Post by: JonaWolf on January 17, 2004, 12:09:53 pm
The next few weeks will be a deciding factor as to whether I return to the furry world or not. Taking a break has helped me work out a few things that were bugging me. A period of introspection can do wonders for one's mental health...
Post by: Darius Greywind on January 17, 2004, 12:48:19 pm
Post by: Rushjunkie2112 on January 17, 2004, 01:04:33 pm
Post by: Henrik on January 18, 2004, 02:19:19 pm
Post by: cougar2k2 on January 25, 2004, 06:30:10 pm
First off, sorry for the late post. Just got back yesterday from Minnisota. Secondly, great chapter. I love how the story is progressing at a nice, steady and very detailed pace. If only some other authors could keep up that balancing act as well as you have. But hey if they did you wouldn't be so unique. Anyway I'm not saying anything new or that other haven't already said far more eliquently then what I am about to say. Great job on inner thoughts of both characters and the overall story itself. I love all the hidden subplot and inner stuggles that you have placed in the story even though we only have a slight hint at what those are thus far. Anywho keep it up and I truely hope you post the next chapter soon.
Post by: JonaWolf on January 31, 2004, 11:53:29 am
| Quote (Henrik @ Jan. 18 2004, 12:19 pm) |
| Wow..if you where my neighbor i would go over right now and give you a beer. as always, SUPERB writing. |
Woohoo! beer! Too bad it's such a long, cold trip over the north Atlantic to get here. I bet all the beer would be frozen solid by then.
Thanks for the comments guys. My life is finally slowing down a bit so I might actually have some time to work on the next chapter(s) in the upcoming weeks.
BTW, Steve over at anthrofiction.com is telling me that he should have the new chapter up pretty soon.
Post by: JonaWolf on July 07, 2004, 10:31:01 pm
Post by: Henrik on July 09, 2004, 04:11:48 pm
as the cornflakes tiger says, "IIIITTTTTTTSSSSS GRRRRRRRREEEEEEAAAAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!"
Post by: Mordred on July 09, 2004, 06:08:58 pm
| Quote (JonaWolf @ July 07 2004, 10:31 pm) |
| Chapter 11 has now been posted. Sorry about the six month delay but life has been keeping me busy to the point that my computer and I are almost total strangers. |
I have enjoyed your story so far. It is a different spin on some of the stories I have read. I hope you and your computer will get on better terms.
Post by: ScottyDM on July 13, 2004, 02:41:12 am
<steps from the shadows>
Post by: JonaWolf on July 13, 2004, 11:42:06 pm
| Quote |
| never have the time these days (except weekends) to do some computering since its panic hay-day at work. |
Heh, sounds like my life Henrik. I might actually be able to get some decent computer time in when it's too cold for me to do anything outside. The summer is crazy time at work for me too.
Thanks for the comments guys, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far.
Post by: Varg the wanderer on July 14, 2004, 12:03:06 am
varg
Post by: JonaWolf on July 16, 2004, 12:19:03 am
Post by: Simo on July 16, 2004, 04:31:33 am
I realize that this is a work in progress, and, so far,it's quite compelling. However, it needs some fine tuning.
First off: what kind of story is this? Is it sci-fi or fantasy?
| Quote |
After a second or two, she opened her eyes again and was shocked to see the brilliant light and the crackling energy bolts fade away, leaving the sphere dark and silent as it ominously floated in the trees, waiting. Such a thing she had not even concieved was possible. It was like an apparition from a nightmare. A totally impossible object, terrifying yet intriguing at the same time. An inexplicable urge to get closer to the sphere possessed her. Terrified, she stood her ground. It was as if the sphere was beckoning to her, telling her to come closer. |
This reads like the description of a technological artifact.: a quantum singularity, temporal anomaly, or wormhole. However, we are informed that John isn't a physicist, or a "test pilot" involved in an experiment gone wrong. (i.e. "The Philadelphia Experiment") He's just a guy who apparantly wrecked his truck, and somehow found himself in this predicament.
Next, we learn that Sharra has these unusual powers. She heals John's broken arm with just a touch, and then there's that business with the "Link". So this is beginning to resemble a fantasy?
| Quote |
She stood and stared at him in shock. Cloudy blue eyes returned her gaze with a flicker of amusement showing in their depths. One corner of his mouth twitched upwards and the look on his face softened. When after a moment or two she still hadn't found her voice, the creature spoke again. "Judging by the look on your face, I'll bet that you just understood what I said even though you have no clue what language I speak, right?" Sharra managed to gain enough control over her voice to utter a small "yes". His head bobbed up and down a couple of times and another vague expression flickered across his face. "I thought so. the same thing happened to me." |
Wassupwiddat? Here is one enormous loose end. How is this possible? A technological artifact that John has somehow forgotten he has, due to the memory loss? If that's not the case, and since it's been established that Sharra has a gift of healing, then why not a gift of understanding? Is there another explanation that comes later?
Finding himself as a stranger in a strange land, he tries to survive in a world that has returned to the iron age.
Well, not exactly:
| Quote |
This one appears to be made of logs, chinked with... clay? A small table with a wash basin on it and an old mirror on the wall above it is a short distance away. [...] Slowly, while trying desperately to avoid a resurgence of activity from the jackhammer man in my skull, I turn my gaze in the opposite direction. This time I am rewarded with a view of an old pot bellied stove, a crude table and a couple of chairs, and a large stack of firewood. [...] There is an old kerosene lantern and a jug of some sort sitting on the table, as well as a row of blackened and battered pots and pans hanging beside some unidentifiable metal containers on a shelf next to the door. For a moment my gaze rests on an impressive set of moose antlers nailed to the wall above the shelf. |
Sharra's tech is way beyond the Iron Age. The "pot bellied stove" (a.k.a Franklin stove) is a late 18th century invention; the kerosene lantern: from the mid-19th century. So why can't Sharra do her hunting with a flint-lock rifle? Or why doesn't John make himself a wood-laminated, recurvant bow ala the Huns and Mongols? Since they have all those deer bones and hides, animal glue for that would be no problem at all. That would fit better with what's been described as Sharra's level of technological sophistication. Getting this straightened out would be an improvement.
Otherwise, a most compelling storu indeed. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Post by: ScottyDM on July 20, 2004, 04:32:37 am
I'd noted a few things too. For me the biggest problem is the sphere gizmo. I would guess that is it just a convent way to get Jon into the future, and get he and Sharra together without it taking six chapters. Over on Anthrofiction.com JonaWolf has a different version of this story. What basically happens in chapter 3 here, takes chapters 1 through 6 over there (there is no sphere). And that the sphere seems to "want" to help or direct Sharra do rescue Jon is just too weird. Ah well...
Sharra can draw upon the life force all around her to heal Jon. Well, I suppose it could be a religious thing for her, not magic per se.
The link between Jon and Sharra. She did say it was common to all members of her species, perhaps the talent is strong enough to draw Jon in.
