Date: 06/24/12 05:23 am Title: Chapter Eight
Johnny really bothered my in this chapter, as I'm sure he was supposed to. I found it really creepy when he came up behind Brian and said that was the reason he wasn't the manager. So managers are okay with people getting hurt, so long as they don't hurt their bottom line? And the paycheck thing? Ugh, yeah, Johnny and Lou are getting paid, but what about my poor babies? 300,000 to split between the five of them, disgusting. They need new management. And now I'm ranting about stuff that didn't even happen in your chapter, lol sorry Hannah just their old management makes me want to scream! I really enjoyed how Brian was so concerned for the fans and how he was praying for them, and each of them individually too. I could really see Brian feeling that way. I also liked how they went to visit the girl, and how it made Brian feel even more guilty. Though, that was very sweet of them to do, but of course Johnny just wanted them to do it for publicity. Ugh God I hate him!
Great chapter though! Despite my major Johnny rant lol I really did love it and I'm looking forward to the next one! :)
Author's Response: LOL I was like "wait, I didn't touch on how much they've made yet have I?!?" Win. Like I said on Twitter, I love your mini-novel reviews. They rock so much! And Johnny's creepy bastardy ways were way easier to write than what I've been writing about him and Lou! Bwahaha. Your rant rules!
Date: 06/23/12 01:15 pm Title: Chapter Seven
I know this is fiction but you make it look so real (and we all know that a big part of those things really happened). Keep up the good work! Great story!
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the revieew, I'm glad you're enjoying it!!
Date: 06/22/12 02:14 pm Title: Chapter Seven
I adore this story. The part that made me giggle was Nick, he's such a scene stealer, that little rascal *pinches his cheeks*
Author's Response: He's Nick. He ALWAYS steals the scene. ;)
Date: 06/22/12 11:49 am Title: Chapter Seven
I agree with Brian when he said that, as a group, they should have sided together with something regarding their management and not dividing in two groups, one that still have faith in Lou and don't understand where all this resentment is coming from ( and just clearing it as "being childish and immature) and one smaller group that is starting to be suspicious about the reasons behind certain behaviours. I remember an interview that Nick said that it was difficult to side with Brian and accept that Lou and Jhonny weren't the people they thought they were. I was always interested in this period and it's amazing to think what they overcome and still they're together and closer.
Now I'm looking forward to see how the guys will act when things will get rougher with Brian's heart problem.
Oh, and so cute the cousin's scene with Kevin wanting to buy the rings together with Brian. I've a soft spot for their relationship. There aren't so many stories that deepen this relationship.
Great chap as always! ^__^
I'm really looking forward to the
Author's Response: Well you know what they say, a house divided cannot stand... Writing the boys splitting into "sides" over the argument about Lou is something that I needed to do to keep the tension there - and keep Brian questioning himself, and his feelings about Lou at this point in the game, which is why I chose to split them Nick and Brian against the others. Sometimes, especially in younger settings like this, I feel like Nick is kind of an add-on for important discussions, because he's the youngest, his opinion somehow doesn't really solidify Brian's building doubt of Lou. ... I haven't seen/heard any interviews where the Boys discussed this time in their career, to be honest, so I don't know what interview you're speaking of with Nick, but it's interesting that what I invented for neccessity of the story I'm writing was true. Hmm. Thanks so much for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Date: 06/22/12 06:58 am Title: Chapter Seven
Thanks for the link to that Intimate & Interactive show; I've never seen that before, but it sounds like a good one! I liked this chapter; the conversation between the guys about Lou was interesting, especially how Nick was the only one who sided with Brian. I wonder if that has to do with the sexual abuse rumors. It's cute that Kevin and Brian are planning to go ring-shopping together... aww! And to respond to something you said in your reply to one of my last reviews, I agree with you about Nick sounding accidentally wise in certain interviews LOL. That's what's interesting about Nick; there are so many different sides to him. You're doing a great job showing the silly, immature side blended with the occasional serious moments.
Author's Response: The sexual abuse rumors are something that has always kept me from writing much about Lou, and I'm a little nervous about attempting to address in this story. I think what I have planned at this point for the story addresses them in a tasteful manner. ... I'm looking forward to writing more Kevin/Brian in the future chapters and exploring that relationship during this time. I'm trying to give the Boys equal amounts of storytime, but for some reason I'm having issues writing AJ in this story. I don't know why, I suppose because it was such a dark time for him and it's challenging writing him drinking again now that I've written so many stories about him avoiding the drinking, making a point to say he had a Red Bull instead of alcohol or whatever. AJ all dark and twisty and drunk is hard to write now at this point. And how weir is it that Howie has yet to be asleep in this story? Whoa! lol
Date: 06/22/12 06:46 am Title: Chapter Six
I laughed so much at Nick's expense throughout this chapter, from the Twinkies, to him drooling on Brian's face, to the way all the guys talk about him, like he's "speshul." I love the way you write him LOL. Brian's dream was freaky, and I like how the way he sees Lou is starting to change. You're doing a great job setting this all up for what we know is to come!
