MinervaFan

*pipes up in response to MsQ's questions* I will admit this before the gods and everyone--JE's and DL's acting (at least vocally) in the Fake Heart Attack Scene was god-awful over the top bad. Downright ludicrous. The line where she says "The only man I ever loved was you" was unintentionally funny. So why do I watch it over and over? Why have I based so many of my fanfics on that one, particular scene? JE's facial expressions, mainly. Not all of them, because even those can be disturbingly comic, but when she's still, when she's holding back. Emotions that are flittering over her face that TQ doesn't want Edward to see--that maybe JE doesn't even want the audience to see. I watch those scenes and see JE's potential--but as she gets older, I find it harder and harder to find any scenes (at least the ones I've seen) where she doesn't hit it out the park. (And the one where she tells Dillon Luke is trying to kill her? I'm still working under the assumption that she knew all along they were gaslighting her, and was overplaying the "scared Tracy" bit for their benefit. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.)

When I first started watching the show in January 2005, I was very aware of two things--I needed to write Tracy fanfic and I had better darned well learn the history, because the people reading my stories would know it. So I went on a rampage, finding every article, every bio, everything I could online about TracyQ. I asked my girlfriend, who has been a fan for years, and anybody who would answer questions. I don't feel right writing a character unless I know them, and TQ/JE had a 25 year head start on me.... I also know fans, and I knew that if I got things wrong, there would be some life-timer out there waiting to nail me to the cross for getting the canon wrong. Fey often teases me about my level of obsessiveness when it comes to my fanfic--I trust you, if you check my hard drive, you'll find files on the FAA safety guidelines, tourist guides for Cork County, Ireland, detailed descriptions of riding togs, top 100 movies of 1955, 100 greatest disco hits--you name it, all gathered in the name of fanfic research. I wish, just for a while, that the people who get paid to do what I do for love would take even half the time I've taken with the characters, to learn their histories, to get them right. And they have an added benefit I will never have--the actors themselves, who have lived with these characters for years. Personally, I don't expect every fanfic writer to do the kind of research I do--it's something I do because of my perfectionism and natural curiosity about the world. But I would HOPE that people getting paid to be professional writers would at least *pretend* to care. BTW, I'm almost afraid to ask--any Tracy today?

Girl, go ahead--repost at your leisure. I just have very little patience for that "Luke & Laura--Greatest Love Story of the Century" crap. He was her rapist, for crying out loud. She was not as nice as he thinks she is, and he was not as heroic as people make him out to be. At least Tracy can match him, evil for evil--the Former Rapist and the Queen of Attempted Patricide. MinervaFan, Queen of Pie in the Sky Shipper Optimism. BTW, will you PM me the text of your letter? I'd love to read it.

*taps mic* Ah-hem. Excuse me... *taps mic* A Teeny-Tiny Ficlet In Script Form To Honor Laura's Return by MinervaFan Luke: (to newly de-comatized Laura) My Angel, my Love, my Joy with the Sparkly White Teeth! You're back, you're back, and we can live together forever! Laura: (sparkly white teeth sparkling with shy smile) Who are you? I don't know you. Luke: (worried, as he drops to his knee dramatically) Why, I'm the Love of Your Life. I stalked you in the 70s, raped you because I Couldn't Contain My Love For You, married you in a storyline that put the cause of women's rights and protection against sex crimes back twenty centuries, and spent most of the 80s and 90s divorcing you, remarrying you, divorcing you, faking my death, thinking you were dead, watching you -- brainwashed of course -- bear other men's children, neglecting my own children, breaking numerous laws, mugging for the camera, committing copious crimes of passion--erm, FASHION, and finally pissing off an evil lunatic woman who Concocted Some Nebulus Scheme that turned you into an intellectual rutabaga for several years after you killed your own father. Laura: (sparkly smile wavering) Oh... Luke: But now we can be together, at last, my love, my life, my angel.... Laura: (sparkly smile sparkling for all it's worth) We can get married????? Luke: Uh, well, no. See, I'm sorta already married to Tracy Quartermaine, and there's this fifteen million thing, and well... Laura: Get lost, Loser. Luke: (Turns hopefully to Tracy) Spanky Buns? Tracy: (sipping champagne with a bevy of sexy, sophisticated men at the MetroCourt) Get lost, Loser. THE END *bows amidst thunderous applause* I'd like to thank TIIC at General Hospital, Tony (Gimme My Damned Vacation) Geary, Genie (No, I'll Never Come Back, No Matter HOW Much They Offer Me) Francis, and Jane (Please God Don't Let Me Get Paid By The Line) Elliot for their contributions to this Work Of Fiction.