That Jon and Sharra could communicate immediately. Okay, another major weirdness brought to us by the sphere. I guess it helps the story along though...
Is it the iron age? Building a new civilization on top of the remnants of a prior civilization is bound to create a mishmash of technologies. I would assume the anthro-wolves have been scavenging iron and other metals, which has given them a jump-start on their own technology. I get the impression that somewhere around 15,000 years has passed since humans ruled the earth, therefore I would not expect a log cabin (or unprotected cast iron) to survive. I'm hoping that Jon will go back to that road cut. If it was a railroad bed, perhaps he can dig down through the dirt that has settled over the tracks in spots, and recover the steel spikes. With a bit of work they might make nice spear points.
I'd not be too critical of Jon not knowing how to build a bow or knap flint. I've taken a class in the subject (hands on), it is not the sort of skill that comes naturally to modern humans. Jon just does not have a clue, it is little wonder that almost all of his attempts have ended in failure (the atlatl is turning out to be a success though). I guess if Jon does not find railroad spikes (preserved by being buried under several feet of soil), he could discover that smashing obsidian gives a very sharp edge and take it from there. Obsidian, the newbie's stone!
Okay, it is a bit on the fragile side, but wow is it sharp.One thing I've been turning over in my mind, is how long Sharra has been alone after her tribe was wiped out. Mostly because in the other version of Wild Rose Country she's been alone for a longer period of time. Six months or two years? How long to let the poor girl "marinate" in her loneliness before this strange human comes into her life...
Cool story tho.
Scotty
Post by: JonaWolf on July 21, 2004, 09:30:21 pm
| Quote ("Simo July 16 2004 @ 2:31 am") |
| First off: what kind of story is this? Is it sci-fi or fantasy? |
Well, it's a little bit of both, but the sci-fi aspects of the story have only been hinted at yet.
| Quote ("Simo July 16 2004 @ 2:31 am") |
| Wassupwiddat? Here is one enormous loose end. How is this possible? A technological artifact that John has somehow forgotten he has, due to the memory loss? If that's not the case, and since it's been established that Sharra has a gift of healing, then why not a gift of understanding? Is there another explanation that comes later? |
Yeah, that's one big loose end that I've agonized over for some time. I thought it would be too tedious to have Sharra and John learn how to understand each other over time and was looking for a shortcut. There will be an explanation in later chapters and to give a small hint, I'm going to try and tie up this loose end with the sci-fi aspect of this story. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works...
Strangley you're only the second person to bring my attention to this loose end.
| Quote ("Simo July 16 2004 @ 2:31 am") |
| Sharra's tech is way beyond the Iron Age. The "pot bellied stove" (a.k.a Franklin stove) is a late 18th century invention; the kerosene lantern: from the mid-19th century. So why can't Sharra do her hunting with a flint-lock rifle? Or why doesn't John make himself a wood-laminated, recurvant bow ala the Huns and Mongols? Since they have all those deer bones and hides, animal glue for that would be no problem at all. That would fit better with what's been described as Sharra's level of technological sophistication. Getting this straightened out would be an improvement. |
Yes this is another big loose end (after five years of writing the same story my outline has changed enough that a few of those have crept in here and there
), but are the crude pieces of technology found in and around the cabin actually produced by Sharra's people? Maybe, maybe not. There may be another explanation forthcoming, or a re-write.... | Quote ("ScottyDM July 20 2004 @ 2:32 am") |
| I'd not be too critical of Jon not knowing how to build a bow or knap flint. I've taken a class in the subject (hands on), it is not the sort of skill that comes naturally to modern humans. Jon just does not have a clue, it is little wonder that almost all of his attempts have ended in failure (the atlatl is turning out to be a success though). I guess if Jon does not find railroad spikes (preserved by being buried under several feet of soil), he could discover that smashing obsidian gives a very sharp edge and take it from there. Obsidian, the newbie's stone! Okay, it is a bit on the fragile side, but wow is it sharp. |
Knowledge without practical skill doesn't mean much. I too have experimented with stone knapping, spear and bow making and other such things. I've read about how those things are done and know a bit about the theory behind their fabrication, but it's quite another to actually try your hand at them.
| Quote ("ScottyDM July 20 2004 @ 2:32 am") |
| One thing I've been turning over in my mind, is how long Sharra has been alone after her tribe was wiped out. Mostly because in the other version of Wild Rose Country she's been alone for a longer period of time. Six months or two years? How long to let the poor girl "marinate" in her loneliness before this strange human comes into her life... |
I've even confused myself on that point. I'm thinking that six months isn't quite long enough, but perhaps two years is a little much. *shrugs* Just another area that may get a re-write given time.
Sorry for the late replies to your posts ScottyDM and Simo, but I haven't been able to get near my computer recently.
Thanks for the great comments!
Post by: Varg the wanderer on July 21, 2004, 10:53:33 pm
| Quote |
| Is it the iron age? Building a new civilization on top of the remnants of a prior civilization is bound to create a mishmash of technologies. I would assume the anthro-wolves have been scavenging iron and other metals, which has given them a jump-start on their own technology. I get the impression that somewhere around 15,000 years has passed since humans ruled the earth, therefore I would not expect a log cabin (or unprotected cast iron) to survive. I'm hoping that Jon will go back to that road cut. If it was a railroad bed, perhaps he can dig down through the dirt that has settled over the tracks in spots, and recover the steel spikes. With a bit of work they might make nice spear points. |
I would think that after being buried un the wet ground for so the only usable steel would be about the size of a nail, the rest would be just a big rust deposit. As for scavanging, they might have found things like aluminum, zink, copper and such but anything iron would have been corroded by the time they came around, and unless they had the technolagy to convert all that rust into iron again it would be useless. Knife blades and the other stuff can be beaten out by a blacksmith, but the cast iron stove is a puzzler because it's CAST. With the technolagy we'v seen so far it must have cost a fortune if it was even possible to make at that time. Youd think that whoever previously owned the cabin would have tried to take it with them...
I assume that this "link" is how they can communicate with each other, and I'm interested to learn more about it also. What happens if he meets others of her kind? Will he be able to talk with them too?
Post by: ScottyDM on July 23, 2004, 04:49:14 am
| Quote (Varg the wanderer @ July 21 2004, 8:53 pm) |
| I would think that after being buried un the wet ground for so the only usable steel would be about the size of a nail, the rest would be just a big rust deposit. |
That depends on the depth of burial and the moisture content of the soil. If the soil is wet enough, most oxygen will be excluded and corrosion will be slowed drastically. Also having the bulk of the spike buried in creosote soaked wood can make a huge difference too. Perhaps at a depth of a meter or more (3 1/2 feet), and in combination with the creosote, the good solid steel at the center of the spike would be about the diameter of a human thumb. But you're right, a shallowly buried spike would be mostly a red stain in the soil.
| Quote (Varg the wanderer @ July 21 2004, 8:53 pm) |
| I assume that this "link" is how they can communicate with each other, and I'm interested to learn more about it also. What happens if he meets others of her kind? Will he be able to talk with them too? |
Okay, I need to read the story again, a little more critically to get it all straight. But my impression was that the link and the ability of Jon to speak "wolfish" are unrelated. The "wolfish" thing seems to be related to the "techno-magic" of that sphere. The link seems to be something that anthro-wolves normally experience between mated pairs -- which is why Sharra was surprised that she experienced it with Jon.
