I just realized it was the last chapter, I wasn't expecting that at all!SPOILER
Overall I really enjoyed it, though I do think the end came a bit quickly... she tried to force a lot into that last chapter that I don't think the story was quite ready for yet... but overall I liked it. It's been one of my favorite fics so far.
What did you think?
SPOILER
Overall, I really liked it. It was very much a Jack story, imo. I actually found Ennis too good to be true in the first part of chapter 11. But I really enjoyed the story overall. I thought it was realistic (but sad) how Ennis turned the light on and off in 'his' room every night, and they didn't always go out in public together. I'd have to go back and reread in entirety to really decide whether it ended abruptly.
Hi N,
Is there a specific part you had trouble with, maybe I can help? (you can pm me if you want.)
I didn't really have any trouble at all. I kinda liked that it was written differently than Proulx's style. I think this was very much a Jack story, compared to the original which was basically an Ennis story. It was nice to know exactly what was going on in Jack's head for a change, rather than having to wonder and sort out the ambiguity.
=)
Kelly
**slight spoilers**
I can truthfully say that "If I asked" is the best BBM fic I've ever read. It hooked me completely.
God, yes, I completely agree with you, I haven't read many fanfics either, and there are a few that I really like, but this one also hooked me completely. It is often the dialogue that does it for me and in this story, it is so powerful, I love the dialogue in the last chapter in the alley behind the diner, Jack is so fed up and willing to risk it all to let Ennis see that they are meant to be together, I was on the edge of my seat!
Amy, if you read this, please continue writing! ;)
What's the DC board ??
DC = Dave Cullen!! DUH. :P Sorry — I should have known this! (I even wrote Dave a fan email several months ago.)
And I live in the Denver area too. I'll have to check that out again . . . thanks Mvansand.
The combo of If I Asked and Somebody New woud make the perfect man for me.
You and me both Ruby!
I love the Jack of Somebody New... there is just something about him, it's like he's the Jack from the movie but he's regained his confidence and become much more comfortable with who he is. That confidence is very sexy. And I love that she keeps his moustache ;)
Amy (midwest_girl) just joined here as a member the other day. Hopefully she'll drop by this thread, see people are excited about her stories and get involved in the conversation. Welcome in advance!Oh, I really hope she'll drop by! That would be so nice. :)
Leslie
Amy (midwest_girl) just joined here as a member the other day. Hopefully she'll drop by this thread, see people are excited about her stories and get involved in the conversation. Welcome in advance!
Leslie
Hi, guys! I just discovered this place and this thread the other day. Thank you all so much for your kind words about IIA. It means so much to me to know that you all enjoyed the story. And please feel free to voice your criticisms of my story as well (not that you wouldn't), but I don't want you to feel censored or anything just because I'm around! Anyway, I just wanted to stop in and say hi and thank you! Amy
You are a real celebrity Amy! :)
Just wanted to say hi and welcome to bettermost, hope you enjoy your stay here! I loved IIA, I was actually sad to see it end, though, from a writer's point of view, I understand you had to wrap it! Well, anyways, welcome and good luck with your new story, I heard that you are writing a new one!
Nevertheless, if you'd ever feel like writing a IIA sequel, I for one would be absolutely thrilled.
I have read chapter1; where is chapter 2? "brokebackslash" isn't exactly helpful!
Hi Midwest Amy,
I've read many fanfics now and I love em all, but I have to say that If I Asked, is my absolute favourite ... I love love love it! I've printed it all off and filed it away so that I can enjoy it over and over again .... or I can just fast forward to the mirror scene ;) (phew :o )
You have a wonderful gift Amy, I'm so happy you decided to share it with the rest of us!
Susie (http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_1_201.gif)
Awww :'( .. why? :-\
It's top of my list Mel ... I've already downloaded it for later! I can't wait to read it after all the wonderful things you've said about it! She really is an amazing writer!
Havent' you written something Mel? I'm sure someone mentioned it when I first joined Bettermost. I'd love to read it!
Susie (http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_1_201.gif)
Gosh ... so much to read .. there's just never enough time .. never enough! I can't wait to read some of your work Mel!!
Susie (http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_1_201.gif)
ps. Are you living here now, or just over for a holiday? I'm from Robin Hood Country .... that sounds so romantic ... "Nottingham" doesn't sound nearly as glamorous!
