First off, I apologize for the post yesterday. I was tired of some of the post hijacking, hurt by a few of the UC comments made towards me as a person, and didn't think before I wrote it. I'll leave the post there, because they are my words, I wrote them, and you've read them. No reason to hide them away, but I did not mean to be as harsh as they sounded.
What has come out of that (through some of the comments) has been a great discussion on expressing emotion. This is no always an easy thing to do! I really appreciate all those comments, and will look them over again as I complete Chapter 27, which is really the second half of Chapter 26. I still hope to have it done today or tomorrow.
Offside should have a new chapter or two up today as well.
Thank you!
No need to apologize you have every right to say what you feel and people need to understand that. Keep up the good work we are happily along for the ride
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first commenter. You shouldn't feel the need to apologize for your post yesterday. This is your story and you are exploring the issues and emotions *you* want to explore, and if people don't like it, they don't have to read it. And they certainly shouldn't attack you for writing what you want to write. My co-writer and I have had to deal with that nonsense, and it's just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteYou're a wonderful writer and I will continue to support you, no matter what direction your stories take.
This is gonna sound alllllll kinds of stalker-speak, but... for your true fans, when people piss you off, it pisses us of too. I don't know that there are many people left that DON'T know your style of writing yet. This angst and suspense is to be expected from you and we L-O-V-E love you for that. I will admit when I read the post yesterday I was all kinds of irritated, but not with you, with the jack legs that harrass you over the story content. Expressing emotion is one thing, but hijacking stories and insulting the author is unacceptable. We love you Savvy!
ReplyDeleteI'm just sorry you felt the need to apologize for being honest. It wasn't harsh and sarcasm aside, it was/is how you are feeling. Why is it ok for "them" to express all their negative thoughts, but when the author does it, it's seen as "a BNA being self-richeous"
ReplyDeleteBe you and don't cower to the masses just because they have the ability to tear you down in anonymity.
no need to appologize. love the story. love that it makes me think and have emotions. also makes me think about things I would never think about normally. also, if I choose to not read, I don't have to read :)
ReplyDeleteYou rock. Easy for me to say but don't let other's words hurt you. You have guts enough to write a story, they should try it themselves or cease reading.
Thank you for entertaining me with your stories.
Sharon
I guess great writers from time to time (when they're guilty of completely investing us w/the love between characters...what a gift that is btw) receive harsh criticism from readers. Look at poor Stephanie Meyer for Breaking Dawn (btw...I LOVED IT!) Even though I was so heartbroken with the last chapter, you personally should never be treated badly...Shay...it's just the frustration and anger they're feeling...cause you didn't tread the path of least resistance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone, no need to apologize. Some of the posts were hurtful and unnecessary, unhappiness with a few things in a story doesn't give anyone the right to offend the author. Besides, there a whole lot of us who are still in love with UC :) and love your angst.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Things have gotten out of hand. An author should never apologize for what they write...ever. This is your story. People can read it or not read it. I've left my comments in fanfic review. But I will say it again here...women in the middle ages were property. Women in the middle ages had no rights. Women in the middle ages lived to serve men. Women in the middle ages were treated abhorently. Those are the facts. Given Bellas position she actually has it pretty good. It is very easy for women living freely in modern times to criticize the circumstances that Shay is writing about. You must read this story in it's historical fiction context and not as a modern day story. Jeez it's FICTION. I majored in medieval studies and american history. While this is a work of fiction Shay is pretty accurate in how it would have been for serfs and even how it would have been for women living at court. Keep up the awesome story Shay. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the last couple of chapters(I'm too much of a wimp!), but I read all your blog updates and your A/Ns on each chapter. I want to tell you how awesome I think it is that you give us a bit of a warning of things to come(without giving things away). I'm just going to wait until the angst clears before I finish. If it doesn't? I'll just wait for the next brilliant thing you decide to write. Now that I've heard what happens and have thought on it a bit, I actually feel better about reading it. I will stay a fan of your writing whether I finish UC, or not. And don't feel bad about your last post. We all have moments where we lose our temper. You were only being honest and expressing your feelings. Glad you're not letting it get to you today. :)
ReplyDelete-cosnmom
The first thing that confuses me about all the drama yesterday re: how UC is progressing as a story is that for any 'fans' that read you regularly should know that the path your characters take is never easy and often heartwrenching. Should anyone need any reminding it's right at the top of your blog "Fiction with Teeth".
