BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum

Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond => Brokeback Mountain Fan Fiction & Poetry => Topic started by: MaineWriter on March 31, 2006, 05:29:10 pm

Title: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on March 31, 2006, 05:29:10 pm
need a big bird that's native to Australia. I thought ostrich, but they are from Africa, kiwi (not so big) is New Zealand. What's an Australian bird? Emu?
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Surf on March 31, 2006, 05:30:05 pm
Emu?

That's what I was thinking....
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Flashframe777 on March 31, 2006, 05:33:26 pm
There is a big Australian bird - the kapeweary or cappewary or something like that.  It's colorful (blue, red, purple skin), the size of an ostrich.
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: MaineWriter on March 31, 2006, 05:34:24 pm
It is emu. thanks everyone...

now, back to our regularly scheduled movie.
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Nicole on March 31, 2006, 05:45:34 pm
I'm really curious to see how large Australian birds fit into chapter 4, lol.  This is for chapter 4 I assume? 
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Kelda on March 31, 2006, 05:49:27 pm
where is ray or skippy or hungry hippos when ya need them!?
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: MaineWriter on March 31, 2006, 06:05:58 pm
It is for chapter 4, yes Nicole.  ;)
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Kelda on March 31, 2006, 06:10:39 pm
*mind goes into overdrive about how you may include a big Oz bird*

lol!!
Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Ray on March 31, 2006, 11:43:45 pm
There's the Emu!  Like the ostrich but doesn't have the twisted habit of sticking it's head in the dirt!

Title: Re: is there some big bird that's native to Australia?
Post by: Shuggy on April 01, 2006, 12:02:04 am
The emu (we say ee-myoo, but in the US I believe they say ee-moo for reasons best known to yourselves) is native to Australia. The cassowary is native to Papua New Guinea and NE Australia. The moa - can be MUCH bigger - was native to NZ but is now sadly extinct.
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on April 02, 2006, 12:53:07 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Put away the Sunday Times, I've got something much better for you to read. Chapter 4 of A Love Born From Steel is now online. Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/4/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/4/)

Note: this chapter is much more chaste than the other three (if you want hot sex, go back and re-read Chapter 2). I needed to write a fair amount of plot detail, to set things up for what's to come. I also tried to put in a little humor--let me know if I was successful. As always, comments are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site, too. It's easy to do and I have anonymous reviews enabled, so you don't need to register.

For those who might have missed the beginning, here's the link to start at Chapter 1.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/)

Thanks again for your support and encouragement, everyone. It is appreciated!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: littleguitar on April 02, 2006, 12:59:19 pm
I've got one word... YAY!! I'll be reading this one tonight!  ::)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: MaineWriter on April 02, 2006, 06:01:26 pm
I'm bumpin' this...I don't like bumpin' my own stuff but it seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle...maybe daylight savings time?  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: DeeDee on April 02, 2006, 06:08:00 pm
Leslie, you have made my night!!
THANKS AND MORE THANKS

 ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: DeeDee on April 02, 2006, 07:02:55 pm
Well, another chapter in my memory.  Leslie, you rock   ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: David on April 02, 2006, 07:26:41 pm
YEEE HAAAW!    That was great!   I just can't get enough of those boys!   ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: fernly on April 02, 2006, 09:50:17 pm
Love the details, Leslie!  You sure you never lived on a farm?  Trailered two horses across state lines?  Ran or stayed in a horse motel?  Pacing, characterizations, all just great. Really enjoyed reading these latest additions to your story.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: MaineWriter on April 03, 2006, 08:02:30 am
Love the details, Leslie!  You sure you never lived on a farm?  Trailered two horses across state lines?  Ran or stayed in a horse motel?  Pacing, characterizations, all just great. Really enjoyed reading these latest additions to your story.

Nope, never lived on a farm. But I have done some riding in the distant past and I dredged up those ancient memories to try to write something that sounded realistic. I realized the only other farming I know anything about is dairy farming, but a dairy farm in Texas (or Wyoming) didn't seem too plausible to me! LOL
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: Nicole on April 03, 2006, 11:05:33 am
Wow - I don't come here for one day and TWO new stories get posted (yours and Jeff's).  Yay!  I'm printing now, can't wait to read them!
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on April 03, 2006, 05:41:34 pm
Hi Everyone,

I am working on a fanfic story which is growing...and growing....

It is called "A Love Born From Steel." When Jack came to see Ennis after he received the divorce postcard, he left saying, "See ya in a month." This story begins with that fishing trip, one month later.

It is over on www.fanfiction.net. Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/)

I tried to post it here as a message but unfortunately, it is too long. So....scoot on over to fanfic and give it a read. If you'd like to leave a comment or review, please do. Anonymous reviews are enabled, so you don't need to register.

I'll be checking this thread, too, if you want to leave a comment here.

Please note: mature themes and language, including sexual content.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my story.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 4
Post by: bbm_stitchbuffyfan on April 03, 2006, 10:02:32 pm
Oh, how exciting....  :o

www.jlodown.com (http://www.jlodown.com)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 04, 2006, 02:09:13 am
I have to write it ALL OVER AGAIN? Oh well, it wasn't much.

Story is spreading out nicely, slowing down a bit. Tom sounds like he might be a good thing (and it's funny how he interacts with Ennis), and Lureen is yet to come.

Fast or slow, I like the diredction you're heading...
"Don't ask" sounded a bit off...

What I DON'T undertstand, is how 3-4 of you can take these best-beloved characters of all of us, and send them merrily off in the direction you choose for them to go,--and we all love it..

Wonders are not likely to cease soon.

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 04, 2006, 07:03:47 am
Julie,
Thanks for this message (and the review over on fanfic). I appreciate it!

I debated about "Don't ask" and wrote it a few different ways, leaving it in and taking it out. I obviously left it in--because it completed the joke--but I do see your point.

Maybe in a future revision it will change. Meanwhile, chapter 5 is calling me.  :)

Leslie
Title: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 08, 2006, 11:58:40 pm
Chapter 5 is up and available for your reading pleasure



http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/5/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/5/)

As always, comments and feedback are wlecome. Please consider leaving a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, everyone, for your ongoing support.

Leslie
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: dmmb_Mandy on April 09, 2006, 03:23:39 am
Thanks Leslie hunny, gonna read it in the marnin'!  :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 09, 2006, 04:06:36 am
Long (very picky--cause that's all I have to do--pick!) over on fanfic. Oh--one thing I forgot: Ennis was obviously better at--well, everything, but let that pass--in camp, so why wouldn't he be a reasonable help around the house?  I remember the fight with Alma about serving dinner, but I think othwerwise, he was pretty helpful around the house. I'm sleeping on my feet like a horse...zzz

Keep 'em coming! Give 'em hell...
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on April 09, 2006, 09:52:46 am
Awsome Leslie!

    As always, you leave me yearning for the next chapter!    ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: DeeDee on April 11, 2006, 08:31:35 pm
Just when I thought I couldn't love 2 characters more, you came along, Leslie.
Just read it for a third time and panting for chapter 6.
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 11, 2006, 08:34:35 pm
not to give anything away or anything but three words:

sex in six

 ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Lumière on April 11, 2006, 11:50:41 pm
Leslie!
I already read your new chapter and I love it!
I told you already, you are an amazing writer, maybe in some years to come, one of your stories could be the stuff of hollywood movies (much like Annie Proulx's Brokeback mountain ) ..

Keep 'em coming Leslie!! :)
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: ptannen on April 12, 2006, 12:40:49 pm
Chapter 5 is up and available for your reading pleasureLeslie

Leslie -
Yes, I already read it, too.  I don't wait for your posts, I check Fanfiction daily so I can't be the first on my block to read your lastest chapter!!  Awesome, as are the first five!  Sex in six?  Can't wait! If I read it in bed, it might be a case of "the pillow sometimes wet, sometimes the sheets."   ::)

Pete
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on April 12, 2006, 03:43:21 pm
Is it soup yet?

Hmmmm--did the horse spook? Did the dumb-ass mules run off with the chapter? I come back to the office and find nuthin' but beans!

I'll have to dig out the Ol' Rose and start drinkin' if Chapter Six doesn't materialize soon!

 ::) 
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Nicole on April 12, 2006, 06:08:47 pm
Hahahahaha John....you and me both!
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on April 12, 2006, 06:14:18 pm
Standing on one foot, jigging up and down, whining like a child: "Les--Lie---I want the CHAPTER, Leslie--"

(Starts to hyperventilate and turn red)

Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Nicole on April 12, 2006, 06:46:25 pm
Hahahaha John I love that.  That's exactly how I feel.  I try to refrain from stalking Leslie through PMs to ask how the next chapter is coming (don't want a restraining order on my record...lol).  But at the same time, HEY LESLIE:  HOW'S THE NEXT CHAPTER COMING??   :D
Title: Re: Chapter 6: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 12, 2006, 06:49:31 pm
How's the next chapter coming? It's here!! Yeah!!

I swear to God, you guys make me feel like JK Rowling.  (Trust me, that is a major compliment!!).

Here's the link, hot off the press:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/6/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/6/)


I want you to know, I have ignored my family, haven't cooked dinner to get this to you...BBM fever continues, unabated.

Enjoy---and please, comments and feedback are always appreciated. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks in advance!!
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Nicole on April 12, 2006, 06:51:30 pm
YES!!!!! And don't worry about the family - that's what take out and Kraft Dinner is for, lol.

Thank ya thank ya thank ya!!!!!  Can't wait to read it. 
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: DeeDee on April 12, 2006, 06:53:55 pm
 :-*
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on April 12, 2006, 07:32:55 pm
Leslie, Thank you, thank you!

I've been hanging around the office to see if this would materialize--now home, hot bath, and Chapter Six! Ahhhh!

(Nicole, have we been bad? I'm on medication, I have an excuse, I'm not in my right mind!)

 ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: DeeDee on April 12, 2006, 07:44:53 pm
Wonderful Leslie!
Another great chapter.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 12, 2006, 08:40:58 pm
Chapter 6 is up and available for your reading enjoyment:


http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/6/

As always, comments are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. I do appreciate you support!

Leslie
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Nicole on April 12, 2006, 08:59:42 pm
I'm never in my right mind John, so that's my permanent excuse!  :)
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Lumière on April 12, 2006, 09:01:06 pm
I am off to read Chapter 6 Leslie..
Can't wait..Yeehaww!! :D
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: houstonangel88 on April 12, 2006, 09:07:53 pm
I am heading over to read Chapter 6 too  ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on April 12, 2006, 10:08:33 pm
Oooo!  Thanks Leslie!    Loved chapter six.

Um, question for ya though....  How do you know about those magazines?    ::)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 13, 2006, 01:00:35 am
Leslie--wrote you some comments over on the Fanfiction board--and a little haiku right here, in my haiku column, that doesn't have anyone but me in it! (and encouragement, of course!). Just silly stuff...

It JUST occurred to me...when did "gay" become widely used to mean homosxexual? It's more recent than we think...you're probably safe with the '70s, even in Texas, but--I'd like to be sure. I noticed that the older guys on PT (45-50*) didn;t like the use of "queer" in Willie Nelson's song--you gotta be so careful about junk like that. My sister, every time she sees a period movie, or (mostly) when she reads a period book, finds about 1,000,000,000. anacronisms..drives me BONKERS!

I'm reading "Maurice," written in 1911, and published in '78...jeeez...

You know, in Lincoln's time--there WAS no word for homosesxuality at all.."for what it's worth"...

I like this one...(obviously!) CLICK TO ENLARGE
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 13, 2006, 02:31:04 pm
Julie--

From what I've read, the first use of the term gay to refer to a homosexual was by Cary Grant in "Bringing Up Baby" (1939).

When I was reading the history of the physique magazines, there were several comments that they used that term regularly, as a way to "force" it in the lexicon, as it were. Since I am making Jack a little more "gay aware" (and trying to be a bit more assertive with it around Ennis) I am thinking he would have been comfortable using it...even if it wasn't entirely commonplace.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 13, 2006, 04:59:24 pm
Great stuff, anyway--fuckin' Jack Twist, he's got it all figred out...

You know if I hadn't LOOKED at the fanfiction this afternnon, and noticed there was one more post in your thread--I never wopuld have known that you answered my post--people getting careless around here? I post something in the huge "Swooning" thread, and they tell me the next 20 posts that come in...

I didn't mention is before, but--guess that's the end of Bobby.. was hoping you'd do more with him and Jack than the blasted movie did...I figure, since Jack already brought all his stuff to the ranch from Lureen's, he's already talked to Bobby.

Bob just heard Willie Nelson's Valentine's Day song for the first time...he loves "What did you think all them saddles and boots was about?"  I'll make a convert of him yet...I notice he doesn;'t leave the room when I play the DVD (as awful as it is; I'm sneaking his Toshiba out of the house this afternoon, to get it fixed).

If I don't stop posting this picture, someone's gonna tear up my scanner..C.LICK TO ENLARGE
Title: Re: Chapter 5: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on April 13, 2006, 06:18:01 pm
Tell you what......

Truth is.........

I'm begining to wish your version of the story was the one they made into a movie!


 :'(
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 13, 2006, 09:18:42 pm
Actually, Julie--

Bobby's coming back. I thought they shortchanged him in the movie, but he is in my story. Junior and Jenny, too.

This ride ain't endin' right away. I have some ground to cover....

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 15, 2006, 12:33:35 pm
Goody gumdrops and other things (to put it ,mildly...)

This is my second favorite (photo, of those I have)--I always laugh in the movie when Ennis slugs Jack...
that's just the way he was..but, like I said on the fanfic board, your characrters are no longer being played by Heath and Jake, and have become somewhat different people...they don;t even LOOK quite the same, and they're really their own people, growing in interesting and different ways...

Give 'em you know what...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 16, 2006, 04:13:58 am
lnicoll,

Just want to let you know that "A Love Born From Steel" is one of my favorite BBM fanfictions.  It's getting more interesting every chapter.  You have me hooked.  Keep up the good work.  Ever considered publish it on a few more sites, such as humaninterest, wranglers, and brokebackslash on livejournal.com, ?  I know people will love it.

Thanks,
Jenny
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 16, 2006, 11:43:30 am
lnicoll,

Just want to let you know that "A Love Born From Steel" is one of my favorite BBM fanfictions.  It's getting more interesting every chapter.  You have me hooked.  Keep up the good work.  Ever considered publish it on a few more sites, such as humaninterest, wranglers, and brokebackslash on livejournal.com, ?  I know people will love it.

Thanks,
Jenny


Thanks, Jenny! I really appreciate this. I am not familiar with those other sites. Can you give me a bit more info?
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 16, 2006, 01:05:05 pm
Sure, no problem.  The following sites are more current on some of the fanfictions:

http://community.livejournal.com/humaninterest
http://community.livejournal.com/wranglers
http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash

Enjoy your new fans on those sites!
Title: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 18, 2006, 02:34:37 pm
Fanfiction readers:

Chapter 7 is up and ready for your reading pleasure:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/7/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/7/)

For the last chapter, I ignored my family and didn't cook dinner. For this one, I ignored work. What's next??

If you are interested in starting at the beginning, here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/)

As always, comments and feeback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks in advance,

Leslie

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 18, 2006, 02:36:39 pm
Chapter 7 is up and ready for your reading pleasure:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/7/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/7/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 18, 2006, 02:38:52 pm
Yeah, a new chapter is up!  Have to get to it later today.

Leslie,

I was about to say that you are slacking on your work for "A Love Born From Steel" because you got side tracked on BetterMost fanfiction.  But no complains as I am enjoying BetterMost fanfictions very much  ;D.
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Lumière on April 18, 2006, 03:00:34 pm
yesssss!
I have been waiting for it!..
{missing the 'jump' icons from imdb yet again ;) }

cheers leslie!!  :-*
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on April 18, 2006, 03:09:03 pm
As always Leslie, another great chapter.   I just can't get enough of our boys.     ;)
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: houstonangel88 on April 18, 2006, 03:12:41 pm
Great!!!  Going over reading it right now. ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 18, 2006, 03:13:49 pm
If you are not a die hard fan that Jack has to die and there is no way to save Jack, please consider reading Leslie's fan fictions.  It is a good fan fiction in the alternate universe (the term they used for fan fictions).

I like it as it fulfills my curiosity on how can Ennis and Jack make it work if they do choose to have a life together. 

If you are like me that have a weaker stomach for sexually explicit details (I doubt there are many on this board), you will be fine once you pass chapter 2  ;D unless Leslie has more surprises waiting for us in the future chapters ;)
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 18, 2006, 03:21:43 pm
As always Leslie, another great chapter.   I just can't get enough of our boys.     ;)

Thanks, David... :)
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on April 18, 2006, 04:12:08 pm

For the last chapter, I ignored my family and didn't cook dinner. For this one, I ignored work. What's next??


Ignoring sleep.  ;)
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: RouxB on April 18, 2006, 04:20:01 pm
Perfect timing! I watched it last night-ended up not being able to sleep because of it and it's been playing through my head all damn day-with the attending sadness. I can't handle Jack being dead, I just can't!

 O0
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 18, 2006, 04:51:40 pm
Oh Leslie,

I am glad that I read it now than later.  Beautifully done, the best chapter so far!  No wonder it’s one of my favorites.  :)

He loved these little curls. Something about them made Ennis seem innocent and young
I love this.  This is exactly that I thought when I watched the movie.  Ennis/Heath’s curled hair and eye lashes make him seems so innocent and young.

It’s so sweet that you added the sending pray of thanks joke in the story; finally let Ennis said what he couldn’t say in the past.

Roger Grindell… I smell more trouble coming…

More please.  But I will be patient; don’t want to scare your muse away. ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 18, 2006, 05:10:23 pm
Chapter 7, a great pleasure as always--it's so much fun seeing them interact with others, since most of their meetings are completely private! Can't wait to see Ennis teaching Bobby to ride...

I wrote what I thought was something important over on the fanfiction board. This is the gist of it:

It had better NOT be obvious to EVERYONE that they are crazy about eachother if this story is going to continue with both of them alive for a while! Hal is of course an exception, --but his reaction, too, I think, should have been somewhat tempered : just looking at your faces, it's easy to see yer crazy about eachother --or something like that--will NOT DO, even from another gay man!
It should be clear that Hal picks up on things that most people wouldn't..an overly contageous smile, an exchanged glance, etc.

I had an idea for a story...I think. About Lureen, and another guy she meets...dunno..whatdaya think?
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: DeeDee on April 18, 2006, 09:10:31 pm
Bravo Leslie!
Every chapter keeps getting better and better.. Printed it out so I can read it again before bed.. I also reviewed it.. ;)
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 18, 2006, 09:15:16 pm
Bravo Leslie!
Every chapter keeps getting better and better.. Printed it out so I can read it again before bed.. I also reviewed it.. ;)

Thanks, DeeDee...I saw your review. Thanks for your support, I appreciate it...LHN
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: two_bloody_shirts on April 19, 2006, 10:37:01 pm
I just read the entire fic.  I loved it.  Thanks for posting it...I can't believe I missed it before.  (http://i3.tinypic.com/vyxdm1.gif)
Title: Re: Chapter 7: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: fernly on April 19, 2006, 11:29:24 pm
Just posted another review of your story at FanFiction. I love how you write Ennis and Jack with each other, and how they're interacting with the other characters, especially Hal.  It was great when Jack told him in that stage whisper that Twister was named after him.  I sure could see Jack's smile when he did that.  Thanks, Leslie!
Title: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: MaineWriter on April 20, 2006, 06:46:21 am
Good morning everyone,

The latest installment if "A Love Born From Steel" has been posted

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/8/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/8/)

This is something a little different--not really a chapter--I'm calling it an interlude. Enjoy!

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 20, 2006, 07:51:11 am
My latest installment--not really a chapter, I call it an interlude of correspondence--is up for your reading pleasure.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/8/

As always, comments and feedback are welcome.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: David on April 20, 2006, 08:03:42 am
Aww geeez Leslie,  even your Postcards  and letters made me cry.   

Thanks!   Those were great!   

David
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: MaineWriter on April 20, 2006, 08:06:29 am
David, I just love you. Thank you so much,
xoxo
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: SFEnnisSF on April 20, 2006, 12:43:23 pm
I've just finished chapter 1.  I know, I'm behind the times.   :D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: MaineWriter on April 20, 2006, 12:45:59 pm
I've just finished chapter 1.  I know, I'm behind the times.   :D

Every day that I get a new reader is a happy day for me. Thanks....
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: ptannen on April 20, 2006, 01:45:07 pm
Leslie -

I read Chapter 7 last night and 8 this morning.  I just posted two reviews.  As I wrote in my review, Chapter 8 was very hard to read . . . through all my tears!  :'(

Thanks so much for all your chapters!  :)

Pete
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: JennyC on April 20, 2006, 05:53:03 pm
Every day that I get a new reader is a happy day for me. Thanks....

Leslie,

A livejournal member just posted your fanfic on Human Interest web site.  http://community.livejournal.com/humaninterest

You are going to get a lot of new readers!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: two_bloody_shirts on April 20, 2006, 07:01:22 pm
Every day that I get a new reader is a happy day for me. Thanks....

Leslie,

A livejournal member just posted your fanfic on Human Interest web site.  http://community.livejournal.com/humaninterest

You are going to get a lot of new readers!

That was me!   :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: JennyC on April 20, 2006, 07:54:06 pm

That was me!   :-*

Cool!  I wanted to post, but not a memeber.  Thanks!  :D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: two_bloody_shirts on April 20, 2006, 08:33:44 pm

That was me!   :-*

Cool!  I wanted to post, but not a memeber.  Thanks!  :D

No...wait a minute.  I didn't post it on Human Interest.  I did put it on Wranglers (http://community.livejournal.com/wranglers/874929.html) and Brokeback Slash (http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/214529.html) though.  I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for the HI LJ.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: MaineWriter on April 20, 2006, 08:54:06 pm

That was me!   :-*

Cool!  I wanted to post, but not a memeber.  Thanks!  :D

No...wait a minute.  I didn't post it on Human Interest.  I did put it on Wranglers (http://community.livejournal.com/wranglers/874929.html) and Brokeback Slash (http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/214529.html) though.  I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for the HI LJ.

I think that assumption is correct (the HI one, that is). Thanks for posting on the other sites. I appreciate it!
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: JennyC on April 21, 2006, 01:30:49 am
Leslie,

Another job well done!  It's a quite unique approach to tell the story via their post car/mail exchange.  I am looking forward to Junior and Jenny's visit.  There must be questions, and some serious talks, do they get to meet Bobby, how will Jack handle the whole situation,  and of course the sleeping arrangement  ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: MaineWriter on April 22, 2006, 05:29:07 pm
Everyone--

Thought this may be of interest. As you know, Jack and Ennis are happily ensconsced in Quanah, TX, which is a real town and really is about 30 miles from Childress. It is named after Chief Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Indian Chief. They other day, I got a message from a reader who is a distant relative of the Chief! Amazing...small world, huh?

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: latest installment
Post by: twistedude on April 22, 2006, 05:55:27 pm
Since i read everything hot off the press (as it were), this morning, I re-read chapter 8...just as good as the last time I read it. I'll have to make a second visit to the peanutbutter...yiou know, for DAYS after I read chapter 2, i was carrying this peanutbutter (crunchy style--OUCH!) around the house, without even thinking about it...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on April 25, 2006, 01:35:20 am
Ok, I just finished up to chapter 7.  I am fully drawn in, and can't wait to read more!!!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: fernly on April 25, 2006, 01:48:58 am
Hey Leslie,
Posted another review at FanFiction - as always I'm really enjoying your work! The interlude is very effective.  Hal is another great, vivid character - hope he eventually gets to go home. And seeing our boys happy and together, sure makes me happy.
Fern
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 25, 2006, 09:50:34 am
Ok, I just finished up to chapter 7.  I am fully drawn in, and can't wait to read more!!!

Let's see, if you want to edit an article from a client in Switzerland, and then do a little SPSS analysis for me, I can just spend the day working on the next installment... LOL
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: fernly on April 25, 2006, 09:59:03 am
Cause this is just gonna nag at me...  Leslie, what is SPSS?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 25, 2006, 11:19:38 am
Cause this is just gonna nag at me...  Leslie, what is SPSS?
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences--software to do stats. I have a project I am working on that is akin to sticking pins in my eyes.
Title: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 07:25:53 am
Good morning, everyone...

The latest chapter (chapter 8 ) of A Love Born From Steel has been posted. Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/9/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/9/)

We've got paintin', domestic bliss, makin' out and more. Enjoy!

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, everyone, for your support. It is appreciated!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 07:30:17 am
Good morning everyone,

Chapter 8 of A Love Born From Steel has been posted and is available for your reading pleasure.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/9/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/9/)

This one has paintin', domestic bliss, makin' out and more. Enjoy!

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: New Chapter Posted
Post by: houstonangel88 on April 27, 2006, 08:40:49 am
 ;D  Going off to read now.  It's getting better and better.


Edit:   Just finished reading it.  Love it.  Thanks
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: New Chapter Posted
Post by: fernly on April 27, 2006, 08:51:21 am
Loved it, Leslie!  Thank you!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: New Chapter Posted
Post by: DeeDee on April 27, 2006, 10:00:25 am
Once again, Leslie you rock!  You just keep getting better and better...Oh how I love those boys. :P
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: New Chapter Posted
Post by: SFEnnisSF on April 27, 2006, 11:31:03 am
Ooh I can't wait.  I'll read it tonight!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 27, 2006, 01:03:07 pm
Leslie--as usual, I wrote a WHOLE BUNCH over on the fanfiction website...forgot to say though what a hoot the line about the toilet seat was! Asked about: the camera,  noted that Tom would fit in REAL WELL on BetterMost, still wondering about the liberality of Texas, exccept for one old crazy coot, talked about an old Selma, Alabama recepe for coffee, and said thjat I, like the rest of your fans, would go mad if you were to stop now.

I bought myself a new Oscar promo book, cause I about wore out the old one, scanning.


Too young to ride? click to ENLARGE--NOT GROW UP, THOUGH.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 01:53:08 pm
Hey Julie,
I'm looking forward to reading your comments. The review hasn't been posted yet (I know it can take time). I usually get an email when there is a new review, but for some reason, those are coming many days later (they used to come immediately).

I thought you would mention tchotchkes! Maybe you did...

Don't worry, I'm not going to stop writing. This story is inside me and it's gotta come out.

Thanks again!
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 27, 2006, 03:16:36 pm
That yiddish word for thingamabobs--I never heard it till I was God knows how old, but maybe I lust lived in the wrong neck of the woods--very few knick-nacks in out house. I haven't the foggiest whether they wouold have used it or not, so I didn't comment.

Forgot to say I'm writing a fanfiction--think I forgot to say--and I pay NO attention to detail of surroundings..although I think I may a couple..it's all dialogue and thinking, and if I so much as mention the brand name of a car, it';s too much...I crossd out most of this paragraph, because I said too much. I can't BELIEVE nobody's written this story yet! Shut up, Julie (it's--definitely! not your cup of tea).

Dialogue just keeps CROWDING into my head...it's another miracle, like my..tears. It's been so many years.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 03:19:25 pm
Hey Julie,
I want to read your story!

I pay lots of attention to detail and working hard to get things correct to the time period (also dates...for anyone that's interested, July 4 1976 was a Sunday). Along those lines, you asked about Instamatic cameras...Polaroid are the instant ones, Instatmatics were the inexpensive cameras from Kodak that used cartridges to load the film. If you want to learn more, check here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instamatic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instamatic)

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: New Chapter Posted
Post by: littleguitar on April 27, 2006, 04:40:31 pm
Yay! I'll be reading it tonight!  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 27, 2006, 05:36:49 pm
From chapter 8: "Three weeks, fifteen gallons of paint, five gallons of primer, forty sheets of sandpaper, three dozen dust masks, one case of caulk, five paintbrushes, and six skinned knuckles later, they finished painting the house. "

Leslie, did you actually go to HomeDepo to check how much paint, primer, brushe, etc it takes to paint a house?  LOL
My home improvement related knowledge is zero, so I will take whatever you say.  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 27, 2006, 07:16:53 pm
Another great chapter!

I was a little bit surprised that Ennis took Jack’s confession on others guys Jack had been with so well.  In my mind, Ennis always felt very possessive on Jack being his Jack.  It would be hard for Ennis to swallow the fact that Jack has been with other guys, even if it was before their reunion.  Ration aside, since Ennis had no ground to blame Jack being with other guys before their reunion, I thought Ennis would be more hurt to know the truth. 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 07:54:51 pm
From chapter 8: "Three weeks, fifteen gallons of paint, five gallons of primer, forty sheets of sandpaper, three dozen dust masks, one case of caulk, five paintbrushes, and six skinned knuckles later, they finished painting the house. "

Leslie, did you actually go to HomeDepo to check how much paint, primer, brushe, etc it takes to paint a house?  LOL
My home improvement related knowledge is zero, so I will take whatever you say.  :)


I didn't go to Home Depot, but my husband is a handy guy...we figured out the dimensions of the house and then figured out what would be needed. This may not be 100% correct, but it's in the ballpark.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 07:56:05 pm
Another great chapter!

I was a little bit surprised that Ennis took Jack’s confession on others guys Jack had been with so well.  In my mind, Ennis always felt very possessive on Jack being his Jack.  It would be hard for Ennis to swallow the fact that Jack has been with other guys, even if it was before their reunion.  Ration aside, since Ennis had no ground to blame Jack being with other guys before their reunion, I thought Ennis would be more hurt to know the truth. 


Ennis asked, so he knew there was a risk of finding out the info...plus, I think it goes along with the emotional maturity that Jack has been noticing.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 27, 2006, 08:08:55 pm
Just FYI

I couldn’t post review on fanfiction.com.  Can still read the story, but the submit review page won’t load.  This could be why you have not received any notification.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 27, 2006, 08:26:41 pm
Just FYI

I couldn’t post review on fanfiction.com.  Can still read the story, but the submit review page won’t load.  This could be why you have not received any notification.


