[J. Ross] Ashes of Another Life

[J_Ross]

My newest is up! Chapters are considerable shorter than I'm used to but I'm hoping that'll help with updates. Five thousand words is easier to finish and post than ten...0.o Or something like that.

 

Let me know what you think!

[Linxe Termoil]

SPOILERS!!!

 

 

The prologue was a great start. For a chapter with so few words, the heartbreak came through loud and clear.

 

On chapter 1, it becomes very obvious very quickly that Conner is so dependent on Justin. The idea that they are two halves of a whole comes through, will, for lack of any other better words, loud and clear.

 

But it also becomes obvious to my thinking that, with Conner's lack of eating and sleeping, his constant running, etcetera, he's not taking care of himself. He has given up. Sooner or later, and at this rate 'm going to go with sooner, I'm thinking he's going to end up in the hospital right along with Justin, if not buried next to him. Who knows though, perhaps that's what he wants.

 

It's definitely an interesting read. Can't wait for the next update.

 

 

Linxe

[Anya]

I loved the prologue and first chapter. What a great, heartbreaking story ;p

 

Can't wait for the next chapter! You already know how many there are gonna be? : )

[Frostina]

Great and heartbreaking is right! Conner Needs to pick up!! he's just rolling downhill! no food, no talking.. nothing! that's just going to kill him.. and faster!!!

 

Please post soon

 

eagerly waiting for the updates

[Nephylim]

I'm interested how you skip periods of time so flawlessly. Six months passed without anything jarring.

 

I'm kind of twisted and I can see fabulous complications arising if Justin wakes up just after Conner first has sex with a new love. Threesomes are just so fantabulously complex

 

Having said that I know that I am going to be happy with watever direction the story is going to go because I really like the writing.

[Kioo]

I tend to avoid incomplete stories because I'm just not that patient, but now that I've started, there is no way I'm going to be able to wait until the whole story is complete to read it. I really love your writing. Keep it up.

[Daanquai]

I am sooooo happy that you are back with another story. I usually struggle with stories that have the hero "mourning" over their lost "true love" because then I have a hard time rooting for the new love. But I was absolutely blown away by In Due Time (and the other shorts you have posted are great reads as well) and I realize there's no way I can stay away from anything you write, no matter the content. You already had me bawling during the prologue. Can't wait to read more!!

[J_Ross]

SPOILERS!!!

 

 

The prologue was a great start. For a chapter with so few words, the heartbreak came through loud and clear.

 

On chapter 1, it becomes very obvious very quickly that Conner is so dependent on Justin. The idea that they are two halves of a whole comes through, will, for lack of any other better words, loud and clear.

 

But it also becomes obvious to my thinking that, with Conner's lack of eating and sleeping, his constant running, etcetera, he's not taking care of himself. He has given up. Sooner or later, and at this rate 'm going to go with sooner, I'm thinking he's going to end up in the hospital right along with Justin, if not buried next to him. Who knows though, perhaps that's what he wants.

 

It's definitely an interesting read. Can't wait for the next update.

 

 

Linxe

 

Thanks so much I think I already said so in another replay, but I've been stressing about the length of these chapters and whether or not I'd be able to express all that I wanted to in such a short amount of space. I'm really relieved that it worked for you. More soon. Thanks for reading and for the kind words.

 

I loved the prologue and first chapter. What a great, heartbreaking story ;p

 

Can't wait for the next chapter! You already know how many there are gonna be? : )

 

Heartbreaking? Lol, I thought I was being so nice. Yes, I actually do know how many there are going to be. It's SUPPOSED to be one hundred chapters long. I was partially inspired by a challenge prompt set of one hundred words. Which is part of why the chapters are so short. I was trying (but failed) to keep them around two thousand words a piece. It wasn't happening, so...we'll see how it goes. Next part will be up just as soon as it's edited. Hope you enjoy! ^.^

 

Great and heartbreaking is right! Conner Needs to pick up!! he's just rolling downhill! no food, no talking.. nothing! that's just going to kill him.. and faster!!!

