Reviewer: saltnburnem (Signed) · Date: 30/11/09 11:31 PM · On: Against the chill that finds the bone
Love your stories. Your writing has such a wonderful style and, almost a rhythm that makes me just want to keep reading. So sorry to hear about your health issues, and I hope you are feeling better day by day.
Author's Response: My apologies for such a late response. I restarted chemo after a recent PET scan still showed signs of tumors (fortunately, shrinking from the prior scan) so my brain is still a little spotty... Thank you so much for your kind words about my writing style. Lately I've been trying to experiment with narrative POV based on the narrator and sometimes I wonder if I don't end up crashing and burning when I do. It thrills me to no end when people enjoy my weird writing experiments. ;)
Reviewer: POOKEE (Signed) · Date: 24/11/09 03:09 PM · On: Against the chill that finds the bone
Hey, I have been a lurker, shucking my responsibilities as a reviewer and as such, I am merely a lowly moocher! Your writings always bring a smile to my face and sometimes a blush or two! I shall say a prayer for both of us, that we may continue to celebrate life as it comes to us! Pook
Author's Response: No worries. I've not been a good author and responding to comments in a timely fashion. ;) Thank you so much for your kind words about my writing. It always makes me happy to know that people are enjoying my work, despite the blush or two... ;) And I shall say a prayer for both of us as well!
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 13/11/09 09:39 PM · On: Against the chill that finds the bone
Fabulous chapter! Now Dean knows how Alice feels whenever he puts his life in danger. Congratulations on being a cancer survivor! I'm sure it was a long, hard road but you did it!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, on both counts. ;) I've only just completed chemotherapy, so there's still a long road ahead of my as I try to get back to a relatively normal life. Might still need more chemo, come to that, but I'll make it! And, yes, this was definitely a chapter of juxtaposition. I was actually somewhat worried about people's reactions when Alice shows up in the middle of a case, so to speak.
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 13/11/09 08:43 PM · On: Barely enough time to sing
The repeated uses of the dust and the weather vane are great! "a look overflowing with the dust rising up from the Impala's tires as it drove away." "Sam's voice went low; a scratch in the throat that growled 'Winchester' like nothing else could." Oh, I could hear that and it made me tingle. I love how you've spotlighted Sam in this chapter, showing how much he's grown and changed since the last time Alice has seen him while also highlighting the Winchester resemblances. Sam says he doesn't want to be like his father but there are similarities that he can't fight. Consistently comparing Sam and Dean to John is beautifully done. I especially liked, "one day those eyes would be as hard as his papa's." It hints at a foreboding future that he can't stop. that he'll be worn down by their life and give up who he is beneath the pressure.
Author's Response: I know I keep thanking you consistently but that's probably better than admitting how much you've been making me blush. ;) I really do think that it's important to have both of the boys be a driving force in the story, even when it's a romance. They're a package deal in a lot of ways, and I can't ignore one for the other. At least, I hope I don't. And I'm thrilled that you're enjoying the comparisons to John. It's what I was also trying to do with Alice and her mother - that she is as much her mother's daughter as they are John's sons. If that makes sense. ;)
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 13/11/09 05:02 PM · On: Heart held out like a tin cup
Interesting tidbit---Jane making protective clothing for Bobby. How wonderful! Finally, a release from all that sexual tension. Jane is a much more understanding mother than I will be when it comes to my daughters first sexual intercourse. Now she has twice as much to worry about because Dean and Alice are emotionally entwined and they'll be passionately reckless. Marvelous chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you, as always. I don't know if Jane is more understanding or more resigned at this point. It's fairly obvious how the two feel about each other and, yes, there are some interesting times ahead...
Reviewer: NongPradu (Signed) · Date: 12/11/09 11:52 AM · On: Against the chill that finds the bone
Forgot to add (this was in my aborted review attempt)... The het stuff was so necessary in this chapter, and was not in any way out of place. Alice and Dean brought something beautiful to this piece with their desperate, vulnerable, yet vibrant love-making. It was the kind of life-affirming love-making that almost hints at babies but not quite, you know? The "I'm alive!" and "I'm terrified!" love-making that grounds even as it sweeps away...? Totally necessary. And beautiful.
Author's Response: Whew. I am glad that it came across as necessary - I really did feel like there needed to be some sort of affirmation after what happened, especially for Alice. Knowing something and seeing something are two very different things, you know? It seemed like the route the characters would take, all things considered...
