Jwolf

I’m not entirely sure if I can answer this question fully without spoiling anything, but I’ll do my best. Right now, my outline goes through Corbin’s senior year and graduation. I think from my college experience that this is all based on, there’s enough in his last year to carry on. Yes, Pete is involved in a lot of that as well, and I guess I can say he doesn’t leave the states right after this academic year is finished. With that being said however, there are enough characters that we’re involved with already that would justify carrying on. About the name, I think when I started writing this, i thought of it as eventually being formatted as a novel-style work, but quickly realized as I posted chapter after chapter there is enough detail in this world to really play into the serialized nature of it. If I were to start from scratch, I’d probably change the name at this point to something more inclusive of Corbin’s overall college experience. If I were to format it as a novel, I’d keep it as The English Year.

I don't disagree with you, but Corbin's 'bad behavior' has always served his main goal of ensuring his house is better respected than they currently are. I don't think he and Dom/Hutch are that different or that he's that much worse than they are. I actually think in some ways him knowing that he colors outside of the lines to get what he wants makes his mission that much more compelling (I'm biased, of course. duh). Anyway, I think for any story to be compelling, the hero or anti-hero has to be committed to that mission. It raises the stakes, and I think you're right in that Corbin is at the precipice of the world HE created and now has to deal with the potential fallout of that.

I appreciate the comment. I won't address the hiatus stuff, as I've done so already before. I hope you'll continue reading, but if you aren't up for the task, I understand that too. Thanks for the kind comments about my writing and ability to bring the drama. That's the goal. Hope you continue to enjoy!

Thanks for the comment! Funny you should ask, I was thinking about a way to work that into their next interaction. Corbin and David spend a lot of time together over this semester so I’d imagine they’ll share past experiences. Thanks again!

I think you’re right about Corbin to an extent, but the complexity is in having a protagonist that isn’t always 100 percent likable. Personally, I don’t think people are built that way, and what makes us interesting is our flaws. I’m glad I’m not the same person I was in 2008/2009, but it makes for a compelling story. Besides, I think what keeps Corbin rootable is that even at his worst, he believes in what he’s going after with conviction. That means something, good or bad in my opinion. Some of the characters in the ‘wake’ come back... I won’t say who. Thanks for the comment. I always appreciate you’re feedback!

I love your outlook on it, and it will be interesting to see them go toe-to-toe over the next semester and beyond. The one thing Corbin brought up is that he's ahead of Hutch in the gamesmanship of all of this. You're right: Hutch wants to be president and has his ambitions. Corbin plays outside of the bounds of the rules. How will Hutch deal with his friend when he's forced to check him? And how will Corbin react to that? Not spoiling anything here, but along the lines of the two friends... what could they accomplish if they worked together instead of were at odds like Corbin and Dom? The question is can that happen? Can Corbin LET that happen?

Thanks for the comment! I know there's been a lot to unpack in the last few chapters, and in a way the rest of the story moves along a little quicker than the first semester, so expect more wiplash 🙂 I'm excited about where there relationship goes from here because it is the first time we've seen both boys lay all of their cards on the table. How will they respond to that kind of freedom? Who knows. But I will say based on your comment, you do have an instinct on what it means for Corbin... old dog... new tricks? We'll see. More to come from those two, David in the mix, and the Hutch progression has been fun for me to explore as well... funny you bring up Muscle Mike. He's still out there, isn't he?

Thanks for the comment! Super insightful. I think you're spot on about a lot of things. With Pete, I think the main thing Corbin realized in the last chapter is that you can't just will someone to love you just because you love them. They both have flaws, but we've seen that they are both a catch as well. I'm excited to explore where their relationship goes now that most everything is on the table. The Hutch and Corbin thread will be a fun one to balance as well... interesting prediction about their relationship, but all I will say is 'we'll see'. Glad you enjoyed the scene with David. It was... fun... to write. More to come soon.

Forgive... thanks for the chapter comment. I think one thing with his hookup with David, is that it was more than Corbin simply using sex to manipulate him. I wanted to show he genuinely does respect and is insanely attracted to David. With that, an almost concussion isn't going to ward him off. Not our horned up guy. lol

You thought a near death experience would keep Corbin from getting laid? Get real. Thanks for the review!

