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Tweak says, "Lost in my own lil world <3"

Kind to the point of doormat. (primlyrose) wrote in reduxpitch,
@ 2016-10-12 08:55:00

Entry tags:

!owl, character: draco malfoy, character: primrose dursley

Dear M.L. Drachen,

Hello. My name is Primrose Dursley, and I must start this letter with assurances that I never do anything like this. I very much enjoy your books, and I use many of the more intimate scenes as inspiration and research for my own romance stories. Save for a very small handful of people, no one knows that I read or write this genre. I am not ashamed by my enjoyment of it. I simply--

To be blunt, I was taught at a very young age that nice girls just simply do not do or condone certain things. I know how ridiculous this is, especially since my truly formative years were spent with people who have always encouraged me to be myself and to like anything as long as I was not hurting anyone. You wouldn't know that about me, though, and I apologize for allowing myself to write my stream of consciousness. I simply do not know how to start this letter.

The purpose of me contacting you is to ask for help but in a different way. Accompanying this letter is my most recent completed manuscript. I have several, but this is my favourite. It's about a young woman who finds herself trapped in the kingdom of the Old Folk. She falls in love with a man who can turn into a dog, but he, throughout the story, is unsure her feelings stem from her heart or from the fact that she is mortal stuck in a magical realm. She is taken to be the handmaiden for the Lady, queen of the fairfolk, and we follow his adventures to get her back and return with her to her world and time. There are a total of six love scenes.

I am sending this to you rather than a publisher because I was hoping for your feedback. I am sure you receive requests like this on a daily basis, but I am not brave enough to begin the publication process outright. I also cannot trust my loved one's opinions. They are biased, and they support me in everything. Their feedback will always be tinged with kindness to spare my feelings, and I love them for that. But you have no emotional ties to me, and you are free to be as harsh as you want in your honesty.

I am also sending it to you because I find myself in a delicate situation and in need of money. I know the publishing process can take time, assuming what I write is worth publishing. It is gauche of me to ask this, but if you feel this story might be published, I was--I would like to propose that you purchase it from me for, perhaps, a third of the price you would recive from your publisher for writing it. I apologise for the rudeness of such a request. It is full of assumptions and pride that boarders arrogance, and I swear to you it is not made for any of those reasons. I am not quite desperate, but I am frightened. I am becoming a mother at a very young age, and I want to create a small safety net. If I could sell you this story, I would be able to set the money aside for when it is needed. It would be one less thing for me and my boyfriend to worry about.

If--this plan is riddled with 'ifs'--this is something that can happen, I will sign any legal forms you see fit.

I thank you for your time, and I welcome all advice and feedback.

Yours very sincerely,

Primrose Dursley

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brightson
2016-10-13 04:00 pm UTC (link)

Dear Primrose,

If writing a letter such as this isn't something you normally do then I admire your courage for doing so anyway. I am glad to hear you enjoy my books and that use it as inspiration and research for your own, and I promise not to let that information go to my head. You don't have to apologise for that. It was an interesting albeit brief insight to you, and with writing sometimes the beginning is just as hard to write as the ending. Though I can understand where you are coming from. It's not always easy to express our thoughts and ideas, and letting them be judged by even those we care about.

Actually your letter is the first such request I've received in a while. I think my publisher tends to filter those letters out before I have a chance to even know about them. So it is fortunate that yours seems to have slipped past their radar. I certainly agree with you on that point; it is a scary process to start and, I think, one of those moments in life that requires a leap of faith to get started. Now you might not trust them to have an unbiased opinion but it is good that you clearly have a wonderful support system behind you.

As for the manuscript I have done a read through of it and it's actually quite good. I would not worry too much about the total number of love scenes, personally I think it is always better that it feels more a natural part of the story rather than just having love scenes for the sake of having them. Which brings me to the sole suggestion I have for your manuscript, the love scenes. They were not terribly written, however, they did feel a little too choreographed. I think if you were to rewrite them so that the scenes happened more naturally then I believe there would not be any issue in publishing it.

If that is reasonable enough a request, and you can send the rewrites of those scenes, then I will definitely see what I can do for you.

Yours sincerely,

M.L. Drachen

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early evening

primlyrose
2016-10-14 12:39 pm UTC (link)

Dear M.L. Drachen,

I apologise for the delay in replying to your owl. Initially, I was shocked that you took the time to respond, then by the generous offer you seem to be making. I have no words to express my gratitude for both.

I went through my story and revised the scenes in question. Despite my current state, I do not have much experience in these matters, but, without getting into too much detail, I attempted to imagine how they might be. Through this method, I changed two scenes which felt the most forced. I understand what you mean by "love scenes for the sake of having them". They did not move the story forward, and parts felt a little out of character. They remain intimate without the need for clothing to be removed, and I thank you for your advice on these things.

The updated pages are attached and numbered so they may be placed where they belong.

Thank you for taking the time to help me with this. It is more than I imagined would come of my owl to you. I had hope, of course, but I am also realistic, and your kindness and generocity is overwhelming in a very good way.

Yours sincerely,

Primrose Dursley

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morning - Friday 14th

brightson
2016-10-14 01:28 pm UTC (link)

Dear Primrose,

I fear I must also apologise for the delay in replying to your last owl. I also apologise if I caused you to worry that I had changed my mind - I have not. The delay was somewhat intentional on my part as I simply wished to have all the documents ready for you to sign before telling you any of the news.

Firstly, I like the changes you made to the love scenes, particularly the two you mentioned. Sometimes scenes where the characters are intimate work just as well, if not better, than if they were making love. You're welcome and I am glad that I could assist you.

Secondly, it would not have sat right with me at all in offering you such a paltry sum for your manuscript. Which is why you will find amongst the legal documents enclosed with this letter, details as to how and when you will be paid royalties, and how you would apply for advancements you may need on them.

Lastly, I know you will likely think this is too much and that it wasn't what you had asked me to do. However, let me tell you it is not being done wholly out of pity either. While I have not ever been in your situation I can empathise that it will not be easy for you or your boyfriend. So I imagine every little bit that you can save will help the two of you and your little one along. You may or may not think you are deserving of so much, however, I think you are.

Primrose, you are a talented writer, and if it is something you wish to continue doing then I don't think you will have any trouble in getting published in the future. I wish you all the best with your little one and your future writing efforts.

Yours sincerely,

M.L. Drachen

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morning - Friday 14th

primlyrose
2016-10-16 10:35 pm UTC (link)

Dear M.L. Drachen,

I am overwhelmed and very touched by your generosity and help. My aunt is a solicitor, and I will need her to look over the paperwork. She will insist, though I know I will sign.

I see that you have also included forms on how to be published under a pen name. Thank you. That is something I would have asked about.

I must cut this letter short, my hands are shaking, and I fear I may make the ink run with tears.

Thank you a hundred times over,

Primrose Dursley

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mid-morning - Friday 14th

brightson
2016-10-17 02:24 am UTC (link)

Dear Primrose,

I know from experience it is not an easy task trying to get oneself published for the first time. So if I could make that a little easier and smoother then I was only too glad to help. That is rather prudent, and it is good to have someone you know and trust like that who can look over the documents as well as negotiating on your behalf in the future.

Well, you deserve to be able to publish under your own name, or one of your choosing, rather than having credit for your work go to someone else.

Very well. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Your are most welcome,

M.L. Drachen

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