Actually, there notification alert system went down for 2 days but now it is back up. Not sure why you couldn't submit a review tho. Maybe try again? You could be number 100.  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 28, 2006, 12:03:29 am
I'm off to find out if dogwood grows in Texas, like it does in Alabama...bye!

I thought Ennis finding out about the other guys was O.K., With possession, one
loses a little possiveness, no?
l just sent my Canadian friend ALL my scans...I don't expoect to hear from him for a long time...

STOP ME BEFORE I MAKE MORE INSANE...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 29, 2006, 10:43:58 am
The latest...I received an email from a young woman in Germany who wants to translate my story into German and post it on a German fanfic site. She has promised to send me a copy of the story, the link to the fanfic, and will translate (into English) any posted reviews that are writen.

Does this mean I've arrived? LOL

Here's the title in German:

Eine Liebe, entstanden durch Stahl

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: The latest: German
Post by: MaineWriter on April 29, 2006, 10:45:26 am
The latest...I received an email from a young woman in Germany who wants to translate my story into German and post it on a German fanfic site. She has promised to send me a copy of the story, the link to the fanfic, and will translate (into English) any posted reviews that are writen.

Does this mean I've arrived? LOL

Here's the title in German:

Eine Liebe, entstanden durch Stahl


Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: The latest: German
Post by: DeeDee on April 29, 2006, 11:09:56 am
The latest...I received an email from a young woman in Germany who wants to translate my story into German and post it on a German fanfic site. She has promised to send me a copy of the story, the link to the fanfic, and will translate (into English) any posted reviews that are writen.

Does this mean I've arrived? LOL

Leslie
MaineWriter

Cool, Les, what an honor..she knows good stuff ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 30, 2006, 12:32:19 pm
The German means more like "A Love which came to be through steel."
\
I take it you did NOT like my story...please don't pass it around...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on April 30, 2006, 02:03:55 pm
julie01,

Love your signature line "O,  that blue, blue shirt of yours!"--from an ancient Chinese poem.  I have to run, but you got me all nostalgic now.  Maybe I will come back to the poem another time.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on April 30, 2006, 02:42:53 pm
Leslie (Jenny, you remember the group of Chinese people, all of whom spoke perfect Englsish, and one mentioned that poem, and all said they knew it, and one said it was written by a man to another man...them days is gone forever...sort of)Leslie: PLEASE let me know if you got my stiory! (I';m past caring what you think of it,...alomst. No sex, oldest plot in the world..etc. I just want to know if you GOT it!)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 30, 2006, 03:08:38 pm
Julie,
I did get it, liked it, made some edits and comments and sent it to you this am...just resent. Let me know that you got it this time, okay?
Leslie
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 9
Post by: MaineWriter on April 30, 2006, 07:27:12 pm
Something romantic and sweet, for Sunday night reading:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/10/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/10/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome.

I mentioned yesterday that this is being translated into German and posted on a German fanfic site. For anyone who is interested, here is the link:


http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8 (http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8)

Julie tells me that the title translates as  "A Love which came to be through steel"  but that it sounds good in German.

Enjoy, everyone. Hope to get some feedback, thanks
Leslie

xoxox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on April 30, 2006, 07:28:04 pm
Something romantic and sweet, for Sunday night reading:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/10/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/10/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome.

I mentioned yesterday that this is being translated into German and posted on a German fanfic site. For anyone who is interested, here is the link:


http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8 (http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8)

Julie tells me that the title translates as  "A Love which came to be through steel"  but that it sounds good in German.

Enjoy, everyone. Hope to get some feedback, thanks
Leslie

xoxox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 9
Post by: Lumière on April 30, 2006, 07:42:57 pm
I read Chapter 8 last night, off to check out 9.
Thanks Leslie!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 9
Post by: David on April 30, 2006, 08:12:47 pm
Great chapter Leslie!     Warms the cockles of my heart.    ;)

Amazing.  That was the high point of my day.   Living vicariously through two fictional characters!   Of course, nothing would top yesterday!     ;D

David
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 9
Post by: fernly on April 30, 2006, 08:31:58 pm
Aw, Leslie, that was just wonderful! 
Thank you so much!
Fern
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 01, 2006, 04:23:44 am
one mentioned that poem, and all said they knew it, and one said it was written by a man to another man...them days is gone forever...sort of

Julie,

"O,  that blue, blue shirt of yours!" is coming from the a poem in Shi Jing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Poetry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Poetry)). Shi Jing is the first major collection of Chinese poems and most of them were written 2,500 years ago. There are a lot of beautifully written poems in that collection.  Seeing you quoted the poem in your signature line reminded me of the poem and got me all nostalgic thinking back the time that I read those poems, almost like in another life. :)

青青子衿 (O,  that blue, blue shirt of yours),悠悠我心。纵我不往,子宁不嗣音?  This is the first few sentences in the poem.  (The complete poem and its translation is here http://afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Shijing&no=91 (http://afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Shijing&no=91). )  It's a love poem from a woman's perspective about how she missed her lover.

I was actually very surprised to know that someone said it was written by a man to another man.  So I did some research.  It turned out that Cao Cao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cao_Cao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cao_Cao), a great warlord around 200 AD) used the first sentence "青青子衿,悠悠我心" in one of his poem, "青青子衿,悠悠我心。但为君故,沈吟至今。"  He used it in the poem to descript his eagerness and longing to get to know some of the talent people at that time and enlist their help.  Most of those people were scholars or sages and wore cloth with blue collar.  This was why he cited the ancient poem.  So the mystery is solved, and I thank you for mentioning this so I get to learn this fascinating story.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 01, 2006, 02:10:22 pm
Leslie--I have NOT read chapter 9--boy are you cranking 'em out! So I have to do that before I work on my own...please read and answer my e-mail..as I say: there may be no point in "working" on it...

I'll get around to the yellow-haired Lureen sometime today..I've wrecked my Oscar promo book, scanning all the pictures, so I ordered another one,. which wioll never. never be mishandled...hahahaha!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 01, 2006, 04:13:27 pm
Leslie,

I was happily surprised as I expected to wait for a week for this chapter.   :)

“An unspoken vow traveled between their eyes”, yummy I like that. The part of Ennis and Jack bought each other the ring is very sweet. Ennis sure emotionally matured a great deal.

Just curious, how many chapters you are planning for this story?  Have you already planed out your chapters to the end or you just go wherever your heart takes you?  Since now you have a large fun based (and in Germany too), do you want to set any expectations?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 01, 2006, 06:21:24 pm
Leslie, like i said on fanfiction, it's great, the suburn without cancer, the lack of Vietnam vets, and the exchange of..whoops, don't want to spoil anything...

Wish I could write a nice CHEERFUL story, and stop subjecting you to my...creepy stuff! Especially since sending stuff e-mail is becoming an imposibility...thanks so much fior your help. LATEST CORRECTION SHOULD BE THERE BY NOW..

i know YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING, AND i HAVE TO GO NOW TOO...

Also, what;'s with fanfiction wanting me to wait 3 days? What are they "investigating"?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 02, 2006, 12:47:26 pm
Aaaah, I just read chapter 8, and now 9's up.  Will read it Wed night.  Leslie, thank you for this story.  I am loving it!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 02, 2006, 01:28:40 pm
Aaaah, I just read chapter 8, and now 9's up.  Will read it Wed night.  Leslie, thank you for this story.  I am loving it!

Thank you, Eric...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 02, 2006, 01:29:44 pm


Just curious, how many chapters you are planning for this story?  Have you already planed out your chapters to the end or you just go wherever your heart takes you?  Since now you have a large fun based (and in Germany too), do you want to set any expectations?


I am using my author's perogative to keep that info to myself...hope you understand...
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 02, 2006, 01:34:46 pm
I am using my author's perogative to keep that info to myself...hope you understand...
Leslie

Of course I do.  Just thought I may fish some answer from you. :)  We will go wherever you take us.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 02, 2006, 01:47:58 pm
I am using my author's perogative to keep that info to myself...hope you understand...
Leslie

Of course I do.  Just thought I may fish some answer from you. :)  We will go wherever you take us.

Ain't no reins on this one...  ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 04, 2006, 01:08:46 am
Just read chapter 9, and I'm almost in tears!  This is such a beautiful story Leslie.  I get such a high reading it, probably because it's an exact 360 from the movie.  I know the happy times can't last forever (or can they?), but for now, I'm loving it!  Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :-*
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 10
Post by: MaineWriter on May 07, 2006, 06:33:50 pm
Hip hip hooray, here it is....

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/11/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/11/)

Thanks again to my peer reviewer Jeff--his comments are always helpful and make my writing better for all of you.

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. I love reading them....they are like presents to me!

For those who read German, five chapters have been posted already. More to come.

http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8 (http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8)

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 07, 2006, 06:34:46 pm
Hip hip hooray, here it is....

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/11/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/11/)

Thanks again to my peer reviewer Jeff--his comments are always helpful and make my writing better for all of you.

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. I love reading them....they are like presents to me!

For those who read German, five chapters have been posted already. More to come.

http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8 (http://fanfiktion.de/s/44545a4000002d17068032c8)

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 07, 2006, 09:13:59 pm
Leslie,

Thought you would like to know.

Someone asked on other BBM fanfiction website for BBN fanfiction recommendation.  Madlori (the author of Human Interest and Two Crows Joy, for others who does not know this author) recommended your story.  "There's a good story going on ff.net right now called "A Love Born From Steel."  "

You must know from the reviews that how much your fans love the story.  To get that from another well respected author is indeed some accomplishment.  FYI, she only recommended "Someone New" and your story.  I am very happy for you.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 10
Post by: David on May 07, 2006, 09:25:18 pm
YAY!

Now I can go to bed and dream of our boys !

Thanks Leslie!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 10
Post by: DeeDee on May 07, 2006, 09:27:30 pm
Another great chapter, Leslie!!!!
Once again, you made our boys come to life!

Three cheers for Leslie!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 10
Post by: MaineWriter on May 07, 2006, 09:28:22 pm
David

Have I told you today how much I love you?

I really do...

Dream of farms in Texas and all the rest...more to come

L
xox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 07, 2006, 09:39:20 pm
Thank you, Jenny,

I really appreciate that you shared this. It means a lot to me.

I have corresponded a bit with Lori, but I didn't know about this recommendation. As you said, I am humbled and honored.

Thanks again...and everyone else, enjoy the story. More to come.

L
xoxxo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 07, 2006, 10:25:49 pm
leslie: I thought you iknew--MadLori has you (and at last visit, ONLY you) listed among hert "favorite authors."

Good choice, say I.

Onwe farm coming up...had three criticisms, which asre in my review...enjoyed it as much as usual, thouigh.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 10
Post by: Ellemeno on May 08, 2006, 01:53:12 am
Leslie, I better get a move on - I'm on Chapter 4.  Thanks for keeping us in story delight.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 08, 2006, 01:39:14 pm
I really appreciate that you shared this. It means a lot to me.

You know what, I feel that that way too.  That's why I was very excited and want to let everyone know. Funny huh? It's not even my story  :).  Maybe we want to share some of your glory by just loving the story ;)
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: MaineWriter on May 09, 2006, 11:42:47 am
What is this? Two chapters in two days? Let's just call it Christmas in May from your pal MaineWriter.

Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/12/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/12/)

Please, please, please--comments, feedback! It is what keeps me going. Post here and please consider a writing a review at the fanfic site. Thanks in advance...I love hearing from my readers!

Leslie
MaineWriter
xox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 09, 2006, 11:43:31 am
What is this? Two chapters in two days? Let's just call it Christmas in May from your pal MaineWriter.

Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/12/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/12/)

Please, please, please--comments, feedback! It is what keeps me going. Post here and please consider a writing a review at the fanfic site. Thanks in advance...I love hearing from my readers!

Leslie
MaineWriter
xox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: littleguitar on May 09, 2006, 11:52:21 am
Awsome Leslie! I can't wait! Now that school is winding down I won't be reading it at 3 in the morning right before I go to bed, so I'll leave feedback this time!  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 09, 2006, 11:54:15 am
What is this? Two chapters in two days? Let's just call it Christmas in May from your pal MaineWriter.


You are spoiling us ;D.  Be careful what you got yourself into ;).
Will read later and post my reviews.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: David on May 09, 2006, 12:16:06 pm
Thanks Leslie!

         That one made me cry.  From happiness of course!     :)

David
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: Lumière on May 09, 2006, 12:16:35 pm
Cheers Leslie!
I was planning on reading CH 10 tonight, I'll just read both!
I promise to send in feedback after that.  :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: MaineWriter on May 09, 2006, 12:19:42 pm
Thanks Leslie!

         That one made me cry.  From happiness of course!     :)

David

David,
You must be a fast reader  :) Go back and read it slowly. Savor every word--I worked hard on those words! Tell me your favorite line. Here's one of mine, "If only you knew, he thought to himself."

Leslie
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: David on May 09, 2006, 02:08:16 pm
"How can something be bad when it makes my daddy so happy"

Oh trust me Leslie, I savored every word!      Of course it was hard to read near the end thru my tears of happiness.

Keep up the great work!    I can't wait for Chapter 12!

PS:   Am I the only one who visualizes the story with Heath and Jake as they appear when Jack drives up ?  Jack with his sideburns yet no silly pornstache yet.   LOL
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: MaineWriter on May 09, 2006, 02:35:54 pm

PS:   Am I the only one who visualizes the story with Heath and Jake as they appear when Jack drives up ?  Jack with his sideburns yet no silly pornstache yet.   LOL

That's the way I picture them...that age, 33 years old  each. Jack's slimming down, now, and looking good. I'd like to think those silly sideburns have been shaved off although I haven't explicitly written that.

Leslie
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on May 09, 2006, 02:47:59 pm
That's the way I picture them...that age, 33 years old  each. Jack's slimming down, now, and looking good. I'd like to think those silly sideburns have been shaved off although I haven't explicitly written that.

Leslie
xo

We didn't think those sideburns or pornstaches were so silly back then. Some of us still think they're hot. ...  ;)

A sweet chapter, Sweetheart!

XOXOX
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: littleguitar on May 09, 2006, 03:07:01 pm
That's the way I picture them...that age, 33 years old  each. Jack's slimming down, now, and looking good. I'd like to think those silly sideburns have been shaved off although I haven't explicitly written that.

Leslie
xo

Oh good, because that's the way I always picture them when I'm reading your story, too.... nice to know I've got the right image in my head!

I can't wait to read it!!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: JennyC on May 09, 2006, 08:14:12 pm
A very sweet chapter.  It makes me happy.  I posted my reviews under the fan fiction forum. 

My favorite line:

“Make sure you leave time for other activities.”  The line cracks me up; I can not believe Ennis said that.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 09, 2006, 08:19:40 pm
Since I did not put the review up for chapter 10, I will put them together.


Chapter 10 is “Smooth

The character development is smooth.  I actually just finished another fanfic (Somebody New) and switched to this chapter.  Other than the different story lines, I didn’t feel there is a big difference in the characters. They were all based on the characters in the story/movie, but matured over time in fanfics from the story/movie version of the characters, particular Ennis. 

Jack and Lureen’s conversation was pretty smooth.

Smooth transition to the proposal of buying Lazy L.  Looks like our beloved characters get to stay in Texas after all.

Chapter 11 is “Happy”  Very happy indeed.  :D

I am…

Happy that Jack took care of Ennis from the attire, the car, to where to stay, and what to do, to make sure that Ennis looked good and proper in the whole picking up girls deal. 

Happy that Ennis stood up against his old fears, and decided he can not live on his life by what others think

Happy that the whole sleeping arrangement was not an issue after all the discussions.

Happy that Ennis and Junior had the talk. Didn’t realize that Junior was only 12.  She was a very mature girl. 

Happy that Junior was so sweet to Jack.


“Make sure you leave time for other activities.”  The line cracks me up; I can not believe Ennis said that.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 11
Post by: MaineWriter on May 09, 2006, 08:44:27 pm
A very sweet chapter.  It makes me happy.  I posted my reviews under the fan fiction forum. 

My favorite line:

“Make sure you leave time for other activities.”  The line cracks me up; I can not believe Ennis said that.

Not only does he say it, he winks as he does so. My Ennis is the sexiest man on the planet (if I may say so) and man oh man, do I wish I could wink (I can't).

Readers...I need your opinion on "mansex". Thoughts, people?

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 10, 2006, 09:44:26 pm
REALLY liked chapter11. Everyone's growing up, some of us are growing old. Of ciourse, I just sent Leslie my second stiory...so I'm noivous as hell.  I get to the end of a stiory, and remember..the movie's a tragedy...

It's funny how nobody seems to like Alma (I never have), but didn't get around to mentioning it till they started writing fanfiction..i was scared to say so myself.

I'm a MUCH better critic than a short story writer--what happened to all my incisive coments?
Title: Chapter 12: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 11, 2006, 07:43:12 am
I'm spoiling you guys, I know I am. Another chapter in less than 48 hours? Jeez. Believe it or not, I do have a "real" job. Unfortunately, not too much work is getting done these days. Oh well, it's more fun to live vicariously through the adventures of Ennis and Jack in Quanah.

Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/13/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/13/)

As always, feedback and comments are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. I do appreciate everyone's support!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 11, 2006, 07:44:08 am
I'm spoiling you guys, I know I am. Another chapter in less than 48 hours? Jeez. Believe it or not, I do have a "real" job. Unfortunately, not too much work is getting done these days. Oh well, it's more fun to live vicariously through the adventures of Ennis and Jack in Quanah.

Here's the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/13/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/13/)

As always, feedback and comments are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. I do appreciate everyone's support!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: Chapter 12: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on May 11, 2006, 07:53:36 am
OMG!   Another one?     and only nine minutes since you posted it!   I'm so on my way to go read it!      Thanks Leslie!     

MUAH!    :-*


Revised:    Just read it Hun.   It is a sweet life indeed!      Loved every word of it.

Can we send all of the chapters to Heath and Jake with a petition that they make a film out of it for us?    ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 12: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: littleguitar on May 11, 2006, 09:43:53 am
Awsome Leslie! I'm going to read it as a reward for finishing my last day of school tonight....

Keep writing!!
Title: Re: Chapter 12: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 11, 2006, 09:51:05 am

Revised:    Just read it Hun.   It is a sweet life indeed!      Loved every word of it.

Can we send all of the chapters to Heath and Jake with a petition that they make a film out of it for us?    ;D

I sooooo want to see that movie!

More to come, I promise. This ride ain't over yet....

L
xo
Title: Re: Chapter 12: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: RouxB on May 11, 2006, 06:17:57 pm
Les-

Taking it into a meeting to read!  You are keeping me a happy head! O0

Title: Re: Chapter 12: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: DeeDee on May 11, 2006, 06:57:42 pm
Girl, you knocked it out of the park again.  Keep it up, Dr. Leslie ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 12, 2006, 07:40:06 pm
hey FOLJKS--chapter 12 is out, and we got a whiff of trouble...

Right here is River City, and it starts with T and it rhymes with P, and it stands for Trouble..hope it isn't the end of the world..shouldn't be. hey, I hear Vermont is a real nice state...

Love ya and yer guys...
Remember what Ennis said, at the beginning: it's better to die while yer livin' than befroe ya start..more fun that way.

Hope it doesn't come to that.


Ya gotta keep up with Leslie; she'll hatch out another one berfore you can turn your head.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 12, 2006, 07:46:10 pm
Another nice chapter.  I like to read Ennis and Jack's everyday life.  The conversation between Ennis and Jenny was handled very well.

I am wondering how long Leslie is going to keep this nice and sweet feeling going before she drops some bomb on us.  The more I am getting used to their sweet life, the more I feel something nasty is coming.  Am I the only one feeling this way?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 12, 2006, 08:10:28 pm
jenny--you might try reading the post RIGHT ABOVE yours... :'(
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 15, 2006, 03:01:02 am
Sorry Julie :P.  Did not read your post carefully.

It's all in Leslie's hands now.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 15, 2006, 02:35:25 pm
Hi Everyone,

Chapter 13 is up....

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/14/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/14/)

As I always say, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks again for your ongoing support!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: MaineWriter on May 15, 2006, 02:41:15 pm
Hi Everyone,

Chapter 13 is up....

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/14/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/14/)

As I always say, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks again for your ongoing support!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 15, 2006, 02:52:24 pm
Leslie--

I'd take the laptop into the tub but I guess I'll go to the sofa with a pillow--but of course, the newest Chapter is all that is needed, and I'd lie down between Lexington and Third Avenue if that's all I had--

I'm there!

Thanks!

xxxxxxxx
John
 :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 15, 2006, 03:22:52 pm
Can’t wait to read the next chapter.  I want to know what’s the big secrete that got Tom up in Lazy L, and if Ennis and Jack have some problems with the business loan.

I know I said that there must be challenges ahead, but it’s still hard when you have to face it (read it in this case)  :'(.

Is Ennis telling the truth when he said “Sometimes. Not too much. It hurt too much, made me sad, thinkin’ ‘bout ya so hard.”  I am thinking the “I sure wrang it out a hunderd times thinkin about you” line in the short story.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: JennyC on May 15, 2006, 03:27:23 pm
The new chapter makes me feel unsettling :(.  Posted my review under fan fiction thread.

Leslie, you are one of the most consistent writers out there when it comes to post new chapter.  Thanks lot!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: Lumière on May 15, 2006, 03:29:01 pm
Cheers Leslie!
Will be checking it out tonight!  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 15, 2006, 09:49:42 pm
Y'know, I really don't give a damn (of course I do) if they don't get their loan, as long as they're somewhere together.

The drawing is SO great...

Either I missed it, or there's not enough reference to the girls' leaving THAT NIGHT...if you don't read about them being carried downstairits, you might think Ennis was going on a business trip to Riverton...huh?

As I wrote over on ff, I have had similar reactions to loan applications--but I have a 189,000 dollar mortgage!

What IS the old guy so riled up about?

WHERE is my verschlungener STORY? (that's not German; it's a made-up word from "Mad" magazine...)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: RouxB on May 15, 2006, 11:51:19 pm
Uh oh Jenny-you making me nervous!

 O0
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 16, 2006, 10:40:27 am


Is Ennis telling the truth when he said “Sometimes. Not too much. It hurt too much, made me sad, thinkin’ ‘bout ya so hard.”  I am thinking the “I sure wrang it out a hunderd times thinkin about you” line in the short story.


My take on that is that he made that statement in 1967, at their reunion at the Siesta motel. When "my" Ennis is saying it hurt too much, it is in the years after 1967...knowing the time between their fishing trips, missing Jack.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 16, 2006, 10:43:04 am


The drawing is SO great...

Thank you! I love it too. I need to find a 10 year old to draw it for me. I can picture it in my mind...

Quote
Either I missed it, or there's not enough reference to the girls' leaving THAT NIGHT...if you don't read about them being carried downstairits, you might think Ennis was going on a business trip to Riverton...huh?

It is in the previous chapter. Ennis tells Alma (on the phone) he will have them home by suppertime on Sunday, August 15th.

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 16, 2006, 05:05:45 pm
I had to go take a COLD shower after that love scene.   :D

Nice touch with the bandana on the lampshade.  ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: Lumière on May 16, 2006, 05:08:44 pm
I had to go take a COLD shower after that love scene.   :D


Ditto! 
Holy t.i.h.s! Very hot indeed...  *blushes*  8).


Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Chapter 13
Post by: MaineWriter on May 16, 2006, 05:11:42 pm
Ditto! 
Holy t.i.h.s! Very hot indeed...  *blushes*  8).

I had to go take a COLD shower after that love scene.   

Nice touch with the bandana on the lampshade. 


You guys are making my day! Thank you!!

L
xoxoxoxox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: pastorfred on May 16, 2006, 11:47:55 pm
This story is nothing short of magnificent. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us. You are telling us the story we so much need to hear. Please keep it up!

Fred
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 17, 2006, 05:46:24 am
This story is nothing short of magnificent. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us. You are telling us the story we so much need to hear. Please keep it up!

Fred

Thanks you, Fred. And welcome to Bettermost!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 17, 2006, 10:15:26 pm
My 11-year-old granddaughter is probably going to draw the picture..I'm so excited!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 19, 2006, 05:06:22 pm
What a way to start the weekend!

Chapter 14 of A Love Born From Steel is up for your reading pleasure. An early review tells me that a few tears will flow with this one...you tell me if that is true.

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/15/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/15/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks again for your support of my writing. It is very inspiring and keeps my momentum at a hgh level.

Hugs to all of you,

Leslie
MaineWriter
xoxox
Title: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 19, 2006, 05:07:57 pm
What a way to start the weekend!

Chapter 14 of A Love Born From Steel is up for your reading pleasure. An early review tells me that a few tears will flow with this one...you tell me if that is true.

 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/15/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/15/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks again for your support of my writing. It is very inspiring and keeps my momentum at a hgh level.

Hugs to all of you,

Leslie
MaineWriter
xoxox
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Lumière on May 19, 2006, 05:14:30 pm
Will be checking it out once I get home!
I have been dying to see what was up with Tom's strange visit and the jerk at the bank!
I hope I get some answers Leslie!  :-*

Thank U!
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 19, 2006, 05:17:54 pm
OOOOOOOH, I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT.   :D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 19, 2006, 06:09:58 pm
Can't find the chapter on fanfiction.net.   :(

Got this error:

FanFiction.Net Message
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter not found. Please check to see you are not using an outdated url.
New chapter/story can take up to 15 minutes to show up.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 19, 2006, 07:21:22 pm
Leslie fixed it...what a thrill it must have been when he said "it looks just like it did 40 years ago." The nurse is so real, because you are a nurse. Homecomings are always great.

Got another story for you--tonight probably. ALL FINISHED (I promise). "Be Nice, Wouldn't It?"

Bob's choice...

Too bad you WHOLE stiory can't be illustrated! I mean, the illustratable parts.

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 19, 2006, 08:19:24 pm
Can't find the chapter on fanfiction.net.   :(

Got this error:

FanFiction.Net Message
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter not found. Please check to see you are not using an outdated url.
New chapter/story can take up to 15 minutes to show up.


Jenny,
The site seemed to be down for about 30 minutes but it is back up and working again..please try, I love your reviews. Thanks,
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 19, 2006, 08:20:36 pm
Leslie fixed it...what a thrill it must have been when he said "it looks just like it did 40 years ago." The nurse is so real, because you are a nurse. Homecomings are always great.

Got another story for you--tonight probably. ALL FINISHED (I promise). "Be Nice, Wouldn't It?"

Bob's choice...

Too bad you WHOLE stiory can't be illustrated! I mean, the illustratable parts.



Julie
You are so wonderful, thank you...

Hal is happy tonight, sleeping in the little back bedroom. There is more to come.
xoxox
L

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 20, 2006, 03:28:54 am
Can't wait to see your reaction to my having published my third story, with a punctuation mistake in the title, Ms for lines, and etc.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 20, 2006, 11:21:21 pm
Love the chapter!  That’s our boys, so loving and generous. To agree to take care of a dieing person is no easy decision, but it just came naturally from Ennis and Jack.

I have never heard of hospice and its philosophy, learned something new here.  This totally justifies the time I spent on reading fan fictions :).   Jill is a very interesting character.  I like her, but just as surprised as Ennis and Jack with all her spiritual talking, the suggestive comments here and there, and she even traced her fingers along Jack’s jaw! which is kind of unusual.  Would like to see more of her in the future chapters. 

Now let’s see, we have quite a few pending things on the plate right now that wait for more elaboration, Jack’s pending divorce, Tom’s secret, business loan for Lazy L, Hal coming home, Yellow Stone trip (maybe?), to name a few.  This is good because it looks like the story is not going to wrap up soon :).
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on May 22, 2006, 05:17:46 pm
Oooooo!    Two new Chapters for me to read!    YEE HAAA!

  .............Loved them both Leslie!      Chapter 13 steamed up my glasses!   LOL

Keep em coming, fast or slow, I just like the direction you're going!    ;D

David 
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: slayers_creek_oth on May 22, 2006, 05:28:29 pm
Ok Leslie....I haven't read a whole lot yet....I'm just startin but from what i have read you are a hell of a writer!   ;D
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 22, 2006, 07:43:31 pm
Ok Leslie....I haven't read a whole lot yet....I'm just startin but from what i have read you are a hell of a writer!   ;D

Well, gee, Chris, thank you...Leslie blushes like Ennis does  ;)
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 22, 2006, 07:44:02 pm
Oooooo!    Two new Chapters for me to read!    YEE HAAA!

  .............Loved them both Leslie!      Chapter 13 steamed up my glasses!   LOL

Keep em coming, fast or slow, I just like the direction you're going!    ;D

David 

Good to have you back, David. I was missing your reviews!

Leslie
xox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 24, 2006, 02:43:36 pm
Where's chapter 15? 

Eagerly awaiting.....  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 24, 2006, 02:57:48 pm
Where's chapter 15? 

Eagerly awaiting.....  :)

About two-thirds finished, I think.

How did you like 14?

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 24, 2006, 03:37:43 pm
far as i'm concerned, it can go on till they're 85.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on May 24, 2006, 07:14:13 pm
oh I have a few hunches about Chapter 15.       I think Hal wants to leave the Boys the house in his will.   Thats why Tom was up to see him.  That is also why Tom was nervous at the house when he stopped by.   He doesn't want to go against Hals wishes, but then again, he needs to recoup the money he just spent fixing up the place.

Maybe Old L.D. Newsome is pressuring the bank not to give Jack the loan?

Maybe Jack will send away for a copy of the book "The Joy of Gay Sex"?      OMG!  can you imagine those two with a book full of kinky ideas?   LOL.