The sphere bugs me. I understand why it was used (to simplify getting into the meat of the story), but it just seems a little too magic or something. Like the black monolith.
Perhaps the transformation could all be on Jon's end -- he accidently stumbles into a government project which hurtles him into the future ("Damn, where did that civilian come from? Shut the generator down. Shut it down!"), and at the same time transforms the subjects so they can understand the "locals" when they get to the future (part of the design of the technology). It would be good if there was some solid reason why no one but Jon comes through the portal. Maybe he breaks it, or maybe a two-way trip kills the subjects (get a few dead subjects back and they shut down the project).
While the Anthrofiction.com version of this story is interesting, and a realistic way for them to meet. This story's version has some fun moments with Jon stumbling around in the dark, his shock at discovering that Sharra is his benefactor, etc. This version also keeps the reader guessing. I can see jumping between three scenes: Jon's point of view, slowly learning of his surroundings and benefactor. Sharra's point of view, finding Jon and getting him to safety. And the government lab-types point of view, running this experiment and suddenly being shocked at seeing Jon drop in unexpectedly.
Of course the "accidental time traveler stumbles into a government project" has been done before.
Scotty
Post by: JonaWolf on July 24, 2004, 11:00:37 am
| Quote ("Varg the Wanderer July 21 2004 @ 8:53 pm") |
| I would think that after being buried un the wet ground for so the only usable steel would be about the size of a nail, the rest would be just a big rust deposit. As for scavanging, they might have found things like aluminum, zink, copper and such but anything iron would have been corroded by the time they came around, and unless they had the technolagy to convert all that rust into iron again it would be useless. |
| Quote ("ScottyDM 23 2004 @ 2:49 am") |
| That depends on the depth of burial and the moisture content of the soil. If the soil is wet enough, most oxygen will be excluded and corrosion will be slowed drastically. Also having the bulk of the spike buried in creosote soaked wood can make a huge difference too. Perhaps at a depth of a meter or more (3 1/2 feet), and in combination with the creosote, the good solid steel at the center of the spike would be about the diameter of a human thumb. But you're right, a shallowly buried spike would be mostly a red stain in the soil. |
Interesting points guys... I've done a little research on this subject and what I have discovered makes me think that most metals wouldn't survive the interim between John's time and Sharra's time in a recognizable form. Gold would, and perhaps some large pieces of aluminum, but anything iron or steel would have long since rusted away by the time Sharra and John showed up unless exceptional and unlikely circumstances are involved.
However, there are several non-metallic substances that may have survived the thousands of years relatively intact...
| Quote ("ScottyDM 23 2004 @ 2:49 am") |
| But my impression was that the link and the ability of Jon to speak "wolfish" are unrelated. The "wolfish" thing seems to be related to the "techno-magic" of that sphere. The link seems to be something that anthro-wolves normally experience between mated pairs -- which is why Sharra was surprised that she experienced it with Jon. |
The sphere was my way of making Jon's appearance sufficiently unusual so that the reader might wonder what or who exactly is behind it. As for Sharra and John's ability to understand each other, it is related to the sphere in a way, but probably not in the way most people are thinking. That's all I'm gonna say for now.
| Quote ("ScottyDM 23 2004 @ 2:49 am") |
| The sphere bugs me. I understand why it was used (to simplify getting into the meat of the story), but it just seems a little too magic or something. Like the black monolith. |
Yeah, I've often wondered if I over did it on that part. Yet one thing to keep in mind is that what might appear to be magic to an untrained and slightly primitve anthro wolf probably has a not so magical origin and explanation.
| Quote ("ScottyDM 23 2004 @ 2:49 am") |
| I can see jumping between three scenes: Jon's point of view, slowly learning of his surroundings and benefactor. Sharra's point of view, finding Jon and getting him to safety. And the government lab-types point of view, running this experiment and suddenly being shocked at seeing Jon drop in unexpectedly. |
Well I think I'm not giving up too much when I say that you're right on there being another point of view added to the story soon. As for who's point of view it will be, I think that it will surprise a few people, except my editor. He's already seen it
Post by: Simo on July 28, 2004, 03:52:22 am
Not so strange, I write too, and stuff like that just sort of leaps right off the page.
I was once considering a story much like Wild Rose Country, but I couldn't get the D4|V||\| thing to work right. Too much influence from two movies: The Final Countdown and The Philadelphia Experiment. It would be too much like just "Furring Up" the pre-existing stories.
Not gonna do that.
Post by: ScottyDM on July 29, 2004, 02:44:43 am
| Quote |
| I still do not truly understand the means by which I came to be on this world, though I now have some inkling as to the purpose for which I was brought here. |
So Jon knows there was an outside influence, which implies a third point of view, and also that he is not there by accident.
If this were a printed novel, revelation as to the third point of view could be further back in the book. Unfortunately, with a web-novel, there are *long* delays between chapters. One cannot simply stay up all night to read through to the end of the book.
If there ever is a version 4 of Wild Rose Country, then perhaps a hint; a 1 or 2 paragraph "micro-chapter" between 3 and 4. Chapters 1 and 2 are Jon's point of view (and could maybe be merged), chapter 3 is Sharra's point of view, and a new chapter after 3 could give the reader a hint that there is a third point of view -- then the story continues from there.
Well, enough Over Analysis for now. Fantastic story Jon, you've gotten me to care about these characters.
Scotty
Post by: ScottyDM on July 29, 2004, 05:41:01 am
I've just finished rereading chapters 1 through 10, in one go, slowly, letting it all soak in.
The structure is right. There is no need for a third point of view after chapter 3. The clues are all there, but very subtle. There are a few puzzling details -- I'm puzzled Jona, by some of your choices, but perhaps they well all work out. This story is written by Jon (or John, his name changes) and Sharra, although the Introduction hints that others may contribute in later chapters. It seems unlikely that the external force that propels Jon and Sharra together, would ever record their thoughts in this journal, this story.
Whatever it is that brought these two together could always remain an enigma, a shadow at the edge of their understanding. This would, perhaps, be perfect.
And now a question: When will Jon ever learn to cook without burning his dinner?
Scotty
Post by: JonaWolf on August 02, 2004, 12:36:06 pm
| Quote ("Simo July 28 2004 @ 1:52 am") |
| Strangley you're only the second person to bring my attention to this loose end. Not so strange, I write too, and stuff like that just sort of leaps right off the page. I was once considering a story much like Wild Rose Country, but I couldn't get the D4|V||\| thing to work right. Too much influence from two movies: The Final Countdown and The Philadelphia Experiment. It would be too much like just "Furring Up" the pre-existing stories. Not gonna do that. |
The only other person to point out my large collection of loose ends was an author as well. Maybe what I need is more authors to read my stuff so they can point out where I screw up...
