Date: 06/28/12 12:38 pm Title: Chapter 28
One thing I absolutely cannot deal with is vomit! The smell, the wretching, everything. Just reading your description made me almost gag lol poor Nick! You did a great job in this chapter just showing how miserable these treatments could be. And lol figures Howie would catch her this time & get a kick out of it. cute scenes with the fans as well.
Author's Response: LOL I think the sound is the worst when it comes to vomiting! I cut back on the puke scenes in this one after I got so tired of trying to find new and creative ways to describe vomit back in the Broken days LOL. The anti-nausea drug works better in this one - except in this chapter, apparently LOL. Poor Cary can't catch a break. Glad you liked the fan scene at the end. Thanks, Mare!
Date: 06/27/12 12:55 pm Title: Chapter 27
I loved your description at the very beginning of the chapter before Cary is about to go out and perform. How she felt from watching the stage to being on stage. Great job building up the anxiety as she walked out there and the rush of performing. It was great seeing Nick get through the entire show but then I felt so bad for him when it came time for the chemo. I can't even imagine a bus ride feeling that sick! Ugh! He's being so dumb! lol
Author's Response: Thanks for the compliment about the descriptions at the beginning! And I know... get ready to say that about Nick a lot! LOL Thanks, Mare!
Date: 06/26/12 01:36 pm Title: Chapter 26
Oh my gosh, I wanted to bitch slap that smirk right off of Nicks face! I'm not sure I would have stayed if I was Cary. She has so much at stake though, I can see why she would. Thinking Brian thought she was a groupie would be hard. Ugh, okay I want to smack Cary too lol It'll be interesting to see how Nick does the first night.
Author's Response: LOL Nick's kind of an asshole in this story, especially this chapter! Out of respect for herself, Cary probably shouldn't have put up with that, but I'm glad you can see why she would. Like you said, she's got a lot at stake, and she's more worried about Nick than her own reputation. Thanks for the review, Mare!
Date: 06/25/12 12:35 pm Title: Chapter 25
I loved the beginning of this chapter with the sweet scene between father & daughter. You do a great job of showing their special bond. That would be hard always being away from him if it's something she's not used to. The internal thoughts of Cary were great in this one too. Walking that fine line between friend and nurse would be rough making it even harder when the guy in question is one of your idols. Also enjoyed the ending. Is that the equivalent to a 'romance' cliffy? Even though I'm pretty sure she stayed the night because he was sick lol
Author's Response: Thanks! I think that would be hard too; it's something she struggles with a lot in the story. LOL I guess that is what you could call a "romance cliffy," but don't worry, I'm pretty sure the first line of the next chapter is "We didn't have sex." Phew! LOL Thanks, Mare!
Date: 06/24/12 12:13 pm Title: Chapter 24
You know what's weird? As I was reading this chapter, in the background on my TV was Talk Stoop. It was Ana Gastyer but still, that was a weird coincidence. LOL You were right, I did love this chapter. It was a nice brotherly bonding chap. You do a great job writing the boys just sitting around having a casual conversation about nothing much. You can still tell the dynamic they have and how much they care about each other without them flat out saying stuff like that. I got so tried just thinking about how exhausted Nick probably was. Well maybe I am tired because I got up at 5:45! lmao I LOVED your last lines about the Nazi chemo soldiers. Great imagery there.
Author's Response: LOL That is a weird coincidence! I'm glad you liked this chapter! It was a fun one to write once I got going on it. Sometimes I have a hard time getting started on these scenes of the Boys just bonding or whatever, but when I'm lucky, they take on a life of their own and turn out okay. Thanks for the compliment! I consider you the master of bromance, so I appreciate it! Yeah, "Nick" came up with some good metaphors in this one LOL. Thanks, Mare!
Date: 06/23/12 01:57 pm Title: Chapter 23
I do like Cary as you know, but it was so nice just having a chapter with the four guys and of course you made me want to kick Kevin for leaving! But I couldn't because he's coming back now!! YAY!! This will be my real test now that they are all together, I know it'll be harder for me to want to read from Cary's POV, so it'll be interesting for someone like me to see how it goes. She's such a strong, likable character though, I think it'll be just fine :-) And I have to say THANK YOu for once again not going Mary Sue in this chapter. You know what I mean by that, right? How so many fics when the girl is absent, it's all the boys talk about! She wasn't even mentioned and I LOVED LOVED LOVED That!! I forgot about that egg incident. That was so random when it happened. lol Great job with the guys and their dynamic and I especially had to chuckle at the mention of how short Brian was that he wouldn't even reach the portacath, too cute!