Reviewer: NongPradu (Signed) · Date: 12/11/09 11:49 AM · On: Against the chill that finds the bone
Let's try this again... (Was spontaneously logged off after typing out a big, long review on Tuesday!). This is an excellent update and well worth the wait. Honestly woman, my skin hurt, like a sunburn below the surface of my skin, at poor Marita's condition and the impromptu delivery and that god-awful Grinning Man... GUH! You also just have such a way with words -- the rhythm of your narrative is almost... I don't know how to describe it, except to say that it lulls with a natural, almost southern drawl (if that makes any kind of sense). I love it. I just love it. FEED ME SEYMOUR!
Author's Response: Right now I am working on a chapter in By Gaslight and an SA snippet because I need the next chapter to percolate in my head for awhile - it's already been outlined, but I still want to work it out a bit. Orson was originally supposed to be a revenant but I came across a reference to a supernatural creature called a "Grinning Man" when I was doing some research for another story and the idea kind of stuck. So there's actually a bit of lore I came up with for the Grinning Man that I couldn't think of a way to bring into the story. And there's more on the Ellisons that I'll divulge in my author's notes once the story is complete. ;) This was probably the hardest chapter to write so far. I'll probably be saying that every new chapter, though, at this point.
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 11/11/09 07:41 PM · On: Little snapshots made of breath
Another fabulous chapter! You have a gift for description. I feel like I'm there, seeing, smelling, feeling. You encompass all the senses, including that of the heart. Your balance of love and lust is exquisite! "...seeing the road in his blood as thick as it was in his papa's veins when he grinned at nothing but the sky." What a beautiful way to describe the wander-lust the Winchesters feel. I know something terribly sad is going to happen. Part of me doesn't want it to happen but another part of me is very curious.
Author's Response: *is blushing* I can really only blame Alice for the way the story reads - the character really does inform the narrative. I can't imagine writing the story now from any other character's point of view.
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 11/11/09 07:09 PM · On: The lilac wind where no one goes
"... as sure as the moon sang to the tide and there wasn't a power in the earth or the wind that could stop it." Very elemental and poetic. "He flashed Mama the smile that had made Alice's knees go weak for two years running..." I can just picture that. Ahh to be young again and so full of feelings! "...it made John laugh and duck his mouth down to Mama's with a deep chuckle that settled in Alice's belly, heat spreading down her legs as her cheeks flushed." Another stirring passage. Your story plays like a song.
Author's Response: I have to say thank you for taking the time to let me know that you're enjoying the story. I know this kind of story isn't everyone's cup of tea and I appreciate you giving it a chance. ;)
Reviewer: Shannondoah (Signed) · Date: 10/11/09 08:47 PM · On: This bloodshot blue midnight
A fantastic chapter to what I'm certain will be a stupendous story! I love the vocabulary and color of the story. Seeing everything from Alice's point of view is a refreshing change from the third person POV. You've exquisitely captured the awkward, exciting time in a young girl's life when she discovers she's no longer a little girl and feels that wonderfully confusing sexual attraction for the first time. "but Alice was the sucker who couldn't resist chocolate..." What a beautiful way to express how Alice felt about Sam. You show the fatherly side of John that most writers don't. The enjoyment he gets from his boys is what any loving father would feel but something we don't see often enough in John. Wow! I didn't expect John and Mama to be on a hunt. Not very smart for two single parents.
Author's Response: *is blushing* Thank you so much! I was a little worried about this story because it is told from an original character's perspective - and Alice has a very distinctive voice which is sometimes challenging to write effectively. One thing I did want to do with this is show a softer side of John. It was actually supposed to be told from Mama's point of view and be more about their relationship but...Alice walked into my head and wouldn't stop talking. And she had a lot to say about Dean.
I hope the rest of the story lives up to your expectations. ;)
Reviewer: Primrose (Signed) · Date: 10/11/09 10:54 AM · On: Against the chill that finds the bone
*sigh* I'm all caught up now, and I'm still impressed. As far as adult content goes, well, it says M for mature for a reason, that's for sure. I appreciate that you are toning it down, as I tend to avoid graphic sex scenes. I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been well. I'm glad you're feeling better, and I hope things are going alright. Now I'm off to read everything else you've written....
Author's Response: Thank you again for your kind words. ;) And I hope the adult content didn't put you off - I'm serious when I say that I'd like to know if something offends someone so I can change it. There are stories that I've written which I won't post here because, well, they are PWPs... I don't feel those are appropriate. I felt that this particular scene was necessary to the plot, in that it was a response to all of the violence that occurred. So I hope that it did work well within that context. ;) Thank you also for your kind words about my health. I've learned a lot about myself and about the kindness of people as a result.