Writing a truly original story these days is a difficult thing. There are so many outside influences that it can be tough to know exactly where an idea came from. I'll openly admit that there are aspects of WRC that have been heavily influenced by what I have read and seen over the years.
| Quote ("ScottyDM July 29 2004 @ 3:41 am") |
| This story is written by Jon (or John, his name changes) |
Doh! stupid typos... It should be John.
| Quote ("ScottyDM July 29 2004 @ 3:41 am") |
| although the Introduction hints that others may contribute in later chapters. It seems unlikely that the external force that propels Jon and Sharra together, would ever record their thoughts in this journal, this story. |
That is one aspect of the third POV that has bothered me since day one...
| Quote ("ScottyDM July 29 2004 @ 3:41 am") |
| Whatever it is that brought these two together could always remain an enigma, a shadow at the edge of their understanding. This would, perhaps, be perfect. |
Perhaps... I have thought of taking that course but I'm still undecided. I'm beginning to think that revealing the third POV might be a great way to tie the end of the story into the beginning....
| Quote ("ScottyDM July 29 2004 @ 3:41 am") |
| And now a question: When will Jon ever learn to cook without burning his dinner? |
Maybe....
Cooking on a heat source that is difficult to control is NOT easy...
Post by: Simo on August 04, 2004, 02:59:21 am
| Quote |
Writing a truly original story these days is a difficult thing. There are so many outside influences that it can be tough to know exactly where an idea came from. I'll openly admit that there are aspects of WRC that have been heavily influenced by what I have read and seen over the years. |
"Originality" is a difficult thing to determine, in any age. However, there are "rip-off's" ( small 'r' ) does anyone really mind that West Side Story was a Romeo and Juliette (which was, in turn, taken from a much older story) "rip-off"? Not hardly. While obvious where the story came from, it was different enough, and fresh enough, to not matter that much. Wild Rose Country doesn't have that problem either. Whatever those external influences are, they don't just leap off the page and announce: "Here's a rip-off!" OK, I'll admit to 2001: A Space Odessey flash-backs when reading about that funkey sphere. That doesn't affect the story's originality. (Of course, if WRC was a tale of a magical sphere that created anthro-wolves, flash forward a million years, find another magical sphere on the moon that holds all the secrets of their creation, yada, yada, yada: then there'd be a problem
)It's the "RIP-OFF's" ( big 'R' ) that really bother me: just change a little here and there, just to stay to this side of an outright plagarism, and keep the legal dept. happy. I suppose I could increase my output by doing so. Perhaps no one would notice or object too much?
Still, not gonna do that.
Post by: JonaWolf on August 22, 2004, 11:30:07 am
| Quote ("Simo Aug. 04 2004 @ 12:59 am") |
| It's the "RIP-OFF's" ( big 'R' ) that really bother me: just change a little here and there, just to stay to this side of an outright plagarism, and keep the legal dept. happy. I suppose I could increase my output by doing so. Perhaps no one would notice or object too much? Still, not gonna do that. |
That's good. I hate those kinds of rip-offs just as much as you do and I've seen more than enough of them around.
Far better to have as much originality in one's work as possible...
Post by: Calzephyr on August 22, 2004, 12:06:13 pm
Post by: JonaWolf on August 24, 2004, 08:09:23 pm
I hope you like the story.
Post by: JonaWolf on August 28, 2004, 12:27:59 pm
And here you were thinking that it'd be at least another five months until I got it done.
Post by: Serath Kaenor on August 28, 2004, 04:39:57 pm
Its good to see you writing again.
Now if i can ever get over my nearly insatiable curiosity to find out what happens next... but waiting and wondering is half the fun.
Post by: Bearion on August 29, 2004, 03:49:57 am
This one keeps it real. I would guess that John's short stay with Sharra has toughened him up more than he realizes. That much abuse would kill a normal person just from shock. One thing is for sure: neither of them will be able to move much at all when they wake up.
Sharra's injuries and loss of blood means she will not be in any share for "Healing" for some time. That could pose problems for John's hand.
Thanks again!
Bearion
Post by: ScottyDM on August 30, 2004, 12:29:14 am
Travois.
Hopefully one of them will invent something like this soon. Surely there are small trees around somewhere.
Scotty
Post by: Henrik on September 02, 2004, 07:38:30 pm
So when can we expect chp 13? next week?
Ill read it this weekend, gotta go and sleep now so i can get up to work.
Post by: JonaWolf on September 05, 2004, 01:43:40 pm
| Quote ("Serath Kaenor Aug. 28 2004 @ 2:39 pm") |
| Well done, Jona, well done indeed! |
Thank you.
| Quote ("Serath Kaenor Aug. 28 2004 @ 2:39 pm") |
| Now if i can ever get over my nearly insatiable curiosity to find out what happens next... but waiting and wondering is half the fun. |
That it is. I'll try not to keep you waiting for too long.
| Quote ("Bearon Aug. 29 2004 @ 1:49 am") |
| This one keeps it real. I would guess that John's short stay with Sharra has toughened him up more than he realizes. |
I'm doing my best to keep it real.
Two months of living the kind of life that John has been dumped into would toughen anybody up if it didn't kill them first.| Quote ("Bearon Aug. 29 2004 @ 1:49 am") |
| Sharra's injuries and loss of blood means she will not be in any share for "Healing" for some time. That could pose problems for John's hand. |
That might indeed prove to be a problem...
| Quote ("ScottyDM Aug. 29 2004 @ 10:29 pm) |
| Travois. |
Your the second person to mention that. You know. I never even thought about a travois before that. *files it away for future reference*
| Quote ("Henrik Sep. 02 2004 @ 5:38 pm) |
| So when can we expect chp 13? next week? |
huh. Not likely
Gotta get chapter 4 of The Gift of a Stranger done first.Thanks for the comments guys!
Post by: ScottyDM on May 05, 2005, 05:13:02 am
Chapter 13! Whooo hooo!!
I must say though, dumping the story into one big page sucks. Lots of imprecise scrolling about to find the desired chapter. Why did you do this?
I've been hanging out at a place called Critique Circle. I have learned a heck of a lot about how to write. CC is not specifically anthro, but there are a couple of us there: Sreid (Steve Reid), Nadan, and me, ScottyDM (Scott Miller). Although Nadan has not been active since December. Steve is writing a novel about squirrels.
The method they have at CC to give and recieve critiques is pretty good and reasonably fair. Too many times I've done many critiques within a particular community and gotten nothing or almost nothing back, not even a comment.
Check it out, Jona...