 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 24, 2006, 08:19:26 pm
David. I think your first idea a likely one...and of course they won't rob Tom...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 24, 2006, 10:18:24 pm
Now don't steer Leslie any ideas, ya'all.  Just let her write away...  Although I'd love a whole chapter dedicated to "The Joy of Sex" book!!!!  :D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Lumière on May 24, 2006, 10:29:09 pm
Now don't steer Leslie any ideas, ya'all.  Just let her write away...  Although I'd love a whole chapter dedicated to "The Joy of Sex" book!!!!  :D

Once again - I agree with U there!  8)
Jack and Ennis love scenes are just blo!dy unbelievable when Leslie puts her back into it!  :P
Crazy thing is - I have no choice but to picture Jake and Heath, umm, doing those things to each other! lol!  Leslie, see what you done?!  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 25, 2006, 04:05:17 am
No, Lucise...I don't really quite see Heath and Jake anymore...the further she gets into the story, the more they don't quite look liike Heath and Jake anymore...I can't tell you exactly what they look like, but it's..a little different.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: opinionista on May 25, 2006, 11:36:06 am
Quote
It's funny how nobody seems to like Alma (I never have), but didn't get around to mentioning it till they started writing fanfiction..i was scared to say so myself

Well, I like Alma. I haven't read all the chapters to be honest. Not much time to do it, but I like Alma. I feel sorry for how her life turned out to be. I don't think she's a bad person just a troubled and utterly sad one. She loved Ennis, she really did but didn't know how to handle him and his secret.
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on May 25, 2006, 01:37:54 pm
Taps fingers on computer desk.....  ahem?   Chapter 15 ready yet?     ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 25, 2006, 02:20:43 pm
Didn't say I didn't feel sorry for her; said I didn't really like her.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: opinionista on May 25, 2006, 03:19:38 pm
Didn't say I didn't feel sorry for her; said I didn't really like her.

I know you didn't I was merely expressing my opinion about her, and how I feel about her character. To me she sort of symbolize the life most women endure in the society portrayed in the movie: a chauvinistic and controlling society. Alma strikes me as someone who wishes much more from life than she can actually get because of her lack of education and the environment she was raised in. She's a sad character. Yet she's has some integrity because she didn't go around town telling what she saw about Ennis. She kept it to herself, probably to protect herself and her children, but ended up protecting Ennis as well. Alma was angry and jealous of Jack, but she loved Ennis.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Lumière on May 25, 2006, 03:27:49 pm
No, Lucise...I don't really quite see Heath and Jake anymore...the further she gets into the story, the more they don't quite look liike Heath and Jake anymore...I can't tell you exactly what they look like, but it's..a little different.

Haha, good for you Julie!  ;D
I want to keep seeing Heath and Jake in Leslie's Jack and Ennis! 
It's too late now to change anything!  :P
Title: Re: Chapter 14: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 25, 2006, 11:01:53 pm
Just want to say about Leslie:

Seriously, I hope my speech therapist (who is the best, by the way) will get me talking and writing and reading soon one day so I can TELL Leslie what her story--all fourteen chapters--has meant to me! From the heart.
 
Leslie, I hope you send Chapter 15 soon!
 
I hope our Brokeback family are well!
 
xxxxxxx
John
Title: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 15
Post by: MaineWriter on May 26, 2006, 09:09:36 am
Ladies and gentlemen, chapter 15 is up for your reading pleasure.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/16/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/16/)

I've said it before, I'll say it again: comments and feedback are always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, as always, for your support.

Leslie
MaineWriter
xoxox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 26, 2006, 09:10:19 am
Ladies and gentlemen, chapter 15 is up for your reading pleasure.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/16/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/16/)

I've said it before, I'll say it again: comments and feedback are always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, as always, for your support.

Leslie
MaineWriter
xoxox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 15
Post by: David on May 26, 2006, 09:39:20 am
 :'((wipes tears from eyes) 

 Another home run Leslie!    Keep up the great work!     


 :-*  David
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 26, 2006, 01:29:05 pm
Review posted on ff.

This is such a great chepter; you range so freely through a bunch of emotions, and integrate the weather so beautifuolly in the action.  I NEVER CRY--hardly...I'm crying.

Also added your story to me favorites, in spite of--you know what (not your story).

I wish my parents....never mind...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on May 26, 2006, 02:27:11 pm
Leslie, thanks for the beautiful and touching chapter.  You have addressed many emotions here, and got me all emotional from reading the last time Ennis and Hal together, and Ennis and Jack's conversation after that.  Simply beautiful!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 26, 2006, 02:42:22 pm
Thanks, Jenny and Julie, both--

I so appreciate your support and feedback. It means alot to me, it really does.

Leslie
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 15
Post by: MaineWriter on May 26, 2006, 02:43:01 pm
:'((wipes tears from eyes) 

 Another home run Leslie!    Keep up the great work!     


 :-*  David

Thanks, David!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 15
Post by: Lumière on May 26, 2006, 03:35:39 pm
I will be reading it tonight and sending in a review!
Cheers Leslie!  ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 15
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 26, 2006, 11:18:40 pm
He turned back to Hal, whose eyes were open and seemed brighter and bluer than they had ever looked before. Ennis smiled at him. “Hal, yer eyes are blue like Jack’s,” he said. “I love blue eyes.”

“Yer eyes are brown,” whispered Hal. “I had a friend who had brown eyes.”


When I read this tonight, just as I read it, there was an amazing rainstorm in New York, lightning and thunder. And then it cleared, just as Hal died.

Beautiful story, Leslie.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 15
Post by: MaineWriter on May 27, 2006, 07:40:38 am
He turned back to Hal, whose eyes were open and seemed brighter and bluer than they had ever looked before. Ennis smiled at him. “Hal, yer eyes are blue like Jack’s,” he said. “I love blue eyes.”

“Yer eyes are brown,” whispered Hal. “I had a friend who had brown eyes.”


When I read this tonight, just as I read it, there was an amazing rainstorm in New York, lightning and thunder. And then it cleared, just as Hal died.

Beautiful story, Leslie.

Thank you, John. That's very special.

Leslie
xo
Title: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: MaineWriter on May 29, 2006, 08:08:17 am
Hooray for three day weekends and fanfic authors who never rest (that would be me).

Chapter 16 is up for your reading pleasure:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/17/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/17/)

Comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks again everyone, for your support...

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 29, 2006, 08:09:00 am
Hooray for three day weekends and fanfic authors who never rest (that would be me).

Chapter 16 is up for your reading pleasure:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/17/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/17/)

Comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks again everyone, for your support...

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: David on May 29, 2006, 08:26:20 am
WOO HOO!

I saw it one minute after you posted it!    LOL.

Hot of the press, just the way I like it!!

Another great read Leslie!    Kept me on the edge of my seat!

<smooch>  :-*   David
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: Lumière on May 29, 2006, 11:19:38 am
Leslie - Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on May 29, 2006, 02:09:58 pm
yeah, I'd like to slice him fine, hang him, and cure him...not as good as elk, but what the hell. Perople like that take pleasure in causing pain, they really do. You can always see them smiling inside while they tell you where to get off.

It's intreresting how the chatacters under pressure veer apart, and rejoin . Good old E...

hey, look ma, no sex...

Great chapter.

And for those of you saying they still look just the same, how the hell could they? They AREN'T the same anymore.

Oh hell, I don't want to fight about it. Everyone sees what they see...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: littleguitar on May 29, 2006, 03:56:48 pm
Hey Leslie, thought you'd like to know that your story's been posted over at the livejournal brokeback fan fiction community... here's the link, just scroll down a bit and you'll see the entry

http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/ (http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/)

see, you must be good, your story is getting around  ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: DeeDee on May 29, 2006, 04:56:23 pm
This woman is THE BOMB!! :-*

Keep 'em coming.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: MaineWriter on May 29, 2006, 06:05:01 pm
Hey Leslie, thought you'd like to know that your story's been posted over at the livejournal brokeback fan fiction community... here's the link, just scroll down a bit and you'll see the entry

http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/ (http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/)

see, you must be good, your story is getting around  ;)

Thanks for letting me know about this. For the life of me, I cannot figure out LiveJournal (although I have figured out how to read Louise's story). This poster told me she was putting up the link but thanks, Mandy, for directing me to it.

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: SFEnnisSF on May 30, 2006, 01:54:58 am
Leslie,

This story is a masterpiece!  That was an excellent chapter.  Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on May 30, 2006, 05:20:26 am
Leslie,

This story is a masterpiece!  That was an excellent chapter.  Thank you!  :)

Thank you, Eric!

Leslie
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 31, 2006, 09:33:14 am
Leslie,

Just read Chapter 16 this morning and I have to run out--I must reply later and tell you how wonderful it was--thanks!

xxxxx
John
 ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: Kelda on May 31, 2006, 09:40:06 am
Leslie..

I somehow managed to not get round to reading the chapters after chapter 2, but last week I saved the chapters to a word doc to read them all. Just finished a marathon reading session of all the other chapters...

Loving your work!  ;D

will post a comment on fanfic when I can access it while not at work!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on May 31, 2006, 09:41:11 am
Why am I craving a toasted cheese sandwich (with tomato) and a bowl of alphabet soup?  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: MaineWriter on May 31, 2006, 09:49:55 am
Why am I craving a toasted cheese sandwich (with tomato) and a bowl of alphabet soup?  :)

John, Kelda and Jeff....

Thank you, thank you, thank you...all your support is appreciated.

Can't you picture Ennis, crying over his soup? Makes me want to cry...I am so in love with my Ennis, it hurts.

Leslie
MaineWriter, in pain
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on May 31, 2006, 11:54:01 am
John, Kelda and Jeff....

Thank you, thank you, thank you...all your support is appreciated.

Can't you picture Ennis, crying over his soup? Makes me want to cry...I am so in love with my Ennis, it hurts.

Leslie
MaineWriter, in pain

I know, Honey, I know. Of course it makes one want to cry. I know what "your" Ennis is feeling. After all, I've lost my mother, too.

And it isn't any easier seeing oneself in Ennis, or Ennis in oneself, and being in love with one's own Jack.

We need to remember Cher's words to Nicholas Cage in Moonstruck: "SNAP OUT OF IT!"

With deepest sympathy,
Jeff
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: MaineWriter on May 31, 2006, 12:05:36 pm


We need to remember Cher's words to Nicholas Cage in Moonstruck: "SNAP OUT OF IT!"

With deepest sympathy,
Jeff

Dopeslap! Thanks! I needed that! LOL

L
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 31, 2006, 01:34:25 pm
Between running from several appointments (doctors, natch) I wanted to mention only one of many, many beautiful things in the latest chapter--

“My sis fixed us up. She knew Alma’s family through the Methodist church.” Ennis paused for a minute, thinking, then continued. “When my brother decided t’get married, I think my sis was worried ‘bout me, thought I needed t’hook up with someone so I wouldn’t be alone. So, she introduced us…” He gave Jack a funny smile. “I never really dated anyone before, was never really interested in girls.”

That's Ennis is a nutshell.

Got to run again, Leslie, but will say more--and Hi, Jeff!

xxxx
John
 ;D



 
Title: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: MaineWriter on June 01, 2006, 05:53:09 am
Brokies in Dallas--

I need so info about when BBM was playing in the movie theater in Dallas. Is there any sort of a big theater downtown where it was playing? If yes, what is the name of this theater? Is it within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency?

Anyone remember the schedule of times it was showing at this theater?

If there is no such theater, can you tell me the names of the theaters where it was playing?

Also...a few years ago I ate a restaurant called Fish which was near the Hyatt (walking distance). Is it still there?

Thanks in advance,

Leslie
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 01, 2006, 08:56:19 am
Brokies in Dallas--

I need so info about when BBM was playing in the movie theater in Dallas. Is there any sort of a big theater downtown where it was playing? If yes, what is the name of this theater? Is it within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency?

Anyone remember the schedule of times it was showing at this theater?

If there is no such theater, can you tell me the names of the theaters where it was playing?

Also...a few years ago I ate a restaurant called Fish which was near the Hyatt (walking distance). Is it still there?

Thanks in advance,

Leslie


Hmmmm    ???  I don't know of any 'downtown' theaters that were showing BBM.  The only theater I know that was actually downtown closed a few years back.  The Magnolia near downtown was the closest, but it isn't actually in downtown, but just outside it.  I haven't heard of 'Fish' restaurant, but there is a Big Fish Little Fish restaurant that is within walking distance of the Magnolia, but unless there was another Hyatt Regency Hotel somewhere, neither of these two places are close to it.

BBM also played at the Cinemark Legacy (Plano) and the Angelika Theater (Plano).  There were some others, after the wide-wide release but all I can remember is it also showing at the Loewes Keystone which is now the AMC Keystone.
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: PatSinnott on June 02, 2006, 02:54:22 pm
Fish closed a couple of years ago.   :-\

Like Delluvia said, the closest to downtown was the Magnolia Theater in the West Village.  They have a website http://www.landmarktheaters.com/market/Dallas/TheMagnolia.htm (http://www.landmarktheaters.com/market/Dallas/TheMagnolia.htm)  You could email them for the showtimes.  I know it was playing all day at first, and towards the end of the run, just late afternoon and night.  I saw it both times at the Magnolia. 

I think it also played at the AMC Grand after wide release.  In December, there were only a handful of theaters showing it.

Hope this helps,
Pat Sinnott
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: MaineWriter on June 02, 2006, 04:56:43 pm
Fish closed a couple of years ago.   :-\

That's a shame. I had one of the best meals of my life there.
Quote
Like Delluvia said, the closest to downtown was the Magnolia Theater in the West Village.  They have a website http://www.landmarktheaters.com/market/Dallas/TheMagnolia.htm (http://www.landmarktheaters.com/market/Dallas/TheMagnolia.htm)  You could email them for the showtimes.  I know it was playing all day at first, and towards the end of the run, just late afternoon and night.  I saw it both times at the Magnolia. 

I think it also played at the AMC Grand after wide release.  In December, there were only a handful of theaters showing it.

Hope this helps,
Pat Sinnott

So, if someone were to see it at the Magnolia, can you give me the name of a nice restaurant nearby where they might have dinner before or after the show? And recommend a good dish? And then I need the name of a hotel nearby too...something nice. Not the Motel 6.

Thanks in advance,
Leslie

Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 02, 2006, 07:57:52 pm
That's a shame. I had one of the best meals of my life there.
So, if someone were to see it at the Magnolia, can you give me the name of a nice restaurant nearby where they might have dinner before or after the show? And recommend a good dish? And then I need the name of a hotel nearby too...something nice. Not the Motel 6.

Thanks in advance,
Leslie

Right across the street from the Magnolia theater is Mi Cocina, a yupscale but still casual Mexican food place and it was my first thought to eat there when I and my friends got out of the showing.

I've never eaten there though   :( so I can't recommend anything or even know the dishes they serve there.

And a nice nice hotel, Dallas landmark is the Adolphus http://www.hoteladolphus.com/ it's downtown and within it is the best - and most expensive - restaurant I've ever eaten in -  The French Room which is a nationally recognized restaurant.
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: Ellemeno on June 02, 2006, 07:59:27 pm
yupscale :)
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 02, 2006, 08:02:42 pm
yupscale :)

Heh, you understand the word without my having to explain.  ;D
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: MaineWriter on June 03, 2006, 06:26:52 am
I still need an answer....if someone ate at Mi Cocina, saw the movie at the Magnolia, and stayed at the Aldophus, could that person get to all three places on foot?

Thanks

L
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: MaineWriter on June 03, 2006, 07:16:50 am
Okay, so I just went and read a couple of reviews of Mi Cocina and it is not quite the type of restaurant I had in mind. Is there something a bit more sedate in the neighborhood? Or maybe a steakhouse?

The Magnolia sounds nice, though. I can use that. Also still wondering about a hotel.

L
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 03, 2006, 12:18:35 pm
Okay, so I just went and read a couple of reviews of Mi Cocina and it is not quite the type of restaurant I had in mind. Is there something a bit more sedate in the neighborhood? Or maybe a steakhouse?

The Magnolia sounds nice, though. I can use that. Also still wondering about a hotel.

L

Hiya,

OK, when you say 'sedate', what exactly do you mean?

So you want to be able to walk to the restaurant, theater and hotel?

I wanna tell you that Dallas isn't a walking town.  How far is too far to walk?  There are several great restaurants near the Magnolia, if you don't like those in the West Village, the rest are like .25 to 1/2 mile walk.  The Adolphus is like 4 miles away as the crow flies.
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: two_bloody_shirts on June 03, 2006, 01:47:47 pm
Would this (http://www.visitdallas.com/visitros/maps.php) help you in any way?  Or  this (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-191502014-dallas_hotels-i-nhood-downtown%2Bdallas-prhigh-200-prlow-109;_ylt=AjZI7avavAn_IKGgBIGQWpgJ8b8F)?

Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: PatSinnott on June 03, 2006, 07:53:27 pm
No you could not walk.  There is no hotel close enough to the Magnolia to walk. You could take the trolley, it goes right past the West Village and it stops in front of the Fairmount downtown, so you could walk and take the McKinney Avenue Trolley to get downtown to the Fairmount Hotel. There is a nice steak house within walking distance of the Magnolia Theater called Texas Land & Cattle, at the corner of Cole and Lemmon.


If you wanted a theater, restaurant and hotel within walking distance of each other, you'd have to go to Northpark.  The Bradford Hotel is across the street. Another nice feature of Northpark, there is a shuttle that will take you to the DART rail station.
 

Hope this helps!! ::)

Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 03, 2006, 08:47:16 pm
No you could not walk.  There is no hotel close enough to the Magnolia to walk. You could take the trolley, it goes right past the West Village and it stops in front of the Fairmount downtown, so you could walk and take the McKinney Avenue Trolley to get downtown to the Fairmount Hotel. There is a nice steak house within walking distance of the Magnolia Theater called Texas Land & Cattle, at the corner of Cole and Lemmon.


If you wanted a theater, restaurant and hotel within walking distance of each other, you'd have to go to Northpark.  The Bradford Hotel is across the street. Another nice feature of Northpark, there is a shuttle that will take you to the DART rail station. Hope this helps!! ::)

But I don't think the Northpark theaters were even open this last winter when BBM was showing.  I think they opened this spring.
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: MaineWriter on June 04, 2006, 07:51:24 am
No you could not walk.  There is no hotel close enough to the Magnolia to walk. You could take the trolley, it goes right past the West Village and it stops in front of the Fairmount downtown, so you could walk and take the McKinney Avenue Trolley to get downtown to the Fairmount Hotel. There is a nice steak house within walking distance of the Magnolia Theater called Texas Land & Cattle, at the corner of Cole and Lemmon.


If you wanted a theater, restaurant and hotel within walking distance of each other, you'd have to go to Northpark.  The Bradford Hotel is across the street. Another nice feature of Northpark, there is a shuttle that will take you to the DART rail station.
 

Hope this helps!! ::)




All right, this is sounding good. So a person could stay at the Fairmount Hotel, take the trolley to (where? West Village) and have dinner at Texas Land & Cattle and then walk to the Magnolia to watch the movie. Is this correct?

I have to laugh...I live here in Maine where it says "Vacationland" on our license plates. Friends of friends of friends email me asking for hotels, restaurants, rental cottages, where to go skiing, where to get the best fried clams etc etc. I feel like a walking travel guide. Something tells me that Dallas is NOT a tourist destination. LOL

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 04, 2006, 09:12:07 am
Leslie these stories are just brilliant, and so cute too.  Can I ask you how many chapters your going to write?  The more the better btw.  I think I read them nearly every day. ::)  Your very clever, well done.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 04, 2006, 09:19:17 am
Leslie these stories are just brilliant, and so cute too.  Can I ask you how many chapters your going to write?  The more the better btw.  I think I read them nearly every day. ::)  Your very clever, well done.

Three chapters more, definitely...maybe 4. It depends on how the one I am working on turns out, if it is one or two.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: David on June 04, 2006, 09:21:18 am
Hmm,,  feeling woosey and light headed.  Disoriented feeling.  Aching heart and the weight of the lonely wide open spaces comes rolling down apon me.....

that can mean only one thing!      It is just about time for Chapter 17!     ;)


Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 16
Post by: MaineWriter on June 04, 2006, 09:22:43 am
I'm working on it David...having a hard time burying Hal, though.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 04, 2006, 10:02:02 am
Brilliant cant wait. Theres some VERY steamy stuff in those stores Leslie. ;)  Keep up the good work!! ;) ;)
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 04, 2006, 11:31:42 am

All right, this is sounding good. So a person could stay at the Fairmount Hotel, take the trolley to (where? West Village) and have dinner at Texas Land & Cattle and then walk to the Magnolia to watch the movie. Is this correct?

Yes.

Quote
I have to laugh...I live here in Maine where it says "Vacationland" on our license plates. Friends of friends of friends email me asking for hotels, restaurants, rental cottages, where to go skiing, where to get the best fried clams etc etc. I feel like a walking travel guide. Something tells me that Dallas is NOT a tourist destination. LOL

L

I live here and I don't think Dallas or Texas is particularly tourist worthy.  Not much to see and for most of what you can see, you need a car.
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: MaineWriter on June 04, 2006, 11:39:56 am
I live here and I don't think Dallas or Texas is particularly tourist worthy.  Not much to see and for most of what you can see, you need a car.

I've been there (several times) and I would agree with the car part, but I have actually seen some interesting touristy things--the Ranching Heritage Museum in Lubbock comes to mind, plus the Riverwalk in San Antonio. I also visited a nice winery in Lubbock.

And one thing about you Texans, you are a friendly bunch!
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: delalluvia on June 04, 2006, 12:18:07 pm
I've been there (several times) and I would agree with the car part, but I have actually seen some interesting touristy things--the Ranching Heritage Museum in Lubbock comes to mind, plus the Riverwalk in San Antonio. I also visited a nice winery in Lubbock.

And one thing about you Texans, you are a friendly bunch!

There are things to see, but not all in one place - the Kennedy things in Dallas, the limestone caverns and Aquarena Springs in Central Texas, the mission tours in/around San Antonio, the Marfa lights, if you like deserts Big Bend National Park, the Strand in Galveston but ye gods not a single place is near to each other and we're talking hours and hours of driving.
Title: Re: Brokies in Dallas -- need some info
Post by: PatSinnott on June 04, 2006, 02:28:54 pm
Yes Leslie,
One could stay at the Fairmount.  Take the McKinney Avenue Trolley to the West Village where the Magnolia is, and walk to Texas Land and Cattle. 

Our classic car club hosted the national convention in Dallas two years ago, and I was in charge of what to show them during the day on Saturday.  We decided to tour Swiss Avenue on our way to a tailgate breakfast at White Rock Lake, then we had busses take them to different destinations.  Most postitive comments came from the Sixth Floor Museum, but Dallas World Aquarium was also well received.  Our big car show was held at Fair Park.

As I said when I was heading up this committee "Dallas is a great place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit there".

I thnk most out of towners go to Six Flags Amusement Park, the Mesquite Rodeo, and our sports events.

On the other hand, Fort Worth is loaded with great things to see. 
Title: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 17
Post by: MaineWriter on June 06, 2006, 06:42:20 am
In honor of our New England brokie event, I pushed myself to get this done. Poor Jack is worried....

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/18/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/18/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Enjoy!

Leslie
MaineWriter

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 06, 2006, 06:43:02 am
In honor of our New England brokie event, I pushed myself to get this done. Poor Jack is worried....

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/18/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/18/)

As always, comments and feedback are welcome. Please consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Enjoy!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 17
Post by: David on June 06, 2006, 07:15:38 am
Oh sure!   Now I HAVE to read this before driving up to meet Y'all!   LOL

<checks watch>  Ok,  see you later Leslie!

David :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 17
Post by: Lumière on June 06, 2006, 12:04:39 pm
Cheers Leslie!  :)
I guess our boys finally get to buy their mattress in this one?  ;)
Can't wait to dig in.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 17
Post by: bbm_stitchbuffyfan on June 06, 2006, 12:16:11 pm
God I'm so far behind on this story...  I'm on, like, Chapter 7 or something...

I have some catching up to do.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 17
Post by: littleguitar on June 06, 2006, 06:51:30 pm
Thanks Leslie! That was a good one, can't wait for the next! ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 17
Post by: twistedude on June 07, 2006, 02:36:10 am
Won't catch ME falling behind, nosir. I spent my whole review on fanfriction talking about MY experieve with someone's death...really helpful, huh?

You KNOW they'll get the money from somehwre...Texas is such a neat state...sure it is!

Hey, you're always asking for ff reveriws; you never left me one...
Title: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 18
Post by: MaineWriter on June 09, 2006, 02:01:03 pm
Just in time for the weekend, a new chapter for your reading pleasure...

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/19/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/19/)

You know the drill...comments, feedback always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. As always, your support of my writing is greatly appreciated!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 09, 2006, 02:02:09 pm
Just in time for the weekend, a new chapter for your reading pleasure...

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/19/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/19/)

You know the drill...comments, feedback always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. As always, your support of my writing is greatly appreciated!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 18
Post by: Lumière on June 09, 2006, 02:12:45 pm
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Leslie!  :-*
And as usual, will send in a review as well!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 18
Post by: David on June 09, 2006, 02:13:29 pm
As always, you never disappoint us Leslie!       ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 18
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on June 10, 2006, 07:02:13 pm
Beautiful, Leslie, tearful and and beautiful.

Wish I could say more, not yet. But I will.

xxxxxxx
John
 :'(
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 18
Post by: MaineWriter on June 10, 2006, 08:31:49 pm
Beautiful, Leslie, tearful and and beautiful.

Wish I could say more, not yet. But I will.

xxxxxxx
John
 :'(

John, just so you know...you were a huge inspiration for this chapter. Way back when, you made a comment to me, "I worry about Hal, a life of sorrow and regret..." I have held that thought and figured it out in this chapter. I would like to think that Hal's life was not entirely unhappy (viz, the people showing up at the house and the funeral...he has friends)...and I managed to transfer the bulk of unhappiness and regret to Pete....still, poor Hal, missing a life that could have been...

Leslie
xo
Title: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 19
Post by: MaineWriter on June 12, 2006, 06:11:52 am
Happy Monday morning, everyone...

To get your week off to a good start, a new chapter is posted for your reading pleasure. This one has some juicy stuff and some big news. Enjoy!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/20/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/20/)

Comments and feedback are always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, always, for your support of my writing.

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 12, 2006, 06:14:00 am
Happy Monday morning, everyone...

To get your week off to a good start, a new chapter is posted for your reading pleasure. This one has some juicy stuff and some big news. Enjoy!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/20/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/20/)

Comments and feedback are always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, always, for your support of my writing.

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Penthesilea on June 12, 2006, 07:24:53 am
Leslie, this letter posting is long overdue... ;)

A big, warm and heartfelt Thank You!!! for every single chapter of your story.

I'm an avid reader of your fanfic and look forward to every new chapter. Though it took me 2 attempts to appreciate it. First time, I read only the first and half of the second chapter and stopped (sorry!). I did not think it was bad (no way!) it was just - different. I guess it took me a while to get used to the thought of a different universe of Ennis and Jack.
But a few weeks later, at my second time it got me hooked and I spent half a night in front of the computer, reading all 13 (by then) chapters.
Since then you can count me in to the folks who are impatiently waiting for every new chapter.
Great story.

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 19
Post by: David on June 12, 2006, 07:48:20 am
Good Morning Leslie!

    Absolutely Loved it!   Best chapter yet!
     ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 12, 2006, 08:24:41 am
Happy Monday morning, everyone...

To get your week off to a good start, a new chapter is posted for your reading pleasure. This one has some juicy stuff and some big news. Enjoy!

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/20/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/20/)

Comments and feedback are always welcome. Consider posting a review at the fanfic site. Thanks, always, for your support of my writing.

Leslie
MaineWriter

Jesus Leslie you wernt kidding about the juicy stuff!! :o :o :o You have SOME imagination Lady. ;)  The big news was brillaint, absolutly brilliant.  Bought a tear to my eye. Now if only the powers that be could do a re-make with your stories instead.  Wonder what rating it would get?  ;) ;) ;) ;)  Keep em coming,(no pun intended sorry lol) :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 19
Post by: MaineWriter on June 12, 2006, 09:36:56 am
Good Morning Leslie!

    Absolutely Loved it!   Best chapter yet!
     ;D

Thank you, David!

Hugs,
Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 19
Post by: littleguitar on June 12, 2006, 09:39:01 am
oh goody! what a great way to start the morning!! Definitely better than the yoga class I'm about to go to...  :-\

Thanks Leslie!!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 12, 2006, 09:56:42 am
Jane and Pent...

Thank you both so much for your wonderful supportive comments. I really appreciate it, it makes it easy for me to keep on this writing journey when I know that people are enjoying my story.

More to come...chapter 20 will post on Wednesday and the final ending will be Friday, if all goes as planned. Yes, the story will end, but you can always re-read it!

Hugs,
Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on June 12, 2006, 01:05:04 pm
"Is everything sad going to come untrue?" We should have known, I guess. But somehiow I thought they wouold have found out by now...

Those fingers are really getting around, let me tell ya...I wasn't going to use it, asnd then all of a sudden, there it was! Well, limited space and all...what's everyone else's excuse?

Y'mean, there's actually more?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 13, 2006, 06:42:07 am
Leslie, know what I did today?  I went in the supermarket and saw a jar of peanut butter on the shelf and couldnt stop laughing ;) ;) . People must have thought I was crazy.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 06:54:13 am
Leslie, know what I did today?  I went in the supermarket and saw a jar of peanut butter on the shelf and couldnt stop laughing ;) ;) . People must have thought I was crazy.  ;D ;D

Creamy or crunchy?  :o
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 06:58:32 am
I had a request over on the davecullen board to post "A Love Born From Steel" on LiveJournal. Apparently. some people have problems with fanfiction.net (spyware). I am slowly moving all the chapters. If you want to read it on LJ, here is the link for the beginning of the story:

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/417.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/417.html)

Use the arrow to page through. The chapters are broken up into smaller sections (1a, 1b, etc).

