Reviewer: SunshineSally (Signed) · Date: May 12, 2015 05:38 AM · On: Neglect
Ooooh he needed to let some of that anger out, it's been bubbling for years :)
Reviewer: Angelstar2 (Anonymous) · Date: September 13, 2011 02:24 AM · On: Neglect
so emotional and yet so much growth! Thanks for writing!
Reviewer: JTSecrets (Signed) · Date: October 25, 2009 04:09 AM · On: Neglect
I pity you trying to answer all my reviews! hehehehe I know how much get a gob of reviews feels for a writer; I too have been blessed with the attention for my work. I don't expect you to answer all my comments. I did want to give you the hits; if you keep writing you'll pass Embraced at 828 right now without a doubt. Your ratio is over 12 reviews per chapter and that beats my lastest story approaching 1700 comments.
Getting reviews out of some these readers is harder than pulling the teeth out of a polar bear in a phone booth.
Your psychological evolution of Brian is spell-binding and it addicted me to read all chapter today.
Author's Response: *smiles* It's actually been fun answering them all. I really appreciate you wanting to add to the numbers; I don't think I'll catch up to Embraced... I doubt this story will be long enough. Of course, I keep thinking I can see the end of the story, but then somehow it just gets more involved instead...
You're right about reviews... I mean...550 times people have read, and 12 reviews? 1/60 review. Amazing... I can't be too harsh though; I owe a few reviews myself!
It delights me to know that the psych aspect of the story is important to people. The story means a lot to me on several fronts -- and one of them is sort of unusual. You see, Dr. Stevenson is sort of my psychology-theory avatar. He's the personification of my own viewpoint on psychology, a subject I've loved since I was 12. Themes from the story are ones I've read in case histories and journal articles; especially (at the deepest level) in Children With Emerald Eyes, as referenced in Chapter 25. So the story has a sort of added layer of scholastic importance for me, and is a sort of validation of long-held thoughts and ideas. So anyway, thank you very much for your feedback on that aspect of the story!
Reviewer: Hotesse (Signed) · Date: October 11, 2009 07:58 PM · On: Neglect
First - do not worry about not having time to update as often as before. I'm sure your readers have the patience to wait for the next chapter - your writing is of such quality that it's worth the wait - every time. In my case it's different because I broke down just over a month ago and decided to go back to school but did not cut back at work so I'm busier than ever. So I don't have time to go to MW that often and today I found two new chapters from you - what a treat! I love how Brian is opening up now to Lindsay, Dr. Stevenson and Justin of course. Really good!
I will save the next chapter for later - I really have to get my act together and study now!
hugs, Edda.
PS. kindergarten teacher. nice. do the kids parents know you are one of the best author of homoerotic stories in the world?
Author's Response: Congratulations on going back to school! I'm sure you're extremely busy in that case! I'm so happy that you mentioned the part with Lindsay; I thought it was a pretty sweet / tender moment myself.
I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter and it'll be worth the wait! :)
*hugs back*
P.S. Nope, I didn't mention that in my parent letter! And thanks so much for the compliment! :)
Reviewer: BluvsJ (Anonymous) · Date: October 07, 2009 07:44 AM · On: Neglect
I was thrilled to see an update..... Learing to cope with a "Bad" Gus.. made Brian realize how little time and effort his parents took dealing with him as a child... but.. this time he finally got angry about their Neglect ..instead of thinking it was what he deserved ... I also liked the fact he stuck to the rules and didn't drink alone..even though he really wanted to...
Author's Response: I'm so glad you liked the chapter! The part about not drinking was very poignant to me and I'm glad others saw it that way, too. :) I hope you'll like the following chapters, too. Thanks for your enthusiasm! :) :)
Reviewer: HalfTime1030 (Signed) · Date: October 06, 2009 09:47 AM · On: Neglect
Another fantastic installment! You do such an incredible job of illustrating the emotional rollercoaster that Brian is going through as he simultaneously deals with the hurt and anger with his past plus the security and happiness of his relationship & future with Justin. The phone call between Justin & Brian (well, both of them actually) I found especially moving- I could almost literally feel the tension and eventual comfort as the call went on.