Question--did somebody delete the LuNacy thread on this board? Not that there's been a whole heck of a lot to chat about, but I was just curious. (I hate having broken links on my LJ community....) Any TQ today?

TG was absolutely incredible as Bill Eckert. I saw the custody battle on the Lucy/Scott edit tape, and wow--I would venture to say Bill was as interesting character as Luke, moreso in some ways. The AU story is going to be sort of action/adventure with a hint of romance involved. I hope to write it tonight and have it posted by tomorrow. I'm glad you're excited about it. There should be TQ on Wednesday--anyone want to gamble a bet as to whether or not we'll see her beforehenad? I can't imagine she *wouldn't* be at Justus's memorial service--probably to say something snarky and get yelled at by all the "Nice" people.

Prompt #11: Disgust - The Gods of Love. A world-weary Tracy contemplates young love in all its disgusting glory.

My current writing Prompt is "disgust." Can I write it about Tracy looking at JE's recent storylines (or lack thereof?) ETA: No, really! You, too, can play a part in the magical world of fanfic. I'm hitting a blank--the word is "disgust." Random--gimme a character, a situation, a setting? The more outrageous the better--throw it at me like a major league pitcher. Help?

Hey, gang. Just checking in--wow, tons of activity! Looks like next week is going to feature at least *some* TQ, which makes me smile. I hope the Tracy - Lorenzo thing is more about Diego and Lulu than ELQ, because wow. Can the woman just stay CEO for ten minutes without having to give it up to a gangsta? Oh, and I've been meaning to say this for days now--A Quartermaine is dead. A Quartermaine *male* is dead. And the only Q reactions we've seen in THREE air dates are Edward, Emily, Jason and SKYE? Who are these people writing the show anyway? Have they actually *seen* the program? From SoapZone: 28th-Edward ponders his regrets on the day of Justus' funeral, Luke opens up to Tracy about his marriage to Laura; Patrick loses his temper with Noah; Robin and Patrick argue; Skye wants nothing to do with Alcazar, Diego plays on Georgie's sympathy. On a personal note, I haven't written anything today but the little prompt 10 thing, which I am rather disapointed in. It didn't quite hit--Fey tells me that out of 100, there are going to be varying levels of quality and I should just relax. Also, I got bad news from my dad this morning--in a very bad way--and had a TQ-style meltdown, complete with denial, anger, bargaining, grief and finally--acceptance. (Color me Kubler-Ross, and call me in the morning.) I guess I have more in common with Tracy than I ever thought--this news brought up issues I've been NOT dealing with for decades, and, well... anyway.... I guess I identify with Tracy, Lulu, AND Brooke Lynn more than I thought I did. I will be back to the writing tomorrow. Thank you for the kind words, both today and in the past couple of days when I've been sick. You guys are an amazing bunch of people, and I'm so glad I found you. (Okay, I'm so glad Smirks held up a big neon sign and pointed the way to you!) Smooches...

*waves to Bella!* For those of you who haven't read it, Chapter 40 of "Oh, Baby" is not only F-U-N-N-Y, but it's also S-E-X-Y! MsQ, you've been holding out on us! Two minutes more, and that woulda been a WHOLE nuther kinda story! *whistles and hoots, hoping it will convince MsQ to go for it in Chapter 41!* No new fic tonight--had date night with Fey, and almost got poisoned by the !@#$%^&*] waitress from hell. Dinner was free--let's just hope I don't get even sicker. ETA: Prompt 10 is up. Very short, this one. Would post more, but I'm in the middle of a RL, Tracy-esque, Daddy-issue moment. May post later. Love much to you all.

Hey, I just wanted to let you guys know the next Prompt story is up at the ficathon. I've been really sick for the last three days--mostly sleeping--and haven't had much energy to write. The good news is, when you're sick, there's not much energy for anything else but plotting out stories and dialogue in your head. So when I was able to write, it came out quickly and fairly efficiently. This latest prompt is about 4x as long as the last one. Prompt #9: The Art of Negotiation: past!fic. What 17 year old Tracy Quartermaine wants more than anything is a summer internship at ELQ. What Edward makes her go through to get it is positively criminal.