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on June 13, 2006, 07:15:42 am

 and the final ending will be Friday, if all goes as planned. Yes, the story will end, but you can always re-read it!

Ending?    Noooooo!!!!     

Waaaaa!     :'(
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 13, 2006, 07:45:58 am
Creamy or crunchy?  :o

Crunchy. ;) ;)  I tell ya, the thoughts that came into my head. :o  It,s all your fault too. Bad girl. ;) ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 08:25:22 am
Crunchy. ;) ;)  I tell ya, the thoughts that came into my head. :o  It,s all your fault too. Bad girl. ;) ;)

Ah, the celebrated life of a fanfic writer...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 08:28:32 am
Ending?    Noooooo!!!!     

Waaaaa!     :'(

Not to worry, new ideas are starting to percolate in my head. I had a very nice email from a reader, telling me how well I understand human nature and I realized that is what I like to write. Exploring relationships, seeing people change and grow. I am pondering something with Ennis and his brother and sister...the idea isn't fully formed but it is  incubating.

I am telling you, this fanfic writing is like heroin...totally addicting...

Leslie
xox
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 13, 2006, 10:48:43 am
Leslie whilst I chew my nails to the quick waiting for tomorows chapter, can I ask you... IF you had written Brokeback Mountain, would you have changed anything about it or would you have written it exactly the same, including the ending?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 12:47:55 pm
Leslie whilst I chew my nails to the quick waiting for tomorows chapter, can I ask you... IF you had written Brokeback Mountain, would you have changed anything about it or would you have written it exactly the same, including the ending?

That's an interesting question and one that is a little bit difficult to answer. First, I don't think short story is my genre. I do not have the parsimony of words that is needed, I tend to like more exposition and characterization. Two, I am a sucker for happy endings so I am not sure I could have written Brokeback Mountain.

Brokeback Mountain is Brokeback Mountain. ALBFS is ALBFS. Yes, they share the same first 13 years but once they hit the fork in the road--BBM to the left, ALBFS to the right--they are totally different stories. People have asked me about Randall and Lashawn, but they don't exist. Jack never met them. Ennis never met Cassie. And Ennis didn't have to endure that horrible Thanksgiving dinner. That's the thing that makes me happiest of all.

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: pastorfred on June 13, 2006, 01:55:04 pm
I just want you to know how much ALBFS means to me. The canonical BBM is great literature, a classical tragedy, powerful and needed catharsis for me, but it left me emotionally devastated. Your story is breath of fresh air, an alternative universe that simply was meant to be, and much needed therapy. So, I thank you from my heart!

I'm with you 100 percent that it's a wonderful thing that Ennis never had to endure that horrible Thanksgiving confrontation with Alma.

Peace,
Fred
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 02:08:01 pm
I just want you to know how much ALBFS means to me. The canonical BBM is great literature, a classical tragedy, powerful and needed catharsis for me, but it left me emotionally devastated. Your story is breath of fresh air, an alternative universe that simply was meant to be, and much needed therapy. So, I thank you from my heart!

I'm with you 100 percent that it's a wonderful thing that Ennis never had to endure that horrible Thanksgiving confrontation with Alma.

Peace,
Fred

Thank you, Fred.

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on June 13, 2006, 06:34:00 pm
Leslie,

Sorry, I have been slacking off on posting comments.  I am still following the story and read it when you post it.  The story between Hal and Pete is beautiful and sad.  For a moment I thought Ennis and Jack will ask Pete to stay. But on a second thought, that don’t feel right.  He had the opportunity and didn’t grab onto it.  Hal is gone, there is no point for him to stay.  Lazy L is Ennis and Jack’s home now.  As to Hal’s will, I like the direction you are going, glad that Ennis and Jack can finally put their angst to rest.  Tom is a good fellow to fully support Hal’s will.  I guess Ennis and Jack will repay Tom for all the expenses he occurred to bring the farm and the house back to life when they finalize the paper work.

You promised the scene where Ennis and Jack go to buy mattress, guess that one is coming up?  As always, thank you very much for all the trouble and hard work to provide us the reading pleasure.

Jenny
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 13, 2006, 07:30:35 pm
Because others seem to have had the same confusion as Jenny, I will clarify:

Tom has not been spending his own money all summer for the house repairs and painting. Hal had charge accounts at  the stores in town (primarily the hardware store but the others too). Remember, this is 1976 and credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, were not as persvasive as they are today. It was common, especially in smaller, rural towns like Quanah, to have a credit account at the store where you just sign your name. Tom talked to all the managers (he said this in chapter 4) so Jack or Ennis could sign/charge and Tom got the bills...and paid with Hal's money (remember, Tom had the power of attorney). For the things that Jack and Ennis paid out of pocket (such as the curtains), Tom reimbursed them but again it was from Hal's money. Finally, the weekly salary they were being paid ($125/wk each) was also from Hal's account.

So...Jack and Ennis don't owe Tom any money, and Tom hasn't gone broke this summer fixing up his uncle's house.

Hope that helps,

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 19
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on June 14, 2006, 01:28:51 am
Tom had said he’d bring donuts—“I’ll make sure to have plenty of the sugared ones for Ennis,” he had said. Jack smiled at the memory of the day in May when they sat on the porch and talked about the plans for the summer. It seemed so long ago…

Oh Leslie....

My dreams really came true! Beautiful!

(Now tell me: which great grand uncle Nicholl moved to Texas and said "--the sun must be over the yardarm somewhere in the world.” Love it!)
 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on June 14, 2006, 02:07:35 am
Thanks for the clarification, Leslie.  I am glad that you explained this, oterhwise I will be looking for that detail in the next chapter. :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on June 14, 2006, 02:35:54 am
She told me earlier--that it was Hal's money, not Tom's. So I sorta knew what was going to happen...sorta.
People are attacking me for the funny things I've been saying to marakeshsparrow---what a scream. I POSTED the damn story here to begin with...

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 19
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 05:21:54 am

Oh Leslie....

My dreams really came true! Beautiful!

(Now tell me: which great grand uncle Nicholl moved to Texas and said "--the sun must be over the yardarm somewhere in the world.” Love it!)
 

Ha ha! I am so glad you noticed that...I love that expression and you are the first to comment on it!

Leslie
xoxoxo
Title: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 06:00:03 am
Ladies and Gentlemen, the event you've been waiting for: our boys go mattress shopping.

Chapter 20 is up for your reading pleasure.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/21/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/21/)

As always, thanks. Consider posting a review, I appreciate the feedback. Enjoy!

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 06:00:49 am
Ladies and Gentlemen, the event you've been waiting for: our boys go mattress shopping.

Chapter 20 is up for your reading pleasure.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/21/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/21/)

As always, thanks. Consider posting a review, I appreciate the feedback. Enjoy!

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 14, 2006, 06:55:29 am
Wow Leslie. :o  Got me in a right state reading that! :o  Roll on tomorow when they christen the matress!!  I love this assertive Ennis too.  Phew, I need a cold shower now, I feel all overcome. ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: David on June 14, 2006, 08:21:47 am
That was great Leslie!        Now I'm getting sad because I know there is only one more chapter left.  :P
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: littleguitar on June 14, 2006, 09:55:23 am
what? you're stopping at ch. 21? when did that happen...  :'(

I'm excited to read this chapter, thanks Leslie!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 10:00:43 am
what? you're stopping at ch. 21? when did that happen...  :'(

I'm excited to read this chapter, thanks Leslie!

I think I have said this before...I learned it on Sesame Street: every story has a beginning, middle and an end. This is a story, not a soap opera, and it will end. I am planning to post the final chapter on Friday.

That said, I have left myself an avenue for a follow-up and I am already mulling some potential ideas. I just can't get enough of Ennis & Jack!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: littleguitar on June 14, 2006, 10:09:31 am
completley understandable!

The last chapter, by the way, was particularly good, I LOVED Ennis's reaction to Tom's news  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 10:18:00 am
completley understandable!

The last chapter, by the way, was particularly good, I LOVED Ennis's reaction to Tom's news  ;D

Thanks! I loved writing it. "Now I'm crying! I'm a mess, Jack, I'm a fuckin' mess!"
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 10:50:37 am
Okay, so there has been a slight change in plans.

So far I have have had five--count 'em, five--requests for a "christen the bed" scene. I hadn't planned to do this (and it is not how the final chapter starts) but if you guys want sex, I'll give ya sex.

It is going to be complete and total /slash and I will not be posting on fanfiction.net (their terms of service say no NC17 and there were times I felt like I was pushing the envelope with some of my other stuff). It will be on LiveJournal only. I'll post the link when it's written and up.

For those of you who don't like explicit sex (I know JennyC falls into this category), I promise, there won't be any plot. It's going to be one thing and one thing only.

Stay tuned.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 10:52:37 am
Okay, so there has been a slight change in plans.

So far I have have had five--count 'em, five--requests for a "christen the bed" scene. I hadn't planned to do this (and it is not how the final chapter starts) but if you guys want sex, I'll give ya sex.

It is going to be complete and total /slash and I will not be posting on fanfiction.net (their terms of service say no NC17 and there were times I felt like I was pushing the envelope with some of my other stuff). It will be on LiveJournal only. I'll post the link when it's written and up.

For those of you who don't like explicit sex (I know JennyC falls into this category), I promise, there won't be any plot. It's going to be one thing and one thing only.

Stay tuned.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: JennyC on June 14, 2006, 11:07:58 am
HAHA  :laugh:  :laugh:

That's too funny.  Well, thanks for thinking of me ;D. 

I was actually expecting the scene in the chapter and was surprised you didn't put it there given all the anticipantion that leads up to it  :).  Yeah, I think some of the fan fictions are pushing the limit a little bit, but I guess I am starting to get use to it, and like the ones that are tastfully done.  ;)

So post away, who knows I might be checking it out on LJ  ::) ;D.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 11:20:42 am
My imagination is already in overdrive...forget getting any work done today!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: David on June 14, 2006, 11:21:01 am
Leslie,  Your insight to a gay mans sexual behavoir amazes me.  Even the conversation between Jack and Ennis in this latest chapter.   

Your previous escapades between the boys has made me blush,  I can't imagine what you have in mind for the bed Christening!   LOL.     I'm going to start taking notes  :laugh:
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: David on June 14, 2006, 11:26:09 am
Leslie,   I would had bet the Farm that the salesmans name was going to be Brandon!  LOL      But "Ray" will be flattered too!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: slayers_creek_oth on June 14, 2006, 11:26:49 am
I'll catch up Les...I promise! 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: Lumière on June 14, 2006, 11:33:42 am
I am sad to hear that you are stopping at Chapter 21.  :'(
But I knew it couldn't go on forever, and I like I told ya before, I have savored chapters 1 to 19!
I am looking forward to reading Chapter 20 tonight!  And I am definitely lookin' forward to the "Bed Christening'   ::) 8)..

How do you women know so much about gay sex anyway?  (Louise included, her Ennis/Ellery love scenes make me BLUSH!  :o) ..
You must've been gay men in a past life or something..damn!  ;D

Cheers Leslie! :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: JennyC on June 14, 2006, 11:34:05 am
Since Leslie mentioned me here, so I just want to make my position known. :)

I was actually expecting the scene in the chapter and was surprised that Leslie didn't put it there given all the anticipantion that leads up to it  :).  Yeah, I think some of the fan fictions are pushing the limit a little bit, but I guess I am starting to get use to it (read: I have been corrupted), and like the ones that are tastfully done.  ;)

So post away, who knows I might be checking it out on LJ  ::) ;D.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 11:37:48 am
Leslie,   I would had bet the Farm that the salesmans name was going to be Brandon!  LOL      But "Ray" will be flattered too!

Omigod, I am totally laughing out loud here.

Y'know, "Ray" was not named after our bettermost Ray--not intentionally, at least. Does anyone know, is Ray a reader? I wonder how he'll react...

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: JennyC on June 14, 2006, 11:39:22 am
How do you women know so much about gay sex anyway?  (Louise included, her Ennis/Ellery love scenes make me BLUSH!  :o) ..
You must've been gay men in a past life or something..damn!  ;D

Phew, what a relief.  I am glad that I am not the only one blushing here.  Actually Ennis and Jack's conversation made me blush the most.  It feels so personal, and I feel that I am not supposed to know. :)

Cheers,
Jenny
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 11:48:23 am
Leslie,  Your insight to a gay mans sexual behavoir amazes me.  Even the conversation between Jack and Ennis in this latest chapter.   

Thank you, David. That whole conversation--it just wrote itself. I am not sure where it came from. That said, I read alot and pay attention to people...30+ years of being a nurse does that to you.  :)

Quote
Your previous escapades between the boys has made me blush,  I can't imagine what you have in mind for the bed Christening!   LOL.     I'm going to start taking notes  :laugh:

Let's just say, my imagination is in overdrive right now. This will be FUN!

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 11:50:20 am

How do you women know so much about gay sex anyway?  (Louise included, her Ennis/Ellery love scenes make me BLUSH!  :o) ..
You must've been gay men in a past life or something..damn!  ;D

Cheers Leslie! :-*

I was just reading yesterday that they estimate 98% of /slash writers are heterosexual women. God knows how anyone came up with this statistic!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 14, 2006, 11:52:17 am
Okay, so there has been a slight change in plans.

So far I have have had five--count 'em, five--requests for a "christen the bed" scene. I hadn't planned to do this (and it is not how the final chapter starts) but if you guys want sex, I'll give ya sex.

It is going to be complete and total /slash and I will not be posting on fanfiction.net (their terms of service say no NC17 and there were times I felt like I was pushing the envelope with some of my other stuff). It will be on LiveJournal only. I'll post the link when it's written and up.

For those of you who don't like explicit sex (I know JennyC falls into this category), I promise, there won't be any plot. It's going to be one thing and one thing only.

Stay tuned.

L

Leslie, bless your heart. You are a national treasure on Bettermost you really are.  Of COURSE we want sex, and lots of it too. ;) ;)
Yippeeeeeeeeee, I cant wait, get that imagination working lady, mine is.  I need another cold shower now. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)  Oh and it goes without saying, the steamier the better please.  I want to be blushing all over by the time I,ve finished reading it. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: Lumière on June 14, 2006, 11:55:14 am
I was just reading yesterday that they estimate 98% of /slash writers are heterosexual women. God knows how anyone came up with this statistic!

Ha!  I don't know about that statistic either, all I know is that you women know how to leave a person...breathless! :o
WooWee!  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 12:00:59 pm
(Louise included, her Ennis/Ellery love scenes make me BLUSH!  :o) ..


This one didn't make me blush, it just made me want to be with them...it is so loving...

http://louisev.livejournal.com/47930.html (http://louisev.livejournal.com/47930.html)

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: Lumière on June 14, 2006, 12:03:22 pm
Leslie - That link you posted...is it Chapter 77 of the sequel?  :o
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 14, 2006, 12:09:27 pm
Just had a sudden thought.  I wonder if Jake and Heath read fanfiction?  ;) ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 12:15:37 pm
Leslie - That link you posted...is it Chapter 77 of the sequel?  :o

Yes.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: Lumière on June 14, 2006, 12:17:02 pm
OMG, I have to catch up!!  :D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 14, 2006, 01:52:45 pm
Just had a sudden thought.  I wonder if Jake and Heath read fanfiction?  ;) ;)

Well, let's hope they don't read real people slash (rps) because some of the situations they have been put in would make ANYONE blush...I read one description yesterday, "Heath and Jake meet at a private Australian boarding school." Huh? And another one that sounded vaguely like the plot for Magnificient Obsession (Jake is blind, Heath restores his vision, not sure if with surgery or some other miracle cure...)

PS, thanks for calling me a National Treasure! LOL

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on June 14, 2006, 03:13:37 pm
the sex is great, but I loved the way the last chapter ended..oh well, more sex is always welcome.

Giggle, I love the end of chapter19 (or you call it 20). The more funny, the better, as long as it's basically not a comedy (Julie's philosophjy of anythintg).

I cannot imagine fanfaiction tunring anything down, vbut you know best.

I think it's "what side of the plate i hit from. " not "which team I played for." But that was '92, so who knows?

Great chapter. Wish I couod write even a terrible one.
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: MaineWriter on June 16, 2006, 06:09:16 am
Dear readers, your wish is my command. An interlude to the story in which Jack and Ennis christen their new bed.

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17369.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17369.html)

Definitely NC17, only posted on LiveJournal.

As always, feedback is welcome--here or at LJ.

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 16, 2006, 06:10:03 am
Dear readers, your wish is my command. An interlude to the story in which Jack and Ennis christen their new bed.

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17369.html
 (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17369.html)
Definitely NC17, only posted on LiveJournal.

As always, feedback is welcome--here or at LJ.

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 16, 2006, 07:24:27 am
Woooooooooooo Leslie!! :o :o :o :o  I,ve just had my TENTH cold shower of the week, and now I need a bottle of brandy I think. ;) ;)  I LOVE the candles, and the erm, ahem, "added extras in the drawers" ;).  Phew!!  By the time you,ve posted the final chapter I shall  be a gibbering wreck!!! :o :o :o :o(wheres that brandy?) ;) ;)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: David on June 16, 2006, 07:31:53 am
Well done girl!   BRAVO!   

After that, I think we all lit up a cigarette and had to rest!    LOL

And I don't even smoke!     :laugh:
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: MaineWriter on June 16, 2006, 07:34:56 am
Well done girl!   BRAVO!   

After that, I think we all lit up a cigarette and had to rest!    LOL

And I don't even smoke!     :laugh:

You are my hero, David. Thanks!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: JennyC on June 16, 2006, 11:04:28 am
It's very romantic and sweet!  What a find in the morning, I have to finish it before I leave for work. ;)

You may put yourself in a positon for more requests if you ask me, with the stuff in the ...  :laugh: :laugh:

 :-X

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: opinionista on June 16, 2006, 11:31:55 am
Hi,

Was there a Interlude I? I'm looking for it but can't find it.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: Lumière on June 16, 2006, 12:02:57 pm
I am definitely looking forward to reading This!  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: twistedude on June 16, 2006, 12:38:48 pm
Great chapter, Leslie--I like its quiet, with only a few exclamations. There's nothing you do here that coulodn't go on fanfaiction, that I can see---did I ness somethning?  Left a review over there, but don't think it was easy. and I couldn't correct typos.

As I guess most of you know, I don't take cold showeers...

"As I you"? Pretty fancy manipuilation of the King's English,   for what its worth.

So: is that the end? the previous chapter pretty much summed up the summer, but I thought you said rwo or three more. Anyway, I'm willing to read another 45, unless the army gets me.

Thanks, Leslie, for a great story!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 16, 2006, 01:03:17 pm
There is one more chapter to "A Love Born From Steel" -- will post either tomorrow or Sunday.

I am already pondering a sequel in response to a prompt from brokebackslash on LJ. I'll keep everyone posted.

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: MaineWriter on June 16, 2006, 01:04:39 pm
Hi,

Was there a Interlude I? I'm looking for it but can't find it.

Yes, it came between chapter 7 and 8. It was the postcards and letters between Ennis, Alma, Junior and Jenny. No sex in that interlude.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Interlude II
Post by: opinionista on June 16, 2006, 01:35:31 pm
Yes, it came between chapter 7 and 8. It was the postcards and letters between Ennis, Alma, Junior and Jenny. No sex in that interlude.

Leslie

Oh, that's right. I read that! Sorry I forgot!  ::)
Title: A Love Born From Steel: Jenny's Picture!
Post by: MaineWriter on June 17, 2006, 08:21:21 am
A Love Born From Steel

This final epilogue wraps up some loose ends, fills in missing bits of information, and even let's us experience some AU in our AU.

Epilogue, 2006 (a)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17467.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17467.html)
Epilogue, 2006 (b)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17789.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17789.html)
Epilogue, 2006 (c)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18033.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18033.html)
Epilogue, 2006 (d)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18298.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18298.html)

It is also on Fanfiction.net:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/22/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/22/)

You really can write Jack and Ennis at their email address: [email protected] and they promise to reply, if the number of messages they get is not too overwhelming.

People have asked me, what's next? I am seriously considering a sequel which starts at or near the time of the event mentioned in the closing paragraphs. Thanks, everyone, for your support and I will keep you posted.

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 17, 2006, 08:23:15 am
A Love Born From Steel

This final epilogue wraps up some loose ends, fills in missing bits of information, and even let's us experience some AU in our AU.

Epilogue, 2006 (a)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17467.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17467.html)
Epilogue, 2006 (b)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17789.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17789.html)
Epilogue, 2006 (c)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18033.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18033.html)
Epilogue, 2006 (d)
http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18298.html (http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/18298.html)

It is also on Fanfiction.net:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/22/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/22/)

You really can write Jack and Ennis at their email address: [email protected] and they promise to reply, if the number of messages they get is not too overwhelming.

People have asked me, what's next? I am seriously considering a sequel which starts at or near the time of the event mentioned in the closing paragraphs. Thanks, everyone, for your support and I will keep you posted.

Leslie
MaineWriter (lazylfarm on LJ)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 17, 2006, 08:54:07 am
Leslie, that was really really lovely.  Can I just say a big thank you to you.  I,m sure I speak for most of us here on Bettermost when I say this.  You have, through your stories and your brilliant writing, given us the happy ending, that, lets face it, we all secretly wished Jack and Ennis would get in Brokeback Mountain.  Now, thanks to you, they have. You are a first class writer Leslie. Thank you, for your time and brilliance. I,ll say it again, your a national treasure here at Bettermost, we are lucky to have you.  Thanks. :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: fernly on June 17, 2006, 09:32:38 am
Dear Leslie,
I don’t know whether to say Congratulations or Aw heck....how about both, and also a heartfelt Thank you!
What a wonderful world you’ve created for us in LBFS.
Looking forward to wherever you take us next,
Fern
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: David on June 17, 2006, 09:51:04 am
Thanks Leslie!

    Loved it!   Everything wrapped up nicely.      8)

I wonder if they still wear their cowboy hats everywhere?   
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 17, 2006, 10:06:35 am
Thanks Leslie!

    Loved it!   Everything wrapped up nicely.      8)

I wonder if they still wear their cowboy hats everywhere?   

Yes, they do, ummm, except not in bed.  ;)

L
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 17, 2006, 10:07:34 am
Dear Leslie,
I don’t know whether to say Congratulations or Aw heck....how about both, and also a heartfelt Thank you!
What a wonderful world you’ve created for us in LBFS.
Looking forward to wherever you take us next,
Fern


Thanks, Fern...

I had a wonderful fun time writing this story. I am struggling with having it end! LOL

L
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: David on June 17, 2006, 10:40:34 am
Yes, they do, ummm, except not in bed.  ;)

L
xo

Ha ha ha!    I meant when travelling!   Like in Maine or at Jennys Wedding in Massachusetts.    In Texas, men wear their hats everywhere.   Just like in the scene at the charity dance in the movie.     
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 17, 2006, 10:48:31 am
Ha ha ha!    I meant when travelling!   Like in Maine or at Jennys Wedding in Massachusetts.    In Texas, men wear their hats everywhere.   Just like in the scene at the charity dance in the movie.     

Well, not in the church or the at the reception, because they were inside but otherwise...yeah, they're still hat-toting cowboys  ;)

L
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: opinionista on June 17, 2006, 10:53:46 am
I have been waiting for the story to end in order to write a review of the whole thing. And I have it, but I don't know if it ¡s going to come out the way I want to. The language barrier. But I'm going to try. If there's something you don't understand, please ask me and I find a way to make it clear.

I liked A Love Born From Steel a lot. It's very well written, entertaining, and, in my opinion, there's a lesson there for all of us to learn. When I first started to read it I had some troubles with it because Jack and Ennis are very different to the original one. Then, I remembered a line from the Spanish movie Lucía y el Sexo (Lucia and the Sex) that made me realize that the changes in the characters make sense, and that's exactly where the lesson lies.

The line from the movie is this one:

In Spanish: "La primera ventaja es que cuando el cuento llega al final no se acaba, sino que se cae por un agujero y el cuento reaparece en la mitad del cuento. La segunda ventaja y la más grande: que desde aquí se le puede cambiar el rumbo".

Translation: "The first advantage is that when the story reaches its ending, doesn't really finish there but falls into a hole and shows up again, right in the middle of the story.  The second advantage and the biggest one: that from there its course can be changed.

Well, taking into consideration the above quotation, I think Proulx's Brokeback Mountain didn't finish with Jack dying and Ennis ending up alone and heart broken. At that point it fell into a hole and went back right into the middle, where Leslie picks up and gave it a different course. Through the chapters she showed us what can happen when we make the decision to follow our hearts instead of our fears.

At the beginning of A Love Born from Steel, Ennis finds himself at crossroads, when Jack shows up depressed, willing to take his own life. But instead of taking the easiest road, which was to convice Jack, once again, that the only life they could have as a couple was to see each other in a far off place and once in a while, he takes the riskiest and bumpiest road. He decides to give Jack a chance, no matter what could happen. Ennis, for the first time in his life, follows his heart and not his fears. And was rewarded because it turned out to be the perfect life.

Unfortunately, our life stories cannot fall into a hole and show up again in the middle. I wish it could! but we could learn from both stories. Proulx showed us the misery we can bring into our lives when we live in fear, and Leslie the happiness we can find if we decide to follow our hearts and take a risk.

Thank you Leslie! I'm gonna be missing those chapters, but as you said, I can always read it again.  :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on June 17, 2006, 01:30:13 pm
He slid it on. This one moved easily over the knuckle and in the second before it reached the base of his finger, Ennis touched it. “That’s it,” Ennis said, and Jack looked at him. An unspoken vow traveled between their eyes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * *

Junior still smiling said, “Uncle Jack, remember my first day at the farm? Remember what I said to you?”
“Sweetheart, I’ll never forget,” he said. “You thanked me for makin’ him happy.”
“That’s right,” she said. “And I’m thanking you again. You’re still making him happy.”
“Junior,” said Jack, “nothin’ has changed in that respect. He’s still makin’ me happy too.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thanks, Leslie--

xxxxxx
John
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 17, 2006, 02:49:15 pm
Between everyone's comments, Natali's review, the wonderful emails and LJ comments I am receiving, I am, as Ennis would say, a fuckin' mess. My husband thinks I am nuts, sitting here sobbing over my keyboard but I am truly overwhelmed at the love I am receiving from people all over the world. It is amazing. I want to share this email that I received from a regular reader who has been commenting all along...

It took Ennis' kiss with Hal to bring him to accept "I'm gay."
 
It took A Love Born From Steel to bring me to accept "I'm gay."
 
Thank you, Leslie, I am forever grateful.
 


I am truly humbled.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Lumière on June 17, 2006, 03:30:46 pm
A Love Born From Steel

People have asked me, what's next? I am seriously considering a sequel which starts at or near the time of the event mentioned in the closing paragraphs.

Leslie - I am really glad to hear that you are seriously considering this!   :D
Lord knows I have enjoyed this story!
It's made me smile, laugh, blush, giggle, tear up, ...
Two words: Thank you!  :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Front-Ranger on June 17, 2006, 03:40:15 pm
Hey, Leslie, you should seriously consider making a career change, or perhaps adding on a new career. Join me everyone:
Go Pro, Go Pro!! If Howard Dean could evolve out of the medical profession, you sure can!!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: DeeDee on June 17, 2006, 05:49:23 pm
Between everyone's comments, Natali's review, the wonderful emails and LJ comments I am receiving, I am, as Ennis would say, a fuckin' mess. My husband thinks I am nuts, sitting here sobbing over my keyboard but I am truly overwhelmed at the love I am receiving from people all over the world. It is amazing. I want to share this email that I received from a regular reader who has been commenting all along...

It took Ennis' kiss with Hal to bring him to accept "I'm gay."
 
It took A Love Born From Steel to bring me to accept "I'm gay."
 
Thank you, Leslie, I am forever grateful.
 


I am truly humbled.

Leslie



Wow.. that is some compliment.  It must be awesome to have such an effect on people.
I didn't get to it yet... you know I need hubby out and some Merlot by my side.

I'll get back to you later.

 :-*  Dee
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on June 17, 2006, 10:06:30 pm
And more:

“Y’know,” said Jack. “There are prob’ly people in the world who never meet their soulmate.”

“There prob’ly are,” answered Ennis, softly.

“But we found each other.”

“We did,” said Ennis.

“How did it happen, En? How did we end up on that mountain together?”

“I dunno, babe,” said Ennis. “I don’t think we’ll ever know. But we did.”

Jack leaned in again, resting his head against Ennis’s shoulder. “I love you,” he whispered, finally feeling sleep overtaking him, falling into a dark dreamless slumber, held tightly in the protective cocoon of his lover’s arms.



Again, thanks Leslie.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on June 17, 2006, 11:31:27 pm
And yes, still more:

Ennis nodded and managed to take a few shuddering breaths. He felt his heart, racing in his chest, begin to regain a normal rhythm. “Oh, Jesus, Jack,” he whispered, barely able to speak. “I felt like this one other time in my life.”

“When was that, babe?” said Jack, softly.

“The day you drove away in Signal. I felt like someone was rippin’ my fuckin’ guts out. I feel that way now.”

“But you were unhappy then, weren’t you?”

Ennis nodded. “I was so fuckin’ unhappy I thought I would die.”

“And now?”

“I’m so fuckin’ happy I think I’m gonna die. This can’t be real Jack. This can’t be happenin’ t’me.”

“It is real, lover. It is happenin’,” said Jack. “Believe it.”



Beautiful.

