On Sat, 2 Mar 1996, Julian Fong wrote:

	I'm a little disappointed by this story; it doesn't seem to be on
par with the previous two stories in the series.  There isn't the same depth
of insight into Usagi or Mamoru's characters here as there has been for Ami
and Makoto.  I found the crossover cameos to be just too distracting.

I suppose the problem is that I switched tones.  Each of the stories has 
a different tone to it.  

I think people were suspecting the story to be a little more dramatic than 
you made it out to be. The story worked too much like a comedy, which IMSO 
did not fit the tone you set out in the first fic. Although I see why you 
wanted to do this as a comedy, I would of enjoyed maybe a more Roamantic 
comedy than a slapstick and it would of fit the tone you set out earlier...
 

Ami's story is about the dark night of the soul (not her soul, but that 
is the tone.)  

Actually one could argue that the character you created is a mirror Image of 
Ami. When Ami get's to be a senior, that may end up to be her. So it kind 
of hit close to home for this Ami fan...

Makoto's story is intended to be a slice of life story.  Very low key, 
nothing major happens, except she learns a little more about Naru and 
Umino.  

Pathetic plea..I missed this because I was on break. Can I please get this 
sent to me? Thank's alot...

Usagi and Mamoru got the humor story.  There is some serious stuff, but 
I intended this to be the funniest story.    

Read above. I think the slapstick killed it. But I have one question (stupid 
really), why was Ranma with Shampoo?

	I take it you don't like Usagi very much, John?  

Actually, I do like Usagi.  At the same time, she's also the most 
effective character for comic purposes.  Most of the time, she seems 
worthless....she comes through in subtle ways, not blatant ways, for her 
friends.  This is not a story where she shines, I'll admit.  Yes, she is 
being played for laughs....I have some serious ideas in mind for her, but 
that is being saved for a future, much longer story...

Usagi I think represnt's the fact that anyone avearge or normal( Yes I know 
it's a stretch to call her normal) can do extrodinary thing's. Out of all 
the senshi, she is the most average of the five so it's a miracle that 
she succed's to do the thing's she does. 

BTW, great way to pique the curiosity of us SM fan's...Now I'm looking 
forward to another SM fic from you...:)

That AMI is corrupting Usagi?  I can't see how anyone who knows Ami could 
actually believe that...

I thought she was more concerned for Ami than Usagi. After all she did say 
Usagi was dragging Ami's grade's down. Still, you must have something 
against the SM parent's. You have them putting down both Usagi and Ami 
in 2 part's of your fic..

Anyway, some final comment's. While the Moon and Earth story was enjoyable, 
I thought the slapstick didn't fit the type of story that I think this 
series set out to tell. But still this was,and is one of the best non-youma 
SM fic's out there. I just would've liked to see a romantaic comedy. 
Actually that was part of the problem I had with this chapter (and I hate 
to harp on this romantic bit..) but you seemed to setup the prefect setting 
for a romatic comedy. 

But still this is one of the better SM fic's I've read this year. The Ami 
fic is already one of my All time fav's....

Ja ne!!

Richard Beaubien
----------------
Mizuno Ami-chan forever!!!