Well its hard to believe but its been 2 years since I last put up anything concerning Mel Covington. I'm not sure if there is much of an interest still, or if others even remember what's she's going through, but I'm planning in the next few weeks to put up another chapter.
I'm not that much of a speed writer, but one of the hangups for months was just plain being a sloth. I had and still have trouble bringing out what I have in my mind to my hands. They just refuse to co-op on this one story as I hammered out parts, one word, a sentence and in some cases paragraphs as with a part of me trying to figure out certain plot lines. I know I've procrastinated many times and I apologize. But there were other things going on, and still are, in the background. For some reason I just could not finish it as I started creating other stories. But I'm nearly completed and just have to do some editing.
I just also what to mention a certain somebody who's been hanging in there for me with my quarks. I appreciate it all as well.
And as many have been pointing out, its strange to know I've been a member for over 10 years. Registered. I've lurked on the older sites as with migrating over to here.
UPDATE:
I will be posting Part 1 again sometime this week. Just so you know. That is unless told not to do so. Well not really told, but asked. Well maybe not asked but hinted, or spaded.
That is if anyone's still interested.
Comments
Considering...
... that it's been almost three years, and I still haven't yet finished the BB sequel and the sequel to "John's Living Nightmare", I can't complain.
-- Daphne Xu
Mel Covington
I for one love your stories Ibi. The ones about Mel tend to be a little darker. So I'm guessing that takes more work anyway. I'm sure that the rest of your work it will be well worth the wait.
She still has a long way to go and I look forward to taking the journey with her. I know it's been a pretty bumpy ride but it has been worth it.
New mel story
I loved the first stories you did they were so different from the usual Bikini beach stories less about the forced fem more about the characters also mel/david did point out that anya and grandmother were not infallible and had made mistakes themselves always wondered what mel would have thought if she ever encountered Heather and discovered what had been done to her
New story taken down
Did read and comment on into the abyss, it looked like it was developing into a very good follow up, but now seems to have disappeared from this site
I took it down
I took it down as I didn't like the writing style.
You developed the character
I liked the way you were developing mel and also the conflict that was developing, she has the power to do so much but is constantly being told by others it is wrong to do so the way she does, if she didn't know those who tell her not to abuse power had done so themselves she might listen more but for a troubled teenager it would sound to much like do as I say not as I do, also mel wants to fit in but as she internally is still the hetrosexual male David, has no interest in boys sexualy, and reacts to their unwanted advances the best way she knows, at least what she does need not be permanent, i also like you bringing up the problem of surveillance cameras, and them spotting people using magic unawares, tigger did something similar in the latest seasons story were it was one of the reasons for closing the program for the greater fear of discovery, hope you get the story sorted the way you want
WoW and I don't mean World of Warcraft
That is one long running sentence. Lets see if I can break it down to something sustainable.
Glad you were liking the conflict. I don't generally like instant acceptance and many others go in off directions.
1. Whom is constantly telling her that she is wrong. Okay, lets see this through. Lisa? Keith? Anya and Grandmother? Don't parents or close friends tell you when you are wrong? Or how about a better way of handling a situation? That's what gets me on how writers view their creations. Its like "I have the power and nobody can tell me what to do" - meaning no restraints, no comeuppance or discipline. Just instant godlike powers with no remorse.
Think about Clark Kent. How do we know Clark 'didn't' do some things behind his parents back and didn't tell them. How did Martha and Johnathan Kent raise, punish Clark then? Didn't he have restrictions? Notice I didn't reference him as Superman - that's a moniker given to him by Lois later on.
And while many have their own perception of Grandmother, Anya and their ways I'll not be one to get into it. That's my prerogative. I have yet to meet a 'perfect' parent, friend or so on that hasn't done something or does something questionable in their past. Who's a good role model for Mel? Who could teach Mel on magic even? I say Grandmother because she has been teaching Anya whether you agree or not is your opinion.
2. Yes Mel is a troubled teenager. I'm actually toeing a fine line with her on certain things and I'm the one that knows more about her background even if not shown. And she is a 'growing' teenager so yes there is the expected turbulence, emotionally and physically many teens have.
3. Umm how do you know Mel's sexual preferences? I don't remember making any mention of it? Did you see it that way because of the way she acts towards boys? Or girls? Unlike what many believe can happen, she has more important matters to concern herself. One is trying to ascertain just who she is? Her life in growing up was in a way interrupted. She was broken by Nathan and that hurt carried over. And boys advances on Mel? Yeah but how many girls do you know who try to force a relationship on other girls in High School? What I'm getting at is just because I didn't show them Mel would act just the same way towards them. Mel just does not like large crowds and people touching her. I'm leaving that alone now. And yes she's like any teen in wanting to fit in. Hurt or no.
4. Thanks about the technology. Many skim over it. While fantasy I do want some realism involved. Its how our world is advancing towards. An Orwellian world of surveillance. Either intentional or not. You decide.
5.Working on it. So parts that once were may still be but not in the same context in some respects.
Ibi
Talking about technology and surveillance
If mell used her magic to appear to disappear to someone, if recorded by surveillance cameras, would a person watching later merely see her walk away while those she bewitched seem confused, or would the magic effect all observers
Good ?
Very good.
I thought...
… that I had responded to this comment, but it's not there. So...
It has to depend on the details of the spell. If the magic affects the minds, then of course the cameras will still pick up and record her light. On the other hand, if magic makes her completely transparent to light around her, then the cameras will see her disappear as well. In the latter case, she would be blind as well as invisible: her eyes wouldn't absorb light necessary to see. Alternately, her eyes might absorb a minimal amount of light, but not enough for anyone else to see the difference -- perhaps unless they were searching for it. Maybe they'd see floating negative images shaped like eyes.
Incidentally, magic, time travel, many universes, and so forth all have their fridge logic. Individual issues may be considered in isolation, but not all simultaneously.
-- Daphne Xu
All magic
All magic is derivative of the writers use and creation. J.K. has her views as opposed to those of Stephanie Myers. I believe magic in itself is not set in stone as some people wish to believe for if it was then most stories would revolve around such rules. Also there are those that claim it's real but like other beliefs cannot prove or disprove such.
Also look at those that flocked to on person back in the 50's and to this day is still a part of that cult. People believe what they wish to believe as proven with a now deceased writers duping them with his poor ability to write but must of had something back then into accepting his ideology through coercion, manipulation and I'm sure bodily harm.
Hence why I'm not answering even though its a good question. And we can argue your view over mine for it can lead to a good discussion if held properly. The problem is peoples 'firm' disposition to derail and enforce such a discussion over what they feel is true can leave others little maneuver room as the other side is basically closed and will claim victory when the other side refuses to continue the discussion. I'm not saying you will I'm just saying from past instances. I, myself, have set views that I keep close due to past occurrences even if proven otherwise.
[I have edited this as I was not in the right frame when I first answered. I was upset and now reading it again, did not want to give the wrong impression on my thoughts.]