[Report This]Date: Apr 12, 2019 1:59 pm Title: Chapter 20: Text Me When You Get There
Wow, this was great. Only Brian and Justin could make texting so much fun and sexy. I do read LaVieEnRose. I love reading it, but all that they are going through makes me so sad. She is an amazing writer to be able to keep coming up with new ideas to continue their story.
Author's Response:
Thank you! The texting only thing was hard because they’re not big on saying things! So I’m glad it worked as a device.
She does put Justin through a lot but, to me at least, there’s always a through line of hope and happiness. But we do need to know what we enjoy and what we don’t. I know I can’t read anything where either Justin or Brian die even though I know many of those fics are well-writtten. It’s all so personal what we can and can’t read.
Date: Apr 06, 2019 11:07 am Title: Chapter 19: How to Survive
Yay! Drag Bingo & Brian getting a cat? What a combo! Lol! TAG
Brian will do anything for his Sunshine...just don’t tell him that.
Author's Response:
[Report This]Date: Apr 01, 2019 2:51 am Title: Chapter 19: How to Survive
Great chapter. The bad times weren't too bad and the good times, well Brian got Justin a cat!!!
Author's Response:
I'm glad you liked the cat! Brian wanted to do something for Justin and just acted without thinking too hard about it - which is always best for Brian.
Date: Apr 01, 2019 2:23 am Title: Chapter 19: How to Survive
Another great chapter. I had never thought that the testing was part of the OCD, but it makes really good sense. A cat? Brian and Justin don't seem like animal people to me, but I guess a cat would be better for Brian as it sort of stays out of hte way.
Author's Response:
Haha yeah the cat is a bit OOC for Brian but I often think of Brian as doing things that he thinks will make Justin happy without examining his own actions too hard (like his decision to show up at prom).
Fear of illness is a type of OCD with HIV/AID infection a subtype. It's not very well-known but it's also not uncommon. Not everyone with it compulsively gets tested but it's not unheard of and it works better for the story :)
Date: Mar 31, 2019 6:04 pm Title: Chapter 19: How to Survive
Another great chapter! I'm worried a cat won't be enough to keep Justin from freaking out when Brian will be out.
A few parts I really loved:
Getting the domestic partnership had all the romance of a trip to the DMV.
Despite having apparently never being introduced to a hanger or a dresser drawer, Justin is incredibly organized when it comes to paperwork.
“I mean both Mikey’s parents are drag queens so you automatically assume he’ll love a place with drag queens?” A flush crept up his neck and cheeks. As much as the world has stolen his innocence, and I count myself among the world, his earnestness persists. “I mean you don’t think of Emmett as an Elvis fan just because he’s from Mississippi.”
Author's Response:
Thank you so much!
Having gotten a domestic partnership in CA in 2009, I can definitely say that line comes from experience. It didn't bother Brian at all but it did bother me and my (now) wife!
And yes, I like that our mess is never something that makes sense. Someone's house can be a disaster but they can be incredibly organized in other ways. Or vice versa! Humans are complicated.
And I'm so so so glad the humor in that last part came through. It wasn't easy coming up with a parallel for the joke and I'm glad I'm not the only one who chuckled.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
[Report This]Date: Mar 31, 2019 5:26 pm Title: Chapter 19: How to Survive
Forgot to do my rating.
Author's Response:
Eeee! Thanks ever so much!
Date: Mar 31, 2019 5:25 pm Title: Chapter 19: How to Survive
Congratulations on 100,000 words. That is fantastic. And, you have nothing to worry about with your writing. It is a great story, well written and I love it. Keep writing and I will keep reading. Great job.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I love writing it and some of the topics are very close to my heart and experience. Never easy to put it out there but this is such a supportive community and I'm so grateful to readers like you.
[Report This]Date: Mar 10, 2019 12:40 am Title: Chapter 18: A Bridge
Great chapter. RL is a pain at times, but it is the most important thing for you now. And, we will always be waiting for the next chapter no matter how long it takes. I only get upset when people just leave WIPS for months even years and no explanation. Fantastic writing as usual. Good luck this semester.
