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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:12:11 GMT -5
I need more! I love the way your characters interact. What fabulous scenes you have come up with. It's like standing in the room with them. I must admit that I find Dawn difficult to read because she doesn't think or speak with punctuation (and yes, you have captured that aspect of her perfectly,) but once I had gotten into the habit of reading Dawn in the breathless run-on fasion MT imparts into her character and started reading Spike with the accent that JM imparts, it was all exactly right.
More!
W.
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:12:53 GMT -5
Well, I've just spent 2.5 hours catching up on the posts. What a backlog develops when I can no longer toggle back and fourth between my work applications and the board during the day. I feel like stomping my foot and crying 'It's Not Fair!' because I've gotten too busy to steal work time for personal pursuits.
Lee: My thoughts are with you and your grandmother.
Klaz Virus: If I never got any of those wierd Emails then can I assume my computer was not infected?
Nan: I read those two stories you recommended by Herself; "What She Deserves" & "Lovingkindness" and Emailed the author with praise. Got a very nice response with a question about how I liked the ending so I wrote back. No response to my second Email yet. But wanted you to know that there were a great many things I really liked in these stories and second your recommendation.
BTW I just printed off your first 3 chapters of "Old Blood" and will read when I'm finished with "Sweet William", another one of your recommendations. I prefer Coquette's "A Winters Tale" and her WIP sequel (name escapes me)to "Sweet William" although I like it well enough. I just can't understand why Peasant chose to alter canon when it comes to the orgin of Spike's name. (Just deleted long, supporting digression on canon pertaining to Spike's name-not what this post is meant to be about.)
Patti: Your two part question to JM was inspired (was he satisfied with resolution of character and was Spike satisfied? - paraphrasing you of course). Brilliant query. All in all I would say you should be incredibly satisfied with your JM 0 degrees of separation encounters. Lord knows I am thrilled by your fabulously detailed report. You put an enormous amount of time and effort into sharing your experience with us and I truly appreciate it.
BTW, where did you get the B&W head shot he signed for you? If it's the shot that got him the role of Spike that means that he'd dyed his hair before the audition so the call must have been for bleached hair, no?
Sue Again: #182 All Connected... You were talking about "Necessary Evils" and said something about unsouled Spike fighting on side of Evil caused imbalance. Wasn't it the other way around? Wasn't it Spike fighting with the Slayer on the side of Good that cause the imbalance? I need to re-read the last chapter.
Spring/Dave: Re: Spike's height. I'd asked about it because nearly all the other men in the cast seem so much taller; Xander, Giles, Wood, not just amazon Reilly. Seems like they must all exceed 6ft. I agree, 5ft10in not short, just other cast members all seem tall in comparison.
Will continue catch-up in separate posts, then home. (Note to self- I don't like eating dinner at 9:30/10pm.)
debo'
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:13:29 GMT -5
A Fan (that's me)!
I too have written to Barb Cummings and gotten brief if pleasant replies. What I'm wondering is, does she know who you are; has she read "Journeys" and if so has she given you any feedback?
I'm pretty sure I Emailed you before you joined the board and told you how much I am loving your story. If not, I meant to.
Any chance you know Adjrun? I've Emailed her twice to ask if and when she will update "Awkward Phase" (have you read it?) but have never received a reply. She is the only author of fanfiction I've ever written to who has not written back. But I'd love to see that story continued.
deborah
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:14:24 GMT -5
Wonderful, unique writing style quite unlike any of fanfic I've read.
You had me jumping all over the place emotionally. I was worried about Dawn's bomb, that she was actually going to try to hurt him. She was so angry, so - betrayed... I'm glad you're going to make Dawn very central to your plot (you did say that, right?). I sometimes feel that the Buffy writers didn't quite know what to do with her after she fulfilled her 'purpose' in season 5, and I think there'd potential in her character for some wonderful stories.
