I don't usually make comments, but I was intrigued on this. I'm not inclined to flame either, as I recognise that many of the writers are quite young and need to work a little more. However, I've seen writers who have little regard for even typing spaces between words, do things like put "hate-lists" in their profiles and use script-form. They get flamed all the time and they don't seem to take a blind bit of notice. It's a really strange thing, isn't it? Personally, I'd give them words of advice, but they don't seem to listen to advice either. It just goes to show that flaming and ranting about others' fanfiction is just such a pointless thing.

I definitely share your views. One flame (more like a smouldering ember) I received was about the most pointless thing ever - the fact that I use English grammar over American grammar (perhaps because, you know, I'm English). It was so ridiculous. People just confuse me.

I also agree with the whole ratings thing. It's not exactly difficult. >.> Mind you, you have to admit that reading some of these sites can be amusing as well as irritating.

Oh, and don't worry, I'll make sure to give you some *good* constructive criticism! (If you hadn't guessed, I'm the Kryssie from ff.net who's been reviewing your fic recently...)

Ha ha! Yes, I went on a tirade last night...*laughs* Guess I was just blowing off steam. Been a rough couple weeks. (good excuse-ha ha)

Yeah, there are authors who just don't care if their stuff is crap. That's sad, because the way I see it is why waste time on something if you don't plan on doing a good job (or at least trying)? I guess it's a personal thing. If I see a script, I just hit the back button. Scripts, to me, are lazy writing. I can wade through bad grammar, poor punctuation, and shifty sentance structure if the story seems to have plausable ideas. Usually, you can tell who's trying and who isn't. *laughs* I might leave advice, but ultimatly, it's up to the author to decide if they want to take it or not. If they don't, I have no problem reading someone elses story instead.

Flamers just bug me. Rude people bug me in general (I come off as rude, but really, I'm not-at least I hope not *cringe*). I respond to rudeness in kind, which isn't the "big" thing to do, but once I get my hackles raised about something, it's hard to divert my attention else where. *laughs* Runs in my family. With flamers, they don't care if someone is trying. Sadly, most of them wouldn't know how to write a decent review if they were given one to copy. Insults and meanness is the only thing they have going for them.

I agree, sites like the one I listed do have some laughable qualities. I enjoy my fanfiction, but not enough to take it so seriously. It's fun, but many (not all) of the people over there seem intent on making others feel bad and sucking the enjoyment out of what makes fan fiction so unique.

*laughs* Someone tried to correct your "English" grammar? How nice of them...people are so ignorant sometimes. The english language is so varied, just like any other language. Amazing how many native speakers don't realize that. In fact, many years ago, I spent some time in the southern part of the US with my cousin. They speak (as you probably know) a lot more slowly and with more stress on their syllables than where I come from. My cousin and I got into a heated argument about the word "whatever". He told me I was saying it wrong. That I added a "d" where the "t" should be. He insisted that the word was two seperate words and I was an idiot for saying to wrong. I had the last laugh when we talked with my other cousin, a professor of English, and she told him the word was indeed one word, though neither of our pronounciations were incorrect. *laughs* That was an interesting summer. I spent a lot of time being confused by my own language.

Anyhoo...If you've made it this far, I commend you. *laughs* Thanks once again for reading my stories. I honestly appricate every last review I get and am happy everyone has been so kind and helpful!

Take care!

Yeah, I agree. Fanfiction is purely fun, so there's more scope for creativity and interpretation. If you've seen my profile (don't read my fics, they're years old and not me at all!), you might have guessed I write original fiction now, which I tend to take way too seriously (as I want to be published someday, god help the readers). Sometimes I just wish I could kick back and write freely like in fanfiction, but I can never stop fussing. It bugs me that people want to suck out all the fun of it.

You don't come across to me as rude, actually. Assertive, not aggressive! ;] Yeah, the English/American thing can prove amusing sometimes. Like, over here, "fags" is slang for "cigarettes" as well as keeping its, uh, original meaning. I tried explaining that to my American friend and failed miserably. =D The only thing that really annoys me is when they tell me that "realised" is incorrect. It's not and neither is "realized".

