I have a late Christmas gift, for those of you who have been waiting for something from me. I have begun posting a new story over at Gatchafanfic: Runaway This story has been a long time in the writing and then it has taken me months to find the courage to start posting. It will not be posted all at once so please bear with me as I post a couple of chapters every few months.

Yay! Something new from CD!! I'll definitely get reading as soon as I get a chance (family from out of town is still here)...

Stories from your AU are always worth waiting for, CD!

Thank you ladies. I can understand how family can keep you busy Springie. Hope all is going well with them and that they give you the peace you need to get ready to head back to school. Get to the story when you find the time.

CD - Loved Runaway. Is that the story that picked up in the last issue of Bird Scramble? I was hoping to get to read the beginning, looking forward to the next chapter. Great job!

Puffles, yes I have started submitting this to Bird Scramble, which is why I am warning people it will be a long time posting. I will be able to post the first 4-5 chapters. Seeing as each chapter seems to be its own separate story it should not matter, too much. I guess I could post each of these as stories in themselves but then I would have to come up with a chapter for each one. I have been promising people something from my AU for quite a while, but with one thing and then another happening (and my cowardice) I never got around to posting until now. I started to post 3 or 4 times over the last few months and then just as I was to click the submit button I chickened out and deleted everything.

I'm so glad you didn't delete it this time I was dying to know what happened first. I love the way your alternate universe is going and can't wait to see where it leads. Love Mark's powers, I always wanted to talk to animals too when I was a kid. Great stuff! Please keep writing I know I'm eagerly awaiting the next Bird Scramble.

I am definitely still writing. I am enjoying it, in some cases it is freeing from the problems that are going on in RL. I don't think my problem is the writing, I have so many ideas and stories started some times I am spinning trying to figure out which one a certain scene comes from. My problem is believing my stories should be posted, and that others would be interested in a Universe like mine. And yet every time I talk with someone they same something similar to you, "When I was younger I wish I could ... " Well, I took all those wishes I had (and still have) and have incorporated them into my AU.

CD - I totally understand what you mean about how freeing writing is. Sometimes I daydream that I could be a writer full time. I also have that problem with so many stories brewing about that none of them seem to go past the developing phase. Currently I have 2 I'm working on and I too am just a little hesitant on posting them, at least once they're done. I think that's the most fun in reading a story too, when the author is using feelings from their childhood to take us through their universe.

Oh, CD! I'm so delighted to have found this thread today! I totally love your fics, and I'm eager to find some of my own time to start reading this new one of yours! Please ... do not hesitate to post! (look who's talking!!) You have such a wonderful talent, and it's awesome how much sentiment you can put in your writing! Honestly ... you always capture me with your stories! Like Pufles said, you so know how to express everyone's memories, and dreams, we had as kids, which BTW they're always there, even if we try to hide them! That's why it's so lovely to find someone like you who knows how to let them free!

Pufles ... I'm eager to read yours, too!! Once a story is written from the heart, it will always be a treat for the reader ... so, do not hesitate! Think of it as you're doing it for fun, and wanting to share your own dreams with others! It always works for me!

Originally posted by gatchamarie Oh, CD! I'm so delighted to have found this thread today! I totally love your fics, and I'm eager to find some of my own time to start reading this new one of yours! Please ... do not hesitate to post! (look who's talking!!) You have such a wonderful talent, and it's awesome how much sentiment you can put in your writing! Honestly ... you always capture me with your stories! Like Pufles said, you so know how to express everyone's memories, and dreams, we had as kids, which BTW they're always there, even if we try to hide them! That's why it's so lovely to find someone like you who knows how to let them free!

Oooo, Marie you have me with your very kind comments. I could never have believed that I touch people the way you just described. In some ways, even after just reading that comment, I still do not believe it. But, for right this minute, it has certainly made a big difference in how I feel about posting. Thank you. And BTW, for those waiting, the next chapter should be coming, depending on speed of approval. Chapter 3

I only say what I think is true, CD! Just believe in yourself ... believe me, you have so much to offer!

Originally posted by gatchamarie Just believe in yourself

Easier said than done, Marie. Especially if all you have heard your entire life is that you are no good and your writing is no better. (Or words to that affect) You start to believe those words and hear a little voice in your head say them every time you do any writing. (I guess that should be: *I* hear them and believe them.) And to be truthful I don't hear them any more when I am writing. Either I have over come that problem, or I am allowing the voices from my stories over shadow the other critical voices. But that criticism does rear its head when I try to post or when I am ready to show someone my work.