The scene on the sidewalk, when Spike fell to his knees got me teary. You've described the devastating seriousness of his physical injuries without going into too much gory detail. But my favorite lines about Spike were those about his eyes, about how they 'went away'. Wonderful description. I REALLY loved that... hmmm... (Mary contemplates the possibility of stealing said description, but then thinks better of it. Because, after all, that would be WRONG. And, um, she uses 'empty eyes' enough already...)
You'e made me curious as to why Spike wants to know if the vamps he sired are around, if they're being staked. And you've intrigued me by Spike's reference to The Yoko Factor, and how he now wants to weave the group back together. It needs doing. And a tightly woven group is support and nurture for Buffy, so definitely something Spike would work toward.
I'm fascinated by where you'll be going with this, Nan.
Great start - now give over chapter 4!!
Mary
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:15:01 GMT -5
Sue: Please add to your fantasy list:
Wind In the Willows
Winnie the Pooh Books (I know there were some Pooh posts a while back but think may have been triggered by Spring's hottie son as Tigger (I rhymed) so including in list just in case.) The Pooh books were read to me as a small child and I loved them then. In HS I rediscovered them an appreciated them even more. Hate Disney Pooh, btw. I am a purist when it comes to Pooh. Oooh. There is a great biography of AA Milne I have at home, can't remember what it's called. Think it's by son Christopher. Will check and get back to you. But think One Hundred Acre Wood is in the title.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle. One of my all time favorite books. Lyrical and satirical at the same time. Richly layered and beautifully written. I understand a feature film is in the works and it will be starring non-other then my number two choice (remember someone was asking about our runner up choices for actors after JM?) Jonathan Rhys-Myers. Have any S'cubies read this book?
Terry Pratchett - everything. I am a Discworld series devotee but he has written two other series I think besides Discworld specifically for children. "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" has already been mentioned. It was written for children but is part of the Discworld series as well. I am not even going to attempt to describe Terry Pratchett's genius (and I do mean genius) becuase I would be here all night trying and still not do him anywhere close to justice. But his devoted readers range from 12 to well-advanced-in-years. His stuff has gotten darker and more complex in recent years. Any S'cubies read Discworld? If so, help. One thing I'm sure of. Spike would LOVE Pratchett.
"The Diamond in the Window" by Jane Langton. One of my childhood gems of fantasy. A brother and sister go to live in their relative's historic home in Concord Mass & discover a childrens room in the attic that had once belonged to an aunt and uncle who mysteriously vanished as children. They take the room as their own and find themselves transported in their dreams every night to a mysterious realm that holds the key to the lost children. An enchanting young adult book with lots of historic references as well to the region in general and to Thoreau and/or Emerson's (sorry, get them a bit muddled now) ties to Transandental Movement, IIR.
deborah cohen
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:15:51 GMT -5
Ahem...Nan, as I'm sure you know already, I will see your writing and your view of Spike in a slightly different vein that others on this list might. You and I, we go way back.
I have always liked Spike, I think, more than Angel, because Spike reminds me of Vincent. Not physically, and not, perhaps, in any one way you can put your finger on...or in any way MOST people could put their finger on. But you can.
Your words paint Spike's soul, just as you were able to paint Vincent's. And Dawnie. His Little Bit. And Buffy, who loves him, though she won't...can't...quite admit it.
"That's what I'm for."
Spike knows what he is, feels he's not good enough for Buffy, so he'll be what he can, as long as he can. He'll give himself away and be happiest when he's all gone.
Remind you of someone?
He is the Protector. Self-assigned, yet somehow less trapped within his own self-made prison than Vincent was.
Yet, Spike, like Vincent, is unique and you have caught his essence perfectly.
Outside of a few typos and skipped words (writing so fast you tripped over your fingers?
I am prostrating myself at your feet.
Absolutely marvelous. I'm so glad you're writing again!
Rhonda
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:16:35 GMT -5
I added the spoiler bit just incase others havent read it yet . .. [grin]
*****************************
Hello Nan!!