Yeah, you know I'm absolutely loving your story to bits. I'm gonna kick back and wait for the next chapter now and maybe work on my own fics *coughslackercough* for once. Nice to finally talk to you! See ya!

Yeah, there's all sorts of variations of phrasing and whatnot between American, English, Australian, etc. My sister spent some time in Australia one summer and had the worst time understanding that "chips" were "french-fries" and not Ruffles or Pringles. Ha ha! She was confused! *(sis, I know you're reading this! Don't deny it!!! ;) )

I haven't seen your bio. You've been signed in as anoymous so I couldn't look it up. Do you have stuff on fiction press? I'd be interested in reading it.

I'd love to be published one day. I've been doing research for a novel for over a year now, and have just begun to write it. (hence part of my delay on my FF.net story) I take it waaaaaay more seriously than any of my fanfiction, so I know where you're coming from there. Fanfiction gets my brain going, I use it to try different things, work on weak areas (which I have a ton of), and just exert nervous energy. Writing orginal stories is scary! I tear my hair out over plot, voice, sentence structure, etc!!! Fanfiction, I don't worry "too" much about it...but in some respects, fanfiction is a tough sell, considering your readers have so much insight to the orginal story already...*laughs* I worry about OOC, characterziations and dailogue a lot more with fanfiction than my orginal stuff...

Crap, I hope I made SOME sense...I think I need to go to be. Ha ha!

Anyway...

Hopefully, I'll finish chapter 13 this week. Sis is coming to visit over the weekend, so I won't have time to write much...Friday is my goal for a chapter update!

:)

Yeah, I have trouble signing in on my ff.net account. I haven't used that thing since I was 14/15 (I'm considerably older now, practically an adult) so I tend to sign reviews anonymously. Also, this e-mail address I'm using no longer functions, I just use it for security reasons (stop things spamming my email or people finding it and trying to send me things), which is why ff.net doesn't like signing me in. You could search my name, but for some reason, ff.net doesn't like the 'ss' in my name when using the search, so just search 'Krys' and you'll find it there. It's not interesting anyway, so only if you're bored.

Yeah, I've 3 or 4 stories in my head that I'm trying to write out a little before I put anything up. I tend to keep my real internet alias seperate from my ff.net one, as I've had some mishaps in the past where people IRL discovered my fics and thought it was hilarious to, uh, give me grief over it. Secret double life an' all. =D If I ever post anything up, I'll let you know, since I'd value your opinions, but I wouldn't tell you under this age-old name. I'd probably e-mail you, actually. If I do put stuff up on fp.com, some of my friends would be seeing it too, so I'd keep my two accounts seperate.

I'm trying to look at my original fiction in a fanfiction sort of light. People may laugh about fanfiction and call you "sad", but it's excellent practice, whether you're young or not. And I haven't written it since I was 15, save for a random FFX fic that I wrote spontaneously, so that's still very young to me. I think you wrote in a blog entry ages ago about adults not understanding other adults' love for animes and comics and all the rest of it. Each to their own, I say, whatever makes you happy.

Enough blabbering anyway. I hope you post the next chapter up by Friday! ^___^ Really waiting in anticipation for it! Your characterisations are great, in my opinion, especially Nel's, who's harder to write. I've been reading over the site and I see some people complaining about Nel not being cold enough in some fics. Yeah, she may do the whole cold-hearted thing in the game, but Clair says in a PA that she's actually just a kind and naive woman. So, I guess it really does depend on interpretation.

Okay, now I'm just spamming your poor journal. I'll speak to you later, perhaps in a review? =D
Good luck with that chapter!

Okay, I promise this is the last time I spam your journal, but since I mentioned looking at my ff.net profile: I just went to check my profile and everything's gone! I managed to salvage my fave authors list and added something to my bio, but I started to re-add fave stories and my internet went weird on me. I guess it's because my account is no longer valid. Still, check up on yours and keep everything backdated, in case it wasn't. I'd hate for TMTB to go missing. =(

Right, I really am going now.

*laughs* You aren't spamming! Feel free to post whenever you like! It's nice talking to people about different topics! Especially writing.

My e-mail is charmin22 at hotmail dot com (spelled out to thwart spam, of course). E-mail me any time!