CD, I know the feeling! I'm one who's very self-critic, and who always puts others above me, even when it's not the case! I'm also one who remembers hurtful words, and I admit getting influenced by them! And, believe me ... there are people out there who know well how to hurt with their tongue! But then, I also like to challenge those words, and try to prove to myself, before proving to the others, that they're wrong! I've learnt to open my ears even to the positive comments, and not keep on mulling over the negative ones, even if they never end to hurt! The trick is that of trying to extract as much good as we can even from the worst possible scenarios! Try to think about us, who are always happy with what you can offer, before posting, and forget all the others who might have said otherwise! Remember ... try to never feed the trolls! LOL ... I have just been lately criticised, by two "friends" of mine, of my same nationality, because I've written a letter, concerning a certain school activity which we're trying to organise for next June, in a very elaborate way in the English language! They kept mocking that I've written a type of contract, instead of a letter! At first, I completely ignored the many praises of many others, who truly appreciated all the detailed information, and my way of writing ... I kept hearing the words of the other two in my head, and I almost made myself feeling unworthy of doing such a job! But then, I thought ... "Wait a minute ... the ignorant is not me, but those two who weren't able to read, and understand it!" So, the first thing I did was confronting them, and leaving them speechless! CD ... don't leave anyone make you feel inferior! I'm no one to give this advice, falling in the same trap many a time, but I know how good it feels to break free from it! BTW ... I also couldn't wait to read your fic! Read it, and loved it! Can't wait for more!

Originally posted by gatchamarie I've learnt to open my ears even to the positive comments, and not keep on mulling over the negative ones, even if they never end to hurt! The trick is that of trying to extract as much good as we can even from the worst possible scenarios!

That is one of my big problems. Some one will say something negative to me and I will dwell on it and let it grow and fester in my mind. Maybe that is because I already have all these other negative comments there so the negativity keeps growing. The other thing I do is, hear the negative in a persons comments, when the comment is directed towards me. It is only when a is made to someone else that I am able to turn it around and see the positive - or try and help them see the positive in the comment rather than the negative.

Originally posted by gatchamarie CD ... don't leave anyone make you feel inferior! I'm no one to give this advice, falling in the same trap many a time, but I know how good it feels to break free from it!

And that is similar to the comment I made earlier. It is easier to say don't feel inferior, like you I keep reminding my friends and colleagues of this when it happens to them, but I can not do it myself. I am glad you are enjoying the story Marie. It is taking a long time for the third chapter to be approved today. I guess the admin are busy with RL situations and have not had time.

Thanks for the encouragement Marie. I hate the thought of posting a story before it's finished but I'd love to show what I have so far. Speaking of which, how is the best way to post a fic? Also how do you link to another site, like you did with your chapter 3? It's strange that you both have the same self confident issues I have. I'm always afraid what I want to do isn't good enough and at times it affects work. I'm always hesitant to jump in and do what needs to be done to be in charge. CD-I'm the same way with seeing the positive in some else getting negative advice but never for myself. I did hear recently something that made me start thinking differently. I'm trying to lose weight and one of the ladies in my group said to me, "We are the most critical on ourselves. We would never talk to someone else the way we talk to ourselves and we wouldn't stand for someone else to talk to us like that. So what you need to do is not let yourself get away with talking to yourself that same way." Great advice and I'm hoping to start living by that now. to you and Marie

Originally posted by Pufles65 one of the ladies in my group said to me, "We are the most critical on ourselves. We would never talk to someone else the way we talk to ourselves and we wouldn't stand for someone else to talk to us like that. So what you need to do is not let yourself get away with talking to yourself that same way." Great advice and I'm hoping to start living by that now. to you and Marie

I like that advice, and have heard something similar to that before. Only in relation to how people look at their artwork or in my case my needlework or knitting. It is usually for a person to make some mistakes or errors in any piece of work and only YOU are critical enough to see it and want it corrected so it will be perfect. And I have also heard the advice: try to find at least one good thing you like about yourself (or did) every day. Once you can start doing that, then you will find yourself doing it more and more often. As for your question about linking to other sites ... if you use the post reply box instead of the quick reply at the bottom of posts then you will see hot buttons immediately above the reply box. One of those buttons (the fifth one along) has a picture of the world with a broken "chain". I use that hot button to link. I hope that makes sense.