Author's Response: Thanks, Mare! I totally know what you mean. I think you'll like the next chapter for the same reason; it's just the Boys, and it's one of my favorites! Even though this story was more Nick and Cary's story than one about Nick and the guys, I enjoyed writing these scenes with just the Boys together. Now that they're in it, I think they appear in most of the chapters for the rest of the story, even Cary's (and don't worry, Kevin's in it later too). I know exactly what you mean with the Mary Sue thing - that drives me nuts, too! I can't say are no scenes in which the guys discuss Cary behind her back, but I will tell you most of them are not very flattering towards her - I really tried to avoid the Mary Sue thing! Thanks for all the compliments!! I'm really glad you're liking this story; between Cary and the cancer thing, I wasn't sure you would.
Date: 06/22/12 11:14 am Title: Chapter 22
I love Nick's intense hatred of fanny packs lol it was nice hearing some good news, of course I know you, so I'm sure this good news will be short lived, but still... It was also really nice to read Nick's doubts about what he was going to do and that he felt his window of opportunity had come and gone with telling the guys. I could understand that and didn't want to kick him for once lol Yay to the arrival of the boys in the next chapter!
Author's Response: Thanks! Yeah, I don't think Nick's ever felt "good" about hiding it from the Boys, and now he really feels like he might be in too deep. I'm glad you didn't want to kick him for once, although he does deserve a good kick in the ass sometimes LOL. Yes, the Boys will be back in the next chapter, finally! Enjoy!
Date: 06/21/12 11:57 am Title: Chapter 21
I was all over the place emotionally in this chapter. At the beginning you had me smiling at Nick and his thoughts on how the male versus female brains work lol then I was anxious, just like Nick when he started to fear Cary knew more than she did. I became annoyed when Nick was trying to once again justify not telling the guys and finally, I just became sad for him at the end. Thanks for taking me on an emotional roller coaster before 7am! lmao
Author's Response: Aww... this story'll do that to ya! LOL Well, that was the intent, anyway - I'm glad you're connecting with it enough to feel that range of emotions. Thanks, Mare!
Date: 06/20/12 02:55 pm Title: Chapter 20
Thank you Cary! I am so grateful that she became stern and took control of the situation. Good lord Nick is going to drvie me crazy with his irrational thoughts about not telling anyone. It was nice to see that Cary was sensible and didn't just agree to let him be. Still, you can't help but feel bad for him. You did an excellent job describing how horrible he felt in this chapter. It's funny that you said the same thing to me in my last set of chapters. Poor Nick, we both torture him so much. lmao Oh, and I forgot to mention about Cary's dad being so close to your own. As I was reading that chapter that's exactly what I was thinking. "I bet this is Julie's dad!" How cute is he? I hope he enjoyed his Book of Mormon present!
Author's Response: LOL Yeah, I guess Nick finally pushed Cary to her limit in this chapter! It was such a challenge to make him so stupid, yet put some kind of twisted logic behind his irrational thoughts so that they sort of still made sense in a way. LOL It's always a compliment when someone says they feel bad for him, which I'm sure you can relate to - you're right, we torture him way too much LOL. Aww yeah, that's my dad LOL. He did enjoy the Book of Mormon tickets, I think... he doesn't do stuff like that very often, so hopefully he'll enjoy it! Thanks, Mare! :)
Date: 06/19/12 12:03 pm Title: Chapter 19
That was a nice, light chapter. You did an excellent job describing the studio and once again how intimidating they can be. Everytime I went into a studio to sing I would be afraid to touch some of that stuff because I didn't want to break anything lol I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when the tour starts up!
Author's Response: I think I would be too! You're getting close to the tour; I think the story picks up again then. Thanks, Mare!
Date: 06/18/12 12:01 pm Title: Chapter 18
Can I just say how much I love Cary's dad? Loved the text message and the image of him and hamebalina. Lol too cute, I just want to put him in my pocket and take him home! It was nice having AJ appear in the story. It also gave us an early look at how things will be when they are all together and having to constantly lie about everything under the sun. I don't think i'd be able to do it lol. I wasn't at that table but in my head I blurted out "I have cancer, wasup with you?"