My roomate Carolyn just started teaching high school Biology this year and is facing similar challenges with her IAP kids. Both my parents and 2 of my aunts were also teachers so I can totally empathize! I almost went into Elementary ED as my major but wisely realized *before* I graduated that I would not be well suited (emotionally) to the task; I really need a job I can leave at work - I take home too much stress as it is nevermind lesson plans, etc. But I did teach 1st grade Sunday School for 3 years, does that count? :)
I hope you can find some sort of balance and good strategies for handling the demands and stresses of this year. Lord knows I need to do the same thing with my job right now - if only my Director realized that while saying the words "Inventory Optimization" takes only mere seconds to utter, the actual process of revamping 50+ units will take quite a bit longer. Especially since that's only one of four major projects he wants done in addition to my regular, day-to-day stuff (which takes at least 4 hrs a day) and not even mentioning all the little things that pop up in between needing immediate/urgent attention... but hey, it's job security right? ;-)
So relax. You chapters are always worth the wait - and as much as we hate to admit it, real life issues come before BJ issues. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm excited to hear your feedback about the phone calls. It's very hard for me to tell how they play out for readers because I can't describe much physical interaction and have to rely so much on just the dialog, so I'm thrilled that it worked despite that limitation.
I think you have a great insight about being emotionally suited to the job. Sometimes I don't think I am; see, I'm very emotional, but not expressive of it (except in writing!). But I've found that the key to my job (sad, perhaps, but true) is just to forget everything that happened immediately. It's amazing how often someone asks how the day was and I can't remember anything.
Balance is awfully tricky. It sounds like a good goal for both of us -- otherwise it sounds like they'll swallow you whole!
Thanks so much for your support! :)
Reviewer: Lori (Anonymous) · Date: October 06, 2009 03:29 AM · On: Neglect
First of all I love this story. I like how Brian is finally coming to terms on how his family treated him. I also work in special education but in grades 6-12. Teenages some times you just want to strangle them lol. Please keep going with this story, am really enjoying it .
Lori
Author's Response: I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!
I bet teenagers would be quite an experience. Sometimes I try to imagine where my students will be at that point. For some of them, it's very hard to say because their behavior is so immature. Let's hope that improves in the next ten years! :)
Reviewer: Kitty_Ballou (Signed) · Date: October 06, 2009 12:30 AM · On: Neglect
You did it again!!! And even if I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes I just found out what QaF + all these fantastic fanfictions really did and do for me... It's my own therapy! Cause I just found out some things about my childhood I never thought about before! So I just have to thank you so much for writing this story!!
*hugs*
Author's Response: *smiles with understanding*. Some fics are that way for me, too. And I think writing them is sort of self-therapeutic in a way, though for me the story is a weird mix of things I've felt but for other reasons than Brian's, and a testing of some of my ideas in psychology, through my avatar of sorts, Dr. Stevenson. So I guess that does make it quite self-therapeutic!
It's truly a gift to know that the story is helpful for others in a meaningful way, so thank you so much!
*hugs back!*
Reviewer: MissMoe (Anonymous) · Date: October 05, 2009 11:04 PM · On: Neglect
You're back!!!*hugs* I adored this chapter. You really truly had Brian open up. I would never expect a story centered around Brian to be so emotionally driven, but you pull it off wonderfully. I love how you don't just continue on wtih one topic and stay there. You keep things moving, and your updates are so worth the wait :) By the way...perfect time to update...my birthday is tomorrow :)
Btw...teaching Special Education Kindergarten-first grade in an inner city school. God bless you. I volunteered in both those situations and sometimes it's fun and sometimes it's very challenging so, god bless. I can see why it took a bit to update.
Author's Response: Happy Birthday!! :)
I like your idea of the story being emotion-driven; I never thought about it that way, and it's a very apt description. I got the next update up sooner, but on no special occasion that I know of! (Though maybe I'll aim my next update to be on my birthday later this month...! :) ).
Challenging is also a good word, maybe the perfect description of my job, especially with this year's class. Every minute is a challenge, it seems. But that's the way to learn, right? ;)
Thanks again for your enthusiasm and support! :) :)
Reviewer: nicole (Anonymous) · Date: October 05, 2009 03:12 PM · On: Neglect
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I really have enjoyed your story so far. I am always happy when a new chapter is posted. I would like to give you props for being a special ed teacher especially in the inner city. My mother is a teacher and has friends in special ed. She always says that anyone who teaches it is a very special person. So I just wanted to tell you that you must be extra special for taking on young children with various needs. I hope that your school year will mellow out a little.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support. It isn't an easy job, but I love the kids and I end up learning a lot. This year I think I'll learn more than ever, probably. And I can only hope it mellows, even if only for safety's sake at this point.
Thanks so much also for reading! I'm o happy that you're enjoying the story! :) :)
Reviewer: Marny (Signed) · Date: October 05, 2009 01:58 PM · On: Neglect
I don't know what to say ... it's just ... aggrr ... I'm speechless.
