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Post by Shannon H on Jun 14, 2003 8:06:38 GMT -5
***Warning - Spoilers below - for those who havent yet finished up to chapter 4 of EomE *******
Hello Nan!!
I just wanted to thank you for your writing!!
I have really enjoyed Old Blood, and EomE is even more interesting.
after finishing Chapter 4 of EomE, I was just floored, sad for the loss of Dawn [my heart breaking for Spike], yet understanding the necessity. And after having processed the exposition of the story in progress, I was able to step back and marvel at the Elegant structure, the graceful weaving of details from Joss' world seamlessly into something entirely your own. from my vantage point, your story looks like exquisite lace.
You took scant details of Dawn's creation in Joss' BtVS, and worked through the extrapolations and possible consequences for Buffy, and opened up whole new interpretations of Joss' characters from Season 5 on. I see Dawn and Spike's closeness in season 5, and their interdependance after Buffy's death in "The Gift", in a different light. In fact, I feel there are reverberations throughout the storylines of Season 5, 6, 7 because of your stories!!
thank you for including the Poem at the end of Chapter 4. I couldnt stop reading to go look it up while Spike was getting his Tattoo, even though I was dying to know where the reference came from. It's inclusion after he 'speaks' to Dawn, makes it even more bittersweet, and had me completely choked up for the Justice / Injustice of the situation. I'll never be able to hear those lines again without thinking of Spike's tattoo, Dawn's disappearance, and heartbreak.
and your "signature" in the Message Board is truth . .. you do indeed have Spike's voice in your head! You write and amazing Spike, not just the dialogue, but his inner voice, his actions, all ring true.
and finally, the Never dream. In Old Blood, I had assumed that the terrifying dream which torments Spike still was residual guilt and horror at having failed Buffy in "The Gift". that he has never really recovered from having lost Buffy, and echoes of that pain continue to strike through his sleep. I thought that perhaps he would begin to heal, now that he and Buffy had come to their new understanding of each other. And then you show the real cause of the Never dream as the loss of Dawn. Brilliant! Everything coming full circle; The forshadowing dream, the talk of "priorities" between Dawn and Spike, Buffy's seemingly careless attitude towards Spike [and her own needs]. Exquisite Lace.
oh, and one last thing . . . [laugh] Dawn's chapters in Old Blood, where she figures out "what she's for" was wonderful!! Her determination to save Spike no matter what, blackmailing Anya, taking full posession of her self as Ancient Energy, and her lateral thinking which came up with the plan to heal Spike. You write great Dawn.
whew! There I feel better, getting that off my chest.
Thank you again Nan!!
Sincerely,
Shannon Hill
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Post by SpringSummers on Jun 17, 2003 7:38:39 GMT -5
Just a quick comment to let you know that I particularly enjoyed your "Anya." Very well done - very funny, very Anya . . . I can just hear her saying those lines.
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Post by SpringSummers on Jun 18, 2003 15:06:31 GMT -5
Nan - it is interesting that Buffy is so very happy without the sister around. I know she doesn't even remember her, so I'm not suggesting that Buffy is being cavalier - am wondering if you would comment on this aspect.
Is this aspect just a throwaway bit, or are you saying something about the more natural state always being the preferred one in general, or something about Buffy specifically?