Yeah, somewhere there's probaby a couple rants about the crap I get for being "old" and liking cartoons and comics. Ha ha! I have a birthday coming up in a few months...and lets just say this coming year is the last year I'll be in my twenties... ;) Doesn't matter. Like what you want! Be happy! Yay!

Crud...gotta go to work.... *wipes sleep from eyes*

Have a great day!

Haha, I couldn't be sure. I tend to go on a bit.

I swear these things were made for adults and not 'kids' anyway. Yeah, I read some random entries on here and on your deviantart journal, so I knew your age. =D (Well, you mentioned having a ten-year-old boy that you gave birth to when you were 18, so I kinda figured it out from there). It makes you 11 years older than me, so it's nice to talk to someone who has a more grown-up attitude to these things. And you're hardly 'old', you know. By my reckoning, the ages of Nel and Albel should be near yours in your fic, or so I tried to work out. How much time has meant to have passed in your fic since Luther? I got the three years bit, so I figured it must have been at least four for Kaine to have been born. I like the fact that SO3 doesn't just have a surplus of teenage characters in it, like some RPGs...

Yeah, once I sort out my fics, I'll be sure to send you an e-mail. But, uhh, that could take quite a while... *cringes* Especially with my final school exams coming up. Bah.

Yeah, they're around my age. 28-30, though I specifically didn't put that in because knowing me, I'd forget and screw up the time line somehow. I try to stay away from specific dates and what not. I tend to change things after I plot out my rough time-line, so dates and ages are bad for me. *laughs*

Nah, I'm not old...at least I don't feel that way today. Ask me tomorrow, I might have a different answer. Ha ha! Age is just a state of mind. Yeah, we have responisbilities when we're older, but by no means should I have to give up stuff I love and start watching CNN all day...*cringe* My family teases me, but I don't care. My mom is into geneology, she takes pictures of tombstones. I think that's pretty damn creepy... To each their own, as you said.

I added a new catagory today. I think I'm going to start sharing more of the writing tips I've found lately. I've read a few really helpful books, so I think I'll link them later and do a short blurb. After I finish chapter 13...which I'll hopefully get done tonight and edit tomorrow.

Your mum sounds really cool. =D! And yay for Chapter 13!

Omg, your latest post just totally reached out to me! I'm totally losing my voice with my writing. I'm torn between writing what I think is acceptable to others and what I want to really say. And I do SO procrastinate, because I think it will be really bad and thus don't want to write it. I think you have the right attitude with your updates. You keep up a pace and it shows in your writing. That's why I will go back to fictionpress one day - to give myself *something* to update regularly.

I agree about the "raw" and "real" writing. I don't know much about American standards of how you are supposed to write, but I bet you write with SO much more intensity than what they say is acceptable. I used to have a friend like that. He wrote real and raw straight from the heart and his stories touched me immensely (Go and see! He's called Foxmerc on ff.net but if you're not into Star Fox then you might find it boring).

Don't get me started on education, though. I'm still in it (damn A Levels) and I'm (hopefully) starting university this autumn in an English Lit. and Creative Writing class. I dread to think what they're gonna feed to me in that class, but I still want more knowledge, criticism and scope for my writing. I despair on what they're teaching the kids of today (and how some of them are turning out) but Hunter seems pretty special, so I bet he'll turn out to be an excellent writer in the future.

I'd love to hear more tips on writing. I might look into some of the authors you suggested, as I don't read very much. I tend to write more than read, getting all my inspiration from videogames and music. I don't watch very much in the way of TV either. Anyway, I'd better go now. It may be dinnertime for you guys over there, but over here it's getting quite late!

Speak soon.