 

Please post soon

 

eagerly waiting for the updates

 

Yeah, I think that's why I chose to start this six months down the line. I had a feeling that even the people in Conner's life would want him to pick up and be on him about it, but I felt it would take awhile...so... I don't really know, but I hope it works. Anyway, more soon. Hope it doesn't disappoint. Thanks for reading! ^^

 

I tend to avoid incomplete stories because I'm just not that patient, but now that I've started, there is no way I'm going to be able to wait until the whole story is complete to read it. I really love your writing. Keep it up.

 

Well I'm praying that the shorter length will help me get this done more regularly than IDT, but it's really just an experiment. Here's hoping it works out. Thanks for reading, even though it is incomplete. More soon :)

 

I am sooooo happy that you are back with another story. I usually struggle with stories that have the hero "mourning" over their lost "true love" because then I have a hard time rooting for the new love. But I was absolutely blown away by In Due Time (and the other shorts you have posted are great reads as well) and I realize there's no way I can stay away from anything you write, no matter the content. You already had me bawling during the prologue. Can't wait to read more!!

 

Thank you! I'm happy I'm back too. I love starting something new. And yeah, I think I usually have trouble with learning to like the new guy too, but I think that is actually one of the challenges I look forward to tackling, when the time comes. We'll see if I can make it work. Hope you enjoy.

[Anya]

A 100 chapters? Really? Damn...that's gonna take a lot of time ;p

 

Btw...loved the new chapter! Loved it! Can't wait for the next

[Nephylim]

It's interesting to see how people react in stressful circumstances. Connor doesn't know what he is feeling right now and he's clinging to the only constant... Justin.

 

It's quite tragic to see the way his mind is working and the little things that slip out are very telling about the way he is feeling.

 

I am very intersted to see how this is going to work through.

 

I like the fact that there are short chapters. It gives us a chance to think things through in between and gives us chunks of development. Nice

[Frostina]

A HUNDRED chapters :o wow! and 1 chapter a week? so.. 2 yrs :D cool!

[Linxe Termoil]

Hrm. This chapter was more upsetting then the first two. It's like...f**k...I just want to grab Conner and shake him and tell him to wake the f**k up. Shit happens, but he can't be acting this way. I'm surprised HE isn't an alcoholic. I'm pretty sure I'd be drunk every single chance I could get if I went to the hospital every single night to visit my comatose friend. But then, I also know my friends would shake the shit out of me until I snapped out of it and just stopped acting like a f**king dick... Which is exactly what Conner is doing. I hope to see more of Ashley. I suspect I will. I suspect the boy that's moving into Justin's room with him is her brother. Maybe a cousin...Hrm...Twin Brother? Hot.

 

And...I'm wondering. Will Justin come out of this. Will he be the same? Or will he be different. Or, tragically, will his parents finally pull the plug on him.

 

My question is, if you all had a son, and it had been this long, what would you do. Would you pull the plug or would you keep holding on? Although, the more interesting thing is Justin isn't on life-support, just food machines to keep making sure he gets on sustenance. It takes 3 days for a human being to starve. Would that be cruel and unusual punishment?

 

Interesting. I think I may have to start a poll.

 

 

Linxe

[J_Ross]

A 100 chapters? Really? Damn...that's gonna take a lot of time ;p

 

Btw...loved the new chapter! Loved it! Can't wait for the next

 

You know, if it were anyone else, I honestly don't think it would take so long. I think I may take this a little to seriously sometimes. I stress and I'll spend time reworking scenes, or deleting them and writing a new one that better shows what I was trying to say and I'm not at all quick about it. I am soo easily distracted. I love to write, but there are so many other things I love to do. I have only so much time to spare in the first place and I can't even tell you how many times I've forgotten to GO TO SLEEP before work/school/an appointment because I've gotten so caught up in reading (which I love just as much, if not more than writing) some book I picked up or found on here or other sites. I'm rambling now and completely off track. 0.o My point was that I've actually seen this done in less than six months and I just suck but I got away from it... Anyway, I'm glad you liked it the chapter. The next one will be up just as soon as I'm finished here. Thanks for reading!

 

It's interesting to see how people react in stressful circumstances. Connor doesn't know what he is feeling right now and he's clinging to the only constant... Justin.

 

It's quite tragic to see the way his mind is working and the little things that slip out are very telling about the way he is feeling.

 

I am very intersted to see how this is going to work through.

