Wow, you guys. Thank you! Yes… you, for reading this story from beginning to end and reviewing. When I first started writing this, I wrote for therapeutic reasons and I never expected to gain so many digital friends as a result from it. At the time I was going through a rough patch at work and hungered for a way to express myself creatively. In the middle of my boredom and misery, I ventured into the land of Fanfiction and began reading OUAT pieces that were Rumbelle centered. I have always loved the show from its inception in 2010 and was exceptionally taken by the complex, dark and dynamic character, Rumplestiltskin and how beautifully it was contrasted with Belle's brilliant, simple and loving character. OUAT Season three just ended and I was still running off of the wonderful happy-ending high speculating… how would/could I see the Frozen story be legitimately incorporated? At that point they (Rumbelle) finally married and we all know what inherently happens on the wedding night. The only difference was that I wanted to tell a tale that was good, tasteful and in character. After reading a lot of Wedding night fanfiction, I was sadly disappointed by how smutty it was with no substance to follow up behind it. Not that smutty is a bad thing, but I personally enjoy a good, well-thought-out story to accompany it. As a Rumbelle fan, I used "Lily" to answer my own burning questions about our beloved couple all while pushing to see what it would be like if our favorite pair had a child. What would that be like? As you read, of course, I slowly and secretively drew that "Rumbelle child" idea out, all while creatively answering my own questions to fill in the gaps. So I truly thank you when I say that if it wasn't for your comments, this author would have been a lone ship out in the sea of fanfiction writing. I especially loved the exciting comments over my story's ever so-slowly progressing plot. Those were most encouraging in times of self-doubt and fueled me as I continued writing. I really did try to listen and adjust to the grammar enthusiasts out there (I mean, how else are you gonna learn?). What really caught me by surprise were the PM's sent to me after a chapter-posting. Reading how my story affected lives. That was amazing and deep and incredibly humbling. I mean, like… woah.
So to all past and present reviewers I'd like to individually thank you…
Thank you: Grace5231973, , Montreat11, BreathingintheSun, persephonie025, OUATgirl17/Imusicluver23, Katelynberg, TheGreenFairy25, carpelibrum, ShelbyG/CrypticCobra, and ladybugsmomma.
So… my future writing intentions…
I plan on taking a miniature break from writing the next installment. I kind of want to review "Lily" again and give it another editing go-over. There were definitely points throughout my posting where I posted too hastily, or was just so tired that I said to myself, "screw it" and posted anyways and I didn't give that chapter due justice in editing. As you might have read, there were also small story gaps where a character did this or left or something and I didn't have the time to write the fluff or explain what happened. So, I definitely want to read through Lily again and perhaps insert a filler chapter or two to do that explaining. No promises though!
I do also plan on reading and reviewing other stories out there, since I was so busy with my own, I never had the time to sit down and give a proper review to any of the other lovely stories out there. So I'm going to take this time to do that as well.
If you are reading this now I will, or already have, posted Lily's sequel which I've titled, "The Author". Since I am still in the process of writing the story, I will post one new chapter a week to pace myself (with the exception of the first two chapters because the first chapter was technically the last chapter from Lily. I just simply edited it and moved it over to "The Author's" story). Be on the look out for that because that will be where I will continue this journey.
How long will "The Author" be? In my mind, roughly 20+ chapters, or enough to complete just two story arcs. Still a bit premature though and hard to say, but definitely not as long at Lily's 60+ chapters. To quote Mary Poppin's, "All of these are but pie-crust promises, easily made, easily broken", but I suppose I do reserve that right as the author, huh? But I will say this, "The Author" is more fantasy/scifi/mystery/romance than angst. I slightly different turn, in regards to genre. I couldn't steer too far away from romance though. It is Rumbelle I'm writing for, after all.
Oh! So I just returned home from my trip to Steveston, Vancouver B.C.
Did I go and visit OUAT's set of Storybrooke? Heck yes I did and it was so surreal! Not gonna lie, I walked around town for like 3 hours and it wasn't until I was really up close to the building that I recognized what it was. The main iconic buildings were easily recognizable… the library, Granny's Diner, the Cannery. But the harder ones was (I thought), Mr. Gold's shop, The Rabbit Hole, Game of Thorns flower shop. It wasn't until I stumbled upon the still remaining signs that I was like, "Holy crap! That's the so-in-so shop!"
Honestly, I was super nervous being a strange tourist loitering around town, but the truth was, the locals and merchants were super friendly and incredibly welcoming and informative. Which was a great relief because I didn't want to appear too over-zealous, you know? After talking to the merchants of the stores on Main Street, Once's tourism raised about $3,000 for the children's charity they were promoting. When I asked about how the cast and crew treated them, it was reassuring hearing from multiple locals that OUAT tried to keep everything as non-intrusive as possible. Which, I thought, was very considerate of the production people.
When I stepped inside Granny's Diner, aka "Cannery Café", and Gold's Pawn shop, it wasn't anything like on the show, which meant that they filmed all the interior scenes in a separate facility. So I thought that was interesting. Also, after walking around for a while I got a better layout for the land and it was completely not what I expected after obsessively watching the show so many times. For example, The Game of Thorns flower shop is actually away from Main Street at the far end of town, directly across from the Starbucks that's at that same corner, which I though was pretty funny.
Wow… so okay, that was a lot, but I'm glad I did this "Author's Note" because I truly wanted to take the time to properly say that I love you guys and didn't want to rush my appreciation in the small margin at the end of the last chapter. Despite all crazy ending to Rumbelle S4, I hope this story gave you guys hope. It did for me. Hope to see you in the next installment of "Lily". oxox
~Skitzoeinhoven