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Lumière on June 17, 2006, 11:40:11 pm

It took Ennis' kiss with Hal to bring him to accept "I'm gay."
 
It took A Love Born From Steel to bring me to accept "I'm gay."
 
Thank you, Leslie, I am forever grateful.
 


I am truly humbled.

Leslie

That's beautiful Leslie!
Yet another example of the power words can have!  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: bbm_stitchbuffyfan on June 18, 2006, 02:36:39 am
Good God, it's 2:30 in the morning and I am going to have immense difficulty falling asleep tonight. I am fucking addicted to this story, that's why!

I just finished Chapter 9 (I know I'm way behind) -- so I'm not reading any of the posts until I finish but when the emotion becomes too overwhelming, I will make posts. So, this story is so very sweet and extremely endearing. I was moved to (happy) tears in the Fourth of July scene when they discuss their perfect day. And, man, the 'wedding' was amazing.

Oh, God, I am loving this story. It's the polar opposite of the movie in mood, by the way, which is gonna be my next viewing of the film especially peculiar.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: welliwont on June 18, 2006, 05:39:22 am
thanks for the story Leslie, I always like a happy ending.  Just one issue I have with it.... why on earth would Jack and Ennis accept money from Lureen for boarding Bobby's horse?  I would have thought that Jack, as Bobby's parent, would board the horse for his son as a matter of course, without being recompensed for it.  Never mind that they did not need the money after all....

Other than that I loved the story....

J
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 18, 2006, 06:18:47 am
thanks for the story Leslie, I always like a happy ending.  Just one issue I have with it.... why on earth would Jack and Ennis accept money from Lureen for boarding Bobby's horse?  I would have thought that Jack, as Bobby's parent, would board the horse for his son as a matter of course, without being recompensed for it.  Never mind that they did not need the money after all....

Other than that I loved the story....

J

Jack tried to refuse but Lureen insisted. She wanted it to be a business deal. Jack ended up putting the money in a special savings account and gave it to Bobby when he went to college. Bobby used the money to pay for all his books both in undergrad and vet school.

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: welliwont on June 18, 2006, 07:16:27 am
Jack tried to refuse but Lureen insisted. She wanted it to be a business deal. Jack ended up putting the money in a special savings account and gave it to Bobby when he went to college. Bobby used the money to pay for all his books both in undergrad and vet school.

Leslie
MaineWriter

oh....  shame on me if I missed it in the story Leslie, sorry about that, my mistake...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 18, 2006, 07:29:30 am
oh....  shame on me if I missed it in the story Leslie, sorry about that, my mistake...

Actually, it's not in the story, but that's what happened.  :)

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 18, 2006, 07:55:15 am
I think, as an author, there is no greater honor than to have your own words quoted back to you. Thank you, John, for this tribute. And, wondrously, you have selected some of my most favorite lines out of the 123,000+ words I churned out over the past three months. But, here's another one of my favorites:

He picked up Jack’s hands and looked closely in Jack’s eyes, “What I’ve learned this summer, Jack, is t’believe in myself. I ain’t ever believed in myself before and I ain’t ever got ahead before. But havin’ you lovin’ me has made me realize that I can do things—if we want to own a farm, or a ranch, or somethin’ else, we will.” He stopped, and gave Jack a smile.

Jack smiled back. “Ennis, when did ya get so fuckin’ smart?” he asked.

“I ain’t smart, Jack. I just got a powerful love from a good man that’s guidin’ me,” he said. “And that’s why I ain’t gonna let that asshole Norm Crocker try to tell me it’s wrong. There was a time when I would’ve believed him, but those days are over. Now I know that lovin’ you—bein’ with you—is where I’m meant to be. If that asshole banker wants to live in his narrow minded little world, fuck him, I say. It’s his problem, not mine.”


Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on June 18, 2006, 12:43:56 pm
 :-*

xxxxxxx
John
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on June 18, 2006, 06:52:20 pm
Leslie,

You go, Girlfriend!  ;)

Love ya much!

Jeff
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 07:15:10 am
I was challenged to write a drabble--short piece, less than 250 words, in response to a prompt. For this one, the prompt was "forgetfulness." Scene: Jack and Ennis at the Lazy L, down by the river on one of their skinny dipping afternoons. Enjoy!

-----------------------

Jack and Ennis were lying on a blanket, listening to the sound of the river, the horses softly nickering where they stood, their reins looped over the branch of the tree.

“Hey, Mr. Memory,” said Ennis softly.

Jack smiled at him. “What old memory do you want me to dredge up today?” he said.

“I was just thinkin’,” said Ennis. “Remember that fishin’ trip—not sure when, mebbe five years ago—when we found that big grassy meadow, spent the whole day lyin’ in the sun, screwin’ on that blanket of mossy grass?”

“Sorta like we do here, ain’t it, cowboy?” said Jack, as he gave Ennis’s cock a little tug.

“Yeah, but that day…” Ennis let his voice drift off. “That day got me through many a cold winter day, I hafta say Jack. Remembering the sun, how warm it was. One of the few fuckin’ fishin’ trips we ever had when we weren’t in the fuckin’ freezin’ cold.”

“Let’s forget the bad parts, En. Let’s only remember the good parts.”

“Which bad parts, Jack?” said Ennis. “Were there bad parts?”

“Every time we fuckin’ said good bye,” replied Jack, “was a bad part. Lookin’ in yer eyes and knowin’ I wouldn’t see ‘em for four, five, six months…that was a fuckin’ bad part.”

Ennis pulled Jack in close, looking in his eyes. “Ain’t got no more o’those, cowboy,” he said. “No more bad parts, no more good byes. You can forget all that shit right now.”

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 07:16:08 am
I was challenged to write a drabble--short piece, less than 250 words, in response to a prompt. For this one, the prompt was "forgetfulness." Scene: Jack and Ennis at the Lazy L, down by the river on one of their skinny dipping afternoons. Enjoy!

-----------------------

Jack and Ennis were lying on a blanket, listening to the sound of the river, the horses softly nickering where they stood, their reins looped over the branch of the tree.

“Hey, Mr. Memory,” said Ennis softly.

Jack smiled at him. “What old memory do you want me to dredge up today?” he said.

“I was just thinkin’,” said Ennis. “Remember that fishin’ trip—not sure when, mebbe five years ago—when we found that big grassy meadow, spent the whole day lyin’ in the sun, screwin’ on that blanket of mossy grass?”

“Sorta like we do here, ain’t it, cowboy?” said Jack, as he gave Ennis’s cock a little tug.

“Yeah, but that day…” Ennis let his voice drift off. “That day got me through many a cold winter day, I hafta say Jack. Remembering the sun, how warm it was. One of the few fuckin’ fishin’ trips we ever had when we weren’t in the fuckin’ freezin’ cold.”

“Let’s forget the bad parts, En. Let’s only remember the good parts.”

“Which bad parts, Jack?” said Ennis. “Were there bad parts?”

“Every time we fuckin’ said good bye,” replied Jack, “was a bad part. Lookin’ in yer eyes and knowin’ I wouldn’t see ‘em for four, five, six months…that was a fuckin’ bad part.”

Ennis pulled Jack in close, looking in his eyes. “Ain’t got no more o’those, cowboy,” he said. “No more bad parts, no more good byes. You can forget all that shit right now.”

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 07:18:42 am
A second drabble--the prompt, "going to the post office." Okay, so this isn't the post office, but it has to do with the mail. Still Jack and Ennis at the Lazy L. 242 words.
----------------------------------

Ennis came into the kitchen, the mail in his hand. “You got a post card, Jack,” he said.

Jack wiped his hands on a towel, taking the card from Ennis. “Me?” he said. “Who’s writin’ me?” But before Ennis could answer, Jack was reading the card.

July 28, 1976
Dear Uncle Jack:

Thank you again for a wonderful visit. I had so much fun at the Lazy L and it was great to get to know you. It was great to see my daddy so happy, too. I miss you, Uncle Jack, and can’t wait for our next visit.

Love,
Junior


He looked at Ennis, smiling. “That’s sweet, huh?” he said. “A thank you note.”

Ennis nodded. “Nice polite girl, that Junior,” he said. “Knows her manners.”

Jack looked at him. “She had t’get it from somebody,” he said.

“Whaddya mean?” asked Ennis.

“Yer always sayin’ you were a lousy husband and mediocre father. The lousy husband part I can see, but I’m not so sure I agree with the mediocre father. Ain’t nothin’ mediocre ‘bout the fatherin’ job ya did while Junior and Jenny were visitin’.”

Ennis thought about that for a minute, then looked at Jack. “Understandin’ love is makin’ a difference,” he said. “Lovin’ you is makin’ me a better father t’them.” He pulled Jack in  for a kiss. “I love you, cowboy,” he said, softly.

“And I love you too,” said Jack, his words lost in Ennis’s lips.



Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 07:19:38 am
A second drabble--the prompt, "going to the post office." Okay, so this isn't the post office, but it has to do with the mail. Still Jack and Ennis at the Lazy L. 242 words.
----------------------------------

Ennis came into the kitchen, the mail in his hand. “You got a post card, Jack,” he said.

Jack wiped his hands on a towel, taking the card from Ennis. “Me?” he said. “Who’s writin’ me?” But before Ennis could answer, Jack was reading the card.

July 28, 1976
Dear Uncle Jack:

Thank you again for a wonderful visit. I had so much fun at the Lazy L and it was great to get to know you. It was great to see my daddy so happy, too. I miss you, Uncle Jack, and can’t wait for our next visit.

Love,
Junior


He looked at Ennis, smiling. “That’s sweet, huh?” he said. “A thank you note.”

Ennis nodded. “Nice polite girl, that Junior,” he said. “Knows her manners.”

Jack looked at him. “She had t’get it from somebody,” he said.

“Whaddya mean?” asked Ennis.

“Yer always sayin’ you were a lousy husband and mediocre father. The lousy husband part I can see, but I’m not so sure I agree with the mediocre father. Ain’t nothin’ mediocre ‘bout the fatherin’ job ya did while Junior and Jenny were visitin’.”

Ennis thought about that for a minute, then looked at Jack. “Understandin’ love is makin’ a difference,” he said. “Lovin’ you is makin’ me a better father t’them.” He pulled Jack in  for a kiss. “I love you, cowboy,” he said, softly.

“And I love you too,” said Jack, his words lost in Ennis’s lips.



Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: David on June 23, 2006, 08:06:11 am
 :)  Love them Leslie!

Where is Billy Jarrett?    ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 08:07:15 am
And a third. The prompt, "A conversation at dinner." This is for fun, the conversation they had the night that Jack made the famous "Crab Mongol." Enjoy...
-------------------------

Ennis sat down at the table, looking at the serving dishes in front of him. He had had a long day of painting the house, it had been hot, he was tired, and he was hungry.

“What are we havin’ tonight, Jack?” he asked.

“Somethin’ new that I found in my cookbook,” Jack replied. “It’s called ‘Crab Mongol.””

“Hmm,” said Ennis, serving himself some rice, then spooning the Mongol on top. He pushed his fork around in the mixture, trying to figure out exactly what it was. The color was odd, he thought, never saw food that was such an unusual shade of … gray.

He took a bite and moved the food around in his mouth and as he swallowed, he realized it was the worst thing he had ever tasted. It was all he could do not to spit it out on the plate.

Ennis looked at Jack, trying to gauge his reaction. Jack had a strained look on his face.

“What’s in this, anyway?” asked Ennis.

“Um, a can of tomato soup, a can of pea soup and a can of crab.”

Ennis looked at him. “Yer fuckin’ kiddin’ me, right?” he said.

Jack looked at him, puzzled. “No, that was the recipe.”

“Jack, I don’t even know how to fuckin’ cook, and I could tell you that anything with a can of tomato soup, a can of pea soup and a can of crab is gonna taste like shit. And this does. What were you thinkin’?”

“I was thinkin’ it sounded easy,” said Jack, with a sheepish look on his face.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 08:08:18 am
And a third. The prompt, "A conversation at dinner." This is for fun, the conversation they had the night that Jack made the famous "Crab Mongol." Enjoy...
-------------------------

Ennis sat down at the table, looking at the serving dishes in front of him. He had had a long day of painting the house, it had been hot, he was tired, and he was hungry.

“What are we havin’ tonight, Jack?” he asked.

“Somethin’ new that I found in my cookbook,” Jack replied. “It’s called ‘Crab Mongol.””

“Hmm,” said Ennis, serving himself some rice, then spooning the Mongol on top. He pushed his fork around in the mixture, trying to figure out exactly what it was. The color was odd, he thought, never saw food that was such an unusual shade of … gray.

He took a bite and moved the food around in his mouth and as he swallowed, he realized it was the worst thing he had ever tasted. It was all he could do not to spit it out on the plate.

Ennis looked at Jack, trying to gauge his reaction. Jack had a strained look on his face.

“What’s in this, anyway?” asked Ennis.

“Um, a can of tomato soup, a can of pea soup and a can of crab.”

Ennis looked at him. “Yer fuckin’ kiddin’ me, right?” he said.

Jack looked at him, puzzled. “No, that was the recipe.”

“Jack, I don’t even know how to fuckin’ cook, and I could tell you that anything with a can of tomato soup, a can of pea soup and a can of crab is gonna taste like shit. And this does. What were you thinkin’?”

“I was thinkin’ it sounded easy,” said Jack, with a sheepish look on his face.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 08:09:23 am
:)  Love them Leslie!

Where is Billy Jarrett?    ;D


Um, Billy hasn't answered Ennis's email yet, from the other day...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 10:30:12 am
Jack and Ennis, still at the Lazy L, this one in response to a "buying a car" prompt. 244 words.

----------------------------

“Y’know, cowboy, yer gonna be driving back and forth t’Riverton, four or five times a year t’pick up the girls, we might wanna think ‘bout buyin’ a car.”

“A car,” said Ennis. “I ain’t ever owned a car.”

“Yeah, well,” said Jack, “I think it’s a damned sight more comfortable for Jenny and Junior to have a back seat, not be squished three across in the front seat of a truck. Besides,” he added, “we have a car, I might be able t’go with ya too, help with the drivin.’”

Ennis thought about this for a minute. What Jack said made sense. “Okay, then,” he said. “What kinda car? And don’t suggest no fuckin’ Cadillac, I hate those flashy pieces o’shit.”

Jack smiled to himself. He never cared for Lureen’s red Cadillac, either. He thought about cars he had seen on the road. “We could get a station wagon,” he said.

Ennis frowned. “Station wagon? Too fuckin’ domestic,” he said.

Jack laughed. “Okay, how ‘bout a Corvette.”

Ennis looked at him, incredulous. “Last time I looked, cowboy,” he said, “Corvettes only had two seats.”

“How ‘bout a Ford Pinto?” said Jack, with a small smile.

“A Ford Pinto?” said Ennis. “Are you nuts? That’s a little matchbox piece o’shit. Not sure my legs could even fit in a fuckin’ Ford Pinto. Why are ya even suggestin’ this?” he asked.

“’Cause it’s named after a horse?” said Jack, giving Ennis a poke in the ribs.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 10:30:55 am
Jack and Ennis, still at the Lazy L, this on in response to a "buying a car" prompt. 244 words.

----------------------------

“Y’know, cowboy, yer gonna be driving back and forth t’Riverton, four or five times a year t’pick up the girls, we might wanna think ‘bout buyin’ a car.”

“A car,” said Ennis. “I ain’t ever owned a car.”

“Yeah, well,” said Jack, “I think it’s a damned sight more comfortable for Jenny and Junior to have a back seat, not be squished three across in the front seat of a truck. Besides,” he added, “we have a car, I might be able t’go with ya too, help with the drivin.’”

Ennis thought about this for a minute. What Jack said made sense. “Okay, then,” he said. “What kinda car? And don’t suggest no fuckin’ Cadillac, I hate those flashy pieces o’shit.”

Jack smiled to himself. He never cared for Lureen’s red Cadillac, either. He thought about cars he had seen on the road. “We could get a station wagon,” he said.

Ennis frowned. “Station wagon? Too fuckin’ domestic,” he said.

Jack laughed. “Okay, how ‘bout a Corvette.”

Ennis looked at him, incredulous. “Last time I looked, cowboy,” he said, “Corvettes only had two seats.”

“How ‘bout a Ford Pinto?” said Jack, with a small smile.

“A Ford Pinto?” said Ennis. “Are you nuts? That’s a little matchbox piece o’shit. Not sure my legs could even fit in a fuckin’ Ford Pinto. Why are ya even suggestin’ this?” he asked.

“’Cause it’s named after a horse?” said Jack, giving Ennis a poke in the ribs.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 10:33:59 am
Jack and Ennis, at the Lazy L, a few days after their visit to the Lubbock Furniture Store. 232 words. The prompt this time was "something to do with furniture."

--------------------------

“Jack,” said Ennis, “did ya happen t’notice at the furniture store the other day, there was a real nice livin’ room set?”

“There was ‘bout a dozen livin’ room sets,” said Jack. “Which one ya talkin’ ‘bout?”

“The one with the leather stuff,” said Ennis. “There was a brown leather couch, and a big club chair with a foot stool…”

“Ottoman,” said Jack, interrupting.

“What?” said Ennis, not understanding.

Jack looked at him. “I think that’s what it’s called—an ottoman, not a foot stool.”

“Whatever,” said Ennis, shrugging. “It was a nice lookin’ set. I kept lookin’ at that leather couch, picturin’ you lyin’ on yer back, yer black hair, yer white skin on the leather…picturin’ me puttin’ my cock up yer ass, yer legs in the air, you moanin’ in pleasure, hands rubbin’ smooth against that big leather couch…”

“You were thinkin’ this in the furniture store?” said Jack. “I didn’t notice.”

“You didn’t notice the big ol’ hard on I had?” said Ennis. “That’s why I kept shiftin’ in the chair the whole time yer ol’boyfriend Ray was talkin’ ‘bout Dr. Fucker.”

Jack shook his head. “Ya hid it well, cowboy, but I wish ya had told me.”

“Why?” said Ennis.

“I woulda bought ya the couch along with the bed.”

“Can we go back?” said Ennis, with a small smile.

“Ya doin’ anythin’ this afternoon?” Jack replied, with a wink.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: MaineWriter on June 23, 2006, 10:34:49 am
Jack and Ennis, at the Lazy L, a few days after their visit to the Lubbock Furniture Store. 232 words. The prompt this time was "something to do with furniture."

--------------------------

“Jack,” said Ennis, “did ya happen t’notice at the furniture store the other day, there was a real nice livin’ room set?”

“There was ‘bout a dozen livin’ room sets,” said Jack. “Which one ya talkin’ ‘bout?”

“The one with the leather stuff,” said Ennis. “There was a brown leather couch, and a big club chair with a foot stool…”

“Ottoman,” said Jack, interrupting.

“What?” said Ennis, not understanding.

Jack looked at him. “I think that’s what it’s called—an ottoman, not a foot stool.”

“Whatever,” said Ennis, shrugging. “It was a nice lookin’ set. I kept lookin’ at that leather couch, picturin’ you lyin’ on yer back, yer black hair, yer white skin on the leather…picturin’ me puttin’ my cock up yer ass, yer legs in the air, you moanin’ in pleasure, hands rubbin’ smooth against that big leather couch…”

“You were thinkin’ this in the furniture store?” said Jack. “I didn’t notice.”

“You didn’t notice the big ol’ hard on I had?” said Ennis. “That’s why I kept shiftin’ in the chair the whole time yer ol’boyfriend Ray was talkin’ ‘bout Dr. Fucker.”

Jack shook his head. “Ya hid it well, cowboy, but I wish ya had told me.”

“Why?” said Ennis.

“I woulda bought ya the couch along with the bed.”

“Can we go back?” said Ennis, with a small smile.

“Ya doin’ anythin’ this afternoon?” Jack replied, with a wink.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Drabbles Added
Post by: twistedude on June 23, 2006, 11:11:24 am
Nothing like leather furniture to make a room complete...
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel
Post by: Jane on June 23, 2006, 12:30:31 pm
Jack and Ennis, at the Lazy L, a few days after their visit to the Lubbock Furniture Store. 232 words. The prompt this time was "something to do with furniture."

--------------------------

“Jack,” said Ennis, “did ya happen t’notice at the furniture store the other day, there was a real nice livin’ room set?”

“There was ‘bout a dozen livin’ room sets,” said Jack. “Which one ya talkin’ ‘bout?”

“The one with the leather stuff,” said Ennis. “There was a brown leather couch, and a big club chair with a foot stool…”

“Ottoman,” said Jack, interrupting.

“What?” said Ennis, not understanding.

Jack looked at him. “I think that’s what it’s called—an ottoman, not a foot stool.”

“Whatever,” said Ennis, shrugging. “It was a nice lookin’ set. I kept lookin’ at that leather couch, picturin’ you lyin’ on yer back, yer black hair, yer white skin on the leather…picturin’ me puttin’ my cock up yer ass, yer legs in the air, you moanin’ in pleasure, hands rubbin’ smooth against that big leather couch…”

“You were thinkin’ this in the furniture store?” said Jack. “I didn’t notice.”

“You didn’t notice the big ol’ hard on I had?” said Ennis. “That’s why I kept shiftin’ in the chair the whole time yer ol’boyfriend Ray was talkin’ ‘bout Dr. Fucker.”

Jack shook his head. “Ya hid it well, cowboy, but I wish ya had told me.”

“Why?” said Ennis.

“I woulda bought ya the couch along with the bed.”

“Can we go back?” said Ennis, with a small smile.

“Ya doin’ anythin’ this afternoon?” Jack replied, with a wink.

So does that mean wer,e going to get a christen the new couch scene then?  ;) ;)  sounds great. Leslie, you really are a genius.  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Drabbles Added
Post by: RouxB on June 24, 2006, 12:22:02 pm
Thanks Leslie-

I've been missin' Ennis and Jack what with Ennis and Ellery taking up my time.
I sure hope you do put out a new story cuz, even though I do enjoy a little Ellery with my coffee, my heart lies with Ennis and his first and true love, Jack.

Oh, and thanks for getting Louise over here-I'll go say "hi" -offer her some coffee and a-piece-of-cherry cake.

 O0
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Drabbles Added
Post by: Jane on June 24, 2006, 12:37:02 pm
I,d like to add a quote if I may that moved me to tears, it,s so beautiful.
QUOTE:
Eventually Jack settled down, the trembling ceased, and Ennis could tell from the hitch in his breathing he was falling asleep. “Before ya go, lover,” he whispered, “look at the moon.” Jack turned and looked at the silvery light illuminating the room. “It’s full, like it was our first very first night on Brokeback and then a month later, our first time in the tent,” he said. “I will always love full moons.”

“And I will always love you,” said Jack, his voice thick, his eyes heavy lidded and no longer able to resist the forces of sleep.

“And I you,” said Ennis, pulling Jack in close, falling asleep with his lips buried in his lover’s hair, his arms holding him in an embrace that would never end, the moon shining across them in their new bed where they planned to sleep together, every night, for the rest of their lives.
(Leave a comment)END OF QUOTE:

Thank you leslie.x
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Drabbles Added
Post by: MaineWriter on June 24, 2006, 06:11:58 pm

Thank you leslie.x

Thank you Jane...

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Drabbles Added
Post by: MaineWriter on June 24, 2006, 06:12:42 pm
Thanks Leslie-

I've been missin' Ennis and Jack what with Ennis and Ellery taking up my time.
I sure hope you do put out a new story cuz, even though I do enjoy a little Ellery with my coffee, my heart lies with Ennis and his first and true love, Jack.

Oh, and thanks for getting Louise over here-I'll go say "hi" -offer her some coffee and a-piece-of-cherry cake.

 O0

I am gearing myself up, working on ideas, doing some research on the nitty-gritty of horse farm operations..

L
Title: Re: A New car for Jack and Ennis
Post by: David on June 25, 2006, 08:46:25 am
Jack and Ennis, still at the Lazy L, this on in response to a "buying a car" prompt. 244 words.

----------------------------
“What kinda car? And don’t suggest no fuckin’ Cadillac, I hate those flashy pieces o’shit.”

Jack smiled to himself. He never cared for Lureen’s red Cadillac, either.

Not to nitpick, but an unlikely statement by two guys then.    Cadillac was still the "Standard of the World" in 1976.     Especially in the big flat open countryside.   As an old car enthusiast, I have done alot of research on Luxury cars and their use over the decades.   Many a farm or rancher (well, a profitable one)  had a large luxury car in the garage.   Cadillac, Lincoln Town Car or big Chrysler.     Mostly used by their wives, but also used to go into the next nearest city which could be 100 miles or more away.   

A poor ranch hand like Ennis would certainly have admired these long, low land yachts and not referred to them as a piece o shit.     Even though they were making some money once the Lazy L Farm was up and running,  I doubt Ennis would have mentioned a Cadillac at all, worrying about the cost of a new car.      I could see Jack not wanting a big flashy Cadillac as it would have reminded him about his ex father-in-law who would have no doubt in my mind owned one.   And Lureen of course, being the spoiled girl she was, had her Caddy convertible.    Which in the Texas heat probably had the top up all the time.  Not to mention all that flammable hair spray!   Course the hair probably wouldn't have moved in the wind at 70 mph!   LOL

I did some serious thinking about what our boys would have bought in 1976 as a car.   Keeping in mind men all drive trucks out there.   I think Ennis would have argued against anything too posh and expensive, unlike Jack who was used to having money lately.     The goal of course to get something comfortable for those 14 hour drives to Riverton.  It would also need a roomy back seat for the growing girls.    Gas was cheap again after the fuel crisis of 1973-1974, so big cars were again in favor.      I can see the guys at a Chevrolet or Ford dealership looking at new cars.  (Again, middle America then and now is still very loyal to American car companies.)   Ennis would have winced at the sticker prices as most were more than his annual earnings in the past.    After looking at the new pickups, they snap back into reality and look at the Monte Carlo (very popular at the time)  "Tough to climb in and out of the back seat thought Ennis".     Ennis thought the practical Chevy Malibu sedan would be fine, but Jack prodded him to look at the plusher full size Caprice Classic sedan.    Jack liked the more luxurious style.   Ennis once behind the wheel would stretch his long legs out and mumble that it was indeed more comfortable.    Looking at the plush, cavernous back seat he said the girls would sleep like babies on the ride to Riverton back there.   Jack quickly whispered "Theres a few other things one can do in a big back seat like that" Winking.     Ennis smirks then says:"Ok then, grab the check book.  How do we get one of these?"

"We can go outside and see what colors they have in stock"

"One condition Darlin" Ennis says.

"Whats that Cowboy?"

"It has to be blue like your eyes"   Ennis squeezes Jacks leg and then steps out of the big Chevrolet Caprice on the showroom floor.

 ;D

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76driverangle2.jpg)

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76rear_thumb.jpg)

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76driverseat_thumb.jpg)

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76frontinterior_thumb.jpg)

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76rearinterior_thumb.jpg)

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76windowsticker_thumb.jpg)

Price with Options: $6,608.00

I wrote this first, then went on Yahoo.com to do a search to find a picture of a 1976 Caprice.   I almost fainted when I found pictures of a blue 1976 Caprice sedan with only 700 miles on it!    It still has the original window sticker on it.  It is as if someone saved this car all these years for Jack and Ennis!   
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: MaineWriter on June 25, 2006, 08:51:11 am

"We can go outside and see what colors they have in stock"

"One condition Darlin" Ennis says.

"Whats that Cowboy?"

"It has to be blue like your eyes"   Ennis squeezes Jacks leg and then steps out of the big Chevrolet Caprice on the showroom floor.

 ;D
 


David--

Thanks for this great analysis! I should have talked to you about this. LOL And your last few lines...an aspiring fanfic writer, hmmm?

L
xo
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Jane on June 25, 2006, 01:35:22 pm
And a third. The prompt, "A conversation at dinner." This is for fun, the conversation they had the night that Jack made the famous "Crab Mongol." Enjoy...
-------------------------

Ennis sat down at the table, looking at the serving dishes in front of him. He had had a long day of painting the house, it had been hot, he was tired, and he was hungry.

“What are we havin’ tonight, Jack?” he asked.

“Somethin’ new that I found in my cookbook,” Jack replied. “It’s called ‘Crab Mongol.””

“Hmm,” said Ennis, serving himself some rice, then spooning the Mongol on top. He pushed his fork around in the mixture, trying to figure out exactly what it was. The color was odd, he thought, never saw food that was such an unusual shade of … gray.

He took a bite and moved the food around in his mouth and as he swallowed, he realized it was the worst thing he had ever tasted. It was all he could do not to spit it out on the plate.

Ennis looked at Jack, trying to gauge his reaction. Jack had a strained look on his face.

“What’s in this, anyway?” asked Ennis.

“Um, a can of tomato soup, a can of pea soup and a can of crab.”

Ennis looked at him. “Yer fuckin’ kiddin’ me, right?” he said.

Jack looked at him, puzzled. “No, that was the recipe.”

“Jack, I don’t even know how to fuckin’ cook, and I could tell you that anything with a can of tomato soup, a can of pea soup and a can of crab is gonna taste like shit. And this does. What were you thinkin’?”

“I was thinkin’ it sounded easy,” said Jack, with a sheepish look on his face.


Leslie I,m sat here reading this again crying with  laughter.  :laugh: That is sooooooo funny.  I can hear Ennis saying it too, in that lovely deep voice of his.  Brilliant. :)
Title: Re: A New car for Jack and Ennis
Post by: MaineWriter on June 25, 2006, 02:30:44 pm

(http://www.fullsizegm.com/1976/700_Mile_Caprice/76driverangle2.jpg)



Price with Options: $6,608.00

I wrote this first, then went on Yahoo.com to do a search to find a picture of a 1976 Caprice.   I almost fainted when I found pictures of a blue 1976 Caprice sedan with only 700 miles on it!    It still has the original window sticker on it.  It is as if someone saved this car all these years for Jack and Ennis!   

