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| The River by Indigo Bunting | 22 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/16/2006 |
| Hi, just stopped by to give a little nudge. Hope all's well. :0) Author Reply: Hey there, cookiefleck. You're not the only one to give me a push. It's amazing how quickly two months can go by. Chapter 12 took forever because I had to walk away from it a few times (it just wasn't coming well), but I think this one's taking a while mostly because it's long. I've been working on it since the last posting, and it's just a hair under 9000 words at present. I might even hit 10,000 words before I finish it, but it's hard to say. If you want to know what's going on at the moment, Sam is doing some 'splainin and I'm doing some rereading/revisions. I already know how I want this section to end, and that's the next step - to get to the end. Pretty much everything else in the chapter has been written. And then I get to decide who gets chapter 14 - probably either Sam or Legolas. It's been a while since we heard from them. Usually I know well in advance which POV a chapter will be from, but now that I've gotten through all nine members of the Fellowship (Pippin gets chapter 13), I'm back to repeats. Anyway, thanks for the 'hello'. I hope that it won't be too long before I post again! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/14/2006 |
| Well, I'm finally online long enough to do more than read a quick story or two and post, and so am now caught up. I think you've done a wonderful job with Merry's voice, and have expressed his mingled fears, shame, and relief very well. The worry would have been terrifying to all, and to see Aragorn's relief displayed so succinctly and yet so well was wonderful! Lovely! Author Reply: It sounds like you've been having computer troubles, then. I'm sorry to hear that, but congratulations on being back online. I am glad to hear that you are still enjoying the story. My pace is much slower now than it used to be, but writing continues to be a pleasure. I hope that the next chapter will be up before long! | |
| Ariel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/6/2006 |
| MUCH better... Apparently I explained it well because I didn't stumble over anything at all this time! Wonderfully done and an excellent chapter - I like the very organic relationships you have presented - nothing forced, nothing bizzare and the characters in character (which is what I like)! Excellent Frodo - (I just get SO tired of people who make him the whimp of the century) and if you were afraid of not finding Merry's voice, I'd say you did quite well. I hope this means we'll be seeing new chapters of this story more frequently? (hey, I can hope, can't I?) Author Reply: To be fair, there was a lot of thinking in Merry's chapter and less talking. The next chapter is more talky, so we'll see how it goes. That chapter with Legolas and Garan squaring off is a bit messy in places; there was a lot that I was trying to cram in there. I had the things they were saying to one another plus what Legolas was thinking about the things they were saying. I haven't gone back to try and clean it up yet, and while I'm sure it will probably always seem a bit stilted to you, it could be tidied a bit. As near as I can tell, Wimpy Frodo comes from the movies. They contain an awful lot of slo-mo shots of Elijah Wood's big, big eyes. I think that people sometimes forget everything about Frodo except for those select shots. Anguish! Anguish! Anyway, the new chapter is definitely coming along faster than Merry's did although they're not rolling off my fingertips in the manner of those middle chapters. I still love writing the story, but it's just happening at a more measured pace. Chapter 14 is up to 7000 words, though, so it's getting there! And since you came to chapter 13 so late, you don't have to wait as long as everyone else. :) | |
| Ariel | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/5/2006 |
| Good grief! I kept looking for the new chapter after you answered my last review but after a week of not finding it, I sort of forgot to look! Well, at least I've found it now and am delighted to have a new chapter to read! Goody! I'll give you another review after I've read it, but I wanted thank you for answering my previous review! *settles in for the good read she has learned to expect from Indigo.* Yeah! Author Reply: Glad you found the chapter, Ariel! I always like it when I look up a story I'm following and find a new chapter. Unexpected treats are great. Will say more in my reply to your second note. | |
| aya_shoru | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/23/2006 |
| next chapter next chapter next chapter, this one was good, need more O_O! Author Reply: It's coming, it's coming! I'd estimate that the next chapter is about half done at this point. | |
| aya_shoru | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/11/2006 |
| oh i LOVE it, please update soon, i really want to know what happends next. Author Reply: Thanks, aya_shoru! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I'll get the next chapter done as quickly as I can. | |
| Nightwing | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/9/2006 |
| Forgive me for arriving so late to review this chapter! I read it the very first day it was posted (of course!), but then I got knocked over by the flu, and we went out of town for the holiday. It is good to have the Fellowship together again, and I enjoyed the time for some quiet and reflection as they retreat to their little shelter and tend the wounded. A nice change from all the wild activity of the previous chapters, but no less packed with emotion. Merry's POV is a nice choice. Through him we get the flashback of Sam's rescue and resuscitation, and the emotional impact such a responsibility had on Merry. It would have been terrifying, and it was, because it was written well. I liked also Merry and Gimli's observation of Aragorn's hidden concern for Legolas. These little moments and exchanges between the different members of the Fellowship make this story very compelling. Great conversation between Merry and Pippin