Much Ado About Everything by tangents

[tangents]

MUCH ADO ABOUT EVERYTHING

Quote

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more. Albus Potter is here!
Arden Vesely is quaking in her boots.

A Hogwarts drama of Shakespearean proportions.

hello everyone! i'm rikki & i'm basically new to hpft (was pretty much a lurker on the old site, didn't do much) but technically i have been writing in the hp world for years now on my characters at pottersworld!! i'm currently attempting to get back to writing fic and being more involved in this site this time around... so here i go!!! i've already posted the first chapter of the story on the archives +here (15+) but i'm excited to work on it even more during julno

so what is this about? it's an albus/oc inspired by shakespeare's much ado about nothing. i have two aims with this story: first, to do homage to shakespeare by tying up the two storylines of the play into one and completely destroying his work. second, to do homage to dramatic, almost satirical next-gen fics by inserting as many tropes as i possibly can into the fic without making it a complete mess. generally, it follows an oc who has a famous muggle mother and her rivalry with albus potter (who has a famous wizard father...hmm....), both of whom are complete spoiled brats. the two of them have to work on a muggle studies project together, and thus, chaos ensues! 

goal: my goal is about 20k, but since this fic shouldn't be too long (currently planned to be 11 chapters) my stretch goal is to finish it but i'm not setting my hopes too high haha.

[magnifique]

HI RIKKI!!! I'm so glad you're here

and to CHRISTEN YOUR NANO NEST I am here with some questions about my favorites~

1. why Much Ado about Nothing?? I know your problems with the bard, but talk a little bit about why you're choosing this play to write with these next gen pals?

2. what is the trope (or top 2-3) you're Most Excited to introduce into the story and play with?

3. it's not a long fic length-wise, what about the actual duration of the story? (I keep wanting to say ic time instead of ooc time lol you know what I mean :'D) Will it last over a few weeks, a few months, the school year?

4. so we've got your two MCs, but who are your favorite secondary character(s)?

Love you and I'm so so so excited to read more!!

[nott theodore]

The title of this novel nest brought me right in, because Much Ado About Nothing is my favourite Shakespeare play, and I love the idea of you recasting it as next gen

 

1. I know you're using the plot of the play for this story, but to what extent are you planning on using it?  Are you going to repurpose quotes, etc.?

2. How do you plan to deal with some of the more problematic aspects of the source material, especially things like gender roles?

3. What are three words that you'd use to sum up Arden's character?

4. And Albus's?

5. Are there any scenes in the original play that you're most excited to work with?

6. What made you choose Albus specifically for this story, rather than one of the other next gen characters?

 

I'm so excited for this!

[victoria_anne]

Hi Rikki! Welcome to HPFT, it's great to have you here 

I love Shakespeare and any work inspired by his writing so I'm very excited about your story! It sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait to read it, and follow along with your NaNo journey! All the very best of luck to you for next month! 

[sibilant]

Hi Rikki! Welcome to HPFT  I absolutely love this concept omg. I have a few questions  

1. I’m immediately incredibly compelled by the idea of your OC having a famous Muggle mother—how do you think this will shape Albus and Arden’s relationship?

2. Who is your favorite character? 

3. Are there any scenes that you are particularly excited to write?

4. Are you planning on posting chapters as you finish them?

5. Are there any specific dramatic, almost satirical next gen fics that inspired you that you are especially keen on paying homage to?

6. What is a thing with this project that you’re still struggling with—characterization-wise, or a specific plot point, etc.?

Good luck! Cheering you on!

[Lost_Robin]

Welcome! You picked my favorite play, and I promise I'll have questions when it isn't late at night, but I just want to say that this is a brilliant idea!!

[tangents]

wow thank you all for the amazing questions!!!!

On 6/27/2020 at 9:35 PM, magnifique said:

1. why Much Ado about Nothing?? I know your problems with the bard, but talk a little bit about why you're choosing this play to write with these next gen pals?

listen... every Shakespeare book I was forced to read in high school made me hate him more and more. I'm still not the biggest fan of Shakespeare, but I have loved all the other adaptations like movies and books based on the plot. and Much Ado About Nothing is special to me in two ways. it's the one Shakespeare play I know if that I wasn't forced to read in school, but I was forced to write an adaptation of it in middle school in which my friends and I acted out a high school version of Benedick and Beatrice. it was really good and unfortunately there are no videos but I had read the script one day and just thought to myself... what if I made an fic out of this? and thus Much Ado About Everything was born. I'm still trying to work in the best line 13 year old me wrote in my original adaptation of "you may be a barnacle... but you're my barnacle." 

