Author's note:

Hey guys, luvtheheaven speaking! I was paired with cantarina for 2016's Pod Together challenge. Pod Together is a collaboration between fanfiction writers and podficcers (Feel free to Google the word "podfic" and the phrase "pod together" to find out more info) and she awesomely nudged me in the direction of writing this collection of writings that the characters themselves would've written. If it wasn't for her I likely would've written something very different for the challenge. She had internet and posting issues, so a pinch-hitter podficcer was found. Thank you SO much for your awesome, fast work, DuendeVerde4.

Both podfic versions are great in their own ways and quite different so check them out! Download and streaming options are on my same posting of this fic on Archive of Our Own. (Googling "Archive Gilmore Girls Pen Snapshot Mind" would probably do the trick. ;) )

I really love cantarina's version of chapter 1 with Lorelai's voice and the way the poetry sounds, and I really love DuendeVerde4's fire crackling special effects behind Jess' short story in her version of chapter 2. To listen to both would take you about half an hour.

cantarina's podficcer note was: "luvtheheaven and I matched on a lot of things, including non-traditional format. That's the short version of how we ended up at epistolary fic! She's been a super generous partner to work with through a particularly busy and stressful patch of my life and almost a week now without real home internet. At the time of posting I still haven't heard Duende's version of the work but I'm super stoked (and you should be too!) They made at least one major choice I didn't - aside from compiling the words into an anthology, whereas I've posted each chapter's recording with each chapter - and I can't wait to see how it changes the texture of the pieces."

You may read the story too, if you would like. While listening, of course instead of listening, whatever floats your boat. I highly recommend you listen though since both podficcers worked so hard on my story! The first chapter is below.


Imagine the English teacher's reaction when, in 1984, he received this poem from the only girl in his class who happened to be six months pregnant. Everyone in his class had been assigned to write poems. This one was titled Silver Lining.

Silver Lining

Under my covers, awake last night
I suppressed laughter with all my might
For what my mother must announce
will surely amuse all the debutantes

I came out in my own way
out of my childhood, many would say
The world sees that as my body widens
But I feel it with each kick, like swelling violins

Violins don't only play sad melodies
Those notes can evoke beautiful destines
And of course it is scary, but dare I also think
that two lifetimes of happiness may be on my brink?

Two lifetimes, of course, being mine and hers
free from the restraints of maids and chauffeurs
Luke Skywalker had nothing but he still found The Force
and I refuse to regret having had intercourse

We may have been drunken, but it was no mistake
Beautiful and purposeful love we did make
I felt adult and alive, empowered and free
Rather than escaping, we were embracing reality

Under my covers, drifting off last night
My thoughts turned to dreams I myself write
Often pregnancy is painful, and it may be poor timing
But this little girl is quite the silver lining

People expect me to feel only dismay
Grief and loss at my future, their sad eyes clearly say
They have no imagination, so I pity them in return
I had options yet chose this; they have a lot to learn

Already my heart fills with love for this child
To think this a welcome adventure can't be that wild
She's the catalyst I didn't realize I needed
Believe it or not, my life will go on, unimpeded.