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and understanding! Sadly RL needs to take first place (gotta pay those bills!) but I also hate abandoned WIPs. I figure letting everyone know that it will be a a monthly posting schedule helps me not feel pressured and avoids folks thinking I’ve abandoned this. I couldn’t abandon my guys!
Date: Mar 09, 2019 2:14 pm Title: Chapter 18: A Bridge
This was a great chapter. I'm a huge fan of delving into the day to day lives of our characters. I know that makes the story move more slowly, but it does move and gives the reader an insight into the universe that you've created. I'm really enjoying the solicitous Brian and the one sentence conversations feel just like Brian in canon. I understand about once a month posting. I'm a teacher ( college) and get bogged down with class prep and grading papers. I'll look forward to reading more when you can post again.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! I know it makes the story go more slowly but I love a long drawn out story so I'm kinda writing the type of story I like best. I also work at a university, not as a professor, but in the counseling center. I'm still there during summers but it is so much quieter! I use being in an office with little else to do as a time to write - people's tax dollars hard at work! Thank you for reading!
Date: Mar 07, 2019 1:54 am Title: Chapter 18: A Bridge
As long as they keep communicating they'll do fine in CA. Justin's starting to feel at home, is Brian?
I like longer chapters, so the more the merrier.
Author's Response:
I think Brian is... we will have his POV in the next chapter so we will get insight into his adjustment.
I like longer chapters when I read so I do try to make each chapter as long as possible!
[Report This]Date: Mar 06, 2019 6:16 pm Title: Chapter 18: A Bridge
Amazing chapter! Thank you!
Apart the bridge episode and the nightmare, their trip went so well. And Daphne came. Always a great pleasure to read how Justin and Daphne are still best friends, and how much Brian loves her. I can't believe you made him fall asleep while the besties were talking.
Two parts I really love: so revealing and so accurate.
Brian let me see him disheveled and not perfectly “I’d fuck me” coiffed and I knew, I knew I was different somehow. And it felt like a Very Special Secret that I had to keep from everyone but especially from Brian.
He placed his arms on either side of my head and rested his head on top of mine like it was a bony, hairy pillow. I felt so safe beneath him like he was protecting me from the world, like he was my suit of armor.
Author's Response:
Wow, thank you so much! I'm so glad those parts stood out to you. I love writing Justin's insights into their relationship.
I had to make Brian fall asleep! I didn't know how to navigate Daphne sharing the details of her research with him awake. I wasn't sure how he would react so...night night Brian!
[Report This]Date: Mar 06, 2019 2:18 pm Title: Chapter 18: A Bridge
One step at a time. Talking is overrated, yet they somehow get to the same place together.
Author's Response:
Yep they don't need words to communicate!
Date: Mar 06, 2019 2:10 pm Title: Chapter 18: A Bridge
Despite Justin’s anxiety, it turned out to be quite a wonderful vacation. Reminds me of the year that I lived in California. TAG
Author's Response:
Oh I'm glad that the wonderful bits really came through!
Did you live in the Bay? I've lived in LA for nearly a decade, which I think qualifies me as a native.
Date: Feb 13, 2019 4:10 am Title: Chapter 4: The Interview
REally enjoying this story. Your questioning of Jsutin by the Psychiatrist is right on. When you put it in context of the show, he really has significant reasons to be be Depressed and has had a lot of stuff happen to him. Isn't TV grand?
Author's Response:
Thank you for reading and for you kind words! Yes, once I was writing I was actually a bit surprised how much in Justin's life could contribute to him being depressed. His not really having a stable home is always what stuck with me through the series.
Date: Feb 07, 2019 9:20 am Title: Chapter 17: Sharp Turn
Even with the seizure it sounds like good progress is being made.🙂 TAG
Author's Response:
Definitely! Good progress on their relationship, which, let's be honest, is what I care most about!
