A Wildcat Summer 1

Comments

I am so very glad

That you are continuing the Wildcat’s story. I had to go back and refresh my memory a bit. I think it would be good to focus a lot on Terry, and how he/ she evolves. Does she go full-on female?

It might also be helpful to bring up the reason for the surgery earlier. I think that might make the chapter a bit clearer.

Thank you for continuing the story!

Thank You

Dear AR,
Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to read and write about Chapter One.
I’m still wondering how many people will want to revisit the story.
Thanks, Leslie

Glad to see a new chapter in the saga

I re-read the the big book after you posted asking if there was interest. That meant I had all that info in my head, but as avid reader said, a small recap at the beginning or weave it into the narrative would help readers catch up quicker with what was going on. I felt that the 'feel' very easily matched the previous stories and enjoyed seeing the planning for their next steps!

Edit: I also think he should make an effort with his guy friends. While he has tons going on with his Wildcats stuff he's mentioned frequently missing his buds.

Thanks

Dear Syldrak

Thanks for taking the time to read and write. It means a lot to me. That’s a nice compliment recognizing how the flow is comfortable. I had to return to the book, too.

As to weaving in the background, it’s a question of just how much.

It’s a great idea to include interaction with his buds. I’m already thinking about some plot twists.

I’m working on more this week. LM

Terry

I liked the follow up to Terry having the fibourous masses removed. I also think that you need to let Terry just focus on his music and writing. Although it makes sense to mention transition this early Terry is right that it would be for someone else as Jen already loves Terry down to her soul and Terry reciprocates in kind. I think that Terry needs to focus on what Terry/ Tasha has. Jen is strong for him while still allowing vunerability. There is no real need to transition for Terry as everyone knows hes intersex. So Yeah while I think touching on the subject is fair, I don't think you should send Terry in Downward Spiral over it and chance bombing Terrys relationship with Jen.
Terry became an inspiration to other intersex people world over in your last book, "making the world a little better" for all others as Beth Page said.
There is also the Charity events with Ellen and also at Flyers stadium (or whatever its called) for Jessica Jade they had talked about. Grace would never sign off on terry having GRS as it would be dangerous to his mental health.
I think you have started off on the right foot by having a discussion and also bringing right away there are no secrets with The Wildcats and the love they share for each other. Keep Terry a rockstar, Terry will always be their adored Little. There will be plenty as this book evolves on the growing relationships within all of the wildcats and Amy & Conner as they aim to dominate the musical world. Have Jen more involved somehow as she is central to Terry. And let Terry start to begin to love himself a little bit more as this book grows.
Amanda

Wow!

Dear Amanda,

Your response is just so great! I hear you saying, ‘keep on, keeping on’ and love it. I think you’re right that everything should mirror the big book’s pace.

Jenn and the band will always be the central characters and Terry will be an eighteen year old Rock Star. A visit to Atlanta means revisiting everything and everyone.

I’ve already starting thinking about the plot twists and new challenges. Thanks!

An All-Time Favorite Story

I first stumbled on to the Big Book on Amazon several years ago. I have since read it probably six times, and it never gets old. Seeing the story resume is a treat. While I usually don't comment, I wanted to make sure that you know that there are many people who will enjoy seeing the story continue.

As far as the future direction for the story, I wouldn't presume to offer advice, but would offer my own wish to see Terry reintegrate into his life in Allentown and ultimately become comfortable with him/her self, whether as intersex or after GCS.

As an unrelated note, I would love to see Taylor Too resume as well. Your writing and story telling is very enjoyable.

Thank you, thank you.

Dear Source,

It’s very nice of you to reach out and write. I get it. Even rereading TBBOW gets me cheering and misty-eyed, but don’t tell anyone or they’ll come lock me up. I love my Cats.

I started writing Taylor Two a while back and am halfway through it, but got bogged down in life. It’s there and she’s going to get finished up.

Thank you for being a cheerleader. I’m working here in a bubble wondering what readers are thinking. A note makes it worthwhile.

A great beginnign

I loved the original stories in this series.

I think this has the beginnings of a solid follow-up.
Terry's feelings and internal conflict are an important element to this story line.
I have a few comments I will sent directly..
DD

Thank you

Thank you for reading and writing. Thank you for sending me suggestions, too.

Vagina vs no -Vagina

Frankly I think the vagina provides an opening (pun intended) for more sexual experience and pleasure, especially if it is one made using the newer techniques where peritoneum tissue is used that makes it more self-lubricating and no need for dilating. At least the latter is how I understand it.

Penetration allows better access for prostate stimulation. Yes, anal sex provides it too but *ugh*.

So no, I don't think it would be a case of Terry getting nothing out of it.

This is coming from a post-op transwoman who took a whole decade after full time transition to finally have GCS and partnered with a non-op transwoman. And no, to this day I am not fully desiring of a man's attentions between the sheets but l do have to dilate since my surgery is over two decades old now so I have no choice. And dilation showed me that there can be fun to be had with vibrators and the like. I mean, a strap on dildo can be a thing. You know?

I know he is a reluctant intersex but Terry can take his time is what I am saying as he is still young.

