(no subject)

[vr_trakowski]

Fifteen months ago I started a scrap of story, not thinking much of it at the time.  It grew, so I kept working on it, idly thinking that it would be a longer story than the one that it followed, but not that much longer.  Heck, when I started posting in August, I thought it was almost finished.

Hah. 

Well, it's late May, over a year later, and now it's done. 

"Halfway to the Moon" clocks in at forty chapters.  163 pages at Verdana 8 pt.  And a whopping total of 162,954 words.  That's bigger than my Prey novella, and took much less time to write.  Of course, there are longer stories out there, but this is definitely a first for me. 

Writing HTTM has taught me that I can in fact handle a long story, that I can generally manage at least 3,200 words or so per week if I push myself, that I can keep characters true even when they're off in an alternate universe, and that I never never never intend to start posting again unless I have everything finished but the tweaks. 

This story has been a challenge in many ways, but it's also been a joy.  I've had the humbling pleasure of many kind reviews and much support.  Trialia, Eileen, Ligaras, Jpsets, Anne, Ricker, CSINut214, ATrueParrothead, Jtbwriter, Smrozier, Wobbear, DaVinci13, Susanmary and many, many others have kept me going on this.  Thank you. 

And thank you to Cincoflex, the Queen of betas.  She has patiently helped me refine HTTM even when I should have been doing other things, has put up with my whines and worries, and gently polished my ideas.  I quite literally couldn't have done it without her. 

Thanks for reading, folks.  Thanks for putting up with all the OCs, and the AU, and the time it took to get Grissom and Sara together.  It's a bit of a relief to have the pressure off, but I know I'll miss the writing too... 

...And I reserve the right to more stories in the RC universe.  *grin*  This is not a promise, mind you, just an option. 

Comments

[maggienhawk.livejournal.com]

I would just like to say Thank You.

I was once a huge CSI/GSR fan, but life got in the way this year, and with the dip in quality of the actual show (minus the season finale...omg still having heart palpitations) I was no longer interested in fanfiction. I felt like I had read all that I could read, and even stopped writing stories myself. I had no motivation to have anything to do with CSI.

But I started reading HTTM when you first started writing it, and every week that it was posted I kept coming back for more. It seriously has been the only CSI fanfic I have read in months. And it was fabulous. You were always true to the characters, even with the AU storyline. The OCs made for enjoyable obstacles and sideplots along the way.

I know I'm not the most avid reviewer, but I like to leave reviews once stories are finished (hypicritcal for a fanfic WIP writer I know). This has been one of my favorite CSI stories to date, and I've been reading for 3 years now (almost to the day actually) and have probably read over a thousand stories. Congrats on finishing, and again thank you for this wonderful piece of work.

Maggienhawk/Heather

Way to Go, VR!

[ligaras.livejournal.com]

Oh my...what an amazing journey!

*salutes you humbly*

-You know, I actually got true butterflies in my stomach upon reading the pre-wedding words from Grissom's mouth;By all means. It was so real and final and promising all at once.

And rectal craniotomy -- *snorts*

There are so many high points to this wonderful story that I'm getting excited at the thought of starting from the beginning again.

In the mean time I will prod them occasionally, maybe invite them over for some yummy peach tea -- or to the farm with the promise of horseback riding lessons for Kimmy, only to pick their brains!

Again, VR, thanks for many, MANY weeks of giddy (and angsty, evil, evil!) anticipation and subsequent penned rewards. Can't wait to read your next masterpiece.
WAY TO GO!

:D

[cincoflex.livejournal.com]

Hee! Such a sweet, sweet ride, woman--you hit your stride and never looked back, not really. You made this story live and I had so much pleasure in watching it take root and grow. Thanks for letting me hang around and be a tiny part of that!

[amaranthinesong.livejournal.com]

Aww, I can't believe HTTM is finally over. It's sad and amazing at the same time -- This story is what truly hooked me on GSR. Thanks for writing!

