Blow Them At The Moon...

"Embraced..." - The Author's Notes - By Xof



Or rather - Pic Spam!!! and London Links Galore!!! Wheeeeeeee...

I wanted to give folks an inside look at the story as it played out in my head. And as such, I'm sharing with you detailed information on the places they went, things they may have seen and what their clothing, tattoos and toys looked like!!!

You will get to *SEE* what you've been reading - and I encourage you all to click on the links provided to find out more about the places they visited.

I went to London a few years back - much to my joy, and I used a lot of the places I saw in the fic, but there are just as many places the boys went, that I didn't! For those, I researched my little heart out so it would read just as well as the ones I'd seen myself.

(I'll put YES or NO next to the sites mentioned so you will know which are which...lol.)

So enjoy - as Brian/Michael did! The photos, the information and a look at Declan/Ashton's London - under the cut.
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It's my hope that you've enjoyed the story and these notes/pics/links. If you were a fan of the original, welcome back! If you are new to the stories, here's hoping this will peak your interest enough so that you read them both!!!

Hugs

xof

PS - The picspam feature photos of nude statues from art museums and such - therefore, if you're at work, have a care. :)

A care, and a quick toggle hand...lol.


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Just to give folks a heads up - the sequel to "Encompassed" is in final edit.

All 15 parts of it! *THUD*

The title is "Embraced..."

As soon as it's back to me and I get the last minute tweaks done, it will be posted one part at a time for everyone to read. :)

To celebrate - I wanted to showcase some of the lovely artwork that has been created around both stories, and the characters involved. A couple of which you will remember, perhaps. *wink* And some new wonderment to enjoy - below the cut: ( Read more... )



Also - if anyone needs to catch up on the original fic - by all means go HERE to find the links for "Encompassed" on my livejournal. If it's been awhile, you may enjoy revisiting the introduction of Declan and Ashton - :)

Hugs

xof

PS - if anyone is of a mind, I'd adore any new artwork featuring any of the characters from either story! Such prettiness to work with, yes? How can you resist? lol...

I *suck* at photo manipulation. I truly do not have the patience tonight. And so my attempt at making Dec/Ash fanart, well... Sigh. This is as good as it got.

Small size -



Large one under the cut - ( Read more... )

Pout.... Damn it.

Considering my very bad no good rotten day, just grrrrr.

Hugs

xof

PS - Just tell me to shut up and go write. I need to be...

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Or rather - instead of news, a request!!! I need help...

During the middle of posting the story "Encompassed" - I was gifted with an AMAZING work of fanart from the lovely!!! piper47 which you can see HERE.

It was an fantastic feeling to receive it - I can assure. I then got her help on doing two "covers" for the soundtracks I did for the characters Declan Rai and Ashton Forster. Featured under the cut - ( Read more... ).

So - considering I am sooooo far into the sequel - at least 4/5's done, if not more! - I was hoping that some of the folks who enjoyed the first story, and are looking forward to the second would lend me a hand.

I'm seeking "fanart" - picture manipulations, wallpapers and/or icons that are from or are inspired by the "Encompassed" Universe. Meaning anything Brian/Michael or Declan/Ash - or a combination of all four! I figured it would be a fun thing to help my muse, and maybe to share with folks while this story is getting finished and edited. You choose the themes, and you can go as wild and fantastical as you like - tame or risque!

((BTW - my mother tells me that my fic shouldn't be called a "story" - the length now qualifies it as a "novella" - yea me!))

Anywho - is anyone interesting in giving this a go? You have SOOO many pretty men to work with! There are a ton of photos of Brian and Michael (or alternately Gale and Hal) on the web to work with.

As for Declan/Ashton - no worries! Remember they are based on the physical appearances of Aidan Gillen and Craig Kelly - so all you'd need to do is go to the Aidan Gillen/Craig Kelly Photo Archive - HERE. There are now over 3,000 photos (THUD) there of those two men in all their glory - so it's an artist's playground!

I hope that this appeals to your interests - and I think it would be wonderful for the readers too! Anything that helps with the visuals...lol.

Seriously - if anyone gives this a go - manyyyyyyy thanks in advance!!!

Hugs

xof

(PS - if no one is, I'll be hiding in the dark corner across the room...lol.)

ETA - scratch the "novella" - darlins. This thing is over 79,000 words - what's that mean? It's a "novel" - *faints*....

Brace yourself...hehe. It's prezzie time!!!! The following "projects" were done with full and deep felt thanks to wannabebrit - they were inspired by her love and friendship, and are dedicated to her for her enthusiasm for my original characters - Declan Rai and Ashton Forster. Happy birthday, lady!

A little backstory (please read) -

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The Prezzies - Two fanmixes featuring 33 songs that tell the "story" of the last ten years of Declan/Ashton. One from each man's perspective, inspired by and dedicated to his love of the other. Each highly colored by their personalities (as I know them to be in my head...lol), their likes, loves and their fears. And finally, by their devotion and committment, each for and to the other. (((I strongly encourage those not familiar with these characters and their "special" connection/committment to read the story mentioned above. This fanmix, these song choices and my comments below will make MUCH more sense when you do....lol.)))


Gift No. 1 - The Declan Fanmix entitled "N-U-I-N" - artwork by the luvly talented piper47 (MANY THANKS for your beautiful artwork!)



Tracks & Download Links:
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Gift No. 2 - The Ashton Fanmix entitled "Evermore" - artwork by the luvly talented piper47 (MANY THANKS for your beautiful artwork!)



Tracks & Download Links:
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Lady - I truly want you to have a wonderful birthday, on Monday...lol. (She's getting this post over a day early so she can enjoy it over the weekend.) I hope you enjoy this musical look into their hearts and minds; the songs and lyrics where chosen to reflect each man intimately. You may have heard some of these songs a hundred times, but I tried to create mixes that were "them" and the result proved rather ecclectic...lol. So promise me you'll BLAST IT!!! That's always a necessity! (And remember that while I've put the songs in chronological order, I find that putting them on shuffle is just as much fun!!)

Happy Birthday!!!

hugs

xof

I got the most AMAZING gift tonight!!!!!!!! It's just unbelievably beautiful and I wanted to share it...

Sooooooooo thank you to piper47 for making me smile and cry all at the same time.



hugs

xof