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Post by Shannon H on Jun 19, 2003 18:27:47 GMT -5
Nan - it is interesting that Buffy is so very happy without the sister around. I know she doesn't even remember her, so I'm not suggesting that Buffy is being cavalier - am wondering if you would comment on this aspect. Is this aspect just a throwaway bit, or are you saying something about the more natural state always being the preferred one in general, or something about Buffy specifically? I understood Buffy's changes in energy and happiness came from the restoration of the parts of herself that were used to "become" Dawn. With Dawn around, it's like part of Buffy was "drained" off, and there was less of herself, her energy, and whole parts of her personality were siphoned off and became personality traits for Dawn. So with Dawn gone, Buffy is whole again. The resources that Dawn were using out of Buffy have been restored. what I find interesting is that Spike loved both sisters, but each for very different reasons. and he had a different kind of rapport with each of them. We understand now that they were actually the very same person, but he has trouble dealing with the newly restored Buffy, still feeling like there are two people in her one body. [well that's how I understood it] anyhow, dont know if this answers anything of your question. I guess this is more of a comment than an answer. -Shannon |
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Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Jun 20, 2003 12:58:54 GMT -5
Nan - it is interesting that Buffy is so very happy without the sister around. I know she doesn't even remember her, so I'm not suggesting that Buffy is being cavalier - am wondering if you would comment on this aspect. Is this aspect just a throwaway bit, or are you saying something about the more natural state always being the preferred one in general, or something about Buffy specifically? [/color] |
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Post by SpringSummers on Jun 20, 2003 18:41:36 GMT -5
Spring, I posit that the capacity for that kind of personal happiness, engagement with the living world, was something that was taken from Buffy and given to Dawn, and was one reason Buffy found it virtually impossible to reengage with the world following her resurrection. With Dawn's dissolution into her component elements, that capacity returned to Buffy, and she has no memory of Dawn at that point (and little after, for at least a while). Dawn's psychological makeup came from Buffy-for-herself, not from the Slayer. And it wasn't just copied: the actual capacity was transferred (by my premise). [/color][/quote] Thanks Nan. My muddled brain was kind of unclear on this. So in the NanVerse, Dawn literally has some large piece of Buffy's capacity to engage, and Buffy no longer has it. Well . . . this puts a real spin on Spike's motivation and actions. I am curious to see what Dawn's return will mean. |
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Post by RustyGoode on Jun 30, 2003 12:11:51 GMT -5
Nan, I read your Chapter 8 last nite, and just printed 9 & 10 so I really feel i need to read them before commenting too much. I do have to say that Chapter 8 disturbed me on a couple of levels (which is not to say that I didn't really enjoy it, cz I did).
Glad to see we're both belive in the ambidextrous nature of vampire sexuality without having to make a big deal out of it.
There were some comments about Spike not being an effective leader, but I don't get that from your Spike. I'm wondering if I should stop reading you for awhile so as not to have your Spike in my head for stuff that will be coming up in my next couple of chapters. Waffle, waffle, waffle. It's like knowing you have chocolat in the house and trying not to eat it.
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Post by Shannon H on Jul 16, 2003 14:03:17 GMT -5
Hey Nan!!
Really Really enjoying the chapters!! Oh my god, how can you keep up the pace you are setting, a chapter every few days!! Are you on vacation in Real Life?!? [laugh]
I have been following your updates on allabouspike.com, but our own beloved S3 site is woefully behind, at chapter 12 or whatever.
Is Vlad on vacation too? or are you only submitting to allaboutspike.com ? just curious.
I dont care where you submit your stories, just keep 'em coming!!
I'm on the edge of my seat!
I'm glad to have read your essay on Vampire Sex. It helps to sort out the domination / submission brutality necessary between vampires. Having Spike beating down Michael to submit earlier was a great way to lead up to the Supplice between Angel and Spike. It "paved the way" to better understand the dynamics of the situation. Even with the "preparation" however, the brutality of the Supplice leaves me quite ill. It really never bothered me to have Spike beat Michael so badly, and quite respected spike for taking such good care of him after, almost kindly.
But Angel's necessary brutalization of Spike for his ultimate submission just sickens me. [in a good storytelling way, tho', dont get me wrong!!] My human viewpoint leaves me detesting Angel's petty inability to leave it all aside to co-exist in peace for the sake of the coming battle. But of course also can imagine how a century of conflict between vampires, and between sire and childe, could build up the mother of all grudges.
your story helps me to viscerally understand how different vampire culture is from ours, no matter how similar our outsides may look.
can't wait to read more!!