I reread this story, finishing last night. I wanted to post a comment on her livejournal account but I guess she decided to remove her writings and close her account more than a year ago. :'( I wanted to ask her if she had plans for an epilogue. The story ends in November 1968 almost exactly 40 years ago now. I was wondering what she thought Jack and Ennis were up to now. Did Jack die in 1983 despite so tenaciously fighting for the sweet life with Ennis. Was that his fate? his 'time' no matter what course his life took? If so how did Ennis cope? How is he today. did he keep the Ranch? What happened to Ralph and Meredith? did Alma find happiness with Monroe and forgive Ennis? If Jack was not destined to die in 1983, how are he and Ennis doing now? They'd be in their mid sixties now. How would they be perceived in Riverton today? So many questions. I guess they seem real to me in a way.
Hi retropian,
Actually it was only last week that Amy (midwest-girl) took down her journal. After "If I Asked" she wrote a an AU/AU entitled "Shades of Grey" and then about a year ago she began another AU/AU entitled "Turbulence." After just a couple of chapters she informed her readers that she was sorry she wouldn't be finishing that story, b/c she had realized that writing fanfic was distracting her from writing an original novel she was putting together and that she would be putting all her future writing efforts into that. Unfortunately, I think that leaves the possibility of a sequel to "If I Asked" virtually nil. I agree that it is a beautifully written story - all her characters seem real to me, too. :)
Marie
Is 'Shades of Grey" good? I loved 'Somebody New', think it's a great fanfic. Is 'Sades of Grey' comparable? Anybody have a copy they can email me?
"Shades of Grey" is an AU/AU in which Ennis is an FBI Special Agent and Jack is a drug dealer - it's superbly written, but very, very different from "Somebody New." It is very gritty and at times extremely violent in keeping with the realism of her premise. Here is the link to the thread where it was discussed if you want to know more about it - but beware if you don't want spoilers. PM me if you want more info! :) :
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,4825.0.html (http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,4825.0.html)
Marie
I also like a story like "Ennis", which continues the story of Ennis life after the SS and film ending, where he finally finds happiness.
There are a couple of sub-genres that fit this category:
After!Jack = any stories that deal with Ennis' life after Jack's passing. Also known as Dead!Jack and Post-Canon
MovingOn!Ennis = After!Jack stories where Ennis finds another man to love
There are quite a few good After!Jack stories out there. Among my favorites are:
"Widower for One Year" by 271horses (unfinished)
http://community.livejournal.com/wranglers/531813.html#cutid1
"Mitch Drabbles" by grieving_pln
http://grieving-pln.livejournal.com/7218.html
"Gift of Exile" by talkstocoyotes (work in progress. Might become MO!Ennis)
http://talkstocoyotes.livejournal.com/392.html
There are only a few MO!Ennis stories that I have liked so far. The two stand-outs are:
"Riding Fence" by Lucian (removed because of Cease & Desist letter from the BBM publishers. But I have a copy.)
"The Greatest Love"
http://community.livejournal.com/wranglers/940662.html#cutid1
and its sequel "Night Fire - The Last Ember" by cynical21
http://cynical21.livejournal.com/11231.html#cutid1
There is a rare pre-canon story by 271horses called "Roots" it is the life story of Rich & Earl. It is one of the best stories written in this fandom so far. http://271horses.livejournal.com/1913.html
The Slash links pages at the Dave Cullen Forum (http://davecullen.com) are a good place to find fics. Sometimes there is a review to go along with the fic.
Milo
Does anyone have a copy of "If I Asked" that they would be willing to share? I've been trying to find copies of some of the "classic" BBM fan fiction that is no longer online and would love to try this one. I recently got a copy of "Somebody New" and thought it was great. Sounds like "If I Asked" is in the same vein. Thanks!!
Does anyone have a copy of "If I Asked" that they would be willing to share? I've been trying to find copies of some of the "classic" BBM fan fiction that is no longer online and would love to try this one. I recently got a copy of "Somebody New" and thought it was great. Sounds like "If I Asked" is in the same vein. Thanks!!
I was also hoping someone might have a copy of "If I asked" that they could share? I am a very late newcomer and it sounds like this would be a great classic to read! Thank you!!