Wow...

Thank you for reading and writing.

Terry's future is stll up in the air, and at eighteen, I don't think he needs to be rushed. I want this story to reflect his ups and downs, remembering that he is still eighteen, not twenty-two like Tasha.

Terry is building this life as he's living it.

sorry

lisa charlene's picture

but dilation is still needed

surgery

maybe, but I doubt that Teri will have time this summer

Agreed

Did some more research but while dilation is still needed, it is less needed.

Still, not needing weekly dilations would be a god send.

OTOH, if Jenn is receptive to the idea that would be a moot point :)

Hi there!

Dee Sylvan's picture

I can't believe it's been over 7 years since you first published Wildcats, it all remains so fresh in my mind. So many things have happened in my life since that time that kind of mimics Terry's (but alas, no rock star status, lol).

I would love to see Tasha continue her life with Jenn, Lisa, mom and the Wildcats. I don't think Tasha has to think too much about being a man or not being a man. With the hormones coursing through her system, I'm sure she'll find her place in the world. She is what she is, and that is a great gift. Being two-spirited will give Tasha insights into both sexes that can only help her move forward.

When I started my transition three years ago I never contemplated getting bottom surgery, but now I can't wait. One of my goals is to travel internationally and I think that will be much safer having the right parts that match the rest of me. But I have always taken it one step at a time, and I think that is the best way to go. Live your life with no regrets, Tasha. Your real friends will always have your back.

Good luck, Leslie. Let me know if I can help. :DD

DeeDee

Ahh.

Thank you very much. I've said it before: I write in a bubble. The Cats are inside my head, keeping me company.

A wonderful, loving note like this keeps me writing.

Looking forward to more 'Cats

Dee Sylvan's picture

They are one of my all-time favorites. Thanks for sharing more of their story. :DD

DeeDee

Please continue

Please continue adding to the wildcats saga. Please I could you also Add to Taylor Too.
Thank You for giving us so much reading pleasure.

Thank you.

Returning to the Wildcats is turning out to be more fun than I could have imagined. Even if nobody buys another book on Amazon, I've found happiness in writing my Wildcat Summer.

Hopefully, I'll find Taylor talking to me soon.

You are terrific!

Loving it

I read the prior chapters twice I loved so much. These are great characters and there is still a lot of story left in them. The only suggestion I would make is to turn Terri/Tasha's angst down a bit. It was a significant plot driver before but I don't think it can carry the load this time around. I would like to see how they evolve as a woman. I would also like to see more plot lines featuring the other members of the band.

Glad to see a new Wildats story

Samantha Heart's picture

You have a good start. I like how you didn't explain Terry this time.... I may need to go back & reread the wild cats as some of this isn't familiar to me. As for the flow. It jumps around way too much . Maybe set the stage some ok they are at the wildcat house.... that I get maybe from there go into the concert discussion. & Terry/Tasha's thoughts running though her head or maybe have Terry & his/her girlfriend in the bed room talking at some point or the girls are just lounging around & Terry /Tasha is there with his/her girlfriend talking about things quietly in the den or another part of the house. Tell us where everyone is type of thing. A good place to start is maybe look at lady dragons stories that take place in 2 or 3 diffrent places could be rooms or actual locations. Set the stage for us readers. You can still jump arround, but tell us where the sceen is taking place. That is my biggest advice. Basically it can still flow well & still be choppy with the right (to use a stage term) set dressing.:)

Love Samantha Renée Heart.

thank you

Thank you very much for taking the time to read and write your suggestions. I will reread your suggestions and try to follow them.

I Did Read The Originals

joannebarbarella's picture

And I loved them, but while I think it is worthwhile using the continuity of the characters, I think you should treat this as basically a new story. There will be many readers who have not read the previous "Wild Cats" and I don't think you're doing them any favours by putting too many hooks in to 'force' them to have to go back to your earlier work in order to make sense of this one.

This should be good enough to stand on its own, and I know you can do it.

I believe you are right

After writing over 30,000 words of A Wildcat Summer, the drop in readership has fallen from 2,000+ to 300. You were right and while I wanted to pick up where I left off, it’s not working.

Because I waited almost four years to revisit a very long and detailed opus, I’m paying the penalty.

Your last sentence, “This should be good enough to stand on its own, and I know you can do it.” will be the albatross hanging around my neck. I honestly looked for literary guidance on this and found no one out there does this.

My goal is to publish this on Amazon. A recent suggestion is that I should have a chapter zero which I’ll call a prologue to cover enough bits and pieces to bring new readers into the fold. It’s very heartwarming when someone new, outside the BigCloset circle discovers my books and I want this story to be inclusive, not exclusive.

It's Different Now

joannebarbarella's picture

A story that used to garner maybe 4000 views 4 or 5 years ago now gets 1000 if you're lucky, and chapters following the initial debut may get 500. This is no reflection on your writing. It's just what it is.

Orchiectomy

The surgery its self was minor and a drove home after lying to the folks there. Later after the rest of it, I was so happy to be rid of that sack of sweating, itching flesh.

A powerful statement

I believe an orchi is a symbol, a statement, and more.