ILoveTracyQ, here is my letter. I'tm sorta embarrassed writing a fan letter at my age, but here it is. (I just put it in the mail box.) Dear Ms. Elliot: I have to admit, I feel strange writing fan mail at my age, but I wanted write and let you know how glad I am that you are still on General Hospital. I had pretty much banned myself from soap operas for the last twenty years—they were too much about youth and foolishness, and I had better things to do with my time. Then my girlfriend insisted I watch an episode of GH with her—it was the one where Dillon finds out Tracy was alive after faking her death (some time in January this year, I think). I'll admit it—I was hooked instantaneously. And while I learned to like the other characters, it's Tracy that keeps me watching the show. As a writer, I'm just bowled over by the character's complexities, and as a fan, I'm always stunned by how much you as an actress can wring out of even the simplest scripts. But this is not a mere fan letter, Jane. The fact is, I've read that your contract is up in November of this year. As a fan and as a woman over 40, I'm urging you to please, if it's at all possible, stay with the show. I don't know if your lack of screen time is due to your choice or the Powers That Be, but I believe some Tracy is better than no Tracy at all. It's important to me, and has always been important to me, to see women "of a certain age" on television. The show is growing more and more youth-obsessed (maybe it has always been this way?), and the older actors who have the most talent and experience are being wasted. Jackie Zeman, Stuart Damon, Leslie Charleson—their characters have been reduced to ghosts of their former selves. I love the interaction between Tracy and Luke (although I hate how she is never seen outside his sphere anymore), and I'm grateful that it gives Tracy a viable storyline. I ask you, keep it going. Do what you can. You have fans out here, loyal fans old and new, who want to see Tracy continue. I know in the end it may be largely out of your hands. I'm sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Guza, Mr. Frons, and Ms. Phelps, just to let you know how serious I am about wanting you to stay in the role of Tracy Quartermaine after November. I am a fan who would never have watched the show, were it not for you, and I would probably not continue to watch the show were you to leave. You're just that good. So please, keep going, keep doing what you do so gloriously on screen! You have a loyal following out here in the wilderness, and we are tuning in to see Tracy shine.

And I thought my stomach problems were from a bug--I just psychically predicted this.... Personally, if they bring back Laura I'll be horrified. Mainly, because the actress has said REPEATEDLY she doesn't want to come back, and if she does, it'll obviously be for the money. I know money is an issue, but damn. Just stay gone, okay? Feeling the crunch on TracyLove right now, and am so glad I printed out those four copies of my letter to Jane this morning. (One to Jane, one to Guza, one to Frons, and one to Phelps.) Not sure if it'll do any good, but this has me motivated to follow through now. Feeling nauseous...especially since I'll lay good money that they bring Laura back right AFTER they get LuNacy together for real--just to kill Tracy's spirit once more. I think I'm going to kill off Laura in a story. Whaddaya think? Will that make me feel batter?

I just watched the tape (on rewind, double-fast speed). No TQ at all. Two short scenes with Luke talking to Sonny--I didn't stop to watch them. Lots of SOILY, CarjJax and Scrubs. Oh, and Helena hovering over Nik and the baby. Maybe today? No, that's just my sick stomach talking. BTW, I didn't get my prompt written--I've been feeling really sick for the last two days--I want to call in today, but I just took a vacation day on Tuesday and I don't want to look suspicious. (Of course, if I get sick all over my keyboard at work, that might convince them....) Anyway, if I'm feeling better tonight, I'll try to do Prompt #9 (I'm hoping this will be a good one--I've had a lot of time to plot it out in my head) and Promt #10 tonight. Oh, and HELLO? MsQ, are we evah going to get an update on Oh, Baby? You kept me hooked through 39 chapters--with my short attention span. Please tell me you're going to update soon. And an update on Homelands and Beautiful Disaster would not be amiss, (hint hint hint) in the face of this Tracy Famine we're having on the tube....... Have you guys been having problems with FF.net uploads too? I've submitted a ticket. ETA: Insult To Injury Department? I submitted a ticket to FF.net months ago to have TQ and LS's names added to the list of characters in the drop down menu. Not only was it never done, it was never responded to, and my ticket no longer exists. Arrggh...

Keith, I dub thee "Soap King O' Happiness." Here is your sceptre and tiara, you may convey peerage as you see fit. TracyQ, TracyQ, TracyQ--- I'm just thinking of that moment when she was in the bar at the MetroCourt (right before Luke set her up with Coleman...grrr.....), and she was TAUNTING Skye, and made that adorable little smile with her fingers stapled under her chin (the one that's in 10,000 mvids).... This is TracyQ. We love TracyQ. Yum....