Author's Response: Nick really is "speshul"... bwahaha.. Sometimes it's fun to have a good laugh at his expense! ;)
Date: 06/22/12 06:29 am Title: Chapter Five
There were so many things I liked about this chapter... 1) Howie cracked me up! 2) Honey DOES taste better coming out of a bear! 3) This line: "I smiled at Nick because sometimes he's really wise, and I'm not always sure if he means to be or if it just happens by accident." 4) The foreshadowing of Brian's New Year's resolution... aww, poor Brian!! And those are my random thoughts on this chapter LOL.
Author's Response: LOL I'm glad you liked the chapter. Those were some of my favorite parts of this chapter, too. The thing about Nick being wise by accident is something I've thought many times when he does interviews. It's so funny because he says things and sometimes you gotta wonder if he meant it the way it came out just because he's so good at mistakenly saying things... I love his accidental wiseness! Thanks so much for the review!! :)
Date: 06/22/12 06:00 am Title: Chapter Seven
OMG... I remember watching that Intimate & Interactive special live on Much like it was yesterday. I haven't seen it in years and I could tell you the outfits they wore, and the look on Nick's face when he's the only one who answers "Briefs," to their question LOL. I'm going to have to go watch all those videos you linked now, hahaha! What a fantastic special that was! I told you I was having a nostalgia moment! :D
Anyway, the chapter! Their conversation on the way to the show was really good. I liked how the others are hesitant to say anything bad about Lou, but Nick really gets it, and you can tell he's holding back saying more. I get that the guys are grateful to Lou for what he did for them, but at the same time Lou's treating them like shit. And it's at what point do you decide that even though someone did something great for you, that doesn't give them the right to act like they own you. And it seems like Brian's slowly realizing that. The others will come around, I'm sure. I liked Brian's little moment with the fan, and how it made him feel good about his career and what he was doing. Also liked his little conversation with Nick at the end. I wonder if Brian's opinion will change on that as the story goes on. Really great chapter, Hannah! and now I'm all caught up! Love this story so, so much!
Author's Response: LOL I wonder how long after this appearance the pantsing Nick always whines about happened? Only because their reactions to Nick being the only one in briefs was so hilarious. And I was so disturbed by AJ's hair -- ohemgee, he looked like young Howie Mandell. I died. LOL But it was such a classic BSB performance! I'm so glad I got to see it. LIke I said on Twitter I never had before. So awesome! ..... And back to the chapter, too. Ahem. It's really hard staying neutral to Lou from this end of it, having already seen what comes of it all. Writing the guys' struggle as they come to terms with understanding what Lou is is really hard, too. I keep having to step back and think about what they're all feeling in regards to the fame and everything. That little conversation with Brian and Nick at the end is kind of revealing to the fact that it's not just Brian being worn out by the fame, which really explains Nick in later years and AJ with the drinking as well. Of course those are issues that won't actually be covered in the story, but their foundations are still here and it's interesting trying to get into their heads psychologically even though I'm technically writing about Brian. Kinda leaving the doors open I guess in case I decide to make this a miniseries like I was saying on the forums.
Date: 06/22/12 05:43 am Title: Chapter Six
Ugh God, I really hate Lou Pearlman. That guy is serious scum. Ergh. That dream Brian had was definitely freaky and telling of the future and what could possibly happen, in the weird way that dreams do. So creeeeepy. But, onto happier things, I really enjoyed Brian and Kevin's conversation about engagements and weddings and Kristin and Leighanne! And also AJ's picture of course, I'd really like to see that, haha! But it was so creepy how Lou took it away and put it in his pocket. Don't want to think about the things he'll do while looking at it! LOL ugh, ew! Um, but anyway, great chapter! :)
Author's Response: IKR! He's so gross. I'm trying to figure out where to balance Lou as far as the accusations are concerned, and I think the way I have it currently storyboarded out will be effective to address it without getting too into it or making any accusations that may/maynot be true, you know? Brian's dream was an interesting part of this chapter. I was trying to figure out how to depict what was going to happen in a dream so I looked up on Google "dreams that involve the heart" and literally the dream dictionary that came up said that to see a heart removed from a body signified betrayal of trust by the person removing it, and seeing your own heart in a dream signified health and business issues in your future. Um could that be more perfect? So yeah having Brian dream that after Lou chewed him and Nick out like that ended up working out perfectly for th symbolism and for him to explain it away easily in the story. I'm having fun researching this stuff, can you tell? Thanks again for the reviews! :)
Date: 06/22/12 05:18 am Title: Chapter Five
Whoa, this one was kinda ominous! I can just picture Lou the giant douche being cranky and shuffling down the hall. Ew. He really needs an attitude adjustment, and I like how Brian caught on to that right away. His new year's conversation with Nick was really well done. I liked how Brian told Nick his resolution was to make it to next year, that was really eerie. And I really liked how you fit in Brian's thoughts during the countdown as well.