ReplyDeleteThe second thing all the fandom and authors should really understand is obligation and entitlement. An author is not obligated to write to the masses to make everyone happy, and a reader is not obligated to read anything just because it is written. Readers are not entitled to guaranteed happy endings or frequent or scheduled updates. Authors are not entitled to only warm and fuzzy reviews and no criticism.
I know most authors welcome criticism (particularly constructive criticism) but the mob mentality and bullying stuff on a personal level is beyond ridiculous and pretty embarrassing. I never go on any of the discussion threads because it gets so out of control and a lot of the things I see on Twitter are just embarrassing...especially when I see fic authors whose writing I'm a big fan of attack other authors for criticisms they get themselves and are oversensitive about.
My own personal feelings about UC is great job! You've hit another emotional nerve that has everyone discussing (and I don't think it's manipulative at all because it does seem organic to the story given the world you have created). I'm invested in these characters and love the journey you are taking us on love in the face of obligation, duty, honor, loyalty, and other personal demons. Mix in palace intrigue, concubines, questions about tea, etc...it's all very compelling. The only way I would flouce this story is if suddenly you became a crap writer and and/or changed your vision of the story suddenlty to please the masses. I have every confidence this will never happen.
Don't apologize. We made sure you KNEW how we felt about what happened and I think that is ok as long as there is no personal attacks involved. We are not made of rock, we all feel. I think the people who have been hurt the most are the people that don't understand your style of writing and/or haven't read your other stories. If they had read CBW,R? or SB they would know you don't do pretty and fluffy, you go for realistic and rough. Even your other stories have elements of that. I think it's good to take everything with a grain of salt from both sides but ultimately this is YOUR story so it's up to us if we want to continue to read it. That principle ALWAYS applies, if you don't like something stop doing it. :D
ReplyDeleteno i think most of people have read CBWR? and others, but not in 1 of them the integrity of characters was questioned like that. E/B stayed faithful even when the might have not. Bella stayed loyal to Edward for 6 years he was in prison, even she had every right to move on and dont put her life on hold
ReplyDeleteSavage apologised for her blog entry not the story, get your facts straight
ReplyDeleteI read all the posts and nothing was hurtful or offensive. People react if provoked. they are passionate and have questions, likes and dislikes, stop being ass lickers. savage can take this and more i suppose
ReplyDeletesince when not agreeing with an aspect of the story is called negative thought? You want to read only positive feedback? I havent read twitter, but i reas the posts on previous thread, and nothing was offensive. Actually there were some very good points there
ReplyDeleteSavage, since we continue with emotional expressions, can i make some sensitive points? lol
ReplyDeleteI love your story, i didnt like the concubine ordial, but i accepted that and now i think it was neccessary and a weak up call for Edward to see how much it really hurt to do what he did and to betray the last person he wouldnt in any circumstances. Now, it hurts to know if he has to do it a lot, it does im not gonna lie. I dont know how this will go, but ill point out my thoughts on 2 possible scenarios.
Angela gets pregnant. This will shatter Isabella, she wil have to touch her belly, touch her failure, and the evidence of her husband doing another woman. It will constantly remind her how she didnt give her husband and the kingdom the most important thing. regardless the fact that she will accept and raise him. If you go this route I want no HEA, Edward dies at war and Angela/Isabella raise the future king together. Please I want it to be a tragedy. If they both get pregnant, then all the anguish and trouble we went through will turn into a big comedy, you may as well end the story in good humor with a big happy family with 7 boys and 10 girls coming from both bellies. thanks
No, you are right, of course. Those Edwards were killers and rapists but since they didn't cheat they had more integrity than UC Edward. *sarcasm*
ReplyDeleteI don't know why you feel the need to go around and correct the other posts but if you really want to be heard, make your OWN post and don't hide under the title of "Guest". Get something straight, no author should have to "take this and more" because they don't owe us a thing. The stories are theirs to share and WE decide if we want to read them or not. Of course it doesn't mean we are not entitled to our opinions but it doesn't mean they have to tolerate any type of abuse from the readers.