After you post to gatchfanfic, you copy and paste here from the address line. Put url in brackets [] at the beginning, and /url in brackets at the end. Or you can pick an appropriate topic here and do copy and paste from your document. All the formatting will go, so you'll have to add tags to your document. All of these tags should be in square brackets. [] i and /i = italics. center and /center are self-explanatory. b and /b = bold. u and /u = underline. Space between paragraphs. Looking forward.

Originally posted by clouddancer I have a late Christmas gift, for those of you who have been waiting for something from me. I have begun posting a new story over at Gatchafanfic: Runaway This story has been a long time in the writing and then it has taken me months to find the courage to start posting. It will not be posted all at once so please bear with me as I post a couple of chapters every few months.

Started it, then RL intervened. Kitty had follow-up vet appointment, then I ran some errands. Be working my way through it.

Thanks CD and UW for the advice and link info. I've also heard the same advice. Maybe that will be this year's resolution, along with the weight loss. I'll have to try that once I get the fic posted. Thanks so much for your help. UW hope your kitty is doing fine.

Originally posted by Pufles65 Thanks for the encouragement Marie. I hate the thought of posting a story before it's finished but I'd love to show what I have so far. to you and Marie

you back, Pufles! Regarding whether you like to post a completed story, or just parts of it ... it's really a matter of choice, doing whatever you may feel more comfortable doing! I have had the same type of indecision when I was writing my first fic, which turned out a lot longer than I had expected! Then, after thinking well about it, and after heeding TJ's advice, I decided to be patient and finish it before posting! At the end, I was glad to have chosen to do so, as I had the opportunity to go back and edit things in the first chapters as I wrote ... new, and improved ideas, or minor alterations, that happened to come to my mind, every now and then, even whilst writing the last chapters! As a story evolves, there's also a great chance of you wishing to try and interlink instances at some point in time! I wish you again the best of luck! Good luck also for your weight loss resolution! I'm sure we'll soon hear that you've managed to succeed in your endeavours!

UW, get to it when ever you find the time. At the moment I am trying to post a new chapter every day. RL does tend to interfere with the fun things doesn't it. I hope your kitty is okay. And that reminds me I need to take my kitties in to the vet as well, but only for their yearly vaccinations.

CD, glad you are posting! I'll pop over and leave a review as soon as I get caught up with everything else I've got going on. Pufles, I've got a canvas tote that I carry notebooks in: one for original stories, one for fanfic, and one just for ideas (the later two get the most use). I like writing the ideas out, even if it is just for a scene, because it helps me to decide if something is worth writing or if it fits in particular story.

Just recently I too have been writing down random thoughts that come to me. I am surprised how many of them actually fall into one of the stories I am working on. I may not be working on that section, it falls later in the sequence, but when I review it a couple of days later I can see where it will fit into the story.

Malkin was griping when I touched her bottom. Since this usually happened while she and Neko were jockeying for the best spot on or near me, I at first thought she was annoyed at her 'sister.' But it happened a couple too many times, so I took her to the vet. Yuck alert: Impacted anal glands. The vet gave her bum a couple of squeezes, and I made an appointment for follow-up. The cats are now on the hairball and healthy weight, as this will help with the pooping. (I'd started them before visiting my mother.) Malkin didn't have quite so much of a problem afterwards. I have a couple of files entitled 'Vignettes and Scenes', and there are quite a few I came up with. They might never be used, but I still have them, in case the rest of the story comes to my pointy head. These are mostly anime fanfic bits. I have another couple of files for my conventional fiction bits. And I write down things when I can't use the computer, and then type them up later on. (I try to have a fic finished before I post it, but something like the one about Koral'Kan is getting the 'post as I go' treatment. If I could find Alara Rogers and Ennien, I'd ask them about their versions of our favorite characters. Geez. Ennien is trauma conga, and Alara is -- very feminist. Which is too bad, because Ennien can be extremely funny.)

I have added two chapters this time because one of them was very short. Enjoy. Next chapter

Thanks everyone for the advice to wait. I had already decided to wait until its done because I know how RL can interfere and before I know it months are gone. I have been trying to do something I read in a book on how to write. It stated; "Take just 15 mins a day and write something, anything that comes to mind." It also mentioned to go back and edit it another day. So I at least try to do it 2 x a wk but so far I've managed about 3. Unfortunately I have 2 stories going at the same time so one tends to get a little more attention than the other. Such dilemma's Marie-Thanks also for the best wishes. Amethyst-That is such great advice with the tote. I have several around the house, 2 of which house Girl Scout paraphernalia for my troop. I never thought of putting writing supplies in one. I'm definitely going to borrow that wonderful idea. UW-Oooo, impacted anal glands are not fun, poor kitty. I use to work for a vet when I first came out of college and there were several times when we had to do surgery on the really bad ones, usually dogs. I hope she feels better real soon. I do that too with a few files, only I list my story ideas. I never thought of writing down certain scenes. At one time I had a notebook I toted around, but with all the moves I don't know where it went too. Thank you all so much, over the last few days my interest in writing has tripled just by talking with you lovely ladies. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