Waking up next to Pete should have been romantic. He’d stayed with me all night long, held on to me, kissed me. It should have been the thing of dreams, and yet, somehow, it had turned into a living nightmare. Not only was I forced to lay there with an IV while he called my pledge brothers to tell them I was awake, but then I had to sit there with him four feet away while the doctor came in to check on me, followed by the school psychiatrist. Both asked me if I wanted my ‘friend’ to lea

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you found the site and the story. I agree on a lot of what you said. Corbin has had some up and down moments. I think it's fun to write a character that isn't 100 percent likeable, as it's more realistic to how we are as humans. Plus, the story is mostly autobiographical, so I can't sugarcoat the choices I made. Either way, its been a journey to see where he goes from here. Thanks again!

It's definitely a journey, and who knows exactly where things will go. Glad you enjoyed the chapter, and especially Pete's speech. I will say it does have a profound impact on Corbin and his actions going forward. We'll see what this hospital experience does for their relationship as well.

I love your pick for Roberto, but he'd have to have an incredible body. Berto was known for swatting girls away, and he played soccer all his life. Yes the mother hen and pretty sensitive, but you'd never know it because he was that insanely hot. What are your thoughts on Austin?

When I first started writing this, what 8 years ago? My image of Corbin that I used (like, if they were going to make a TV show out of this series) was Connor Paolo from gossip girl. Recently stumbled upon the actor Myko Olivier and I'd say he's my new mental image. He definitely has that 'chew like you have a secret' thing going on and he was INCREDIBLE in the Menendez Brother's movie. For some reason I can't link to pictures here with my new laptop, but if anyone wants to check out Myko's headshots on his professional page, I'd say go for it!

Cayden Boyd... he grew up nice. He grew up real nice. for Corbin, honestly insert any Disney or Nick at Night Star. What if he were black? Famous Jett Jackson? Guy from How To Get Away With Murder? Fun to speculate.

LISA! Thanks for the review! I’m glad you didn’t fall asleep on your keyboard:-) It’s been interesting to read the different reactions to Pete’s speech. In a way, I’m proud I was able to write it and have different interpretations. It truly means the audience is invested and not afraid to bring their own conceptions to what is ‘sweet and romantic’ or what is ‘self serving’. David is corbin’s little, so he sticks around for at least the pledgeship portion of the semester- 8 weeks. Can’t tell you if that relationship changes or not. There is still a lot of story to tell, but you’re right. We’re on different footing with Corbin and Pete having it ALL on the table and what that means for the other boys in the ‘wake’.

Thanks so much for the review! I think when I think on Pete's speech to Corbin, it's more of a 'you brought us to this spot as much as I did' and that dynamic carries through as we kind of go into a new phase in their relationship- acknowledgement of feelings, but what does that mean for them? With these two, I wouldn't imagine it being as simple as 'lets be boyfriends now'. I love the nickname for Mike...

Glad you enjoyed the chapter! I always appreciate your reactions. I promise I won’t make you wait another 7 years. With shelter in place, I honestly have no excuse not to get the next chapter out pretty soon.

Interesting take on Chu... I never thought of it that way yet you are totally right. You wonder where she’s getting her advice from or the balls to stand up to him, and yet she forces us to learn more about Corbin by putting him in a corner- explains where’s more of the Dom stuff later comes from. I wouldn’t say mature. A lot of Corbin is driven by insecurity and the perception he may appear ‘weak’ and so to avoid that he refuses to back down. He knows when he’s wrong (so he isn’t a complete psycho) but would rather appear resolute to a fault than appear vulnerable. That plays a BIG part in some of the chapters I’m crafting now.

I’ve always rejected the idea that a protagonist has to be perfect. Methodwriter helped me get my thoughts around this early on in writing, but main characters are sometimes painted as perfect, and none of us are. I think it keeps him human and interesting, and you can choose which parts of his character to root for even if you disapprove of the rest. I think Pete is just in awe... stuck in the orbit maybe.

I had SO much fun writing that scene... reading it back makes me very proud.

That’s been the most interesting part of writing those two is interpreting their respective jealousies and vying for Corbin. It continues on for the duration, trust me. And it’s an interesting dynamic.

I’m so glad you’re enjoying reading it back. More complexities between Corbin/Mike/Pete to come, so hopefully I can continue to illustrate those at a high level

This was an incredibly entertaining review. Thank you. Especially now. I think you're spot on on some things, and I know you want ANYONE else for Corbin besides the Brit. I think the next several chapters will be very interesting, as I've said before, things start to move much more quickly than we saw last semester. I think you're spot on about Corbin gearing up for an explosive senior campaign, so I'm glad you brought up where and how Peter fits in to all of that... won't spoil anything, but the title is the title, and the story is the story.