Author's notes: The Making Of

[emmagrant01]

When drinkingcocoa (who won this fic in a charity auction) first told me she wanted an OT3 fic, I will admit that I panicked a bit. I was ALL about Johnlock and saw Greg Lestrade as completely straight, so it took me a while to wrap my head around the idea of writing something against both of those things. We tossed around some fic ideas, and I finally realized that the only way I could make myself believe John and Greg might get together would be in the aftermath of Sherlock's "death". I ship Johnlock so hard that I literally couldn't imagine any other circumstance! So even though I'd thought I wouldn't write a post-Reichenbach fic, I started outlining ideas.

I'm not a huge fan of angst, though, and fortunately for me, neither is drinkingcocoa. I've read a lot of fantastic post-Reichenbach fics that have John heavily grieving for Sherlock, and I just didn't want to go that route. That was easy to avoid, it turned out, because the fic was written from Greg's perspective. John in canon is very private and I figured that no matter what was going on inside, he would show a brave face to Greg. I also really see John as the "stiff upper lip" type -- we see him struggling not to cry even when he's alone at Sherlock's grave, after all. I wanted to bring that piece of the character into the fic.

There were several big post-Reichenbach tropes that I wanted to put a different twist on in this story. For example, I wanted John to work out that Sherlock is still alive from the clues Sherlock left for him. I think many of us read that into the line, "It's all a magic trick" -- we want John to figure it out so that he doesn't have to suffer too long. In this story he is suspicious from the start, but getting the ball in the mail is what really makes him start to question. From that point on in the story, his attitude changes.

Another example is the idea that Sherlock and Mycroft planned the events of TRF in order to defeat Moriarty. Many of us were bothered by Mycroft's actions prior to TRF and, like John, were sort of baffled that he would give so much information about his brother to Moriarty. I love the theory that it was done intentionally as part of a larger plan hatched not long after the Irene Adler incident.

A third trope that I tried to twist here is the idea that Sherlock spends years after TRF on the run and hunting down Moriarty's "network". I've seen it done well in many fics, but I wanted to do something different. And frankly, I wanted to do something that wouldn't take very long so that John and Sherlock could be reunited sooner rather than later.

I have to say I didn't really have a good sense of who Greg Lestrade is prior to writing this fic. drinkingcocoa was a fantastic resource for me. During those months when I was trying to figure out how to write this story, she sent me email after email of meta and backstory for Greg, much of which made it into the fic. I wrote the first 5 chapters and sent them to her, and she surprised me by picking apart my characterization line by line. And every comment she made was spot on, and the fic is far better for it. Every time I sent her a chapter I would think, "I've got it now, I know Greg well enough," and she would send it back and say, "No, he wouldn't say this or do that."

It all began to crystallize when she said, "You're writing him as a Slytherin, but he's a Hufflepuff." It's funny how Harry Potter fans have that kind of code, but at that point, I knew exactly what she meant, and it allowed me to rework the character in my head. There were a few points we still disagreed on, but by that time I had the character firmly in my head to the extent that I could justify my choices. But she pushed me to do that, and it was a fantastic writing exercise.

Overall writing this fic pushed me in a way I haven't been pushed in a long time. I can't thankdrinkingcocoa enough for her incredibly detailed analysis of multiple drafts of each chapter.

I also need to thank freckles42 who was my final pre-reader, grammar coach, and Brit-picker for each chapter. I sincerely appreciate her taking the time from her very busy schedule to read and send corrections on chapters at the very last minute, week after week.

Finally, thank you so much to all the readers who gave this fic a chance. So many people have said, "I don't usually read this sort of thing, but..." and I totally understand! I have a hard time reading non-Johnlock fic, so I'm thrilled that people read this one at all.

Thank you!

Comments

[drinkingcocoa.livejournal.com]

I will admit that I panicked a bit.

And this is why you're such a boss! Look what you did despite that initial response! You could have said "let's go with another idea," and you didn't. *doing an Emma cheer*

I ship Johnlock so hard that I literally couldn't imagine any other circumstance!

As someone widely read in SS/HG and therefore familiar with a shocking array of causes of death for Ron Weasley, I understand completely. How convenient of the show creators to hand us the set-up on a platter. *grin*

email after email of meta and backstory for Greg

Er. Yes.

I may be a little bit in love with DI Lestrade.

I may be a little bit wordy.

Er. *no place to hide* *fooling nobody* *Emma is so tolerant*

But she pushed me to do that, and it was a fantastic writing exercise.

Every time you say something like this, I have to go over it again and again to really believe, happily, that you mean it and you liked it and you enjoyed it. Not that I don't believe you. It's just too awesome. I sort of feel like Martin Crieff when someone assumes that he's the captain. You really mean this, right? It's not just a way to put a positive spin on something that was grueling and not worth all the trouble I put you to? Because you sure did write something awesome and it just kept getting better and better, as if you were enjoying the heck out of it...

It's been such a thrill to watch you write. Now this is competence porn. <3 <3 <3 And your letting me in on it has made me feel every week like I am so smart and cool, I can't even believe I'm part of this. Wheeeeeee!

I am looking forward to commenting on the AO3 version. I didn't get to it yesterday because I was too busy squeeing with pennswoods. That was my antidote to Sherlock con envy. The biggest reason I wish I were going to Seattle is that I want to see your fans meeting you and telling you what ACfB and your other fics have done for their hearts and imaginations. I love the way you write love through smut. Sex is one of the most important things in the world and I am so thankful for your joyous ability to write about it. <3

[capra-maritimus.livejournal.com]

I also really see John as the "stiff upper lip" type -- we see him struggling not to cry even when he's alone at Sherlock's grave

Hell, we see him struggling not to cry when he's alone in his bed sit after a nightmare. That's such a good point that gets overshadowed because, compared to Sherlock, he's so much more emotional.

And I like what you did with the DI as well. :D:D:D:D (I almost want him to show up at the club at some point. *snicker*)

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

I ship Johnlock so hard too that I've been waiting for this to finish before giving it a full read. I'm looking forward to reading this on my flight back to Sweden.

And just in case you didn't know already, drinkingcocoa has been so over the moon about this. I was hanging out with her the day she got your Epilogue and she was practically vibrating with squee. No doubt this fic required that you push yourself, but you clearly succeeded and made your recipient so very happy. I am so impressed by how much work you put into your fannishness.

I also hope you're having lots of slashy fun at this very moment in Seattle. I'm sitting here in Philly dreaming about being there (and maybe also dreaming about having drinks with Benedict).

[kelspots.livejournal.com]

I absolutely loved this fic, and appreciated that you let us see a bit into your writing process. I am also sad because, unfortunately, this is not how series 3 is going to happen.

[mydochas.livejournal.com]

I'm one of those people. Even as I started to read it, knowing I love everything of yours I've read, I had this little niggle of "but JohnLock..." But it was perfect. PERFECT. It was... the dynamic were incredible--John and Greg, John and Sherlock, Sherlock and Greg. There was heartache and confusion and through it all it was just the perfect blend of "well why can't we, if we're feeding different needs for each other?" And I just loved loved it.

Also I have to thank you for attending the con here in Seattle. I didn't get the chance to introduce myself (or have an embarassing fangirl moment) as I needed to get my friends back to their bus to Vancouver, but we all enjoyed, so much, hearing your contributions to the panels. And I got a text from my ex roommate as soon as she got back telling me she read A Cure for Boredom and was in love with it (we've never read the same fics ever in our 9 year relationship). So thanks for that too! :D