Actually, according to the articles I've read about the market, the here in the US editors are looking for people who write 'raw' and in their 'own voices'. Apparently, one of the reason so many people trying to get published fail is because they're writing is stuff or mimics another author's. I'm still reading up on it, but I think I'll try to post stuff at least once each week about writing. That'll be fun. I've noticed a lot of people from FF.net coming here. I don't know if they read anything or if they're looking for manga translations (which i do VERY few of), but sharing never hurt any one! :)

If you read any of the books, I'd read the Stephanie Plum series. They're just fantastic. I was really skeptical at first, normally I like dark fantasy, fantasy, science fiction, or classics, but I read all 9 books in two weeks. A few of them twice! Ha ha! Few stories make me laugh outright, but hers do. She has a very, very strong author voice. ;)

Okay, well, I'm off to work on TMTB a bit before I go pick Hunter up from Tennis! Talk later! ;)

Awesome. I might take a look at them. I love fantasy too - I'm currently working on two fantasy fics and one science fiction. I'd like to think one of the fantasies is pretty dark, but who knows with my mind? Like I said, I'd definitely be interested in reading some writing tips. I find your entries on this blog to be pretty interesting in their own right, too. Shame it's not an LJ, as I'd friend you, but I guess too many blogs would be overkill! =D
Catch ya later.

Do you blog too? I started this one a year or so ago (on another site) the my cousin hooked me up with this one on dreamhost. He's cool! (thanks Jeff!) I keep things random, whatever suits my fancy at the time. I'm acutally amazed at how many people read this thing. Only a few post though, but I don't mind. I keep my "friends list" in the side bar, since there's no option for that with moveable type.

Fantasy is fun! I've been researching Celtic Gods, the sidhe, dragons, angels and demons for over a year now. I've got stacks of information piled in my room. I'm working on the first chapter, but looking back at it, I've come to the conclusion setting and perspective are giving me the most trouble. *sigh* I can't seem to make a decision on where I want this to take place (modern day or made up world). Not to mention I'd really enjoy writing a first person perspective. For some reason I find those easier (easier to use "my voice" ha ha), but the story is told from two different people points of view...soooo, I guess my delemma is decided, but I'm reluctant(procastinating). I'm reading several books (novels) right now that deal with this kind of story-multiple perspective (Samaria novels and Dragon Prince saga). I read a lot...a whole lot, and glean much of my "learning" from other works.

Dark fantasy is so much fun, but I like humor thrown in too. People are so rounded and emotions change in the blink of an eye. I try to do that with TMTB. Even when things are crappy in life, there's still stuff that is funny (like that saying "So abusurd it's almost funny.") I was a bit surprised to see the reactions from the "Plum incident". *laughs* I don't believe in 'beating around the bush' when putting events into words. If something is horrible, write it as horrible, make it stick...though I'll admit, I toned it down for the sake of ff.net. ha ha I thought of moving the story to adultff.net, where they're not as picky about content, but most of the stories there are smutty. Romance is okay once in awhile, but raunchiness bothers me.

The hardest thing about Albel is fleshing him out. Many people don't see deeper than the game. I'm trying to envision him as a "real" person, with "real" reactions and emotions. I'm constantly fretting over that. Nel is hard too, though videogame Nel and manga Nel are very, very different (IMO). I draw a bit from both with her.

Well, back to work...(yuk)
Take care!

Do I blog? Man, do I! I usually post every day and sometimes write long entries (I rant a lot), much the the chagrin of my friends list. Hehehehe. And hey, you've got me commenting now! (beveryafraid) You say some pretty interesing things here. I'm glad I started reading it. I tend to check it from your ff.net account to see what's going on. Not that I'm a nosy girl or anything...

Yeah, I find many a thing to annoy me with my stories. One's split into two parts, which always seems to bug me when I think about the layout. The first part is like an extended prologue (could be ten chapters) and it's basically a background story to the characters (which is needed for massive character development like whoa) but I have a feeling that it could go wrong. Won't know until I finish the damn book! I've seen books with parts like that in, so I don't feel too bad about it.

Yeah, I have like the wildest imagination ever, so it's always gotta be Fantasy for me (

I love your use of humour in TMTB. I actually burst out laughing when I read the line about Albel being just as aggravating in his sleep! The artistically arrogant line and his response to the whore in the tavern were also hilarious. I totally loved the direction you went in with the Plum incident. Took me by surprise and it was pretty original for SO3. I'm totally not a romantic person (I have this horrible tendency to be insensitive and callous at times... aheh) but I still like this coupling. I like the fact that this is going to be developed over a long period of time. 12 chapters and Nel's still thinking about throttling him. =D I sometimes get annoyed with Alnel fics where he says he loves her and it all gets mushy. I don't think he'd even use that word... I could see him being really confused over that emotion.