 

I like the fact that there are short chapters. It gives us a chance to think things through in between and gives us chunks of development. Nice

 

Thanks, I worried that it might be frustrating having to get just bits and pieces at a time and having to wait for the answers to smaller questions, but...it's definitely better than me trying to force too many details into such a short amount of space. I actually tried doing it to be able to give a little bit of resolution, to move this constant sadness along a little bit and get deeper into the story. The results were hard to look at. I'm glad it's working for you. Lol. Thanks for reading!

 

A HUNDRED chapters :o wow! and 1 chapter a week? so.. 2 yrs :D cool!

 

Well, when you put it like that... Lol, yeah. But don't remind me, it's kind of intimidating to think about for me. And really, I should say POSSIBLY one hundred chapters, HOPEFULLY once a week. I have no idea whether this story actually can go on that long. It does in my head right now, but these things get out of my hands after a point. And once a week is fast for me. Lol. I took a year and a half break right at the end of IDT. I feel like having regular, short updates will be way better than that. TThanks for reading :)

 

Hrm. This chapter was more upsetting then the first two. It's like...f**k...I just want to grab Conner and shake him and tell him to wake the f**k up. Shit happens, but he can't be acting this way. I'm surprised HE isn't an alcoholic. I'm pretty sure I'd be drunk every single chance I could get if I went to the hospital every single night to visit my comatose friend. But then, I also know my friends would shake the shit out of me until I snapped out of it and just stopped acting like a f**king dick... Which is exactly what Conner is doing. I hope to see more of Ashley. I suspect I will. I suspect the boy that's moving into Justin's room with him is her brother. Maybe a cousin...Hrm...Twin Brother? Hot.

 

And...I'm wondering. Will Justin come out of this. Will he be the same? Or will he be different. Or, tragically, will his parents finally pull the plug on him.

 

My question is, if you all had a son, and it had been this long, what would you do. Would you pull the plug or would you keep holding on? Although, the more interesting thing is Justin isn't on life-support, just food machines to keep making sure he gets on sustenance. It takes 3 days for a human being to starve. Would that be cruel and unusual punishment?

 

Interesting. I think I may have to start a poll.

 

 

Linxe

 

Oh boy, I'm not sure whether you're gonna hate me or Conner in the chapters to come. Lol, I never know how much I can say without giving anything away... but I gotta say even if Conner does get better, it won't be until I've messed around in and with his head and put him through the ringer. Uhm... I think it makes him stronger? And helps me (and hopefully you guys) get to know him a little more, seeing how he reacts and deals and watching him learn. I can say it won't be so CONSTANTLY depressing soon enough. Until then, I hope Conner is at least a tolerable dick.

 

To answer the question (and it's a good one ^^): if it were me, I'd want to be unplugged. If I'm brain dead, and my body can't breathe for me, unplug the machine, I'm not there anyway. Justin isn't on life support because he is NOT completely brain dead, if he were his brain wouldn't be able to tell his body to breathe (or...whatever. 0.o not my subject ). I have trouble deciding which details are obvious and which only seem obvious to me because they're familiar. I'm working on it. I'm sorry. Lol. Anyway, I don't think it's legal to cut off his food supply, though I'm not an expert on the subject. At all. In fact, that's just a guess. *shrug* I'm just assuming. When a patient is brain dead, the machine is the only thing keeping him/her alive. Justin is alive all on his own so they would have to actually kill him and I'm not sure that's legal. I'll have to find out now you've made me think

Edited April 18, 2011 by J_Ross

[Linxe Termoil]

You know, if it were anyone else, I honestly don't think it would take so long. I think I may take this a little to seriously sometimes. I stress and I'll spend time reworking scenes, or deleting them and writing a new one that better shows what I was trying to say and I'm not at all quick about it. I am soo easily distracted. I love to write, but there are so many other things I love to do. I have only so much time to spare in the first place and I can't even tell you how many times I've forgotten to GO TO SLEEP before work/school/an appointment because I've gotten so caught up in reading (which I love just as much, if not more than writing) some book I picked up or found on here or other sites. I'm rambling now and completely off track. 0.o My point was that I've actually seen this done in less than six months and I just suck but I got away from it... Anyway, I'm glad you liked it the chapter. The next one will be up just as soon as I'm finished here. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Thanks, I worried that it might be frustrating having to get just bits and pieces at a time and having to wait for the answers to smaller questions, but...it's definitely better than me trying to force too many details into such a short amount of space. I actually tried doing it to be able to give a little bit of resolution, to move this constant sadness along a little bit and get deeper into the story. The results were hard to look at. I'm glad it's working for you. Lol. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Well, when you put it like that... Lol, yeah. But don't remind me, it's kind of intimidating to think about for me. And really, I should say POSSIBLY one hundred chapters, HOPEFULLY once a week. I have no idea whether this story actually can go on that long. It does in my head right now, but these things get out of my hands after a point. And once a week is fast for me. Lol. I took a year and a half break right at the end of IDT. I feel like having regular, short updates will be way better than that. TThanks for reading :)