[tallulah99.livejournal.com]

This story was truly amazing. Your attention to detail and faithful representation of our much beloved geeks made this an absolute delight to read. I looked forward to every update and enjoyed every word. I do hope this isn't the last of your GSR fics - whether they are RC or a whole new AU altogether. Thank you so much for your dedication to this project, which I have no doubt tried your patience if not your sanity for the last year or so:). An excellent piece of work.

[csipal.livejournal.com]

Thank you, VR, for this awesome novel. I remember when I first read Rollercoaster, and while I wanted more, I never thought(or dreamed, rather) that we would get something quite like this.

I've always been a fan of your work, but this takes it to another level. I'm amazed and jealous by your work ethic when it came to updating and the responsibility you placed on yourself when Wednesday became the day every G/S fanfic reader waited for.

While, it's sad to see this journey end, you wrapped it up beautifully. About three weeks ago, I spent a Saturday morning rereading the previous chapters and now that it's complete, I think I'll print it out and reread it next week when I'm down in Florida.

Congrats on this accomplishment and I look forward(as always) to what you think of next.

(Oh, and Warrick and the paper rose - you have that somewhere else don't you? This is gonna bug me....)

[tres_mechante.livejournal.com]

Oh my girl... ::sigh of utter contentment::

That was just lovely. This story has been an amazing journey.

Words fail me.

Thank you for gifting us with this story. Even in AU, the characters were true to themselves (more than could be said of the series writers, more oft than not). It has been a helluva ride and as much as I shall miss this story, but it has ended in just the write place...any more would have been too much - in my most humble view.

Thank you VR. Those are all the words I can find. Just, thank you.

::hugs and chocolate and fine champagne to you::

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thank you! I'm glad you kept coming back, and that you liked my OCs. And hey, I understand the waiting until stories are finished--I do it myself for various reasons.

I have to add...your icon really tickles me. :D

Re: Way to Go, VR!

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Hee! "Way to Go" is cropping up like "cannon" in the season finale. I can't take credit for "rectal craniotomy", though, I had to look it up. Just be glad I didn't figure out how to work "hemicorporectomy" in. :P

Kimmy would be off like a shot! Take her to Assateague to see the ponies and she'd be yours forever.

[peutetreace.livejournal.com]

My favorite stories are the ones where I can see the events occurring in my head and match the events to the show's characterizations. Even though "Halfway to the Moon" was an AU, I could see the events that you wrote and felt them to be realistic to the characters on CSI. I loved this story because the events were so true to the characters. If you were to add another story to the self-titled RC universe, I'd love to read it, for I enjoy your writing style and the universe you created. Thanks for taking the time to write such a wonderful story - congratulations on its completion.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Tiny, snort! You were a big part of making this one soar, never doubt it!

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Always happy to pull someone else into the madness. *grin*

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Oh, I'll keep writing GSR, at least for now--there's some stuff in the pipeline. And who knows what the next season will bring...

One of my favorites

[smrozier.livejournal.com]

I try no keep my "favorite story" list to a minimum. It's getting harder, though. I think I'll just have to be content with "favorite authors" rather than stories (you're on that list, btw). I left a review of the story, so I'll try not to repeat myself. I absolutely loved this story. And the original characters were great, I could totally see Gracie and Ed in my mind's eye.

This sentence in your post gave me palpatations: I never never never intend to start posting again unless I have everything finished but the tweaks.

Please tell me you've started on your next CSI work. ;)

I thought this for some time, but I wish there was somewhere that you guys could publish your CSI works. I'd love to have "the works of VR Trakowski {or Cinco, or others who are in my favorites list}" on my bookshelf. *sigh*

Okay, okay. I've rambeled enough. I'll just give you *applause* for the story!

-smrozier

Re: One of my favorites

[smrozier.livejournal.com]

BTW - how do I get my profile pic to change (some of you seem to have a rotating one)?

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

I never thought so, either! :P But life gets surprising sometimes.