CD ... yesterday I read Chapter 3, and you've touched my heart by describing the great generosity you sometimes find in certain people towards others, and the way things, feelings, and attitudes change when a child enters into a person's life! Am thrilled to hear that you posted another two chapters ... can't wait to read them! UW ... I hope Malkin will be totally okay soon!

The kitty seems to be fine, but I haven't touched her butt yet. Have to pick a time when she's not annoyed with her 'sister' in general, or ticked at me for trying to move her (off the computer). Hope to see what you have, Pufles.

Puffles - I am look forward to seeing your work, when you feel it is ready. Instead of the 15 minutes a day - it was suggested to me to just get something down, anything. Even if it was only one sentence. I have made that my New Years Resolution, to write at least one sentence a day. Yesterday I got to the end of the day and realized I had not done any. I wrote out my one sentence and found that one sentence led to another, the next thing I knew it was an hour later and past my bedtime. So maybe this idea WILL work. UW - Glad to hear Malkin is doing well. I know my dog had that problem twice in her life. The last time it was so badly infected it had abscessed and my vet put her on antibiotics. I found Meg recovered very quickly, within 24 hours after the glands were "evacuated" and back to her usual happy, bouncy self. Marie - I am glad you are enjoying the read. And that I am able to write the emotions well enough for them to touch you so deeply.

It took a long time for this chapter to be approved, enjoy it. Chapter 6 I think I have 3 more chapters to post. I had not realized I had so much of this story ready to go.

Rubbing my hands in anticipation ... I don't think I'll be able to stay long on the computer, or read more until late this weekend! Am surely looking forward to, though!

I hope you are doing well Marie and that it is only a family event that is keeping you busy and not something else. And don't worry, the story will still be there when you do get to it.

Thanks for your concern, CD ... you're so sweet! I cannot complain ... life is always hectic, some days more than others! When these come, ever so often, my ususal time-management gets a bit harder to follow, and I have to prioritise in order to try not to remain overwhelmed, as I tend to end up many a time! Don't take me wrong ... it's not that I prefer other things than reading your fic ... I just wish to save it for that special, quiet reading time during which I could give it its deserved attention! I'll just have to make myself happy with peeking in the site, every now and then, which is a must!

CD - I took your advice last night and worked on 1 sentence and it turned into the end of that chapter and the beginning of the next. Thanks for the advice. Changing subject for a bit, I know a lot of people on her love kitties and in the last week I'm having severe kitty troubles. My almost 10 yr old bright eyed blue white cat (Dutchess), and is currently diabetic for the last yr and half, has gotten very dehydrated. I took her last week to vet and was giving IV fluids to give her at home. She looked perkier was given permission to let her eat whatever she wanted. Boy did she love that. However her breathing was becoming labored and she was coughing more. I thought maybe a kitty cold, unfortunately not. They took an x-ray yesterday and her chest cavity is full of fluid. They wanted to do an aspirate but she was too fiesty, which is a good thing, but they weren't able to do it. Took her to the west side of Omaha this morning and met a new vet, really liked him, we talked and with her current condition he felt she couldn't withstand the procedure either. So we are trying Lasix to see if it pulls the fluid off her chest. Will re-x-ray next Tues and see him again next week. The saddest news is he believes she has FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Not good, there's no cure, and it's only a matter of time. As long as she eats and is comfortable I'm not going to stress it. We'll face the time as a family. Just thought I'd bend an ear or two, guys at work are tired of hearing me talk about her, just love her so much. Went through the divorce with her and depend on her when kiddos are with Daddy in summer. I don't want to think of the end but appreciate anybody that may have dealt with this before or knows of someone who may have. Thanks for listening.

Pufles, I'm so sorry to hear about your cat! I've never had cats as pets but, as a child, I had a dog. Nowadays, I'm so reluctant to have another pet in my house just because I think I cannot stand another separation like the one I had to undergo between me and my dear dog when I was little! I'm just sticking to having fish, and birds! It might sound like cowardness, but I'm no good when it comes to say "goodbye"! So, I know what you're going through, and I'm so with you! Pets become a member of the family, and sometimes I even say that animals are better than humans ... their love is unconditional, and our own love towards them becomes as such also! All I can offer is lots of affectionate hugs, and the certainty that whenever you need you can always count upon us!