Scotty
Post by: Varg the wanderer on May 08, 2005, 11:25:19 am
Post by: JonaWolf on June 05, 2005, 08:40:17 pm
| Quote |
| Well it has been a very long time since I've visited your neck of the woods Jona. |
Yeah it has Scotty. Not to worry, I haven't exactly been around here all that much recently as you can probably tell by the month it took for me to find and reply to your comments.
| Quote |
| I must say though, dumping the story into one big page sucks. Lots of imprecise scrolling about to find the desired chapter. Why did you do this? |
Well, it was an effort on my part(a rather ineffective one, I might add) to streamline things a bit. I have been severely pressed for time lately and I didn't feel like having to reformat and upload 13 seperate chapters. I figured I'd leave the whole story in one chunk and try it that way. Chances are that I'll switch back to the old format when I get a few spare minutes to get in front of the computer.
| Quote |
| I've been hanging out at a place called Critique Circle... ...Check it out, Jona... |
I may do that when I have the spare time. Thanks for the link.
Post by: ScottyDM on June 09, 2005, 11:13:54 pm
I can code up your web site if you like. I'd rather see you put your efforts into writing your story. I did a site for my cousin Perry at www.perrybdavis.com which is clean HTML, CSS, and PHP. Someone else took the photos, I just prepped them. My best personal web site (of three) is www.skunkwks.com with the same technologies. I host my own sites, but Perry's is hosted at Expiry. Between my three personal sites and Perry's and including hidden and password protected pages: I've probably done maybe 4 or 5 hundred web pages.
I love: clean, simple, appropriate technology, intutive, light, and fast loading. I belive content is king.
Scotty
Post by: ScottyDM on June 09, 2005, 11:42:17 pm
First, repeat after me: It's all been done before.
Every single basic plot has been done before. Every subplot has been done before. Just about every character has been done before. What we need to do as authors is to combine these tired elements in fresh ways, add our own unique style, and make them special.
Holly Lisle is a professionally published author with approximately two-dozen books to her name. She also has a web site with some of the most helpful information for authors I've yet seen online. Here is her main page for authors. Be sure to grab a copy of her PDF book Mugging the Muse, over 200 pages of writing advice goodness.
But on to her specific advice on how to make an old idea fresh, see her page on plot outline and specifically the section titled "adding twists and surprises" (of course you should read the whole page). For that matter, you should read as much of Holly's web site as you can stand.
Scotty
Post by: JonaWolf on June 21, 2005, 09:11:39 pm
| Quote (ScottyDM @ June 09 2005, 9:13 pm) |
| Jona: I can code up your web site if you like.... |
Well, considering my complete lack of time to do such things these days , I really appreciate the offer of help. I am a complete dunce when it comes to building webpages and I need all the help I can get.
Seriously, if you're willing to build a site for me, that would be great
Thanks again for the offer of help.
| Quote |
| you should read as much of Holly's web site as you can stand. |
I'll do that. Looks like some interesting stuff there.
Post by: JonaWolf on July 24, 2005, 03:08:49 pm
Post by: ANTIcarrot on August 23, 2005, 03:34:42 pm
I look forward to finding out what Shara's mental lanscape looks like in Chapter 15.
ANTIcarrot.
Post by: JonaWolf on August 25, 2005, 08:22:59 pm
Thanks for the input on the revised edition of WRC. I'll try to keep the wait for chapter 15 as short as I can but life has been conspiring against me lately as far writing is concerned. I do have parts of several chapters scratched down here and there but the time to work on them has been lacking in a big way recently and to complicate things further, my muse seems to have disappeared to parts unknown.
Thanks again for the comments ANTIcarrot.
Post by: cougar2k2 on January 28, 2006, 07:39:23 pm
YAY what a great surprise.Boy what a chapter. Great great great! I love the Link scene. You really start to get a sense of how Sharra and John will start to grow together in the coming chapters. Aso how they depend on one another. But now that John's fears are have been put to rest, it will be Sharra's turn, and I am really looking forward to reading that when it comes. In the meantime I wonder what will happen between the two?
Anyway great chapter Jona you just keep getting better the more chapters you pump out. At this rate I can't wait to see what coming chapter will read like.
Post by: JonaWolf on March 18, 2006, 07:35:35 pm
Chapter 16 has been posted for your (and hopefully many others) reading pleasure.
I really have to pay closer attention to what's going on in my own forums...
Post by: cougar2k2 on March 19, 2006, 10:45:08 am
WOW...What I said above, definatly applies to this chapter. I would have to say that besides some of the typos and the occasional grammatical error this is one of your best chapters yet. The hole Mother scene was done superbly. I like the message the Mother gave Sharra about John and what to expect in the coming future. Also a little more about Sharra's past, but still not that much on who/why her village was destroyed.
I wonder what John will think about benevolent beings healing him? I can't speak for everyone but I would be a little uncomfortable with the idea, especially if I where in his situation or woke up with a gift from the beings with no plausable explaination... definatly would freak me out.
Anywho sensational chapter and eagerly awaiting the next, hopefully it will not be to long before then
Post by: JonaWolf on March 24, 2006, 09:13:41 pm
| Quote (cougar2k2 @ Mar. 19 2006, 8:45 am) |
| I wonder what John will think about benevolent beings healing him? I can't speak for everyone but I would be a little uncomfortable with the idea, especially if I where in his situation or woke up with a gift from the beings with no plausable explaination... definatly would freak me out. |
John's character is that of an ordinary, average guy. He's changed somewhat over the years I've been writing WRC but I've tried hard to keep him ordinary. He is a man of reason who borders on atheism, and he is one who likes hard facts and uses logic and science to understand the world around him. He does not easily take things on faith.
John's wounds have been healed and the deadly toxic shock infection purged from his blood. He knows that this is impossible in his current cirumstances. He will hear from Sharra an unbelievable tale of Gods and Goddesses and of the Power contained in all life. His own version of his miraculous recovery will be very different indeed...
So, yeah. The next few chapters should be interesting (I hope! ).
Glad you liked chapter 16
Post by: Dennier on February 20, 2007, 08:47:58 pm
Keep up the good work. Will look forward to more on the story as it comes to you.
Post by: JonaWolf on February 24, 2007, 10:21:57 am
He mentioned that he was unable to post in the forum but everything seems to be working now. This forum hasn't been used in so long that the dust probably needed to be shaken out of it.
While I'm here I might as well mention that yes, I'm still alive and well and yes, I'm still writing. Life has been busier than normal over the last few months and I haven't been able to pay much attention to online happenings.
Chapter 17 of WRC should be posted within a month or two if all goes well. The new chapter is a long one, currently hovering around 10,000 words with another thousand or three needed to finish it off.
It's finally time for Sharra to tell her story...
Post by: cougar2k2 on March 06, 2007, 02:52:10 pm
Its also good to hear that we are in for a nice long chapter about the going ons of Sharra and the origins of her ghosts. It will be good to understand her character more in that aspect. Can't wait for it stay safe.
Post by: Crash on March 13, 2007, 06:44:46 pm
How's your dog, btw?
Post by: JonaWolf on March 17, 2007, 03:49:31 pm
| Quote |
| I look forward to your writings the most and am always excited to see another chapter of any of your stories up and ready to be devoured. |
Glad to hear that.
