Now Tell Us What You Heard
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Now Tell Us What You Heard |
| Author(s): | Jessica Rose |
| Date(s): | 1998 |
| Length: | 2 parts |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Hanson |
| External Links: | hansonfiction.com/jilly/jessica.html Feb 2004 via wayback |
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Now Tell Us What You Heard is a Hanson fanfic by Jessica Rose. It was written 1998. In two parts, this fic deals with rumors about Zac's demise,[1] the price of fame and the connection Hanson fans feel they have with the band members. It also mentions other fanfics--Two Worlds Collided, which Isaac catches Taylor reading and the two briefly discuss, and Tulsa 74132, which the boys all joke about.
The author includes a lengthy author's note that explains the inclusion of some rumors and the difference between her fic and other popular ones:
If you read it, you know that Heard isn't about one of the boys falling in love, or about their past, or even about their future. I leave that to other fan-fiction writers - brilliantly gifted authors that have done it already, and done it more than perfectly - Jenn, Hanna, Laila, Melissa, Jill, Kristen, Amanda . . I could go on for quite a while. To make a long story short - "Too late!" - you must read the striking, wonderful stories they have written. I admire and love their work - aw! *grin*And yes, there are "real" moments in Heard. Zac stopping to ask us what we were clapping for? Mmm-hmm, that happened in May 1998, in New York City . . Two Worlds Collided? "Jenn" fans - LOL! - will recognize the li'l tribute to that tale that I not-so-subtly wrote into this story. In the world of Heard, Sydney does exist, and Taylor loved her once. Hehehehe . . "Taylor Hanson is extraordinary?" SPIN magazine, September 1997 issue . . And the rumor about Zac? Thankfully, I don't know of any such "media circus" that happened, any of the times he "died" . . but I remember the one that came close, at least for me. When I wrote the first section of this story, I was sitting at my computer, of course, but I was really back in my kitchen, holding the phone in one hand, and staring at the sunlight streaming in through the window on some beautiful summer afternoon in 1997. A friend had called me; told me that a Tulsa radio station had supposedly announced that, "Zac was dead in a crash overseas. Jessica . . Jessica, did you hear me? I was going to call - Mercury, but I . . JR, are you there? This - this is real." Looking back on it now, all I can do is laugh hysterically and say, "Okay, overreact much?" I mean, you can't get more insane than that.
But I remember how I felt at that moment, and for the entire hour afterward when I had a few more phone calls, five faxes, and very little real information before the whole thing was written off as a rumor. I remember it all too well, and I was back there when I wrote that part, with that silent, sick emotion, all twisted and choking and paralyzing inside.
Zac Hanson, you mischief-maker. Don't ever do that again.[2]
Reactions and Reviews
A gorgeous short story, telling our side of the story. It’s a classic and it sort of voices that mystery of Hanson that keeps us coming back, but we just don’t know why! I mean, it’s the music, of course, but there’s something else—and this little piece touches on that subject in a lovely way.[3]
Any awards in support of hanfiction which fails to highlight the utterly brilliant "Now Tell Us What You Heard" by the equally brilliant Jessica Rose as Best Short Story doesn't even deserve to be on the internet. The story is beyond fanfiction; it's real, and it's breathtaking. It's called literature... Something most Hanson fanfiction readers seem to not be able to recognize, apparently.[4]
Awards
Now Tell Us What You Heard is featured in the Various Artists hall of fame. It won awards in the Hanfic Awards, Hanson Fan Fiction Awards and Literary Hanfic Awards.