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This is the full version of my short story Banlieue Blues that first appeared in Werewolves Versus Suburbia in September 2021. You can still grab WV Suburbia in all its blood-spattered, 248-page glory for as little as $1, over at https://argylewerewolf.itch.io/wv09!
Illustration is courtesy of the talented artist Liuzishan, who has graciously made a selection of their work available for free over at https://www.freepik.com/author/liuzishan
Illustration is courtesy of the talented artist Liuzishan, who has graciously made a selection of their work available for free over at https://www.freepik.com/author/liuzishan
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Werewolf / Lycanthrope
Size 78 x 120px
File Size 52.4 kB
Listed in Folders
Thank you so much for sharing, Anhedral!
I did not know how much I missed your writing. I have not made much time for reading anyone's writing, and much less time for working on my own. But I'm working to change that.
This is a wonderful, gritty peek into a possible future. I really enjoyed it.
I did not know how much I missed your writing. I have not made much time for reading anyone's writing, and much less time for working on my own. But I'm working to change that.
This is a wonderful, gritty peek into a possible future. I really enjoyed it.
You are most welcome, kind sir. Thank you very much for your kind words about my stories, and of course for giving this one a read. If it came across as 'gritty' then that's great, because that was pretty much the vibe I was aiming for.
Good to know that you're getting back into the groove with your reading and your writing!
Good to know that you're getting back into the groove with your reading and your writing!
Got to sit and read this uninterrupted, and once again, you've created a gem of a story. I relish in the descriptions of scent, of a world losing to nature, of a new order and how things do and don't change. The pressure that Amelie is under is a refining moment that not only allows her to reflect on her personal misgivings, but gain the confidence to blaze her own trail. And the way her resolve still manifests in the phrase "mine" was a fist pumping success.
I'll be reading this many, many times.
I'll be reading this many, many times.
Would you believe I got to within 5 days of the submission deadline with only the tape-measure scene typed out? Then all of a sudden, bam, and it's done. I'll admit I'd been thinking about the story, and doing the research for it, for a long time before that.
The repeating motif of 'She is mine!' was inspired - perhaps subconsciously - by a story from the pen of the amazing Quebecoiswolf. Appearing in Werewolves Versus Fashion, it's called 'Virtues of a Chevalier', and it's simply a magnificent example of craft in the short story format. Another example, equally marvellous: https://www.deviantart.com/quebecoi.....mily-623974346
Thank you for reading, Onic. Your words brought a big silly smile to my face, coming as they did from a writer whom I greatly respect.
The repeating motif of 'She is mine!' was inspired - perhaps subconsciously - by a story from the pen of the amazing Quebecoiswolf. Appearing in Werewolves Versus Fashion, it's called 'Virtues of a Chevalier', and it's simply a magnificent example of craft in the short story format. Another example, equally marvellous: https://www.deviantart.com/quebecoi.....mily-623974346
Thank you for reading, Onic. Your words brought a big silly smile to my face, coming as they did from a writer whom I greatly respect.
The strange thing is, I just recently watched WolfWalkers, as in -immediately- prior to reading your story. So the entire visual reel playing in my head was influenced by the animation style, which fit the mood perfectly but was hardened and sharpened by the modern context. Amelie was Robyn. Her father was Goodfellowe. Callie was Mebh.
If you haven't seen that film, I cannot recommend it enough.
If you haven't seen that film, I cannot recommend it enough.
I remember this brief roller-coaster ride. From anticipation to the chase, from defeat to incredulity and resolve... so satisfying. And thoroughly inventive. Werewolves may be a trope among the community, but you always find a way to spin them anew. And as Onic pointed out, your command of description is so good it's almost fattening.
I'm looking forward to what your percolating for your next creation.
I'm looking forward to what your percolating for your next creation.
AAARGH, oh, I thank you! Somehow I managed to bring off character development without really attempting it. As for structure, it was mostly serendipity; the story is basically one long chase sequence, with flashback/exposition holes punched into it.
Reading Werewolves Versus has shown me how infinitely flexible the werewolf theme can be, and I rejoice in that.
Many of the parkour details came from my watching of District 13, a film that I don't need to re-watch any time soon.
Reading Werewolves Versus has shown me how infinitely flexible the werewolf theme can be, and I rejoice in that.
Many of the parkour details came from my watching of District 13, a film that I don't need to re-watch any time soon.
Thank you very much! I suspected that most of the other entries for Werwolves Versus Suburbia would be set in America or Canada, so I was determined not to do that. Surprise surprise, all of the other entries were set in America or Canada :)
'Banlieue' is simply the French word for 'Suburb', and it often carries somewhat negative associations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banlieue
'Banlieue' is simply the French word for 'Suburb', and it often carries somewhat negative associations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banlieue
Oh man, it's reviews like this that absolutely make my day! Thank you so very much.
Submitting to Werewolves Versus forces writers to really up their game, because the standard is high and Angela always receives more entries than she can feasibly include. My WV stories definitely include some of my best work; I think I get inspiration from the sheer variety of different 'takes' on the werewolf trope that get highlighted throughout the series. And just look at all that gorgeous cover art! https://werewolvesversus.com/issues
Good luck with overcoming that writer's block, kind sir. It can be a horrid thing, I know.
Submitting to Werewolves Versus forces writers to really up their game, because the standard is high and Angela always receives more entries than she can feasibly include. My WV stories definitely include some of my best work; I think I get inspiration from the sheer variety of different 'takes' on the werewolf trope that get highlighted throughout the series. And just look at all that gorgeous cover art! https://werewolvesversus.com/issues
Good luck with overcoming that writer's block, kind sir. It can be a horrid thing, I know.
You find the kindest things about my writing – thank you!
I used to think that the various werewolf tropes were thoroughly played out, until I encountered the long-running series of anthologies called 'Werewolves Versus'. It's edited by the very wonderful Angela Quinton, and what an inspiration! https://werewolvesversus.com/issues
You might also like the stories and werewolf analyses of Quebecoiswolf, who is a hugely intelligent and gifted writer: https://www.deviantart.com/quebecoiswolf
I used to think that the various werewolf tropes were thoroughly played out, until I encountered the long-running series of anthologies called 'Werewolves Versus'. It's edited by the very wonderful Angela Quinton, and what an inspiration! https://werewolvesversus.com/issues
You might also like the stories and werewolf analyses of Quebecoiswolf, who is a hugely intelligent and gifted writer: https://www.deviantart.com/quebecoiswolf
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