On 6/27/2020 at 9:35 PM, magnifique said:

2. what is the trope (or top 2-3) you're Most Excited to introduce into the story and play with?

i can't say my favorite one because spoilers! and most of the other tropes fall straight into that first one — butttt enemies-to-lovers is one that obviously is in this story!!   

On 6/27/2020 at 9:35 PM, magnifique said:

3. it's not a long fic length-wise, what about the actual duration of the story? (I keep wanting to say ic time instead of ooc time lol you know what I mean :'D) Will it last over a few weeks, a few months, the school year?

it'll last a few months! it's set after winter holidays and will go up until the veerrry end of the school year.

On 6/27/2020 at 9:35 PM, magnifique said:

4. so we've got your two MCs, but who are your favorite secondary character(s)?

you know i love Felix Chang-Jones! he's Cho Chang's son & I love him for two reasons. first, because he's awesome. second, because he is my gateway to roasting jkr for every decision she made about Cho Chang's character and properly representation of Asian culture!!! and i love you too Julie

 

On 6/28/2020 at 7:07 AM, nott theodore said:

1. I know you're using the plot of the play for this story, but to what extent are you planning on using it?  Are you going to repurpose quotes, etc.?

I'm not planning on using quotes or anything, just parts of the general storyline! my writing has always been really modern and especially since I've decided that their Muggle Studies project is all about pop culture I think it'd make it even harder to put in the quotes from the play. on first glance, it might look like Albus and Arden are Benedick and Beatrice, but they aren't... exactly. just consider the basic, basic plot and then get rid of some characters, shove in some new ones, and then you'll have what I've planned out. the beginning is the most similar, but it sort of veers off the rails after that.

On 6/28/2020 at 7:07 AM, nott theodore said:

2. How do you plan to deal with some of the more problematic aspects of the source material, especially things like gender roles?

(I have not read the play in years so keep that in mind & please correct me if I'm missing anything!!) the most problematic part of the source material, I've thought, is the whole ordeal with Hero along with marriage being considered to be the "ball and chain." obviously marriage is not in the cards here but in terms of women "dragging men down" -- that theme won't be present at all. the entire storyline with Hero and Claudio has been changed and absorbed into the main Albus/Arden storyline, so the climax of the fic has reflections of the original but does not involve cheating or any storyline along those lines at all!

On 6/28/2020 at 7:07 AM, nott theodore said:

3. What are three words that you'd use to sum up Arden's character?

dedicated, arrogant, self-absorbed

On 6/28/2020 at 7:07 AM, nott theodore said:

4. And Albus's?

does middle child syndrome count? 

On 6/28/2020 at 7:07 AM, nott theodore said:

5. Are there any scenes in the original play that you're most excited to work with?

yes!!! the overhearing scenes from the original play are some of the funniest and i am so excited to write them and have arden and albus fumble. I've put a twist on it so it's not the same sort of 'realizing they're in love with each other' thing (and in fact launches off the plot in way instead of being a key part of it) but I remember watching Kenneth Branagh's film multiple times and that scene always stuck out specifically in my head. I love it a lot!!! 

On 6/28/2020 at 7:07 AM, nott theodore said:

6. What made you choose Albus specifically for this story, rather than one of the other next gen characters?

honestly, just the fact that Albus out of all of them seemed the most prone to becoming a massive brat. I'm not blaming Cursed Child, but... just saying!

thank you so much for these questions!!!! they were really thought-provoking  

On 6/28/2020 at 8:06 AM, victoria_anne said:

Hi Rikki! Welcome to HPFT, it's great to have you here 

I love Shakespeare and any work inspired by his writing so I'm very excited about your story! It sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait to read it, and follow along with your NaNo journey! All the very best of luck to you for next month! 

thank you so much for the lovely comment!!!!!  

