First of all, I want to thank all of you who have read this and all of you who left feedback. This experience has been a far cry from my first fan fic posting experience long ago. It's very encouraging to know that even when I post pieces that are slightly unconventional in their form and/or style, they are still readable and enjoyable for you. Thank you again for making this such a terrific experience for me!
silentinformer-I hadn't even logged off last night when I saw your post. I stuck around till you finished reading and posted feedback. Thanks you so much! That section you quoted was my absolute favorite out of both of them. I'm so glad you enjoyed it too. I have lots of longer stories in the works and since this has gone so well, I've promised myself I would get off my duff and finish some things. Thanks so much for reading!
meretricious-You know, I wondered how interesting it might be for people to read knowing what was coming next. I knew there wasn't much else style-wise like this around and I wondered if readers would stick with it or be turned off by the odd style. I'm glad you found it so entertaining. I have other stories in the works. It's just a matter of getting my lazy bones in gear. Thanks for reading!
The Rose24-I'm glad you enjoyed it. Tara always struck me as the kind of girl who had to be galvanized to do certain things, whether the catalyst was odd circumstances or feelings of moral obligation or what have you. She just needed a push in the right direction. The Geek sweatshirt was a late addition and really tied the clothing section all together for me. Thanks for reading!
EasierSaid-I think you've made me blush enough in the last couple of days, young lady.
I'm glad the second part was fresh for you too. I worried about it some, but hoped that seeing the world through Tara's very different eyes would keep readers involved. I thought this second one was much funnier, but I also think Tara has a more developed sense of humor than Willow. Willow is funny because she's a spaz. Tara is funny because she is a quiet observer of life and sees the ridiculous things we do to ourselves. And I'm working on other things. I have one that I may start to post before the end of the year if I can get through the rough draft in the next two weeks. You know me though.
Thanks again!
tarawhipped-I'm glad you enjoyed both parts! I knew I wanted them to share certain perspectives other than Officer Baxton and that one experience. Third shift life is like that. It's a much slower pace and so you can observe more. At least, that's what it was like for me. This is actually the second story where I've made Tara a DJ. (The other is as yet unposted.) I thought it fit her perfectly. Who does she have to interact with? Hardly anyone. And she doesn't have to worry about what she looks like or anything else. I'm glad it fit for you too. I think this particular storyline has come to a close, but I have lots of other things I'm working on. Thanks for reading!
Tempest Duer-Yeah, it took a while longer to get it where I wanted it. Thanks for looking at it for me though and I'm glad you like Tara's story as well. Thanks for reading!
Sassette-Wow! A vignette sized feedback for my vignettes.
Before I reply to this latest, I wanted to jump back to your first feedback. I completely forgot to mention the third shift vs. graveyard and I especially wanted to do that since Tara uses the word graveyard. I hesitated using that word. Let's face it, even if it's AU and I advertise it as such, it's still Buffy-related characters. But it struck me as such a Tara-ism that I kept it. Especially considering the near solitary conditions of her job - herself, a microphone, some music, a playlist, and one sleeping Roger. I worked nights in retail and we called it "overnight". I've worked nights in a factory and we called it "third shift". I also worked nights in EMS and called it the "graveyard shift". Of course that could be because we hauled more than a few to the morgue on that shift. I suspect it's the job. And, yes, you made me squeal and, yes, it was a good thing. Embarassing, but good. DO you have any idea how much I love Baxton now?
And, no, wrong prison for me too, but for him to be a beacon to our girls... I just laughed out loud. He was such a headache to write. I'm just ecstatic he turned out to be more than even I thought possible for him. Thanks so much for that! Willow as a third shift people-pleaser... I never thought of it that way really. I saw more of the avoiding the Cordelia Chase scene I think. Offices are ugly places during the day. I just didn't think Willow had the claws for it. And what you said about Tara and finding what is at her core is the biggest reason I love reading and especially writing AUs. She's difficult! There are these sort of vague, idealized concepts of who she is and I love being able to pin her down a little more; see who she is when growing up in a totally different environment. The challange always is to keep her recognizable and have the readers still be able to relate to her as our Tara. I'm glad you think I've succeeded with that. You know, after I finally settled on the final scene with Baxton, I realized Willow said only one word during the whole interaction. "Oh?" It immediately made me nervous. I realized the whole thing would take place solely in their heads and we couldn't hear Baxton at all. I wondered if the interaction that wasn't really there would show up. Did that make sense? The end was actually the first part I visualised. I could see how someone just introducing themselves could seem so innocuous and mundane, but in the great scheme of Willow and Tara - their inevitability as a couple - it would be significant and considering Tara's shyness, a large act of bravery. As soon as Willow's part was done, I had a title for Tara's. Coin Operated vs. Tumble Dry was the feel I wanted from both fics. Willow's order vs. Tara's meanderings. I'm glad it worked. And a beginning...yes, yes, definitely. It's just a reflection from both of them about how they first spoke. I could see them sitting down together to write it all out after they'd been together 25 years or so. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Sassette. You have no idea what it means to me to see you here and to read your thoughtful, intent feedback. Thank you so very much.
JustSkipIt-Wow! Another fav author makes an appearance here. Thanks so much! I preferred Tara's too, but just because I let myself write that one more. I really fought with Willow's for a time. Glad you enjoyed it!
MissKittys Ball O Yarn-If you're looking for something else well written, try Neverland by EasierSaid here on Pens. Awesome stuff! But thank you so very much for such high praise!
I don't have anything else posted right now, but I'm working on some things, most of them longer stories. Thanks for reading!
Artemis-CHRIS!!!!!!! How excited was I to see you in my thread?!!? And
ME on Looking Glass???? How many ways can I say YES! I'm glad you like the tone of it all. I could see Tara with that smile as I wrote it often too. I think I might have a minor obsession with AB's voice to be honest. This isn't the first time I've made Tara a DJ. I'm glad you like Baxton too. He was a pain in the ass, but it seems I finally got him right. Thanks so much for reading!!
behindhereyes-So glad you liked both! Thanks so much for reading!!
babyblue-See, I always thought Tara had an inner perv too! Actually, Tara has always struck my a surprisingly sensual. Now that doesn't automatically mean sexual, of course, but I think she's has a better idea of what she likes and is willing to indulge at least in her head over it. I'm glad you enjoyed this. I'm not sure how I could possibly continue it, but I have other longer stories in the works. Thanks so much for reading!
Dazed and Confused83-I'm really glad you enjoyed these! Unfortunately, this is the end of the road for these two particular incarnations of Willow and Tara. I wrote vignettes as a challange to myself. I tend to write things that turn out to be endless. So, I made myself write something short. Thanks for reading!!
Thanks again to everyone!!
Trom's Brain: Rubbing the World the Wrong Way
Edited by: TromDeGrey at: 12/2/04 12:22 pm