Continuing Fic: Coming Back (Updated 01/18/08)

[LesbianJedi87]

YES! Man what I crappy night turned great! (Dont go see Stealth! DOOONT!) Im so glad this was updated and that we get a chance to see LETTERS from the girls! I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy this story!!! Wait that's a lie...I could tell you over and over and over again!!!!!! This was wonderful! Thank you for updating!

[HalfCamel]

Hey Car!

Again with the imagery! I love it… it’s like we’re actually there. A lot of writers either skip over imagery all together or they use too much, like describing a tree for 1,500 words... but you've got a wonderful balance to it.

This was so sad to read. They’re desperately trying to hold on to one another through these letters, and while the letters seem light and carefree and like they’re just filling in missed events, you can just feel the longing and yearning for one another. It must be so tough to live through a situation like this. I admire them for keeping their promise and being so involved in each other’s lives, despite their obstacles. Most kid’s that age would’ve made the promise, written a few letters and then just sort of lost track. This line made my heart hurt:

I miss you, Tara…so much. I think about you all the time. Can’t wait to hear from you. Write soon.

But, on a happier note, the letters were great. We got to see what the girls had been up to and how they were passing the time. And we got to see how, even from thousands of miles away, they have such an influence on each others everyday choices… like Tara convincing Willow to go to the prom and to take fun classes and Willow helping Tara with her grades. Plus, they moved things along quite nicely.... you know, towards the now famous tree.

And the whole Donnie being nice to Tara after he went away to college thing is exactly what happened with me and my sister. When we were little we couldn’t stand each other, we literally could not be in the same room together without resorting to scratching. But then I went away to college and little by little we became friends… and now we’re inseparable. When I read this line, I was like, “OH! I know how that goes”:

Donnie doesn’t seem like my brother these days. It feels more like he’s my friend. I guess that means we’re growing up. It feels good.

Alrighty, four down four to go. Keep’em comin Car!

Jackie

[sam]

Aww, those were all beautiful so beautiful . Love sam xx

[Artemis]

Sniff... (cries a bit) Very bittersweet chapter. There's so much love and care in Willow and Tara's letters to each other, but at the same time it's so obvious in every word that there's much more behind them that can't be packaged up and mailed overseas. I thought Willow's consternation about the prom summed it up pretty well - being apart sucks, but they're doing the best they can to enjoy their separate lives as much as possible, knowing that they'll have their own special prom dance together eventually

Extra helpings of praise for the depiction of Tara's family, that really made me smile, though I worry about Mrs Maclay - we've still got four years to go before the present, I hope her condition doesn't worsen. And Ha! I knew Donnie would turn out okay. I didn't predict Mr Maclay's Chicken Dance though, you got me by surprise on that one, and rolling around laughing was involved.

[Emms]

Oh Car! I'm feeling very, very sad now!

You've written an excellent chapter, but it has left me wanting more...and there is no more....and that makes me sad *cries*

I loved the letters. And I loved that you are really helping us to get 'involved' with this Willow/Tara emotionally...right about now I'm in the "Can't we just skip it? Cant they just be kissing under the tree now?" frame of mind but at the same time, I'm loving the waiting process. *sigh*

thank you for the update sweetie, it was lovely.

xoxo
Emms

[cebrau]

Hola Carleen *waves*

I didn't leave fb for the last chapters, and I'm Sorry!!... I've been having terrible weeks at work...
But I just wanted to say... I keep reading over and over again, and everytime I find something new.. the way you are telling us this story through the letters... have to say is amazing!!

You are a great writer Car... and I thank you for sharing your gift with us..

Ceci

[Leafsdude]

Great, not to mention long, update, Carleen!

The letters are amazing. You can see them mature just by reading the words, yet you have to enjoy their inner child that always shines though. Brings a tear to my eye thinking about it.

Okay, enough of that. I'm just a sap.

I especially love the progress of Tara and Donnie's relationship, and how she chocks it up to them just growing up.

Lastly, and I know you can't answer it, and people are gonna yell at me for bringing it up, but...Is Tara's mom gonna die in this fic? Please say no!

Can't wait for the next update!

[Auburn]

Ok, so.... I missed a few updates, but you update quicker than some people and plus I like to collect updates, when there's a whole bunch I haven't read I dedicate a rainy day and park my backside.... and guess what? Today is rainy.

