. It perfectly captured the emotions I felt when I read that chapter.

What play will Hubs be doing? No apologises necessary for the writing you'll be doing while he is in rehearsals. As far as I can see it's a win-win for everybody. He will be doing something he enjoys, you'll be able to write, and I will love reading all the wonderful things you can post. How cool is that!

*hugs you lots*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Beffey, babe, you are such a kind, encouraging spirit! Her Minder is very erotic, and its sequel is 80% finished as well. I co-wrote it with a writer who loved Her Minder so much, she started writing her own fic about one of the characters - yes, I had my own fanfic!!! But her story was so good we decided to merge my story with hers and it has been the best fun to write it.

Thanks, babe for being there - you are such a lovely one.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Sorry I didn't originally answer your question. He is playing Dr. Watson in a Sherlock Holmes play. It's at a very prestigious local theatre - he's so excited. I know he'll be fab. He's a great actor, and had the chance to study theatre in London, but parents couldn't afford it :(