Such things always give the incentive to keep writing.| Quote |
| How's your dog, btw? |
The old furball has had quite a morning so far. First off a trip to the vet for her annual checkup and vaccinations then a couple of hours spent chasing other dogs at the local off leash park. She's getting up there in years now(a little over ten) but is still happy and healthy except for a touch of arthritis showing up in her hips. Hopefully I'll be fortunate enough to have her companionship for a few more years yet.
WRC 17 is hovering around 13,000 words now and still needs some bits here and there to finish it off. I hoping to have it posted by the beginning of April.
Stay tuned....
Post by: JonaWolf on April 08, 2007, 01:43:47 pm
The chapter is finished and at 13,140 words it's the longest yet. It hasn't been posted yet as I need to go over it a couple more times with a clear mind (I'm wound up on coffee and a I'm a little cross-eyed from staring at a computer screen all morning) but I will have it up as soon as possible, which means this evening at the earliest or next weekend at the latest.
Stay tuned...
Post by: JonaWolf on April 08, 2007, 09:44:40 pm
I look forward to any and all comments...
Post by: cougar2k2 on April 09, 2007, 08:40:51 pm
Post by: Parrotfish577 on April 09, 2007, 10:01:31 pm
Hopefully the next one won't entail such a wait.
Post by: JonaWolf on April 15, 2007, 11:04:21 am
Thanks for the comments Cugar2k2 and welcome to my forum Parrotfish. Things are generally pretty quiet around here...until I post a new chapter.
The long intervals between chapters are an unfortunate effect of the life I lead when combined with trying to write three online novels at the same time. Writing time is often scarce and weeks can go by without me even looking at my notes or thinking about what I'm going to write. That and I usually try to rotate through my novels to make sure each gets updated at least once a year.
The Gift of a Stranger is next on my list, and after that, Wolf River so it might be a bit of a wait for the next chapter of WRC. I'll try to make up for the lack of quantity with something that is of sufficient quality to make my readers happy.
Thanks for reading guys, and thanks for the comments.
Post by: Crash on April 22, 2007, 01:23:08 pm
A trademark of a great author when you start feeling it for those characters of his that don't even exist.I'm still a little perplexed how you'll approach the physical inevitable here, though. You just don't seem like the kind of guy, Jona.
Also, very glad to see GoaS getting attention. I only just read through what you had and wonder if there's anything you'll write that I won't like.
Post by: JonaWolf on May 05, 2007, 08:14:15 pm
| Quote (Crash @ April 22 2007, 11:23 am) |
| Holy man. That last one was overwhelming. You could really feel the pain traveling from Sharra. A trademark of a great author when you start feeling it for those characters of his that don't even exist. |
I had several readers email me and report that the last chapter had moved them to tears. To me, that is high praise indeed. To know that they get far into the story and start feeling for the characters when, as you said, they don't exist is quite something else. To you Crash, and to the others who have let me know such things, I extend a big thank you for letting me know me know the swing in the dark I took many years ago might have actually connected with something.
| Quote |
| I'm still a little perplexed how you'll approach the physical inevitable here, though. You just don't seem like the kind of guy, Jona. |
Believe me, I've been wondering just how to approach that problem from the very day I realized that one way or another this story was going to require a little physical interaction between the main characters. I can guarantee it won't be explicit though. That's just not my style and I do have a reputation to uphold you know.
| Quote |
| Also, very glad to see GoaS getting attention. I only just read through what you had and wonder if there's anything you'll write that I won't like. |
Glad you like that one too, though I'm having a tough time finding time to work on it these days. I'm in a rut of twelve hour workdays at the moment with several extracurricular projects on the go as well as my usual eight to five workload. It must be summertime or something...
Thanks for the comments Crash.
Post by: JonaWolf on November 18, 2007, 11:48:25 am
There are several reasons for this rewrite, the biggest one being that the early chapters were written many years ago when I really had no solid ideas as to where I wanted to go with this story in the long run. I've since fixed that problem and a few things had to change to bring the early part of the story in line with the outline I'm working from now.
The other main reason is that I've learned much about writing since my first uncertain attempts back in late '99. The way the first few chapters were written always bugged me and I kept putting off re-working them because I knew the amount of work it would mean.
This will be the final edit until the story is completed. Hopefully I've achieved what I set out to do and that is come up with a better and more believable way of telling the story from the point of view of the man that lived through it.
The new version can be found here. It's in one big rtf file (800Kb! ) for now as that is currently all that I have time to post. I may split it into separate chapters down the road.
Any comments or feedback on this new version would be greatly appreciated. I need you readers to let me know if I'm on the right track or not.
Post by: Crash on November 22, 2007, 01:37:00 pm
Hope everything is going well for you!
Post by: cougar2k2 on January 09, 2008, 11:34:41 pm
Just reread the rewrite. I love the changes, it closed up some of the gaps that weren't really that noticable but still appeared. I would think that it also makes it easier to write for you since you now have a better idea of where you want to take the story. I'm lookin' forward to future chapters.
A side note that might interest you. I've seen commercials for a new documentary on the Discovery Channel on Jan. 21st called 'Life After People.' Guess what it's about? lol Anyway as soon as I saw it I thought of WRC and Wolf River. I thought it might give you a better idea of what the flora and fona would be like and how it would overtake and crumble modern day civilization. Just a heads up.
Keep up the great work and I'll talk to you later.
Post by: JonaWolf on January 19, 2008, 11:55:40 am
Good to hear you enjoyed the re-write of WRC.
| Quote |
| A side note that might interest you. I've seen commercials for a new documentary on the Discovery Channel on Jan. 21st called 'Life After People.' Guess what it's about? lol Anyway as soon as I saw it I thought of WRC and Wolf River. I thought it might give you a better idea of what the flora and fona would be like and how it would overtake and crumble modern day civilization. Just a heads up. |
I find that to be very interesting an I'm going to keep an eye out for it. I haven't seen the ads for it yet but then I haven't exactly been watching much TV lately.
There is another show of interest that is broadcast here north of the border that is called Survivorman. The basic concept is that this guy gets left in the middle of nowhere in various parts of the world and has seven days to either survive and wait to be picked up or find his way back to civilization. He has no food and almost nothing else to help him in this task. He's done this in the arctic in the dead of winter, tropical jungles, deserts, etc. I think the guy is quite literally nuts but it does make for an often fascinating tv show. Dunno if they show it down in the states though.
Post by: ScottyDM on March 18, 2008, 04:56:03 am
Post by: JonaWolf on March 18, 2008, 10:59:45 pm
Oh wait, it's just Scotty. ;)
How the heck are ya? It's been awhile since you stopped in here for a visit.
Post by: ScottyDM on March 19, 2008, 03:43:08 am
I came here in 2004 specifically to post on this forum thread, and then in 2005 I forgot to come back. x_x <- me
But I got better, so here I am again.