PUffles - I am so sorry to hear about your cat. A very sad story. I have just been through something similar with my dog of 15 years. She had cancer, and I've knew for 2 years - having the tumour removed twice. The last time it returned I decided I was not putting her through the operation again. I played the last year out in months. We will get try to get her to Easter, and then till the start of summer. Then until the end of summer. Meg made it until Canadian Thanksgiving, in October, and then made a rapid decline after that. The last week in October I had to take her in and have her put to sleep. It was tough, but knowing for two years what the outcome would be, I had prepared myself for the inevitable. Remember we are here if you need us.

BTW: I forgot to mention Puffles. I too am doing well with the writing. I think I mentioned my New Years resolution was to write at least one sentence a night, but like you, I am finding that one sentence always turns into more. In fact all this week, I have started by writing one sentence and find myself writing about a page. It has been very exciting and I hope I can keep up my resolution. I know over the next few weeks I am going to become very busy assessing and writing report cards for my students.

Sorry to learn about your kitty, Pufles. It's hard to make these decisions. Surgery, in the hopes of a few more years of life? Are you doing it for them, or for you? Is it finally time to say good-bye, or not? She had a good life, it sounds like. If she's not in pain, and managing to keep up her quality of life, then you might have a few more years with her. Let us know how the vet visit turned out.

Another chapter has finally been approved. Seeing the speed the approval process is taking, this maybe it for the weekend. Chapter 7

Thank you CD, UW and Marie It's hard facing the fact that we have to let go but we are very lucky she still feels well enough that we have a little time to get use to the idea of her not being around. Sad to see her so uncomfortable, but she's perky, still eating well, and even purring. Even thought she doesn't feel great, she's so determined not to just lay around. In fact tonight she met us at the door twice. I'm hoping the medicine will work and we'll get at least another month with her, but the Dr didn't even seem to think she would last 1 more week. I really appreciate your listening, I feel like I've got a black hole forming in my chest and it's becoming huge once she's gone. CD I'm sorry to hear about your dog, mine passed away when I was 11 and he was 16. Was like loosing a big brother. Now it feels like I'm loosing a child. I'm kinda doing the same thing with her by playing out the months as days. I know how you and Marie felt, I was the same way after I lost my first cat of 18 yrs, (Btw, that's where my user name comes from ). God seems to know when to send the new babies in your life to you. All 3 of our cats showed up that way. Thanks so much ladies for being there for me.

Originally posted by Pufles65 I don't want to think of the end but appreciate anybody that may have dealt with this before or knows of someone who may have. Thanks for listening.

I lost my cat back in April. His arthritis was compromising his ability to walk and his kidneys were failing, so I had to make that hardest of hard calls. He was about 20 (I'd found him as a stray in early 1992 and a vet estimated him then to be 2), so he certainly had a long life. I still miss him every day (especially as he was my only pet) but it does get easier, and I have a wealth of happy memories of him to draw on.

Iborgia88 - I'm sorry to hear of you lossing your kitty too. It's really hard to say goodbye when you've had them for so long, they are so much a part of you. for your loss. As for the memories, we've been taking pics like crazy the last few days so we can remember all her little nuances. She's not gone yet and its hard but we are trying not to think of the final moments, just the current ones. I've been spoiling her like crazy and even bought her a water drinking fountain. And a little while ago she was drinking out of it for quite a while, she looks a little better today so that's something. At least we are blest with another day with her.

My favourite pic of my cat was taken in late March, a couple weeks before he took a turn for the worse, when it had been the first warm and sunny spring day so he tottered outside to lie in the sun on the deck. He looks pretty decrepit in the picture, but very relaxed and content.

Another chapter has been approved. Chapter 8 I think there is one more chapter that I will be able to post, hopefully tomorrow.

This is the last chapter I will be able to post for a while until the rest has been edited. It is from Anderson's point of view again. Sorry I took so long for me to get around to posting it. I have had a very busy week and it looks like another one is on the way since I am in the middle of writing report cards. Chapter 9 I am glad everyone has been enjoying this look at Mark's early years and getting more information about how I see things in my universe. I hope I will be able to post the next few chapters after I have completed reports, parent teacher interviews and then, as I said getting back to editing.

Cloud ... yesterday, I've managed to read up till Chapter 8, and I'm truly continuing to love it! Will definitely try to read your next, new chapter, hoping that we will soon be gifted with more when your RL permits!