Author's Response: Brian's NYE resolution was the main reason I wrote the story starting as far away from the actual "events" that the story's gonna get into as I did. I was originally storyboarding to start it on his birthday and the "make it to next year" was a birthday wish - that was part of a prologue I'd written - and I rewrote it because A) he didn't know about the surgery then, and B) it makes more sense for it to be a NYE resolution because it's something people say off handedly all the time on NYE. It just happens to be prophetic in Brian's case.
Date: 06/22/12 05:03 am Title: Chapter Four
I literally burst out laughing when they got back to the hotel and Kevin was there, and then they escaped him in the elevator, haha! Amazing. Oh Kevin, he's always on their trail. I liked how after Brian spent some time with Nick, Nick started to sort of come around with Leighanne and felt a little bit better about the situation. They'll always be Frick and Frack! B'awww. Oh, and the end, with Kevin showing up? Excellent. Loved it! :)
Author's Response: I'd run from the Dirty Brow, too, wouldn't you????
Date: 06/22/12 04:49 am Title: Chapter Three
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! There was so much I loved about this chapter. I loved the way Brian sort of freaked out when Leighanne said "we," but then realized it was him who had brought it up without realizing it in the first place. That's so Brian-ish! I enjoyed the little nod to Wylee, and Nick talking about how he was never going to get married and his reaction when Brian told him he was thinking of proposing to Leighanne. Gah, I just love Frick and Frack.
Author's Response: I was wondering if anyone caught the Wylee nod! Of course you would Steph! I should've known even if nobody else would that you would! ;) ...And I really liked Nick's reaction to the whole marriage idea too. Writing Nick overreacting to things is really fun. LOL
Date: 06/22/12 04:34 am Title: Chapter Two
Awww Frick and Frack. LMAO at Nick getting onto the plane and trying to speak French and annoying everyone. I could totally see Nick doing something like that, and also him and AJ sneaking alcohol onto the other flight! Those crazy guys. You're doing a great job of capturing what they were like in the early days while adding little hints as to what's going to happen in the future. Love it!
Author's Response: Bwahahaha... Can't you just picture him thanking everyone in French? I did something like that once when I went for a trip to Montreal. Someone held a door open for me in a mall and I tried to be cool and thank them in French and instead I thanked them in SPANISH. The woman looked at me like she wanted to slam the door in my face. LOL Probably was like STUPID AMERICAN in her head or something. Thanks so much for the review!!!
Date: 06/22/12 04:28 am Title: Chapter Seven
Hey I liked the update. This story is making me feel all nostalgic. I like how you are including the break down in the boys' relationship with Lou and Johnny, it adds a little more to the whole backdrop of that time. I have one little timeline nit pick however. Britney didn't really become famous until '99 if I remember correctly. I think "Hit Me Baby One More Time" became a hit in early '99. Anyway, besides that I loved the update and can't wait for more. Oh and thanks for the link!
Author's Response: Hey! Thanks for the review! I checked it out quickly just now, since you brought it up, and it looks like Britney's first CD did release in 1999, but she was famous off the Mickey Mouse Club run that ended in the earlier 90s. She then was doing mall tours and things like that throughout late '97 into '98 that gathered a lot of fans before she released her single to the radio and went on tour with NSYNC in the fall of '98 and Spring of '99, before her own headline in summer of '99... The Boys probably would've known about her at this point since it was in-industry stuff but you're right, she probably wasn't as big as they made it sound in the conversation here. So I'm gonna go back and change it so they're talking about Madonna since the conversation would still make sense with Madonna. Thanks for the catch on the accuracy!! Thanks for the review!!
Date: 06/21/12 05:38 am Title: Chapter Six
Hi,
I really enjoyed the updates! You really are capturing this time in the guys life really nicely. Must be hard to write Lou as a kind of nice guy, haha!
I know you said before you are being accurate with where they were on tour and such during that time and I love that you are writing the names of the venues with the proper names at the time. For example Molson Centre (French: Molson Centre) instead of the current name Bell Centre (French: Centre Bell) and Corel Centre instead of the current name Scotiabank Place. Shows how accurate you are trying to be. And I don't know how accurate you are trying to be but thought I would let you know centre is spelled "re" in Canada versus "er" like you have in the story. Sorry I don't want to be snobby but just thought I would drop you a line in case it matters to you, if it doesn't ignore me!
Again I'm really liking this story as "early days" stories are my favourite especially interaction between Kevin/Nick/Brian!
Can't wait to read more.
Author's Response: Ooooh thank you! I wasn't sure if it was spelled that way when writing in English or not. I'll probably go back through and fix the instances of it being Center v. Centre. And I'm trying really hard to stay accurate with the dates and the names. I'm glad you noticed!! Thank you for the review! I really appreciate the feedback and help out! :)