LOL, the thing's a friggin' boat!!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Jenny's Picture!
Post by: MaineWriter on June 25, 2006, 04:28:30 pm
At long last, I was able to get a scan of the picture that Jenny drew of Jack & Ennis! Click for a larger view...

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/lnicoll/th_Jenny.jpg) (http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/lnicoll/Jenny.jpg)


Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Jenny's Picture!
Post by: MaineWriter on June 25, 2006, 04:50:47 pm
At long last, I was able to get a scan of the picture that Jenny drew of Jack & Ennis! Click for a larger view...

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/lnicoll/th_Jenny.jpg) (http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/lnicoll/Jenny.jpg)
Title: Re: A New car for Jack and Ennis
Post by: David on June 25, 2006, 10:56:43 pm
David--
Thanks for this great analysis! I should have talked to you about this. LOL And your last few lines...an aspiring fanfic writer, hmmm?

It must have rubbed off from you Leslie!
   :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Epilogue 2006
Post by: Lumière on June 25, 2006, 11:18:05 pm
Jack and Ennis, at the Lazy L, a few days after their visit to the Lubbock Furniture Store. 232 words. The prompt this time was "something to do with furniture."

--------------------------



N-I-C-E!!  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Jenny's Picture!
Post by: scudder on June 26, 2006, 08:01:49 am
I remember when my daughter was in Germany in the late seventies, she told me that the cars in Europe were small and the people there thought our cars were gunboats.  I thought that wasn't so, but it was and the car David picked for them to buy is enormous.  But at the time, I don't think anyone thought so and even Ennis would go along with it.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Jenny's Picture!
Post by: twistedude on June 26, 2006, 06:39:16 pm
That is pretty nice--maybe your 14-year-old daughter doesn;'t remember how well she could draw when she was 10, though. As I remember, it was the HIEGHT of my drawing ability. Anway, it's pretty sweet, it is..
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: MaineWriter on June 27, 2006, 07:36:59 am
I am trying, so far unsuccessfully, to find a picture of the farmhouse at the Lazy L. If folks remember, it was built in 1896. Tom described it as Queen Anne style although it would not be nearly as ornate as the Queen Anne style homes found in cities. This is also smaller, a country farmhouse. Porch across the front but not wrapround. When you come in the house, the stair are in front of  you, living room to the left, dining room to the right. The kitchen runs along the back and you can get to it from either the living room or dining room. Upstairs, three bedrooms and the bathroom. Originally there were four bedrooms but one got converted to a bathroom when they got plumbing and electricity.

Some might see it as a variation on Queen Anne/Stick.

The house was actually bought from Sears. They bought it through the catalog, the pieces arrived on the train. Early pre-fab! Hal's father built it.

Much of my mental picture of the house comes from one I saw at the Ranching Heritage Museum in Lubbock, TX a few years ago. That same trip, I saw the Buddy Holly statue, too.

If anyone has any possible house pictures, please share.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: MaineWriter on June 27, 2006, 07:54:40 am
Another little drabble, this one inspired by my own outdoor shower. 253 words. Enjoy!
------------------------------------

“Jack,” said Ennis, “remember that cottage we rented up in Maine?”

“Course, I do,” said Jack. “That was a great vacation.”

“I was just thinkin’,” said Ennis, “how much I loved that outdoor shower.” He turned to Jack, his face serious. “Mebbe we could build an outdoor shower.”

Jack looked at him with a disbelieving smirk. “Build us an outdoor shower? What are you, fuckin’ nuts, Ennis?”

“Why do you say that?" said Ennis, hurt. “Why is buildin’ a shower nuts?”

“Ennis,” said Jack, his voice patient. “You liked that outdoor shower ‘cause it had a view of the ocean. We ain’t got a view like that here, what would be the point?”

“I liked the shower,” said Ennis, his voice equally patient, “’’cause I liked communin’ with nature. Wasn’t just the ocean, if you fuckin’ want to know.” He paused for a minute. “We could build it on the east side of the house, watch the sun come up.”

Jack looked at him, exasperated. “Just stick a fuckin’ shower on the east side of the house? Ruin the fuckin’ view from the livin’ room window? No. Besides, there ain’t no plumbing on that side of the house.”

“Fine then,” said Ennis. “I’ll build my own fuckin’ shower down at the barn. And you won’t be allowed to use it,” he added, sticking out his tongue at Jack.

“You really think,” said Jack, with an evil grin, “that if yer in a fuckin’ outdoor shower you are gonna keep me out of it?”


Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Jenny's Picture!
Post by: MaineWriter on June 27, 2006, 07:56:16 am
Another little drabble, this one inspired by my own outdoor shower. 253 words. Enjoy!
------------------------------------

“Jack,” said Ennis, “remember that cottage we rented up in Maine?”

“Course, I do,” said Jack. “That was a great vacation.”

“I was just thinkin’,” said Ennis, “how much I loved that outdoor shower.” He turned to Jack, his face serious. “Mebbe we could build an outdoor shower.”

Jack looked at him with a disbelieving smirk. “Build us an outdoor shower? What are you, fuckin’ nuts, Ennis?”

“Why do you say that?" said Ennis, hurt. “Why is buildin’ a shower nuts?”

“Ennis,” said Jack, his voice patient. “You liked that outdoor shower ‘cause it had a view of the ocean. We ain’t got a view like that here, what would be the point?”

“I liked the shower,” said Ennis, his voice equally patient, “’’cause I liked communin’ with nature. Wasn’t just the ocean, if you fuckin’ want to know.” He paused for a minute. “We could build it on the east side of the house, watch the sun come up.”

Jack looked at him, exasperated. “Just stick a fuckin’ shower on the east side of the house? Ruin the fuckin’ view from the livin’ room window? No. Besides, there ain’t no plumbing on that side of the house.”

“Fine then,” said Ennis. “I’ll build my own fuckin’ shower down at the barn. And you won’t be allowed to use it,” he added, sticking out his tongue at Jack.

“You really think,” said Jack, with an evil grin, “that if yer in a fuckin’ outdoor shower you are gonna keep me out of it?”

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Jane on June 27, 2006, 08:12:25 am
Leslie, thats brilliant.  Love it.  I can just imagine it too...................... I feel all overcome now.  Do you know how many cold showers I,ve have to take because of you?  ::)  Oh and I hope you dont mind but I thought of another one you could do.(I thought of this with an evil grin on my face btw). ;) ;)  How about one with them playing with their new toys? I mean, when you get new toys, you HAVE to play with them dont you?  ;) ;)  You see whats happening here Leslie?  I,m starting to think like you now!! tsk tsk.  shamefull thoughts I keep having.   ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: louisev on June 27, 2006, 10:06:07 am

MaineWriter and her fan fiction "A Love Born from Steel" are featured on davecullen.com's "Daily Sheet."  See the review here:

http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=10818.msg322201#msg322201

If you haven't visited the Lazy L ranch yet, the complete fic is linked at the beginning of this thread!  Enjoy.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on June 27, 2006, 10:24:25 am
Thanks, Jane. You should consider buildling an outdoor shower. Communing with nature is nice and look what it inspires! LOL

For my 15 minutes of fame, A Love Born From Steel is in "The Daily Sheet" at www.davecullen.com

http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=10818.msg322201#msg322201

Hopefully I will get a few new readers!

L
Title: Lazy L Farm house
Post by: David on June 27, 2006, 10:29:33 am
Leslie!

     Wrong colour, but this is more of the style House I was thinking Hal lived in on the Lazy L farm.

(http://static.flickr.com/74/176318801_b0b4446e9d.jpg?v=0)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: David on June 27, 2006, 10:48:41 am
The Lazy L farm house before Jack and Ennis painted it Rose.

(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9iby6EKQKFEqRgAzM6jzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=1287c6q7r/EXP=1151504778/**http%3a//www.carolinejasper.com/Images/CarverHouse.jpg)

And edited to get rid of the trees for a more "Texas" feel.

(http://static.flickr.com/74/176318801_b0b4446e9d.jpg?v=0)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: MaineWriter on June 27, 2006, 11:25:14 am
I like that picture, David and that's very similar to what I pictured. The bowed window would be in the master bedroom upstairs. Remember when Ennis was sitting in the chair while Jack looked for the shorts and shirts? That's where the chair would be.

I like the little stained glass windows, too. Never mentioned those...maybe I need to go back and edit the part where Ennis is washing windows to put them in.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Lynne on June 27, 2006, 11:40:58 am
Thanks, Jane. You should consider buildling an outdoor shower. Communing with nature is nice and look what it inspires! LOL

For my 15 minutes of fame, A Love Born From Steel is in "The Daily Sheet" at www.davecullen.com

http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=10818.msg322201#msg322201

Hopefully I will get a few new readers!

L

Leslie,

I saw the Dave Cullen article this morning and was going to post about it, but you beat me to it!  Very cool.  I was happy (grateful) to learn that you're continuing the Lazy L stories...I *love* having more of your Jack and Ennis to look forward to.

Lynne
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on June 27, 2006, 11:43:46 am
Leslie,

I saw the Dave Cullen article this morning and was going to post about it, but you beat me to it!  Very cool.  I was happy (grateful) to learn that you're continuing the Lazy L stories...I *love* having more of your Jack and Ennis to look forward to.

Lynne

Thank you, Lynne. The story is forming in my brain. Of course, I have this pesky thing called real life to deal with at the moment...

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: scudder on June 28, 2006, 11:44:59 am
Leslie, That little drabble is great.  The repartee shows two people who are comfortable with each other, and sure of each other.  I remember that first week they were together, and Jack was always seeking reassurance from Ennis that he would not up and leave.  I guess after 30 years he has got over that!  No Ennis can't keep Jack out of that shower with Ennis.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: MaineWriter on June 28, 2006, 11:53:57 am
Leslie, That little drabble is great.  The repartee shows two people who are comfortable with each other, and sure of each other.  I remember that first week they were together, and Jack was always seeking reassurance from Ennis that he would not up and leave.  I guess after 30 years he has got over that!  No Ennis can't keep Jack out of that shower with Ennis.

I think he had gotten over it by the end of the first summer...or maybe even the middle of the summer.

A few people have criticized me, saying that Jack using a suicide threat as a way of "catching" or forcing the issue is emotionally manipulative--and that Ennis will forever have the threat of that hanging over his head, so he could never leave. To those comments, I take the view that someone who is truly suicidal (and Jack was: he had a plan, had verbalized his intent, and had the means, ie, a gun) does not have the emotional resources to be manipulative. A suicide threat is a cry for help and Ennis correctly recognized it as such.

I did try to revist the theme of depression throughout the story, each time showing that Jack was getting better and becoming more self-aware of what he had gone through. But yes, in those first few weeks, Jack needed lots of reassurance: one, because he truly couldn't believe that Ennis was really there and wouldn't bolt and two, because he was still not fully mentally healthy...but he was by the end.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: scudder on June 28, 2006, 12:45:01 pm
Leslie, I totally agree with you.  Jack was suicidal, he had been thinking of it, and had a gun in the glove compartment of his truck.  He was dead serious.  And I think it was because he was dead serious that Ennis decided to join Jack in a sweet life.  I have tried to think of something else that would have gotten Ennis to go in with Jack.  I can't.  I think his suicidal depression was the needed, deep jolt to Ennis' stubborness. What a strong and powerful and insightful chapter!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: scudder on June 28, 2006, 12:48:57 pm
The Lazy L farm house before Jack and Ennis painted it Rose.

(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9iby6EKQKFEqRgAzM6jzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=1287c6q7r/EXP=1151504778/**http%3a//www.carolinejasper.com/Images/CarverHouse.jpg)

And edited to get rid of the trees for a more "Texas" feel.

(http://static.flickr.com/74/176318801_b0b4446e9d.jpg?v=0)

David, you have come up with the farm house of my imagination.  Great!  Now can you paint it "prarie rose"?
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: tamarack on June 29, 2006, 09:02:30 pm
I'm late getting to your story, Leslie, but I printed it out today and I'm in the middle of reading chapter 4.  You told me that if I liked madlori's that I'd like yours, and I have to say that you are very right so far. I'm going to have to be careful what I read on this thread, apparently, because I'm going to find out things I shouldn't know yet.  :)  I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep with visions of Jack and Ennis floating through my dreams! Just wanted to say that I'm glad I'm on board with you - I think this is going to be a great story. Thanks!

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on June 30, 2006, 05:27:43 am
Hey Tamarack,

Welcome to my world of readers. Glad to have you on board! Enjoy the story and if you have questions, let me know.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: tamarack on July 01, 2006, 07:22:18 am
Leslie, I just read chapter 5 last night and almost turned my computer back on to tell you what I thought!

As a horse person from the time I was born (loving them that long, not owning them that long - the owning came much later) I am always aware of Ennis's attention to his horses. He takes care of the horses and then he takes care of himself, the way it should be. (Of course, they were supposed to be going for a ride in the evening to give them some exercise since Ennis wouldn't have time to mow the field, what with picking up their stuff at the motel, talking to Lureen, and then meeting with Hal and all, and now they're christening the bed....hmmmmm. Oh well, it was a busy day, and he is going for a ride, so to speak, so I guess it all works out!  ;))

Speaking of Lureen, what a great section! I love the lines in the movie when Lureen says "It's funny, ain't it? Husbands don't never seem to dance with their wives. Why do you think that is, Jack?" I run that over in my mind quite often because I love her accent on those lines. My point being, I could hear her voice so clearly when she was talking to Jack, and then telling Ennis, "Stand up. I wanta look at you," "Shut up, Jack," then, "He's a looker." I laughed out loud. That was so great! The whole section at their house was just perfect. I can definitely see Lureen taking the news like she did, not getting all hysterical, just more of a "hmmm...interesting" kind of a reaction. Catching the meaning of Ennis' horse being named Twister, would have been willing to keep working with Jack since he is good for the business, "You take good care o' him, y'hear?" and then poking Ennis and telling him to call her Lureen. I love her attitude. She's a strong woman, she sees the writing on the wall, and she's going to make the best of it and not make everybody around her miserable because of it.

Can you tell I love it?!

(Is this too much to be saying here in this thread? I was going to register on the fan fiction site but it seemed like it was more for posting stories, which I am definitely not going to be doing.)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on July 01, 2006, 09:59:18 am
Leslie, I just read chapter 5 last night and almost turned my computer back on to tell you what I thought!

<stuff deleted>

Can you tell I love it?!

(Is this too much to be saying here in this thread? I was going to register on the fan fiction site but it seemed like it was more for posting stories, which I am definitely not going to be doing.)

Thank you very much. I really appreciate  your comments and feedback!

You can post here, I would be happy to get in a discussion. You can also post comments on LiveJournal, if you want. The story starts here

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/417.html

I think it is easier to be interactive over on LiveJournal, rather than fanfiction.

As for Lureen, thanks for those comments. I have had a few criticisms, people telling me that she was much more fire-y, she would have blown her top, etc., but my view was that she had known something was wrong for awhile and was more relieved than angry to finally find out what was going on.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: tamarack on July 02, 2006, 01:10:54 pm
I looked around over on LiveJournal, hoping to find the comments about not-fiery Lureen, but am back here empty-handed.  Maybe it's a question of definition, but I don't see Lureen as fiery at all. I see her (movie L.) as the somewhat spoiled only child of a stud duck who is used to getting what she wants, whether it's a barrel horse or a husband. She's a good business woman, having probably grown up around her daddy's business, and see's Jack as an asset to the business, even if the marriage didn't work out. "He drank a lot" she told Ennis on the phone, so it wasn't a shock to her that her husband wasn't happy, and although she probably isn't used to not having things work out her way, she is smart enough to know that it isn't her fault. Also, being who she is and where she is, she has a lot more options than Alma did when it ended with Ennis. Lureen knows that she'll be alright without Jack, and that they can probably remain at least friendly, if not friends. (I did see Louisev's comment over on the journal and I also think that Jack leaving her for a man has a lot to do with her attitude. Being left for a woman would no doubt have evoked a different reaction. Then we may have seen fiery Lureen!)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on July 03, 2006, 09:29:05 am
Hey Tamarack,
I think you assessment of Lureen is spot on. That's exactly the way I saw her, too, and wrote her. She shows up again in the story but I won't spoil that for you.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: tamarack on July 03, 2006, 09:28:26 pm
I have to say, Leslie, that since this morning when I was reading Chapter 8, I have had the most wonderful image of Jack and Ennis on the couch with their long legs all twisted together. I think that is going to get me through the coming week...I don't blame Tom a bit for watching!  ;)

And the scene with the rings was really nice, each of them touching the other's ring just before it came to rest on their fingers.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on July 04, 2006, 06:15:30 am
Tamarack...

You are picking up on all my favorite scenes! Thanks so much...keep reading, enjoy!

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: tamarack on July 04, 2006, 09:31:54 am
I've been reading since a little after 6 am but it's been slow going through all the tears! I am just so happy for Jack and Ennis - their lives are coming together (have come together) so perfectly - the girls are fitting right in, Bobby is okay, even Alma is dealing with things even though she disapproves of it all. (I live about 600 feet from several horses, and, of course, there is a lot of whinnying and nickering in the mornings when they are being fed. It's a great sound track for your story.  :D )

I was so glad that you acknowledged Ennis' work ethic in chapter 12. That is one of the reasons I fell in love with him right in the beginning. Even up on Brokeback it was so evident. (It's funny - I love Ennis' to death and have been thinking how his life is the life that I would want to have, but recently I realized that it would be better to be Jack, because then I could make love to Ennis!  ;) )

Thanks, Leslie.



There's a little sense of foreboding with the conversation between Ennis and Jeanie, and then the comment about 2 gay guys and kids and the plans for giving riding lessons. And not too long after, Junior came along with her Nancy Drew books. I hope it's just really my imagination running wild here and that there won't be any need to draw on things that Jack is learning about "sleuthing" (that is a cool word, I agree with Junior!) as he reads Junior's books.

And then there's Hal. Isn't Ennis being just wonderful? Both of them, really. Jack was just great with Jenny and Junior. Their love for each other is just so huge that it spills over to everyone else, too. And Ennis is clearly being so much more accepting of himself and who he is. He is getting so good at handling those "awkward moments" that would have sent him over the edge not too long ago.
   
I'll never look at my copy of The Joy of Cooking in quite the same way again! I think I'll move it (actually I just got up and did it!) to the kitchen counter on a permanent basis, just so I can have a Brokeback moment whenever I see it there. I'm getting a kick out of all the cooking that Jack is doing. (It would be good if this made me do a little more cooking.)

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on July 05, 2006, 05:42:59 am

I'll never look at my copy of The Joy of Cooking in quite the same way again! I think I'll move it (actually I just got up and did it!) to the kitchen counter on a permanent basis, just so I can have a Brokeback moment whenever I see it there. I'm getting a kick out of all the cooking that Jack is doing. (It would be good if this made me do a little more cooking.)



I would advise against the Crab Mongol, though!

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: MaineWriter on July 12, 2006, 12:29:23 pm
bump
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: notBastet on July 15, 2006, 05:09:25 pm
As for Lureen, thanks for those comments. I have had a few criticisms, people telling me that she was much more fire-y, she would have blown her top, etc., but my view was that she had known something was wrong for awhile and was more relieved than angry to finally find out what was going on.
Leslie

I also liked how you did Lureen.   

Her character in the movie struck me as steadfast, not fire-y. 

I hope she has a role in the new story.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: OverTheRainbow on July 15, 2006, 10:19:43 pm
So YOU'RE MaineWriter!

Wow, I had found your story on FanFiction.net and I absolutely loved it, I read it twice ;D And here you are, on this forum!!  :P

It was GREAT, I really enjoyed reading it, I thought it was amazing!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on July 16, 2006, 05:53:06 am
So YOU'RE MaineWriter!

Wow, I had found your story on FanFiction.net and I absolutely loved it, I read it twice ;D And here you are, on this forum!!  :P

It was GREAT, I really enjoyed reading it, I thought it was amazing!

Hey Rainbow,

Yes, I am MaineWriter and you can find me happily here at Bettermost. Did you know I started a new story? Through the Veil of Time...links are here at this site. Two chapters posted so far.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Helen on July 16, 2006, 01:26:29 pm
Julie (and others who are interested) - all the cover art can be found at mobody journal on LJ:

http://mobody.livejournal.com/ (http://mobody.livejournal.com/)

Just scroll down a few entries.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: CHAPTER 20
Post by: Ellemeno on July 21, 2006, 11:58:00 am
Hey Leslie, we never added this one to the group!  I just found it.  And now you have the moderator powers to add it yourself!  Congrats!  Clarissa
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on July 26, 2006, 09:23:38 am
Just for fun, I have been designing license plates, and thought this one was kinda fun:

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/lnicoll/ShowPlate29.gif)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: twistedude on July 26, 2006, 02:53:44 pm


Japan has "National Treasures." They cannot be removed from the couintry for any reason...assume this is also true of the Lazy L.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on August 28, 2006, 08:09:48 am
Monday, August 28th

Mimosa Day -- the day Ennis learned he inherited the farm from Uncle Hal. For those in the mood to celebrate, may I suggest a tall flute of champagne with a generous splash of fresh squeezed orange juice.

Cheers!

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Marge_Innavera on August 28, 2006, 10:56:37 am
For those who might have missed the beginning, here's the link to start at Chapter 1.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/ (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853224/1/)

I just now started reading and left a review. Great job with establishing the plot in that first chapter!

Will probably have to read just a chapter or two at a time but I'm definitely hooked.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: Ongoing Discussion
Post by: notBastet on August 30, 2006, 10:33:14 am
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l318/alleycats77/mimosas.jpg)

Everyone - Happy Belated Mimosa Day!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Lynne on September 26, 2006, 11:54:09 pm
I feel the need to post here today to make a couple of important points...I have become an avid fan fiction reader, thanks largely due to Leslie's A Love Born From Steel and then later on, to other recommendations she's passed my way.  I don't contribute a whole lot to the threads because, until there are 36-hour days, it's just not possible. ;)

Point #1:
I had the pleasure of meeting Leslie in person this weekend at the Brokie get-together in New England.  She is as wonderful as we all knew!!  If you haven't yet had the opportunity, the next time Leslie goes somewhere, red-line it all the way.  It was a terrific experience.  I once said in chat to Leslie that 'I want to be like you when I grow up.'  I can now say with 100% certainty my instincts were dead-on.  Of course, the ironies are that we're close enough in age, and I doubt anyone is planning to actually grow up anytime soon.  :D

Point #2:
Leslie was generous enough to provide us NE attendees with bound copies of A Love Born From Steel.  So, Sunday night I read it again (3rd time).  Yes, Leslie, thanks again for ANOTHER sleepless night.  This would be payback for me 'encouraging' you have one more wine/spritzer Saturday night ;) (or was it 2 more? or 3??)  :laugh:

Seriously, when I read fanfic, I'm usually reading it on-line, in small segments, a chapter a week or however frequently the author updates.  And I'm reading more than one author at a time.  It made an enormous difference to read A Love Born From Steel as a complete work from cover to cover.  I'm not saying it was not a terrific read before - because obviously it is!  However, the complete read in one attentive single session truly makes evident the overall construction of the story, the tight plotting, and what a terrific work of art the entire piece is.

So, the moral of the story is - for fanfics you *LOVE*, if you do not already do this, print paper copies and save them and read them in their entirety without distraction.  It truly makes a difference.  In this way, the author's talent shines brightly through in a way that reading at your monitor in periodic installments just doesn't permit.

-Lynne
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on September 27, 2006, 06:03:45 am
Oh, Lynne, thank you...my cheeks are red.

I was very pleased with the way the bound version turned out...all 350 pages of it! It had a beautiful cover with art done by Lucise and was spiral bound. I have a copy and like you, Lynne, I find my self re-reading big chunks of it. Sometimes I say to myself in amazement, "I wrote this?" LOL

I am considering having another printing done, if enough people are interested. Cost would be $25 for printing, plus $5 for mailing ($30 total). If you would like a copy, send me a PM. I'll keep folks posted on the progress.

Thanks,

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on October 14, 2006, 07:12:16 am
look what i got made today!  :)  :)
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312/Belbbmfan/HPIM1079-1.jpg)

yes, it's going to be a wonderful weekend!  ;)

thank you Leslie!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on October 14, 2006, 08:12:42 am
Wow! Isn't that a beautiful thing?

Fabienne is in Belgium and we figured the shipping might cost more than the printing, so I sent her the word file and cover art so she could print and bind it herself. If others would like me to do that, send me a pm with your email and I'll get it right out.

I am still collecting orders to have another printing done locally...so far I have two. I'll probably take it to Staples when I have five requests so if you are interested, send me a PM.

Thanks,

Leslie
MaineWriter
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel: all threads now merged here
Post by: Marge_Innavera on October 14, 2006, 02:07:50 pm
David, you have come up with the farm house of my imagination.  Great!  Now can you paint it "prarie rose"?

Don't know if the color is officially called "prairie rose", but it sounds like a very dark rose color that's popular in parts of the Midwest for rehabbed frame houses.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on November 22, 2006, 06:50:49 pm
To all my friends and readers,

I have posted a Thanksgiving thank you, because you are all special people and mean so much to me.

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/26460.html

Thank you for being there for me.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on November 23, 2006, 02:50:03 pm
To all my friends and readers,

I have posted a Thanksgiving thank you, because you are all special people and mean so much to me.

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/26460.html

Thank you for being there for me.

Leslie

thank you for being here for your readers leslie!  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 14, 2006, 10:41:20 am
I am so excited!

Marge_Innavera wrote a great article about "Tom of Finland" in The Daily Sheet at davecullen.com:

http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=18557.msg635353#msg635353

She mentions A Love Born From Steel and how Jack and Ennis discovered Hal's old collection of Physique Pictoral magazines. The article has pictures, too!

For anyone who wants to read that particular chapter, the link is here:

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/5121.html

Enjoy!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on December 14, 2006, 11:12:12 am
thanks for posting that link Leslie. I hadn't seen any of those Tom of Finland pictures, so i didn't really know what Jack and Ennis discovered.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 14, 2006, 11:34:51 am
thanks for posting that link Leslie. I hadn't seen any of those Tom of Finland pictures, so i didn't really know what Jack and Ennis discovered.

Well now you know...and some interesting history about Tom of Finland, too!

Thanks for reading,

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 15, 2006, 12:13:02 pm
Hi Leslie -

I finally made my way over here.  So - start with "A Love Born From Steel" and then move on to "Through the Veil of Time," right? 

I read the most recent chapter of TTVOT and I was utterly charmed and moved!  :)  I'm hoping I find some time this weekend to start reading from the beginning!

Thanks - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 15, 2006, 12:24:43 pm
Hi Leslie -

I finally made my way over here.  So - start with "A Love Born From Steel" and then move on to "Through the Veil of Time," right? 

I read the most recent chapter of TTVOT and I was utterly charmed and moved!  :)  I'm hoping I find some time this weekend to start reading from the beginning!

Thanks - Marie

Hi Marie,

Thanks for your message. I am delighted that you want to read my stories! Yes, A Love Born From Steel comes first. It starts in May, 1976, one month after Jack made the disastrous post-divorce postcard visit.

Through The Veil Of Time is the sequel and begins in May, 2006.

Please feel free to post comments on my LiveJournal or here...I would love to get a discussion going about the story.

ALBFS begins here:

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/417.html

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 16, 2006, 01:04:31 pm
Hi Leslie,

Thanks for the info and the link!  I've granted myself permission for a little "me" time and am going to start reading ALBFS now.   :)

Talk to you soon.

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 16, 2006, 02:47:18 pm
Hi again, Leslie,

I'm baaaaack!!!  ;D

Read up to and including Chapter 3a (told myself I'd read the first two chapters - but I snuck in an extra  ;) ). 

Leslie, I am just loving this story!   I so enjoy your writing style also - it has such a comfortable, natural flow to it - really enveloped me and carried me along!  So many great moments already - this one:

“And I realized that if we’re gonna start killin’ ourselves and endin’ up dead, we might as well try livin’ together before we do, because what’s the point of being dead if we haven’t done the thing that was gonna get us killed in the first place?”


had me giving a little fist pump along with my "YES!  The conversation with Alma was so realistic - sad - but realistic.   And those humorous little moments are great!

"And I like the idea of ridin’ my Twister,” he added, with an evil wink."

"Ennis leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “I could tell ya the colors of the pimples on yer ass, but I didn’t know ya liked iced tea.” Jack almost choked on his drink, trying not to laugh in the middle of his sip"    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Okay, "me" time is done for now.  Way behind on Christmas shopping and chores.  And why is it that I have a hankerin' for a peanut butter sandwich??  ;) :laugh:

Thanks - Marie

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 16, 2006, 03:21:59 pm
Ah Marie, some of my favorite lines. This is great, thank you for reading ... and quoting!

Keep enjoying the story...I am around to discuss. I love talking about ALBFS.

Hugs,
Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 17, 2006, 01:14:33 pm
Mornin', Leslie!

I'm enjoying this story so much - I read through Chapter 6 and wish I had the time to keep reading for hours!

So many thoughts - the dam has really burst for Ennis, hasn't it?  You've portrayed this so well.  Love that Ennis and Jack each had a moment of watching the other unobserved -

"Jack walked back outside and now found Ennis leaning against his truck, smoking a cigarette, and staring into space. Jack stopped for a minute and looked at Ennis, who hadn’t noticed him yet. “Oh, God,” he thought, “I love this man,” with an intensity that bordered on pain."


"As he walked out to the parking lot he saw Jack leaning on the truck watching the cars go by as he smoked. Ennis looked at him for a minute, feeling a warmth in his heart—and his groin. “Damn, Del Mar,” he thought to himself, “Don’t get yerself distracted, ya got work t’do.”