regarding the Ring's influence. They all feel the strain of the thing's presence among them, and I have no doubt it has toyed with each of the Fellowship in turn, seeking the one to focus on. If Boromir had found someone to confide in, things might have gone differently for him. The scene when Legolas came half-awake and cried out his concern for Sam was done well. The elf and the hobbit have forged a strong bond of friendship. A bit of calm before the next storm? I look forward to Sam and Legolas waking and telling their story, and to the return - I have no doubt - of the bad guys. Will Garan get what he deserves, and which member of the Fellowship will take him on? A stand-off with Gandalf? He wouldn't dare! Though I expect he overestimates his abilities as a sorcerer. Gandalf will squash him like a bug, and I will enjoy that very much. Or perhaps Legolas will take one look at the guy and promptly remove his head from his body. That would be very gratifying too. See you next update, whenever the time is right. Author Reply: Hello there, Nightwing! I must say, it’s nice to hear from you once again. I’ve got to admit that I always look forward to your comments very much, but as we all know, life happens. It’s really very generous of you to review every chapter – and to do so at such great length. Glad you liked Merry’s perspective on things. It’s hard to comprehend just how horrible it would be to have the responsibility of saving the life of someone I knew and cared about. I am certified in CPR, but I do hope that I never need to use the training. Back in Aragorn’s chapter, he left his own fears unvoiced and did his best to bring hope to the rest of the company. He still feels the need to do that even though the others really are holding up well, all things considered. It can’t be easy for him to know that he’s done everything he can, and that all he has left to do is wait. Wait for death, wait for life – wait for the Men to come. Tough times. But Merry and Gimli did see through the front, and now the caretaker is being taken care of… just a little. Yes! I agree with you about Boromir’s fall resulting (perhaps) from the fact that he never spoke about the Ring’s influence on him. It’s such a shame that he didn’t talk to someone about it. If he had, he might have found out that he wasn’t alone, and he would have had someone to share the burden with. Another member of the Fellowship might have helped him to see with clearer eyes. Thanks for saying that you liked Legolas’ waking-up scene. Ever woken up the day after something awful has happened, only to suddenly remember the occurrence and realize (with sinking heart) that it wasn’t a dream? Or been unconscious for whatever reason and had the bizarre experience of coming back around? I haven’t had those experiences many times, but that’s what I was thinking of. It’s such a disorienting feeling for a time – and then everything comes rushing back. I imagine that it would be especially confusing to wake up in a strange place, surrounded by people that hadn’t been there before. Legolas happened to be conscious enough to notice when he and Sam were separated in the river, so he was remembering his failure – and believing that Sam had drowned. I look forward to writing the resolution of the conflict between Garan and the rest of the Fellowship. You’re right – Gandalf would totally squash Garan like a bug – but everyone else in the Fellowship has it in for him, too. I’ve got plans for Garan. | |
| StillandSilent | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 7/2/2006 |
| I was so worried that this fic had been abandoned! I love this story and am dying to find out what happens next. Author Reply: So glad you like the story so much! I hope that everyone who’s reading feels a little better knowing that I’ve cleared the air on the topic of story abandonment. Maybe this sounds weird, but I really enjoy going back and reading my own writing. If enough time has passed since it was first put down on paper, it all feels new again. In a way, I’m as eager to read what happens next as anyone else could be – even though I know what’s going to happen. | |
| cookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/24/2006 |
| Was thrilled to find a new chapter. I love the story and how you are portraying Sam... and all of them. I haven't forgotten Sam was coming down with something and look forward to seeing what further angst you wring from that. Great relationship between Sam and Legolas. And just great drama - and writing - throughout. It continues to feel "real" and I eagerly await each new chapter. Author Reply: Hello, cookiefleck! It’s great to hear from you again. I’m so glad that the story still seems ‘real’ to you. I have loved writing the growing friendship between Sam and Legolas. Heck, I just love the Fellowship and the very idea of all these folk of different races coming together to forge bonds and resist evil. | |
| lovethosehobbits | Reviewed Chapter: 13 on 6/23/2006 |
| With a strange look on his face, Strider reached out and took the offering. “A man who gives selflessly is noble indeed. Surely the people of Gondor do not love you without cause.” Well said and a delight to see Boromir's good side. I am sorry that I review so little. I am pressed for time like yourself...(check Labyrinth and see how hard it is for me to update). It's nice to know I'm not the only one who is behind on updates ... and I too, will NEVER not finish a story. All of your fics are fabulous and I have you on my author alert so I get to read every one of them even if I am lousy at reviewing. Good job, truly! Author Reply: Welcome back, lovethosehobbits! I’m glad that you liked Boromir’s actions. He’s not a bad guy; he was blinded by his own good intentions, but the Ring needed time to work on him. It’s a pleasure to show him in a favorable light. I understand how it can be hard to review. I’ve been trying to be better about that, myself, in large part because I’ve learned how important feedback is to a writer. It does take time. I can’t bring myself to leave a half-baked review, not when I see what treats people like you leave for me. Thanks for deciding to drop in! | |