we are so writing this.

[fatima]

Sofek, the Angel of Gayness, appeared before Spock and said unto him: It is Good.
—The Book of Spock, a companion to Transfiguration

Seriously though, GUYS, WILL YOU PLEASE JUMP EACH OTHER ALREADY!!!???

(ICness is such a bitch sometimes, sigh.)

Comments

[no-detective.livejournal.com]

So, hey - having issues with the ending? Anything in particular? I'm assuming this is about Spock's departure from the Church.

[snowlight.livejournal.com]

We had an ending, but elected to change it because it was deemed too dramatic (and involving a whole other can of worms).

For our new ending, we needed to lay some foreshadowing in the earlier chapters.

Our biggest problem at the moment is still how to realistically portray Spock's attempt to reconcile his relationship with Kirk and his identity as a clergy member in the Roman Catholic Church.

[no-detective.livejournal.com]

Got it. When it comes to such dramatic changes in one's life, it's kinda hard NOT to go too far.

If you need to reveal that Spock has been having problems with the Church in the past, but don't want to rewrite a lot of what you've already completed... well, people who reach such significant crossroads sometimes try to look back, to find the traces of their own doubts or issues, and to convince themselves it's not a totally new thing caused by - let's say - just one guy they happen to be crazy about. Do you think Spock would look at his old diaries (if he kept any)? Read old letters? Seek out family or friends who'd known him before he joined the Church, to remind him whether he had any doubts at the time (and is not just imagining it to help himself rationalize the clash in his life)? People who start out with doubts can work very hard to suppress them; as a result, their commitment to the relationship/institution/lifestyle LOOKS more stable, solid, and clear-cut than other people's in a similar position. And unearthing those issues is never easy... but it doesn't mean they're not there.

(I'm kinda rambling here. Does this help or just make things more fuzzy?)

Anyway, I suspect you're probably working with the idea of Spock having been gay all his life, but never being in love before. I also suspect that his mother always supported him. :) That's some pretty fertile ground for developing self-awareness and redefining one's faith - and I say that as a friend of a few gay men who'd seriously considered becoming priests. (In another country, a different church, and having to deal with much higher level of homophobia, so it's not really a good example - but it's a good general frame of reference.)

If I mention a book that might be helpful, would that make you cry? :p


ETA: I'm taking my chance anyway... The Good Book by Peter Gomes. I can't find my copy, otherwise I'd offer to lend it to you.

[snowlight.livejournal.com]

I think I understand you....

The thing is, prior to this, Spock never had any doubt. And he was raised by the Church (in the form of Pike---I point to TOS connection between Pike and Spock). Pike was the one who, in his infinite wisdom, had doubts about Spock's suitability for the vocation. We wrote out Sarek and Amanda altogether so his parental figure is Pike, who's the priest in charge of the whole thing. So you see, Pike can't exactly tell him hey you go frolic with your boyfriend now.

As for the possible meet-up, I'm extremely swamped this weekend, but pretty free afterwards. If you make it a weekend buoy can probably come, too!

[no-detective.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, I see. That's a different story. Pike's influence makes a lot of sense; so does his insight (he's a smart guy).

Now I'm really curious about Spock's self-awareness and attitude toward his own sexuality, but maybe that's too big of a topic to unravel here... hmm. I should be pretty free next weekend; you gals wanna get brunch and tell me ALL ABOUT IT? :D

[snowlight.livejournal.com]

How does Saturday lunch in Manhattan sound to you? Do you have any eatery in mind? I have a few reasonably priced (by NYC standards) Asian places that I frequent (Chinese/Japanese/Korean), but we are open to suggestions!

[no-detective.livejournal.com]

Sounds great! Let me email you for details. :)