Author's Response: The end of your review is making me LMAO! I don't think I could do it either... I could avoid saying it, but that's all I would be thinking about, and I think it would show to anyone who knew me well enough and could see I had other things on my mind. All it would take was someone to notice and ask, and I'd probably break down crying and spill. Nick has more strength of mind, I guess - or he's just a better liar. =P Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed AJ's appearance, and don't worry, the other guys will be coming soon! Glad you liked Cary's dad too - I based him on my dad, who is quite a character. The text message idea came from a real text he had sent me not long before I wrote this chapter; I think it was his very first text message, because he's technologically clueless, and he hadn't figured out how to put in spaces yet LOL. Thanks for the review!
Date: 06/17/12 12:33 pm Title: Chapter 17
Ethan is my all time favorite survivor. I was devestated to find out his cancer has returned. Luckily he's a strong guy so i'm hoping for the best. I still get really anxious whenever I see anything about Survivor on its off season. I'm glad you made Cary think about the legal aspect of all of this because at one point the whole Michael Jackson thing ran through my mind as well. That seems like such a huge responsibilty for someone who wasn't really ready for that undertaking. I admit I smiled when AJ was mentioned. It'll be nice getting another Backstreet Boy into the story, even if he is kept in the dark. *tries to resist the urge to smack* Again it broke my heart at the end, when Nick wanted Cary to stay. Just shows how much he needs someone to be there for him. *resists urge again* lol
Author's Response: I know, Ethan is awesome. I don't know if you follow him on Twitter or not, but he tweeted the other day that he'd hit Day +100 after his stem cell transplant, which is a great thing. I hope it works for him this time. He's had a rough time of it! :( Going back to the story... yeah, I definitely thought of the MJ thing; I'd be freaked out about it if I were Cary too. It's not like she's unqualified or doing anything illegal, but like you said, it's a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. LOL Go ahead and smack Nick; he's being an idiot! But yeah, AJ will be in it soon and eventually the rest of the guys. Stay tuned! LOL Thanks Mare! :)
Date: 06/16/12 12:43 pm Title: Chapter 16
In response to what you said in your last response to me lol, I enjoy giving detailed feedback when I can think of something insightful to say. I'm sure as I go along there will be some filler chapters where not a lot is happening but when something specific hits me i'll be sure to bring it up. :O) Like in this chapter, the first half, it was great seeing how Cary felt when suddenly thrown into this world of Nick's. Driving his Benz for one and thinking all the ice cream places were going to be hoity toity. Then the shift in the second half when Nick goes on with the ice on his head. I just felt so bad for him. I can imagine that's probably one of the worst feelings in the world, knowing you might lose your hair, especially since he wants to keep this is a secret. I also found myself tensing up when Nick goes into his little mood swings. Being a stranger in a strange place and only knowing him for a day must just add to the discomfort. I was going to ask you about the guy from AI. I'm glad you mentioned him in your end notes lol
Author's Response: Thanks! I know not every chapter will give you something profound to say in your feedback; I have a hard time with that sometimes too! But you do a great job leaving specific comments, so thanks for that! I've found that I like to write these "fish out of water" scenarios - Cary coming into this "lifestyles of the rich and famous" world, Nick being thrown into medical hell; they're both having to adjust. I find Nick intimidating in real life, and so it was easy for me to imagine him being moody in this situation and it being really awkward for Cary. I almost forgot about Luke from AI, but yeah - the author's note basically says it all, but he was good for some real life inspiration, as was Ethan Zohn from Survivor.
Date: 06/15/12 02:54 pm Title: Chapter 15
Before I forget to mention this, one thing that I found incredibly impressive in this chapter was Nick's sudden mood change. As I was reading it just by your dialogue and descriptions, I was able to tell his mood changed before you even said a thing about it. Just again shows how great you are at getting into your characters heads. Loved the nurse and fanny pack parts as well lol
Author's Response: Thanks!! I really appreciate that. I know we all try to "show, not tell," but it's not an easy thing to do sometimes. I'm glad that was apparent and believable. I'm really enjoying your feedback; thanks so much for the specific comments and compliments!
Date: 06/14/12 08:03 pm Title: Chapter 14
Another great chapter, Julie. I enjoyed the breakfast scene and how natural it seemed. I also loved Cary's initial thoughts when she woke up from "Oh my God I'm in his condo!" to "Oh my God he has cancer." it was also really smart of Cary to call Dr. Submarine lol it should be fun watching Cary try to convince Nick not to tour.
Author's Response: Thanks, Mare! I'm glad you liked it, especially the breakfast scene. Cary was so easy for me to write because I thought of her as the every-fan - she thought the way I think and how I figured a lot of fans would feel in the kind of situation she was in. She's just constantly asked to do things that go against her better judgment - like I said in my last response, it's a matter of heart vs. head. Thanks for the comments!