I wish my englisch was much better, than I could give good comments. I love every word you write. It's such a beautiful emotional story. I hope you never end this story.
* hugs *
Author's Response: Aww, your comments are always wonderful, so don't ever worry about that! You are so sweet! I am thrilled that you liked the chapter so much. For what it's worth, I wonder if I'll ever end the story!! ;)
*hugs back!*
Reviewer: edom (Signed) · Date: October 05, 2009 01:00 PM · On: Neglect
Soooo glad to see an update to this, I have missed this story :)
It's good that Brian called Justin when he wanted to drink and that Justin knew exactly what to say to calm him down. Giving Brian his hour over the phone was brilliant, he really needed that connection, that love.
I can understand why Brian was afraid of the fact that he wanted to get hit as a child, but it's perfectly understandable that he felt that way; it's all he's ever known.
I'm looking forward to the next chapter and hopefully Jusitn's homecoming.
Author's Response: Hi,
The idea of doing the hour over the phone came as I was writing (as so many things do), and I was really happy with the idea, too. I'm glad that his fear of his own feelings came through; I wasn't sure it would make sense. I really hope you'll like the next chapter. :)
Thanks for sticking with the story!
Reviewer: wh8208 (Anonymous) · Date: October 05, 2009 12:58 PM · On: Neglect
HI~!!! Long time no see!! :)
I've been waiting soooooo long.
I also enjoyed this chapter alot! Brian is starting to see the injustice and be angry about it not just ignoring it.
Keep up the good work!!!
I am glad you are back.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for waiting! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the chapter -- Brian's anger is awfully good to see, isn't it? :)
Reviewer: sjmpets3 (Signed) · Date: October 05, 2009 12:11 PM · On: Neglect
big break throughs for him this weekend. i am so proud of him. mainly just opening up his mouth and letting the words out. as he could see, the way things went with gus over the weekend didn't hurt either one of them. that he could call justin instead of reaching for the bottle speaks volumes. it was a big step for him to let some of his anger out. he's getting there and that thought alone makes me smile.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for mentioning the part about calling Justin when he wanted to drink; to me that was a pretty big moment. I think that's another reason he likes the rules so much; they help him make a choice that he might not otherwise want to make, or that he might worry about making.
In the next chapter, he keeps working on the anger, though the issue still isn't "resolved" (that doesn't seem like the right word even, but oh well).
Thanks so much for your continued support! :)
Reviewer: scrub13 (Signed) · Date: October 05, 2009 11:32 AM · On: Neglect
Horrible....and yet so very beautiful at the same time. Reading about Brian's growth, torment, realization of love, and continuing struggle to deal with his past is a true joy!!!! He's come a long way and he can be proud of the fact that he's beaten alot of his demons and more importantly he knows the demons exist and that they only hurt him if he lets them.
So glad you are still writing this story. And I completely understand about this time of the year. I work as a Special Education/Collaborative teacher in an elementary school. I work with 18 students K-5th.
Author's Response: I think you have a really good point about Brian knowing that the demons of his past exist. It's really the only way he can beat them -- if he knows them. That process is a painful one in itself, as poor Brian is finding out.
That's a pretty big grade range, though i guess you'd have lots of variety that way!
Reviewer: Cait (Anonymous) · Date: October 05, 2009 11:32 AM · On: Neglect
Yes!!!!!! I missed this so much :) thanks for the update (amazing as per usual) and I am so, so, so looking forward to the next chapter when Brian gets to talk about his newfound understandings and accomplishments with Justin. hearts!
Author's Response: Thanks so much for your enthusiasm!! I've been so happy that people haven't forgotten the story! I hope you'll like his reunion with Justin in Chapter 35! :) Thanks so much for reading!
Reviewer: Gina Marie (Signed) · Date: October 05, 2009 10:31 AM · On: Neglect
Well you haven't lost me! I was so happy to see an update! Loved how Brian finally faced the reality that his parents sucked. And glad to see him talk about wanting to be hit by them. Totally understandable for a child in his circumstances. Bad attention is better than no attention at all. The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. When Jack was beating him, or Joan was yelling at him, they were 'hating' him, and in his mind, as long as they hated him, they still had feelings. A bad feeling, true, but a feeling for 'him' none the less. And it gave hope that if they could feel hate towards him that one day they may feel love. But to have your parents feel nothing, well that's the worse thing ever.
Great update! Glad you're back!
Author's Response: Hi! I'm so happy to hear from you. I really love your point about indifference being the opposite of love. That's a very succinct way to encapsulate what I was trying to say. I'm so glad it came through! :) Thanks for staying around and I hope you'll like Ch. 35! :)
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