I went through all the transcripts from May 2005 forward when I first started this obsessive journey. I am telling you, they installed Lorenzo as CEO, but they did *not* remove him. This is one of those STUPID inconsistancies that drive my anal-retentive mind insane. (I'm a Gemini, but my moon is in Capricorn, which makes me hyper-analytical.) And comparing SOILY to L/L?? May I SPEW now and forever hold my peace? Oh, please let Tracy go on the warpath about something OTHER than Luke's inability to keep his fly zipped. Let it be about ELQ, or Dillon's indiscretions, or geeze, maybe even something with Ned. Or how about this--let her go on the warpath to DEFEND the Q's against an outside threat, as nobody else seems to care about anything besides Luke, Jason and Sonny's personal lives. I haven't seen the episode today, but after seeing that 96 clip where she practically begged Sonny for money, and he turned her out cold--I want her to FLAME his ass. I want it to hurt, I want her to pull out all the stops, use every lowdown, !@#$%^&*]y, evil, horrible thing he's ever said or done against him, I want her to make him GROVEL for it, BEG, I tell ya, and THEN I want her to laugh in his face. Not that I'm vindictive about this or anything. Took all day, but I finally got my idea for Prompt #8: Cheat. I simply refuse to write another freakin' story about infidelity this week. I'm so OVER that.

You slay me with the compliments. Hey, I've been living and breathing Tracy Quartermaine for days now, working on this challenge. It's kind of funny--when I go to watch the show and she's not on, it's like...wow, she should be there, huh? Prominently. Isn't she the star of the entire show? And then it hits me, uh, no--just in your little fannish world, Deb.... And I'm STILL dumbfounded over how they just *threw that in* about Tracy being CEO of ELQ yesterday. Dudes, did I sleepwalk through an entire storyline? When the *HECK* did this happen? And how is she so calm and complacent about it? Do TIIC even watch this show? I've only watched since January, and I know the damned character better than they do! Or at least, I *care about the character* more than they do.... I love me some Skye, but dayum, why did those scenes with Edward have to be with her? Where was Alan? Where was Tracy? Does this man even care about his own flesh and blood, or is he more in love with the fake Quartermaines than the real deals? Ooh, there was much Edward Hating going on in our house--Fey was so mad at him for what he said about Jason--I was just mad at him. (So preferring the John Ingle Edward to the Jed Allen Edward. It's so much easier to hate this guy.....)

That...is....sooooooo...wrong...

Reading your sig line--Marcy Walker is being ignored now???? Marcy Walker, the blonde from All My Children and Santa Barbara?????? Dude, she was like the Queen !@#$%^&*] of All Things when I was in school. *kicks the Entire World of Soap Operas* Ageist bastards.

Hey, guys. MsQ and I were talking, and we sort of thought the time might be ripe for a mini letter writing campaign to "encourage" Jane and TPTB to keep Tracy as a viable part of the show after November. It's early enough that it might influence decisions if a few more letters came in...asking politely that Jane renew her contract and Tracy's storyline is continued (and enhanced). A few pointers on successful letters to television shows (from Bjo Trimble, who staged the two successful letter-writing campaigns to save the original Star Trek series back in the 60s): Be polite. Keep it simple--no more than one page for the letter. A letter is better than an email. If you take the time to go out and buy a stamp, they know you're serious. Don't threaten or complain. Keep it positive. Include a SASE (Self-Adressed Stamped Envelope) if you want a response. COPY THE POWER PLAYERS. The actors don't make the decisions. Copy the executive producer, the head of the studio, the writers, etc. These are the people who pay attention to these things. I'm hoping if we can get a good stream of letters in, just to remind them that TRACY and Jane are popular with the fans, maybe that might tip their hands. Brian Frons, President of ABC Daytime; Jill F. Phelps, Executive Producer; Robert Guza Jr., Head Writer; and Jane Elliot can all be reached courtesy of: General Hospital c/o ABC-TV 4151 Prospect Avenue Hollywood, CA 90027 ETA: FIC UPDATE: Prompt #7: What the Camera Sees. Tracy Williams prepares for a charity function...without her husband. ANGST-O-RAMA, Mama! Set before the 1981 banishment.

Ya'll are SOOO messing with me, right? No TQ today? What are they, on crack? Well, at least she's back in charge of ELQ. *yeah, when did THAT happen? While Edward was having his lobotomy?* Okay, here's my take..... JE is busy with some Sooper Sekrit Project that requires her UTMOST attention. They have given her this time off in the knowlege that, when she comes back, she will be SBIC (Chief Beyotch in Charge) with a major storyline and lots and lots of great clothes. (For a person who's bought one shirt and one pair of shoes in the last 18 months, I'm unnaturally obsessed with her wardrobe, aren't I?) And ILoveTracyQ, I understand your need to take a break from the boards. I got so fed up with Fiction Alley Park (the Harry Potter boards) that I took a break, too--two and a half years ago. Problem is, I never went back. I hope that doesn't happen to you, because you are really cool. (If this is the worst in you, can we please see the best? Because that would be amazing!) So, take the time you need, but please don't stay away too long. TQ needs all the fans she can get..... Should have another prompt done tonight. I'm trying to do as many as I can while I'm on this high, because when writers' block hits (as it inevitably does), I'd rather be ahead of the game than behind. And Keith, how do I do it? Short attention span, lots of caffeine, typing 75 wpm, and lots and lot of Tracy Lurve. Also, I am a wee bit obsessive-compulsive....not that you'd noticed.... ETA: *waves to Ms. Q* IM?