I am happy you are enjoying it Marie and I am also glad that you are not finding it too rambling. When I think (or thought) about this time in Mark's life I saw little snapshots of an event that happened every month. When I was finally persuaded to start writing them down I was surprised how much writing it took for each event. What appeared to be just seconds in my mind, took pages and pages of writing. At times I gave up because it felt like I was writing more than I needed and I didn't want to bore the reader, but something kept drawing me back and made me finish this story.

Originally posted by clouddancer but something kept drawing me back and made me finish this story.

I'm so glad you did so!! I know what you mean about thinking you're writing more that is needed! That's always my own problem! But, it's good to be descriptive, and portray the best picture you could have in mind in order for the reader to see exactly what you want to convey! Especially in your case, since you're creating a whole new AU ... IMHO, it's important that the background of the new characters, being built up by particular, unfolding events, is explained in such a detail!

CD, you are doing an amazing job with your AU...such an interesting in depth look at Mark's life! Keep up the great writing!

Thank you to both of you Marie and Springie. You are correct Marie, what is taking the longest writing is the description of the scenery around the characters. As they say a picture tells a lot, maybe even more than the 1000 words they claim.

CD - I'm so tempted to read on but am torn and want to wait to read the next chapter in the next Bird Scramble. I did get all caught up finally. So glad you reposted it allowing me to catch up the your tribute. Looking forward to reading more soon.

Puffles I have only posted as much as I have sent to Bird Scramble. As I submit to that I will be posting here.

Cool, that's a good thing since my daughter has highjacked the computer, so now I know I'm not missing anything. I'm re-reading my scramble 103 now and making my MC's, so I'll be re-reading your story real soon. Can't wait.

Well I figured since each chapter is like its own story, it would not hurt to post something, and keep people here happy. If they have to wait a few months until the next chapters get posted they will not have to reread that much to remember what is happening. If the story was written differently and the chapters not quite so individual, then I probably would have waited until the entire story had been posted in Bird Scramble.

I think that is a great idea. I love the way you're using the chapters by weeks. Lets you feel the time evolving without being intrusive. All and all a wonderful story I can't wait to see what happens next.

It would have been very hard, and long, to write every day of the year and a half Mark was away. I just saw, and wrote about, the major events that could have (or did) shape Mark and his view on things.

I can understand that, your doing a great job and I look forward to even more.

Thank you for the compliment Pufles.

CD, this is such a wonderful and rich story, really detailing the emotions and concerns of Charlie and 'Little One'. It is a powerful read, and makes your heart ache. This just shows what a wonderful writing talent you have, that you can bring out these emotions in your readers! Pufles, I am looking forward to your story, whenever it gets done! I am with you on the 'no posting until it's finished' though. I've had many delays in posting fics because I hadn't finished all of the following ones. I'm in the middle of the third part of a trilogy right now and it's taking awhile, thanks to RL issues, plus all of the fics I wrote at the end of the year, which meant that this one had to be put aside for a bit. But I don't want to publish anything until the last part is done! And I have to hurry, because the first part is supposed to be my Birdscramble trib for February... *gulp*...

Thank you TJ. I am glad I have been able to please make everyone happy by posting something again. And btw welcome back.

For those of you who are reading this, I have another few chapters of this story ready for posting. Here is the first. http://www.gatchfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=1253&textsize=0&chapter=10 Enjoy. I am not sure why I can not get this to work tonight. You might have to cut and paste until I can figure this out.

I'm so glad to see you posting more of this great story, CD!

Another much needed to be read story to add to my list! I was looking forward to read its continuation!

I hope you enjoy it when you find the time Marie. Another two chapters were posted today. They were short, which is why I posted two. The last one I post this time around will be much longer but I will not get to posting it for a couple of days because I have company arriving tomorrow.

Originally posted by clouddancer Another two chapters were posted today. They were short, which is why I posted two. The last one I post this time around will be much longer but I will not get to posting it for a couple of days because I have company arriving tomorrow.

Good to know!! I'm planning to do some reading this very weekend! In the meantime, enjoy your company, CD!

This is the last chapter I have to post for a bit. Editing is taking a while as I keep getting distracted by issues at work/school. This Chapter takes place over Christmas, too bad it was not ready for posting a few months ago. December

It's a lovely bit, CD! I look forward to seeing more soon!

Thank you TJ. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, and I wanted to give Mark/Little One something to remember, over the next few years of hardship he is going to have.