Tom is a great character - being a boring suburban gal my entire life, my knowledge of horses, farm and ranch life has been gleaned mostly from western books and movies (Larry McMurtry being a favorite  :)- especially "Lonesome Dove")!  I loved his little observations about E&J - it's hard to get past stereotypes sometimes, isn't it, even when we try to be open-minded?   

This little exchange really had me laughing -

"“Oh, no, I’m sorry,” he leaned towards Ennis. “My students tell me the same thing, I ramble all over the place and they never know what the hell I’m talking about.” Ennis wasn’t surprised at this revelation. "   

We've all had a few "Toms" as college professors, haven't we?   :laugh: :laugh:

Lureen and her pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude was so great to see.  And, of course, she's so right about Ennis! 

I thought it was very realistic that you showed Jack slipping back into depression/drinking - that's not a behavior or an attitude that would change overnight.  I like seeing Ennis recognize this and kind of "take charge."

Awww . . poor Hal.  I understand congestive heart failure so well.  My dad suffered from it for years before his death. (I'm relating to many little things in the story - I also know someone who works in administration at M.D. Anderson in Houston). And now that I know Hal is gay and I can see his mind is very sharp . . . well, I'm thinking he's going to be way ahead of his nephew in sizing up the situation.  (Now I understand the Tom of Finland reference above - will have to find time to check that out!). 

The little "dirty socks" conversation - a stroke of genius, Leslie!  So prosaic, but yet so profound at the same time. And who wouldn't love Ennis in shorts?   ;D

Gosh, look how I've rambled!  Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 17, 2006, 02:32:40 pm
Marie,

Ramble away...I just love it!

I loved writing the impromptu fashion show...picturing Ennis trying on Jack's old clothes and the two of them smiling at each other. I also had fun with the Physique Pictorial magazines and doing the research on that.

One of the things I worked very hard to make realistic was the fact that Jack was clinically depressed. I am a nurse myself so I have dealt with more than a few depressed/suicidal patients in my career. I like to think that conveyed what Jack was feeling and perhaps, educated a few people in the process. I had one critic tell me that Jack would never contemplate suicide (I guess because of his optimistic, outgoing personality) but frankly, I don't think that being optimistic makes you immune.

Chapter 7, 8...you have some good stuff coming up! Enjoy..!

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: littleguitar on December 17, 2006, 03:56:11 pm
Quote
I had one critic tell me that Jack would never contemplate suicide (I guess because of his optimistic, outgoing personality) but frankly, I don't think that being optimistic makes you immune.

It's been awhile since I've come over here, but I just wanted to say I completley agree with you on that point. And I also think that while Jack may have been optimistic during the early stages of their relationship, that optimism and hope were both slowly drained from him as the relationship went on... probably starting most drastically after the divorce, but I'm sure it was there before as well. I think towards the end, suicide may have been on his mind in some form or another, if only because I think he started to get a bit reckless toward the end and stopped caring so much about himself and who knew what about him.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: souxi on December 17, 2006, 04:21:19 pm
Heres a quote from chapter 7 from Mr Memory.
QUOTE:
Their afternoon went as planned, with a horseback ride and skinny dipping in the river. After their swim, they lay on a blanket in the sun, letting the warm air dry their skin naturally. Their conversation was lazy and drifted from topic to topic, each sharing little thoughts or personal feelings. At one point, Ennis looked up at the sky, and was reminded of the time they got back together after their four years apart. “Remember that trip, Jack? After the motel, when we went up t’the mountains?” he said.

“How could I forget?” said Jack. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve forgotten a minute of any of our trips. They are all stored in my mind.”

Ennis gave a soft laugh, “Okay then, Mr. Memory. It was in the evenin’, and I was starin’ at the sky…”

“And I said, ‘Anything interestin’ up there in heaven?'”

“And I replied…” Ennis prompted.

“You said, ‘I was just sendin’ up a prayer of thanks.’” At this point, Jack turned onto his stomach and looked at Ennis. “I asked ‘For what?’ and you turned it into a joke about my harmonica.

Ennis laughed. “Yep, I made a joke because I couldn’t say what I was really feelin’.”

“Can you say it now?” Jack asked, with an affectionate smile.

“You know I can, cowboy, ‘cause I’ve been sayin’ it all week. I’m sendin’ up a prayer of thanks for havin’ you in my life, for havin’ you lovin’ me, for helpin’ me realize that what I needed to do was be with you.”

Jack smiled at him, then turned back over, lying perpendicular to Ennis with his head resting on Ennis’s stomach. “I swear to God, there is no one else on earth as lucky as me,” he said.

“Yes there is,” said Ennis.

“And who would that be?” asked Jack, anticipating the answer.

“Me,” said Ennis, ruffling Jack’s hair and laughing. :: quote.

I love that conversation, and I love Jack and Ennis.  :) :)

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 18, 2006, 09:56:01 pm
One of the things I worked very hard to make realistic was the fact that Jack was clinically depressed. I am a nurse myself so I have dealt with more than a few depressed/suicidal patients in my career. I like to think that conveyed what Jack was feeling and perhaps, educated a few people in the process. I had one critic tell me that Jack would never contemplate suicide (I guess because of his optimistic, outgoing personality) but frankly, I don't think that being optimistic makes you immune.


Hi Leslie,

I think you definitely succeeded in a realistic portrayal of clinical depression.  I'm certainly no expert, but right from the first chapter I recognized that the amount of time Jack spent sleeping was a symptom.  I also don't believe that "optimistic" people are immune from depression.  In fact, I believe that a normally optimistic personality such as Jack may have been even more confounded when he found himself deep inside that black hole with no means by which to extricate himself - you can't just "happy think" your way out.

You're a nurse!  :)  How wonderful - my experience with nurses has been so overwhelmingly positive and uplifting.  My dad had a home health care nurse and, later, hospice nurses, and they all became so special to our family - truly angels of mercy, love and compassion.

On to Chapters 7 and 8 - which I found delightful (well, except for Roger Grindell).  I was so proud of how Ennis handled himself with Grindell - it was a defining moment and served to make J&E's relationship stronger. I know there are many Roger Grindells in the world, but that doesn't make it easier for me to understand them.

So happy they took pictures of each other!   :)  Is Ennis's wish for a picture of them kissing a bit of foreshadowing?  I sure hope so! ;)

The Interlude of Correspondence - another stroke of genius!  I have a special fondness for epistolary novels - and was really delighted to see this!  What a great way for us to gain important perspectives into the characters.  I was impressed with the realism and natural flow of the postcards and letters - and I was so glad to see Junior sharing some private thoughts with Ennis.  She is one smart girl.  I'm looking forward to their visit. 

Ennis shopping for curtains, considering paint samples, thinking about wallpaper -loved it!   :laugh:

Ennis helping Bobby with his fear of horses and giving riding lessons - perfect! 

Of course, I loved their time with Hal - what a sweet, special man.  I, too, am glad that Ennis has a friend.

I love how Tom found out about Ennis and Jack - you caught me off guard with that!   

"“He doesn’t think we’re fuckin’ queers, he thinks we’re fuckin’ hot.”

“Damn straight, cowboy,” said Ennis. “’Cause we are.”



I'll second that, Ennis - DAMN STRAIGHT!   ;D

Thanks  - Marie

 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on December 19, 2006, 03:08:12 am
Hey Marie,

i've been reading your comments of the story for the last couple of days and you make me want to read A Love Born From Steel again. I've already read it twice and it's just wonderful to think about the boys of the Lazy L!

Yes, the friendship with Hall is so moving. He is just the kind of friend Ennis needs and it's wonderful to see how Ennis feels so comfortable sitting with Hal.

I like this story so much, i had it printed and bound. I liked reading it on paper even more.
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312/Belbbmfan/HPIM1079-1.jpg)

Looking forward to more of your thoughts! thanks

Fabienne
 
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on December 19, 2006, 03:09:58 am
wow, that picture is so big.
i tried resizing it but it didn't work. I need to take some lesssons....

ow, well never mind, it's a nice picture  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 19, 2006, 07:15:18 am
It's not too big, Fabienne, I think it is just perfect!

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: notBastet on December 19, 2006, 02:36:12 pm

Gosh, look how I've rambled!  Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!

Marie

I'm enjoying your ramblings too Marie, keep them coming!!
 :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: notBastet on December 19, 2006, 02:39:01 pm
what the heck is an epistolary novel?  me [and ennis] wanna know..
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 19, 2006, 03:05:34 pm
Hey Marie,

i've been reading your comments of the story for the last couple of days and you make me want to read A Love Born From Steel again. I've already read it twice and it's just wonderful to think about the boys of the Lazy L!

Yes, the friendship with Hall is so moving. He is just the kind of friend Ennis needs and it's wonderful to see how Ennis feels so comfortable sitting with Hal.

I like this story so much, i had it printed and bound. I liked reading it on paper even more.
(http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312/Belbbmfan/HPIM1079-1.jpg)

Looking forward to more of your thoughts! thanks

Fabienne
 

Hi Fabienne - Thanks so much - I'm tickled that you've enjoyed my ramblings!  I can understand why you've read the story twice and want to read it again!  And what a great idea - having the book printed and bound - love the cover! 

Thanks  again - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 19, 2006, 03:12:33 pm
I'm enjoying your ramblings too Marie, keep them coming!!
 :)

what the heck is an epistolary novel?  me [and ennis] wanna know..


Hi there notBastet!  - Thanks!  I'm sure I'll keep rambling - just wish I had more time to read the story - I'd like to keep reading straight through to the end!   :)

An epistolary novel?  LOL!  Just a fancy way of saying a book written in the form of letters or some other form of correspondence.  I remember the first book I ever read of that nature - it was called "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary and I was just a young one at the time.  I thought it was a really cool way of writing a book - and even though I'm not such a young one anymore, I still do! 

Thanks - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 19, 2006, 03:50:10 pm
Hi Fabienne - Thanks so much - I'm tickled that you've enjoyed my ramblings!  I can understand why you've read the story twice and want to read it again!  And what a great idea - having the book printed and bound - love the cover! 

Thanks  again - Marie

If you would like the word file and jpeg for the cover, so you can print your own, let me know. Send me a pm with your email and I'll get them right out to you.

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 20, 2006, 02:17:08 pm
If you would like the word file and jpeg for the cover, so you can print your own, let me know. Send me a pm with your email and I'll get them right out to you.

Leslie


Thanks, Leslie - I've pm'd you - (but it hasn't shown up in my outbox) so let me know if you don't get it!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 20, 2006, 04:05:34 pm
You should have it, Marie. I emailed it awhile ago.

Thanks for your interest!

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 21, 2006, 03:05:52 pm
Hi!

Making my way slowly - up to Chapter 12.  Just had to take a minute to ramble a little about Chapter 9! 

How perfect was that wedding?   :)  I love how in sync J&E are with each other - no words needed between those two.  Jack instinctively picking out the "lovers' braid" ring - which was, of course, just waiting for J&E.  And the silversmith, Sarah - she had such a spirtual quality about her and appreciated so fully what was transpiring - how appropriate that she served as the witness to their marriage!  How often it is the case that the seize-the-day, straight-from-the-heart moments in our lives turn out to be the most special!

Just wonderful, Leslie!   :) :)

Thanks - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 23, 2006, 09:06:31 am
I love that wedding, too, and I loved writing it. It made me very, very happy for them.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 26, 2006, 03:56:07 pm
I love that wedding, too, and I loved writing it. It made me very, very happy for them.

L


Leslie, you're love for J&E and your love of writing this story shines through every line!   :)


A few quick thoughts on Chapter 11 -

So great that Jack "prepared"  Ennis so well for his meeting with Alma at the hotel!  Attention to details can make all the difference. 

This just warmed my heart:

But it wasn’t just clothes, she realized. His face had a happy, relaxed look, and as he was grinning and laughing with his daughters, he looked like a man without a care in the world. Not only that, but as she looked at his face she realized that Ennis had a tan!


Quite a eye-opening moment for Alma! 

I loved, loved, loved Ennis's discussion wth Junior on the way back.  He was honest, open, and respectful, never talking down to her as adults sometimes feel the need to.  Just wonderful.

Out of the mouths of babes:

“My mama thinks this whole thing is bad,” Junior continued. “She’s been sayin’ that for weeks.” Jack nodded at her as she said this. “But, Uncle Jack,” she paused, “I think she’s wrong. It can’t be bad if he’s this happy.”

I'll say it again - you're a smart girl, Junior!

Thanks, Leslie!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 28, 2006, 05:39:30 pm
Okay, some more ramblings on Chapters 12, 13, and 14 -

So happy the girls love the farm - and Jack - I knew they would! How could anyone not love Jack!   :)  I'm glad Alma agreed to two more weeks.  I do feel sorry for Alma - it's kind of sad to describe the time you're having on your honeymoon as "pleasant" - and it really contrasts the difference in the relationships.  J&E have a true, deep, passionate love.   I'm happy that Junior and Jenny will have J&E as role models for a marriage.

Jack was right - Ennis did handle Jenny beautifully after she saw them kissing.  He used the same honesty and respect as he did in his conversation with Junior. 

There are so many "blasts from the past" as I'm reading - my mom's Joy of Cooking was ever present when I was growing up (she got me my own copy about ten years ago) and now the Nancy Drew books!  I loved them.  I wanted to be Nancy Drew and drive around in that cool convertible solving mysteries!   :laugh:  I still have some of the books.

Okay, I know everything can't go smoothly - but that Crocker is a real bastard - and so obvious!  Jack is right that they need to hold their tempers for now - but that had to be incredibly hard for them both.   >:(

My favorite moment:

Jenny had left her suitcase of Barbies. “I’d rather have them here to play with when I come visit,” she said. “That makes them special.” Jack slid the suitcase under the bed and as he did so, he saw a piece of paper. He pulled it out and looked at it. It took a minute to register, then he realized what he was looking at—a drawing by Jenny, of him and Ennis kissing. Jack smiled. It was pretty obvious who was who. They both were wearing jeans, but Jack’s shirt was blue and Ennis’s was brown. Their arms were wrapped around each other. Ennis had a mop of yellow hair while Jack’s was black. Their faces were touching and their eyes were closed. Jack loved the little touch of eyelashes for each of them. The best part—they were wearing their cowboy hats.

Jack smiled at the picture. “Ennis, ya wanted a picture of us kissin’,” he thought, “well, ya got it. I just never expected it t’be a drawing from yer daughter.”

He went into their bedroom and laid the picture on the dresser. The snapshot of them sitting on the porch was there, too. “That’s it,” he thought to himself. “Tomorrow I’m buyin’ picture frames, one for each of these.”


Perfect!

I love how Jack takes care of Ennis and how Ennis takes care of Jack - each in their own way.  And I have to say - all the cooking Jack does gets me hungry while I'm reading!   :laugh:

I'm glad Hal is able to come home for his last days - I know how found Ennis and Jack have become of him - and Ennis is espcially close to him.  That must mean a lot to Hal.    What a lovely person Jill is!  She's really in sync with J&E.

The woman took his hand in both her own, “It’s wonderful to meet you, Jack,” she said. “I’m Jill Bretz, the hospice nurse from the Visiting Nurses Association.” As she finished clasping his hand in hers, her fingers rubbed against his ring and she looked at it, “Oh this is lovely,” she said. “You must’ve gotten it on July 4th.” Jack nodded. She smiled, lifting up one of her earrings. “I bought these from these from Sarah that day too.”

“They’re very pretty,” said Jack, not sure what else to say.

“Yes, I thought they were beautiful. They spoke to me. Did your ring speak to you?”

“Actually, it did,” said Jack, although he had never thought of it this way.

“Sarah is spiritual,” she said. “It comes through in her jewelry.”

Jack was feeling slightly confused about all of this. Jill didn’t look like any nurse he had ever seen—he was used to the white cap and shoes variety—and her talk of spiritual jewelry seemed a little…odd. On the other hand, everything she was saying was completely true. “I mean,” he thought to himself, “we got married there. What could be more spiritual than that?”


She's going to fit in well, isn't she?  She's right - Jack is a good person - and so is Ennis.

Okay, rambled enough today!

Thanks - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 29, 2006, 09:23:07 am
Marie,

Thanks again for your comments. I really appreciate them! You have got me re-reading my own story along with you! LOL

Here's a little quote buried in Chapter 13, when they are talking about buying a mattress:

Jack looked at Ennis. "Did you just call yourself gay?" he said, looking surprised.

"I was speakin' in principle," said Ennis, with a smile.

Jack smiled back. "Ennis, when in hell are you goin' ta admit that you are as gay as me?"

"Mebb when I get through the ordeal of lyin' on a bed with you in a department store," said Ennis, with a laugh. "Mebbe that'll be the thing that convinces me."


As for Nancy Drew...I loved those books. I collect them now and still re-read them. And didn't every girl in the world want to be a sleuth like Nancy? I know I did!

Jill, the hospice nurse, is based on a real person. Hospice nurses are very special people.

Thanks again for reading!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 29, 2006, 11:06:05 am
Here's another quote I like, this one from Chapter 14:

Jack paused, considering. “I thought ‘bout that. It was diff’rnt this time. The girls leavin’…me realizin’ how much I enjoyed havin’ them here…and,” he paused, “I hope I can say this right, but I think I was worried ‘bout you goin’ back t’Wyoming.”

Ennis looked puzzled. “Why Wyoming?”

Jack replied, “I was worried like you’d decide it was home, that’s where you wanted t’be. Didn’t want t’live in Texas. You’d see the Wyoming mountains and change your mind.”

Ennis smiled. “Jack, I know what yer sayin’ but nothin’ could be more wrong. Wyoming ain’t home anymore and I didn’t feel a twinge of that while I was there. In fact,” he said, “ya know what’s home?” Jack shook his head. “You are. You are my life now, Jack. Bein’ with you is my life, and wherever you are is home.”

Jack could feel tears welling up in his eyes and Ennis noticed. He stood up and reached out his hand to Jack, pulling him into his arms. He wiped a tear from under Jack’s eye with his thumb, then gave him a gentle kiss. “Home, babe,” he said, “is you and me. It doesn’t matter if we are at the Lazy L or in a Quonset hut. My home is in my heart, and yer there, for all time.”


Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 29, 2006, 05:37:59 pm
Hi Leslie,

Well, I guess today is my day for crying.  Good thing I didn't go to work!   :)  Between David's post about coming out over on the LS thread and Chapter 15 of your brilliant story - well, I've been crying and I mean  crying - you know, with the big ol' tears and the red nose and the little hiccupy breathing thing.   :)  Wow - where to begin.  Maybe here -

Ennis tried to smile, but like Jack, he could feel the tears coming. “You die, babe, and that'll break my heart, so I ‘spect I'll be followin' right on behind you, 'cause I know I can't live without you.” He pulled Jack in close, and could feel the tears spilling on to his shoulder. “I’m sorry, babe,” he whispered. “I shouldn’ta brought this up.”

“It’s okay, En,” said Jack, through a shuddering breath. “It prob’ly is good t’talk ‘bout, least so we understand.” He pulled back and looked at Ennis, wiping his tears away with the back of his hand. “What I’d like, En, is to just keel over in a field with my boots on, not go through this dyin’ stuff.” He paused. “But I realize it prob’ly don’t happen that way all the time.” He lifted Ennis’s hand and in the same gesture, kissed his fingers, the palm and then his ring. “I promise you, En, yer old and sick, I’ll do ev’rythin’ I can to keep you here at my side. I want you t’die in my arms.”


Sniff.

And Hal asking Ennis to tell him again the story of how he and Jack met.  That's just so beautiful and so touching.  Ennis was helping Hal, but he was also helping himself by re-telling the story. 

I didn't see this coming and that made it just even more moving and emotional:

Hal shook his head, the movement barely noticeable. “No,” he whispered, “but Ennis, do somethin’ for me?”

“Sure, Hal,” said Ennis, “what do you want?”

“Kiss me…” he whispered.

Ennis looked at Hal, slightly surprised at the request, but figured it was easy enough to do. He rose up slightly from the chair and leaned over the bed, kissing Hal lightly on the forehead. He went to sit back down and Hal opened his eyes again. “On the lips…” he said, his voice barely audible.

Ennis hesitated for a second at this request. He had never kissed a man other than Jack before. But as he looked at Hal’s blue eyes he realized that he wanted to kiss this man. He held Hal’s face between his hands and leaned in, pressing his lips against the older man’s, feeling them soft beneath his own, lingering for a minute. He pulled back but kept his face close, looking deep into Hal’s eyes. “Yer a good man, Ennis,” whispered Hal. “I know why Jack loves you.” His eyes closed and his head seemed to sink back into the pillow, as if the talking and kiss had completely exhausted him.

Ennis sat down and picked up Hal’s hand again. He looked at his face then looked out the window. The storm seemed to be ending, leaving as quickly as it came. He watched, seeing the rain move across the field, heading east.



Just amazing, Leslie.  Then Ennis telling Jack about the kiss - and Jack understanding so perfectly what had happened between Hal and Ennis.

“Remember the very first day we met—he asked you why you were so quiet, said he wanted to get t’know ya better. I think he was fallin’ for you right at that moment.”

Ennis was surprised. He didn’t know what to say. He had never quite thought of Hal in that way, but now that Jack said it, it all seemed very clear. “Is that okay, Jack? D’ya have a problem with it?”

Jack shook his head. “Of course not, En. Nothin’ came of it, and I think you gave some comfort and happiness to an old man in the last months of his life. Besides,” he added, “how can anyone not fall in love with you? Look at me.”

Ennis smiled as Jack said this. “Well, like I was sayin’—here for years I’ve been tellin’ myself I ain’t queer because there’s no other guy in the world for me except for you, and look what happens. I find out there is another guy—‘cept he’s old enough t’be my father.” They both laughed at this. “My point is, though, Jack—I get it now. I finally understand. I’m like you. I’m gay.”


Sigh.  What a profound and moving moment.

And I can't stop thinking about Hal and his friend with the brown eyes. 

Yes, hospice nurses are very special people - as are all nurses  :)!  I think I already mentioned that my dad died much the way Hal did - from congestive heart failure, at home, under hospice care.  I was fortunate to be by his side with my mom and I'll always be grateful for that. 

Some happy, bright spots, of course - how wonderful that Hal had so many friends that wished to visit him - that made me very happy. 

And, oh yeah - the smex was smoking!!!!   ;D

Thank you so much, Leslie!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on December 30, 2006, 06:22:16 am
Marie,
what can i add to that?

I love reading your posts. You are so right, those moments you mentioned are very moving and emotional.

thank you for all your insightful comments! i love reading them  :)

and thank you leslie for this wonderful story  :-*
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 30, 2006, 10:47:51 am
Hi Marie,

I went back and re-read Chapter 15, after reading your quotes Marie, and got myself all worked up. LOL. I cried buckets when I wrote that chapter and I did it to myself again. Oh, poor Hal...but what a gift he gave to Ennis!

One of the things I did not like in some other fics that I read is that in many cases, Ennis realized he was gay by having sex with another man (not Jack). In writing this, I knew I had to have some sort of catalyst that would make Ennis understand he was attracted to men, but I didn't want it to be with him being unfaithful to Jack. And so we have Hal...

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on December 30, 2006, 02:18:42 pm

One of the things I did not like in some other fics that I read is that in many cases, Ennis realized he was gay by having sex with another man (not Jack). In writing this, I knew I had to have some sort of catalyst that would make Ennis understand he was attracted to men, but I didn't want it to be with him being unfaithful to Jack. And so we have Hal...

Leslie

Leslie, you were so right in that decision. I could never picture Ennis being unfaithful. It wouldn't ring true to me. I really liked how Hal appeals to Ennis's heart and Ennis feels it's just right to spend time with him, just being there.
And what a gift Ennis and Jack gave to Hal! Hal must have been quite lonely and it so fitting that in the end he is surrounded by people who really care about him and understand him.

This story is just heartwarming!  :)  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 31, 2006, 10:33:39 am

thank you for all your insightful comments! i love reading them  :)

and thank you leslie for this wonderful story  :-*

Aww - thank you, Fabienne.  What a nice thing to say.  I'm not sure if I'm terribly insightful - but I do know that I'm feeling a deep "connection," I guess you could say - with this wonderful story!

Thank you!

Marie
Leslie, you were so right in that decision. I could never picture Ennis being unfaithful. It wouldn't ring true to me. I really liked how Hal appeals to Ennis's heart and Ennis feels it's just right to spend time with him, just being there.
And what a gift Ennis and Jack gave to Hal! Hal must have been quite lonely and it so fitting that in the end he is surrounded by people who really care about him and understand him.

This story is just heartwarming!  :)  :)

Yep - my feelings exactly.

Leslie, I was going to apologize for causing you to cry by re-reading the chapter, but then I realized - you're making yourself cry with your own beautiful words!  LOL!!  And bringing out such strong emotions from your readers (and yourself) is a testament to really, really fine writing!

On to Chapter 16!


Thanks - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 31, 2006, 10:53:17 am
Sometimes I re-read something and I say to myself, "I wrote that?" It's an eerie feeling, actually.

Yes, onto chapter 16...

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 31, 2006, 11:43:53 am
Here's a quote I like, from Chapter 16:

Ennis started crying again as he said this, looking embarrassed and wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. “I loved my mama,” he said, his voice a whisper.

“And I’m sure yer mama loved you,” said Jack, smiling at Ennis and covering his hand with his own.

“I wonder what she’d think t’know her little baby boy grew up t’be a queer,” he said, trying to compose himself by picking up his sandwich and taking a bite.

“Well,” said Jack, “I don’t know for sure, a course, but I bet she’d be okay with it.”

“Ya think so?” said Ennis. “She was married t’my daddy and I told ya what he thought ‘bout queers.”

“Ya might be right,” replied Jack, “but I like t’think that what mamas want is for their children t’be happy.” He paused. “Yer happy now, ain’t ya, Ennis?”

Ennis smiled at Jack. “Ya know I am, babe. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Well,” said Jack, “that’s what I think yer mama would see—that yer happy. The queer part wouldn’t be so important.”

Ennis wiped his eyes again and picked up his soup spoon. “That’s a nice way t’think of it,” he said. “Mebbe that’s how my mama would be.”



L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on December 31, 2006, 02:45:38 pm
Well, couldn't stop at 16! . . . so, some ramblings on 16, 17 and 18:

Here's a quote I like, from Chapter 16:

Ennis started crying again as he said this, looking embarrassed and wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. “I loved my mama,” he said, his voice a whisper.

“And I’m sure yer mama loved you,” said Jack, smiling at Ennis and covering his hand with his own.

“I wonder what she’d think t’know her little baby boy grew up t’be a queer,” he said, trying to compose himself by picking up his sandwich and taking a bite.

“Well,” said Jack, “I don’t know for sure, a course, but I bet she’d be okay with it.”

“Ya think so?” said Ennis. “She was married t’my daddy and I told ya what he thought ‘bout queers.”

“Ya might be right,” replied Jack, “but I like t’think that what mamas want is for their children t’be happy.” He paused. “Yer happy now, ain’t ya, Ennis?”

Ennis smiled at Jack. “Ya know I am, babe. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Well,” said Jack, “that’s what I think yer mama would see—that yer happy. The queer part wouldn’t be so important.”

Ennis wiped his eyes again and picked up his soup spoon. “That’s a nice way t’think of it,” he said. “Mebbe that’s how my mama would be.”



L


Oh, I like that too!  When Jack is right, he's right.  Speaking as a mama, the Number One Thing mamas want is for their children to be happy!!

In our house, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup was the official lunch menu for anyone feeling under the weather - I think some version of that is true for many families! 

I liked Ennis' reaction to Jack's mention of Ray - another good sign of his faith in their love and life together and his understanding of himself.

On to not-so-nice thoughts -

...and, of course, I'm talking about Norm Crocker.  Deep breaths - try not to let my blood pressure rise too high!  My mom always taught me that there is good in everyone and to try and look for that - but I must say Crocker really is the exception that proves the rule, isn't he?  And that's the nice thing that I will say about him!   ;D

I was worried that this would send Jack into a tailspin of drinking and depression - but Ennis is so wise and so strong. 

“Maybe the fantasy of this horse farm,” Ennis said, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t find somethin’ else. Yeah, we were lucky with this place, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be lucky again. Or maybe it’s not just luck.” He picked up Jack’s hands and looked closely in Jack’s eyes, “What I’ve learned this summer, Jack, is t’believe in myself. I ain’t ever believed in myself before and I ain’t ever got ahead before. But havin’ you lovin’ me has made me realize that I can do things—if we want to own a farm, or a ranch, or somethin’ else, we will.” He stopped, and gave Jack a smile

YES!!!  Take that, Crocker!!  (I sound like an eight-year old, don't I?  :laugh:  I can't help it!)

I was so proud of Ennis when he spoke at the funeral!  What a special moment - and, of course, his heartfelt words would mean a lot not only to Hal's family, but to all the good people in the community who considered Hal a friend, and that will go a long way in building good will.  I really do like to believe that the kindness and love we extend to others is given back to us tenfold - corny, I know!   :)

I suppose I should have known that we would learn more about Hal's brown-eyed friend - I just didn't expect to actually meet him - and so soon!  What a wonderful (but bittersweet) surprise.

Got a little teary again -

“Holy God,” thought Ennis to himself, “I’m lookin’ at a picture of what I might have become and I ain’t likin’ what I’m seein’.”
  ...

“I was just lookin’ at Pete, thinkin’ I coulda been who he is…poor as shit, nothin’ but a life of regrets. Fuck, Jack, fuck…I am so fuckin’ glad I said yes t’you in May.” Ennis pulled Jack close again as he said this, his embrace squeezing Jack like he never wanted to let him go.

Jack laughed, his faced mashed in against Ennis’s neck. “Well ya did say yes, cowboy,” he mumbled. “No need t’regret what ain’t gonna happen.”


