Date: 12/29/10 10:23 pm Title: Chapter 47
There's nothing I didn't love about this chapter :) Cary is an amazing character, and even though she's their opening act, she knows that's not what she's truly there for, and it seems like she's okay with that. And seeing moments like the last of the chapter, makes me realize that she's a little selfless too :)
Author's Response: Aww, thank you yet again! :) Cary is a sweetheart, and I think even though she's given Nick crap about his bad choices, she has a lot of respect/admiration for him and wants to be there for him and support/protect him as much as she can. It'll be a huge weight off her shoulders now that the secret is out!
Date: 12/29/10 10:12 pm Title: Chapter 46
Another great chapter :) Each character had their own different reactions, but all completely realistic - very well played out :) I know you have a lot on your plate right now but I think it'd be cool to have three little vignettes each in Howie, Brian's and AJ's point of view for this chapter.
But even I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulder after reading this chapter :) I carry this story with me in a lot of ways, simply because the subject matter. I haven't had anyone go to the lengths that Nick has to hide it, but it seems my family and friends have been plagued with the disease - losing a long time friend back in April. I guess that's why I'm so passionate about Nick not being dumb about it haha. I want him to have a happy ending where my friend Billy didn't.
Author's Response: Thanks again! :) I wasn't really sure where I was going with the reactions, so I just wrote what seemed natural in the course of the scene. I think the fact that AJ, Howie, and Brian are all so different helped me get a whole range of reactions in there - anger, sadness, hurt/betrayal, and finally support and acceptance. Hm, the vignettes from the other POVs would be interesting to write... probably not something I'll tackle anytime soon, to be honest, but I did something like that for Broken, which I never finished, but it was kinda fun for awhile.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend Billy. :( I can understand why you feel that way... when I think of someone in my family or a close friend actually hiding something like that for so long, I think, what a douchey thing to do!!! But at the same time, when I put myself in Nick's shoes in the story, I can understand why he did it. I wouldn't want to be treated any differently or to get a lot of unwanted attention, either; I would want things to stay as much the same as possible. I have no idea what that's really like, though, so who knows...
Date: 12/29/10 10:01 pm Title: Chapter 45
I'm not sure what it is, but I either saw tremendous growth in Nick in this chapter or just tremendous defeat. I guess you could classify it as a little of both but I'm not sure. I'm so glad Nick has decided to tell them but I'm not sure if he's decided to tell them because he doesn't want to hide it anymore, or he just thinks it's time for them to know. Or...maybe he's doing it for Cary. You've given me a lot to ponder over :)
Author's Response: Thanks for the review!! :) I think it was a bit of everything you said, really. I think he was feeling SO bad before the soundcheck that it was tremendous defeat then; he was about ready to just give up and throw in the towel because it wasn't even worth the effort to try and go out there and perform. I think if Cary had pushed him the other direction, he would have told them then. He felt so much better after the blood transfusion that he probably could have kept going and hid it the rest of the tour (they're on the final stretch as it is), but I think he realized that it was time to come clean... once it started really affecting his work, to the point where he had to bail on one of his commitments and make Cary completely lie for him, he just felt like he couldn't keep going like that. So I think there was growth and maturity there... and I think for once, he actually listened to Cary, too. So... all of the above. :)
Date: 12/29/10 08:12 pm Title: Chapter 47
Lmao. Yes, Boys. These boys will always be just that - boys - lol. No matter how old they get. They're all nuts! Yet still very lovable - hehe.
UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!
~Lenni~
Author's Response: LOL so true. Thanks, Lenni!!!
Date: 12/29/10 05:40 pm Title: Chapter 47
First of all, so glad he told he guys. And I think the timing was just right, also glad that he got to decide when he was ready to tell them himself, and that they didn't find out themself. I understand their reaction, and their fear for their little brother. Glad Brian sees that Cary did everything she could to help Nick, and I have a feeling he's gonna support her aswell, now that he knows.. And Nicks comment about it being easier to tell some stranger rather then someone you know is so true!! And lol at the hair thing, poor AJ (and Brian :) )
Author's Response: Thanks for the review!! I agree, even though he waited way too long, at least he was able to tell them himself instead of them finding out... that would have been a lot worse. I'm glad their reactions seemed appropriate. It's nice to have everything come to light; this will definitely be a turning point in the story, no more secrets. I totally feel that way about the stranger thing too; in some ways, I'm a lot more open about things online with people I've never "met" face to face than I am with my family and close friends in real life. It's weird, but sometimes it is easier talking to "strangers." LOL glad you liked the hair comment; that seems to be the favorite line of this chapter! :) Thanks again for all your great comments!!
Date: 12/29/10 04:15 pm Title: Chapter 47
See I knew AJ cared. He just isn't that good at expressing his emotions. The last line cracked me up. Oh to see that smirk in person. I really hope there are a lot more chapters to this story. It is in my top 5 favorites. Keep up the very amazing work.
Marguerite
You are writing a zombie story???? What's the name?