I can't agree more with TJ, CD!! I love the way you made Christmas so special for them, and all the emotions involved! Great description!

I have finally had time to post the next three chapters of this story. Enjoy them. Chapter 14 In another couple of months I should be able to post the final chapters. Let me get through Comic Con and return home then I will be able to edit the final chapters before the start of the new school year.

CD, this is a wonderful story. I'm so glad you have posted more of it!

I'm so glad too, CD! I don't have much time this weekend but I will surely take my time enjoying reading this wonderful story's continuation as soon as I'd be free!

The conclusion of Runaway is being posted Here are the next two chapters. I don't know if the last one or two chapters will be posted tomorrow, or the next next. Thank you for putting up with how long it has taken me to post this story. link to Chapter 17

I think they're up already CD

Yep, chapters 17 and 18 are up. Thank you. I don't know if I will get time to send in the last segments tomorrow though. I will try. I am aslo trying to remember how to post to Fanfic . net so it is up there as well. For those who may not read stories from the archives.

CD, this has been such a wonderful, inventive story. I've really enjoyed it.

I agree! CD, this is a wonderful story, and I love seeing Mark through Charlie's eyes.

I agree -I love the friendship and trust that develops between Charlie and Mark, especially in light of what Mark has run away from. In some ways I find ff.net easier than the Archives, but in other ways, not. I like that ff.net shows what countries a fic's hits are coming from -further evidence that there are Gatch/BOTP fans all over the world!

Originally posted by lborgia88 In some ways I find ff.net easier than the Archives, but in other ways, not. I like that ff.net shows what countries a fic's hits are coming from -further evidence that there are Gatch/BOTP fans all over the world!

I prefer the archives, but then I am partial to eFiction and moderated archives (they keep out the trolls and the really awful stories). However, I do like that FF.net is all language/all age friendly and also to very friendly (at least as far as hosting goes) to writers of all calibers. The downside to this, is while flames happen on all archives, they are more likely to happen on non-moderated ones so the posters need to have lots of marshmallows on hand.

I've read enough in the HP and LOTR fandoms there to know what you mean! Rather makes me glad that Gatch/BOTP is smaller and that the writers are generally more *ahem* mature.

Originally posted by lborgia88 I've read enough in the HP and LOTR fandoms there to know what you mean! Rather makes me glad that Gatch/BOTP is smaller and that the writers are generally more *ahem* mature.

Most definitely. The other issue I have with ff.net is more parental. Because it is all age, tech savvy kids can get to the more mature writing because ff.net is really slow on taking it down (actually only after several complaints about it). On most moderated archives that I've seen, this is not as big an issue because they'll have age guidelines for registration or being able to view certain ratings. Heck, even AFF does more to protect young readers from finding more mature writing. However, kids who are determined to find will find it. I took my stuff off of ff.net because I use the same name for all my online stuff. I don't want some young kid finding my PG stuff and then find my R or higher stuff. Of course, my oldest is reading on ff.net, now, too, and that helped to play into my decision. He's old enough to read it, but would still be squicked out by it.

Great to hear the news, CD! As I promised you I'd definitely read it first thing I can since it's a continuation I've been so looking forward to!

No problem Marie, I understand how the holiday season is a rush for a lot of people. Maybe people will get time when things slow down after the rush. Meanwhile I am waiting for Julieann to approve the final three chapters of my story and then the thing is completed.

I'm so glad to see this story completed, CD! I know how hard you've worked on it, and how much of yourself you've put into it. It really shows in the quality of the writing and the heartfelt nature of the story.

Thank you TJ. It has been a touching story to tell, and has revealed a lot more of Mark's past to me than I expected while I was writing it. At last the final three chapters have been verified by Julieann. Here are chapters 19, 20 and 21 - Mark's return home to Anderson and the Phoenix Foundation. Chapter 19 As I finished this story I see it heading in two different directions. One following Mark as he continues his path and meets Princess, Jason, Tiny, Keyop and the other children being trained in the G-Force program. The second continuing when Mark and Charlie meet up for a second time 15+ years later. This has left me in a bit of a bind, and my muses circling around and not being very helpful, because when I do try to write I can't decide which story I should focus on. I would love to hear some opinions on which direction you think I should head in. I can't guaranty my muses will follow, but it just might help focus them.

