On Fri, 19 Dec 1997, Bob Schroeck wrote:

A better version? No way! Keep it as is. This is a satisfying end to the 
was TBE should have ended. ::mumbles:: No thanks to Zen.

Well, Zen wasn't exactly going for a happy ending.  :)  And Zen's fic was 
great because it didn't allow us any ray of hope - that would have
lessened the impact of the story.

Good point.  Weirdly, I didn't realize how much I wanted that ray of hope
until I saw the ending of your fic.  Redemption themes again, here and in
IMBS...  I find I *want* BE-Akane to come out of that near-catatonia and
at least try to make amends...

And because the reader wants it, that's why you can't give it to them.

One of the best ways to make a truly soulcrushing story is to put the hero
in an upleasant situation. Make a clear shaft of light showing the way out
of it, within reach, and certainly possible. Intensify both the light and
the threat was the story progresses.

Then damn the hero beyond any possible hope of rescue, and turn the light
out completely. And have the hero _know_ this.

And THAT is where you end the fic. Full circle, complete, compact.

This is one reason why 'Lies', by Hosmer, is perhaps my favorite darkfic.
It's just so final. :) At the last second, all the pieces close together.

BE also adheres to this, although I think Zen should have edited out the
prelude with Akane in the hospital. Gave away the ending.

Speaking of giving away the ending, don't assume that I just outlined the
IMBS plot. We do redemption stories as well as soulcrushers. ;)
 

Hey, Zen... how's this for a concept?  Take Richard's story as canon for
the BE world... let Akane get better -- and then let her run into all that
hatred and fear, and not be able to cope with it.  Think you can come up
with something just as horrifying as BE? <grin>

Nah. The BE plot isn't really something you built a series around. It's a
oneshot deal. Sequels never have the power of the original, well, almost
never.

Besides, we want Zen turning out part 2 of TLAWR. Real soon. Or Else.

- Mike Loader
===/\=====+==================================================================
  /  \    l  "For, look you, there is humour in all things, and the truest
 / () \   l   philosophy is that which teaches us to find it and make the
/      \  l   most of it." - Jack Point, _The Yeomen of the Guard_
--------  l                    mike@thekeep.org
==========+==================================================================
Fnord.

-- Bob