 

 

Oh boy, I'm not sure whether you're gonna hate me or Conner in the chapters to come. Lol, I never know how much I can say without giving anything away... but I gotta say even if Conner does get better, it won't be until I've messed around in and with his head and put him through the ringer. Uhm... I think it makes him stronger? And helps me (and hopefully you guys) get to know him a little more, seeing how he reacts and deals and watching him learn. I can say it won't be so CONSTANTLY depressing soon enough. Until then, I hope Conner is at least a tolerable dick.

 

To answer the question (and it's a good one ^^): if it were me, I'd want to be unplugged. If I'm brain dead, and my body can't breathe for me, unplug the machine, I'm not there anyway. Justin isn't on life support because he is NOT completely brain dead, if he were his brain wouldn't be able to tell his body to breathe (or...whatever. 0.o not my subject ). I have trouble deciding which details are obvious and which only seem obvious to me because they're familiar. I'm working on it. I'm sorry. Lol. Anyway, I don't think it's legal to cut off his food supply, though I'm not an expert on the subject. At all. In fact, that's just a guess. *shrug* I'm just assuming. When a patient is brain dead, the machine is the only thing keeping him/her alive. Justin is alive all on his own so they would have to actually kill him and I'm not sure that's legal. I'll have to find out now you've made me think

 

Lol. There was that one case in 2005. Terry Schiavo is the reference. But yes, if the legal guardian asks for it, they can cut off the food supply. Terry Schiavo Case

 

It can make for an interesting and depressing read. It was all over national news.

[J_Ross]

Gah, that sounds horrible. I think it'd be such an...unpleasant way to go. I mean, I definitely agree that it's a terrible way to live, but...that really sounds like a terrible way to go. So, I guess I'm yes for unplugging those that are brain dead and no for cutting off the food supply of those with minimal brain activity. I wouldn't be able to stomach that thought. Especially when I know that it is possible to come back from this. It's probably rare and the person probably doesn't wake up the same as when they went down but not impossible. I've seen it. No idea whether or not it's in the cards for Justin but, story aside, if the person is breathing and basically living on their own I don't think I could do anything to end the life of someone I cared about with even the smallest of chances. Not personally.

[Frostina]

Oh boy, I'm not sure whether you're gonna hate me or Conner in the chapters to come. Lol, I never know how much I can say without giving anything away... but I gotta say even if Conner does get better, it won't be until I've messed around in and with his head and put him through the ringer. Uhm... I think it makes him stronger? And helps me (and hopefully you guys) get to know him a little more, seeing how he reacts and deals and watching him learn. I can say it won't be so CONSTANTLY depressing soon enough. Until then, I hope Conner is at least a tolerable dick.

 

 

UH oh! That does sound ominous! But... like always... cant wait! and here i was hoping Austing breaks conner out of his shell...

but then again, that was foolish of me to think as i knew that plan at least a 100 chapters

Really liked the character u portrayed of Austin and i hope, for whatever reason, Conner goes and eats his lunch voluntarily from now on!

[Linxe Termoil]

Gah, that sounds horrible. I think it'd be such an...unpleasant way to go. I mean, I definitely agree that it's a terrible way to live, but...that really sounds like a terrible way to go. So, I guess I'm yes for unplugging those that are brain dead and no for cutting off the food supply of those with minimal brain activity. I wouldn't be able to stomach that thought. Especially when I know that it is possible to come back from this. It's probably rare and the person probably doesn't wake up the same as when they went down but not impossible. I've seen it. No idea whether or not it's in the cards for Justin but, story aside, if the person is breathing and basically living on their own I don't think I could do anything to end the life of someone I cared about with even the smallest of chances. Not personally.