So here I am with the feedback.

Woman! It's been about five installments and they haven't met yet?... it's a good job I like stories to take their time or there may be punishment. I'm looking forward to the meeting though, after so long they should have a lot to say to each other, although with the nerves and stuff who knows?!

Buffy is ever the supportive friend, which is great! Because with Willow's sense of style she's certainly needed plus Willow could have gotten lost in her mass of clothes and never made it to their date at all.... Yay for Buffy!

The letters were oh so sweet, and sad too.

Keep it up, Car

Gemma

[SakuraEtsuko]

k first of all...im now a floating rose!! YAY ME! lol working my way up the kitten heirarchy....(however its spelled)..now onto the story!

Car Car Car Car Car!!!! this story is excellent! believe it or not its the first reunion story ive read..(i think) and i just adore it! ur writing style is wonderful...u use details but u dont overwhelm the reader with unneccessary..(again spellcheck) knowledge!

My dear willowy Willow,

OMGS! cuteness alert!!!!!

[JustSkipIt]

Hey Car,
A whole packet of letters! How very well done. I feel like each letter fits together so seamlessly. They tell the reader a lot about the writer and her feelings about the reader. Each is so amazingly intimate and open. They also do a really wonderful time of moving us forward in the story through the end of high school. I love the explanations from each girl of her high school experiences. Willow taking too many courses. Why didn't she graduate early if she had so many credits? That is strange. We didn't learn where she is going or what she is studying. I think it's quite telling that her letters are about Tara and Buffy and her only mention of her folks is basically the money/credit card story. No big surprise there although Tara seems to have gotten wonderful family while Willow has the same losers. Tara's experience is very wonderful with that depiction of her family. Of course her mom's impending illness is a black cloud.

Prom: Poor girls or at least poor Willow. She doesn't even know or understand what she feels for Tara yet. Her entire date-not-a-date scenario is so sad. It's impossible to tell from Tara's response if she gets it already and is waiting for Willow to do the same. Interesting that she urged Willow to invite a eunuch to the prom Ha ha.

Anyway, miles to read before I sleep. Well done. Debra

[VMarie]

Carleen,

I really liked this update. The progression of time through just a few letters seemed very real, very natural. You have a great way of conveying Willow and Tara's emotions through these letters, making their feelings seem genuine and not at all forced.

I wait with anticipation to read when they finally meet.

[ringwaldoeuvre]

My sincerest apologies for the late reply. Tonight was the first time in a long while I've had time to sit down and read. That said, very lovely progression with the story. I like the contrast of the external observations from Buffy and the personal thoughts and ideas of Willow and Tara's correspondence. You provide a good amount of detail in a way that doesn't feel like an exposition party. Of course, I am anxious to see their reunion, so get on that, would ya?

Don't make me channel Sars.

~Mary

[kindagay]

Hey Car

I could have sworn I left feedback, but, I guess I didn't so I'll leave feedback now, while I'm thinking about it, otherwise I won't & I'll think that I have again & I'll end up just not leaving any feedback.

Sorry, I'm babbling, I'll stop

Another lovely update

I do enjoy reading their letters to one another What I really love about them, is how chocked full of love-y stuff they are, without actually being 'love letters'. On the surface, they're just, regular letters to a friend about what's been happening, but, hidden in practically every word, there are declarations of love & adoration. It's just so darn sweet

It was nice to get all caught up with some of the major events that have occurred over the years, & even when you didn't quite give us all the info (...what was wrong with Tara's mom?), you told us enough to intrigue us & capture our attention. Very well done

Wel, I was gonna quote some parts & I was gonna babble a lot more too, but, I don't remember all the stuff that I wanted to say (that I thought I'd already said) so, uhm, I apologise for this rather uhm, mediocre feedback,
I promise my feedback for the next update will be lots better.

Hugs
Jeanne

[AntigoneUnbound]

Carleen~

Wow--what a great story! There are so many things you're donig right here, and I wanna do them justice.

First of all, you have a great ear for dialogue. I think it can be tricky to do right, and you capture each person with convincing realism.

I also enjoy how you allude to certain things w/o bludgeoning us over the head with them. (And once you've been bludgeoned by your computer, nothing is ever, ever the same.) It's unfolding the way such a relationship would unfold. As the author, you know things your characters can't yet, and you give us their nascence even as our girls don't realize that something's afoot. (I'm thinking of Tara's mom's sadness, among other things.)