I think you've done a good job of fleshing Albel out so far. The things that Woltar said, particularly about him being "just a man, naked to the emotions we all face" I thought were spot on. That was a pretty good chapter. Reading that paragraph made me wonder if Albel's gonna actually snap and cry at some point. (=D likes to see characters cry) That also makes me think "hmm... how far is he gonna get pushed for *that* to happen...?" Heh heh. Exciting.

Yeah, Nel's kinda doubled edged in the game, though, which surprised me when I read the PA between Fayt and Clair (as I mentioned earlier, the one before getting the copper ore). I always wondered why they kept telling Fayt and Cliff to take care of Nel, and then when Clair said that Nel "hadn't changed since she was a child", I was quite taken aback. She's the kind of cold-hearted facade character, I guess, when really she's naive, kind and "ordinary", whatever THAT might be =]. I like the idea that her temper is worse than Albel's... I believe that! I haven't really seen Nel in the manga, since I have no idea how to get ahold of the manga (there's not much here unless I get on a train to London and hunt around that dingy place for hours), but I remember you saying she and Cliff were hilarious in it. =D

Waagh, I'm rambling on. I'll let you get on with your yucky work (I have no idea what you do other than people give you computers without passwords or summat). Heheheh, have fun!

Ha ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one who can be insensitive and callous (especially when it comes to the opposite sex)! I'm the sort of person who responds to an "I love you" with an "I like you too". *laughs*

Feel free to comment whenever! It's fun to talk! Is your blog public or private? (I hate to ask, but now I'm curious! I love a good rant).

I haven't had any time to work on TMTB today...Hunter is still writing his story and I'm "helping" him as I type this. He writes stuff, then reads it to me, and I correct it for him. Ha ha! I did write last night and got some stuff down, so I don't think I'm too far off track. The chapter is almost done, but I have to type and edit it. I don't do my first draft on the computer. I hand write everything. People think I'm weird... Handwriting is more of getting the ideas down on paper. When I sit down and type, details get changed, stuff gets added or removed...then I edit again.

You know, one of my biggest problems as I write is giving away too much detail right up front. I read a book about writing novels and the author mentioned that backstories should be added in bits and peices through-out the story. Too much backstory at once makes the story go "static". Once an author starts explaining something in detail, the story "stops". It mentioned how stories should be a forward progression and if background is necessary, give it later, after the reader is hooked on the present action.

Ha ha! A crying Albel? I don't know if I'll take it that far, but I do have a couple scenes planned where he loses it-big time. As for Nel, its more of coming to an understanding about her reluctant companion. I've got plans for her too. This story was suppose to move much faster. Plum was suppose to be a different city, and the villagers weren't suppose to be cannibles. Those things were suppose to come later...but I needed something to tie the demons back into the story sooner. If I could, I'd go back and do a bunch of stuff over again...but oh well...

If I remember, I'll try and post some Nel and Cliff interaction from the manga. They're pretty funny. Nel is always yelling at him and hitting him. It makes me laugh.

Well, looks like Hunter is done. Time for bed (after I re-read his story).

Bye!

Hahaha! That's the sort of thing I'd say in return too!

Haha, it's friends-only (on livejournal) but it's full of angst and stuff all the time. Not too great to read. My friends despair.

You know what, we have a similar problem. My teachers always tell me that I splurge all my ideas for essays down at once without putting them in a decent order. I've had to rewrite one story (well, I only got up to three chapters anyway) to make the lead more mysterious, which is working better, but I have a tendency to explain everything all in the first chapter or something. Making such a cryptic character is helping, somewhat. The other lead is a total open book, so she blabbers about some of her past, but I think it's starting to move on now. I didn't think your story was moving too slowly, actually. But, to be fair, I did start reading it properly at around Chapter 8, so I guess it seemed faster like that. =/

Aww, no crying Albel? Mind you, I'm pretty excited at the prospect of him losing it. Haha, poor Nel. As for Nel... I've got no clue what's in store for her, so that's pretty damn exciting too! I always thought that if they did at least begin to care about each other, it would be on a more practical level anyway, because they'd understand each other a bit more (especially with what they're going through). At the minute, I'm interested in seeing what the rest of Greeton will be like. In the game, it says Greeton's meant to be like 20/21st Century Earth, which strikes me as a massive leap from their 17th Century world. It'd be similar to our world today!

