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First the updates... the writing on K&K 6 has stalled because of pain. I got a page written today before my shoulder and wrist attacked with a fiery vengeance. So... I am not really getting a lot of progress there. But it is moving.
The other thing I wanted to talk about was that I could not help but notice the vast disparity in comments between K&K 5 and say Transitioning Home. I have been trying to figure out what could be the reason for the fewer comments but the same number of kudos and I am a bit confuzzled. Partially I have been thinking about the fact that the content is pretty heavy, but then again Shattered Life got a lot of comments. Then I thought about the fact that maybe Thomas is hitting really close to home for some people and they don't know what to say. Then there was the fleeting idea that I am a hack with no business writing, but the kudos and comments on other stories basically shut that up.
So, yeah... I really want to know what you all think about the story. I am aware that it is graphic and a bit disturbing, but is that a problem? Is that why it seems to have a slow growth and fewer comments? Is it people realizing that if I say Caution I mean it and choose not to read it? I really want to know and am feeling a bit self-conscious over the whole thing.
What do you all think?
Comments
In my case....
....I am reading the story and give you kudos because it is so real. I can empathize and sympathize with Thomas. But ... having been in combat and wounded (though not as bad as Thomas), the story tends to bring up old memories that, once finished reading, I'd rather just move on to something else for a bit. To write a comment would be taking that open wound in my psyche and ripping it further with no gain to me.
I'm truly sorry if you feel the lack of comments so personally but it is not that way for me. I love your story, just can't see through the tears to type. Please keep up the good work and accept the kudos from whence they come.
Hugs,
Erica
No, I get that. It is one of
No, I get that. It is one of the reasons I surmised that people had not commented. When I wrote this, I tapped into a lot of my own issues to make it as real and as relatable as possible. That was very painful on this end but I think it resulted in a better story. So I understand how it can effect a reader.
As for the comments, I have mostly been trying to make heads and tails of it. This is one of the best stories I have ever written and I have crafted it with care so I have mostly been trying to figure this one out. Not much in the way of upset, more trying to piece this puzzle together.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
I glanced at it, and
I glanced at it, and determined it wasn't the type of story that really interests me. I read purely for pleasure, information, and entertainment. There are many stories I don't read because they're hard to get through (grammar, spelling, etc), but there are others because the content simply isn't what I'm interested in.
Most of your works are very interesting - this just isn't my type for now.
I certainly don't want you to stop writing (have you looked into the voice dictation systems yet? )
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I get that. It is a story of
I get that. It is a story of some one figuring out who they are, dealing with several issues and eventually falling in love. But it's not an easy road. I tend to write that a lot. ;)
And this has no impact on my writing or not, I have been curious is all. As for voice dictation systems... they have never worked right for me, probably because I go too fast or I use words that makes the system have a fit.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
I wonder if you could record
I wonder if you could record it, then slow it down. I've heard that the best way to deal with them is simply to talk as if you're giving a speech.
"Ebeneezer Stone lived in a well."
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Tried that, but it interrupts
Tried that, but it interrupts my writing flow far too much. It really bugs me because it would be really nice if it actually worked for me. So it goes.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
just don't feel like
just don't feel like commenting one K&K / TH, but I like them both
Lynne
reads down
Outside of a few regulars (Bike), reads seem to be down across the board. My new story has been the worst received yet, low kudos, low reads, but the few comments I have gotten were positive. I don't right much fluff and this last story wasn't a horror story by no means, but did have tough emotions to it.
For a while I was thinking I was blackballed.
Katie Leone (Katie-Leone.com)
Writing is what you do when you put pen to paper, being an author is what you do when you bring words to life
If it helps, I found myself
If it helps, I found myself reading older stories the last two weeks, because there were a lot more posted that weren't my type.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
I have only read thru
parts up into 4, so have not felt a need to comment yet. That does not mean, and should not be taken by any author, (IMHO) that I don't like it. I have just been reading and absorbing what is there. I haven't felt the need to say anything yet. Kudos were given and deserved.
That works. I thought a few
That works. I thought a few things might have gotten a comment or two but... so it goes. I am aware that there is a lot there and it is fairly dense, so yeah it can take a bit to absorb. Things lighten up a touch in a bit, just to let you know.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
K&K and Transitioning Home
Don't give up on me.....
I've been picking up the chapters for each of these as they come available and have read the first one for each.
I intend to continue reading them both but RL is terribly hectic for me just now.
I, too, am an author. Not just here, but as a ghost writer (no, not like the movie)and at the moment I have over twelve stories on my plate of which only five are money earners. So naturally, guess which one's come first?
There's something about adding money to my bank account which seems important at the moment. oh, yeah... I use it to pay bills. Knew there was a reason I was working on that stuff.
If it will make you feel better, just think.... after reading only one chapter of each of those stories, I continue to collect them as they appear on Top Shelf. That must tell you something....
Anesidora
It does and I am a big fan of
It does and I am a big fan of real life comes first. Fantasy doesn't pay the rent or feed you, so priorities are a good thing. Well, let me know what you think as you read.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
For what it's worth.
I think both K&k and Transitioning are very good stories. I haven't commented on the first because I have already done so, and on the second because it is a very emotional and powerful story. I know it brings things up that others here more than feel and are not all that comfortable with, and admit that I find Transitions to be kind of uncomfortable too. Not that it's a bad thing, just means you did the story right. It should be uncomfortable to read, and make people think. Which it does very well.