Considering I've received messages that I am disgusting (not the story - me), and that I "obviously hate women", I think that's outside the realm of not agreeing with an aspect of the story.
ReplyDeleteIntegrity of the characters in question? Are we not questioning the kidnapper, the one who was involved in WMD and human trafficking, or the one who participated in death games? :) Yeah - their integrity was questioned quite a bit, too. I'd be worried if it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't just referring to posts here.
ReplyDeleteHhhmm. I missed the post yesterday. You have nothing to apologize for. You had every right to be hurt and angry and this is your blog, so you can say anything you want. I thought you handled it with class. You didn't blast the peeps ranting (I would have, less classy, LOL). And actually, even though I'm personally heartbroken (and want Aro's testricles on a skewer) over UC right now, I think you're ahndling it very well. Medieval history is my thing, and actually being attended by the Queen was a great honor, and to be considerate of Angela. Should they have left her to be prepared by palace attendants....that would tehn gossip all over the kingdom? Also, the lube was for Angela's consideration as much as Edward's. They knew he wouldn't be able to make himself prepare her as she should be. Should they have done without and let it be painful? Covering her face, I saw that as a consideration to Angela as much as Edward also. Should either have been humiliated by the look on the other's face?
ReplyDeleteI love this fic, for all that I am such a major wussperv. I was amazed at all the Twitter comments, as those peeps have always been huge proponents over the "if you don't like it, click out" theory.
But you owe no one anything at all Sav, much less an apology.
She writes her own blog. Don't be an ass...'guest'.
ReplyDeleteI'm a reader, not at writer. I am totally in awe of people who are brave enough to put their literary "babies" on display for the whole world to read. And FanFiction writers have it even tougher. Authors rarely display their writings for the public before an entire book is published. FanFic authors put their words out there with every posting - leaving themselves open to hear what other people have to say about their "babies".
ReplyDeleteIf I don't like a story, I stop reading. Who am I to make disparaging comments about someone's story? I don't have the imagination - or guts - to do any writing of my own.
I love your work, Savage. It's different, intriguing, and not run-of-the-mill (thank god!). I don't always like the road you take your characters down, but that's only because I get so involved in their stories that I ache for their angst and heartbreak. But if you stopped writing because of people's insensitive comments, there'd be a lot of enjoyment gone from my life.
Know that many, many people enjoy and appreciate your wit, your imagination, and your different way of writing. I am definitely one of those.
Always - thanx for the reading enjoyment! - annah
sure Savage, but after Bella came into picture, edward never even thought about raping her or even touching her, let alone betraying her. Ex.UC, I dont mind Edward screwed 9 princesses before Isabella. i dont mind how many whores he did, honestly I dont. Im not looking for perfect characters it will be too boring. My point is, after E/B come together, loyalty toward each-other matters the most. Dont get me wrong, im over the concubine thing btw
ReplyDeleteI go around and answer/discuss posts for the same reason you do too. This is an open blog, i can say what i think without hurting feelings. The reason you put a name makes you less anonymous than me? ok then Im Jennifer Lopez. Still you dont get my point. Im not questioning what those characters did or where they came from in the past. I question them where it matters the most, what do they become when they start understanding the right path. How do they redeem themselves, what they go through to maintaing their new found integrity...etc. And please, where was i abusing to you anybody else? Gotta love some of you guys.
ReplyDeletemy point exactly!
ReplyDeletesorry, I dont read twitter and twilighted thread, was talking about the comments in the previous post
ReplyDeleteim sorry, i didnt know that. no you dont hate women, thats ridiculous. i hope those posts are few and apart:). I have been reclutant myself about the story, but i have learned to have faith in you, that you will make it right amd meaningful in the end. As i commented in the previous thread, I just need Isabella to be more receptive of certain actions and emotions.
ReplyDeleteI got into a pointless kerfuffle in the other thread, so let me just say here briefly (or as brief as my verbose ass is capable of being) -- I really love Unexpected Circumstances. It's painful - as most of the things you write are - but it's the GOOD kind of pain. A lot of the reactions people are having are honestly why I resist reading WIPs most of the time - because an unfinished story is just that: unfinished. All that is meant to be said has yet to be said, and judging it as if it's a complete work and the author has left a bunch of stuff out is... ridiculous. Because of course a bunch of stuff has been left out. It's called the back half of the story. We're barely past midpoint here!