I really enjoyed the first three chapters of Old Blood!! I spent most of my afternoon at work trying to disguise the fact that I was reading your story, and not working on the layout for the next project. . . [grin]
your language is simple and direct, yet rich in description which makes me feel like I am right there with them.
and I was always intrigued by what might have happened in the interim between Spike's rescue in "Showtime" and his full [-ish] recovery in Potential. My imagination dabbled with a few possibilities, but your story is so much better at projecting what happened off camera.!!
some of the lines I found delicious!! :
Buffy helping Spike into the house after rescuing him "like a pair of drunks seeing each other home. "
" Chore-face " [LOL]
Spike's foul tempered reaction to being helped
" And Spike with that preternatural stillness he could put on when he chose, or something like it?not just listening, not just looking, but watching : "
" Dawn sometimes tried to focus on the whole room and everybody in it and all the motions and everything said, absorb it all in one grand gestalt, grok the fucking totality and therefore all of the meanings interlaced and poised just so " [COOL. I loved "grok" + heilein. and I get Dawn trying to do this, it's like her talent]
the moment where spike stills buffy's erratic hand gestures . . .
Dawn:? Get off me. You?re bleeding on my second-best slacks. ?
Spike:? Oh, can?t have that, send you Anne Klein ripoff hell for that, certain sure. [LOL]
Spike's relief to be chained up again, his fear of what evil he might do, and of hurting Dawn and Buffy . . . it rings so true!!
and my absolute favorite, the one that repeats itself over in my head :
He loved them both like a fever he?d caught and would likely die of, and that was all right. He could remember being otherwise but not why.
and so many more, but I need to go get my dinner now too.!! [grin]
you write Spike's language flawlessly!! I am completely convinced. such great Brit slang!!! I can't wait to avoid work some more while reading your next installment!!
thanks Nan!!
-Shannon Hill
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:17:05 GMT -5
I just noticed that we are only 25 posts or so from taking the lead away from the Ep side of the board!!
wow, and just imagine where the numbers will stand once we hit tomorrow night with a new episode to discuss . .!!
I cant wait for tomorrow night!! only 22 more hours!!
-shannon
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:17:44 GMT -5
Patti - what's this? I'm being cast as the no underwear lady? It just seems right? But why? When have I ever mentioned underwear or anything related to . . . well, OK.
I'll be the no-underwear lady getting a ticket from the cop. But can we expand the scene a little, to where the cop takes me up on my implicit offer? BTW, who is playing the cop?
deb - huh? what? My son playing Tigger? I must have missed those posts. I must say, it is strange to think of him as a hottie - I've heard it before but - well, he's always my baby to me. He would not be interested in being any kind of Tigger, unless he could get into that costume WITH Alyson H., I'm thinking. Gee. I guess he is not a baby anymore. Sigh. Neither are babies anymore. I want some grandchildren (but not right away, though Alyson would make a nice daughter-in-law).
Spring Summers
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:18:34 GMT -5
Well, I had hoped to finish my analysis tonight, and to get the newest fan-fic on our site read, but guess what? I put a load of laundry in my washer, only to find my ultility room flooded with water a few minutes later - it was all gushing out the bottom of the washer! Oh, what incredible, slippy, slidy fun was had by me - and my dog, who, as you can imagine, was a really big help! See below for pic of dog (she is dry and non-soapy in the picture).
Anyone want a load of half-wet, still soapy but not yet clean clothes? ACKKK!!
So - Nan, I noticed your subtle request for feedback, but don't hold anything hostage waiting on me. I will get to it - just didn't want you to think I was ignoring it.
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:19:27 GMT -5
I'm the one who stated she hated Disney Pooh for is crassness. Am strictly a classic Pooh person. All delicate lines and pastels.
Nan, sorry haven't had time to read your fic. Will print it out at work tomorrow (time??? permitting)
!!!REMINDER TO ALL NERDS AND ANDREWS!!! The newest Nerd Alert is up. You'll need your imaginations in gear for this one.
Check the computer regularly all day and nothing happens. But Lordy, step away for dinner and the world jumps on. Howcum I can never keep up? Half the time I don't get to post stuff just because 10,000 posts have come on after the post I wanted to respond to.
