[Report This]Date: June 11 2014 6:06 AM Title: Report 4: The Williams Family, Interview 1: Lillian Williams
@Xkcd: I was thinking something similar at first, but the issue is increasingly acknowledged as the story goes on.
As for this chapter, she comes across at first as a believer in tough love, but within reason. At the end, though, it becomes clear that we're in for something pretty dark (especially with the cowering bit), and I bet that when he does get his one on one interview, Lillian is going to look pretty nasty.
Also, what effect has this had on Ruby's personality and behaviour toward shrunken people? It seems like she's been affected like Lillian.
Author's Response: It's an issue that he realized has to be addressed after the oddness of the first interview, though getting the one-on-one chats is still tough if the warden believes something is fishy. The end of the chapter is indeed meant to give a different kind of implication to Lillian. And we'll see just how much Ruby's been impacted by all this next chapter.
Date: June 11 2014 5:59 AM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
This guy's not a very practiced interviewer if he thinks having the prisoner and the warden in the same room will see either one of them giving sincere answers. Not sure how that could ever come as a surprise...unless the publicity on this method of 'rehabilitation' has been entirely biased up to this point.
Author's Response: A good concern to have, though do remember that these people are treated very similarly to prisoners, so Howard can't just compel a personal interview with any of them without permission from the wardens, many of whom have good reason to not want the shrinkers discussing their treatment alone. He acknowledges that limitation.
[Report This]Date: June 10 2014 6:52 AM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 2: Dominic Graham and Shelby Bill
Ellen is a fine big bad and Shelby makes a nice heroine of sorts.
Enjoying the read.
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: June 09 2014 1:16 PM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 2: Dominic Graham and Shelby Bill
@Moonpie: He said this to me, in response to my review of the introduction:
Author's Response: Thanks for the review! There was a specific reason Julia wasn't mentioned here (I won't say if that's good or bad), though I will mention that this chapter contains a clue about how Jack and the others might be able to beat her. ;)
Author's Response:
Teehee...
[Report This]Date: June 09 2014 12:34 PM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
I wonder if Julia will make an appearance.
Author's Response:
Julia herself will not be appearing, though there will be several more connections to that story.
[Report This]Date: June 09 2014 8:22 AM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 2: Dominic Graham and Shelby Bill
It's following the pattern I thought it would: it starts relatively innocent but slowly gets darker. Here I saw a stronger indication that the giantess is hiding something, with Shelby blurting out something she wasn't supposed to say. It's also good that you left open the possibility of Shelby calling Howard later.
Author's Response:
Thanks for reviewing! We're probably going to see Shelby appear in some context later on in the story.
[Report This]Date: June 09 2014 7:12 AM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 2: Dominic Graham and Shelby Bill
Well duh! He's interviewing shrinkees in the presense of their giant overseers/torturers. Of course they're going to give answers that are favorable to the person who could punish them harshly when the interview is over. He should have known that he needed to interview them privately to get the most honest answers. The impression I get with everyone authorized to use those ray guns is pleasure in shrinking and using their "victims".
I'm still reading, so you must be doing something right!
Author's Response:
This fact regarding the presence of the overseers is something that Howard's going to realize more and more, and actually, the next case is one where he'll ensure to get a private interview with the shrunken. And thanks for reading!
Date: June 09 2014 6:57 AM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
I haven't read anything on the story yet as I want to wait 'till the story reaches its finals (I do wait like it was a TV Series, I don't like to wait weekly for each chapter lol) but as I'm following the updates I just wonder if this story is written like Max Brooks 'World War Z'...I liked a lot the book hehe :)
Author's Response:
I often do that with TV shows too. And while I haven't read World War Z myself, from what I know of it, that's not a bad comparison to make, at least in terms of taking a fictionalized world-changing event and telling it from a distanced perspective.
[Report This]Date: June 09 2014 6:12 AM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 2: Dominic Graham and Shelby Bill
Interesting, just so interesting! I cannot wait to see what else you have in store!
Author's Response:
Thanks!
[Report This]Date: June 07 2014 10:50 PM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
Rating things...right that is a thing you do here....
Author's Response:
Hmm yes I believe you're right...
Thanks for reading/reviewing! And you are right about the teacher.
Date: June 07 2014 10:49 PM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
Pretty interest take on typical shrink story. Very interesting to see the social issues being able to shrink people makes and how dehumanizing it can be to both parties.
I think Howard is starting to see that as well and I have a feeling this "teacher" is going to push him further down that path.