ReplyDeleteBut I digress.
I saw you mention that you're a little unsure in Bella's POV - it seems very clear to me, at the moment, that she is in shock and unsure how to feel. She feels betrayed in her heart, while her head and everyone else (save Edward, who has his own Issues) tells her this is the only way, her duty, etc. etc. Bella in canon has always been very dutiful (if stupid) and willing to take the brunt of a lot of responsibility she isn't really responsible for. In that sense, a recently made royal Bella is actually very in tune with canon Bella, and I think you've done a good job portraying that. Bella doesn't "speak" to you the same way Edward does (you remind me of someone I used to write with way, way back in the day - she was exactly the same way, completely brilliant, but hated getting inside the female protagonist's head vs. the male) and that's fine. It just means that Bella's emotions feel more guarded, less obvious, and her cards are kept closer to the vest. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and given the type of narrative you're weaving, it actually works for the story.
Bella hasn't really had a good opportunity to let loose. I'm MOST interested to see what comes of the next chapter (and of course, the next, and the next) to really see exactly what she's made of.
Also, I mentioned this before to make a point, but I honestly do believe it, and have thought about it since the introduction of Jane and the tea: how much responsibility does Bella bear for this fuckery given her appointing Jane - a girl whom she did not know at all, and merely wanted to help out of a truly fucked situation - to such a position of closeness? Now, of course I don't blame her at all - but I can easily see how she might blame herself, and anyone who holds Edward responsible for the repercussions of his well intentioned bad decisions should, by the same token, hold Bella responsible for hers.
LOL.....................
ReplyDelete"Edward is not punished enough! He should be hanged by his balls and publicly whipped till death by all the females of the kingdom.
ReplyDeleteBella is not expressing her emotions enough! She should cry horrifying sobs, tear all her hair, hit all the walls in the castle with her tiny little fists till she breaks them and then of course she should die horribly, still crying in pain and agony .
So Carlisle of course will die too, shortly after, mostly because he feels atrociously guilty too.
And of course Queen Esme should be given to Aro as his personnal sex slave. Just for the fun of it ... and the sequel: "Real unexpected turn of event" "
....
Come on....
I think I prefer Savage version now ... But I'm biaised, I bow before her awesomeness. I still have, since the first chapter of H&D ♥
I'm not objective, Savage I love you and I think you should do and write whatever you want.
Even if I'm not OK with what I read, in the end, I don't care because you made me feel strongly about what's happening to them, and that's the only reason why I read your story in the first place. I really don't care if there's some inconstancies, or if you take some liberties, it's you prerogative. I'll just continue to find funny gifs for expressing my frustration ...
That being said, I read your post yesterday, I didn't feel concerned so maybe that's why I didn't take it personaly... Anyway, I understood you were fed up and I'm sorry you feel the need to apologize today. I honestly think you are far too kind sometimes... We are a bunch of awful people sometimes, awfully demanding, you have the right to blow us off ;)
The very first chapter of Hide and Drink has him trying to kill her. He does truly monstrous things throughout the story, including murder, after he already loves her. I cannot stress enough that I really have very few boundaries when it comes to what I might explore. I truly didn't have any idea this whole concubine thing was going to stir people up. I'm sure upcoming parts of Offside or the next story I write is also going to cross some boundaries.
ReplyDelete"The reason you put a name makes you less anonymous than me?" Ummm...well, yeah. Thanks for the chuckle, though. :)
ReplyDeleteCant wait!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe only boundaries I have is cheating. Well not really actually, There are some cheating E/B fics that I love. But I think that's because I hadn't fallen in love with their characters yet as the cheating is usually in the beginning and I know it'll be a cheating fic before reading it. Since you are an amazing writer and I have fallen in love deeply with these chapters, makes is very hard to accept the concubine part. I never thought it would go this way, The one thing Bella couldn't give him could have been anything and I just didn't think they would use a concubine even if it was a baby she couldn't give him. But I'm not giving up on it, I just cant fully read the chapters right now(is it bad that I hope it turns out that it's Edward that has the problem and not Janes tea?), because I am very disgusted! I just cant wait until this part is over with and see what else you have coming.
speaking of your story...where for art thou fair marchhare5?