 

On 6/28/2020 at 2:57 PM, sibilant said:

1. I’m immediately incredibly compelled by the idea of your OC having a famous Muggle mother—how do you think this will shape Albus and Arden’s relationship?

even before the Much Ado About Nothing plot, this was the first thing to be a part of the story. I really think that this will be a way for Albus and Arden to bond because they both have to deal with the responsibility of a famous parent. of course, their families are still very different in very, very large ways, but the fact that they both deal with different sorts of fame is something that'll tie them together. arden isn't as famous in the muggle world as albus is in the wizarding world (considering that harry potter is probably the most famous person in all of wizarding britain whereas arden's mom is a singer/actress) but there's still something of comparison between them.

On 6/28/2020 at 2:57 PM, sibilant said:

2. Who is your favorite character? 

honestly... I know nobody loves the main characters, but I love Arden. she's absolutely horrible and I love to hate her so much! for example, a mild spoiler for chapter 2, but she spread a rumor that Dennis Creevey (who is a professor at Hogwarts) is really his dead brother come to life. she's not a good person at all and she's extremely bratty. I'm soooo excited to write her character development and see her realize her own failings and grow as a person. Even though she's a Hufflepuff, she's not loyal nor is she selfless. she is hardworking and patient, but I feel like the reason she was sorted in Hufflepuff to begin with was because she had the most to learn from there. and I'm just so excited to track her story!!!  

On 6/28/2020 at 2:57 PM, sibilant said:

3. Are there any scenes that you are particularly excited to write?

of course!! there's one that takes place during the holidays in the United States (Hollywood!!) that I'm especially excited to write. nothing like describing celebrity culture to get me up and writing!! i've always been more of a humor writer than an angst one, so I really love writing the project scenes the most and getting to explore the group dynamics; it helps that I really like writing dialogue and other things like that.

On 6/28/2020 at 2:57 PM, sibilant said:

4. Are you planning on posting chapters as you finish them?

yes!! probably after a delay for editing but i've always been one for instant gratification hahah.

On 6/28/2020 at 2:57 PM, sibilant said:

5. Are there any specific dramatic, almost satirical next gen fics that inspired you that you are especially keen on paying homage to?

I don't remember specifically since it's been a fair bit since I've read next-gen, actually, but I remember back in like 2012-2014 there being a lot of different next gen fics that always cracked me up!! next-gen's always been more of a humorous era as compared to the others anyways  

On 6/28/2020 at 2:57 PM, sibilant said:

6. What is a thing with this project that you’re still struggling with—characterization-wise, or a specific plot point, etc.?

PLOT POINTS! I have the story planned out on a spreadsheet, and while certain aspects of the story are planned out, there's a lot that I've just left up to the moment. for example, the majority of things between Arden and Albus are not planned out at all. to quote my spreadsheet i'm just "letting them vibe". and you know what, we'll see how that goes!!! and if chapters end up extra long because Arden and Albus won't stop bickering... well, who am I to control them?

and thank you so much for all of these amazing questions!
 

18 hours ago, Lost_Robin said:

Welcome! You picked my favorite play, and I promise I'll have questions when it isn't late at night, but I just want to say that this is a brilliant idea!!

thank you so much!!!  

[Darling_take_off_the_mask]

Argh, I love Much Ado, and I'm so excited that you're keeping, to some extent it sounds like, the overhearing scenes.  

1. What other next gen characters will feature most prominently in this fic (if at all, or is it going to be basically Albus + a bunch of OC's?)

2. Have you seen Joss Whedon's modern film adaptation of the play? If not, I recommend it! But also, the Kenneth Branagh production of course is just *chefkiss*

3. PLEASE tell me you are going to have some absurd Head Boy or Girl or Prefect as a Dogberry-esque character???

[tangents]

On 7/3/2020 at 1:51 AM, RonsGirlFriday said:

Argh, I love Much Ado, and I'm so excited that you're keeping, to some extent it sounds like, the overhearing scenes.  

yes!!! I am currently writing these scenes and while they are not identical and the situation and reactions are completely different, I'm hoping to keep up the same sort of energy that's in the original play. it was so fun to watch (and read, I guess... but now's not the time for my unpopular Shakespeare opinions ) and hopefully my chapter will also have the same kind of vibe!!! 

