Subject: Re: [FFML] [FF] To Contain the Spirit
From: David Johnston
Date: 1/5/1999, 5:45 PM
To: Richard Lawson
CC: Fanfic Mailing List <ffml@fanfic.com>

Name sucks... need a new name.  

Morning Star.  

The Fire Within.

The Enemy Within.

As he rolled, trying to get to his feet, water was splashed on
him.  By guess who.

"By guess who." strikes me as very wrong.  Could use more dynamic
phrasing anyway.  He doesn't "try to get to his feet".  There is no
try.  He gets to his feet, or he doesn't.  Delete "was".  "As he rolled
to his feet, water drenched him.  No surprise who did it."

Happosai didn't even have time to blink before he was
struck and sent hurtling away.

"to blink before the blast sent him hurtling away."

Ranma drew a breath and tried to gather herself.  Yes, it had
been on the way to school that Happosai had waylaid her.  Just
another of the daily gauntlets.  "Okay.  Let's go."

"Just another daily gauntlet."

water.  She wondered if Akane had stopped being angry so much and
would act more like she was right now.

Uh...why would she wonder that?  

With a sigh she lifted her head and decided to concentrate on
those things she had a modicrum of control over.  She headedtowards the locker rooms for a quick dowse before class.

"modicum".  This is written from Ranma's POV.  Do you think Ranma would
use the word "modicum"?

Her smile widened.  She felt very good.  This could have become
another stupid fight and it hadn't.  Maybe, just maybe, they'd
never have to fight again. 

Maybe, just maybe, P-Chan will learn to levitate.  

The woman stopped in front of Ranma, looking him up and down, a
neutral expression on her face.  She said something.  It sounded
like English, but Akane couldn't make it out.

Given her name it seems likely that she's a fairly typical American
"anime" hero.  Ie...part Japanese.  That being the case, it's likely
she'd have a smattering of the language, enough at least to say 
"Pray, allow me to polish your elbow."

Ranma shook his head.  Akane piped up.  "He heals fast.  I mean,
bruises, cuts, scrapes... a day or two later and they're
completely gone."

To say the least.  I'd say he does better than that, particularly
when you compare his healing rate to Akane's.

Aya came up.  She clasped Akane's forearm.  "Do not worry, Akane.
I will watch over him.  I'll make sure he returns to you."  She
tapped Akane on the chest.  "To *you*."

She doesn't exactly sound like a New York cop talking in her native 
language, here.  

Anyway, if you made it this far, thanks for reading.  Again, all
comments and suggestions very welcome.  I'd like to make this
better; I wanted it to work but I was very disappointed with the
result.  In short, I think this is one of the worst stories I've
ever written.  ^_^  But I'd like to improve it with your help.
I've been terrible lately about responding to comments, but I
promise I'll respond to everyone who writes me from now on.  :)

I've done what I can.  Frankly, I have my doubts as to whether they
really do "fit" together, apart from providing an intriguing 
pseudo-scientific explanation for chi powers.