Warrick's paper roses show up obliquely earlier in the story, but they're a shy homage to Wintertime's stunning Paper Cranes.

Have a safe journey!

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

You're welcome--and thank YOU! I'm so happy that the characters stayed realistic...that's usually the biggest must for me. And thanks for your lovely reviews!

Ooh, chocolate...

Re: One of my favorites

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, there are definitely other things in the hopper.

Sometimes I wish we could publish too, but I haven't really seen a fanfic press that's interested in CSI, esp. if it's already been posted online. *shrug*

To change your icon while posting a comment, you have to be signed in and commenting in the actual thread (rather than doing it by e-mail). Look at the top of the comment box--it says "Picture to use:" and has a drop-down menu that lets you choose among those you have uploaded to your LJ. You may have to give yours keywords first, though; I'm not sure.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I might do a story later...no telling at this point. After living with them this long I may not be able to get away!

Re: One of my favorites

[smrozier.livejournal.com]

Well, if you ever find a press company that is interested and decide to pulbish, I'll definitely buy.

(Thanks for the info to change the icon!)

[csipal.livejournal.com]

I knew about it in Paper Cranes (one of my faves), I guess I forgot that you had it earlier in the story. I was searching through some of your old ones to find it(which I didn't mind at all :) )

[ricker23a.livejournal.com]

It's the end of an era! Halfway to the Moon was truly an amazing, intimate journey traveled by many, many readers and one fantastic writer. We laughed and cried as Grissom proved himself and his love to Sara. We encouraged Sara to trust in that love too. You have such a grasp on Grissom and Sara that it was never difficult to see or hear them throughout this beautiful story. The addition of your OC's (Ed, Gracie, Joey, Kimmy, Rosalie and family) helped create an intricate story full of love, laughter and pain.

Your commitment to posting every week is to be commended. Through HttM, Wednesdays became my favorite day of the week, squeeeeeing when I'd see the alert for the next chapter in my inbox!

I'm looking for words that will make me sound more mature than a 12-year old VR fangirl and haven't been very successful! *grin*

Can't wait for the next journey!

[maggienhawk.livejournal.com]

That's where I knew it from...for some reason I remembered that, but could not for my life remember where it was from...for a moment I thought it was in the show, but then realized that was just craziness!

[maggienhawk.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It serves it purpose then...

I stole it from somewhere for the exact same reason. And it was extra funny to me case I'm a marine biologist...Hee!

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *blush* And thanks for your faithful reviews (and recs!). You were so often the first to let me know how they felt, and it meant a great deal--and always made me smile!.

And thanks for the tape, too. :D Bliss!

[jenbachand.livejournal.com]

It was such a wonderful story. Great characters & characterizations. I even tried my hand at a croquembouche when I read about, and it is so very hard to make in Houston due to the humidity.

Your writing is always so great. Thanks for a wonderful ride.

Jen :)

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's so cool! I take it that's what's in your icon? Lovely!

I've never seen one myself, but I do love the idea of them. After finishing the chapter I was craving a cream puff!

[jenbachand.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's the icon. It sat in the fridge a day, then Steve started eating on it. I think I have him convinced it would be perfect.

http://www.rainbowsugarcraft.co.uk/croquembouchepage.htm

This place has some of the coolest ones, of course they're in England.

Martha Stewart has one on her website too.

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe2221

Bitch just has to over do everything.

I just bought the frozen ones and got a helluva burn from the sugar while I played. It turned out pretty though.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a site! Darn you, now I'm craving them again. :P I just plugged the word into Google Images and got a few good shots, but nothing like that.

40 freakin chapters??

[(Anonymous)]

I had no idea it was this long... Are you gonna get this one "published" too? I need it on my bookshelf, now that I have a bookshelf :P
Roscoe

Re: 40 freakin chapters??

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Heh, I wish, but most fic presses are for sci-fi or older shows.

Like it would make any sense to you! *wink* I hope the bookshelves and all the rest are behaving themselves...