On 7/3/2020 at 1:51 AM, RonsGirlFriday said:

1. What other next gen characters will feature most prominently in this fic (if at all, or is it going to be basically Albus + a bunch of OC's?)

ooh yes the project group includes Rose, Louis, and Fred. I've spent a lot of time focusing on Rose's lines because I'm trying to figure out what traits exactly her parents passed down to her so we'll see how she turns out. Louis is actually dating Arden's best friend, Piper. those two were actually supposed to be the Hero/Claudio of the entire story before I decided that I would separate the story from the play a bit (since it's not a retelling, just a story inspired by the original) so his role diminished a bit. on the other hand, the more I've been writing this fic, the more Fred has gotten himself involved in the story, so I can already tell you he's pretty important! additionally, there's Scorpius Malfoy, but he doesn't play as much of a role in this fic. the rest are all OCs! so I would say that out of the main characters, about half are next-gen. 

On 7/3/2020 at 1:51 AM, RonsGirlFriday said:

2. Have you seen Joss Whedon's modern film adaptation of the play? If not, I recommend it! But also, the Kenneth Branagh production of course is just *chefkiss*

I have not! I actually watched the Kenneth Branagh one in class, and ended up really liking it, but I might go check out the Whedon adaptation as well. thanks for the recommendation! 

On 7/3/2020 at 1:51 AM, RonsGirlFriday said:

3. PLEASE tell me you are going to have some absurd Head Boy or Girl or Prefect as a Dogberry-esque character???

YES! they won't feature much, but I do plan to have a Head Boy like Dogberry who leads his gang of Prefects! I'm very excited to write that part, actually, I just know that once I get to it the scene will be very exciting. can't say more without spoilers, but there's nothing more fun to write than a manhunt, am I right??? unfortunately writing it from first person sacrifices some of the hilarity but I think Arden's voice makes up for that. 

thank you for the lovely questions

[tangents]

have not updated this in a week so I am here to report on my progress!!!! [insert salute]

I really really thought this was going to be a short, quick fic, but here I am, five chapters in, having had to split my planned chapter three into three separate chapters. this story is definitely going to be taking me much longer than julno, but I've been pretty much sticking to my goal of 1000 words a day, since I'm at 18K so far!

also even though I have the major plot points inspired by MAAN, this fic is very much meandering its way off that course... but it's been really fun to write so I'm not complaining!! 

for fun, here's a snippet from my chapter 3:

Spoiler

Al looked like he had ingested a toad, but he didn’t bother responding. Instead, he just swallowed thickly and continued walking, picking up the pace slightly. And we continued that way, in silence, pretending not to notice that we were moving closer toward each other, until—

“Why are you touching my hand?” 

“I wasn’t!” And suddenly, the distance between us was like the Atlantic Ocean. “I was trying to get my wand out of my bag!” 

“I can’t believe you don’t carry your wand.” I rolled my eyes, wiping my hand on my skirt. I’d be breaking out into a rash any minute now; my knuckles were already burning. “Isn’t that like Self Defence 101, Mister Harry Potter’s son?” 

 

[tangents]

me, originally: oh, this fic will be something short and sweet and i'll be able to follow much ado about nothing and stay on the path!! a fun julno experience!!!
me now, 30k into a slow burn rivals-to-lovers fake-dating fic that has very much strayed off the path: uhhhhhhhhh

anyways, i've written about 30K for this story throughout july, which is pretty good! i think the characters are really coming into their own and i've come up with a lot of side arcs and things. i've also gone more into arden and her culture — because her mum isn't around so much, she's pretty disconnected from indonesian culture, which leaves her sort of just wanting more. she's feeling like she should be one thing, but she's not. although she's pretty arrogant and thinks very highly of herself, it's still in a way where she really doesn't know who she is.

i'm pretty sure all of these characters feel the same way, though — they're in their last year of school, ready to graduate and head out into the real world. SCARY STUFF.

here is a snippet from chapter 7, which i wrote last night:

Spoiler

So I turned back to my ickle widdle boyfriend. “Did you have a good night, baby?” I twisted my eyebrows in a way that I thought imitated Piper pretty well. If it didn’t mean I would have had to touch him, I would have even leaned my head on his shoulder. 

But we weren’t playing the same game. “Not without you, darling.” Or maybe we were, but it was like rugby and American football. They were similar, but not quite the same. I was leaning forward, he was dancing back. He was horrible at pretending he was attracted to me. It sort of hurt my feelings.