ReplyDeleteno update, no teaser, no sonnets...thou'st no love for us any longer?
savage -
ReplyDeleteare you seriously saying that you had no idea how much shit your storyline would stir up? jesus!
how could you not know? please do not tell me that you have your head that stuck so far into the sand that you couldn't even guess at the amount of outrage that would ensue? who do you think your readers are? alice and jasper fans, jacob and bella fans, edward and emmett fans? the idea of edward being with another woman besides bella in any manner is akin to blasphemy. i'm not saying that it couldn't, shouldn't or wouldn't happen, but i'm fucking flabbergasted that you would be so blind.
gah...
oh shit, more anon tha me...lol
ReplyDeletehey Jen Lopez is getting a divorce, cut her some slack...lol...nice catch though, i wanted to say a thing and ended by saying another. glad i can amuse you woman:P
the whole concubine thing is another thing though. we can deal with murder, kidnaping....concubine, the act itself gives a very dirty vibe, not just painful or cruel. there is something that makes you throw up in the garden for edward, in front of comp for us.
ReplyDeletethe only boundaries you might cross with offside is if after edward professes his undying love to Isabella, carlise makes him sleep with another girl, again and again and again and threatens him to distroy isabellas reputation and dont give edward money for college if he doesnt. Anything but edward cheating on bella for whatever "valid" reason, will be acceptable for me.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteI like the ups and downs of the story. It makes me think of that line in the movie, "Parenthood" where the grandma comments to the Steve Martin character that life is like a roller coaster. Of course he states he hates roller coasters but in the end I believe he see's the appeal of the thrill that the ups and downs can cause.Roll on Shae.
hi Savage. I think it is horrible that you were personally insulted and there is no excuse for it. I do feel frustration for some aspects of this story though. But I don't accept personally insulting people. I was wondering why Jane, who they know very little about, is allowed to be the future Queens personal handmade? I know Edward doesn't think things out, but Esme letes very little get by her. Is Jane the "very little" that gets by Esme? I was very frustrated that Angela gets Samantha and Isabella has Jane. Why doesn't she have Rachael as her personal handmaid?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know that there are no midwives in this story and I also know that they aren't aware of helping people with infertility. What I do know (I don't skim) is that Jane's tea takes pain away (Seth, Isabella) so they are aware that substances can affect the body. Were they aware of poisons that you can put in food? If they are, then why is Jane allowed to give Isabella food and drinks? Maybe later in the story it will be explained why Carlisle is only relying in Edward as an heir and he didn't have other kids. The Jane situation is a major pot hole in the plot for me.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's almost like being tricked. I loved H&D and because of that, I like many follow,however, the disappoint in shattering the characters emotional fortutude, the insitance of layer upon layer of angst, the continuous "exploration" of no limits on boundaries has caused me to second guess the appeal of the author. The picking and chosing what parts of history apply, the it's fiction fake vs it's fiction reality, it's enough for me. I am without a doubt so sorry I read H & D. The stories since then would never have had any appeal to me, would have never tried to read them, except for the author who wrote the. And I am aware I look hypocritical posting on said author'a blog, but, we all have our short comings.
ReplyDeleteI second that! No update going in to 4th week. Luv's blog, all posts are pulled. No word from either as to what is going on. Left us with a diffilcult chapter to consume and now the disappearing act? Hmm...what is going on in the world of fandom??? Sorry Savage, didn't mean to use your blog to talk to another writer. But I am sure you can see why so many of us get frustrated with our stories that we love.
ReplyDeleteWow, there is no need to apologize. If someone doesn't like your story or the plot they can just stop reading it. They don't have to harass you or start hijacking other stories. I think you are doing a wonderful job with the story (even though some parts literally have me bawling) and the emotions you bring out with your words are staggering.
ReplyDeleteplease the line "if you dont like it stop reading it" its getting old. Like its that easy after reading 3/4 of the story and getting attached to those characters. I totally agree you with for the harassing part though, nobody should do it. But the voice of reason might come from different directions. JS
ReplyDelete