I chanced upon this story at the beginning and as I usually do, I read a portion. I loved and cried my way through "Valediction" so I knew you are a talented writer. However, the part I read concerned the surrogate and since B/J having babies in the burbs, living in Britin is not my cup of tea, I moved on. I just re-found the story, not remembering my earlier encounter and read this chapter before going back and reading from the beginning.
I liked the cancer arc and h/c (Brian=hurting) and was very disappointed in Cowlip's quick and fairly superficial treatment of the original story line so I am always on the look out these types of stories. What I have read so far is wonderful.
You are doing a great, realistic job with the medical information given you stated you don't have that kind of background. The characterizations are close to form. Justin's reactions and his passionate pleas for immediate decisive actions from his typically single-minded and self-revolving viewpoints are believable and just how I would imagine him handling such devastating news.
I read QaF for Brian. You are showing Brian's inner strength and his hidden tenderness in a truly heartbreaking manner. Brian's talk with Justin on his fears, rationale for waiting a week and the entire sections dealing with his learning his diagnosis/prognosis was so very well done. It had me in near tears at various points. Brian's need to maintain his dignity and a measure of control when his life is about to spin spectacularly out of control and into the abyss of the unknown is so true to character.
It is good to know he has his partner and hopefully, his other friends and pseudo family, to help him to whatever end.
Stylistically, the way you are writing overlapping alternating views of the same events makes for good reading and was a good choice.
Oh wow, I am very glad you gave the story a second chance. Though the child is definitely a part of the story, it's not 'the' story. I, too, have a thing for h/c, and Brian is such a complex character that it's irresistible to me to see how he deals with such devastating circumstances.
I really appreciate your insights into 'my' Brian and Justin here. They are spot-on, especially when it comes to Justin. And Brian... oh Brian. I'm not sure we will ever really know how close he came to buying that ticket to Ibiza.
I also appreciate your comment on the medical stuff. Part of the reason this story has taken me so long lies in trying to get that right. I'm glad the somewhat jumpy timeline/POV's works and isn't too confusing. I've never written first-person before so it's been a challenge!
Thank you so much for the thoughtful words (and kind compliment). I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Stay tuned!
I liked the cancer arc and h/c (Brian=hurting) and was very disappointed in Cowlip's quick and fairly superficial treatment of the original story line so I am always on the look out these types of stories. What I have read so far is wonderful.
You are doing a great, realistic job with the medical information given you stated you don't have that kind of background. The characterizations are close to form. Justin's reactions and his passionate pleas for immediate decisive actions from his typically single-minded and self-revolving viewpoints are believable and just how I would imagine him handling such devastating news.
I read QaF for Brian. You are showing Brian's inner strength and his hidden tenderness in a truly heartbreaking manner. Brian's talk with Justin on his fears, rationale for waiting a week and the entire sections dealing with his learning his diagnosis/prognosis was so very well done. It had me in near tears at various points. Brian's need to maintain his dignity and a measure of control when his life is about to spin spectacularly out of control and into the abyss of the unknown is so true to character.
It is good to know he has his partner and hopefully, his other friends and pseudo family, to help him to whatever end.
Stylistically, the way you are writing overlapping alternating views of the same events makes for good reading and was a good choice.
I'm glad I refound your story.
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I really appreciate your insights into 'my' Brian and Justin here. They are spot-on, especially when it comes to Justin. And Brian... oh Brian. I'm not sure we will ever really know how close he came to buying that ticket to Ibiza.
I also appreciate your comment on the medical stuff. Part of the reason this story has taken me so long lies in trying to get that right. I'm glad the somewhat jumpy timeline/POV's works and isn't too confusing. I've never written first-person before so it's been a challenge!
Thank you so much for the thoughtful words (and kind compliment). I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Stay tuned!
Reply
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