Author's Response: Yep, exactly. Aww, I know, I love Nick's smirk... =D I'm guessing I'm about 2/3 of the way through this story... I'm expecting it to be about 75 chapters. (But knowing me, it'll be longer; I always underestimate how many pages/chapters it will actually take to write what's in my head LOL.) So it'll be awhile yet. Thanks so much; that's so awesome that it's one of your favorites - that means a lot!! :) I am writing a zombie story, with Rose; it's called "Song for the Undead." Click my profile, and it's probably the next story down under Curtain Call if you feel like checking it out. :) Thanks again, Marguerite!!!
Date: 12/29/10 10:06 am Title: Chapter 47
Its good that Cary was in the bar and talked to AJ because if she wasnt there AJ would have drunk all night! haha The hair comment was hilarious! Great chapter!
Author's Response: Yep, he probably would have... Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Date: 12/29/10 09:56 am Title: Chapter 47
Now I've read this chapter and your comment on my comment, all comes into place. And I think your right about the other chapter, to many anger and agression isn't in place.
Have a great New Years Eve!!
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm glad it seemed to fit more once you read this chapter. I did get more of the anger/drama into this one with AJ's reaction. I just couldn't see Howie or Brian reacting the same way in the last chapter, but AJ's was fun to write LOL. Thanks again, and Happy New Year to you too! :)
Date: 12/29/10 08:21 am Title: Chapter 47
lol at the hair comment. I'm glad Cary could calm AJ down. Now here's gonna come the aftermath: The rest of the tour and Nick's chemo tests. Great update, Julie.
Author's Response: Thanks MA! Glad you liked it! :)
Date: 12/29/10 08:17 am Title: Chapter 47
Oh AJ. I'm glad that Cary was able to talk him down from being so angry. She's right, it wasn't her place to tell him or anyone about Nick's illness. I'm glad Nick finally told them. I did laugh at the part where AJ was getting annoyed that Nick had more hair than he did. Cary's right, boys indeed. LOL. Excellent work as usual Julie! I really felt like I was right there with AJ and Cary.
Author's Response: Thanks Steph! I had fun writing AJ's anger and the comic relief/sweet stuff at the end there. Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Date: 12/29/10 07:59 am Title: Chapter 47
So, catching up again LOL. I fail! (And I should be writing...fail again!)
Anyways, too much to cover, so let me fail again by just reducing it down to saying how totally epic you've made this story. I loved how you tied in when he missed soundcheck, it was perfect.
Also... “How is it that you can go through chemotherapy… and still have way more fucking hair on your big fat fucking head than I do? Huh? How is that fair?”
Cracked me the hell up LMAO. Love it DR!
Author's Response: Aww, you don't fail, DR! I wouldn't feel like reading this crap after coming off the cruise either LOL. Thanks for the review! Glad you liked that line LOL.
Date: 12/29/10 07:44 am Title: Chapter 47
Having so much chapters is making me feel really happy, lol! I'm so glad that the guys know about everything! And I think AJ couldn't be mad anymore with him, the hug scene was a cute moment <3 Really, I wanted to cry, it was so sweet. I can see them now helping Nick <3 Keep up the excellent job, you are amazing <3
Author's Response: Aw, thanks!! I had fun with this chapter, writing all of AJ's ranting and then the hug at the end. I love bromance LOL. Thanks so much; I'm glad you liked it! :)
Date: 12/29/10 07:39 am Title: Chapter 47
He's totally in a little bit of denial...but, that's how he is. I think it was good for Cary to pull him aside and just talk him down. It shows how much she cares for not only Nick, but the bond he has with his guys and all their relationships. Nice work!
Author's Response: Thanks Chanel! :) LOL yeah, that's AJ for ya. I enjoyed writing the conversation between those two, as well as the exchange between AJ and Nick at the end. Glad you enjoyed it too! Thanks again! :)
Date: 12/29/10 07:25 am Title: Chapter 47
Poor AJ. He has every right to feel how he feels. At least he seemed to accept the truth and talk to Cary...loved the moment between him and Nick. Amazing chapter as usual, and I am so stoked to hear you will work on Undead! I have been waiting patiently! Great update!
Author's Response: Thanks Tracy! I liked writing the conversation between Cary and him. I think he'd gotten to some level of acceptance by the end of this chapter. He may still be in a bit of denial, like Nick sometimes is LOL. Glad you enjoyed it! And yay, an Undead update is LONG overdue, so thanks for the motivation! :)
Date: 12/29/10 01:24 am Title: Chapter 46
Honored to be #500! :) I think you executed this wonderfully; all the reactions were fitting. The way you captured Nick's essence and how he just got straight to it without being a goof, was great. I agree that Alex is meant to be the angry one, but I also hope he keeps his shit together... Bravo, Julie. :)
Author's Response: Thanks Chanel! :) I'm glad you thought the reactions were fitting. Hopefully AJ doesn't come across as too much of a dick; he just doesn't know how to handle it. More of him to come in the next chapter. It was a big step for Nick to just come out with it like he did, after stalling on actually doing it soooo long. Thanks for the review!!