And what happened a year ago? Seems like something shifted. And the e-mail didn't work out? That surprises me. So it seems clearn, then, that you'll have to update. What's that? Yes, I know it's a burden--but that's the price you pay for writing a great story!

Thanks,
Mary

[FineyMcFine]

I call 18th dibs!

Carleen - this was a fantabulous update. Like everyone else and their mother, I'm looking VERY forward to them meeting under the tree and finding out what caused the year-long communications moratorium, but I'm also really enjoying the exposition and the filling in of the blanks of the previous seven years.

I am very glad that both Willow and Tara ended up going to their senior proms, and doubly glad that there was no romantic smoochiness on either of their parts with their dates. Especially on Willow's part - since it was never very likely with Tara's date. Ha. Um. (Ew.)

Willow's letter to Tara about not wanting to go to her prom without Tara was so close to coming out. I wonder if Willow is aware of her feelings? Is Tara? I get the feeling that neither of them is QUITE there yet, although Tara seems closer to knowing and understanding than Willow does. I don't know exactly why I think that, except for maybe her signing her last letter "Your Tara." And the canon Tara always seemed to be just a little more in touch with her feelings than Willow did, anyway, I think. That's probably why.

Bravo!

[Naeryn]

Okay, I don't have a whole bunch of stuff to say. Just that I really, really loved this update and seeing it all through letters... I assume we didn't see all the letters, because of the "I'm glad you decided to go..." bit. We didn't hear anything about that, so I guess that'd be in a non posted letter.

Now when the hell are they going to meet under the tree and kiss each other passionately? Oooh, can it start to rain?

[vix84]

I'm worried about Tara's Mom. My angst-radar is beeping pretty wildly.

The letters are perfect - you got the voice, content, tone spot on. I love Willow's popularity from the study notes she sent to Tara. And how sweet is their longing to be big old lesbos and go to the prom together? Sigh.

I enjoyed this update, both the format and all that we learned about the girls, very much.

[YMKA]

Hey Car

I'm not one to leave novelas....so it's gonna be short

I love your fic.... and if you are going to continue at this rate... you can be with Sheba in the same category

Thanks!!!

M.

[SakuraEtsuko]

again congrats on a great update car...

And how sweet is their longing to be big old lesbos and go to the prom together? Sigh.

.


had to say this made me laugh! i noticed that as well!! their just not letting out their inner lesbians!

[meretricious]

car, really loved the whole vignette feel to the letters. seemed very movie like to me, could easily see the girls reading letters in voice over while moving yet restrained music plays and we see images of the years and seasons passing.

i really liked that willow's first reaction to getting a credit card was "can i buy a ticket to germany?" it's one thing when the girls are saying to each other how much they miss and think of the other, but i think that line really shows how pervasive the missing each other really is for them. also like willow wishing tara could make a trip "home' to her.

nice partial reveal of tara's mom's illness, painting the broad strokes without getting too detail heavy. and donnie's maturation process, almost too good to be true, but i love the little beats you hit there, esp. him fumbling around tara's room before asking her to prom.

willow's mini ramble about time zones sounds kinda familiar, somehow. maybe someone should tell her to download qlock lovely stuff car, now get your connection fixed asap so we can have more please ~ mary

[singgirl]

Jeesh...I just started/caught up with this fic. Yes, I do have a life (sorta...), I'm at work, so I have that kind of time on my hands Nah, I do work at work (sorta...). I really don't have any construsctive criticism, complaints, or long explanations of what parts I like. I love it all. However, I must commend you on originality. Thank you!

[Kaia]

Hey!
Being this late to leave feedback there's really not much I can say that hasn't been said before. So I'm just gonna stand up, virtually shake your hand and give you a round of applause.
I can't wait for the next chapter on this fantastic journey.
Hugs,

K.

[beanie]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA THE RUNNING MAN!!! Oh you didn't!! But you did! AH THE RUNNING MAN!!!

is the best dance move ever! (sadly there is no running man dance icon, but this one'll do)

Well, I'm late again. With the reply that is. But this time I have a good reason. I was on a retreat thing in Maine where there are trees and rivers and land but no computers. I was completely sans computer, so I couldn't read your update. HAD I ..er...had one, I would've. Honestly. Anyway, since I'm late, my review would be mostly repetitious and frankly a little so i spare you the nonsense. Instead, I just say:

YUUUUUUMMMMMM (in my tum). MMMMMM Update for Coming Back. So delish. CRAVE MORE. CRAVE MORE!