*grump*
Diane U
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:20:17 GMT -5
Thanks, Deborah! I guess Barb does know, because her e-mail said, and I quote, "I'm looking forward to taking time off from writing and catching up on my reading (including "Journeys," which I love but am woefully behind on)." Which led to me squealing out loud -"Oh. My. God. Barb Cummings is reading my story!!!!!" Now, I'm, like, all intimidated and stuff! (I am seriously the most insecure person in the world when it comes to my writing. When someone says wonderful things about it, I keep thinking they may have sent their e-mail to the wrong person! Which actually happened once. I got an e-mail, "Blah, blah, love it, blah, can't wait to see what happens, blah." The a second e-mail from the same person saying "Sorry. That e-mail was for _______. But I'm sure your story is nice too!" ROTFL.) Anyway - no, I don't know Adjrun. I read Awkward Phases a long time ago, and also loved it. I honestly don't know what's happening with that story, but the last update must have been months and months ago. I'm, pretty sure she's one of the 'Dancing Lessons' gang, isn't she? Is she working on chapters of DL3?? Is that keeping her from finishing AP? The only fanfic writer I'm in REGULAR contact with is First Rabid. We yack all the time, and have for a couple of years now - almost as soon as I discovered online Buffy. I've done a little chatting with a few others - Kimi and Herself, Ariane and NautiBitz, and bubonic plague. Mostly just fan letters or questions, though, like you. I've found most of the writers I've been in contact with to be very nice, and often helpful with canon questions, etc. One of my favorite Buffy fics is an old season 2 story that I know will never be finished. Grrrrr... For a while I refused to read WIPs because I was getting frustrated. And now I literally have stacks of fic piled up around my house, waiting to be read once 'Journeys' is done. I'm really looking forward to it. I have a recommendation. I haven't seen it mentioned here, and I don't think it's as well known as some of the B/S fics I see recommended all the time. It's 'Sunlight and Shadow' by Kimberly Appelcline. B/S romance and angst, not overly graphic sexually, etc. One of my favorites. Kimberly has a beautiful site; Nothing Like the Sun, with some quality fiction, and even better - computer art pieces that she's created for each story she hosts. Here's the URL for the fic. (Kimberly began a sequel, but announced she was abandoning it after only a chapter or two, so I'm guessing it won't happen.) www.nothinglikethesun.com/My-Fics/Sunlight-and-Shadow.shtmlLet me know what you think. Mary
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:21:09 GMT -5
OK, you're all off the hook. You LIKE my Spike! (Shut up, David)
Rhonda, you're right: some of the things I love about Vincent I also love about Spike, plus he's had 120 (or so) experience with people and himself to boot, so he's not anything like as insecure as Vincent, much more self assured but also much more willing to compromise....
I'm especially pleased that you liked it, Mary, since as you know I respect your writing a good deal. Glad if I had a few moments that came off well for you.
Chapter 4 is off to Vlad, and I expect he'll post it when he's feeling a little better. Rhonda couldn't wait and asked for it directly. I'll send it to anybody who asks (by e-mail, so post me).
Nan
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:21:43 GMT -5
Thank you, I had read the first Charlaine Harris vampire novel, but I didn't know there were more. Nice to have something new to look for!
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Post by Dalton on Oct 6, 2003 17:22:26 GMT -5
Thanks so much Patti, for all the time you put into this. It was wonderfully entertaining, and I really appreciated you transcribing the Q & A sessions. JM comes across as humorous, articulate, and really, just NICE.
Have others been to conventions? Did they find them worthwhile? Worth the money? I think I mentioned that, with the end of the show, I thought it might be fun to meet some of my online Buffy friends sometime at a convention. When I first heard about it, I did consider going to the con in Chicago (I think it's next weekend), but since I'm going to the US Gymnastics Championships in June, my travel budget for that period was pretty much spent. (I'm incredibly excited about the gymnastics, too. I think the US may be building a kick ass women's team again!)
Do many of the other Buffy stars go to cons? It seems JM is the only one I ever hear about, at least on a regular basis, but that may be because I hang out at Spike-centric sites when online.
Experiences? Thoughts?
Mary
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