Happy for Jack and Ennis.  So sad for Hal and Pete.  No re-wind buttons on life though, right?  We just have to move forward and learn.

Now, I know Jack and Ennis end up with the Lazy L - but I don't know how, yet.  Very anxious to see what Tom is going to say!

Thanks again, Leslie!

Marie



Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on December 31, 2006, 05:58:09 pm
Marie, you read ahead on me! LOL

From Chapter 17, one of my nice schmoopy passages (hey, MadLori christened me the Queen of Schmoop!)

He went back into the bedroom and slipped into bed, hoping not to disturb Ennis, but Ennis turned over and pulled Jack into his arms. “C’mere, cowboy,” he whispered. “Let me hold ya ‘til ya go t’sleep.”

“Ya knew I was awake?”

Ennis chuckled. “Yer over there flippin’ like a flounder,” he said. “You could wake the dead.”

“I’m sorry,” said Jack. “I wanted t’let ya sleep.”

Ennis pulled him in close, rubbing his back and kissing his forehead. “Stop yer worryin’,” he said, softly. “Think ‘bout lovin’ me. Think ‘bout me lovin’ you.”

Jack tried to let himself relax in the warmth of Ennis’s arms around him. “How much do ya love me, En?” he said.

“How much?” Jack nodded. Ennis smiled in the darkness. “More than you can measure,” he said. “There ain’t no measurement for the love I have for you.”

Jack snuggled in closer. “Will you always love me, En?” he asked.

“You know I will,” said Ennis. “Forever and ever.”

“Even if I do something bad?” whispered Jack.

Ennis laughed softly. “You ain’t gonna do anythin’ bad,” he said. “Yer a good person.” He paused. “But even if you did do somethin’ bad, yes, I would love you. That’s what it’s all about, right? Through good and bad, thick and thin, ups and downs…” His voice trailed off.

Jack leaned in and kissed the warm space at the base of Ennis’s neck. “I love you,” he whispered. “I have only loved you and I will always love you.”

“I love you too, babe,” whispered Ennis.

“Y’know,” said Jack. “There are prob’ly people in the world who never meet their soulmate.”

“There prob’ly are,” answered Ennis, softly.

“But we found each other.”

“We did,” said Ennis.

“How did it happen, En? How did we end up on that mountain together?”

“I dunno, babe,” said Ennis. “I don’t think we’ll ever know. But we did.”

Jack leaned in again, resting his head against Ennis’s shoulder. “I love you,” he whispered, finally feeling sleep overtaking him, falling into a dark dreamless slumber, held tightly in the protective cocoon of his lover’s arms.



L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on January 01, 2007, 05:11:07 am
(hey, MadLori christened me the Queen of Schmoop!)



 :laugh: A title to be very proud of!

Happy New Year  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on January 01, 2007, 01:23:17 pm
:laugh: A title to be very proud of!

Happy New Year  :)

You took the words right out of my mouth, Fabienne!  :) 

Schmoopy!!!   :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:  That's too funny - love the Seinfeld reference!

I think your schmoopiness is great, Leslie - stand tall wearing that crown!   :laugh:

Hope to get more reading in today!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on January 02, 2007, 07:38:41 pm
A few thoughts on Chapter 19  . . .

Love Jack's little musings about naps:

... For Jack, taking a nap meant lying on the couch, with his boots off and maybe his belt loosened. Ennis, on the other hand, got completely undressed and under the covers—as if he was going to bed. Jack never knew about this little quirk—how would he? They never took naps on Brokeback and besides, they didn’t have a bed.

You know it's funny about naps - I can't take them - instead of feeling refreshed, I feel even more tired!   :laugh:  My son, though - loves little power naps.  He can doze for 10-15 minutes and then feel completely refreshed!  And if I did take a nap, it would definitely be a Jack nap - shoes off, on the couch!


Sexy and funny is my favorite combo:

“Suck yer cock and finger yer ass,” Jack repeated, trying to sound dutiful. “How many fingers?”

“Two should do it,” said Ennis, reaching towards the drawer of the bedside table. He handed Jack the tube of K-Y. “Yer gonna need this, I think.”

Jack nodded, “Okay, so, suck cock, two fingers, then what?”

“Then,” said Ennis, “when I’m just ‘bout t’come, I want ya t’sit on it.”

“Sit on what?” said Jack, his voice playful.

“My cock, ya asshole,” said Ennis, with a laugh.

“I ain’t an asshole, it’s my asshole ya want on yer cock, I think,” said Jack, starting to slide down in the bed.


 :laugh: :laugh:  I love that Jack and Ennis - instead of always being frantic and desperate - can now take the time to be playful!  And Ennis "repaying" Jack with a bath - love it!

I really liked how Jack and Ennis worked out different scenarios for getting the farm - they balance each other so well - perfect partners in every way.

Wow - when Tom first mentioned the will, I thought it might lead to something good - but I didn't realize Hal would leave them everything!  That was such a great moment! No wonder Ennis was so overwhelmed.  Another great moment - when he so automatically and as Jack noticed "effortlessly" and "naturally" said that he and Jack were married.  Straight from Ennis's heart - where Jack lives.

I was glad Jack asked Tom about he and his sister felt about Hal's will.  Tom was right - it was a brave question.   Tom and his sister are amazing people.  Unfortunately, it is so often the case that inheriting or not inheriting money brings out the very worst in people.  In this situation, it really brought out the best!  That was wonderful to see.  This good fortune couldn't have happened to better or more deserving people than Jack and Ennis! :)

And now, I'm not only hungry - I could really go for a mimosa!   :laugh:

Thanks, Leslie!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on January 02, 2007, 09:42:10 pm
Oh Marie, I love your quotes!

Here's something else I love from Chapter 19:

Tom stood up. “I feel like we should have some champagne or something…something to celebrate.”

“We have a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator,” said Jack. “If ya want…”

Tom looked at his watch. “It’s 9:45 in the morning, probably a little early to start drinking. Although the sun must be over the yardarm somewhere in the world.”

Ennis looked at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” said Tom. “Just an expression, something my dad used to say.” He paused. “Wait a minute, you said you had orange juice, right?”

Jack nodded. “Yup, a fresh pitcher, just made it this morning.”

“Perfect. We can have mimosas.” Tom started to walk into the kitchen, Jack and Ennis following.

Ennis whispered to Jack, “What’s a mimosa?”

“Damned if I know,” said Jack.

Tom took three glasses from the cupboard and pulled out the bottle of champagne and pitcher of juice from the refrigerator. He popped the cork and poured champagne into each of the glasses, then added generous splash of orange juice to each. He handed Jack and Ennis each a glass and lifted his own in a toast, “Congratulations, to the new owner of the Lazy L, and his loving partner.”

Ennis blushed. “Thanks, Tom,” he said, taking a sip of the drink. “Mmm, this is good. Try yours, Jack,” he said.

Jack held his glass up in a toast. “Congratulations, babe. I love you,” he said, then took a sip.


Mimosas, love, and the sun is over the yardarm, somewhere in the world....

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on January 02, 2007, 09:47:02 pm
And Marie, since you mentioned the bath....

Jack let himself go limp, feeling like a rag doll as Ennis maneuvered the washcloth down his arms, across his chest, over his neck, and behind his ears. “Ya act like a pro at this,” he mumbled, as Ennis picked up the handheld shower and wet his hair.

“I used t’wash Jenny and Junior,” he said, massaging shampoo into Jack’s scalp. “It was fun givin’ them a bath,” he said, he mind flitting back to the happy memory.

Jack smiled at him. “I hope ya weren’t dressed like that,” he said with a laugh, looking at naked Ennis kneeling next to him on the floor.

“I wasn’t, but it would’ve made sense,” he said. “I always ended up soaked.” He picked up the handheld shower again. “Lean yer head back, I don’t want t’get soap in yer eyes.”

Jack looked up at Ennis. “Nobody’s ever washed my hair before,” he said.

“Nobody?” said Ennis, surprised.

“Well, nobody who’s ever loved me,” said Jack.

“Well then, babe,” said Ennis, leaning in for a kiss. “I’m glad t’be the first.”


Ahhh....

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on January 03, 2007, 11:54:58 pm

Jack looked up at Ennis. “Nobody’s ever washed my hair before,” he said.

“Nobody?” said Ennis, surprised.

“Well, nobody who’s ever loved me,” said Jack.

“Well then, babe,” said Ennis, leaning in for a kiss. “I’m glad t’be the first.” [/i]

Ahhh....

L


Ahhh..... is right!!  I love having my hair washed!   :)


On to Chapter 20 -

After so much sadness and angst, so nice to have things lighten up!  Ennis and Jack bed shopping - who thought we'd ever see that day?   :) And in keeping with the idea that there are no coincidences . . Ray is their salesman!  Once again so proud of Ennis - Jack's love and their marriage has given him such self-confidence and peace!

“Ray?” said Jack, the color slowly coming back to his face.

The salesman nodded. “Yes, Jack, it’s me, Ray. Hi. Long time, no see.”

The three of them stood there awkwardly for a second, then somewhere, from deep inside of Ennis, a thought, and a joke, suddenly emerged. “Ray? You still eat grilled cheese-tuna-toms?”

Ray looked incredulous, then burst out laughing. Jack turned to Ennis, his jaw hanging down, almost speechless, then, “Fuck, Ennis, whatchya sayin’?”


 :laugh: :laugh: Well, if that wasn't the perfect way to diffuse an awkward moment, I don't know what was!  And ol' Ray was a pretty good salesman, too!

I like that Ennis was secure enough to start this conversation - and I'm so happy he got to hear this:

Ennis looked at Jack as if he still didn’t believe him. “Never fucked? Really?”

“Really. Ray absolutely didn’t want to…fuck me, I mean. He said it was okay for me to fuck him but…it’s not what’s most natural for me, En. The times I have done it with you…” he paused, thinking about it, trying to find the best way to put his thoughts into words. “With you, it’s like, I need to be inside you, because I love you so much, I want to be a part of you. And sometimes, that’s the only way to truly satisfy that desire. It doesn’t happen very often, just once in a while…but when it happens, that’s what I need.” He smiled at Ennis. “Does that make sense?”

Ennis nodded back. “Yeah, I think so.”

Jack continued. “With Ray, I never loved him, so I guess that desire was never there…the thing that pushed me to that place.”


Yes, it certainly does make sense, Jack!!   :)

Renovating the bathroom? Wow, they are ambitious! 

Norm Crocker's death was a surprise - but I'd be less than honest if I said I got all choked up about it:

“Jack, I’m thinkin’ of Tom, and his philosophy. ‘There are no coincidences…’ Did we make this happen?”


No, Ennis - you didn't make it happen.  It's called karma. 

The birth of Tom and Janet's baby girl - what a perfect way to end the chapter - and begin the next stage of Ennis and Jack's life together!   :)  Really lovely, Leslie!

Thanks as always, Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on January 07, 2007, 10:48:04 am
Hi again -

Oh, good!  An entire Interlude for the bed christening!! 

Just beautiful -  I loved all the candles - so romantic.  And we have toys in our new nightstand drawers - yay!  ;D  But I loved that they only wanted and needed themselves for the christening. 

Eventually Jack settled down, the trembling ceased, and Ennis could tell from the hitch in his breathing he was falling asleep. “Before ya go, lover,” he whispered, “look at the moon.” Jack turned and looked at the silvery light illuminating the room. “It’s full, like it was our first very first night on Brokeback and then a month later, our first time in the tent,” he said. “I will always love full moons.”

“And I will always love you,” said Jack, his voice thick, his eyes heavy lidded and no longer able to resist the forces of sleep.

“And I you,” said Ennis, pulling Jack in close, falling asleep with his lips buried in his lover’s hair, his arms holding him in an embrace that would never end, the moon shining across them in their new bed where they planned to sleep together, every night, for the rest of their lives.


Sigh.  I am such a sap - but God I love happy, romantic, schmoopy endings!!!

And the Epilogues -

I am so impressed with how much thought and and all the details you put into these Epilogues (Minutia is Good!  LOL!!!) Just great.

Bobby a vet!  Love it.  I know I'm biased - but I like to give Ennis credit for this because he helped Bobby overcome his fear of horses!  :)  Lureen is right - it does take a special gift to be a vet.  It's nice to see that Lureen is happy, too. 

Junior a librarian - how perfect!  I really relate to Junior and her love of books - before I decided on law school, I considered getting a Masters in Library Science, too!  And I really hope Junior writes that book - that's a story that needs to be told! 

Thank God Jenny has her dad (and Jack) in her life!  How sad that Alma has cut herself off from her daughter.  I just can't wrap my mind around it - how can a mother do that? 

I just love picturing Jack and Ennis surrounded by children and grandchildren on the Lazy L!  And also being a part of a wonderful community.  Really a dream come true.  I'm so glad Jack's mom got to know and love Ennis - I like Jack's philosophy of mothers - if our children are happy, we're happy! 

HaHa!  Kissing as a therapy to quit smoking!   :laugh:  That would make a great infomercial!    :laugh:

Jack and Ennis online!  Who would have ever thought!  Jack enthusiastically forwarding all those jokes - that is so funny - I think we've all been on the receiving end of that!! 

Jack and Ennis going to see the movie about "two gay cowboys!"  Another stroke of genius.   And yeah, I like your J&E's ending better (and I wasn't too fond of that mustache, either, Jack!  LOL! )

“Yeah,” said Jack, “but I bet the audience wanted more. We were hot. That reunion kiss—shit! It got me goin’ in the theater.”

Ennis smiled at him. “I remember that kiss. It was hot. But guess what?” he said, as he leaned in.

“What?” whispered Jack, feeling Ennis’s breath like fire on his face.

“This one’s gonna be hotter.”


Sigh.

I sure do wish I could have been at J&E's 30th Anniversary Party!  I like just typing that!

Leslie, thank you so much for your brilliant story.  I would be somewhat bereft - except that I know I can now start reading "Through the Veil of Time!"   :)

Yay!  I'm really looking forward to it! 

Thanks again - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on January 07, 2007, 04:04:57 pm
Hey Marie,

Thanks for those great quotes and comments. I so appreciate it!

This came up in relation to another story, but in case you are wondering...

If you are standing at the foot of the bed, Ennis's side is on the left, closer to the windows, and Jack is on the right, closer to the door.

There is a blanket chest at the foot of the bed.

Any other minutia you would like to know?

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on January 09, 2007, 01:54:44 pm
Hi Leslie!

You know for some reason, I always do picture Ennis on the left - don't know why that is!   :)

And I am, for the moment, satisfied in the my quest for bits of minutia!   But I am sure that will change. LOL!

I've started TTVOT - and am, of course, loving it! 

Question for you:  Because you are still writing that story - how should I comment?  Will it be easier and less confusing for you on your LJ?  Don't want to upset the flow of your thread here!  Of course, I'm finding myself reading late at night at a good pace - I may just finish the entire story before I know it!

Thanks again - Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on January 09, 2007, 02:23:12 pm
Hi Marie,

Glad you are loving TTVOT.

There is a thread for the story here. That's the best place to comment, I think, since I am here at bettermost all the time.

I would love to get more discussion going...it will be me back in the groove for writing. I am a little bit stalled right now. LOL

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Kerry on January 24, 2007, 09:26:46 pm
Thank you, Leslie, for your beautiful story, “A Love Born from Steel.” I’ve just finished reading the final appendices (though haven’t managed to make my way through all the subsequent pages of messages as yet!)

It was the second fanfic I read here at BetterMost, which would make it the second fanfic I have ever read in my life! Initially, I was somewhat reluctant to embrace fanfic. I was carrying an enormous amount of emotional baggage about BBM and Jack and Ennis (like most of us here, I guess) and I suppose I was afraid that I was somehow being “unfaithful” (I’m searching for the right word here) by not sticking with the original.

That all changed some time last Christmas when I noticed a thread, where someone called LazyLJack was sending e-mails to BetterMostians from his ranch in Texas. Well, I can’t begin to tell you how my heart skipped a beat when I read those e-mails and realised it really was “the” Jack. I was so moved, I sent a sad, weepy little message to Jack, telling him how much I loved him and Ennis, and how happy I was to hear of their new life together in Texas (bear in mind that I had not heard of you or “A Love Born from Steel” at that time). Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. I received a response from Jack. He told me he loved me, too. He said that he and Ennis looked back on Brokeback with fondness, but added that they much preferred the big comfy bed they presently had, which was much nicer than sleeping in a tent that smelt of cat piss or worse! Well, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so I did both! Receiving that message from Jack was a very therapeutic, cathartic experience for me. It helped me to begin the healing process. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m not completely out of the woods just yet. I was telling this story to a friend (BBM fan, though maybe not quite to the extent that I am!) last weekend and spontaneously started to cry half-way through the telling. Big sobs. He comforted me as best he could and I progressed through the moment. Came right out of left-field. Floored me. It was just the thought that Jack was still alive and living happily with Ennis in Texas that did it.

My experience with LazyLJack prompted me to consider that fanfic may hold the key to progressing forward, emotionally, post-BBM, for me. So I went over to the fanfic section and started reading a story there, which I am still following (it’s frightfully good!). I then started reading “A Love Born from Steel.”

Because I love your story so much, I wanted to share my following thoughts with you.

Tom’s sexuality. As a gay man, I was somewhat confused by a straight man being excited by gay male sexuality. It was one of the very few aspects of the plot that didn’t ring true for me. I have known many lovely gay-friendly heterosexual men in my life, and I’m absolutely certain that none of them would be in any way at all interested in what I did in bed! I know many straight men are very turned-on by lesbianism, but it doesn’t transfer over to what guys do together. It started me wondering if Tom was, perhaps, simply a tawdrid little voyeur, who would peek at anyone having sex, irrespective of gender. I soon realised that this wasn’t the case. Ultimately, I was left wishing that this aspect of the plot had simply been avoided and that Tom had just been painted as one of those sweet-natured, gay-friendly straight men that we’ve all met in our lives.

The obnoxious banker. I thought he was painted as a somewhat too overly melodramatic character, right down to his name - Mr Crock-o-Shit! I do appreciate that your intention here was to create an evil foil to Jack & Ennis’ innate goodness. As such, I would have liked you to have created an even more despicable end for this awful man. How more awful than death, you’re asking? Well I’ve been thinking about that! I would have liked him to have been arrested as a child molester of little girls, or exposed as a wife beater and run out of town. I prefer the former option, which would instil in people’s minds the statistical fact that most child molestation is committed by straight men on underage girls (not by gay men on underage boys). In the majority of cases, the offender is known to the victim. This would certainly be in keeping with the banker’s obnoxiously melodramatic persona.

The furniture salesman. We all know that life is full of coincidences. We’re confronted with them all the time, and we readily accept them as an integral part of life. However, having said that, I remember some advice I was once given years ago, when I was toying with the idea of writing the Great Australian Novel (yeah, feel free, laugh – I certainly know I am! LOL). I was advised to never use coincidence as a literary device when writing fiction. It was explained to me that the reader just won’t buy it. And this is how I felt about Jack running into his ex-lover, in the furniture store. I would have preferred that his character was left out entirely.

Gay sex/lovemaking. Congratulations on a job well done. You certainly had me all hot and bothered on more than one occasion. While we’re on this delicate subject, however, can I ask you a personal question? You didn’t hesitate to describe in full detail the most intimate aspects of Jack and Ennis’ lovemaking, right down to describing the number of fingers Jack inserted into Ennis’ rectum (it was two). This makes for very authentically written literature – except for one thing. I am presently reading two other fanfic stories here at BetterMost, also written by female authors, and there is one thing that is always left out. It is never included, even though it is one of the most intimate acts two men can share together. Let me give you a hint as to what it is. Have you ever heard of cunnilingus? Well, there’s a man-on-man equivalent. Again, drawing on my own personal experience, if ever there was a type of man who would like to just lie back and have his lover eat him out, it is Ennis. And Jack is just the sort of guy who would enjoy doing this to Ennis. In the vernacular, it is referred to as “rimming.” It is a most profoundly intimate act, especially when performed languidly and lovingly by two men who are deeply in love. For some reason unknown to me (and probably a lot of your gay male readers), however, female fanfic authors seems to steer clear of it completely.

Leslie, as already stated, I loved “A Love Born from Steel” and was sorry when it ended. I could have quite happily gone-on  reading diary-like reports from Texas for the rest of my days (maybe that’s what’s in the other pages at the thread – I guess I’d better get busy reading them all!). My apologies if any of what I’ve raised has already been raised and discussed. I came in late.

Your devoted fan,

Kerry   :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on January 25, 2007, 08:02:28 am
Wow, Kerry, thank you so much for that wonderful comment! I really appreciate it and I am thrilled you enjoyed my story so much!

Your comments are very thoughtful...and made me think. Let me try to address some of the issues you raised.

Straight men and gay sex You are not the first person who told me that Tom would not have been turned on by the sight of Jack and Ennis kissing. In fact, I have been told emphatically that "straight men do not like gay sex. They think it's gross." Well, my resident expert (my husband) tells me otherwise. I had him read that scene when this came up and he thought it was believeable. He also doesn't read slash but he has been known to "skim for sex" and has asked me to point out some hot passages in various stories. Now, maybe he's an oddball but I don't think so. I think the sweeping generalization that straight men do not like gay sex is a little too sweeping.

Norm Crocker Yes, maybe I was a little too soap opera-ish with him and maybe killing him with the train was a little too over-the-top, but we are all allowed our little slip-ups, right? LOL. More than one person told me that Jack and Ennis would have likely been turned down for the loan without the whole moral character issue. I thought it was important, though, that Ennis be confronted with some anti-gay prejudice, very soon after accepting his own homosexuality, and I wanted it to happen in a non-physically violent way. Thus, Norm, even if he was a little bit unrealistic.

Ray Maybe it was a coincidence, but believe me, small town rural America can be a pretty small place. I didn't think it was at all unusual for Jack to run into his old boyfriend at the furniture store. In fact, I am surprised it didn't happen sooner. I wonder where he and Lureen bought those lovely purple chairs, anyway? LOL

Seriously, Ray was important to me, and important to Ennis. A major theme of the story, obviously, was Ennis coming to grips with his sexuality. He needed to realize he was homosexual, not "jacksexual." To do this, he needed to have some sort of experiences with other gay men. Many fanfic authors have made this experience be that Ennis has sex with another man...I adamantly refused to go down that path. ("My" Ennis is completely faithful to Jack.) The main gay character, of course, is Hal, and he is the one who offered Ennis the most in terms of learning and understanding about himself. Pete showed up as "the ghost of the future"...showing Ennis what might have become of him if he had refused Jack again. The third character was Ray.  I thought that Ennis needed to meet someone closer to his age that he could use to mirror his experiences. If you recall, it was after buying the bed that Jack and Ennis had the "different types of queers" conversation. It was Ray that prompted that and Jack's intimate experiences with him that allowed him to answer Ennis's questions. So, even if Ray was a bit of a coincidence, I thought he was important to the story.

Gay Sex Thank you for your compliments! Since this is my first foray into writing sex (of any type...it is my first foray into writing fiction, if you want to know the truth!) I am glad it came out as realistic and believeable. I enjoy writing it which may sound like a strange thing to say, but it is fun.

As for rimming, I actually did include a bit of that, but if you read the story on fanfiction.net, you have missed it. "Interlude II: An Interlude to Christen The Bed" only got posted on LiveJournal. So, Kerry, an extra bonus for you...here's the link:

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/17369.html

As for reading more about the Lazy L...I am 62,000 words into "Through The Veil Of Time" which picks up with Jack and Ennis at the Lazy L Farm in May of 2006. I started it in response to a prompt to "do something with Jack and Ennis in the present." I am having alot of fun with this story. There is a thread for it here on the fanfic board, but it has spoilers so you might not want to look at it. The story begins here (on Live Journal)

http://lazylfarm.livejournal.com/20162.html or on fanfiction.net, it is here:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3023375/1/

I do hope you'll read and comment. People's comments are fuel for my writing and what keeps me going. They are very, very important to me...I read every one, even if I don't respond to each on individually.

Thanks again for being a devoted fan. It means more to me than you know.

Hugs and love,

Leslie
xo

Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on February 11, 2007, 10:16:07 am
I don't know if anyone pays attention to the ads that show up on the right side of the screen but I happen to glance at them now and then. Imagine my surprise when this morning, there was an ad for Circle E Western Boots!

http://www.circleewestern.com/

If we all remember, Ennis and Jack..."I'm brandin' ya, cowboy. Circle E Ranch."

LOL

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Artiste on January 27, 2008, 06:42:57 pm
When I lived on my friend's estate, I saw daily two emus that he had.

Such delighful big, big birds. I forgot if someone rode one! Anyone have pic of a person ridding one? There are races with emus, I seem to remember.

One thing I recalled was picking up some of their feathers. There are always two feathers together as one... and I wonder why?? Anyone knows?

Hugs!!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on September 16, 2008, 05:27:16 am
Hey everyone, check it out!

http://www.bcpinepress.com/htdocs/upcomingreleases.html

The story has been originalized and will be available as an ebook at the end of next month. I'll keep you posted!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Kerry on September 16, 2008, 08:13:22 am
Hey everyone, check it out!

http://www.bcpinepress.com/htdocs/upcomingreleases.html

The story has been originalized and will be available as an ebook at the end of next month. I'll keep you posted!

Leslie

Congratulations, Leslie. That's wonderful news. I'm so thrilled for you.  :D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Penthesilea on September 16, 2008, 08:24:05 am
What Kerry said.
Congrats Leslie! :D

(http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/Penthesilea06/Sonstige/buecherwurm.jpg)

(albeit this poor species might be destined to extinction, with all the ebooks, maybe I should look wor a pic of a Kindle-worm ;))
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: mariez on September 16, 2008, 09:37:01 am
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z196/mariez65/CON14.gif)

That's terrific news, Leslie.  I knew you could do it, and I'm very happy for you!

Marie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: belbbmfan on September 16, 2008, 04:20:47 pm
That is GREAT news Leslie!

I want a kindle, I want a kindle, I want a kindle, I want a kindle, I want a kindle  ;D
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on September 16, 2008, 04:52:45 pm
Kerry, Chrissi, Marie and Fabienne...

Thank you SO much! I really appreciate your support!

We'll have to have some champagne on Oct 30!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Kelda on September 16, 2008, 05:36:41 pm
Hey everyone, check it out!

http://www.bcpinepress.com/htdocs/upcomingreleases.html

The story has been originalized and will be available as an ebook at the end of next month. I'll keep you posted!

Leslie

congrats!!
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: retropian on October 13, 2008, 12:05:39 am
Hey everyone, check it out!

http://www.bcpinepress.com/htdocs/upcomingreleases.html

The story has been originalized and will be available as an ebook at the end of next month. I'll keep you posted!

Leslie

Wow, that's awesome! congrats! I just began reading your work on fanfiction.net last week and am enjoying it very much. I think Jack and Ennis are archetypes. I remember Larry McMurtry talking about his characters Gus and Woodrow and pointing out how literature about the relationships between friends, between loving friends has its archetype in Don Quixote. The pattern is that the friends have contrasting qualities, such as the dreamer vs. the realist. As the story progresses the friends exchange qualities to a degree, the realist becomes a dreamer too. I think that can be applied to a lot of fan fiction about Jack and Ennis. Ennis comes to adopt Jacks dream of living the sweet life whether it is a story were Jack lives and they have a happy ending or if it continues Ennis's story post Jack and he meets somebody new.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on October 29, 2008, 02:41:16 pm
Wow, that's awesome! congrats! I just began reading your work on fanfiction.net last week and am enjoying it very much. I think Jack and Ennis are archetypes. I remember Larry McMurtry talking about his characters Gus and Woodrow and pointing out how literature about the relationships between friends, between loving friends has its archetype in Don Quixote. The pattern is that the friends have contrasting qualities, such as the dreamer vs. the realist. As the story progresses the friends exchange qualities to a degree, the realist becomes a dreamer too. I think that can be applied to a lot of fan fiction about Jack and Ennis. Ennis comes to adopt Jacks dream of living the sweet life whether it is a story were Jack lives and they have a happy ending or if it continues Ennis's story post Jack and he meets somebody new.

Yes. Good point. Glad you are reading the story and glad you are enjoying it!

Leslie
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Katie77 on May 02, 2010, 09:58:39 pm
Leslie, I am staying at Dev's place and she gave me her copy of "A Love Born From Steel" to read a couple of days ago, to read.

Needless to say I have had my head buried in it since then, and have just finished it this afternoon.

The story is still ringing in my ears, I feel like I have just spent some personal time with Jack and Ennis, sharing in their lives and thoughts, and I thank you for allowing me to do that.

Congratulations on your wonderful writing and a story that cant help, but make the reader feel good.
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: MaineWriter on May 07, 2010, 07:44:01 pm
Leslie, I am staying at Dev's place and she gave me her copy of "A Love Born From Steel" to read a couple of days ago, to read.

Needless to say I have had my head buried in it since then, and have just finished it this afternoon.

The story is still ringing in my ears, I feel like I have just spent some personal time with Jack and Ennis, sharing in their lives and thoughts, and I thank you for allowing me to do that.

Congratulations on your wonderful writing and a story that cant help, but make the reader feel good.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback and I am glad the story is still making people happy.

L
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on May 08, 2010, 01:13:31 pm
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback and I am glad the story is still making people happy.

L

And so it should, for years to come.  :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: kitty on September 12, 2011, 12:50:02 pm
Has anybody got a word document of Ennis and Jack christening the bed? The link says access denied and I'd really like to read it :)
Title: Re: A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
Post by: southendmd on September 12, 2011, 04:21:43 pm
Has anybody got a word document of Ennis and Jack christening the bed? The link says access denied and I'd really like to read it :)

I'd suggest emailing Leslie directly (it's in her profile).  I seem to remember that was a good scene!