 

What really sounds horrible is they did an autopsy on her after she passed on, (Terry Schiavo, that is) and when they opened up her head, they found her brain was complete total mush. It makes me think that, aside from physically, there was nothing else there. I don't believe she suffered. Not really. Weird. Alright, on to less depressing topics.

 

 

So tell me... When are Austin and Conner gonna get it on? With Justin too, no less. He better come out of his coma soon, or he's gonna miss out on the possibility of a really hot threesome. Whew. (fans himself)

 

Alright, back to world of warcraft.

[Anya]

You know, if it were anyone else, I honestly don't think it would take so long. I think I may take this a little to seriously sometimes. I stress and I'll spend time reworking scenes, or deleting them and writing a new one that better shows what I was trying to say and I'm not at all quick about it. I am soo easily distracted. I love to write, but there are so many other things I love to do. I have only so much time to spare in the first place and I can't even tell you how many times I've forgotten to GO TO SLEEP before work/school/an appointment because I've gotten so caught up in reading (which I love just as much, if not more than writing) some book I picked up or found on here or other sites. I'm rambling now and completely off track. 0.o My point was that I've actually seen this done in less than six months and I just suck but I got away from it... Anyway, I'm glad you liked it the chapter. The next one will be up just as soon as I'm finished here. Thanks for reading!

 

Lol....well I hope we won't always have to wait too long for updates ;p And honestly...I don't think Connor is a dick...or...well maybe he is but I completely understand him. I think I would react the same way. I think you did a great job in describing Connors feelings....the scenes when he is with Justin are always so sad..... I really like Austin though and Im hoping he will be the one to bring Connor out of his shell XD

[J_Ross]

UH oh! That does sound ominous! But... like always... cant wait! and here i was hoping Austing breaks conner out of his shell...

but then again, that was foolish of me to think as i knew that plan at least a 100 chapters

Really liked the character u portrayed of Austin and i hope, for whatever reason, Conner goes and eats his lunch voluntarily from now on!

 

Austin helps, I'm sure but Conner shell is pretty thick, and Austin's kind of small... We'll see. These chapters are just soo short. I'm having a hard time with it to. I think I'm going to have to figure something out because it's starting to feel like this is dragging and I can't tell if it's the really short length of the chapters combined with the week long wait or if I just really need to pick it up. Hoping its the former because honestly I think I'll break Conner if I try to push him. Glad you enjoyed Austin. Thanks for reading!

 

What really sounds horrible is they did an autopsy on her after she passed on, (Terry Schiavo, that is) and when they opened up her head, they found her brain was complete total mush. It makes me think that, aside from physically, there was nothing else there. I don't believe she suffered. Not really. Weird. Alright, on to less depressing topics.

 

 

So tell me... When are Austin and Conner gonna get it on? With Justin too, no less. He better come out of his coma soon, or he's gonna miss out on the possibility of a really hot threesome. Whew. (fans himself)

 

Alright, back to world of warcraft.

 

Yeah, I don't imagine she did, but...ya know. Every case is different, and while this story is completely fictional I've seen a person walk away (on his own feet, even) from a nine month long coma. I just couldn't, personally. However, I'm capable of some really terrible things while writing so...

 

And Jesus, you guys want me to just push poor Conner off a cliff, huh? Lol. Baby steps. I really feel like it'd be so easy to break him. I'm pretty certain having a friend is going to be enough for Conner to deal with, for a little while at least.

 

Lol....well I hope we won't always have to wait too long for updates ;p And honestly...I don't think Connor is a dick...or...well maybe he is but I completely understand him. I think I would react the same way. I think you did a great job in describing Connors feelings....the scenes when he is with Justin are always so sad..... I really like Austin though and Im hoping he will be the one to bring Connor out of his shell XD

 

 

Thanks muchly. I've never had anything like this happen to me, and I was nervous to write about something so far from anything I've ever experienced before. I'm glad it's workin' for you. I think it's going to take something...epic to break Conner out of anything but Austin is awesome, IMO, and he'll be around. Thanks for reading!!

[Anya]

Thanks muchly. I've never had anything like this happen to me, and I was nervous to write about something so far from anything I've ever experienced before. I'm glad it's workin' for you. I think it's going to take something...epic to break Conner out of anything but Austin is awesome, IMO, and he'll be around. Thanks for reading!!