CD, there's nothing wrong with following your muse or working on both stories at the same time. If it were me, that's what I'd do, just so I don't forget ideas for one or the other. However, I'd focus on the linear timeline and make the next story in the series the priority over the other. The reason for this is because when your write Mark and Charlie's reunion, you'll want to make you know everything that has happened to Mark. If you write this first, exclusively, and then write the second, you could inadvertently write something that messes up the reunion story. Of course, I all admit to being biased. I really want to know how Anderson reacts when he finds out what a creep his father is and how the other kids come into the story

Originally posted by amethyst I'd focus on the linear timeline and make the next story in the series the priority over the other. Of course, I'll admit to being biased. I really want to know how Anderson reacts when he finds out what a creep his father is and how the other kids come into the story

Thank you for the advice, Amethyst. If I followed the linear timeline, you would certainly be introduced to the other kids, but you would not see how Anderson reacts when he finds out about his father. That does not happen until after Mark is reintroduced to Charlie. Yep, Mark goes through his teens without revealing any of his abuse to anyone. It after being tortured by Spectra, where Mark's psyche is "broken", that Samuel's abuse comes to light.

Hmmm.... Well.... Ah .... My advice still stands. Follow the muse, but don't forget the linear sequencing. If you have outlines and are good with sticking to them, you have very little to worry about. Me, I follow the muse and then have to fill, so while I can write out of sequence, I do better staying with in the sequence because I have a tendency to stray too far from the outline.

Personally, I'm interested to see how Mark meets the other children and joins the G-Force program. But that's just me. I agree with Amethyst that you should write whatever is inspiring you at the moment!

I think the problem is ... I am being pulled in too many directions - story wise and I can not get a focus on any one thing. Hearing you say you want to see Mark meeting the other children, gives me a focus. Maybe this holiday season, I will be able to get my muses to working on that area and I can do some concentrated writing again. Then again, I might just be using the time off to dwell on where I want to head with my teaching career.

FWIW, I think you could do both, CD!

Personally speaking, I would have liked young Mark to display some of those skills he learnt to teach his "Grandfather" a lesson, and to display his potential as leader of G-Force!! Otherwise I really enjoyed the story, so glad it's finished at last!

CD, I agree with TJ! You can do both. Now, I'm going to give you the same suggestion you gave me (well, I think it was you, it might have been TJ): Take what you are feeling about your career and put it into Anderson dealing with his father. Even if you never use it as part of your AU or in a story at all, it will help you focus and relieve the tension so you can think clearly whether it is about your stories or your career. And just think, there are two to three weeks coming up where you can relax and not have to worry too much about tiny gremlins.

Not sure if I said that exactly, Amethyst, but I do recall telling you abou times I myself had taken my 'less pleasant' emotions and put them into my writing. Sometimes it stays and sometimes it just ends up a snippet in a file somewhere,, but it is very cathartic to get it all out that way. The best thing about writing out your feelings is that it puts you in control. You can change the story however you like. Kind of like those old Bugs Bunny cartoons where he and Daffy would argue with the cartoon artist...

You could be right, TJ. I know that one or both of you gave me that advice directly or indirectly. I also know that when I get stressed, my memory gets skewed. I'll remember things, but they are in pieces or fragments. It's kind of like my memory of that book Flowers in the Attic. I remember pieces of that book quite clearly even though it had been years. I reread it after we talked about and I was blown away with the parts that I didn't remember and I've been trying to figure out was I just young enough or naive enough that I didn't understand and didn't focus on it, or did I just read a snippet of the story. I can't remember. But rereading it was a nice diversion.

LOL, when we're young there are so many things that go over our heads... even when we think we're 'getting an education' with a book like that we still miss so much. I've watched movies and read books that I first experienced as a kid/teen, and now as an adult I can't believe how much I missed!

Gosh, now there's a book I have thought about in a very long time! I think I was in grade 6 the first time I read it; I remember reading the whole series, throughout junior high. I remember reading Judy Blume's "Are You There God, It's me, Margaret," and "Then Again, Maybe I Won't" when I was about 9, and having no clue what "periods" or "getting hard" referred to. Figured it out later, of course...

Same here! I read a whole bunch of Judy Blume's books while not really understanding what it was these kids were going through!

Originally posted by lborgia88 I remember reading Judy Blume's "Are You There God, It's me, Margaret," and "Then Again, Maybe I Won't" when I was about 9, and having no clue what "periods" or "getting hard" referred to. Figured it out later, of course...

My son found a copy of this book. When I told him I'd read it as a kid, he bought it for me for christmas last year!! (only 10p from a jumble sale) I can't believe how "adult" the subject matter was when I read through it again!

Exactly, KT! You don't know as a kid how much actually goes over your head...

finding it out again rewatching BotP after all these years!!