The Song of Yarru, Author's Notes

[kalleah]

I didn't want to muddy the waters of chapter eight or the epilogue with a lot of author's notes, but I did have enough to say to want to share my thoughts.

I'd like to thank platypus and nonelvis for their invaluable and tireless beta work with me. Additionally, thanks to np_complete and sensiblecat, both of whom read early drafts of the opening chapters and provided me with reassurance that yes, the world of Yarru and its characters felt real. I also have to tip my metaphorical cap to platypus's partner, who provided us with the appropriate Latin names for the Yarruni species I mentioned.

This story started with the image of the Doctor and Rose emerging from the TARDIS onto a platform in a redwood-like forest. I kept trying to banish the image of the Ewok city in Return of the Jedi from my mind, although others have suggested Tolkien's Lothlórien, which I find far more flattering to the Yarruni.

I started this story at the beginning of April next year after having sworn up and down, and in several public forums, that I would never publish another WIP. I felt like I would have more flexibility in crafting the story to be able to go back and revise the story rather than post something and be permanently committed to it. That was both a very good idea and a somewhat limiting idea. I found that while my original intent was satisfied, I also missed the ongoing dialogue with the readers about where they thought the story was going and to respond on the fly to the feedback there. Will I do it the same way again? Depends. My plan is to stick to shorter forms for a while, but I'm not ruling out longer pieces as I so foolishly did about 100,000 words ago.

One of the things I've enjoyed most about writing this story and The Hidden Well was the ability to delve into the science of the subject matter. Even when I'm handwaving something, I like to have at least some plausibility within the confines of the story I'm telling. Thus, Aiku's magnetic coil is based in fact. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been proven to be able to turn off the ability to talk – while leaving the ability to sing. I thought the reverse could be true. Bird syrinxes are incredibly precise instruments, although there's debate in the scientific community about whether they actually breathe and sing at the same time. Alpha Mensae is a sunlike star, and the naming convention to have the fourth discovered planet be named "Alpha Mensae d" is consistent with current extrasolar planetary naming conventions.

Thank you for reading, indulging me, and enjoying this story.

And, for the record, my favorite character from this story is the Crotalistria cachinnabilis that goes dancing with Rose, although I am terribly fond of Watson.

Comments

[scubagurl22.livejournal.com]

Thanks for letting us explore this world with you. I really enjoy your ability to combine the science behind the plot with the plot itself. Makes everything feel as if it could actually take place, well if we lived in a tree house world that is. ;)

As always it seems, wonderful story and looking forward to anything else you have for us!

[kalleah.livejournal.com]

I like building the world and the setting almost as much as telling the story, and the science is part of that. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks again

[susanb03.livejournal.com]

I always love your stories and have started reading them from the beginning again.

susan

Re: Thanks again

[kalleah.livejournal.com]

You're so kind. Thank you!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I very very much enjoyed it. while short fics can be absolutely wonderful, your longer fics were one of the reasons I got hooked on reading fanfic again after like 10 years of having given it up, so I hope you'll continue! I'm sure it's a ton of work though!

anyway, thanks for the entertainment. :)

[kalleah.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, it is a lot of effort, but I don't want to say "work." I enjoy it so much.

[jaradel.livejournal.com]

I loved your story, though I was shocked that the Doctor let Anahit kill the soldiers, though I don't see how else they could have gotten out of that situation. Allowing Watson to stay on the planet and live in Yarru was a nice touch, and after all the Yarruni had just been through, it was very open-minded of them, particularly Arri, to let a human stay among them. Bell's fate confused me a bit, but I guess he deserved it, since he could have tried to stop the soldiers and chose not to. The choice between what is right and what is easy, I suppose.

I've much enjoyed reading your stories on Teaspoon and look forward to reading more.

[kalleah.livejournal.com]

I meant the issue of whether or not the Doctor let to be somewhat ambiguous -- it could have been more deliberate, or it could have been a matter of his not being able to stop her in time. As for Bell and Watson -- they were both faced with the identical fate, and Bell "just followed orders" while Watson took the moral high ground. Bell is at the least a collaborator.

Thanks for commenting!

[irlanda-anima.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize you had posted another story in this series and found it today - squeeing gleefully in the process - and, though shorter then the others, I absolutely loved it. I especially enjoyed all the allusions to either pasted Doctor Who episodes are events in your series. The mating scene was particularly interesting to read. I found it amusing that the Doctor was so affect by the song, but he is telepathic, so there you go.

Are you planning on writting anymore in this series? I hope so. More Jacob would be brilliant and I love reading about the Doctor and Rose's adventures after the horror of Doomsday. This is better then canon...because Rose is there. You've somehow managed to keep them all in character and give your plots that Doctor Who feel. I absolutely love it. I see your fics as opposed to read them.

Loved it...love you...write more soon!!!

[kalleah.livejournal.com]

I found it amusing that the Doctor was so affect by the song, but he is telepathic, so there you go.

It's also a hell of a song!

As for coming back to this series ... yes, I think I will. I can't say when or what for, because I don't have a specific idea, but I haven't closed the book so to speak. I am currently enjoying writing Ten II and Rose, and since I don't subscribe to the baby TARDIS idea for them, if I want to write adventures in time and space, this is the venue.

Jacob is tricky, because while I would love to have him with them again, I have to find a reason to do it other than simply to have a little visit. I'm not sure what that is, but I'll simply be open to any ideas that strike my fancy.