 

 

Interesting...the thought has crossed my mind that something like this might have happened to you too...I don't know...it's just...the way you wrote it and stuff....it seemed so real xD

But if you have problems with the chapters being too short....why don't you just write longer ones? I think it's still a little too early to tell if the story is dragging or if you need to pick it up...it's only been 4 chapters...maybe we should just wait for a little while longer ;p

 

Btw...I loved the new chapter...I think now things can finally change...at least a little. I can't wait to see more of Austin....I really want something to happen with him and Connor

Edited April 25, 2011 by Anya

[Andrew Q Gordon]

I made the mistake of wondering over and reading this thread - I said mistake because I read the part about 100 chapters and two years -

 

I started a thread in my forum tangentially about this - i.e. wait for the final story or read as you go. Two years is a LONG time to read chapter to chapter. I might need to wait a bit for more to get posted, otherwise I'll forget what happened in chapter 1 and 2 that you touch on again in chapter 84. Really 100 chapters over two years? No way to tweak that - okay bludgeon it really - to make it be here quicker??

 

Just wondering. It's a great read either way.

 

Andy

[J_Ross]

HOPEFULLY, a hundred chapters. I'm not sure it will be. the story may be told before that. And I'm never consistent with updates, so once a week would be an accomplishment for me.

 

Just a quick update to let y'all know I'm in the middle of a move so posting will be a little crazy for me. I've only just now sent off the next chapter for editing because I haven't had the time to go somewhere with internet until it's installed at my new place. In any case, the next chapter should be posted tomorrow because Sharon's awesome is so much shinier than mine and she's so quick with the editing. Hope you all are well. )

[J_Ross]

Interesting...the thought has crossed my mind that something like this might have happened to you too...I don't know...it's just...the way you wrote it and stuff....it seemed so real xD

But if you have problems with the chapters being too short....why don't you just write longer ones? I think it's still a little too early to tell if the story is dragging or if you need to pick it up...it's only been 4 chapters...maybe we should just wait for a little while longer ;p

 

Btw...I loved the new chapter...I think now things can finally change...at least a little. I can't wait to see more of Austin....I really want something to happen with him and Connor

 

Well, I've probably experienced the feelings...but not in this particular situation. The only person experience I can say I have with anyone being in a coma is with my cousin, who was in a coma for nine months when i was six or seven so...I barely remember it now and he's fine, so there isn't much for me to be sad about with him. I'm thrilled this seems real enough to make you think it had though. And yeah, I could write longer ones, and I might even be able to keep updates coming regularly for awhile, but sooner or later, I'd disappear for months working out the kinks of one chapter or another. The short chapters are better for updates. And also for the prompt challenge (hundred chapters) but I think I can explain that better later.

 

Anyway, I'm glad you liked it. The next chapter is waiting for me to hit the post button, which will happen just as soon as I've finished replies. Austin will definitely be around, but there are others to come as well...

 

I made the mistake of wondering over and reading this thread - I said mistake because I read the part about 100 chapters and two years -

 

I started a thread in my forum tangentially about this - i.e. wait for the final story or read as you go. Two years is a LONG time to read chapter to chapter. I might need to wait a bit for more to get posted, otherwise I'll forget what happened in chapter 1 and 2 that you touch on again in chapter 84. Really 100 chapters over two years? No way to tweak that - okay bludgeon it really - to make it be here quicker??

 

Just wondering. It's a great read either way.

 

Andy

 

Lol, yeah it sounds soooo long, right? I worried about that, but it's better, IMO, that I post weekly for two years, than if I were to post massive chunks frequently, and tap out the majority of this in half that time, only to leave everyone hanging on a cliffhanger while I try and work out the next chapter right? *shrug* In Due Time took about two years to finish, even though I breezed through the beginning. I have issues with endings. Idk, I'm hoping this is the better way for me to go. And I could try and get it here quicker, and obviously, if I have the time to write and I get way ahead, I'll post more often than weekly, but...my main problem with IDT was that the beginning was rushed. I don't want to do that with this. I have big plans for this. *shrug*

 

I'm glad you've enjoyed it thus far, anyway!! Thanks for reading.

 

Next chapter is up now.