Ooooh, I would love it if you posted some images! Nel and Cliff strike me as being an hilarious combo at times. Heheheh. I'd better start working on my essays if I want to pass school, heh. Considering I'm five hours ahead of you, I'd probably end up reading your new chapter tomorrow anyway. =/ Bah time differences.

Speak soon!

Well, crud. Chapter 13 is done, ready to be posted and ff.net is down. *laughs* Just my luck! Hopefully I can post it tomorrow. I hate it when ff.net upgrades. My formatting always goes screwy. Once, all my punctution disappeared! Another time, it cut my story off at the last paragraph. Grrrr!

Yeah, it's a struggle for me not to give away so much info right up front too. I have to remind myself to keep a few things subtle. I even take notes in the margins as reminders. Ha ha! The only thing I'm fairly confident of when I'm writing is dailogue. I think it comes out okay, most of the time. *laughs*

I've started carrying around a small note book with me. When ideas pop into my head, I write them down, or when I'm reading and I find a useful tip, I'll note it. Hopefully I won't lose it. I tend to do that...a lot. Ha ha!

Cliff on his own in the manga is pretty funny. He comes off as a dumb "thug" with a hot temper (he's not as smart as he is in the game). He and Albel really don't like each other...that's kinda funny too, though I think they'd kill each other rather than argue.

I've got plans for Fayt too, but they won't come until later. I like Fayt. I don't care for Sophia...actually, I really dislike her. She annoys me. *laughs*

I have a difficult time writing female characters in general. Strange, considering I'm a girl. Ha ha!

Well, it's late! Take care!

Yeah, I seem to be doing better with my male characters (although I'm told I'm pretty masculine in my own right...) Hahahaha. One of my leads is a female, however, so I need to work on that. She doesn't have much of a character at the minute, so it needs developing. But I've left that story aside for now.

Fayt isn't one of my fave characters (I like the obvious combo of Nel, Albel and Cliff), but I thought he was a good leading character for the game. I didn't like Sophia too much, but I never really used her. I think FaytxMaria works better, although I was practically screaming that the most obvious part in the plot was that Maria and Fayt are twins. Tch. I think Robert kinda made it look that way.

Aww... I liked Cliff's smartness in the game. But, still, if he's amusing than that's enough. =D I really wish I could find the manga over here. Things here in England tend to come out later than in America. Grr.

I should start to take a notepad with me. I tend to write stuff in the Notepad on my computer, but that's not handy all the time, unfortunately. I have more issues with fp.com taking out the italics and speech marks of my stories. Hopefully, they've gotten over that little problem by now. I haven't posted for about two years. =/ Do you use Word to write in? It appears that ff.net and fp.com don't really like Word.

Oooh, I'll go and see whether it's up yet... although you're most likely still in bed as I type this, so who knows. Speak later!

Finally got it posted! Whew! I hoped it turned out okay!

I use Works to write my stuff. Before that, when I had my old computer, I used notepad and spell checked in my e-mail. Scary, huh? *laughs* I up load my stuff as .htm or .rtf.

I enjoy Maria and Fayt parings, though I wondered if they were related too. Ha ha! Wouldn't be the first time in a Japanese story-line siblings have fallen for one another...*wary laugh* Have you ever read "Angel Sanctuary?" I think I've talked about it here several times (well, I did a stick figure summary of volume five once...when I was REALLY bored). That's the first story that pops into my head regarding such things....oddly, it's one of my favorites (probably because it's so dark and Rosiel is the BEST bad guy ever)! Ha ha!

Anyway, I'm rambling...again...

I've ear tagged a few of the more choice Nel and Cliff scenes in the manga to scan for you. My sister is in town for a few days, so I'll post them once she returns home.

