Yellowface, the Adventures of a Bee Plot Bunny

Bunnyball is the term Penna and I use for bouncing ideas off each other. One of us will start with a concept and toss it to the other for her thoughts. When that bunny comes back, more often than not. other bunnies have hitched a ride. The initial bunny grows and grows, spinning off baby bunnies as it develops, until sometimes it's difficult to remember what we started with. And because we're writing a series that takes place over several years, we have the luxury of continuing the same bunnyball game over multiple stories. A case in point is Aidan's video, Yellowface the Masked Avenger.

Peter & Neal at the Crossroads: By the Book, Take Two

Last week in Ghosts of Caffrey Disclosure, I wrote about the connections between the events of the previous summer and those that take place in Nocturne in Black and Gold. But for Neal and Peter, even more pivotal is what occurred in Penna's story By the Book. That story takes place just after Neal was recruited and describes his first case. The lessons learned made a profound impact on both men and have led them to the crossroads they stand at now.

Ghosts of Caffrey Disclosure

It's no secret that I was inspired by Penna's Caffrey Disclosure for many of the scenes in Nocturne in Black and Gold. Several times Peter and Neal mention events which took place in that story. Sometimes the comparisons are unsettling. Could the ghosts of Caffrey Disclosure be haunting them now?

Two Puzzle Masters

In Nocturne in Black and Gold, Marta Kolar alludes to Rolf Mansfeld having become nearly as fixated on recruiting Peter as his brother Klaus is on Neal. It's easy to understand Klaus's motivation. The master thief known as the Leopard is quite familiar with Neal's ability, having refined his skills as a forger and cat burglar for two years. Klaus came to think of Neal as his younger brother and is now eager to welcome his wayward protégé back. But why is Rolf so interested in Peter?

A Thief Among Thieves

A few weeks ago, Penna wrote about the do-overs and keepers that the Caffrey Conversation AU has allowed us to perform. Removing the felon aspect to Neal's character has permitted us to establish closer relations between him and his fellow team members. It also gives Neal the chance to shed his former life while the team benefits from his expertise. In Nocturne in Black and Gold, particularly relevant is the team's attitude toward Neal's skills as a thief.

One More Light Goes Out

When I heard that singer Chester Bennington of Linkin Park had died, I relived many memories while listening to his music again last night. The songs took me back to the time when Caffrey Conversation was in its infancy.

Shining the Spotlight on Clinton Jones

Writing a long series has given us the luxury of fleshing out many of the supporting characters in White Collar. Agent Clinton Jones is a case in point. Although he appeared in most of the canon episodes, he seldom got to speak more than a few lines and relatively little is known about him. What does Jones do in his free time? What hobbies does he have? Is there any romance in his life? Penna and I've been working to fill in those blanks while also giving him the opportunity for larger parts.