[Report This]Date: Feb 07, 2019 4:06 am Title: Chapter 17: Sharp Turn
Self prescribing isn't a good thing. Though his reasoning was a good one.
Author's Response:
Yes it can be very dangerous! The doctor also didn't take a thorough history.
[Report This]Date: Feb 07, 2019 2:42 am Title: Chapter 16: Exposure
OCD is tough. Your mind working against you. Brian is doing well.
Author's Response:
OCD is tough but it can be manageable as Justin is learning.
Date: Feb 06, 2019 9:30 pm Title: Chapter 17: Sharp Turn
Great chapter. Hearing all of this from Brian who keeps himself so closed off. Wonderful writing.
Author's Response:
Thank you! One reason I love Brian's POV is getting that insider info.
Date: Feb 06, 2019 9:29 pm Title: Chapter 17: Sharp Turn
Great chapter. Hearing all of this from Brian who keeps himself so closed off. Wonderful writing.
Date: Feb 06, 2019 4:57 pm Title: Chapter 17: Sharp Turn
A little angst to spice up their new life. Self medication in the worst case: Justin wanted to remain sexually active without asking about the side-effects. Too bad: he won't be able to drive for months. The only positive thing is that Brian will certainly act on a partnership.
I find this very accurate for Brian's behaviour: "And with Justin the urge to do everything in my power, short of wrapping him in bubble wrap, to protect him had always been made weird by my desire to also do utterly depraved things to him."
Author's Response:
Thank you! I'm glad you felt I was able to capture Brian in that description. He's my favorite but so hard to keep in-character. And yes, Brian will act on making sure they are legally protected!
Date: Jan 14, 2019 9:08 pm Title: Chapter 16: Exposure
Wow,, you really must have researched well to write such a fantastic chapter. Could feel all the emotions going on. I love that Brian is helping Justin again. He really does love him even if he can't always say it. If he didn't love him, he would just leave. My daughter suffers from panic attacks and the only thing that gets her through them is her husband just being there. He doesn't do anything that any of us could also do, but it only helps when it is him.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for your kind words. I work in the mental health field as well as live with my own mental health diagnoses so I have done a lot of research over the years. And yes, Brian speaks through his actions far more than words and actions are really what Justin needs now anyway. Panic attacks can be so frightening! Sounds like your daughter has her very own Brian in her husband :)
Date: Jan 14, 2019 3:18 pm Title: Chapter 16: Exposure
Go, Justin! You can do this! Especially with a sexy Brian there to distract you! TAG
Author's Response:
He definitely can...and sexy Brian who wouldn't want sexy Brian there to help you out?
Date: Jan 13, 2019 11:30 pm Title: Chapter 16: Exposure
It's so obvious when you explain it: Brian did right after the bashing and was doing wrong with Justin's OCD, by enabling his fears. Let's hope it will enough.
Justin needs to get rid of his "scared little faggot" state of mind because he is better and stronger than that; also, it's not bad for a guy to talk about feelings. I hope he will get that.
I loved the humour you put in the "shoulder workout" that Justin is getting with Regina.
Author's Response:
Brian was so wonderful after the bashing. It's one of my favorite arcs in the series!
Justin is learning it's okay to talk about feelings as a man. He's on a journey to unlearn a lot of what folx who are socialized as men are taught.
And I'm glad you liked the humor :) I gotta make myself laugh while I'm writing.
Date: Dec 29, 2018 1:46 am Title: Chapter 15: Finding the Horizon
Wow, powerful chapter. Poor Justin. Hope this is happiness somewhere down the line. Love that Brian is so patient with him. Great writing.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I'm glad that Justin and Brian's relationship is shining through - I think of their relationship as its own character.
Date: Dec 27, 2018 2:38 pm Title: Chapter 15: Finding the Horizon
Hopefully, Justin has turned a corner... TAG
Author's Response:
Yes - getting the correct diagnosis will go a long way in getting him the best treatment.