Okay, what really happened is I got this e-mail from Furtopia saying, "The board's been hacked. Run for your wives!" (or something like that). Then a couple of days ago I got another e-mail that said, "We fixed it, y'all can come back now." So I did. And here I am. :)
What have I been doing? I left a greeting in the "furry greetings" forum that 'splains some o' that. The most significant is that I've been writing, and I took over the management of a furry writing contest (http://www.anthrofiction.net/) in spring of 2006 when the former manager was forced to drop out.
I participated in NaNoWriMo 2005 and did terrible! Little more than a vague idea only capable of sustaining a short story, will do that to ya. Then I studied storytelling, trying to hone my skills. Mixed results. NaNo again for 2007 and did better, but I seem to have this flaw/feature where I can't effectively write anything if I know at the time it's largely useless/filler/junk. That doesn't meant that what I do write is worth saving--only that I thought so at the time. I'll probably toss out my 4,100 word first chapter and start with the second. The second needs some editing, but the opening's pretty hot.
I've got a lot of partly written stories: shorts, novellas, and that novel. I think I'm ready to start submitting to the professional markets, but I need to finish something so I can submit it. My completed stories have all been Internet published. My two latest short story starts are for professional sale (at least that's my hope).
The first is cyber/sci-fi/anthro set in a far future post-human world (geeeee, sounds familiar) and explores the psychology of the animal bride genre. In this case the human husband role is played by a genetically uplifted fox--although exactly what he is isn't revealed until the third act. And the animal bride role is played by an AI living in VR.
The second story is a far more conventional myth/fairy tale set in present times. It's a retelling of the classic selkie story, but the twist is that rather than capture her and force her to live as a human (selkies are shapeshifers, as most animal brides in the old stories are), he follows her into her world and he is transformed.
The shape of the animal bride story has changed throughout history and is a reflection of how the storyteller's society relates to the natural world. In very early stories a human marries an animal (animals are treated like people) and this animal brings some gift or skill to her husband's tribe--end of story. In feudal Europe and Asia the story shifts to the man either captures a shapeshifting animal and forces her to retain her human shape, or she beguiles him in her human shape; they marry; she regains her shapeshifting ability, or he breaks some taboo, or her secret is discovered; they part, sometimes fatally--end of story. In the last few centuries this second type of story has further evolved so that after they part, he purses her and wins her love, and then brings her back home--end of story. What I'm doing with my new myth is pushing that even further to where, when her true nature is revealed and he is given the choice to give up humanity and join her in her world, he does.
So in the first story type, society is living with nature; the world is filled with spirits and all--plant, animal, and human--are a part of the spiritual cosmos. In the second story type society is struggling against nature--building cities, growing crops, and keeping livestock; humans have risen above the natural world, which is a scary and dangerous place. In the third story type humans are starting to realize that maybe living apart from nature makes us a lonely species, so the pursuit of the lost bride can represent the pursuit of nature--but nature is brought back to civilization and tamed. In our fourth story type the human word represents a failure; in rejection of that world the husband goes in pursuit of nature and becomes one with nature.
I say "our" because Wild Rose Country is of this fourth type. It's an animal bride story. Sure, John doesn't have a choice, but you did and that's what you chose for him, and he accepted it. Your characters don't shapeshift, but John joins a society much like the societies that embraced the first story type--at one with nature; living with nature and not against it. He becomes a wolf. I think that's why, when I first read your story back in 2004, I had a "Wow!" reaction. Given today's ecological, political, and economic climate, there will be a lot of readers who want to become John. Furry or mundane, who you are has nothing to do with that desire.
So yea. I been keeping busy.
Scotty
Post by: JonaWolf on March 21, 2008, 07:40:28 pm
Scotty, I think you broke something...
I thinks these forums are hungry or something. There’s a couple of posts missing as well as a chunk of text from your last post that somehow ended up getting posted under my name. Or maybe I need another cup of coffee to help uncross my eyes...
You have been busy.
I’ve come across a few references to that furry writing contest you manage and one time even tried to come up with something useable for it. However, by the time I finished it the deadline had come and gone months earlier and the final product had little to do with the original theme. Still, that attempt turned into one of my best works yet. I’ll have to give that contest another go someday.
Interesting to hear you gave NaNWriMo a shot. I’ve entertained that idea but since it usually takes at least six months for me to write 40,000+ useable words, trying to do that in one month would likely be a disaster. Still, it could be a good way to force myself to write on those many occasions when I don’t have the inspiration to do so. Many times, after the initial few minutes (or hours) of staring at a blank screen with an equally blank mind, something actually starts to flow once the first few hesitant lines are typed out. The problem is sticking with it until that happens instead of getting bored and frustrated and moving on to other tasks.
You’re ready to start submitting to professional publishers? Awesome! I wish you luck in that task. I’ve toyed with this idea as well. While I have had a few people tell me that some of my work seems to be of publishable quality, I’m not so sure. You see, I write without really understanding what writing is all about. I’ve never studied the art of storytelling and I’m a little vague as to what makes a good story. I write what I feel might work and plug away at it until it feels as right as I can make it. I have no educational background to speak of as far as literature is concerned. I’m a high school educated auto mechanic who barely passed(and utterly despised! ) English classes during his long past school days so you might be able to understand why I don’t have a huge amount of confidence in my own writing(though I do have a bunch more than I used to).
Animal bride stories - I’d never heard that phrase until your last post(yeah, I know, I need to do a ton of research regarding writing). Now that I think about it, it makes a lot of sense considering what I’ve read over the years. Fascinating the way those stories have changed as society has advanced, stories born out of man’s struggle with and against nature as well as his own species. Definitely something I will have to do some research on.
You’re right. On most levels WRC is an animal bride story. I’d never thought about it that way before but when you consider the reasons that led me to begin writing WRC, it makes perfect sense. I’ve never been a fan of modern society. I find it far too complicated, too cold, too destructive. I wanted a story about a man returning to a simpler life, living with nature instead of against it but I also wanted to show how hard and dangerous that simpler life can be. The anthro element actually came in later when I realized the human was going to need help to survive and I wondered what the next species to rise to a human level of sentience would be.
Quote
Given today's ecological, political, and economic climate, there will be a lot of readers who want to become John.
Tell me, where do I sign up? ;)
At his most basic level, John is patterned largely after me (write about what you know, they say...) I figured that for a story born out of my distaste for modern society who better to play a pivotal role in it?
Good to have you back here Scotty. As always, your posts are deep and thought provoking.
And now you’ve got me thinking about writing...
I’m getting better there, especially with the short stories. I don’t know if you’ve read Lost and Found Under the Northern Lights yet, but I consider that story to be one of my best yet. Not really furry, more transformation related, that one. I’m in the middle of revising At Any Cost with ideas of maybe submitting it to one of the anthro related magazines out there. I have another short story on the go, a sort of ‘Last Man on Earth’ type only in this case the character isn’t human. Might attempt to get that one published too. I’m also half way through WRC 18 and hope to have that one done sometime in the next few weeks.