Well, gotta go! Thanks again for the review! Makes me so happy! (^-^)

I love it! It's one of those chapters that oddly *really* makes you want to read on to the next one. Hehehheh. I see people are speculating over the little boy... I reckon he was real up until Albel turned back around, then his conscience got the better of him. Heeheehee. I see what you're doing with the whole fleshing him out thing. Nice new direction for his thoughts now. XD On a sidenote, I finally saw the Crimson Scourge scene last night (I usually make a point of getting Nel at the Biwig scene as she's the character I always use), which I decided I really wanted to see after reading that wallpaper of yours! =D

I haven't read Angel Sanctuary. As much as I profess to loving anime and manga, I haven't seen very many at all, because I have no idea where to get it or no money to get it since I don't have a job yet. Also, digital TV over here leaves a lot to be desired for animes. I've seen Shaman King (poorly dubbed) and parts of Vision of Escaflowne and Outlaw Star as well as some other poorly dubbed ones. Oooh, Rosiel? Hope he's an effeminate evil guy, heeheehee. Mmm, twincest? I should read it. =D I get so annoyed with people ridiculing animes and mangas when they have so many adult themes in them. Ever seen Outlaw Star? I managed to make my dad watch one episode and he went from "You're almost an adult and you still like cartoons?" to "..... Is she wearing any clothes...?" Hilarious!

Wow, thank you! You didn't have to do that! I really want to find the manga now. As well as the soundtrack for SO3. I like that battle music when you fight the Proclaimer at Moonbase and on Styx and it's only used twice. >.

I'm starting to get incoherent - it's too early on a Sunday morning! Have fun with your sister and I'll speak to you later! *goesbacktosleep*

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the chapter. I was going to continue through, but I was already at 4000 words so stopped. I've got all sorts of stuff planned for the next few chapters. I'm trying to pick up the pace. I've really been dragging my heels with this story. *laughs*

Oh yes! Rosiel is an awesome bad guy. He's just...well...sick. You know, one of those bad guys you love to hate. Very scary character. Funny that you mention it, but he does look like a chick. He actually pretends to be one on occasion and people can't tell the difference. *laughs* There might be some scans somewhere on my blog...I can't remember. Ha ha!

Have you tried using bit-torrent and downloading some of the newer anime and manga? If you have high speed internet, it works out well. I have links I can direct you too if you'd like. I love Outlaw Star! I have the box set! I didn't think the dub was all that bad. One of the better ones for its time. I have Escaflowne too. Good show as well!

Heres a direct download for the manga "Bleach" (one of my favorites!) http://www.directmanga.com/series/bleach.html
And Tenjou Tenge (another great story with pretty art work!It's a bit graphic at times though!) http://www.directmanga.com/series/tenjotenge.html

The Star Ocean manga is in Japanese. You'd have to find a Japanese bookstore or order it online. You might want to do a search for Kinokuniya in your area. They're a big Japanese book store chain based out of Japan, but have stores all over.

I've had to curb my spending too. I have a job, but right now I need new tires for my car, a hospital bill to pay off, tennis lessons to pay for, and braces to save for. *laughs* My manga and anime hobbies have seriously died down. I have only a select few I keep up with right now, and even that is pushing my budget! *cries*

Ugh. It's late. We changed times, losing an hour of our day as of Sunday. It's got me all messed up. I should get to bed! Take care!

Yeah, true about that, but I was lucky because we lost an hour while I'm still on holiday, so I didn't have to get up so early. Aheh.

I thought that was a really good place to end your chapter. It leaves the reader with a sense that something is gonna happen to Nel or something's about to go wrong... but we don't know yet! I'm kinda hoping Nel gets herself out of this one in some way...

How did I know? Effeminate bad guys are the best!

My computer's rather screwy at the best of times and I have trouble downloading music as much as anything else, so I'd probably have to wait until we get a new one for that (which could be anytime in the next century).

4000 words, huh? I usually aim for around 9-11 pages in Word for my chapters (I like them long), just to keep a similar length throughout. Looking around on ff.net, I'm usually more inclined to read if I see that chapters are around 2500-3000 words long. I saw a story that was exactly the same word count as yours but twice the chapters. 500 words a chapter? How irritating!

Hmm... I just read your latest entry, so I might go and comment upon that. Some powerful stuff in there! Also, this entry's now disappearing off the main page. =/ Heh heh heh.

Hope that chapter's going well and stuff! Speak soon.