New F&F fic

[gwyn]

The next to last part of the WIP is now up. Ciudad de Estrellas Part 7: Small Sacrifices is here. It's about 11,500 words, and as I mentioned, I think this is the penultimate part, unless the last one becomes so unwieldy that I have to split it. And no, nothing really happens except me turning up the dial.

Comments

[maygra.livejournal.com]

You're killing me here. Really. But, Oh, my, Gwyn, this is beautiful. Beautiful and painful and totally in line with everything you've set up.

But I fear this story will break my heart yet again and despite that, I'm as hooked and loving it as I was when you first started. really, really nice work.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Good to know someone is still reading it and... enjoying?... not sure if that's the right word. My motto is that if my pair is happy in the story, then it must have a sad ending or at least very bittersweet; if they are torn apart in most of the story or have hurdles, then they can be together in the end (though I hate happpy happy joy joy endings).

[maygra.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying it. I don't stick with things I don't enjoy -- especially WIP's.

And I thank you kindly for the ray of hope [g]

[zoerayne]

Yay! I haven't read it yet, but will as soon as I'm done with this freelance project I'm working on. I just wanted you to know that there are people out here who are excited about it.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Well, at least someone else is *going* to read it, that's to the good! I'm glad the last part is coming up, it's too depressing to keep this up to less and less interest. Gah. Talk about a motivation killer.

[fiercy.livejournal.com]

Well, at least someone else is *going* to read it, that's to the good!

Me too, me too! *waves hand wildly* I'm starting it now that I'm back online!

[dine.livejournal.com]

oh noes! the end of this kills me - it seemed inevitable, given Dom's protective nature, but was ohsosad when I actually read the last bit.

you have woven such a compelling story, which has completely grabbed my heart. as a reader I want moremoremore, but as a Dom/Brian shipper, I treasure each new part whenever it appears. thank you for this story!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you have stuck with it, and are still reading. Thank you!

[am41.livejournal.com]

Beautiful story. I don't have the words to express how much I love it... even if I had to cry some. Thank you so much for continuing it.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I *am* glad that it's still being read and enjoyed. Don't cry too much -- they will be okay. ;-)

[(Anonymous)]

Hey, I'm one of those terrible people who rarely leaves feedback. But I wanted to say how wonderful I've found this story--and pretty much all of your fic. I've followed you through every fandom you've written for, and enjoyed it all. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

(And if this doesn't sound totally awkward and awful, in checking back for fic I've read about your grief and have admired your strength. Here's hoping each day gets a little easier. Thanks again)
-Ali

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Thanks for letting me know that you're reading. I really am glad to know that it's not just three people! (And that you've read some of the other stuff... my poor old abandone fandoms!)

[(Anonymous)]

No, I check back all the time to see what's going on, and re-read a lot of your old stuff! (No, I'm not a stalker; just a picky reader). I never, ever, thought I'd dig TFATF, but then you wrote about it, and now I'm all interested... :D

Thanks again! :)

[comnena39.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeeeeee!

You really don't want anyone to be able to relax for a moment do you?

I got into TFTF fandom late, and then wandered away from it, so I have to admit that when I first read this story (and lurved it straight off) it had five part, and you must have completed part 6 while I was away playing with other fandoms so this is the first time I have commented.

I really like the characterisations you have going here, and the interactions between them.
This last section seems to be the quiet just after (and just before) a storm. And the bittersweet edge to it all is fabulous, it makes them seem more real: Tanner getting that there is a connection between Dom & Brian but not exactly what it is. And Dom's insecurities and fear of screwing up another person's life (plus Tanner working on them - even if he didn't really think it would work) making him walk away from Brian. And to a lesser extent Mia, Leon and Vince.
Thought it was very interesting how Dom doesn't seem to be interacting with his lifelong 'best friend' at all. Trying to avoid yet more issues?

Anyway, I'm sorry you feel you have not been getting the appreciation the story deserves, and I am very much looking forward to the last part.

p.s I am keeping my fingers crossed for a halfway or mostly happy ending!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And yeah, this is the sort of... after action has to come a little bit of slowdown and buildup. I know a lot of people hate that, but it's a natural progression in storytelling, and you've got to fit it in somewhere! (Dom truly is in high avoidance mode right now -- but he doesn't get away with that for long!)

It's not so much appreciation as I think... just really discouraging that it doesn't seem to get any *attention*, if that makes sense. Like, I know some people are reading it, but I never hear from them, and the only way with fanfic you can ever know -- unless you rely totally on stats, which I don't have in this case -- if you're successfully connecting with an audience or not is fb and recs. In this case, I have few of either, so I'm left wondering... well, okay, it must suck, but why? What are the things going wrong? I have no way of knowing. And if it *isn't* sucking, I have no way of knowing, and it's just been incredibly discouraging, and this part most of all. The four comments here are all I have to go on. My betas didn't even have much to say!

