"Over and over I feel as if my characters know who they are, and what happens to them, and where they have been and where they will go, and what they are capable of doing, but they need me to write it down for them because their handwriting is so bad." —Anne Lammott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

On twilighted.net, I am known simply as "giselle." "lx" is to remind me of what I should be doing with my time, which is not writing fanfic. However, I hope you enjoy the fruits of my incorrigible procrastination. I spend a lot of time on the Twilighted forums, so come on over!

Although I have read in other fandoms and am a fan of HP and all things Joss Whedon, it was Twilight that got me into the world of fic writing. I consider myself primarily a Carlisle writer, as he is the character with whom I feel the most connection. I also find the joy in fanfiction to be writing in-canon, so you won't find AU here (at least, not at the moment.) I also don't write smut. Sorry. Three non-smutty one-shots? What was I thinking? Literary fiction is what I was thinking...

Live Journal: Yes, I have a (currently very tiny) LiveJournal for Ithaca is Gorges. The fic isn't posted there (yet), but you'll find notes about updates, links to fan art, and information about source material there.

Things of which I am a fan: 3-D characterization, characters who are true to canon, plot arcs that move and don't get forgotten, vivid imagery, attention to detail, REVISION!, thoughtful reviews

Things of which I am not a fan: PWP, spelling and grammar errors (but we all make typos. Let me know if you see one), POV switches that make my head spin, relationships that aren't justified (including canon pairings--I'm looking at you, SMeyer.)

THIS cracks me up. I found it while looking for Volturi photos. I think I find it so funny because it mixes the two things that occupy most of my time...Twilight and AAE. I can't stop laughing at it.

A note about my favorites: I keep track of fics I'm reading and/or want to read by using del.icio.us (I highly encourage use of this wonderful service--between this and Google, my whole life is organized.) The fics and authors on my favorites lists aren't a list of everything I love, but they instead have been especially selected for you, my readers. They are things I have read and enjoyed that I think are similar to the kinds of things I try to achieve in my own writing. If you enjoy my work, you will likely enjoy my favorites. Happy reading.

I hope you enjoy these little forays into the lives of the Cullen family and its charismatic patriarch. Thank you for reading!

Thanks to all who nommed and voted in the Bellies!

Story summaries (by order of the date they were written)

The Talk (one-shot)

"I spoke to Carlisle after you and I made our bargain, hoping he could help me." --Edward, Breaking Dawn.
What really happened when Edward talked to Carlisle about his deal with Bella? Edward and Carlisle have a talk about Edward's concerns and the upcoming wedding. NOTE: For those who might be hoping (or hoping not!), this is not a smutty story--the focus here is on the relationship between Edward and Carlisle, not on sex tips.

Edward POV, all canon.

Form 1040 (one-shot)

Because when you're immortal, the only certainty is taxes...
Carlisle has a moment alone with his granddaughter while getting some home office work taken care of. Takes place 7 months post-BD (in April, of course...)

A long one-shot; Carlisle's POV

Ithaca is Gorges (in-progress)

After the Cullens leave Forks and make the move to New York, Carlisle fights to keep his family together as Edward's pain threatens to tear them apart. Ithaca is the story of a son's quest, a father's love, and the unique family struggling to stand behind them both... This is the Cullens' New Moon.

Ithaca starts one month into the Cullens' time away from Bella, and will follow New Moon to its end. Carlisle and Edward narrate in alternating chapters. Follows all known canon.

If you are new to Ithaca, please note that the reviews and the discussion forum contain major spoilers for later chapters. Glad to have your readership, but do tread carefully!

My deepest and utmost gratitude to the folks who have given of their time and talent to showcase Ithaca in reviews and artwork! I provide these links not only so that you can see what others have said, but also to encourage you to explore the blogs where these wonderful ladies write. They all do a great service to the fandom in their careful reviewing. Enjoy, and nose around a little after you follow the link!

Review by Michelle on Peace, Love, Twilight

Review by adair7 on The Lazy, Yet Discerning Ficster

Review by mozzer0906 and kassiah on The Fictionators

Review by jilburfm on the Secret Twilight Garden

The twilighted forum for Ithaca is Gorges

Fan Art by the talented Arilien: The pivotal scene from Chapter 3: "Paternity", Scenes from Chapter 12: "Fracture" and Chapter 10: "Spitfire"

Fan Art by the talented Miss Asian: What I like to call "The Ithaca movie poster"

The Family Cullen (one-shot)

Written to coincide with and celebrate the US release of the Twilight DVD, a short story to place one piece of the movie canon back into the written story of our favorite family: It's the Cullens' first Christmas in Forks, and Carlisle surprises his family with the gift of some very unique jewelry. Later, he and Edward have a quiet talk about what the future holds.

A tender one-shot in Carlisle's voice. All canon. Rated for Emmett's innuendo...

The Christmas Call (one-shot; outtake)

An outtake from Ithaca is Gorges: What was Carlisle thinking when Edward called him at the end of Chapter 8?