-Shannon H
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Post by Patti - S'cubie Cutie on Jul 16, 2003 18:01:22 GMT -5
Hey Nan!! Really Really enjoying the chapters!! Oh my god, how can you keep up the pace you are setting, a chapter every few days!! Are you on vacation in Real Life?!? [laugh] I have been following your updates on allabouspike.com, but our own beloved S3 site is woefully behind, at chapter 12 or whatever. Is Vlad on vacation too? or are you only submitting to allaboutspike.com ? just curious. I dont care where you submit your stories, just keep 'em coming!! I'm on the edge of my seat! I'm glad to have read your essay on Vampire Sex. It helps to sort out the domination / submission brutality necessary between vampires. Having Spike beating down Michael to submit earlier was a great way to lead up to the Supplice between Angel and Spike. It "paved the way" to better understand the dynamics of the situation. Even with the "preparation" however, the brutality of the Supplice leaves me quite ill. It really never bothered me to have Spike beat Michael so badly, and quite respected spike for taking such good care of him after, almost kindly. But Angel's necessary brutalization of Spike for his ultimate submission just sickens me. [in a good storytelling way, tho', dont get me wrong!!] My human viewpoint leaves me detesting Angel's petty inability to leave it all aside to co-exist in peace for the sake of the coming battle. But of course also can imagine how a century of conflict between vampires, and between sire and childe, could build up the mother of all grudges. your story helps me to viscerally understand how different vampire culture is from ours, no matter how similar our outsides may look. can't wait to read more!! -Shannon H Shannon, Nan just submitted those chapters to Vlad a few days ago. His internet provider is now down going on 3 days ...so, that's the sitch. Not much even a technopagan can do when the techno goes kablooey... |
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Post by Shannon H on Jul 17, 2003 9:51:51 GMT -5
Shannon, Nan just submitted those chapters to Vlad a few days ago. His internet provider is now down going on 3 days ...so, that's the sitch. Not much even a technopagan can do when the techno goes kablooey... Tha's so true. you never know how easy technology is to use, **until** it stops working like it should, and then everything gets snarled up!! Edited ******* wow! I am now a Scubie!! that's explains this new feeling of joy, and euphoria!! [laugh] -Shannon |
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Post by Karen on Jul 17, 2003 13:27:34 GMT -5
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Post by Shannon H on Aug 5, 2003 9:22:38 GMT -5
Oh my god !! Chapter 24, and the conclusion !! wow, did you think it would go this long to do the story right, Nan ? ! ?
bloody brilliant. FAN-bloody-TASTIC !!! how many other ways can I say it . . . ?
I'm trying to figure out a way to print both Old Blood and EOE out and have it bound and covered to grace the shelves of my library.
I'm so glad at the feedback you are getting from allaboutspike.com on the "Feedback" page for your story. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who's been hanging on your every word and thoroughly enjoying every moment !
congratulations on a story extremely well-written and finished.
I hope to read more from you in the future, whatever you choose to write next !
sincerely, Shannon Hill
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Post by makd on Aug 21, 2003 17:18:27 GMT -5
Just finished Enemy of my Enemy. Great read! After reading both of your books, I really feel that I know all the characters better.
And Angel....really creeped me out....
well-written, fast-paced, kept me on the edge of my seat.
thank you.
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Post by Sue on Aug 24, 2003 15:56:44 GMT -5
Passing on props from an "outside" source:' If you go to the link: www.livejournal.com/users/blue_larkspur/14712.htmlyou find yourself in the livejournal of a fic writer named blue_larkspur. Scroll down past her entry for the day to the first comment, by a "St Salieri". Note that she refers to both Mary and to Nan's EME which was "beyond excellent." Nice to know that others are taking notice. Sue |
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Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Sept 5, 2003 17:05:25 GMT -5
I just posted this on the comments thread for EME at AllAboutSpike:
I've heard from some readers dismayed at the fresh draft because they'd already printed out the first draft. For everyone's convenience, I'll identify those chapters that have the most substantial changes: Chapters 6, 9, and 24.
Chapters with lesser but still more than cosmetic changes: Chapters 4 and 13.
In the rest of the chapters, the changes only consist of a few words and some changes in phrasing rather than content, so if you've already printed the whole book, I wouldn't think it would be worth the time and effort of downloading them and then printing the entire book again.
Hopes this simplifies things for you all.
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