Life has been busy for me too. A new job, my hockey team gearing up for the playoffs, recovering from two busted ribs as a result of playing on said hockey team. Adopted another dog, a 100+ pound Alaskan Malamute as a companion for my old furball, and now I find that I might have to move this summer. Writing has been pushed to the back burner far too often of late, but such is life.
Post by: JonaWolf on June 14, 2008, 11:27:38 am
http://www.jonawolf.furtopia.org/scribblings/chap18.html (http://www.jonawolf.furtopia.org/scribblings/chap18.html)
Post by: cougar2k2 on June 14, 2008, 11:36:26 pm
I think that's one of the best chapter so far in WRC. It is a very very mean way to end it but other than that an extremely good chapter, well worth the wait. You really learn a lot about John's past, mindset and how he is changing from who he was. You can also tell Sharra and him are starting to get closer. Can't wait to see what all happens next.
Post by: bladan on June 17, 2008, 06:43:50 pm
Looking forward to the next chapter from your stories as always.
Post by: JonaWolf on June 30, 2008, 04:04:05 pm
Quote
I know it's not a possibility, but reading your stories makes me wish that you were putting out a chapter a month if not a week.
Hello and welcome Bladan!
One thing I have never been happy about is making my readers wait so long for the next chapter but at this point in time there isn't much I can do about it. Often I wonder if I should have written the entire story before posting it online. However, with my busy and sometimes chaotic life it is highly unlikely that I would have completed more than a few chapters. Knowing that there are people out there waiting eagerly for the next installment is one of the things that drives me to find the time to sit down and write. The feedback I have received over the years has also taught me much about writing and WRC is better for it.
Believe me, you're not the only one who'd like to see chapters on a weekly or monthly basis. I'd absolutely love to be able to give you guys that.
Chapter 19 is coming along well though. Might not be too long before I have that one done...
Quote
It is a very very mean way to end it but other than that an extremely good chapter, well worth the wait.
Well, I had to end the chapter somewhere. Actually I had to forcibly cut it off because it was getting so long that it was taking on a life of its own. ;) The good news though, is that the excess has been transplanted to chapter 19.
Thanks guys. You're comments, as always, are very much appreciated.
Post by: Varg the wanderer on July 05, 2008, 11:21:45 am
I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said, except to call you cruel and sadistic for ending a chapter like that...
And if his drawings have Power in them, what does Sharra see in them? And what happens if he writes?
Post by: Simo on August 23, 2008, 02:45:46 am
Post by: JonaWolf on September 14, 2008, 11:29:06 am
I missed your post here for some odd reason. Good to see that you're still around. :)
It's hard to believe that this thread has been around since early '04. It doesn't seem like four years have passed me by already. Time does fly by when life is busy.
On that note, I can hardly believe that I started writing WRC almost nine years ago! It's been one hell of a journey.
I agree with you that this story is getting better as it progresses. A couple of years back (around the chapter 14 mark) I finally sat done and wrote an outline for the entire story, something I should have done ages ago. It's far easier to write when I have a clear view of the path I want to take. My writing is also getting better, I think. I still need to work on my dialogue scenes but I'm leaps and bounds ahead of my earlier work.
Readers come and go. There are a handful that have stayed with this story since the beginning. Others have no doubt moved on and faded away and a new face pops up every now and then. I'm grateful for each and every one I have, vocal or not.
I don't have the time to rush my writing. :P
I'm cautious and want to get things right so I tend to write slow and do much thinking about just how exactly I want to portray a certain scene. I really do wish I could get new material out more frequently but my life never seems to allow that.
WRC 19 is partially done though and if the stars and planets align correctly it may be done soon.
Thanks for sticking around over the years. :D
Post by: Simo on November 26, 2008, 05:35:51 pm
Simo!
I missed your post here for some odd reason.
That's called "real life", and it's been getting in the way of my 'Net time too.
Quote
I agree with you that this story is getting better as it progresses. A couple of years back (around the chapter 14 mark) I finally sat done and wrote an outline for the entire story, something I should have done ages ago. It's far easier to write when I have a clear view of the path I want to take. My writing is also getting better, I think. I still need to work on my dialogue scenes but I'm leaps and bounds ahead of my earlier work.
It's a big help.
Quote
WRC 19 is partially done though and if the stars and planets align correctly it may be done soon.
Thanks for sticking around over the years. :D
Lookin' forward to it.
Post by: JonaWolf on January 04, 2009, 11:26:15 pm
www.jonawolf.furtopia.org/scribblings/chap19.html (http://www.jonawolf.furtopia.org/scribblings/chap19.html)
Post by: cougar2k2 on January 05, 2009, 01:23:00 pm
Post by: South Munjoy on January 10, 2009, 06:07:45 pm
Post by: JonaWolf on January 15, 2009, 10:44:53 pm
Glad you guys enjoyed Chapter 19 and I hope you paid attention while reading it. ;)
The latter part of this latest chapter has a few hints and has set the tone for a few things that are going to happen to this unlikely couple in the months and years ahead. The Mother is right, it's not going to be an easy road for either of them ... but I'm hoping that it's going to make for some good reading!
My next project though, is going to be chapter 8 of The Gift of a Stranger so it will be awhile before the next chapter of WRC. Damn, I hate leaving you guys hanging for so long...
must ... find ... way ... to .. write ... FASTER!
Post by: Simo on May 19, 2009, 02:39:36 am
Post by: JonaWolf on May 30, 2009, 04:45:39 pm
You've got it backwards Simo, it's my readers that are the patient ones. WRC is going to be having a tenth anniversary this fall and unbelievably there are still a few readers out there that have stayed with this story from the beginning.
Me, I'm not that patient. Well maybe I am some days but I often get a little frustrated that I can't get new material up on a more regular basis. That being said, WRC 20 is in the works and hovering around four thousand words as of this morning. Might get it done and posted by the end of the year at this rate. ;)
Glad you liked Ch. 19 and it's good to see that you're still hanging around here. :)
Post by: South Munjoy on August 17, 2011, 04:36:08 pm
Post by: Kobuk on August 17, 2011, 08:24:55 pm
Just out of curiousity, whatever happened to this?
Furtopia web hosting is temporarily closed until further notice. So whatever site the story was on, It's now gone I guess.
Post by: Arbutus on August 18, 2011, 02:29:22 am
- The story might be posted on other sites
- The author almost certainly has a copy of all he's written
- I think WhiteShepherd may also have kept a backup of the old site and the story
Post by: JonaWolf on August 21, 2011, 11:16:38 pm
Just out of curiousity, whatever happened to this?
Unfortunately I have neither the time nor the inclination theses days to maintain a website so I made the choice to let my site die when Furtopia pulled the plug on their webhosting services. Not to worry though, most of what was on my page can be found at other places now, namely www.raccoons-bookshelf.com and www.furrag.com. Any further updates to my writings will be posted to either of those sites.
I haven't quit writing either, even though it may seem that way. I don't have much free time these days and writing has been pushed to the backburner more often than I'd like. New stuff is in the works but I can' guarantee that I'll have anything done soon.