Okay, well I have to comment on one thing. I can't help myself. The letters are soooo cuute! Adorable! Aw...they're like a cute married couple. AWWWW.

The end.

[tarawhipped]

Carleen! I'm here! I'm queer! I'm finally leaving feedback! {**hmmph....that's not a very catchy protest slogan....and everyone knows you're queer....unless they think you're a straight man**}. Once again, you amaze me with your ability to make indirect contact seem so intimate {**I'm not touching that one**}. I like that you're using so many different formats for telling this story, while keeping it firmly about W/T {**WTF did you expect from the woman who leaves fb as MIME?!?!**}. Willow's enthusiasm over making friends with Buffy was so cute, but tempered by her sadness over Tara's distance. The affection between W/T is so vivid, and just leaves me wanting to know more r.e. where do they stand now? Have they professed their undying love, and if so....DAMMIT, WHY HAVEN'T THEY TALKED FOR A YEAR??? {**nice shouting...she hasn't told you in any of the previous desperate pleading fbs, but maybe she just couldn't hear you**}. Finally, you're doing a really great job of advancing the age of their voices. The language they use, the bravado in some respects, self-doubt in others....very nice transition from their youger selves {**see? it doesn't kill you to be nice**} Can they meet soon??? Pretty please?

-Cam

[GayNow]

Hello, Kittens!

I'm sorry this isn't an update. I just wanted to let you know the status of things.

I'm having computer/internet issues right now. I'm stuck with a dial up connection and may have to get a new computer. So posting anything of significant length just ain't happening.

I am working on Chapter 7 and feedback replies. Thank you all so much for your lovely thoughts. I really appreciate them. I promise, I'll have replies and an update posted just as soon as possible.

*hugs and hickies and love and stuff*

Car

[Naeryn]

*runs in holding a giant flag that says "DIBS" on it and goes to stick it in the ground at the foot of the update*

...hang on... no... update? o.O...

*beat*

*sticks it in anyway and camps out under it*

[watty]

I'm having computer/internet issues right now. I'm stuck with a dial up connection and may have to get a new computer.

She's not feeling too well either, so Kittens, please join in sending hugs and kisses and all your love to my best friend. Get well soon, and that goes for the computer too!

[grimlock72]

Hello, Kittens!

I'm sorry this isn't an update. I just wanted to let you know the status of things.

I'm having computer/internet issues right now. I'm stuck with a dial up connection and may have to get a new computer. So posting anything of significant length just ain't happening.

Well I hope you can read feeedback of significant length Just discovered this story and must say the letters are lovely, yet heartbreaking at the same time. Flasbacks are nice too, it must have been horrible to see your best friend have to go far faaar away. At least the made a promise to meet some time later. Got to smile at Willow sending that Sunnydale care-package

Willow's studyguides being a hit on the other side of the world was funny as well. Shows that Willow would indeed be a good teacher. Good that she gets to test that theory.

Lots of time has past now though, wonder what the differences will be. They'll sure have lots of stories to tell each other I am of course what happened in the year of no-contact, I fear it might be familly related. Though we know Tara makes it ok onto the airplane travelling towards Willow, which is good.

Buffy's friendship to Willow is done nicely as well. Smart as Willow is she does sometimes need somebody to ground her bit back to this world and make her relax a bit I'm fairly sure Tara will like Buffy too.

Reading about the month before Tara had to leave was sad and endearing. I do hope neither Willow nor Tara was lonely or felt that way all of those eight years. At least that's a properly planned data, well in advance too .

Oh if you need help with computer troubles, you could try posting to the computer-thread over at the kitten main board or just post them here. Plenty of us computer-savy geeks around (can't ask Willow, she's meeting Tara real soon :-) ).

Grimmy

[Emms]

awwww...I hope you're feeling better Carr...

I keep checking this story on the chance that there might be an update posted. Cause I love it so much.

Anyway.... I'll keep my fingers crossed for the appearance of the next update soonish.

Feel better sweetie.

xoxo
Emms

[Graceland]

Hey Car,
Sorry to hear about your computer problems and your not feeling well. I'll be sending computer wishes and get well wishes your way. Grace