New Fic up at the TQ Ficathon. Prompt #7 Friend Common Ground. On a very difficult day, Monica finds support from an unlikely source.

Hey, Bella! Glad you posted! Lurking is fine, but posting is more fun, imho. (Oh, and I am a madpassionatetodiefor fangirl of Katharine Hepburn--I saw Stage Door when I was 17 on PBS and was still crying 45 minutes after the credits finished rolling.) Oh, and SPEAKING of drama, MsQ who are these low-life cretins you are hanging with, who think JE can't do drama????? Hello??? Did they see the scenes in the chapel during the Monkey Fever storyline? Did they see her at Edward's bedside after the PC Hotel fire? And believe me, if they'd seen the expression on her face during her wedding to Paul Hornsby (it's on the Lucy Coe/Scott Baldwin edit tape--I can't pull out clips, or I swear I'd have already posted every 1991 Tracy clip here.....) If they'd seen the expression on her face during that scene--the hope, the fear, the dread, the anger, the sadness--they could never say that JE doesn't do drama. Imbeciles.... ETA: Squeeing over your new banner, MsQ, btw! Counting from the left, #1, #3, and #5 are my favorite expressions. In fact, the expression in #1 is absolutely wonderful--would you mind posting that cap? I'd love an icon of it. (I know it's from the vow renewal episode, because she's wearing Bjork's swan dress, but I can't place the exact scene, or I'd cap it myself...)

SPOILERS > > > Oh, dear GAWD, please don't let Lulu get pregnant with Dillon's baby. They will NEVER let Tracy and Luke get together if that happens. It'll be just too wierd...... As for Edward going off on Tracy because she's there--whoa, gimme my tarot cards, cuz I need them to predict *that* one. And as for Miss Bobbie! WHat is she thinking???? I could have slapped her today when she railroaded Luke like that. Of course, if it leads to Luke trying to prove he's not "Grandpa" material by getting cozy with Tracy, I'll take that. I can even see them getting hot and heavy, only to be interrupted by Edward with the news that Justus has been killed. Yeah, because it's ALL ABOUT SONNY! LOL. Just being a beyotch. Anyway, I thought Lulu looked gorgeous today, and so did Bobbie. I would have loved to see Tracy's commentary on Luke's newfound Grandpa by proxie status. She dealt with her own bugaboo with Brooke--I can see her enjoying Luke's freak-out immensely.... /end SPOILER TALK Oh, and Keith? LMFAO about Tracy not being on the show because she's too busy getting laid...I mean, starring in fanfics. Is this your subtle way of telling me to stop writing, so we can see HerSelf on the show??? Cuz if it works, I'll stay away from the keyboard.....

Thank you very much, MsQ, for depressing the heck out of me. As for Tracy acknowleging Justus, I hope it doesn't happen. Why? Because Edward would smack her for it, emotionally. She'd do the right thing, and get slapped for it by her cruel and bitter father. *misses Lila so much, even though she was dead long before I started watching* I'm starting to agree with you on Tracy dumping Luke's drunken butt, even if I do have a tendency to get them horizontal in my fanfic. He's pulled so much on her, and because this is a humorous storyline, and not a dramatic one, she puts up with it. I mean, really--Mitch Williams and Paul Hornsby treated her like dirt, but at least she got mad, got hurt, got even! Because this is "comedy," TIIC have TQ just roll over and take it, which is not like her at all. Oh, btw, watching the clip of TQ asking Sonny for a loan back in 1996 just about broke my heart--I want our girl to come out on top, REALLY on top, just once before the character is killed off, written off, married off, sloughed off--just once!! BTW, thanks for the lovely feedback you guys have been giving me on 100 Situations. Chili Diablo was pure goof-off on my part--I just didn't want to go the "hot = sex" route, and I didn't want to work hard enough to do "hot = stolen" or "hot = popular." So chili entered the mix, and My Inner Luke (drunken butt head) *STILL* made it about trying to get laid....that pervy horndog.... Next prompt is "Friend," and I'm thinking Monica and Tracy..... Maybe TQ tomorrow? No boom. Tracy! ETA: *WAVES TO ILoveTracyQ!!!!!