So you don't lack as an author at all. Just really good at getting things that you've experienced out so other people can see, or read them.
Therefore, I'd have to say this. Good Job!
Maggie
Thanks Mags. It is looking
Thanks Mags. It is looking more and more like TH is just something that hits people too hard to comment. Thinking of that it reminds me of a girl I dated, Joy, who worked as an exotic dancer. She was so good that people sat there mesmerized by her, forgetting to tip her. So she was the best dancer at the place but made the least, because it was too much for people.
And thanks for the compliments. This was one of the hardest stories I have ever written because of a lot of this stuff. It hurt writing it but I felt like it was important.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
My two cents
Actually, K&K is the story I quit reading, but TH has some of the same problems, IMHO. Remember, I'm telling you what "I" think, not saying there is anything needing to be changed, rewritten, or redone. Both stories are dense with details, too dense for me right now. My head is not glued down very tightly, health issues, changed medications, and my inability to pay for the entire batch. Hell, one medication alone is $1,000 a month, yes, that is a one followed by three zeros. When you are unemployed and have no insurance you get problems like this.
Anyway, I just can't keep on track reading them. TH isn't so bad, I know most of the jargon and a lot of the procedures so I can get through it. The K&K story, with all the Japanese names and characters and customs just fries my brain. And it's the kind of story that reeks of abuse to me, and that's the kicker for me. Past issues have crawled back out of the woodwork and are messing with my head.
And all that is basically my problem with leaving comments. Shit messes me up bad enough that I can't express myself properly when speaking; I know I'm not capable of writing a lucid, coherent comment on stories like yours. I doubt there are many people who enjoy making a fool out of themselves, especially when they know they are. So I'm hitting the kudo button and slipping away again.
Anyway, I have another follow-up with the doc. the first of next month, I'll tell her what is going on and maybe she can change some drugs again. Anyway, as you can see, it's not your writing or anything, at least not for me. Sorry.
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
Yoinks! That is a ridiculous
Yoinks! That is a ridiculous cost. I hope that things get better for you, I really do. I know how bad the whole unemployed thing can be.
And your reasons for just hitting kudos is a good one. I completely understand. No stress and I hope you get better.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
I'm of the "hard to comment" variety
I have commented a little on the latest chapter, but in previous chapters I have found it hard to do so... mostly for the opposite reasons of most people here so far - I've NEVER been a soldiering type and really have absolutely no idea about much of that side of the story. That rather limits the things I could intelligently contribute on.
PS: This only applies to TH... I've not been reading K&K.
Abigail Drew.
Well, he will be leaving the
Well, he will be leaving the military soon, so that should help on that front. And I hope that this at least shows you a little of the military life.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
To me it is one of those stories
... for one who has had their trans journey that one either identifies with it or not. And I do not as I figured out I was trans pretty young ... what kind of trans ... well, that took a more adult perspective.
I can read it but definitely from a more objective perspective as I did not have the whole self deception thing nor the physical challenge of passing and such he has if I were to guess on that aspect of his.
In a more fantastical story, there is the knowledge of the unreachability of that miracle that happened to that person so it makes it fun.
While I can appreciate that there are a lot of trans men and women who entered the military for various reasons, including that of their transness, the reasons for doing so, especially for the transwomen, eludes me.
Consequently I have given up on reading YATB (yet another trans-biography) because there is little new in that area anymore unless the biography has something really significant to say.
Kim
Well, it is certainly not my
Well, it is certainly not my biography as I have never been to war and I was not an Infantry soldier. This is all fantasy, just cobbled together from a lot of other peoples stories. And at it's core it is not just a biography but also a love story, but we aren't there yet. First Thomas has to find herself and then she finds love. But then again, I'm a big softy who tortures her characters.
I understand your reasons and they make perfect sense. No argument from me, because everyone reads for their own reasons. And I like to write both realistic and fantastic so its not like I don't provide plenty of material.
Read or not, it is after all your free time I am eating. And besides, you often do comment on most everything so that's good. Thank's for your answer.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
I love K and K
The story is great and very real regarding the interpersonal struggles your characters struggle with. I am a bit behind on my reading because my two kids being home for there summer break and I am trying to get the second part of my story roughed out so I can polish it. But I love K and K and look forward to it's continuation when you are physically up to it.
Huggles
Misha Nova
With those with open eyes the world reads like a book
I do love that people are
I do love that people are enjoying K&K. It seems to fit nicely into the Darkrealms world and everything. I just wonder about why people seem hesitant to comment on, but I am getting a better idea about.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.
Interesting Observation and updates
I read, kudo, comment on Transitioning Home thinking that Jill Micayla, Nancy Cole, or some other veteran would better answer your question.
May Your Light Forever Shine
I'm loving K&K.
Heather I'm loving K&K,and transitioning home is starting to grow on me,it's alot different than some of your usually writing but at the same time I can see elements that are in your other stories that are here. I say keep up the great work btw hows the next chapter of the chou story coming along?
I am not currently working on
I am not currently working on anything for Whateley, as I have a lot of other stuff on my plate. I still love the character but nothing is speaking to me right now. That happens.
As for the other stories... K&K is kind of typical of the stuff you see me post and Transitioning Home is more in line with my more professional work. That would be the only difference I can see.
Heather
We are the change that will save the world.