Reviewer: Primrose (Signed) · Date: 10/11/09 09:14 AM · On: Barely enough time to sing
You have GOT to finish this story! It is absolutely beautiful. Your narrative is lovely, and your characters are amazing. I love Jane with her quiet wisdom, and Alice who wants things so badly. This one's going to stick with me.
Author's Response: *is blushing* My goal is to finish the story within the next couple of months. I want to work on it and another story, alternating chapters until both are done. Though writing this and By Gaslight at the same time should definitely be interesting... ;) And thank you again for the feedback about the characters. Alice is one of my favorite characters to write (for all that her internal voice drives me buggy) and I love Jane as well; I'm happy that her wisdom is coming through.
Reviewer: Primrose (Signed) · Date: 09/11/09 11:24 PM · On: This bloodshot blue midnight
FABULOUS first chapter! I enjoy the outsider POV, and this is just beautiful.
Author's Response: *is blushing* I write a lot of outsider POV and I always worry about original characters regardless of whether or not it's a "romance" per se. So I am thrilled that you're enjoying it.
Reviewer: saltnburnem (Signed) · Date: 09/11/09 11:13 PM · On: Little snapshots made of breath
It was sad that the boys had to leave. Sammy didn't get his cupcakes:( So glad Dean showed up again, though!
Author's Response: I think that pretty much sums up the nature of being a Winchester, you know? I imagine that friends are few and far between for any of them and I really wanted to give them a place where they had a little bit of respite.
Reviewer: saltnburnem (Signed) · Date: 09/11/09 10:33 PM · On: This bloodshot blue midnight
I love the story you've set up here in Ch.1.. Mama, and Alice especially, are such real and rich characters. I've gotta keep reading.......
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I am particularly fond of them myself. ;)
Reviewer: Xela007 (Signed) · Date: 10/03/09 07:01 PM · On: Barely enough time to sing
I love this story and I really, really hope you choose to continue it. I'm pretty picky when it comes to OCs (it doesn't matter if it's a romance, or just friendly, vindictive, or otherwise) but Alice and her mother fit into this world wonderfully and I find myself becoming as attached to them as I am the Winchesters. Your use of the language is also so charming. The descriptions are both real and whimsical and create a really pleasurable read. I'm honestly shocked this has so few reviews (and hoping that maybe I can talk you into working on this again ^_^)
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I am definitely continuing it - I'm already halfway through the next chapter. Unfortunately, I've been fighting a couple of serious health issues which have detracted from my desire to write...but I will persevere. ;) Thank you so much for your feedback on Alice and Jane. This story was something of an answer to the witches portrayed in Malleus Maleficarum and I struggled to make them fit into canon as well as making them well-rounded people. I always worry about my OCs, so I appreciate it when people like them them. Probably more than I should in this case, as I am attached very attached to the idea of Jane and Alice and what they mean to me as a model of "female strength" within a canon that doesn't focus on it. Sorry, I tend to ramble... And I have worked hard on the narrative style. It's actually quite different than what I've used in other stories - it's more like writing poetry than prose, and it sadly writes more slowly than I would like it to, even on my best days. ;-P As for reviews? I'm happy to get them. Doesn't matter how many I get, really.
Reviewer: ali (Signed) · Date: 04/02/09 10:20 AM · On: Barely enough time to sing
this is one of the most original and well written fanfictions ive ever read.. seriously keep it up.. im hooked
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm in the middle of some health problems that have been affecting my writing time...but rest assured that this one is definitely on the list of stories to update. And soon. ;)
Reviewer: NongPradu (Signed) · Date: 09/12/08 07:57 AM · On: Barely enough time to sing
I can't wait to see what's up with the red candle and that weird creature lady that threatened Alice! This is getting really interesting. I'm liking it a lot. :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I can promise that those questions will definitely be answered.
Reviewer: NongPradu (Signed) · Date: 08/12/08 11:02 PM · On: This bloodshot blue midnight
How old are Sam, Dean, and Alice in this story? I really like this chapter. It's interesting so far. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much. I'm rather fond of this one. ;) Sam is 12 going on 13. Alice will be 17 in a couple of months. And Dean is already 17.
Reviewer: rholou (Signed) · Date: 08/12/08 02:38 PM · On: This bloodshot blue midnight
no reviews, seems a little unfair, i'll have to see what i can do about that. this feels like a very deep and velvety rich story i'll come along for the ride.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! This is the latest story I've been working on and I've got some of the best betas on the block helping me along the way. I'm thrilled that you're enjoying it!
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