[(Anonymous)]

Hello, Gwyn_r
I am so glad to see this update. The interaction between Mia and Dom, perfect. And I really like Tanner being protective of Brian in his 'Tanner' way. Making Dom think. But, oh how sad at the end. I wanted to cry. Does Dom think that's the best way to protect Brian? Or what's really going on with him? You have me a lot scared now. (Happy ending??) Thanks for this story. Take care.
Catty

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Hi Catty! Glad to know you're still here!

Don't worry too much -- if you can scroll up to my response to Maygra's comment, you'll see that I have a standard MO in these kinds of things.

And you know Dom -- he always *thinks* he knows what he's doing, but he's a little dim about his own self.

[spookycat4.livejournal.com]

Turning up the dial? Is that what they're calling it these days.

I may have to add you to the list of authors who I hate because they make me go, "awwwww" and clutch my chest.

Poor Brian. Poor Dom.

FIX THIS!

Please.

I'll give you a pretty boy cookie if you do. Hhhm, Brian, Vin, Boone (he's NOT dead). Name your pretty poison.

Kim

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I wrote a while ago about how my angst dial goes to eleven. It's one angstier. I like misery and suffering and thwarted love best of all. Thwarted love is the best kind, if you ask me.

I love to clutch my chest!

[spookycat4.livejournal.com]

Angst is a wonderful thing. I just hate admitting that *I* can be gotten to. Pretty pathetic for someone who tears up over sappy commercial and even sappier songs. McDonald's little sister commercials and the Folgers commercial where the neighbors secretly decorate the old lady's house for Christmas are true tearjerkers.

So, keep the angst coming. And, I'll keep clutching. $#%$#@%$#@%$#%^%$#^

LOL

Kim

[mackiemesser.livejournal.com]

Aw, man--just when I thought those two crazy kids might make it work...

Rug. Yank. Thud!

Your angst meter does not go to eleven; your angst meter goes to twelve.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those crazy kids thought *they* might make it, too! But there is still much time to come... and events to deal with.

[supercaptain182.livejournal.com]

Wow...I am trying to get my words together to describe how wonderful this chapter was. Traveling around in each of the character's heads is so intense. It presents the reader with the motivations behind actions and the emotions that are put into those actions.
When Dom walked away from Brian, it was totally expected, but the pain each felt was even better understood. You have done a fabulous job with making the characters so real. God, the ending was heartwrenching, but still so beautiful.
Simply can't wait for the ending.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm really happy that you liked it! I know after a while people expect the actiony stuff, and so I always worry a little when the action stops... but it's time for the big emotions now. Hopefully the ending will be worth the wait!

[par-avion.livejournal.com]

Wow. I just read the whole thing for the first time -- stayed up till 4am last night and finished the last two parts this evening.

And aiee! Cliff-hanger! *wibble* Oh Dom. What are you doing?

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I had no idea that you might even be interested in this! Cool. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Dom is a dork. He means well, but he's a doofus. He'll figure that out, eventually.

[par-avion.livejournal.com]

I didn't get into TF&TF until recently -- I had never seen the movie until right around the time you posted Loaded (?title). And the boys are so slashy! I seem to be canon-oriented and need the slash to practically be textual for me to get into it, and that movie really is very, very gay.

The Fast and the Furious Ciudad de Estrellas

[(Anonymous)]

OMG!. This fic is great. Poor Brian. I know Dom is trying to protect him, but still....so sad. Please post the next part soon.

[brandil.livejournal.com]

I read this the day you posted but wasn't ready to comment. I re-read the entire fic yesterday and I'm still struck by how amazing the entire piece is, but this last bit ... well it broke my heart.

I don't think that Dom has often given in to fear. Boredom, stupidity, rage, and hate yes, but not fear. The fear, added to his guilt and Tanner's not-so-subtle pushes have finally pushed him over the edge. And Brian, being so stoic, and just letting him walk away. GAH!

I know you'll resolve this in your way and that there's no outside influence that could change the outcome, but I hope, oh I hope, that those two find their way back to each other.

wow

[(Anonymous)]

is.there.more.of.this.somewhere.or.was.part.seven.the.end?
just.found.your.fic.and.so.far.luv.it.

Re: wow

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

thanks.

There will be a final part, I just haven't finished writing it yet. My sister died a few months ago and I am having a very hard time writing and editing these pieces. It will be finished, I just don't know when.