[Report This]Date: June 07 2014 4:40 AM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 1: Professor Ellen Taggert
This story definitely has a different feel than most stories I'm use to reading. By that I mean you as the reader are not in any one characters head. Even without that though I feel like I know Howards viewpoint and thoughts on TSA and how it is being implemented. His small comments / responces to the actions or statements of those he interviews say alot. Can't wait for the next chapter.
Author's Response:
Thanks for reading! Glad you're enjoying it. My goal was definitely to get that distanced feeling from any one character's perspective.
[Report This]Date: June 06 2014 5:04 PM Title: Report 3: South Hanenrow University, Interview 1: Professor Ellen Taggert
Ellen seems like a reasonable lady, good stuff.
Author's Response:
You may not still think that about Ellen after the next chapter...
[Report This]Date: June 03 2014 8:49 AM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
Got to admit I'm really enjoying this one. The interview format reminds me a lot of the Summer Job in a good way plus it's nice to see this sort of subject approached from a more inquisitive, distant point of view. Can't wait to see more.
Aside from that I do find it a little dialogue heavy but there's no helping that with the way it's structured. Keep up the good work!
Author's Response:
Thanks for reading! I realize this one won't be for everyone since it is almost entirely dialogue, but it was important to me to keep up the style of the thing.
[Report This]Date: June 02 2014 5:31 PM Title: Report 2: The Edwards Family, Interview 2: Gemma Edwards and Dale Edwards
At first I thought, "Shouldn't he interview Dale alone" but then you acknowledged that issue quite well.
Author's Response:
Good catch! Definitely an intentional thing. Thanks for reviewing.
[Report This]Date: June 02 2014 4:00 PM Title: Report 2: The Edwards Family, Interview 2: Gemma Edwards and Dale Edwards
Good stuff.
Kitty seems sweet but well on her path to at-least at little bit of Maggie-ism. Given their similiar situations with their shrunken family members.
Author's Response:
Thanks for reading! I'm guessing you mean Gemma's on her way to a bit of Maggie-ism? I'd have to agree there, probably.
[Report This]Date: June 01 2014 4:13 AM Title: Report 2: The Edwards Family, Interview 1: Kitty Edwards
You're doing well with the style so far. This could get very interesting. You're going to have lots of opportunities to explore the moral and social issues of this technology.
Author's Response:
Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to showing the other ways I'm exploring the challenges and consequences of the tech.
[Report This]Date: May 31 2014 10:02 PM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
Judy making a run for the Senate. Awesome. Can't wait to see that.
Oh and I like this writing style even though its a bit different. Can't wait to see more of Ms. Kitty.
aaron
Author's Response:
Thanks for reading/reviewing!
[Report This]Date: May 31 2014 9:53 AM Title: Report 2: The Edwards Family, Interview 1: Kitty Edwards
I can't wait to see how this ties in with "Her Sick Game" and all of your other stories. I really like where this is heading and I guess that means Carly is 54 years old (35+19).
This probably wouldn't ever happen, but since Scott's mom has "connections", and the time-out series features women around Judy's age(Except his sister and his GF), does this mean that Carly could ever pop up in the Time-out series? Perhaps Amanda from The Love Games could also test to see if Scott is "faithful" to his gf(Even though she probably hates him atm). ;)
I don't want to sound like I am trying to kill off Scott in the Time-Out series(He's probably innocent and his mom could have had someone put something in his drink(s)) but that would it would be like an avengers/justice league story/movie(Except the fact that they wouldn't be heros).
Author's Response:
Thanks for the review! Carly actually won't be appearing in person in this story, but there will be some more references to her later on. Amanda's story took place prior to Blackmail, so she would be pretty old by this point, if she's even still alive; I know this wasn't explained in Love Games, but she's one who discovered the homemade chemical method for shrinking and just kept it to herself. Your comment about avengers/justice league made me chuckle.
Date: May 30 2014 7:14 PM Title: Report 1: Preliminary Findings
I think I mentioned in your other story Shoe Arrest 5 that the thing that bothers me about the house arrest program is that its open ended, with no definative end date. Under that logic, these shrunken people are never going to go free, unless their guardian wants them freed. I do feel a little bad for Dale. He's working his ass off and it appears to me his wife and daughter are making back far more then he ever stole by exploiting him. If he's ever freed, unless his wife reconciles with him, he'll be divorced, homeless and penniless.
Another engaging story. Keep up the good work.
Author's Response:
It's actually not quite so bad as that. Basically what the lack of end date means is that those in the program will go up for review at certain points where it will be determined if they're ready for release. This depends heavily on influence and reports from their guardian, of course, but it's not solely up to them. I would agree with your thoughts on Dale, though. After the next chapter, I'm sure you'll feel that way even more.
Glad you're enjoying it!